Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration File No.: 333-31250
Prospectus Supplement to Prospectus dated May 13, 2002.
$320,000,000
JCP&L TRANSITION FUNDING LLC
ISSUER
JERSEY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT COMPANY
SELLER AND SERVICER
Transition Bonds, Series 2002-A
---------------------
The series 2002-A transition bonds are highly structured. There currently
is no secondary market for the transition bonds, and there is no assurance that
one will develop.
The transition bonds represent obligations only of JCP&L Transition
Funding LLC, which is the issuer, and are backed only by the assets of the
issuer, consisting primarily of the bondable transition property, which
includes the right to recover from customers, through a transition bond charge,
amounts from which the payments on the series 2002-A transition bonds will be
made, as described further in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying
prospectus. None of Jersey Central Power & Light Company (referred to as
"JCP&L"), its parent, FirstEnergy Corp., or any of their respective affiliates,
other than the issuer, is liable for payments on the series 2002-A transition
bonds.
See "RISK FACTORS" beginning on page 14 in the accompanying prospectus to
read about factors you should consider before buying the transition bonds.
---------------------
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY OTHER REGULATORY
BODY HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE ACCOMPANYING
PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
---------------------
Expected
Initial Proceeds Final Legal Final
Interest Principal Price Underwriting To Issuer Payment Maturity
Rate Amount (%) Discounts (%) (1)(2) Date Date
---------- -------------- -------------- --------------- -------------- ------------------- -------------------
Class A-1 ........ 4.19% $91,111,000 99.94493% 0.460% $90,641,715 December 5, 2007 December 5, 2009
Class A-2 ........ 5.39% $52,297,000 99.93494% 0.480% $52,011,950 September 5, 2010 September 5, 2012
Class A-3 ........ 5.81% $77,075,000 99.89185% 0.520% $76,590,853 December 5, 2013 December 5, 2015
Class A-4 ........ 6.16% $99,517,000 99.92083% 0.580% $98,861,139 June 5, 2017 June 5, 2019
- ----------
(1) Before payment of fees and expenses.
(2) The total price to the public is $319,753,657 and the amount of the
underwriting discounts and other fees is $1,948,000. The total amount of
proceeds before deduction of expenses (estimated to be $4,002,000) is
$317,805,657.
----------------------
The underwriters expect to deliver the transition bonds in book-entry form
only through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company against payment in
New York, New York on June 11, 2002.
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
MORGAN STANLEY SALOMON SMITH BARNEY
Prospectus Supplement Dated June 4, 2002.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
WHERE TO FIND INFORMATION IN THESE DOCUMENTS ....................... S-1
INTRODUCTION ....................................................... S-2
THE SERIES 2002-A TRANSITION BONDS ................................. S-2
The Collateral .................................................... S-3
Payment Sources ................................................... S-4
Principal Payments ................................................ S-4
Optional Redemption ............................................... S-7
Distribution Following Acceleration ............................... S-7
Interest Payments ................................................. S-7
CREDIT ENHANCEMENT ................................................. S-8
Periodic Adjustment of the Transition Bond Charge ................. S-8
Collection Account and Subaccounts ................................ S-8
DESCRIPTION OF BONDABLE TRANSITION PROPERTY ........................ S-11
THE TRANSITION BOND CHARGE ......................................... S-11
INFORMATION REGARDING JERSEY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT COMPANY ......... S-12
UNDERWRITING THE SERIES 2002-A TRANSITION BONDS .................... S-13
RATINGS FOR THE SERIES 2002-A TRANSITION BONDS ..................... S-14
INCOME TAX MATTERS ................................................. S-15
WHERE TO FIND INFORMATION IN THESE DOCUMENTS
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus provide
information about the issuer and JCP&L, including terms and conditions that
apply to the transition bonds. The specific terms of this series of transition
bonds, the series 2002-A transition bonds, are contained in this prospectus
supplement. The terms that apply to all series of transition bonds appear in
the accompanying prospectus. You should read both of these documents in full
before buying the transition bonds.
We have included cross-references to captions in these materials where you
can find further related discussions. Cross references may be contained in the
introductory sections that will direct you elsewhere in this prospectus
supplement or the accompanying prospectus for a more detailed description of a
particular topic. You can also find references to key topics listed in the
Table of Contents on the preceding page. Attached to the accompanying
prospectus is a glossary of terms which indicates where you may find
significant terms used in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying
prospectus.
You should rely only on information on the transition bonds provided in
this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We have not
authorized anyone to provide you with different information.
S-1
INTRODUCTION
THE ISSUER:................. JCP&L Transition Funding LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company and a direct
wholly-owned subsidiary of JCP&L.
ISSUER'S ADDRESS:........... 103 Foulk Road, Suite 202
Wilmington, Delaware 19803
ISSUER'S TELEPHONE NUMBER:... (302) 691-6118
SELLER OF THE BONDABLE
TRANSITION PROPERTY:........ JCP&L is a public utility providing retail
electric service within a territory located in
northern, western and east central New Jersey
having a population of approximately 2.7 million.
JCP&L is a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., a
holding company registered under the Public
Utility Holding Company Act of 1935.
SELLER'S ADDRESS:........... 76 South Main Street
Akron, Ohio 44308-1890
SELLER'S TELEPHONE NUMBER:.... (330) 384-5100
SERVICER OF THE BONDABLE
TRANSITION PROPERTY:........ JCP&L will act as servicer of all of the
bondable transition property.
JCP&L will be entitled to a servicing fee of
0.125% per year of the initial principal balance
of the transition bonds, which the servicer may
withhold on a quarterly basis from the
transition bond charge collections. If JCP&L is
replaced by a successor servicer, the successor
servicer may be paid a servicing fee of up to
1.25% per year of the initial principal balance
of the transition bonds.
TRUSTEE:.................... The Bank of New York
MINIMUM DENOMINATION:....... $1,000, except for one transition bond of each
class which may be of a smaller denomination.
THE SERIES 2002-A TRANSITION BONDS
The transition bonds will be issued under and secured pursuant to the
indenture between the issuer and the trustee, as supplemented for each series
of transition bonds. The following summary does not purport to be complete and
is qualified by reference to the terms and provisions of the indenture and the
transition bonds.
The series 2002-A transition bonds will be issued in minimum denominations
of $1,000 and in integral multiples of that amount. The series 2002-A
transition bonds will consist of four classes, in the initial class principal
amounts, bearing the interest rates and having the expected final payment dates
and legal final maturity dates set forth below:
S-2
TABLE 1
INITIAL CLASS EXPECTED FINAL LEGAL FINAL
CLASS PRINCIPAL AMOUNT INTEREST RATE PAYMENT DATE MATURITY DATE
- ------------- ------------------ --------------- ------------------- ------------------
A-1 ......... $91,111,000 4.19% December 5, 2007 December 5, 2009
A-2 ......... 52,297,000 5.39% September 5, 2010 September 5, 2012
A-3 ......... 77,075,000 5.81% December 5, 2013 December 5, 2015
A-4 ......... 99,517,000 6.16% June 5, 2017 June 5, 2019
The expected final payment date for each class of the series 2002-A
transition bonds is the date on which there is expected to be no further
outstanding principal balance of that class in accordance with the expected
amortization schedule for that class. The legal final maturity date for each
class of the series 2002-A transition bonds is the date on which the issuer is
required to pay any outstanding principal balance of that class. On each
payment date, payments will be made to the persons that were the holders of
record as of the business day before that payment date (referred to as the
"record date"). However, if certificated transition bonds are issued to
beneficial owners of the transition bonds as described in "THE TRANSITION
BONDS--CERTIFICATED TRANSITION BONDS" in the accompanying prospectus, the
record date will be the last business day of the calendar month preceding the
payment date.
THE COLLATERAL
The series 2002-A transition bonds will be secured primarily by bondable
transition property, a presently existing property right created by the New
Jersey Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act of 1999 (referred to as the
"Competition Act") and a financing order (referred to as the "BPU financing
order") issued by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (referred to as the
"BPU") on February 6, 2002 which is final and non-appealable. In general terms,
the bondable transition property represents the irrevocable right to charge,
collect and receive, and be paid from collections of, a non-bypassable
transition bond charge payable by JCP&L's customers in an amount sufficient to
pay:
o the fees, expenses, costs, charges, credit enhancement and premiums, if
any, associated with the transition bonds and their issuance; and
o the principal amount of and interest on the transition bonds.
The net proceeds of the series 2002-A transition bonds will be used to
reduce a portion of JCP&L's stranded costs through the retirement of its debt
or equity, or both. Stranded costs are (1) the amount by which the net cost of
the electric public utility's electric generating assets or electric power
purchase contracts, which traditionally would be recoverable in a regulated
environment, exceeds the market value of those assets or contracts in a
competitive supply marketplace, as determined by the BPU, and (2) the costs of
buydowns or buyouts of power purchase contracts. The bondable transition
property is described in more detail under "THE SALE AGREEMENT--JCP&L'S SALE
AND ASSIGNMENT OF THE BONDABLE TRANSITION PROPERTY TO THE ISSUER" in the
accompanying prospectus.
For convenience of usage in this prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus, there are numerous references to the holding and
transfer of bondable transition property by JCP&L and the issuer. However,
pursuant to New Jersey state law and the BPU financing order, bondable
transition property arises, and constitutes a vested, presently existing
property right, upon (i) the transfer to an assignee and (ii) receipt of
consideration therefor.
As used throughout this prospectus supplement, a "customer" responsible
for paying the transition bond charge is an end user of electricity that is
connected to any part of JCP&L's transmission and distribution system and is
located within JCP&L's service territory, other than (1) the single end user
presently taking service under an experimental JCP&L rate class that accounted
for approximately 1.7% of JCP&L's kilowatt hour sales in 2001 and (2) end users
that are connected to JCP&L's transmission and distribution system but who
self-generate from on-site facilities unless new on-site generation facilities
reduce the kilowatt hours distributed in the aggregate by JCP&L to all of its
customers to 92.5% or less of the aggregate kilowatt hours distributed by it in
1999. Those customers receiving power generated
S-3
from new on-site generation facilities that commence operation after such
threshold is reached will also be responsible for payment of the transition
bond charge as if this power were distributed by JCP&L.
In connection with the issuance of the transition bonds, JCP&L will sell
its interest in the bondable transition property to the issuer. JCP&L, as
servicer of the bondable transition property, will collect the transition bond
charge from customers on behalf of the issuer. The transition bond charge is
non-bypassable, which means that the charge will be payable by JCP&L customers,
even if those customers elect to purchase electricity from a third party
supplier. See "THE COMPETITION ACT--JCP&L AND OTHER UTILITIES MAY SECURITIZE
STRANDED COSTS" in the accompanying prospectus. Under certain circumstances,
third party suppliers of electricity to JCP&L's customers may be allowed to
bill and collect the transition bond charge from customers and will then be
required to pay the billed amounts to JCP&L, as servicer. Because the amount of
transition bond charge collections will depend on the amount of electricity
consumed by customers within JCP&L's service territory, these collections may
vary substantially from year to year. See "SERVICING OF THE BONDABLE TRANSITION
PROPERTY" in the accompanying prospectus.
PAYMENT SOURCES
On each payment date, the trustee will pay amounts scheduled to be paid on
transition bonds from amounts available for withdrawal from trust accounts held
by the trustee or paid pursuant to contracts pledged to secure one or more
series of transition bonds, including collections received from the servicer
with respect to the transition bond charge. All series of transition bonds,
including the series 2002-A transition bonds, will be payable from bondable
transition property. If another series of transition bonds is issued, the
principal source of repayment for that series will also be transition bond
charge collections collected by the servicer. The issuance of other series of
transition bonds is not expected to adversely affect the sufficiency of
transition bond charge collections to make payments on the series 2002-A
transition bonds. This is because the transition bond charge and adjustments
made to it will be based on amounts owed with respect to all transition bonds.
Moreover, any additional series of transition bonds will be issued only if such
issuance will not result in the downgrading or withdrawal of any rating by a
rating agency on any outstanding transition bonds. See "THE
INDENTURE--TRANSITION BONDS MAY BE ISSUED IN VARIOUS SERIES OR CLASSES" in the
accompanying prospectus.
PRINCIPAL PAYMENTS
On each payment date, the issuer will distribute principal of the series
2002-A transition bonds to the series 2002-A transition bondholders, in
accordance with the expected amortization schedule and to the extent funds are
available, in the following order:
(1) to the holders of the class A-1 series 2002-A transition bonds, until
the principal balance of that class has been reduced to zero;
(2) to the holders of the class A-2 series 2002-A transition bonds, until
the principal balance of that class has been reduced to zero;
(3) to the holders of the class A-3 series 2002-A transition bonds, until
the principal balance of that class has been reduced to zero; and
(4) to the holders of the class A-4 series 2002-A transition bonds, until
the principal balance of that class has been reduced to zero.
The issuer will not, however, distribute principal of any class of the
series 2002-A transition bonds on a payment date if making such payment would
reduce the principal balance of a class to an amount lower than that specified
in the expected amortization schedule in Table 2 below (referred to as the
"expected amortization schedule") for that class on that payment date. The
entire unpaid principal balance of each class of the series 2002-A transition
bonds will be due and payable on the legal final maturity date for that class.
If an event of default under the indenture has occurred and is continuing,
the trustee, or the holders of not less than a majority of the principal
balance of the outstanding transition bonds of all series, voting
S-4
together as a single class, may declare the unpaid principal balance of all
outstanding transition bonds together with accrued interest due and payable. If
there is a shortfall in the balance necessary to make principal payments that
are due and payable, including upon an acceleration following an event of
default, the trustee will distribute principal pro rata among the series and
classes of transition bonds in proportion to the amount of principal due and
payable for each series or class. If there is a shortfall in the amount
necessary to make scheduled principal payments, the trustee will distribute
principal pro rata among the series and classes in proportion to the amount
scheduled to be paid for each series or class.
The expected amortization schedule in Table 2 sets forth the principal
balance from the issuance date to the expected final payment date that is
scheduled to remain outstanding for each class of the series 2002-A transition
bonds. The table reflects the principal balance for each class at each payment
date following scheduled payments of principal on that date. In establishing
the expected amortization schedule for the series 2002-A transition bonds, it
has been assumed, among other things, that:
(1) the series 2002-A transition bonds are issued on June 11, 2002;
(2) payments on the series 2002-A transition bonds are made, with respect
to each payment date, on the fifth day of each month in which a
payment date occurs, commencing on March 5, 2003;
(3) the total annual servicing fee for the series 2002-A transition bonds
equals .125% of the initial principal balance of the series 2002-A
transition bonds;
(4) there are no net earnings on amounts on deposit in the collection
account;
(5) operating expenses, including all fees, costs and charges of the
issuer and the trustee, are paid in the amount of $243,333 per annum
in the aggregate for all series on each payment date and that these
amounts are payable in arrears; and
(6) all transition bond charge collections are received in accordance
with JCP&L's forecasts and deposited in the collection account.
S-5
TABLE 2
EXPECTED AMORTIZATION SCHEDULE
OUTSTANDING PRINCIPAL BALANCE BY CLASS
EXPECTED EXPECTED EXPECTED EXPECTED
PAYMENT CLASS A-1 CLASS A-2 CLASS A-3 CLASS A-4
DATE BALANCE BALANCE BALANCE BALANCE
- ---------------------- -------------- ------------ ------------ -----------
Closing Date ......... $91,111,000 52,297,000 77,075,000 99,517,000
3/5/03 ............... 81,020,670 52,297,000 77,075,000 99,517,000
6/5/03 ............... 76,085,370 52,297,000 77,075,000 99,517,000
9/5/03 ............... 71,712,829 52,297,000 77,075,000 99,517,000
12/5/03 .............. 67,311,898 52,297,000 77,075,000 99,517,000
3/5/04 ............... 64,036,448 52,297,000 77,075,000 99,517,000
6/5/04 ............... 60,559,357 52,297,000 77,075,000 99,517,000
9/5/04 ............... 56,445,090 52,297,000 77,075,000 99,517,000
12/5/04 .............. 51,723,005 52,297,000 77,075,000 99,517,000
3/5/05 ............... 48,155,059 52,297,000 77,075,000 99,517,000
6/5/05 ............... 44,381,128 52,297,000 77,075,000 99,517,000
9/5/05 ............... 40,060,086 52,297,000 77,075,000 99,517,000
12/5/05 .............. 35,172,118 52,297,000 77,075,000 99,517,000
3/5/06 ............... 31,444,442 52,297,000 77,075,000 99,517,000
6/5/06 ............... 27,513,385 52,297,000 77,075,000 99,517,000
9/5/06 ............... 23,015,488 52,297,000 77,075,000 99,517,000
12/5/06 .............. 17,941,438 52,297,000 77,075,000 99,517,000
3/5/07 ............... 14,036,302 52,297,000 77,075,000 99,517,000
6/5/07 ............... 9,927,568 52,297,000 77,075,000 99,517,000
9/5/07 ............... 5,242,481 52,297,000 77,075,000 99,517,000
12/5/07 .............. -- 52,273,041 77,075,000 99,517,000
3/5/08 ............... -- 48,182,907 77,075,000 99,517,000
6/5/08 ............... -- 43,877,640 77,075,000 99,517,000
9/5/08 ............... -- 38,974,557 77,075,000 99,517,000
12/5/08 .............. -- 33,469,193 77,075,000 99,517,000
3/5/09 ............... -- 29,127,452 77,075,000 99,517,000
6/5/09 ............... -- 24,568,682 77,075,000 99,517,000
9/5/09 ............... -- 19,402,605 77,075,000 99,517,000
12/5/09 .............. -- 13,629,341 77,075,000 99,517,000
3/5/10 ............... -- 9,024,534 77,075,000 99,517,000
6/5/10 ............... -- 4,197,574 77,075,000 99,517,000
9/5/10 ............... -- -- 75,829,178 99,517,000
12/5/10 .............. -- -- 69,771,653 99,517,000
3/5/11 ............... -- -- 64,878,949 99,517,000
6/5/11 ............... -- -- 59,758,930 99,517,000
9/5/11 ............... -- -- 54,007,195 99,517,000
12/5/11 .............. -- -- 47,626,619 99,517,000
3/5/12 ............... -- -- 42,415,448 99,517,000
6/5/12 ............... -- -- 36,972,305 99,517,000
9/5/12 ............... -- -- 30,891,365 99,517,000
12/5/12 .............. -- -- 24,174,264 99,517,000
3/5/13 ............... -- -- 18,622,474 99,517,000
6/5/13 ............... -- -- 12,832,708 99,517,000
9/5/13 ............... -- -- 6,400,074 99,517,000
12/5/13 .............. -- -- -- 98,841,235
3/5/14 ............... -- -- -- 92,928,140
6/5/14 ............... -- -- -- 86,770,250
9/5/14 ............... -- -- -- 79,956,722
12/5/14 .............. -- -- -- 72,485,803
3/5/15 ............... -- -- -- 66,166,756
6/5/15 ............... -- -- -- 59,595,908
9/5/15 ............... -- -- -- 52,362,850
12/5/15 .............. -- -- -- 44,464,078
3/5/16 ............... -- -- -- 37,713,654
6/5/16 ............... -- -- -- 30,708,424
9/5/16 ............... -- -- -- 23,032,290
12/5/16 .............. -- -- -- 14,681,081
3/5/17 ............... -- -- -- 7,471,877
6/5/17 ............... -- -- -- --
S-6
There can be no assurance that the principal balance of any class of the
series 2002-A transition bonds will be reduced at the rate indicated in the
foregoing table. The actual rates of reduction in class principal balances may
be slower but, except in the case of optional redemption or upon acceleration
of the transition bonds due to an event of default specified in the indenture
(both as discussed below), not faster than those indicated in Table 2. The
series 2002-A transition bonds will not be in default if principal is not paid
as specified above in Table 2; however, a default will occur if the entire
outstanding principal balance of any class is not paid on or before the legal
final maturity date of that class.
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
The issuer may redeem all of the outstanding series 2002-A transition
bonds, at its option, on any payment date if the outstanding principal balance
of the series 2002-A transition bonds (after giving effect to payments
scheduled to be made on that payment date) is less than 5% of the total initial
principal balance of the series 2002-A transition bonds. Upon redemption, the
issuer will pay the outstanding principal balance of the series 2002-A
transition bonds and interest accrued and unpaid up to the redemption date. The
trustee will give notice of the redemption to series 2002-A transition
bondholders not less than five days nor more than 45 days prior to the
redemption date. The series 2002-A transition bonds will not be redeemed before
the expected final payment date in any other circumstances other than in the
case of acceleration due to an event of default specified in the indenture.
DISTRIBUTION FOLLOWING ACCELERATION
Upon an acceleration of the maturity of the transition bonds, the total
outstanding principal balance of and interest accrued on the series 2002-A
transition bonds will be payable without priority of interest over principal or
principal over interest and without regard to series or class, in the
proportion that the total outstanding principal balance of, and accrued
interest on, the series 2002-A transition bonds bear to the total outstanding
principal balances of, and any interest accrued on, all transition bonds.
INTEREST PAYMENTS
Holders of the transition bonds in each class of series 2002-A transition
bonds will receive interest at the rate for that class as set forth in Table 1
above.
Interest on each class of the series 2002-A transition bonds will accrue
from and including the date of issuance to but excluding the first payment
date, and thereafter from and including the previous payment date to but
excluding the applicable payment date, until the transition bonds have been
paid in full, at the interest rates indicated in Table 1. The issuer is
required to pay interest quarterly on March 5, June 5, September 5 and December
5 of each year, beginning March 5, 2003, or, if any such day is not a business
day, the following business day. Each such day is referred to as a "payment
date".
On each payment date, the issuer will pay interest on each class of the
series 2002-A transition bonds as follows:
o if there has been a payment default, any unpaid interest payable on any
prior payment dates, together with any accrued interest on any such
unpaid interest; and
o accrued interest on the principal balance of each class of the series
2002-A transition bonds as of the close of business on the preceding
payment date, or the date of the original issuance of the class of the
series 2002-A transition bonds, as applicable, after giving effect to all
payments of principal made on the preceding payment date.
The issuer will pay interest on the series 2002-A transition bonds prior
to paying principal of the transition bonds. See "THE TRANSITION
BONDS--PAYMENTS OF INTEREST ON AND PRINCIPAL OF THE TRANSITION BONDS" in the
accompanying prospectus. If the amount available to pay interest on the series
2002-A transition bonds is less than the full amount necessary to make such
payments, the trustee will distribute interest pro rata to each class of the
series 2002-A transition bonds based on the interest then due on that class.
See "THE INDENTURE--HOW FUNDS IN THE COLLECTION ACCOUNT WILL BE ALLOCATED" in
the accompanying prospectus. The issuer will calculate interest on all classes
of the series 2002-A transition bonds on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve
30-day months.
S-7
CREDIT ENHANCEMENT
Credit enhancement for the series 2002-A transition bonds is intended to
protect you against losses or delays in scheduled payments on your transition
bonds. See "RISK FACTORS--TRANSITION BONDHOLDERS MAY EXPERIENCE PAYMENT DELAYS
OR LOSSES AS A RESULT OF THE LIMITED SOURCES OF PAYMENT FOR THE TRANSITION
BONDS AND LIMITED CREDIT ENHANCEMENT" in the accompanying prospectus.
PERIODIC ADJUSTMENT OF THE TRANSITION BOND CHARGE
Credit enhancement for the transition bonds includes mandatory periodic
adjustments by the BPU to the transition bond charge to be billed to customers,
upon the petition by JCP&L, as servicer. The servicer is authorized under the
BPU financing order to file adjustment requests at least annually but not more
frequently than quarterly, except that monthly filings are permitted in the
last year before expected maturity of the transition bonds and continuing until
their legal final maturity. Under the servicing agreement, the servicer is
required to petition for adjustments at least annually through May 1, 2016 and
quarterly commencing with August 1, 2016. The periodic adjustments will be
designed to ensure, among other things, that sufficient funds for timely
payments of principal and interest on the transition bonds will be available in
accordance with the expected amortization schedule set forth in Table 2 above.
See "THE BPU FINANCING ORDER AND THE TRANSITION BOND CHARGE--THE BPU'S
TRANSITION BOND CHARGE ADJUSTMENT PROCESS" in the accompanying prospectus. The
adjustments will be made if the transition bond charge does not produce
sufficient collections after taking into account any excess collections:
(1) to pay ongoing transaction expenses and fees;
(2) to make timely principal and interest payments on the transition
bonds in accordance with the expected amortization schedule; and
(3) to fund or replenish any of the subaccounts, including the series
capital subaccount and the series overcollateralization subaccount, to
their required levels.
COLLECTION ACCOUNT AND SUBACCOUNTS
The trustee will establish a collection account to hold the capital
contribution from JCP&L to the issuer and amounts remitted by the servicer from
time to time. The collection account will contain the funds securing the
transition bonds. The collection account will consist of subaccounts including
the following:
o the general subaccount;
o one or more series subaccounts;
o one or more series capital subaccounts;
o one or more series overcollateralization subaccounts; and
o the reserve subaccount.
Withdrawals from and deposits to all of these subaccounts will be made as
described under "THE INDENTURE--THE COLLECTION ACCOUNT FOR THE TRANSITION
BONDS" and "--HOW FUNDS IN THE COLLECTION ACCOUNT WILL BE ALLOCATED" in the
accompanying prospectus.
The General Subaccount. Transition bond charge collections remitted by the
servicer to the trustee will be deposited into the general subaccount.
On each payment date, the trustee will allocate amounts in the general
subaccount to make the allocations described in "THE INDENTURE--HOW FUNDS IN
THE COLLECTION ACCOUNT WILL BE ALLOCATED" in the accompanying prospectus.
The Series Subaccount. Upon the issuance of the series 2002-A transition
bonds, a series subaccount will be established with respect to that series. On
each payment date, as described below,
S-8
the trustee will allocate from amounts on deposit in the general subaccount to
the series subaccount for each series an amount sufficient to pay, to the
extent available:
(1) current and past due interest payable on that series on that payment
date, including interest on past due interest to each class on a pro
rata basis based on the amount of interest payable to that class;
(2) the principal of any series payable as a result of an acceleration
following the occurrence of an event of default, the principal of any
series payable on the legal final maturity date of that series, and
the principal of any series payable on a redemption date; and
(3) principal scheduled to be paid on any series on that payment date, as
set forth in the expected amortization schedule, excluding amounts
provided for in item (2) above.
On each payment date, allocations will be made to each series subaccount
as described under "THE INDENTURE--HOW FUNDS IN THE COLLECTION ACCOUNT WILL BE
ALLOCATED" in the accompanying prospectus. On each payment date, the trustee
will withdraw funds from each series subaccount to make payments on the related
series of transition bonds.
The Series Capital Subaccount. Upon the issuance of the series 2002-A
transition bonds, JCP&L will deposit $1,600,000 in the series capital
subaccount, which represents 0.50% of the initial principal balance of that
series. This amount is the required capitalization amount for that series and
shall be held in the series capital subaccount. If amounts available in the
general subaccount, the related series subaccount, the reserve subaccount and
the related series overcollateralization subaccount are not sufficient on any
payment date to pay the expenses, fees and charges specified in the indenture
and to make scheduled payments of interest and principal to the series 2002-A
transition bondholders, the trustee will withdraw amounts from the series
capital subaccount to make those payments. The required capitalization amount
has been set at a level sufficient to obtain the ratings on the series 2002-A
transition bonds that are described below under "RATINGS FOR THE SERIES 2002-A
TRANSITION BONDS" in this prospectus supplement. The required capitalization
amount for each future series of transition bonds will be set at an amount at
least equal to 0.50% of the initial principal balance of that future series, or
at such greater amount as may be necessary to preclude any downgrading or
withdrawal of the ratings on the series 2002-A transition bonds upon the
issuance of that future series of transition bonds and will be set forth in the
applicable prospectus supplement for that future series. Upon any future
issuance, the required capitalization amount at any time will equal the
aggregate of the required capitalization amounts for all outstanding series.
See also "THE TRANSITION BONDS--CREDIT ENHANCEMENT FOR THE TRANSITION BONDS" in
the accompanying prospectus.
The Series Overcollateralization Subaccount. Upon the issuance of the
series 2002-A transition bonds, an overcollateralization subaccount will be
established for the series 2002-A transition bonds. The required
overcollateralization amount for the series 2002-A transition bonds is
$1,600,000, which represents 0.50% of the initial principal balance of that
series. The overcollateralization amount will be collected and deposited in the
series overcollateralization subaccount for the 2002-A transition bonds over
the life of the transition bonds. The trustee will deposit in the series
overcollateralization subaccount transition bond charge collections, together
with any earnings on investments in the collection account, sufficient to
maintain that subaccount at an amount which is referred to as the required
overcollateralization level, which is equal to the amounts shown in Table 3
below for each payment date. The required overcollateralization level has been
set so as to provide amounts sufficient to obtain the ratings on the series
2002-A transition bonds that are described below under "RATINGS FOR THE SERIES
2002-A TRANSITION BONDS" in this prospectus supplement. The required
overcollateralization level for each future series of transition bonds will be
set at an amount at least equal to 0.50% of the initial principal balance of
that future series, or at such greater amount as may be necessary to preclude
any downgrading or withdrawal of the ratings on the series 2002-A transition
bonds upon the issuance of that future series of transition bonds and will be
set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement for that future series. Upon
any future issuance, the required overcollateralization level at any time will
equal the aggregate of the required overcollateralization levels for all
outstanding series. See also "THE TRANSITION BONDS--CREDIT ENHANCEMENT FOR THE
TRANSITION BONDS" in the accompanying prospectus.
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TABLE 3
REQUIRED OVERCOLLATERALIZATION LEVEL SCHEDULE
REQUIRED OVER- REQUIRED OVER-
PAYMENT DATE COLLATERALIZATION LEVEL PAYMENT DATE COLLATERALIZATION LEVEL
- -------------- ------------------------- -------------- ------------------------
3/5/03 $ 80,000 6/5/10 $ 853,333
6/5/03 $106,667 9/5/10 $ 880,000
9/5/03 $133,333 12/5/10 $ 906,667
12/5/03 $160,000 3/5/11 $ 933,333
3/5/04 $186,667 6/5/11 $ 960,000
6/5/04 $213,333 9/5/11 $ 986,667
9/5/04 $240,000 12/5/11 $1,013,333
12/5/04 $266,667 3/5/12 $1,040,000
3/5/05 $293,333 6/5/12 $1,066,667
6/5/05 $320,000 9/5/12 $1,093,333
9/5/05 $346,667 12/5/12 $1,120,000
12/5/05 $373,333 3/5/13 $1,146,667
3/5/06 $400,000 6/5/13 $1,173,333
6/5/06 $426,667 9/5/13 $1,200,000
9/5/06 $453,333 12/5/13 $1,226,667
12/5/06 $480,000 3/5/14 $1,253,333
3/5/07 $506,667 6/5/14 $1,280,000
6/5/07 $533,333 9/5/14 $1,306,667
9/5/07 $560,000 12/5/14 $1,333,333
12/5/07 $586,667 3/5/15 $1,360,000
3/5/08 $613,333 6/5/15 $1,386,667
6/5/08 $640,000 9/5/15 $1,413,333
9/5/08 $666,667 12/5/15 $1,440,000
12/5/08 $693,333 3/5/16 $1,466,667
3/5/09 $720,000 6/5/16 $1,493,333
6/5/09 $746,667 9/5/16 $1,520,000
9/5/09 $773,333 12/5/16 $1,546,667
12/5/09 $800,000 3/5/17 $1,573,333
3/5/10 $826,667 6/5/17 $1,600,000
If amounts available in the general subaccount, the related series
subaccount and the reserve subaccount are not sufficient on any payment date to
pay the expenses, fees and charges specified in the indenture and to make
scheduled payments of interest and principal to the series 2002-A transition
bondholders, the trustee will withdraw amounts from the related series
overcollateralization subaccount to make those payments.
The Reserve Subaccount. The reserve subaccount will be funded with any
transition bond charge collections and earnings on investments in the
collection account, other than the capital subaccount, in excess of the amount
necessary to pay the following amounts on any payment date:
(1) fees and expenses of the trustee and the servicer and other fees and
expenses;
(2) principal and interest payments on the transition bonds, payable or
scheduled to be paid on that payment date, including past due amounts;
(3) any amount required to replenish the capital subaccount for each
series to the required capitalization amount; and
(4) the amounts required to fund or replenish the overcollateralization
subaccount for each series to the required overcollateralization
level.
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Disregarding interest earnings on funds held in the collection account,
the transition bond charge is calculated so that, if projected consumption is
realized exactly, there should not be any amounts in the reserve subaccount. In
the event that there are amounts in the reserve subaccount, the transition bond
charge will be adjusted periodically in a manner designed to eliminate these
amounts. See also "THE TRANSITION BONDS--CREDIT ENHANCEMENT FOR THE TRANSITION
BONDS" and "THE BPU FINANCING ORDER AND THE TRANSITION BOND CHARGE--THE BPU'S
TRANSITION BOND CHARGE ADJUSTMENT PROCESS" in the accompanying prospectus.
On any payment date, if amounts available in the general subaccount and
the series subaccount are not sufficient to pay the expenses, fees and charges
specified in the indenture, and to make scheduled payments to the transition
bondholders, the trustee will first withdraw amounts from the reserve
subaccount to make those payments before withdrawing amounts from the series
overcollateralization subaccount and, then, from the series capital subaccount.
DESCRIPTION OF BONDABLE TRANSITION PROPERTY
Bondable transition property is a presently existing property right
created by the Competition Act and a bondable stranded costs rate order such as
the BPU financing order. In general, bondable transition property represents
the irrevocable right of an electric public utility to charge, collect and
receive, and be paid from collections of, a non-bypassable transition bond
charge, in amounts sufficient to pay debt service on the transition bonds and
ongoing costs related to a particular transaction, which includes recovery of
the following, referred to as "bondable stranded costs":
(1) the stranded costs of an electric public utility approved by the BPU
for recovery through the issuance of transition bonds;
(2) the cost of retiring existing debt or equity capital of the electric
public utility, including accrued interest, premiums, and other
related fees, costs and charges, as approved by the BPU, with the
proceeds of the financing of bondable transition property; and
(3) the costs incurred to issue, service or refinance the transition
bonds, including interest, acquisition or redemption premium, and
other financing costs and related fees, costs and charges, whether
paid upon issuance or over the life of the transition bonds, including
but not limited to credit enhancements, service charges,
overcollateralization, interest rate caps, swaps or collars, yield
maintenance, maturity guarantees and other hedging agreements, equity
investments, operating costs and other related fees, costs and
charges, or to assign, sell or otherwise transfer bondable transition
property, as approved by the BPU.
Bondable transition property also includes (1) the right of an electric public
utility to obtain periodic adjustments of the transition bond charge and (2)
all revenues, collections, payments, money and proceeds with respect to all of
the foregoing elements of bondable transition property.
THE TRANSITION BOND CHARGE
The bondable stranded costs authorized in the BPU financing order are to
be recovered from customers of JCP&L through the assessment of the
non-bypassable transition bond charge.
JCP&L Will Assess the Transition Bond Charge on Customers. JCP&L, in its
capacity as servicer of the bondable transition property under the servicing
agreement, will assess the transition bond charge on the bills of its
customers. See "THE SERIES 2002-A TRANSITION BONDS -- THE COLLATERAL" in the
accompanying prospectus for a description of JCP&L's customers. The transition
bond charge will be a uniform non-bypassable per kilowatt hour charge assessed
against customers on their bills, regardless of customer rate class, as part of
JCP&L's regular billing. The amount of the charge will depend generally on the
amount of electricity delivered to the customer through JCP&L's transmission
and distribution system. Any third party electric power supplier of electricity
to JCP&L's customers must pay JCP&L the transition bond charge billed by such
third party electric power supplier to JCP&L's customers.
JCP&L Will Calculate the Transition Bond Charge. JCP&L, as servicer, will
calculate the transition bond charge based on the total amount required to be
billed to customers to generate transition bond
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charge collections sufficient to provide funds for the timely payment of
scheduled principal of and interest on the transition bonds and the other
amounts required to be paid by the issuer. The charge will be reflected in each
customer's bill. Actual transition bond charge collections may vary from
projected collections due to changes in electricity consumption patterns, total
usage, the number of customers, rates of delinquencies and write-offs and other
factors. See Tables 1 through 7 under "SERVICING OF THE BONDABLE TRANSITION
PROPERTY" in the accompanying prospectus. JCP&L, as servicer, is required to
seek adjustments to the transition bond charge as described under "THE BPU
FINANCING ORDER AND THE TRANSITION BOND CHARGE" in the accompanying prospectus,
in order to adjust for such variations.
The initial transition bond charge will be calculated based on:
o the issuance of $320 million of the series 2002-A transition bonds;
o the projected total payments required in relation to the transition
bonds during the period commencing immediately after the date of issuance
of the series 2002-A transition bonds and ending May 31, 2003; and
o the estimated amount of kilowatt-hours of electricity delivered, and for
which JCP&L bills and collects during that period.
The BPU's Transition Bond Charge Adjustment Process. Transition bond
charge collections are intended to be neither more nor less than the amount
necessary to pay the principal balance of the transition bonds of each series
in accordance with the expected amortization schedule, to pay interest on each
series, to pay related expenses and to fund or replenish the subaccounts. The
BPU financing order does not limit the number of transition bond charge
adjustments that may be sought and implemented, except to provide that
adjustments may not occur more frequently than quarterly, except that monthly
filings are permitted in the last year before the expected maturity of the
transition bonds and continuing until their legal final maturity. Furthermore,
New Jersey law requires that the BPU continue to approve transition bond charge
adjustments calculated in accordance with the formula until there are no
transition bonds outstanding and all fees, costs and expenses of the issuer
have been paid. In order to enhance the likelihood that the proper transition
bond charge amount is collected, the servicing agreement requires that the
servicer petition the BPU to approve adjustments to the transition bond charge.
The servicer is required to file those petitions annually through May 1, 2016,
and quarterly commencing on August 1, 2016, for so long as the series 2002-A
transition bonds are outstanding. The adjustments will increase or decrease the
transition bond charge so that transition bond charge collections will be in an
amount sufficient to amortize principal on the transition bonds in accordance
with the expected amortization schedule for each series of the transition
bonds, and to pay interest, fees and expenses, and will be in an amount
required to provide revenues sufficient to provide for the full recovery of
bondable stranded costs. Each periodic adjustment will become effective on an
interim basis 30 days after filing, absent a determination of manifest error by
the BPU, and will become final 60 days after filing in the absence of a BPU
order to the contrary. Under the BPU financing order, "manifest error" means an
arithmetic error evident on the face of the filing.
Initially, JCP&L estimates that the transition bond charge will be
approximately 0.20 cents per kilowatt hour (excluding New Jersey sales and use
tax) for customers of all rate classes, beginning not later than the issuance
date for the series 2002-A transition bonds. This charge represents, on
average, approximately 2% of the projected average rate to be paid for the year
2002 by customers who do not purchase electric generation service from third
party suppliers. See "THE COMPETITION ACT" and "THE BPU FINANCING ORDER AND THE
TRANSITION BOND CHARGE" in the accompanying prospectus.
INFORMATION REGARDING JERSEY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT COMPANY
JCP&L's earnings decreased 70.9% to $59.3 million on revenues of $2.122
billion in 2001, from $203.9 million on revenues of $1.979 billion in 2000.
Results in 2001 were affected by an after-tax charge of $177.5 million to
reduce deferred costs in accordance with the Stipulation of Settlement related
to the merger of FirstEnergy Corp. and GPU, Inc., discussed below. Also
contributing to lower earnings were
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higher purchased power costs. Partially offsetting these were lower nuclear and
other operating costs. In 2000, JCP&L's earnings increased 25.2% to $203.9
million, from $162.9 million on revenues of $2.018 billion in 1999, primarily
due to a gain for the reversal of certain deferred taxes and realization of an
investment tax credit related to the sale of the Oyster Creek nuclear
generating station, and the absence of a charge resulting from a
restructuring-related BPU order issued to JCP&L in 1999. Lower nuclear and
other operating costs also affected JCP&L's results for 2000.
JCP&L's earnings decreased 21.5% to $39.2 million on revenues of $450.7
million in the first quarter of 2002, from $50.0 million on revenues of $461.7
million in the first quarter of 2001. Lower operating revenues due to mild
weather this winter season accounted for the majority of the decrease. Also
having a negative impact on earnings were greater other operating costs and
depreciation and amortization expenses, partially offset by slightly higher
other income.
Effective November 7, 2001, GPU, Inc. merged with FirstEnergy Corp. so
that JCP&L is now a wholly owned subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. As of December
31, 2001, JCP&L's assets comprised approximately 20% of FirstEnergy Corp.'s
consolidated assets. On September 26, 2001, the BPU had approved the merger
subject to the terms and conditions set forth in a settlement agreement with
major intervenors. As part of the settlement, FirstEnergy Corp. agreed to
reduce JCP&L's costs deferred for future recovery by $300 million, in order to
ensure that customers received the benefit of future merger savings.
Accordingly, JCP&L wrote off $300 million of its deferred costs in October 2001
upon receipt of the final regulatory approval for the merger, which occurred on
October 29, 2001.
JCP&L is required to provide basic generation service (referred to as
"BGS") to its electric customers who do not choose to purchase their
electricity from third party suppliers through July 2002. For the period from
August 1, 2002 to July 31, 2003, the BPU has authorized the auctioning of BGS
to meet the electric demands of customers who have not selected an alternative
supplier. The auction was successfully concluded on February 13, 2002,
eliminating JCP&L's obligation to provide for the energy requirements of BGS.
Beginning August 1, 2003, the approach to be taken in procuring the energy
needs for BGS has not been determined. The BPU has recently initiated a formal
proceeding to decide how BGS will be handled after July 31, 2003.
UNDERWRITING THE SERIES 2002-A TRANSITION BONDS
The issuer, JCP&L and the underwriters for the offering named below, for
whom Goldman, Sachs & Co. is acting as the representative, have entered into an
underwriting agreement with respect to the series 2002-A transition bonds.
Subject to certain conditions, each underwriter has severally agreed to
purchase the principal amount of the series 2002-A transition bonds indicated
in the following table.
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
UNDERWRITERS OF CLASS
- -------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------
CLASS A-1 CLASS A-2 CLASS A-3 CLASS A-4
-------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Goldman, Sachs & Co. $63,777,700 $36,607,900 $53,952,500 $69,661,900
Morgan Stanley & Co.
Incorporated 18,222,200 10,459,400 15,415,000 19,903,400
Salomon Smith Barney Inc. 9,111,100 5,229,700 7,707,500 9,951,700
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total $91,111,000 $52,297,000 $77,075,000 $99,517,000
=========== =========== =========== ===========
Under the underwriting agreement, the underwriters will purchase all of
the series 2002-A transition bonds if any are purchased. Series 2002-A
transition bonds sold by the underwriters to the public will initially be
offered at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover of this
prospectus supplement. Any series 2002-A transition bonds sold by the
underwriters to securities dealers may be sold at a discount from the initial
public offering price of up to 0.120% of the principal amount of the Class A-1
transition bonds, 0.140% of the principal amount of the Class A-2 transition
bonds, 0.180% of the principal amount of the Class A-3 transition bonds and
0.240% of the principal amount of the Class A-4 transition bonds. Any such
securities dealers may resell any series 2002-A transition bonds purchased from
the underwriters to certain other brokers or dealers at a discount from the
initial public offering price
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of up to 0.060% of the principal amount of the Class A-1 transition bonds,
0.070% of the principal amount of the Class A-2 transition bonds, 0.090% of the
principal amount of the Class A-3 transition bonds and 0.120% of the principal
amount of the Class A-4 transition bonds. If all the series 2002-A transition
bonds are not sold at the initial public offering price, the underwriters may
change the offering price and the other selling terms.
The series 2002-A transition bonds are a new issue of securities with no
established trading market and will not be listed on any securities exchange.
The issuer has been advised by the underwriters that the underwriters intend to
make a market in the series 2002-A transition bonds but are not obligated to do
so and may discontinue market making at any time without notice. No assurance
can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for the series 2002-A
transition bonds.
In connection with this offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell
series 2002-A transition bonds in the open market. These transactions may
include short sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions
created by short sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a
greater number of the series 2002-A transition bonds than they are required to
purchase in this offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or
purchases made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the
market price of the series 2002-A transition bonds while this offering is in
progress.
The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a
particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting
discount received by it because the representative has repurchased the series
2002-A transition bonds sold by or for the account of such underwriter in
stabilizing or short covering transactions.
These activities by the underwriters may stabilize, maintain or otherwise
affect the market price of the series 2002-A transition bonds. As a result, the
price of the series 2002-A transition bonds may be higher than the price that
otherwise might exist in the open market. If these activities are commenced,
they may be discontinued by the underwriters at any time. These transactions
may be effected in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.
The issuer estimates that its total expenses for this offering, excluding
underwriting discounts and other fees paid to the underwriters, will be
approximately $4,002,000.
Goldman, Sachs & Co., as financial advisor to JCP&L, has rendered certain
financial advisory services to JCP&L with regard to the issuer and has received
a customary fee from the issuer for such services.
The issuer and JCP&L have agreed to reimburse the several underwriters for
certain expenses and to indemnify the several underwriters against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.
Certain of the underwriters and their affiliates have in the past
provided, and may in the future from time to time provide, investment banking
and related services to JCP&L and its affiliates for which they have in the
past received, and in the future may receive, customary fees.
RATINGS FOR THE SERIES 2002-A TRANSITION BONDS
It is a condition of any underwriter's obligation to purchase the series
2002-A transition bonds that the series 2002-A transition bonds be rated AAA by
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, Aaa by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and
AAA by Fitch, Inc.
A security rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities
and may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the rating agency.
No person is obligated to maintain the rating on the transition bonds, and,
accordingly, there can be no assurance that the ratings assigned to any class
of the transition bonds upon initial issuance will not be revised or withdrawn
by a rating agency at any time thereafter. If a rating of any class of the
transition bonds is revised or withdrawn, the liquidity of that class may be
adversely affected. In general, ratings address credit risk and do not
represent any assessment of any particular rate of principal payments on the
transition bonds other than payment in full of each class of the transition
bonds by the applicable legal final maturity date, as well as timely payment of
interest.
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INCOME TAX MATTERS
See "MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS FOR THE TRANSITION
BONDHOLDERS" and "MATERIAL STATE OF NEW JERSEY TAX MATTERS FOR THE TRANSITION
BONDHOLDERS" in the accompanying prospectus.
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PROSPECTUS
JCP&L TRANSITION FUNDING LLC
Issuer of the Transition Bonds
TRANSITION BONDS
JERSEY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT COMPANY
Seller and Servicer
CONSIDER CAREFULLY THE RISK FACTORS BEGINNING ON PAGE 14 OF THIS
PROSPECTUS BEFORE BUYING THE TRANSITION BONDS.
The transition bonds represent obligations only of JCP&L Transition
Funding LLC, which is the issuer, and are backed only by the assets of the
issuer. None of Jersey Central Power & Light Company, its parent, FirstEnergy
Corp., or any of their respective affiliates, other than the issuer, is liable
for payments on the transition bonds.
There currently is no secondary market for the transition bonds, and there
is no assurance that one will develop.
This prospectus, together with the applicable prospectus supplement,
constitutes a summary of material terms of the offering of a series of
transition bonds. Prospective investors are urged to read both this prospectus
and the applicable prospectus supplement in full. Sales of the transition bonds
may not be consummated unless the purchaser has received both this prospectus
and the applicable prospectus supplement.
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES, NOR HAVE THEY
DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO
THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
May 13, 2002
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROSPECTUS
IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PROSPECTUS .......................... 1
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ............................................................... 2
SUMMARY OF TERMS ......................................................................... 3
Parties to the Transaction ............................................................ 5
The Collateral ........................................................................ 6
Payment Sources ....................................................................... 6
Priority of Distributions ............................................................. 7
Floating Rate Transition Bonds ........................................................ 8
Credit Enhancement and Accounts ....................................................... 8
State Pledge .......................................................................... 10
Allocations and Distributions ......................................................... 11
Payments of Interest and Principal .................................................... 12
Optional Redemption ................................................................... 12
Payment Dates and Record Dates ........................................................ 12
Material Income Tax Considerations .................................................... 12
ERISA Considerations .................................................................. 12
REPORTS TO TRANSITION BONDHOLDERS ........................................................ 13
RISK FACTORS ............................................................................. 14
Transition Bondholders May Experience Payment Delays or Losses as a Result of the
Limited Sources of Payment for the Transition Bonds and Limited Credit Enhancement .... 14
JUDICIAL, LEGISLATIVE OR REGULATORY ACTION THAT MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT
YOUR INVESTMENT .......................................................................... 14
The Law Which Underpins the Transition Bonds May Be Invalidated ....................... 14
The Competition Act May Be Overturned by the Federal Government Without Full
Compensation .......................................................................... 15
Future State Legislative Action May Invalidate the Transition Bonds or Their Underlying
Assets ................................................................................ 15
The BPU May Take Action Which Reduces the Value of the Transition Bonds ............... 16
SERVICING RISKS .......................................................................... 18
Inaccurate Consumption Forecasting or Unanticipated Delinquencies or Write-Offs Could
Result in Insufficient Funds to Make Scheduled Payments on the Transition Bonds ....... 18
Uncertainties Associated with Collecting the Transition Bond Charge and the
Unpredictability of a Deregulated Electricity Market May Reduce the Amount of Funds
Available for Payments on the Transition Bonds ........................................ 19
Your Investment Relies on JCP&L or a Successor Acting as Servicer of the Bondable
Transition Property ................................................................... 19
Billing and Collection Practices May Reduce the Amount of Funds Available for Payments
on the Transition Bonds ............................................................... 19
i
It May Be Difficult to Collect the Transition Bond Charge from Third Party Electric
Power Suppliers Who Provide Electricity to JCP&L's Customers .......................... 20
JCP&L's Customer Payments May Decline Due to Confusion ................................ 20
Inability to Terminate Service to Certain Delinquent Customers in Winter May
Temporarily Reduce Amounts Available for Payments on the Transition Bonds ............. 21
Technological Change May Make Alternative Energy Sources More Attractive and Reduce
the Number of Customers Paying Transition Bond Charges ................................ 21
THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH POTENTIAL BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS ............................... 21
JCP&L Will Commingle the Transition Bond Charge Collections with Other Revenues,
Which May Obstruct Access to the Issuer's Funds in Case of Bankruptcy of JCP&L ........ 21
Bankruptcy of JCP&L Could Result in Losses or Delays in Payments on the Transition
Bonds ................................................................................. 22
Bankruptcy of Third Party Electric Power Supplier Could Result in Losses or Delays in
Payments on the Transition Bonds ...................................................... 23
The Sale of the Bondable Transition Property Could Be Construed as a Financing and Not
a Sale in Case of JCP&L's Bankruptcy .................................................. 23
A Sequestration Order for Bondable Transition Property in Case of Default Might Not Be
Enforceable in Bankruptcy ............................................................. 23
OTHER RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH AN INVESTMENT IN THE TRANSITION BONDS ........................ 24
Risks Associated with the Use of Interest Rate Swap Transactions ...................... 24
Absence of Secondary Market for Transition Bonds Could Limit Your Ability to Resell
Transition Bonds ...................................................................... 24
JCP&L's Ratings May Affect the Market Value of the Transition Bonds ................... 24
The Issuer May Issue Additional Series of Transition Bonds that Will Share Available
Credit Enhancement and Whose Holders May Have Interests that Conflict with Yours ...... 24
The Ratings Have a Limited Function and They are no Indication of the Expected Rate of
Payment of Principal of the Transition Bonds .......................................... 24
JCP&L's Obligation to Indemnify the Issuer for a Breach of a Representation or Warranty
May Not Be Sufficient to Protect Your Investment ...................................... 25
You May Have to Reinvest Principal of Your Transition Bonds at a Lower Rate of Return
Because of an Optional Redemption of Bonds ............................................ 25
Risks Associated with the Use of Credit Enhancement or Swap Transactions .............. 25
You Might Receive Principal Payments Later, or in Limited Circumstances, Earlier, Than
You Expected .......................................................................... 25
JERSEY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT COMPANY ..................................................... 27
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ...................................................... 27
THE COMPETITION ACT ...................................................................... 28
Recovery of Stranded Costs is Allowed for JCP&L and Other New Jersey Utilities ........ 28
JCP&L and Other Utilities May Securitize Stranded Costs ............................... 29
JCP&L'S RESTRUCTURING .................................................................... 31
THE BPU FINANCING ORDER AND THE TRANSITION BOND CHARGE ................................... 33
The BPU Financing Order ............................................................... 33
ii
The BPU's Transition Bond Charge Adjustment Process ................................... 34
SERVICING OF THE BONDABLE TRANSITION PROPERTY ............................................ 35
JCP&L's Customer Classes .............................................................. 35
Billed Electric Revenue, Number of Customers and Consumption .......................... 35
Percentage Concentration Within JCP&L's Large Commercial and Industrial Customers ..... 36
How JCP&L Forecasts the Number of Customers and the Amount of Electricity Usage ....... 36
Credit Policy; Billing; Collections; Termination of Service ........................... 37
Loss and Delinquency Experience ....................................................... 38
How JCP&L Will Apply Partial Payments by Its Customers ................................ 39
JCP&L TRANSITION FUNDING LLC, THE ISSUER ................................................. 41
USE OF PROCEEDS .......................................................................... 43
THE TRANSITION BONDS ..................................................................... 43
General Terms of the Transition Bonds ................................................. 43
Payments of Interest on and Principal of the Transition Bonds ......................... 44
Optional Redemption of the Transition Bonds ........................................... 45
Floating Rate Transition Bonds ........................................................ 45
Credit Enhancement for the Transition Bonds ........................................... 45
Transition Bonds will be Issued in Book-Entry Form .................................... 46
Certificated Transition Bonds ......................................................... 48
WEIGHTED AVERAGE LIFE AND YIELD CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE TRANSITION
BONDS .................................................................................... 50
THE SALE AGREEMENT ....................................................................... 51
JCP&L's Sale and Assignment of the Bondable Transition Property to the Issuer ......... 51
JCP&L's Representations and Warranties ................................................ 51
JCP&L's Covenants ..................................................................... 54
JCP&L's Obligation to Indemnify the Issuer and the Trustee and to Take Legal Action ... 56
Successors to JCP&L ................................................................... 57
THE SERVICING AGREEMENT .................................................................. 58
JCP&L's Servicing Procedures .......................................................... 58
The BPU's Transition Bond Charge Adjustment Process ................................... 60
JCP&L's Transition Bond Charge Collections ............................................ 60
JCP&L's Compensation for Its Role as Servicer and Its Release of Other Parties ........ 60
JCP&L's Duties as Servicer ............................................................ 61
JCP&L's Representations and Warranties as Servicer .................................... 61
JCP&L, as Servicer, Will Indemnify the Issuer and Other Related Entities .............. 62
JCP&L, as Servicer, Will Provide Statements to the Issuer and to the Trustee .......... 62
JCP&L Will Provide Compliance Reports Concerning the Servicing Agreement .............. 63
Matters Regarding JCP&L as Servicer ................................................... 63
iii
Events Constituting a Default by JCP&L in Its Role as Servicer ........................ 64
The Trustee's Rights if JCP&L Defaults as Servicer .................................... 64
The Obligations of a Servicer that Succeeds JCP&L ..................................... 65
THE INDENTURE ............................................................................ 65
The Security for the Transition Bonds ................................................. 65
Transition Bonds May Be Issued in Various Series or Classes ........................... 66
The Collection Account for the Transition Bonds ....................................... 66
How Funds in the Collection Account will be Allocated ................................. 70
Reports to Transition Bondholders ..................................................... 72
The Issuer and the Trustee May Modify the Indenture; The Issuer Must Enforce the Sale
Agreement, the Servicing Agreement and Any Interest Rate Swap Agreement ................ 72
What Constitutes an Event of Default on the Transition Bonds .......................... 76
Covenants of the Issuer ............................................................... 78
The Trustee Must Provide a Report to All Transition Bondholders ....................... 80
What Will Trigger Satisfaction and Discharge of the Indenture ......................... 80
The Issuer's Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance Options ......................... 81
The Trustee ........................................................................... 82
Governing Law ......................................................................... 82
HOW A BANKRUPTCY OF JCP&L OR THE SERVICER MAY AFFECT YOUR
INVESTMENT ............................................................................... 82
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS FOR THE TRANSITION
BONDHOLDERS .............................................................................. 86
General ............................................................................... 86
Taxation of U.S. Holders .............................................................. 87
Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders .......................................................... 89
MATERIAL STATE OF NEW JERSEY TAX MATTERS FOR THE TRANSITION
BONDHOLDERS .............................................................................. 91
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS ..................................................................... 91
Prohibited Transactions Issues ........................................................ 91
Plan Asset Issues ..................................................................... 92
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION FOR THE TRANSITION BONDS ............................................ 93
RATINGS FOR THE TRANSITION BONDS ......................................................... 93
VARIOUS LEGAL MATTERS RELATING TO THE TRANSITION BONDS ................................... 94
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS ..................................................................... 94
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF JCP&L TRANSITION FUNDING LLC ............................ F-1
GLOSSARY OF TERMS USED IN THE THE ATTACHED PROSPECTUS AND
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT .................................................................... A-1
iv
[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.]
IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT INFORMATION PRESENTED
IN THIS PROSPECTUS
You should rely only on information about the transition bonds provided in
this prospectus and in the related prospectus supplement. No dealer,
salesperson or other person has been authorized to give any information or to
make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus and the
related prospectus supplement and, if given or made, the information or
representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by the issuer
or by Jersey Central Power & Light Company (referred to as "JCP&L"), the
underwriters or any dealer, salesperson or other person. Neither the delivery
of this prospectus and the related prospectus supplement nor any sale made
hereunder shall, under any circumstances, create an implication that
information herein is correct as of any time since the date of this prospectus
or the related prospectus supplement. This prospectus and the related
prospectus supplement do not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of
an offer to buy, any security in any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful to
make any similar offer or solicitation.
1
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Some statements contained in this prospectus and the related prospectus
supplement concerning expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, goals,
strategies, future events or performance and underlying assumptions and other
statements which are other than statements of historical facts, are
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws.
Although JCP&L and the issuer believe that the expectations and the underlying
assumptions reflected in these statements are reasonable, there can be no
assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct. The
forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties and
actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in the
forward-looking statements. The following are among the important factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking
statements:
o changes in national and regional economic conditions;
o changing commodity market prices;
o the availability and cost of capital;
o inability to accomplish or realize anticipated benefits of strategic
goals (including those related to JCP&L's becoming a wholly-owned
subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. as a result of FirstEnergy Corp.'s merger
with GPU, Inc.);
o legislative and regulatory changes (including revised environmental
requirements);
o economic or weather conditions affecting future sales and margins;
o operating performance of third party suppliers;
o the payment patterns of customers, including the rate of delinquencies;
o the speed and nature of increased competition and deregulation in the
electric utility industry; and
o outcomes of legal proceedings.
Any forward-looking statements should be considered in light of these
important factors and in conjunction with JCP&L's other documents on file with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (referred to as the "SEC").
New factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those described in forward-looking statements emerge from time to time. It is
not possible for JCP&L or the issuer to predict all of these factors, or the
extent to which any factor or combination of factors may cause actual results
to differ from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Any
forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which the statement is
made and neither JCP&L nor the issuer undertakes any obligation to update the
information contained in the statement to reflect subsequent developments or
information.
2
SUMMARY OF TERMS
This summary contains a brief description of the transition bonds that
applies to all series of transition bonds issued under this prospectus.
Information that relates to a specific series of transition bonds can be found
in the prospectus supplement related to that series. You will find a detailed
description of the terms of the offering of the transition bonds in "THE
TRANSITION BONDS" in this prospectus.
CONSIDER CAREFULLY THE RISK FACTORS BEGINNING ON PAGE 14 OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
THE ISSUER: JCP&L Transition Funding LLC, a Delaware limited
liability company (referred to as the "issuer").
The issuer was formed solely to purchase
bondable transition property and to issue one or
more series of transition bonds secured by the
bondable transition property.
ISSUER'S ADDRESS: 103 Foulk Road, Suite 202, Wilmington, Delaware
19803
ISSUER'S TELEPHONE NUMBER: 302-691-6118
SELLER OF THE BONDABLE
TRANSITION PROPERTY TO THE
ISSUER: JCP&L, a public utility furnishing electric
service wholly within the State of New Jersey,
and a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., a holding
company registered under the Public Utility
Holding Company Act of 1935. JCP&L provides
retail electric service within a territory
located in northern, western and east central New
Jersey having a population of approximately 2.7
million.
SELLER'S ADDRESS: 76 South Main Street, Akron, Ohio 44308-5100
SELLER'S TELEPHONE NUMBER: (330) 384-5100
SERVICER OF THE BONDABLE
TRANSITION PROPERTY: JCP&L, acting as servicer, and any successor
servicer, will service the bondable transition
property, including the billing, collection and
remittance of the transition bond charge
pursuant to a servicing agreement with the
issuer.
JCP&L will be entitled to a quarterly servicing
fee that will be payable from the transition
bond charge collections. JCP&L, as servicer,
will be entitled to withhold the quarterly
servicing fee, which amount will be specified in
the related prospectus supplement, from
transition bond charge collections. If JCP&L is
replaced by a successor servicer that does not
concurrently bill the transition bond charge
with other charges for electric services, the
successor servicer will be paid an annual fee
that may be higher than that paid to JCP&L.
TRUSTEE: The Bank of New York
3
THE ASSETS OF THE ISSUER: The issuer will own:
o the bondable transition property sold to the
issuer (See "THE SALE AGREEMENT--JCP&L'S SALE
AND ASSIGNMENT OF THE BONDABLE TRANSITION
PROPERTY TO THE ISSUER" in this prospectus);
o trust accounts held by the trustee;
o rights under any interest rate swap
agreement; and
o other credit enhancement acquired or held to
provide for payment of the transition bonds,
if any.
TRANSACTION OVERVIEW: The Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act
of 1999 (referred to as the "Competition Act"),
enacted in New Jersey in 1999, permits electric
public utilities, such as JCP&L, to recover the
costs of generation-related investments and
other obligations that cannot be recouped
through market-based rates in a competitive
electricity generation retail market. These
costs are commonly known as stranded costs. The
New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (referred
to as the "BPU") may authorize an electric
public utility or a transferee to issue debt
securities, referred to as transition bonds,
secured by the right to charge, collect and
receive, and be paid from collections of, a
non-bypassable transition bond charge payable by
the utility's customers, by means of which the
utility pays debt service and other costs
relating to the transition bonds. This right to
charge, collect and receive transition bond
charges will be a presently existing property
right of the issuer referred to as "bondable
transition property." See "THE TRANSITION BONDS"
in this prospectus.
The following sets forth the primary steps of
the transaction underlying the offering of the
transition bonds:
o JCP&L will sell the bondable transition
property to the issuer in exchange for the net
proceeds from the sale of the transition
bonds.
o The issuer, whose primary asset will be the
bondable transition property, will sell the
transition bonds to the underwriters named in
the related prospectus supplement.
o JCP&L will act as the servicer of the
bondable transition property.
o Initially, GPU Service, Inc., an affiliate of
JCP&L, will act as administrator of the
issuer. Another service company affiliate of
JCP&L may eventually serve as administrator.
The transition bonds and the bondable transition
property securing the transition bonds are not
obligations of JCP&L, FirstEnergy Corp. or any
of their respective affiliates, other than the
issuer. The transition bonds and the bondable
transition property are also not obligations of
the State of New Jersey or any governmental
agency, authority or instrumentality of the
State.
4
PARTIES TO THE TRANSACTION
The following diagram represents a general summary of the parties to the
transactions underlying the offering of the transition bonds, their roles and
their various relationships to the other parties:
--------------------- applies, as servicer for -------------------
transition bond charge
adjustments, at least
JCP&L annually BPU
(seller and servicer)-----------------------------(State agency, not
affiliated with
issuer or
----------------------------- JCP&L)
issued the BPU financing
--------------------- order and approves -------------------
adjustments to the
transition bond charge
sells bondable services the bondable
transition property transition property of the
for cash pursuant issuer and receives the
to sale agreement servicing fee pursuant
to the servicing agreement
--------------------- -------------------
JCP&L TRANSITION PROVIDER OF CREDIT
FUNDING LLC ---------------------------- ENHANCEMENT OR
(issuer) INTEREST RATE SWAP,
IF ANY
--------------------- -------------------
sells transition
bonds for cash,
pursuant to
underwriting
agreement
--------------------
----------------------------
TRUSTEE
-------------------- (acts for and on
behalf of transition
bondholders pursuant
UNDERWRITERS to indenture)
--------------------
-------------------
sell transition
bonds for cash
-------------------
TRANSITION ----------------------------
BONDHOLDER
-------------------
5
THE COLLATERAL
The transition bonds will be secured primarily by the bondable transition
property, a presently existing property right created by the Competition Act
and a financing order (referred to as the "BPU financing order") issued by the
BPU to JCP&L on February 6, 2002 which is final and non-appealable, which
provides, among other things, for the issuance of transition bonds. In general
terms, the bondable transition property represents the irrevocable right to
charge, collect and receive, and be paid from collections of, a non-bypassable
transition bond charge payable by JCP&L's customers in an amount designed to
pay:
o the fees, expenses, costs, charges, credit enhancement and premiums, if
any, and other amounts associated with the transition bonds and their
issuance; and
o the principal of and interest on the transition bonds.
As used throughout this prospectus, a "customer" responsible for paying
the transition bond charge is an end user of electricity that is connected to
any part of JCP&L's transmission and distribution system and is located within
JCP&L's service territory, other than (1) the single end user presently taking
service under an experimental JCP&L rate class that accounted for approximately
1.7% of JCP&L's kilowatt hour sales in 2001 and (2) end users that are
connected to JCP&L's transmission and distribution system but who self-generate
from on-site facilities unless new on-site generation facilities reduce the
kilowatt hours distributed in the aggregate by JCP&L to all of its customers to
92.5% or less of the aggregate kilowatt hours distributed by it in 1999. Those
customers receiving power generated from new on-site generation facilities that
commence operation after such threshold is reached will be responsible for
payment of the transition bond charge as if this power were distributed by
JCP&L.
JCP&L will sell the bondable transition property to the issuer. The
bondable transition property is described in more detail under "THE SALE
AGREEMENT--JCP&L'S SALE AND ASSIGNMENT OF THE BONDABLE TRANSITION PROPERTY TO
THE ISSUER" in this prospectus. JCP&L, as servicer of the bondable transition
property, will bill and collect the transition bond charge from customers on
behalf of the issuer. However, under certain circumstances, third party
electric power suppliers to JCP&L's customers may be allowed to bill and
collect the transition bond charge, as well as other billed amounts, from
JCP&L's customers. Any such third party electric power supplier will be
required to pay the transition bond charges to the servicer, whether or not the
customers pay the third party electric power supplier. See "SERVICING OF THE
BONDABLE TRANSITION PROPERTY" in this prospectus.
The net proceeds from the sale of the transition bonds will be used to
reduce a portion of JCP&L's stranded costs through the retirement of its debt
or equity, or both. Stranded costs are the amount by which an electric public
utility's net electric generation-related costs, which traditionally would be
recoverable in a regulated retail electric generation market, exceed those
costs recoverable in a competitive retail electric generation market, as
determined by the BPU.
PAYMENT SOURCES
On each payment date, the trustee will pay amounts due on the transition
bonds from:
o transition bond charges remitted by the servicer to the trustee on
behalf of the issuer during the related collection period;
o investment earnings on amounts held in certain trust accounts
established under the indenture;
o amounts payable to the issuer under any interest rate swap agreement;
o amounts received as payment for any indemnity obligations of JCP&L under
the sale agreement or the servicing agreement;
o any third party credit enhancement; and
o amounts available in the trust accounts held by the trustee.
These accounts are described in greater detail under "THE INDENTURE--THE
COLLECTION ACCOUNT FOR THE TRANSITION BONDS" in this prospectus.
6
PRIORITY OF DISTRIBUTIONS
On each payment date, the trustee will pay or allocate transition bond
charges received from the servicer and all investment earnings on the amounts
held in the general subaccount of the collection account, except for amounts
held in any series capital subaccount, to the extent funds are available in the
general subaccount, in the following priority:
(1) Payment of all amounts owed to the trustee and all amounts owed to
the independent managers of the issuer.
(2) Payment of the servicing fees and all unpaid servicing fees from
prior periods, if these fees have not been withheld by the servicer
from transition bond charge collections for that purpose.
(3) Payment of the administration fee in an amount determined in
accordance with the administration agreement between the issuer and
GPU Service, Inc., or its successor as administrator in an amount not
to exceed the administrator's actual costs.
(4) So long as no event of default has occurred and is continuing or
would be caused by this payment, the payment of operating expenses of
the issuer excluding items (1), (2) and (3) above, up to an annual
aggregate of $250,000 for all series.
(5) Payment of interest as follows:
o first, unpaid interest on any series from prior periods, including
payment of any amount payable to any swap counterparty on any
interest rate swap agreement, including interest on past due
interest; and
o then, payment of the current interest then due on the transition
bonds of each series, including payment of any amount payable to
the swap counterparty on any interest rate swap agreement.
(6) Payment of the principal then legally required to be paid on the
transition bonds of any series as follows:
o the unpaid principal balance of any series if such payment date is
on or after the legal final maturity date of that series; plus
o the unpaid principal balance of any transition bonds called for
redemption; plus
o the unpaid principal balance of any series due upon an
acceleration following an event of default.
(7) Payment of the principal then scheduled to be paid on the transition
bonds of any series according to the applicable expected amortization
schedule other than principal paid under item (6) above.
(8) Payment of any remaining unpaid operating expenses and indemnity
amounts then owed by the issuer.
(9) Replenishment of each series capital subaccount pro rata, up to the
aggregate required capitalization amount for each series.
(10) Allocation of any required amount necessary to cause the amount in
each series overcollateralization subaccount up to the aggregate
required overcollateralization level for each series as of that
payment date.
(11) Payment of any termination or breakage amounts payable under any
interest rate swap agreement relating to any floating rate transition
bonds.
7
(12) So long as no event of default has occurred and is continuing,
release to the issuer of an amount equal to investment earnings since
the preceding payment date (or, in the case of the first payment date,
since the issuance date) on amounts in each series capital subaccount.
(13) Allocation of the remainder, if any, to the reserve subaccount.
See also "THE INDENTURE--HOW FUNDS IN THE COLLECTION ACCOUNT WILL BE
ALLOCATED" in this prospectus. A diagram depicting how the transition bond
charge collections will be allocated may be found on page 11 of this
prospectus.
FLOATING RATE TRANSITION BONDS
If, in connection with the issuance of any class of transition bonds
paying interest at a floating rate, referred to as a "floating rate class", the
issuer arranges for any interest rate swap transactions, the material terms of
those transactions will be described in the related prospectus supplement.
CREDIT ENHANCEMENT AND ACCOUNTS
Unless otherwise specified in any prospectus supplement, the primary form
of credit enhancement for the transition bonds will be mandatory periodic
adjustments (which will be made at least annually) to the transition bond
charge. The BPU is required to make periodic adjustments to the transition bond
charge upon petition by JCP&L, as servicer, on behalf of the issuer, to provide
revenues sufficient to recover all amounts required to be distributed,
including:
o for each series of transition bonds, principal of each class of such
series in accordance with the expected amortization schedule;
o interest on the transition bonds, which in the case of interest on any
floating rate class of any series will be calculated at the gross fixed
rate;
o other ongoing transaction costs and expenses as specified in items (1)
through (8) and (11) above;
o for each payment date for each series of transition bonds, the funding
of each series overcollateralization subaccount in amounts sufficient to
bring the balance in that subaccount to the aggregate required
overcollateralization level for that series;
o for each payment date for each series of transition bonds, the funding
of each series capital subaccount in amounts sufficient to bring the
balance in that subaccount to the aggregate required capitalization
amount for that series; and
o to cause the reserve subaccount to equal zero;
all by the earlier of (1) the payment date immediately preceding the next
adjustment and (2) the expected final payment date.
Transition bond charge adjustments are required to include an amount
sufficient to fully compensate for delays or losses that would otherwise result
from either the delinquent payment or non-payment of the transition bond
charge. The servicer will petition the BPU to approve these adjustments to make
up for any shortfall or excess in transition bond charge collections. Under the
BPU financing order, JCP&L, as servicer, is permitted to petition the BPU for
adjustments at least annually but not more frequently than quarterly, except
that monthly filings are permitted in the last year before the expected
maturity of the transition bonds and continuing until their legal final
maturity. Under the servicing agreement, the servicer is required to petition
for adjustments at least annually through the May 1, 2016 petition and
quarterly commencing with the August 1, 2016 petition. Those adjustments will
become effective on an interim basis 30 days after filing and final 60 days
after filing, in each case absent a determination by the BPU of manifest error.
Expressed generally, the most likely causes of a shortfall or excess in
transition bond charge collections include the following situations:
8
o the actual electric consumption by JCP&L's customers varying from
JCP&L's forecasts; and
o the actual rate of collection of billed transition bond charges varying
from JCP&L's expected rate of collection due to delinquencies and
write-offs, including shortfalls created by third party electric power
suppliers that default in payments of transition bond charges to the
servicer.
See "RISK FACTORS--SERVICING RISKS " in this prospectus. The transition
bond charge collections will fund the collection account and various
subaccounts as set forth below. These accounts are additional credit
enhancement for the transition bonds.
Collection Account. Under the indenture, the trustee will maintain a
single collection account, divided into various subaccounts, some of which may
be series specific and some of which may be held for all series of transition
bonds. The primary subaccounts for credit enhancement purposes are:
(1) Capital Subaccount. An amount specified in the prospectus
supplement for each series of transition bonds will be deposited
into that series capital subaccount on the date of issuance of that
series. Any shortfall in the capital subaccount for an existing
series that is not otherwise replenished will be replenished by
periodic adjustments to the transition bond charge. The issuer will
receive all interest earned on amounts held in all capital
subaccounts not used to meet current obligations. The required
capitalization amount at any time will equal the aggregate of the
required capitalization amounts for all outstanding series.
(2) Overcollateralization Subaccount. The prospectus supplement for
each series of transition bonds will specify a funding amount for
that series overcollateralization subaccount. That amount will be
funded over the term of such series, as specified in the applicable
prospectus supplement, through transition bond charge collections.
The required overcollateralization level at any time will equal the
aggregate of the required overcollateralization levels for all
outstanding series.
(3) Reserve Subaccount. Any excess amount of transition bond charge
collections, indemnity payments and investment earnings on amounts
held in the collection account, other than earnings on amounts held
in any series capital subaccount, after payments have been made on
a payment date, will be held in the reserve subaccount for all
series of transition bonds and be used to meet payment obligations
on subsequent payment dates or, to the extent not so used, be
applied to reduce the transition bond charge in connection with the
next periodic adjustment.
Each of the capital subaccount and the overcollateralization subaccount
for each series will be available to make payments for that series on each
payment date and all other amounts as described in items (1) through (7) in
"--PRIORITY OF DISTRIBUTIONS" above. The reserve subaccount will be available
to make payments for all series on each payment date and other amounts as
described in items (1) through (7) and in items (9) and (10) above for all
series. To the extent that amounts on deposit in the reserve subaccount are
needed to make payments for more than one series, but are insufficient, the
amounts on deposit will be allocated to each series in proportion to the
amounts payable or scheduled to be paid from such subaccount with respect to
each series on that payment date.
Although it is not anticipated, additional credit enhancement for any
series may include surety bonds or letters of credit. Additional forms of
credit enhancement, if any, for each series will be specified in the related
prospectus supplement. The servicer may, but is not obligated to, obtain
insurance or a letter of credit in support of its obligation to remit
transition bond charge collections to the trustee. Credit enhancement for the
transition bonds is intended to protect you against losses or delays in
scheduled payments on your transition bonds.
9
STATE PLEDGE
Under the Competition Act, the State of New Jersey pledges and agrees with
the holders of the transition bonds and with the issuer not to limit, alter or
impair the bondable transition property or the other rights vested in an
electric public utility or any assignee or pledgee of the utility or any
financing entity, such as the issuer, or vested in the holders of any
transition bonds pursuant to a bondable stranded costs rate order, such as the
BPU financing order, until the related transition bonds are fully paid and
discharged. In addition, the State pledges and agrees that it will not in any
way limit, alter, impair or reduce the value or amount of the bondable
transition property approved by a financing order except as contemplated by the
periodic adjustments to the transition bond charge.
Under certain circumstances, the State of New Jersey may not be required
to adhere to its pledge. Any action by New Jersey which would constitute a
violation of its pledge would have to be a reasonable exercise of the state's
sovereign power and of a character reasonable and appropriate to the state's
public purpose in order to justify such an action. However, there is no
existing case law addressing the exercise of the State of New Jersey's
sovereign powers with respect to transition bonds. Alternatively, the State of
New Jersey may not be required to adhere to its pledge if it pays just
compensation to transition bondholders. There is also no existing case law
addressing the issue of just compensation in the context of transition bonds.
10
ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The following diagram represents a general summary of the allocations and
distributions described in "--PRIORITY OF DISTRIBUTIONS" above.
----------------------
CUSTOMERS
AND THIRD PARTY
SUPPLIERS, IF ANY
----------------------
payment of the transition
bond charge to servicer
----------------------
JCP&L
(SERVICER)
----------------------
remittance of transition
bond charge collections
(net of any servicing fees
withheld)
------------------------
DEFEASANCE SUBACCOUNT:
---------------------- for payment of principal
and interest pursuant to
COLLECTION a discharge of the
ACCOUNT indenture upon exercise
of the legal defeasance
---------------------- option or the covenant
application of amounts in defeasance option, as
collection account described under the
caption "The Indenture"
---------------------- ------------------------
GENERAL
SUBACCOUNT
----------------------
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
A B C D E
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
------------ ------------ ------------ --------------- ---------------
TRUSTEE AND SERIES
MANAGERS: SUBACCOUNT:
fees, SERVICER: ADMINISTRATOR: ISSUER: o interest, or
expenses and servicing fee administration other operating gross fixed
indemnity fee expenses up to amount payable
amounts $250,000 under any
as specified annually interest rate
in the swap agreement,
indenture and for applicable
independent payment date
managers' fees o principal payable
-------------- as a result of
of acceleration,
redemption or
payable on a
final maturity
date
o principal for
applicable
payment date in
accordance with
expected
amortization
schedule
-----------------
-------- -------- --------- --------- --------
J I H G F
-------- -------- --------- --------- --------
------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------- ----------------
OVER-
COLLATERALIZATION CAPITAL
SUBACCOUNT: SUBACCOUNT: ISSUER:
ISSUER: funding or replenishment all remaining
RESERVE release of replenishment of of capital unpaid operating
SUBACCOUNT: earnings on over- required to expenses,
all remaining capital collateralization be maintained including
amounts subaccount subaccount for by the issuer indemnity
each series of for each amounts
transition bonds series of
transition
bonds
------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------- ----------------
11
PAYMENTS OF INTEREST AND PRINCIPAL
Interest on each class of transition bonds will accrue at the interest
rate specified in the related prospectus supplement. On each payment date, the
trustee will distribute interest accrued on each class of transition bonds and
the scheduled principal payment for that class, if any, to the extent funds are
available, until the outstanding principal balance of that class has been
reduced to the level designated for each payment date in accordance with the
expected amortization schedule.
Failure to pay the entire outstanding balance of the transition bonds of
any class or series by that series' expected final payment date will not result
in a default with respect to that class or series; however, a default will
occur if the entire outstanding balance of any class or series is not paid on
or before the legal final maturity date of that class or series. The expected
final payment date and the legal final maturity date of each series and class
of transition bonds will be specified in the related prospectus supplement.
To the extent that available funds are insufficient to pay principal,
interest or any other of items (1) through (11) in "--PRIORITY OF
DISTRIBUTIONS" above, and amounts payable or scheduled to be paid are different
for different series, those funds available for payment of that item will be
allocated in proportion to the amount payable or scheduled to be paid with
respect to that item for each series on that payment date.
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
The issuer may redeem all of the outstanding transition bonds of any
series, at its option, only if, on any payment date, the outstanding principal
balance of the transition bonds of that particular series (after giving effect
to payments scheduled to be made on that payment date) is less than 5% of the
initial principal balance of the transition bonds of that series. Unless
otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, there will be no other optional
redemption for a series.
PAYMENT DATES AND RECORD DATES
The payment dates and record dates for each series of transition bonds
will be specified in the related prospectus supplement.
MATERIAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
In the opinion of Carter, Ledyard & Milburn, for federal income tax
purposes, and in the opinion of Thelen Reid & Priest LLP, for New Jersey state
income tax purposes, the transition bonds will constitute debt obligations of
JCP&L.
JCP&L has received a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue
Service regarding certain of the federal income tax aspects of the transactions
described above. Tax counsel have relied, in part, on that ruling in rendering
their respective opinions that the transition bonds will be treated as debt of
JCP&L. If you purchase a transition bond, you agree to treat it as debt of
JCP&L for federal, state and local tax purposes.
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
Pension plans and other investors subject to the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (referred to as "ERISA"), may acquire
the transition bonds subject to specified conditions. The acquisition and
holding of the transition bonds could be treated as an indirect prohibited
transaction under ERISA. Accordingly, by purchasing the transition bonds, each
investor purchasing on behalf of a pension plan will be deemed to certify that
the investor's purchase and subsequent holding of the transition bonds would be
exempt from the prohibited transaction rules of ERISA. For further information
regarding the application of ERISA, see "ERISA CONSIDERATIONS" in this
prospectus.
12
REPORTS TO TRANSITION BONDHOLDERS
With respect to each series and class of transition bonds, on or prior to
each payment date, the trustee will deliver a statement prepared by the trustee
to each transition bondholder of that series. This statement will include, to
the extent applicable, the following information, as well as any other
information so specified in the related supplemental indenture, as to the
transition bonds of that series and class with respect to that payment date or
the period since the previous payment date or, in the case of the first payment
date, from the issuance date:
(1) the amount to be paid to transition bondholders of that series and
class as principal;
(2) the amount to be paid to transition bondholders of that series and
class as interest;
(3) the projected transition bond principal balance and the actual
transition bond principal balance for that series and class as of that
payment date;
(4) the amount on deposit in the overcollateralization subaccount for
that series and the required overcollateralization level for that
series, as of that payment date;
(5) the amount on deposit in the capital subaccount for that series and
the required capitalization amount for that series as of that payment
date;
(6) the amount, if any, on deposit in the reserve subaccount as of that
payment date;
(7) the amount to be paid to any swap counterparty under any interest
rate swap agreement;
(8) the amount paid to the trustee since the preceding payment date;
(9) the amount paid to the servicer since the preceding payment date; and
(10) any other transfers and payments made pursuant to the indenture.
If any transition bonds are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, and
the rules of that exchange so require, notice that this report is available
with the listing agent in Luxembourg will be given to holders of those listed
transition bonds by publication in a daily newspaper in Luxembourg, which is
expected to be the Luxemburger Wort.
13
RISK FACTORS
You should consider the following risk factors in deciding whether to
purchase transition bonds.
TRANSITION BONDHOLDERS MAY EXPERIENCE PAYMENT DELAYS OR LOSSES AS A RESULT OF
THE LIMITED SOURCES OF PAYMENT FOR THE TRANSITION BONDS AND LIMITED CREDIT
ENHANCEMENT
You may suffer payment delays or losses on your transition bonds if the
assets of the issuer are insufficient to pay the principal balance of the
transition bonds in full. The only source of funds for payments on the
transition bonds will be the assets of the issuer. These assets are limited to:
o the bondable transition property, including the right to charge, collect
and receive the transition bond charge and to adjust the transition bond
charge at least annually;
o the funds on deposit in the collection account and the related
subaccounts held by the trustee;
o contractual rights under various contracts, including the sale
agreement; and
o any other credit enhancements described in a prospectus supplement.
Any floating rate transition bonds will also have the proceeds of any swap
agreement available as a payment source.
The transition bonds will not be insured or guaranteed by JCP&L, including
in its capacity as servicer, or by its parent, FirstEnergy Corp., or by any of
their affiliates, the trustee or any other person or entity. Furthermore, it is
not anticipated that the transition bonds will have the benefit of any
liquidity facility or of any third-party credit enhancement, such as letters of
credit or insurance. However, the servicer may, but is not obligated to, obtain
insurance or letter of credit in support of its obligation to remit transition
bond charge collections to the trustee. Thus, you must rely for payment of the
transition bonds solely upon collections of the transition bond charge, funds
on deposit in the collection account held by the trustee and any other credit
enhancement described in the related prospectus supplement. See "JCP&L
TRANSITION FUNDING LLC, THE ISSUER" in this prospectus. The issuer's
organizational documents restrict its right to acquire other assets unrelated
to the transactions described in this prospectus.
JUDICIAL, LEGISLATIVE OR REGULATORY ACTION
THAT MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT YOUR INVESTMENT
THE LAW WHICH UNDERPINS THE TRANSITION BONDS MAY BE INVALIDATED
The bondable transition property is the creation of the Competition Act
and the BPU financing order issued to JCP&L pursuant to the Competition Act.
The Competition Act was adopted in February 1999. A court decision might
overturn or otherwise invalidate either the Competition Act or the BPU
financing order. If this occurs, you may lose some or all of your investment or
you may experience delays in recovering your investment. Because the bondable
transition property is a creation of statute, any proceeding affecting the
validity of the relevant legislative provisions could have an adverse effect on
the transition bonds because the transition bonds are secured primarily by the
bondable transition property. For example, if the provisions of the Competition
Act which create bondable transition property as a presently existing property
were invalidated, JCP&L, as servicer, could lose the right to collect the
transition bond charge. As another example, if the provisions of the
Competition Act which allow for periodic adjustment of the transition bond
charge were invalidated, the servicer could be prevented from obtaining the
adjustments required to provide sufficient funds for the scheduled payments on
the transition bonds. Similar legislation in other states has been challenged
but not overturned as discussed below.
There is uncertainty associated with investing in bonds payable from an
asset that depends on recently enacted legislation for its existence because of
the absence of any judicial or regulatory precedent implementing and
interpreting the legislation. See "THE BPU FINANCING ORDER AND THE TRANSITION
BOND CHARGE" in this prospectus.
14
In October and November of 1999, appeals were filed challenging the
validity of a BPU financing order and restructuring order issued to another New
Jersey electric utility. The Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior
Court unanimously affirmed these BPU financing and restructuring orders and the
New Jersey Supreme Court affirmed the Appellate Division decision. One of the
appellants in this case filed a petition for review of the New Jersey Supreme
Court's decision with the United States Supreme Court which the United States
Supreme Court subsequently denied.
If a court were to determine that the relevant provisions of the
Competition Act or the BPU financing order are unlawful, invalid or
unenforceable in whole or in part, or if a court were in any way to impair the
security of the transition bondholders, such actions could adversely affect the
validity of the transition bonds, the State of New Jersey's pledge against
limitation, alteration or impairment of the bondable transition property or the
issuer's ability to make payments on the transition bonds, and may not trigger
any requirement for JCP&L to indemnify you. In that case, you could suffer a
loss on your investment in the transition bonds.
Electricity generation deregulation laws similar to the Competition Act
have been enacted in other states, including Arkansas, California, Connecticut,
Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and
Texas. The validity of similar legislation in other states has been upheld in
those states where court challenges have been made and the judicial process has
been completed. While the issuer is not aware of any significant challenges to
similar legislation currently pending in other states, a court might yet
nullify a similar statute in another state in response to a future or pending
claim. Such a decision would not automatically invalidate the Competition Act
or the BPU financing order, but it might give rise to a challenge to the
Competition Act or the BPU financing order. Therefore, legal activity in other
states may indirectly affect the value of your investment.
Neither the issuer, JCP&L nor any successor will indemnify you for any
changes in the law that may affect the value of your transition bonds.
THE COMPETITION ACT MAY BE OVERTURNED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WITHOUT FULL
COMPENSATION
In the past, bills have been introduced in Congress prohibiting the
recovery of stranded costs, and this prohibition could negate the existence of
bondable transition property. Although Congress has never passed such a bill,
no prediction can be made as to whether any future bills that prohibit the
recovery of stranded costs, or securitized financing for the recovery of these
costs, will become law or, if they become law, what their final form or effect
will be. There is no assurance that the courts would consider this preemption a
"taking" from the transition bondholders. Moreover, even if this preemption of
the Competition Act and/or the BPU financing order by the federal government
were considered a "taking" under the United States Constitution for which the
government had to pay just compensation to transition bondholders, there is no
assurance that this compensation would be sufficient to pay the full amount of
principal of and interest on the transition bonds or to pay these amounts on a
timely basis.
Neither the issuer, JCP&L nor any successor will indemnify you for any
changes in the law that may affect the value of your transition bonds.
FUTURE STATE LEGISLATIVE ACTION MAY INVALIDATE THE TRANSITION BONDS OR THEIR
UNDERLYING ASSETS
Unlike the citizens of the states of California, Massachusetts and some
other states, the citizens of the State of New Jersey do not have the
constitutional right to adopt or revise laws by initiative or referendum. Thus,
absent an amendment of the Constitution of the State of New Jersey, the
Competition Act cannot be amended or repealed by the electorate.
Under the Competition Act, the State of New Jersey has pledged not to
diminish the value of the bondable transition property. For a description of
this pledge, see "THE COMPETITION ACT--JCP&L AND OTHER UTILITIES MAY SECURITIZE
STRANDED COSTS" in this prospectus. Despite this pledge, the legislature of the
State of New Jersey may attempt in the future to repeal or amend the
Competition Act in a manner which might limit or alter the bondable transition
property so as to reduce its value or the value of the transition bonds.
15
To date, no cases addressing these issues in the context of transition
bonds have been decided. There have been cases in which courts have applied the
contract clause of the United States Constitution and parallel state
constitutional provisions to strike down legislation reducing or eliminating
taxes, public charges or other sources of revenues servicing bonds issued by
public instrumentalities or private issuers, or otherwise reducing or
eliminating the security for bonds. Based upon this case law, in the opinion of
Thelen Reid & Priest LLP, counsel to JCP&L and the issuer, with respect to
applicable federal and state constitutional principles relating to the
impairment of contracts, the State of New Jersey, including the BPU, could not,
absent a demonstration that such action was necessary to serve a significant
and legitimate public purpose, repeal or amend the Competition Act by means of
the legislative process, or take or refuse to take (through the BPU or
otherwise) any action required under its pledge described above, or take or
refuse to take any other action, if any such repeal or amendment or the action
or inaction would substantially impair the rights of the owners of the bondable
transition property or the transition bondholders or otherwise limit, alter,
impair or reduce the value or amount of the bondable transition property,
unless that action is a reasonable exercise of the State of New Jersey's
sovereign powers and of a character reasonable and appropriate to the public
purpose justifying that action.
In addition, it may be possible for the New Jersey legislature to repeal
or amend the Competition Act without violating the State's pledge if the
legislature acts in order to serve a significant and legitimate public purpose,
such as protecting the public health and safety. Even if the legislature
provides you with an amount deemed to be just compensation, it may not be
sufficient for you to fully recover your investment. Any action of the New
Jersey legislature adversely affecting the bondable transition property or the
ability to collect transition bond charges may be considered a "taking" under
the United States or New Jersey Constitutions. In such event, the New Jersey
legislature would then be obligated to pay the estimated value of the bondable
transition property at the time of the taking. The issuer cannot assure you of
the likelihood or legal validity of any action of this type by the New Jersey
legislature, or whether the action would be considered a taking. As of the date
of this prospectus, the issuer is not aware of any pending legislation in the
New Jersey legislature that would affect any provisions of the Competition Act
affecting the transition bonds.
There can be no assurance that a repeal of or amendment to the Competition
Act will not be sought or adopted or that any action by the State of New Jersey
may not occur, any of which might constitute a violation of the State of New
Jersey's pledge and agreement with the transition bondholders. In any event,
costly and time-consuming litigation might ensue. Any litigation of this type
might adversely affect the price and liquidity of the transition bonds and the
dates of payments of interest on and principal of the transition bonds and,
accordingly, their weighted average lives. Moreover, given the lack of judicial
precedent directly on point, and the novelty of the security for the transition
bondholders, the outcome of any litigation cannot be predicted with certainty,
and accordingly, no assurances can be made that transition bondholders would
not incur a loss of their investment.
JCP&L has agreed to take legal or administrative actions, including
instituting and prosecuting legal actions, as may be reasonably necessary to
block or overturn any attempts to cause a repeal, modification or supplement to
the Competition Act, the BPU financing order or the bondable transition
property. JCP&L has also agreed to resist proceedings of third parties, which,
if successful, would result in a breach of its representations concerning the
bondable transition property, the BPU financing order or the Competition Act.
See "THE SALE AGREEMENT" in this prospectus. However, there is no assurance
that JCP&L would be able to take any action or that any action JCP&L is able to
take would be successful.
Neither the issuer, JCP&L, nor any successor will indemnify you for any
changes in the law that may affect the value of your transition bonds.
THE BPU MAY TAKE ACTION WHICH REDUCES THE VALUE OF THE TRANSITION BONDS
Pursuant to the Competition Act, the BPU financing order issued to JCP&L
became irrevocable upon issuance and the BPU may not, directly or indirectly,
by any subsequent action, rescind or amend the BPU financing order or reduce or
impair the amount of bondable stranded costs authorized to be
16
recovered through the issuance of transition bonds under the BPU financing
order. The BPU nevertheless might attempt to revise or rescind any of its
regulations or orders in ways that ultimately have an adverse impact upon the
bondable transition property or the transition bond charge. Apart from the
terms of the BPU financing order, the BPU retains the power to adopt, revise or
rescind rules or regulations affecting JCP&L or a successor electric public
utility. Any new or amended regulations or orders by the BPU, for example,
could affect the ability of the servicer to collect the transition bond charge
on a full and timely basis. JCP&L has agreed to take legal or administrative
actions, including instituting and pursuing legal actions, as may be reasonably
necessary to block or overturn any attempts to cause a repeal of, modification
of, or supplement to the Competition Act, the BPU financing order, the BPU
restructuring order (to the extent it affects the rights of transition
bondholders or the validity or value of the bondable transition property), the
letter to be delivered by JCP&L to the BPU within five business days following
the issuance of each series of transition bonds specifying the terms of that
series (referred to as an "issuance advice letter"), the bondable transition
property or the rights of transition bondholders by legislative enactment or
constitutional amendment if such repeal, modification or supplement would be
adverse to the issuer, the trustee or the transition bondholders. JCP&L has
also agreed to resist proceedings of third parties, which, if successful, would
result in a breach of any of its representations contained in the sale
agreement, including those concerning the bondable transition property
transferred pursuant to the sale agreement, the BPU financing order or the
Competition Act. See "THE SALE AGREEMENT" in this prospectus. However, there is
no assurance that JCP&L would be able to take this action or that any action
JCP&L takes would be successful. Future BPU regulations or orders may affect
the credit rating of the transition bonds, their price or the rate of
transition bond charge collections and, accordingly, the amortization of
transition bonds and their weighted average lives. As a result, you could
suffer a loss on your investment.
JCP&L, as servicer, is required to file at least annually with the BPU, on
behalf of the issuer, requests for adjustments of the transition bond charge.
These adjustments are intended to provide, among other things, for timely
payment of the transition bonds. The BPU may challenge JCP&L's calculation of a
proposed adjustment, which may cause delay, or may refuse to permit an
adjustment to take effect on the grounds that the adjustment contains a
manifest error. Under the BPU financing order, "manifest error" means an
arithmetic error evident on the face of the filing. Any such delay in the
implementation of the adjustment could cause a delay in the payments on the
transition bonds.
There is uncertainty associated with investing in transition bonds whose
timely payment of principal and interest may depend on true-up adjustments
because of the absence of any judicial or regulatory experience implementing
and interpreting the provisions of the Competition Act providing for such
adjustments. There can be no assurance that the adjustment procedures and
adjustments will not be challenged. Such challenges could result in costly and
time-consuming litigation. A shortfall or material delay in transition bond
charge collections due to inaccurate forecasts or delayed implementation of
true-up adjustments could result in principal of and interest on the transition
bonds not being paid according to the expected amortization schedule,
lengthening the weighted average life of the transition bonds or in payments of
principal and interest not being made at all, and may materially reduce the
value of the transition bondholders' investment.
17
SERVICING RISKS
INACCURATE CONSUMPTION FORECASTING OR UNANTICIPATED DELINQUENCIES OR WRITE-OFFS
COULD RESULT IN INSUFFICIENT FUNDS TO MAKE SCHEDULED PAYMENTS ON THE TRANSITION
BONDS
Because the transition bond charge is assessed based on estimates which
are projected from historical consumption of electricity by JCP&L's customers,
a shortfall of payments arising from the transition bond charge could result if
the servicer inaccurately forecasts electricity consumption or underestimates
customer delinquencies or write-offs when setting or adjusting the transition
bond charge. A shortfall in transition bond charge collections could result in
shortfalls in payments of interest on and principal of the transition bonds,
the lengthening of the weighted average life of the transition bonds, or
payments of principal and interest not being made at all.
Inaccurate forecasting of electricity consumption by the servicer could
result from, among other things:
o warmer winters or cooler summers, resulting in less electricity
consumption than forecasted;
o general economic conditions being worse than expected, causing customers
to migrate from JCP&L's service territory or reduce their electricity
consumption;
o the occurrence of a natural disaster, such as a hurricane or blizzard,
unexpectedly disrupting electrical service and reducing consumption;
o problems with energy generation, transmission or distribution resulting
from a change in the market structure of the electric industry;
o large customers ceasing business or departing JCP&L's service territory;
o increases in energy prices resulting in decreased consumption;
o changes in JCP&L's forecasting methodology;
o customers consuming less electricity because of increased conservation
efforts; or
o large customers switching to self-generation of electric power without
being required to pay the transition bond charge under the Competition
Act. See "THE COMPETITION ACT" in this prospectus.
Inaccurate forecasting of delinquencies or write-offs by the servicer could
result from, among other things:
o unexpected deterioration of the economy or the occurrence of a natural
disaster, causing greater delinquencies and write-offs than expected or
forcing JCP&L or a successor electric public utility to grant additional
payment relief to more customers than originally forecast;
o a change in law, rules or regulations that makes it more difficult for
JCP&L or a successor electric public utility to disconnect nonpaying
customers, or that requires JCP&L or a successor electric public utility
to apply more lenient credit standards in accepting customers;
o the introduction into the energy markets of third party electric power
suppliers who bill and collect payments arising from the transition bond
charge but who fail to remit transition bond charges to the servicer in a
timely manner; or
o the failure of third party suppliers who bill and collect payments
arising from the transition bond charge to submit accurate and timely
information to the servicer regarding their respective collections and
charge offs. See "-- IT MAY BE DIFFICULT TO COLLECT THE TRANSITION BOND
CHARGE FROM THIRD PARTY ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLIERS WHO PROVIDE ELECTRICITY
TO JCP&L'S CUSTOMERS" below.
18
UNCERTAINTIES ASSOCIATED WITH COLLECTING THE TRANSITION BOND CHARGE AND THE
UNPREDICTABILITY OF A DEREGULATED ELECTRICITY MARKET MAY REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF
FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR PAYMENTS ON THE TRANSITION BONDS
Although JCP&L has had limited experience in imposing a non-bypassable,
market transition charge, JCP&L has not previously calculated a transition bond
charge for customers, nor has it made all of the associated calculations and
projections which are inherent in the calculations, before it made the
calculations required in connection with the BPU financing order and the
issuance of transition bonds. The projections are based on primarily historical
performance of customer energy usage and collection of payments for which JCP&L
has records available. These usage and collection records, however, do not
reflect customers' payment patterns or energy usage in a competitive market,
which is significant because competition has been introduced only recently in
New Jersey. These records also do not reflect the introduction of consolidated
billing by third party electric power suppliers. Because the possibility for
this kind of billing has only just recently been introduced in New Jersey,
there are potentially unforeseen factors in that billing which may impact on
the collection of payments. Therefore, the records which JCP&L has to date may
have limited value in calculating the initial transition bond charge and the
proposed transition bond charge adjustments if third party billing is
undertaken in the JCP&L service territory. Furthermore, the servicer does not
have any experience administering the transition bond charge on behalf of an
independent issuer. Risks are associated with the servicer's inexperience in
calculating, billing and collecting the transition bond charge and in managing
customer payments on behalf of the issuer.
YOUR INVESTMENT RELIES ON JCP&L OR A SUCCESSOR ACTING AS SERVICER OF THE
BONDABLE TRANSITION PROPERTY
JCP&L, as servicer, will be responsible for billing and collecting
transition bond charges from customers and from third party electric power
suppliers that bill and collect from customers and for filing requests with the
BPU to adjust this charge. If JCP&L ceased servicing the bondable transition
property, it might be difficult to find a successor servicer. Upon a servicer
default based upon the commencement of a case by or against the servicer under
federal bankruptcy law, the trustee and the issuer may be prevented from
effecting a transfer of servicing. A successor servicer may experience
difficulties in collecting transition bond charges, determining appropriate
adjustments to transition bond charges, terminating service to customers or
otherwise taking actions against customers for non-payment of their transition
bond charges. If JCP&L were to be replaced as servicer, any of these factors
and others could delay the timing of payments and may reduce the value of your
investment. Also, a change in the servicer or the reclaiming of billing
functions by the servicer from any third party electric power supplier that has
defaulted may cause billing and/or payment arrangements to change, which may
lead to a period of disruption in which customers continue to remit payments
according to the former arrangement, resulting in delays in collection that
could result in delays in payments on your transition bonds. See "THE SERVICING
AGREEMENT" in this prospectus.
Upon a servicer default because of a failure to make required remittances,
the issuer or the trustee would have the right to apply to the BPU for an order
of sequestration and payment of revenues arising from the bondable transition
property. However, federal bankruptcy law may prevent the trustee and the
issuer from applying to the BPU for such an order and the BPU from issuing or
enforcing this order. In either case of a servicer default, payments on the
transition bonds may be suspended. See "--THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH POTENTIAL
BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS " below.
BILLING AND COLLECTION PRACTICES MAY REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR
PAYMENTS ON THE TRANSITION BONDS
The methodology of determining the amount of the transition bond charge
the issuer may impose on each customer is specified in the BPU financing order.
Thus, neither the issuer nor JCP&L can change this methodology. However, JCP&L,
as servicer, may set its own billing and collection arrangements with each
customer. For example, to recover part of an outstanding electricity bill,
JCP&L may agree to extend
19
a customer's payment schedule or to write off the remaining portion of the
bill. Also, JCP&L, or a successor to JCP&L as servicer, may change billing and
collection practices. Any change to billing and collection practices may have
an adverse or unforeseen impact on the timing and amount of customer payments,
by impacting the servicer's capacity to bill and collect efficiently and in a
timely manner, or otherwise, and may reduce the amount of transition bond
charge collections and thereby limit the issuer's ability to make scheduled
payments on the transition bonds. See "SERVICING OF THE BONDABLE TRANSITION
PROPERTY--HOW JCP&L FORECASTS THE NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS AND THE AMOUNT OF
ELECTRICITY USAGE" in this prospectus. Similarly, the BPU may require changes
to these practices. Any changes in billing and collection regulation might
adversely affect the billing terms and the terms of remittances by third party
electric power suppliers to the servicer or make it more difficult for the
servicer to collect the transition bond charge. These changes may adversely
affect the value of the transition bonds and their amortization and,
accordingly, their weighted average lives. See "THE BPU FINANCING ORDER AND THE
TRANSITION BOND CHARGE" in this prospectus.
IT MAY BE DIFFICULT TO COLLECT THE TRANSITION BOND CHARGE FROM THIRD PARTY
ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLIERS WHO PROVIDE ELECTRICITY TO JCP&L'S CUSTOMERS
In the future, customers may be billed by, and pay transition bond charges
to, third parties who supply them with electric power. These third party
electric power suppliers will be obligated to forward the amount billed in
respect of the transition bond charge to JCP&L, as servicer, regardless of
whether and to what extent these amounts are collected from customers. JCP&L
will have limited rights to collect transition bond charges directly from those
customers who receive their electricity bills from third party electric power
suppliers. If many customers elect to be billed by and receive aggregated
electricity bills from third party electric power suppliers, the issuer may
have to rely on a relatively small number of third party electric power
suppliers to remit the bulk of the transition bond charges from those
customers. A remittance default by a third party electric power supplier which
collects from a large number of customers would have a greater impact than a
default by a single customer and, therefore, would have a greater impact on
transition bond charge collections and, in turn, on the issuer's ability to
make timely payments on the transition bonds. Although third party electric
power suppliers will be required to post a deposit with JCP&L, as servicer, if
they do not have a credit rating of at least 'Baa2' by Moody's Investors
Service (referred to as "Moody's") or 'BBB' by Standard & Poor's Ratings
Services (referred to as "S&P"), there can be no assurance that such deposit
will be sufficient to compensate fully for a remittance default by a third
party electric power supplier.
JCP&L will not pay any shortfalls resulting from the failure of any third
party electric power supplier to forward billed transition bond charges to
JCP&L, as servicer. Additionally, there can be no assurance that third party
electric power suppliers will use the same customer credit standards as the
servicer. Therefore, it is possible that customers served by third party
electric power suppliers may have a higher rate of delinquencies and write-offs
than those served by JCP&L. Also, there can be no assurance that the servicer
will be able to mitigate credit risks relating to these third party electric
power suppliers in the same manner or to the same extent to which it mitigates
the risks relating to its customers.
The adjustment mechanism, the deposits required from certain customers and
third party electric power suppliers as a prerequisite to service or the
ability to do business, as applicable, and any other credit enhancement will be
available to compensate for a failure by a third party electric power supplier
to remit the billed transition bond charges to the servicer. However, the
amount of credit enhancement funds may not be sufficient to prevent a delay in
payments on the transition bonds. For example, in the event of the bankruptcy
of a third party electric power supplier, there is no assurance that a
bankruptcy court would permit the servicer to assume billing and collection
responsibility for sales by the third party electric power supplier; thus,
shortfalls in the payment of transition bond charges could result. See "THE BPU
FINANCING ORDER AND THE TRANSITION BOND CHARGE" in this prospectus.
JCP&L'S CUSTOMER PAYMENTS MAY DECLINE DUE TO CONFUSION
Although a similar non-bypassable market transition charge has been
imposed upon JCP&L's customers since August 1999, the transition bond charge is
being introduced to JCP&L's customers for the first time. Commercial and
industrial customers receive bills with separate line items showing
20
charges for distribution, transmission and generation services, as well as
market transition, societal benefits and, when imposed, transition bond
charges. Residential customers receive bills showing some of these charges
bundled into a single line item. All customer bills will have a footnote
stating that a transition bond charge is being collected on behalf of the
issuer. Any change in customer billing and payment arrangements may result in
customer confusion and the misdirection or delay of payments, which could have
the effect of causing delays in transition bond charge collections. Any
problems arising from new and untested systems or any lack of experience on the
part of the third party electric power suppliers or other third parties with
customer billing and collections responsibilities could also cause delays in
billing and collecting the transition bond charge. These delays could result in
shortfalls in transition bond charge collections and, therefore, reduce the
ability of the issuer to make timely payments on the transition bonds.
INABILITY TO TERMINATE SERVICE TO CERTAIN DELINQUENT CUSTOMERS IN WINTER MAY
TEMPORARILY REDUCE AMOUNTS AVAILABLE FOR PAYMENTS ON THE TRANSITION BONDS
A winter moratorium prevents JCP&L from terminating service to certain
delinquent residential customers from November 15 of each year until at least
March 15 of the following year unless JCP&L has received special approval from
the BPU. As a result, JCP&L must provide service to these residential customers
during this period without recouping the transition bond charge from these
customers. This reduces the amount of transition bond charge collections
available for payments on the transition bonds, although the expected
associated reduction in payments will be factored into the transition bond
charge adjustment. See "SERVICING OF THE BONDABLE TRANSITION PROPERTY--CREDIT
POLICY; BILLING; COLLECTIONS; TERMINATION OF SERVICE" in this prospectus.
TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE MAY MAKE ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES MORE ATTRACTIVE AND
REDUCE THE NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS PAYING TRANSITION BOND CHARGES
The continuous process of technological development may result in the
introduction for an increasing number of customers of economically attractive
alternatives to purchasing electricity through JCP&L's transmission and
distribution facilities. Previously, only the largest industrial and
institutional users with large process steam requirements could use
cogeneration or self-generation installations cost-effectively. However,
manufacturers of self-generation facilities continue to develop smaller-scale,
more fuel-efficient generating units that can be cost-effective options for
customers with smaller electric energy requirements. Those customers may not
have to pay transition bond charges under provisions of the Competition Act.
Technological developments may allow greater numbers of customers to avoid
transition bond charges under such provisions, which may reduce the total
number of customers from which transition bond charges will be collected. A
reduction in the number of payers of transition bond charges could result in
delays in or a failure to make payments of interest on and principal of the
transition bonds.
THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH POTENTIAL BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS
For a detailed discussion of the following bankruptcy risks, please refer
to "HOW A BANKRUPTCY OF JCP&L OR THE SERVICER MAY AFFECT YOUR INVESTMENT" in
this prospectus.
JCP&L WILL COMMINGLE THE TRANSITION BOND CHARGE COLLECTIONS WITH OTHER
REVENUES, WHICH MAY OBSTRUCT ACCESS TO THE ISSUER'S FUNDS IN CASE OF BANKRUPTCY
OF JCP&L
JCP&L will not segregate the transition bond charge collections from the
other funds it collects from its customers. The transition bond charge
collections will be segregated only after JCP&L makes payment to the trustee.
Except in circumstances described in "THE SERVICING AGREEMENT--JCP&L'S
SERVICING PROCEDURES" in this prospectus, and subject to further BPU
authorization, JCP&L will be required to remit transition bond charge
collections within two business days of the deemed collection date. Despite
these requirements, JCP&L might fail to pay the full amount of the transition
bond charge collections to the trustee or might fail to do so on a timely
basis. This failure could materially reduce the value of your investment and
cause material delays in payment.
21
The Competition Act provides that the rights of the issuer to the bondable
transition property are not affected by the commingling of these funds with
JCP&L's other funds. In a bankruptcy of JCP&L, however, a bankruptcy court
might rule that federal bankruptcy law takes precedence over the Competition
Act and does not recognize the right of the issuer to collections of the
transition bond charge that are commingled with other funds of JCP&L as of the
date of bankruptcy. If so, the collections of the transition bond charge held
by JCP&L as of the date of bankruptcy would not be available to pay amounts
owing on the transition bonds. In this case, the issuer would have a general
unsecured claim against JCP&L for those amounts. This scenario could cause
material delays in payment or losses on your transition bonds and could
materially reduce the value of your investment.
BANKRUPTCY OF JCP&L COULD RESULT IN LOSSES OR DELAYS IN PAYMENTS ON THE
TRANSITION BONDS
The Competition Act and the BPU financing order provide that as a matter
of New Jersey state law:
o bondable transition property, including the right to charge, collect and
receive the transition bond charge, constitutes presently existing
property for all purposes;
o JCP&L may sell, assign and otherwise transfer that property and JCP&L or
the issuer may pledge or grant a security interest in the property as
collateral for transition bonds; and
o a transfer of the bondable transition property from JCP&L to the issuer,
either directly or through one or more subsidiaries, is a sale or other
absolute transfer of the bondable transition property, not a pledge of
the bondable transition property to secure a financing by JCP&L.
See "THE COMPETITION ACT" in this prospectus. These three provisions are
important to maintaining payments on the transition bonds in accordance with
their terms during any bankruptcy of JCP&L. In addition, the transaction has
been structured with the objective of keeping the issuer separate from JCP&L in
the event of a bankruptcy of JCP&L.
A bankruptcy court generally follows state property law on issues such as
those addressed by the three provisions described above. However, a bankruptcy
court has authority not to follow state law if it determines that the state law
is contrary to a paramount federal bankruptcy policy or interest. If a
bankruptcy court in a JCP&L bankruptcy refused to enforce one or more of the
state property law provisions described above for this reason, the effect of
this decision on you as a transition bondholder would be similar to the
treatment you would receive in a JCP&L bankruptcy if the transition bonds had
been issued directly by JCP&L. A decision by the bankruptcy court that, despite
the separateness of JCP&L and the issuer, the two companies should be
consolidated for the purposes of the bankruptcy proceeding, would have a
similar effect on you as a transition bondholder. That treatment could cause
material delays in payment of, or losses on, your transition bonds and could
materially reduce the value of your investment. For example:
o the bankruptcy court could order the trustee to exchange the bondable
transition property for other property, which might be of lower value;
o tax or other government liens on JCP&L's property that arose after the
transfer of the bondable transition property to the issuer might
nevertheless have priority over the trustee's lien and might be paid from
transition bond charge collections before you receive payments on the
transition bonds;
o the trustee's lien might not be properly perfected in bondable
transition property collections that were commingled with other funds
JCP&L collects from its customers as of the date of JCP&L's bankruptcy,
or might not be properly perfected in all of the bondable transition
property, and the lien could therefore be set aside in the bankruptcy,
with the result that the transition bonds would represent only general
unsecured claims against JCP&L;
o the bankruptcy court might rule that the transition bond charge
collected by the servicer should be used to pay a portion of the cost of
providing electric service;
o the bankruptcy court might rule that the remedy provisions of the sale
agreement are unenforceable, leaving the issuer with a claim of actual
damages against JCP&L, which may be difficult to prove;
22
o the trustee could not, without permission from the bankruptcy court
(which could be denied):
-- exercise any remedies against JCP&L on your behalf;
-- recover funds to repay the transition bonds;
-- use funds in the subaccounts under the indenture to make payments on
the transition bonds; or
-- replace JCP&L as the servicer;
o the bankruptcy court might rule that neither the issuer's property
interest nor the trustee's lien extends to transition bond charge
collections in respect of electricity consumed after the commencement of
JCP&L's bankruptcy case, with the result that the transition bonds would
represent only general unsecured claims against JCP&L;
o neither JCP&L nor the issuer may be obligated to make any payments on
the transition bonds during the pendency of the bankruptcy case; or
o JCP&L may be able to alter the terms of the transition bonds as part of
its plan of reorganization.
Furthermore, if JCP&L enters into bankruptcy, it may be permitted to stop
acting as servicer. See "HOW A BANKRUPTCY OF JCP&L OR THE SERVICER MAY AFFECT
YOUR INVESTMENT" in this prospectus.
BANKRUPTCY OF THIRD PARTY ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLIER COULD RESULT IN LOSSES OR
DELAYS IN PAYMENTS ON THE TRANSITION BONDS
In the event of the bankruptcy of a third party electric power supplier,
there could be shortfalls in the payments of the transition bond charges to the
servicer, which could reduce the ability of the issuer to make timely payments
on the transition bonds.
THE SALE OF THE BONDABLE TRANSITION PROPERTY COULD BE CONSTRUED AS A FINANCING
AND NOT A SALE IN CASE OF JCP&L'S BANKRUPTCY
The Competition Act provides that the characterization of a transfer of
bondable transition property as a sale or other absolute transfer will not be
affected or impaired in any manner by treatment of the transfer as a financing
for federal or state tax purposes or financial accounting purposes. JCP&L and
the issuer will treat the transaction as a sale under applicable law, although
for financial reporting and federal and state tax purposes, the transition
bonds will be treated as a financing and not a sale. In the event of a
bankruptcy of JCP&L, a party in interest in the bankruptcy may assert that the
sale of the bondable transition property to the issuer was a financing
transaction and not a "sale or other absolute transfer" and that the treatment
of the transaction for financial reporting and tax purposes as a financing and
not a sale lends weight to that position. If a court were to characterize the
transaction as a financing, the issuer would be treated as a secured creditor
of JCP&L in the bankruptcy proceedings. Although the issuer would in that case
have a security interest in the bondable transition property, it would not
likely be entitled to access to the transition bond charge collections during
the bankruptcy. As a result, repayment on the transition bonds could be
significantly delayed and a plan of reorganization in the bankruptcy might
permanently modify the amount and timing of payments to the issuer of
transition bond charge collections and therefore the amount and timing of funds
available to the issuer to pay transition bondholders.
A SEQUESTRATION ORDER FOR BONDABLE TRANSITION PROPERTY IN CASE OF DEFAULT MIGHT
NOT BE ENFORCEABLE IN BANKRUPTCY
If JCP&L defaults on its obligations as servicer, the Competition Act
allows the BPU or any court of competent jurisdiction to order the
sequestration and payment of all transition bond charge collections to the
transition bondholders. The Competition Act states that this BPU or court order
would be effective even if made while JCP&L or its successor is in bankruptcy.
However, federal bankruptcy law may prevent the BPU from issuing or enforcing
such an order. The indenture requires that the trustee request
23
an order from the bankruptcy court to permit the BPU to issue and enforce this
order. However, the bankruptcy court may deny the request. In this scenario,
the issuer would lose access to the transition bond charge collections and
thereby lose its source of funds for scheduled payments on the transition
bonds.
OTHER RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH
AN INVESTMENT IN THE TRANSITION BONDS
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF INTEREST RATE SWAP TRANSACTIONS
The related prospectus supplement will contain the risk factors, if any,
associated with any interest rate swap that may be entered into by the issuer
with respect to a series or class of floating rate transition bonds.
ABSENCE OF SECONDARY MARKET FOR TRANSITION BONDS COULD LIMIT YOUR ABILITY TO
RESELL TRANSITION BONDS
The underwriters for the transition bonds may assist in resales of the
transition bonds, but they are not required to do so. A secondary market for
the transition bonds may not develop. If it does develop, it may not continue
or it may not be sufficiently liquid to allow you to resell any of your
transition bonds.
JCP&L'S RATINGS MAY AFFECT THE MARKET VALUE OF THE TRANSITION BONDS
A downgrading of the credit ratings on the debt of JCP&L could have an
adverse effect, at least temporarily, on the market value of your transition
bonds.
THE ISSUER MAY ISSUE ADDITIONAL SERIES OF TRANSITION BONDS THAT WILL SHARE
AVAILABLE CREDIT ENHANCEMENT AND WHOSE HOLDERS MAY HAVE INTERESTS THAT CONFLICT
WITH YOURS
The issuer may issue other series of transition bonds without your prior
review or approval. These series may include terms and provisions that would be
unique to that particular series. A new series of transition bonds may not be
issued if it would result in the credit ratings on any outstanding series of
transition bonds being reduced or withdrawn. There can be no assurance that the
issuance of additional series of transition bonds would not cause reductions or
delays in payments on your transition bonds. Any additional series of
transition bonds issued by the issuer will have the right to share equally in
all of the bondable transition property owned by the issuer with all of the
outstanding transition bonds. Moreover, JCP&L may sell bondable transition
property to one or more entities other than the issuer in connection with the
issuance of a new series of transition bonds. In that case, JCP&L will need to
obtain a separate financing order from the BPU. That separate financing order
will specify an additional amount of transition bond charges to be collected
from customers for the additional series of transition bonds. Any additional
series of transition bonds issued by another entity will have an equal right to
share in transition bond charge collections with the issuer. See "THE
TRANSITION BONDS" and "THE INDENTURE" in this prospectus. In addition, some
matters may require the vote of the holders of all series and classes of
transition bonds, voting as a single class. Your interests in these votes may
conflict with the interests of the transition bondholders of another series or
of another class. Thus, these votes could result in an outcome that is
materially unfavorable to you.
In the event that other series of transition bonds are issued, amounts
deposited with respect to your series of transition bonds, including amounts in
the series capital subaccount and the series overcollateralization subaccount,
may be used to pay amounts relating to those other series. Payment dates may
not be the same for all series, and available credit enhancement may be
exhausted on a payment date preceding that applicable to your transition bonds.
THE RATINGS HAVE A LIMITED FUNCTION AND THEY ARE NO INDICATION OF THE EXPECTED
RATE OF PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL OF THE TRANSITION BONDS
The transition bonds will be rated by at least two nationally recognized
statistical rating organizations (referred to as the "rating agencies"). The
ratings are limited to analyzing the probability that the issuer
24
will repay the total principal balance of each class of the transition bonds at
its legal final maturity and will make timely interest payments. The ratings do
not otherwise assess the speed at which the issuer will repay the principal of
the transition bonds. Thus, the issuer may repay the principal of your
transition bonds earlier or later than you expect, which may materially reduce
the value of your investment. A rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or
hold transition bonds. The rating may change at any time. A rating agency has
the authority to revise or withdraw its rating based solely upon its own
judgment. See "RATINGS FOR THE TRANSITION BONDS" in this prospectus.
JCP&L'S OBLIGATION TO INDEMNIFY THE ISSUER FOR A BREACH OF A REPRESENTATION OR
WARRANTY MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT TO PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT
If JCP&L breaches a representation or warranty in the sale agreement, it
is obligated to indemnify the issuer and the trustee for any liabilities,
obligations, claims, actions, suits or payments resulting from that breach, as
well as any reasonable costs and expenses incurred. In addition, JCP&L is
obligated to indemnify the issuer and the trustee, for itself and on behalf of
the transition bondholders, for (1) required payments of principal of and
interest on the transition bonds in accordance with their terms and (2)
required deposits of amounts with the issuer, in each case, required to have
been made, which are not made when so required as a result of a breach of a
representation or warranty. However, the amount of any indemnification paid by
JCP&L may not be sufficient for you to recover all of your loss on the
transition bonds. See "THE SALE AGREEMENT--JCP&L'S OBLIGATION TO INDEMNIFY THE
ISSUER AND THE TRUSTEE AND TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION" in this prospectus. JCP&L will
not be obligated to indemnify any party for any changes of law. In addition,
JCP&L will not be obligated to repurchase the collateral in the event of a
breach of any of its representations and warranties, and neither the trustee
nor the transition bondholders will have the right to accelerate payments on
the transition bonds as a result of a breach of any of JCP&L's representations
and warranties, absent an event of default under the indenture as described in
"THE INDENTURE--WHAT CONSTITUTES AN EVENT OF DEFAULT ON THE TRANSITION BONDS"
in this prospectus. If JCP&L becomes obligated to indemnify transition
bondholders, the ratings on the transition bonds will likely be downgraded as a
result of the circumstances causing the breach and the fact that the transition
bondholders will be unsecured creditors of JCP&L with respect to any of those
indemnification amounts.
YOU MAY HAVE TO REINVEST PRINCIPAL OF YOUR TRANSITION BONDS AT A LOWER RATE OF
RETURN BECAUSE OF AN OPTIONAL REDEMPTION OF BONDS
As described more fully under "THE TRANSITION BONDS--OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
OF THE TRANSITION BONDS" in this prospectus, the issuer may redeem any series
of transition bonds on any payment date if, after giving effect to payments
that would otherwise be made on that payment date, the outstanding principal
balance of that series of transition bonds has been reduced to less than 5% of
that series' initial principal balance. In addition, the issuer may redeem a
series of transition bonds if and to the extent provided in the related
prospectus supplement. Redemption of a series of transition bonds will result
in a shorter than expected weighted average life for that series. Redemption
may also adversely affect the yield to maturity of the transition bonds
redeemed. The issuer cannot predict whether any series of transition bonds will
be redeemed. Future market conditions may require you to reinvest the proceeds
of a redemption at a lower rate than the rate you receive on the transition
bonds.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF CREDIT ENHANCEMENT OR SWAP TRANSACTIONS
The issuer may enter into certain forms of credit enhancement or interest
rate swap arrangements with respect to a series or class of floating rate
transition bonds that entail certain kinds of risks. The applicable prospectus
supplement will contain the risk factors, if any, associated with any
applicable credit enhancement or interest rate swap arrangement.
YOU MIGHT RECEIVE PRINCIPAL PAYMENTS LATER, OR IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES,
EARLIER, THAN YOU EXPECTED
The amount and the rate of collection of transition bond charges that the
servicer will collect from each customer class will partially depend on actual
electricity usage and the amount of delinquencies and write-offs for that
customer class. The amount and the rate of collection of transition bond
charges,
25
together with the transition bond charge adjustments described above, will
generally determine whether there is a delay in the scheduled repayments of
principal of the transition bonds. If the servicer collects transition bond
charges at a slower rate than expected from any customer class, it may have to
request adjustments of the transition bond charges. If those adjustments are
not timely and accurate, you may experience a delay in payments of principal
and interest or a material decrease in the value of your investment. If there
is an acceleration of any series of transition bonds before maturity, all
classes within that series will be paid pro rata. Therefore, some classes may
be paid earlier and some classes may be paid later than expected. Unless there
is a redemption or acceleration of the transition bonds before maturity, the
transition bonds will not be retired earlier than scheduled. If there is a
shortfall in the amount necessary to make principal payments that are due and
payable, including upon an acceleration following an event of default, the
trustee will distribute principal pro rata among the series and classes of
transition bonds in proportion to the amount of principal due and payable for
each series or class. If there is a shortfall in the amount necessary to make
scheduled principal payments, the trustee will distribute principal pro rata
among the series and classes in proportion to the amount scheduled to be paid
for each series or class.
26
JERSEY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT COMPANY
JCP&L, a public utility furnishing electric service wholly within the
State of New Jersey, is a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., a holding company
registered under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935. JCP&L became a
subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. effective November 7, 2001, when GPU, Inc.
(JCP&L's former parent company) merged with FirstEnergy Corp. JCP&L provides
retail electric service within a territory located in northern, western and
east central New Jersey having a population of approximately 2.7 million.
JCP&L's principal executive offices are located at 76 South Main Street, Akron,
Ohio 44308-1890, and its telephone number is (330) 384-5100.
During 2001, residential sales accounted for about 47% of JCP&L's
operating revenues from customers and 42% of kilowatt hour sales to customers;
commercial sales accounted for about 40% of JCP&L's operating revenues from
customers and 41% of kilowatt hour sales to customers; industrial sales
accounted for about 12% of JCP&L's operating revenues from customers and 16% of
kilowatt hour sales to customers; and sales to rural electric cooperatives,
municipalities (primarily for street and highway lighting) and others accounted
for about 1% of JCP&L's operating revenues from customers and less than 1% of
kilowatt hour sales to customers. The revenues derived from the 25 largest
customers in the aggregate accounted for approximately 9.9% of operating
revenues from customers for the year 2001. JCP&L also makes interchange and
spot market sales of electricity to other utilities.
The electric transmission facilities of JCP&L and its affiliates,
Pennsylvania Electric Company and Metropolitan Edison Company, are physically
interconnected and are operated on an integrated and coordinated basis. The
transmission facilities of the integrated system are physically interconnected
with neighboring affiliated and nonaffiliated utilities within New Jersey and
in neighboring states including Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York and Ohio. The
interconnection facilities are used for substantial capacity and energy
interchange and purchased power transactions as well as emergency assistance.
JCP&L is a member of the Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland Interconnection
(referred to as "PJM") and the Mid-Atlantic Area Council, an organization
providing coordinated review of the planning by utilities in the PJM area.
Where to Find Information About JCP&L. JCP&L files annual, quarterly and
current reports and other information with the SEC under File No. 1-3141.
Reports and other information filed with the SEC are available to the public
over the Internet at the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. You may also
read and copy any of these SEC filings at the SEC's public reference room in
Washington, D.C. located at 450 Fifth Street, N.W. Please call the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about the operation of the public
reference room. Some of JCP&L's securities are listed on the New York Stock
Exchange, and such reports and other information can also be inspected and
copied at the offices of such exchange on the 7th Floor, 20 Broad Street, New
York, New York. For so long as any transition bonds are listed on the
Luxembourg Stock Exchange and the rules of that exchange so require, copies of
these documents will be available for inspection by the holders of any listed
transition bonds at the office of the listing agent in Luxembourg. JCP&L also
provides information through its website at www.firstenergycorp.com.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
The issuer has filed with the SEC a registration statement under the
Securities Act of 1933 (referred to as the "Securities Act") with respect to
the transition bonds. This prospectus, which forms a part of the registration
statement, and any prospectus supplement describe the material terms of some
documents filed as exhibits to the registration statement. However, this
prospectus and any prospectus supplement do not contain all of the information
contained in the registration statement and its exhibits. Any statements
contained in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement concerning the
provisions of any document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or
otherwise filed with the SEC are not necessarily complete, and in each instance
reference is made to the copy of the document so filed.
The SEC allows the issuer to "incorporate by reference" into this
prospectus the information the issuer files with it, which means that the
issuer can disclose important information to you by referring you to those
documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of
this prospectus
27
and should be read with the same care. Information that the issuer files later
with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (referred to as the
"Exchange Act") will automatically update and supersede this information. The
issuer incorporates by reference any future filings (including those made after
the initial filing of the registration statement and prior to effectiveness)
the issuer makes with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act until all of the transition bonds described in this prospectus are
sold.
You may request a free copy of these filings by writing or telephoning the
issuer at the following address: JCP&L Transition Funding LLC, 103 Foulk Road,
Suite 202, Wilmington, Delaware 19803 and its telephone number is 302-691-6118.
THE COMPETITION ACT
The Competition Act, which was signed into law in February 1999, provides,
among other things, for the restructuring of the electric utility industry in
New Jersey. Through the enactment of the Competition Act, the New Jersey
Legislature sought to lower energy costs and to allow New Jersey electricity
customers to choose their electric power supplier. The Competition Act
deregulated the electric power generation market in order to promote efficient
energy service to consumers and to diversify the sources of supply of
electricity in the State. The traditional retail monopoly for electric power
generation was eliminated, and competition was introduced to the electricity
generation retail market in August 1999. Customers' bills have been unbundled
into separate line items for electric distribution, transmission and generation
services, among others. In this competitive electric generation retail market,
the traditional electric utility rate regulation has been replaced by a
combination of modified regulation and some competition.
The fossil and nuclear-fueled electric generation plants formerly owned by
JCP&L, which produce electric power and current, are referred to as
"generation-related facilities". JCP&L's high voltage electric lines and
related step up and step down transformers and substations which transmit
electric power and current at higher voltages and usually over longer distances
than distribution facilities are referred to as "transmission facilities".
JCP&L's lower voltage electric lines, transformers and substations which
interconnect with the high voltage transmission lines and distribute the power
and current to the end-use customers at lower voltage levels consistent with
the customers' use are referred to as "distribution facilities".
The Competition Act requires the unbundling of electric services into
separate generation, transmission and distribution services with open retail
competition for generation services. While electric utilities will continue to
provide transmission and distribution services, the Competition Act authorizes
third party electric power suppliers licensed by the BPU to provide electric
generation services to retail customers. Under the Competition Act, third party
electric power suppliers are subject to some limited financial and other
requirements and some customer protection requirements, but are generally not
regulated by the BPU. Electric distribution and transmission services remain
regulated.
Even with the enactment of the Competition Act, the BPU continues to
regulate aspects of the electric utility industry in New Jersey with respect to
electric companies. The BPU has also established guidelines governing customer
billing and collection, metering and disclosure requirements applicable to
third party electric power suppliers participating in the new competitive
retail electric generation market in New Jersey.
RECOVERY OF STRANDED COSTS IS ALLOWED FOR JCP&L AND OTHER NEW JERSEY UTILITIES
To maintain the financial integrity of electric utilities during the
transition to a competitive retail electric generation market, the Competition
Act allows electric public utilities an opportunity to recover their stranded
costs. Stranded costs are (1) the amount by which the net cost of the electric
public utility's electric generating assets or electric power purchase
contracts, which traditionally would be recoverable in a regulated environment,
exceeds the market value of those assets or contracts in a competitive supply
marketplace, as determined by the BPU, and (2) the costs of buydowns or buyouts
of power purchase contracts. Stranded costs result from the necessity to lower
rates in order to compete in a
28
competitive retail electric generation market. JCP&L will recover stranded
costs related to the newly introduced competitive retail market in electric
power generation which are non-recoverable in competitive retail markets, as
well as other reasonably incurred costs, to the extent permitted by the BPU.
These stranded costs are, in JCP&L's case, primarily related to
generation-related facilities. The Competition Act also permits the recovery of
restructuring-related costs that the BPU approves as appropriate for recovery.
As a mechanism to recover these stranded costs, the Competition Act provides
for the imposition and collection of a transition bond charge on customers'
bills. Because the transition bond charge is a usage-based charge based on
access to the utility's transmission and distribution system, the customers
will be assessed regardless of whether the customers purchase electricity from
the utility or a third party electric power supplier, except as described under
"--JCP&L AND OTHER UTILITIES MAY SECURITIZE STRANDED COSTS--Customers Cannot
Avoid Paying the Transition Bond Charge" below. Also, if on-site generation
facilities that are connected to the utility's transmission and distribution
system produce power that is delivered to off-site retail customers in New
Jersey, the transition bond charge will apply to the sale or delivery of that
power.
The Competition Act requires the BPU to review periodically any market
transition charge used to recover stranded costs. This review will ensure that
the utility imposing the charge will not collect charges that exceed its actual
stranded costs. Any periodic review of the market transition charge will not
affect the transition bond charge assessed to pay the transition bonds. See
"JCP&L'S RESTRUCTURING" in this prospectus.
JCP&L AND OTHER UTILITIES MAY SECURITIZE STRANDED COSTS
The Recovery of Stranded Costs May be Facilitated by the Issuance of
Transition Bonds. The Competition Act authorizes the BPU to issue "bondable
stranded costs rate orders", such as the BPU financing order, approving, among
other things, the issuance of transition bonds to recover bondable stranded
costs and related expenses of an electric public utility. A utility, a direct
or indirect finance subsidiary of a utility or a third-party assignee of a
utility may issue transition bonds. Under the Competition Act, proceeds of
transition bonds are required to be used to reduce the utility's stranded costs
through the retirement of its debt or equity, or both. Transition bonds are
secured by and payable from bondable transition property and may have a
scheduled amortization upon issuance of up to 15 years. The BPU financing order
allows the legal final maturity of the transition bonds issued by the issuer to
extend to 17 years from the date of issuance of the transition bonds.
The Competition Act contains a number of provisions designed to facilitate
the securitization of stranded costs and related expenses.
A Bondable Stranded Costs Rate Order is Irrevocable. Under the Competition
Act, bondable transition property is created by the issuance by the BPU of a
bondable stranded costs rate order, such as the BPU financing order. The
Competition Act provides that each bondable stranded costs rate order,
including the BPU financing order, will become irrevocable upon issuance and
effectiveness of the order. Upon the transfer of the bondable transition
property to an assignee, such as the issuer, and the receipt by the utility of
consideration for the sale of the transition bonds, the bondable stranded costs
rate order, the transition bond charge and the bondable transition property
become a vested, presently existing property right, vested ab initio in the
assignee.
Under the Competition Act, neither the BPU nor any other governmental
entity has the authority, directly or indirectly, legally or equitably, to
rescind, alter, repeal, modify or amend a bondable stranded costs rate order,
to revalue, re-evaluate or revise the amount of bondable stranded costs, to
determine that the transition bond charge or the revenues required to recover
bondable stranded costs are unjust or unreasonable, or in any way to reduce or
impair the value of bondable transition property, nor will the amount of
revenues from the transition bond charge be subject to reduction, impairment,
postponement or termination. In addition, under the Competition Act, the State
of New Jersey pledges and agrees with the holders of the transition bonds, and
with any owner or assignee of bondable transition property, or with any
financing entity, such as the issuer, not to limit, alter or impair the
bondable transition property or the other rights vested in an electric public
utility or any assignee or pledgee of the utility or any financing entity or
vested in the holders of any transition bonds pursuant to a bondable stranded
costs
29
rate order until the transition bonds and any interest thereon, plus the cost
of any credit enhancement, reserves, servicing fees and other expenses and any
acquisition or redemption premium, if any, are fully paid and discharged. In
addition, the State pledges and agrees in the Competition Act that it will not
in any way limit, alter, impair or reduce the value or amount of the bondable
transition property approved under a bondable stranded costs rate order except
as contemplated by the periodic adjustments to the transition bond charge
authorized by the Competition Act. The BPU financing order is a bondable
stranded costs rate order. See "--The Transition Bond Charge is Adjusted
Periodically" below. See also "RISK FACTORS--JUDICIAL, LEGISLATIVE OR
REGULATORY ACTION THAT MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT YOUR INVESTMENT " in this
prospectus. A bondable stranded costs rate order does not constitute a debt or
liability of the State, nor does it constitute a pledge of the full faith and
credit of the State. The issuance of transition bonds does not, directly,
indirectly or contingently, obligate the State to levy or pledge any form of
taxation or make any appropriation for their payment.
The Transition Bond Charge is Adjusted Periodically. The Competition Act
requires each bondable stranded costs rate order to provide for mandatory
adjustment of the transition bond charge, at least once a year, upon petition
of the electric public utility or its assignee or financing entity. The BPU
financing order permits JCP&L, as servicer, to petition the BPU for adjustments
at least annually, but not more frequently than quarterly, except that monthly
filings are permitted in the last year before the expected maturity of the
transition bonds and continuing until their legal final maturity. These
adjustments are formula-based to provide revenues sufficient to provide for the
full recovery of bondable stranded costs, including, without limitation, the
timely payment of the principal of, and interest, which, in the case of
interest on any floating rate class of any series, will be calculated at the
applicable gross fixed rate, and acquisition or redemption premium on, the
transition bonds in accordance with the expected amortization schedule. JCP&L
will agree in the servicing agreement with the issuer to file with the BPU each
proposed adjustment calculated in accordance with the formula. See "THE
SERVICING AGREEMENT" in this prospectus.
Customers Cannot Avoid Paying the Transition Bond Charge. The Competition
Act provides that the transition bond charge is "non-bypassable", which means
that the charge will be payable by all of JCP&L's customers, even if those
customers elect to purchase electricity from a third party electric power
supplier. See "SUMMARY OF TERMS--THE COLLATERAL" in this prospectus for a
description of JCP&L's customers.
The Competition Act Provides a Procedure for Perfecting a Transfer of
Bondable Transition Property and for Perfecting the Transition Bonds' Lien on
Bondable Transition Property. The Competition Act provides procedures for
assuring that the transfer of the bondable transition property from JCP&L to
the issuer will be perfected under New Jersey law and that the security
interest granted by the issuer to the trustee in the bondable transition
property will be perfected under New Jersey law. The Competition Act provides
that a transfer of bondable transition property will be perfected against any
third party when:
o the BPU has issued its bondable stranded costs rate order with respect
to such bondable transition property and such order is effective;
o the agreement to transfer the bondable transition property has been
executed and delivered by the electric public utility or its assignee;
and
o a financing statement with respect to the transfer has been filed in
accordance with the New Jersey Uniform Commercial Code.
Perfection of the trustee's security interest in the bondable transition
property is necessary in order to establish the priority of the trustee's
security interest over claims of other parties to the bondable transition
property. The Competition Act provides that security interests in the bondable
transition property are perfected only by means of a separate filing under the
New Jersey Uniform Commercial Code. Upon perfection, a security interest under
the Uniform Commercial Code attaches to bondable transition property, whether
or not the revenues or proceeds thereof have accrued. The Competition Act
provides that priority of security interests in bondable transition property
will not be defeated or adversely affected by:
30
o commingling of transition bond charge collections with other funds of
the utility or its assignee; or
o the periodic adjustment of the transition bond charge under the
Competition Act.
The Competition Act Characterizes the Transfer of Bondable Transition
Property as a Sale or Other Absolute Transfer. The Competition Act provides
that a transfer by the utility or an assignee of bondable transition property
will be treated as a sale or other absolute transfer of the transferor's right,
title and interest and not as a borrowing secured by the bondable transition
property if the parties expressly state in governing documents that a transfer
is to be a sale or other absolute transfer. The characterization of the
transfer as a sale is not affected or impaired by the fact that:
o the transferor retains or acquires an equity interest of equal priority
in the bondable transition property or the fact that only a portion of
the bondable transition property is transferred;
o the transferor retains or acquires a subordinated equity interest or
other credit enhancement provisions on terms commensurate with market
practices;
o the electric public utility acts as collector or servicer of the related
transition bond charge;
o the transferor retains mere legal title to the bondable transition
property for servicing or supervising services and collections relating
to the bondable transition property; or
o the transfer is treated as a financing for federal, state or local tax
purposes or financial accounting purposes.
See "RISK FACTORS--THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH POTENTIAL BANKRUPTCY
PROCEEDINGS " in this prospectus.
JCP&L'S RESTRUCTURING
The Stipulation and Restructuring Order. On April 14, 1999, JCP&L and a
number of other parties filed a stipulation with the BPU, detailing a proposal
for JCP&L's implementation of full customer choice under the Competition Act.
The parties to the stipulation agreed, among other things, not to oppose a
financing order to be issued by the BPU or the sale of transition bonds to
implement securitization in any judicial or regulatory forum. An alternative
joint proposal was submitted by the Division of the Ratepayer Advocate and
others in opposition to the stipulation. The BPU found the stipulation
submitted by JCP&L, subject to certain modifications, to be a reasonable
framework for resolution of the proceedings and issued its summary order, dated
May 24, 1999. The BPU issued its more detailed decision and order, dated March
7, 2001, which is referred to as the "restructuring order".
In the restructuring order, the BPU authorized JCP&L to issue up to $420
million of transition bonds to recover up to $400 million in stranded costs
plus up to $20 million in transaction costs and related expenses of the
financing. In addition, the BPU authorized the imposition of a charge to
recover, through a market transition charge, federal and state taxes associated
with the collection of the transition bond charge.
JCP&L Unbundled its Electric Rates. JCP&L unbundled its retail electric
rates on August 1, 1999 into charges for distribution, transmission and
generation services, as well as market transition and societal benefits
charges. Upon issuance of transition bonds, there will also be a transition
bond charge. Residential customers receive bills showing some of these charges
combined into a single line item. Commercial and industrial customers receive
bills with separate line items for each of these charges. All customer bills
will indicate that a transition bond charge is being collected on behalf of the
issuer. If a customer chooses a third party electric power supplier for
generation services, the customer may receive separate billings for those
generation services directly from the third party electric power supplier or it
may receive combined billings for all charges, either from JCP&L or, subject to
full implementation of a prior BPU order, from the third party electric power
supplier pursuant to an agreement between JCP&L and the third party electric
power supplier. If the third party electric power supplier bills the combined
charges, it must remit to JCP&L the amount it bills to customers on behalf of
JCP&L. Any third party electric power supplier that bills the combined charges
will also be required to provide the servicer with
31
total monthly kilowatt hour usage information for each customer in a timely
manner for the servicer to fulfill the obligations of the servicer. See "THE
BPU FINANCING ORDER AND THE TRANSITION BOND CHARGE--THE BPU FINANCING
ORDER--JCP&L May Be Required to Allow Other Entities to Provide Metering and
Billing Services" in this prospectus. While five third party suppliers have
entered into agreements with JCP&L that, among other things, would allow such
suppliers to provide billing services in JCP&L's service territory, none of
these suppliers have taken the necessary steps to, or have expressed any
interest in, actually providing such services.
JCP&L May Collect a Societal Benefits Charge. Under the Competition Act,
an electric public utility is permitted, with BPU approval, to collect a
non-bypassable societal benefits charge from its customers to recover:
o nuclear plant decommissioning costs;
o demand side management program costs;
o customer education program costs;
o certain environmental remediation costs; and
o previously approved social program costs such as the costs of programs
that assist customers unable to pay their utility bills in full and on
time.
The BPU restructuring order provided that JCP&L may impose a societal
benefits charge commencing August 1, 1999.
Reduction in JCP&L's Electric Rates. Pursuant to the BPU restructuring
order, JCP&L's rates for generating, transmitting and distributing electric
power to its customers were reduced on August 1, 1999 by 5% from rates in
effect on April 30, 1997, a portion of which reduction reflects the anticipated
savings from securitization. There were additional rate reductions of 1% on
August 1, 2000 and 2% on August 1, 2001 and there will be an additional net
rate reduction of 3% on August 1, 2002, providing an overall rate reduction
from rates in effect on April 30, 1997 of 11%, regardless of the amount of
reduction achieved from securitization. JCP&L's rates will not be subject to
any statutory cap after July 31, 2003, although JCP&L's rates for delivery
services will continue to be subject to BPU jurisdiction and approval.
Third Party Electric Power Suppliers; Basic Generation Service
("BGS"). Pursuant to the Competition Act and the BPU restructuring order,
customers may choose to purchase power from alternative third party electric
power suppliers and later return to JCP&L as their supplier of BGS. JCP&L is
required to provide BGS to its electric customers who do not choose to purchase
their electricity from third party suppliers through July 2002. For the period
from August 1, 2002 to July 31, 2003, the BPU has authorized the auctioning of
BGS to meet the electric demands of customers who have not selected an
alternative supplier. The auction was successfully concluded on February 13,
2002, eliminating JCP&L's obligation to provide for the energy requirements of
BGS. Beginning August 1, 2003, the approach to be taken in procuring the energy
needs for BGS has not been determined. The BPU has recently initiated a formal
proceeding to decide how BGS will be handled after July 31, 2003. The
Competition Act provides that JCP&L will be permitted full and timely recovery
from customers of all reasonable and prudently incurred costs associated with
meeting its basic generation service requirement, including pursuant to those
bids.
32
THE BPU FINANCING ORDER AND THE TRANSITION BOND CHARGE
THE BPU FINANCING ORDER
JCP&L's Petition and the BPU Financing Order. On August 25, 1999, JCP&L
filed a petition with the BPU, which petition was amended on December 14, 1999
and May 29, 2001, requesting the issuance by the BPU of a bondable stranded
costs rate order under the Competition Act to allow JCP&L to recover bondable
stranded costs relating to its Oyster Creek nuclear generating station, plus
associated transaction costs and the cost of retiring equity and debt
securities of JCP&L. These costs are recoverable through the issuance of
transition bonds and the imposition of a transition bond charge. In response to
the petition the BPU issued its financing order on February 6, 2002 which is
final and non-appealable.
The BPU Authorized JCP&L to Transfer Bondable Transition Property and to
Issue Transition Bonds. The BPU financing order authorizes the transfer of the
bondable transition property described in this prospectus and the issuance of
transition bonds in an initial total principal balance not to exceed $320
million, secured by bondable transition property. The transition bonds may have
a legal final maturity date not later than 17 years from the date of issuance.
The final structure, pricing and other terms of the transition bonds will
be subject to approval of the BPU or its designee. This approval will be
obtained prior to the issuance of the transition bonds.
The BPU Authorized JCP&L to Impose the Transition Bond Charge. Under the
BPU financing order, the BPU irrevocably authorized JCP&L to impose, meter,
charge, bill, collect and receive from customers, the non-bypassable transition
bond charge in an amount sufficient to recover the principal balance of
transition bonds in accordance with an expected amortization schedule and
interest on the transition bonds, plus an amount sufficient to provide for any
credit enhancement, to fund any reserves, and to pay acquisition or redemption
premiums, if any, servicing fees and other expenses relating to the transition
bonds.
The BPU financing order also grants JCP&L, as servicer, the authority to
make "non-routine" filings for adjustments of the transition bond charge. This
would permit filings to be made to accommodate changes in the formula specified
in the BPU financing order for the mandatory periodic adjustments which JCP&L
deems appropriate to remedy a significant and recurring variance between actual
and expected transition bond charge collections. Any such filing is required to
be made at least 90 days prior to the proposed effective date and would be
subject to BPU approval.
The transition bond charge will be a uniform non-bypassable per kilowatt
hour charge assessed against customers on their bills, regardless of customer
rate class, as part of JCP&L's regular billing. JCP&L will set the initial per
kilowatt hour transition bond charge, based upon the formula approved in the
BPU financing order. Upon each adjustment of the transition bond charge or the
issuance of an additional series of transition bonds, the adjusted transition
bond charge will be assessed in the same manner.
The transition bond charge will be pro-rated in the case of the first bill
after issuance of a series of transition bonds to account for any partial month
since the date of issuance. For instance, if a particular series' issuance date
is August 15, bills that include current charges for services provided before
August 15 will not be assessed the transition bond charge with respect to that
series for the period prior to and including August 15. Upon each adjustment of
the transition bond charge or issuance of additional series of transition
bonds, the adjusted transition bond charge will be assessed in the same manner.
The initial transition bond charge will be calculated on the basis of:
o the issuance of $320 million of transition bonds;
o the projected total payments required in relation to the transition
bonds during the period commencing on the date of issuance of the
transition bonds and ending May 31, 2003; and
o the estimated amount of kilowatt hours of electricity to be delivered,
billed and collected during that period.
33
The periodic adjustments to the transition bond charge are designed to
ensure that transition bond charge collections are not more or less than the
amount necessary to meet all of the required payments in relation to the
transition bonds and related costs and expenses and to maintain the required
balances in each series overcollateralization subaccount and each series
capital subaccount. In requesting periodic adjustments, the servicer is
required to take into account updated projections of consumption levels and
timing of collections and any amounts held in the reserve subaccount.
JCP&L May Be Required to Allow Other Entities to Provide Metering and
Billing Services. Under the Competition Act, the BPU may establish specific
standards for metering, billing and other activities by third party electric
power suppliers participating in the competitive electric generation retail
market in New Jersey. In order to qualify to serve as a third party electric
power supplier, an electric supplier must maintain at least a `BBB' or the
equivalent long term unsecured credit rating from Moody's and S&P, or maintain
with the servicer a cash deposit or comparable security equal to two months'
maximum estimated collections of all charges payable to JCP&L. The BPU
financing order allows qualified third party electric power suppliers, approved
by the BPU, to bill and collect the transition bond charge on behalf of the
issuer. In doing so, third party electric power suppliers must comply with all
applicable BPU billing and collection requirements. Each third party electric
power supplier must also agree to remit the full amount of all charges it bills
to customers for the electric transmission and distribution services JCP&L or
its successor provides, together with transition bond charge payments,
regardless of whether those payments are received from the customers, within 15
days of JCP&L's or its successor's bill for such charges. If a third party
electric power supplier fails to remit charges within a further seven days,
JCP&L, as servicer, or its successor may assume responsibility for billing or
transfer responsibility to another qualified third party electric power
supplier. While a third party electric power supplier collecting the transition
bond charge may request termination of service to delinquent customers, only
JCP&L or a successor electric public utility may disconnect or reconnect a
customer's distribution service.
The BPU May Designate a Replacement Servicer. The Competition Act provides
that in the event of a default by the electric public utility in respect of
charging, collecting and receiving revenues derived from the transition bond
charge and upon the application of the secured party, such as the trustee, or
an assignee, such as the issuer, the BPU or any court of competent jurisdiction
will by order designate a trustee or other entity to act in place of the
electric public utility to impose, meter, charge, bill, collect and receive the
transition bond charge. The BPU may, in its discretion, establish criteria for
the selection of any entity that may become a servicer of bondable transition
property upon the default or other material adverse change in the financial
condition of the electric public utility. The appointment of a successor
servicer must not result in the downgrade or withdrawal of a rating on any
outstanding transition bonds. See "RISK FACTORS--SERVICING RISKS--YOUR
INVESTMENT RELIES ON JCP&L OR A SUCCESSOR ACTING AS SERVICER OF THE BONDABLE
TRANSITION PROPERTY " in this prospectus.
THE BPU'S TRANSITION BOND CHARGE ADJUSTMENT PROCESS
The servicing agreement requires the servicer to seek adjustments to the
transition bond charge in order to enhance the likelihood that actual
transition bond charge collections, net of any amounts on deposit in the
reserve subaccount, are neither more nor less than the amount necessary to
amortize the transition bonds of each series in accordance with the related
expected amortization schedule, to pay interest which, in the case of interest
on any floating rate class of any series, will be calculated at the applicable
gross fixed rate, to fund or replenish the series overcollateralization
subaccounts to the level required to be on deposit in the series
overcollateralization subaccounts, to replenish any shortfalls in the series
capital subaccounts, and to pay the trustee's fee, the servicing fee and the
other expenses and costs included in bondable stranded costs. These adjustments
are formula based, incorporating actual transition bond charge collections, as
well as updated assumptions by the servicer as to projected future usage of
electricity by customers, expected delinquencies and write-offs and future
expenses relating to bondable transition property and the transition bonds, and
the issuance of any additional series of transition bonds. They are designed to
achieve each of the above goals by the payment date immediately preceding the
next date on which the transition bond charge is adjusted or the expected final
34
payment date, as applicable, taking into account any amounts on deposit in the
reserve subaccount. If at the time of issuance of a series, the servicer
determines any additional adjustments are required, the dates for these
adjustments will be specified in the prospectus supplement for the series.
The Schedule for Making Adjustments to the Transition Bond Charge. Under
the Competition Act, the servicer must file a request for an adjustment to the
transition bond charge with the BPU at least annually. Each proposed adjustment
will become effective on an interim basis 30 days after filing, absent a
determination of manifest error by the BPU, and will become final 60 days after
filing in the absence of a BPU order to the contrary. Under the BPU financing
order, manifest error means an arithmetic error evident on the face of the
filing. Under certain circumstances, adjustment filings may be made quarterly
or, during the last year before scheduled maturity and continuing until legal
final maturity, monthly.
SERVICING OF THE BONDABLE TRANSITION PROPERTY
JCP&L'S CUSTOMER CLASSES
JCP&L's customer base is divided into three principal revenue classes:
residential, commercial and industrial. The revenue class labeled "other"
consists primarily of services rendered for street and highway lighting.
Several rate classes are included within each category, differentiated by type
and level of service.
BILLED ELECTRIC REVENUE, NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS AND CONSUMPTION
The following table shows the amount of billed electric revenue per retail
customer class for the past five and a quarter years and the percentage each
customer class represents of the total billed retail revenue. The figures for
2002 are based on the three-month period from January through March.
TABLE 1
BILLED RETAIL REVENUE (IN THOUSANDS)
MARCH 31,
2002 % 2001 % 2000 %
---------- --------- ------------- --------- ------------- ---------
Residential .... $210,758 45.6 $ 919,206 46.9 $ 886,602 47.9
Commercial...... 189,898 41.1 779,025 39.7 712,415 38.5
Industrial ..... 56,742 12.3 242,894 12.4 232,933 12.6
Other .......... 4,677 1.0 18,900 1.0 19,367 1.0
-------- ----- ---------- ----- ---------- -----
Total .......... $462,075 100.0 $1,960,025 100.0 $1,851,317 100.0
1999 % 1998 % 1997 %
------------- --------- ------------- --------- ------------- ---------
Residential .... $ 924,519 45.9 $ 892,922 45.1 $ 905,063 44.4
Commercial...... 797,922 39.6 779,878 39.4 796,755 39.1
Industrial ..... 272,055 13.5 288,241 14.5 313,000 15.4
Other .......... 20,331 1.0 20,671 1.0 21,544 1.1
---------- ----- ---------- ----- ---------- -----
Total .......... $2,014,827 100.0 $1,981,712 100.0 $2,036,362 100.0
The following table shows the average number of JCP&L's retail customers
in each customer class for the past five and a quarter years and the percentage
each customer class represents of the total number of retail customers. The
figures for 2002 are based on the three-month period from January through
March.
TABLE 2
AVERAGE NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS (CUSTOMER BILLS)
MARCH 31,
2002 % 2001 % 2000
------------ ---------- ------------ ---------- ------------
Residential .... 913,070 88.80 904,390 88.86 891,173
Commercial...... 110,899 10.79 109,001 10.71 106,474
Industrial ..... 2,779 0.27 2,811 0.28 2,879
Other .......... 1,465 0.14 1,510 0.15 1,594
------- ------ ------- ------ -------
Total .......... 1,028,213 100.00 1,017,712 100.00 1,002,120
% 1999 % 1998 % 1997 %
---------- --------- ---------- --------- ---------- --------- ----------
Residential .... 88.93 879,060 88.78 866,787 88.75 854,243 88.80
Commercial...... 10.62 106,482 10.75 105,158 10.77 103,074 10.71
Industrial ..... 0.29 3,001 0.30 3,036 0.31 3,083 0.32
Other .......... 0.16 1,643 0.17 1,623 0.17 1,605 0.17
------ ------- ------ ------- ------ ------- ------
Total .......... 100.00 990,186 100.00 976,604 100.00 962,005 100.00
35
The following table shows the total billed retail electric consumption in
megawatt hours for the past five and a quarter years for each customer class
and the percentage each customer class represents of the total retail
consumption. The figures for 2002 are based on the three-month period from
January through March.
TABLE 3
BILLED ELECTRIC CONSUMPTION (MWH)
MARCH 31,
2002 % 2001 % 2000 %
----------- ---------- ------------ ---------- ------------ ----------
Residential ...... 2,078,613 43.47 8,402,726 42.37 8,087,371 42.16
Commercial ....... 1,970,017 41.20 8,182,715 41.26 7,706,257 40.17
Industrial ....... 712,160 14.90 3,165,312 15.96 3,306,953 17.24
Other ............ 20,631 0.43 82,228 0.41 81,569 0.43
--------- ------ --------- ------ --------- ------
Total ............ 4,781,421 100.00 19,832,981 100.00 19,182,150 100.00
1999 % 1998 % 1997 %
------------ ---------- ------------ ---------- ------------ ----------
Residential ...... 7,977,703 42.05 7,551,505 41.12 7,255,505 40.66
Commercial ....... 7,624,531 40.19 7,258,769 39.52 6,974,503 39.08
Industrial ....... 3,288,707 17.33 3,474,384 18.92 3,535,806 19.81
Other ............ 81,258 0.43 80,874 0.44 79,370 0.45
--------- ------ --------- ------ --------- ------
Total ............ 18,972,199 100.00 18,365,532 100.00 17,845,184 100.00
PERCENTAGE CONCENTRATION WITHIN JCP&L'S LARGE COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL
CUSTOMERS
For the twelve months ending April 30, 2002, JCP&L's ten largest electric
customers, many of whom are multi-site customers, represented approximately
9.4% of JCP&L's retail kilowatt hour sales. These customers are in the
commercial and industrial customer classes. There are no material
concentrations in the residential class.
HOW JCP&L FORECASTS THE NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS AND THE AMOUNT OF ELECTRICITY USAGE
The energy forecast process incorporates analyses for each major customer
class. In each class, projections are developed using a variety of methods,
including econometric and time series analysis (regression, exponential
smoothing and Box-Jenkins). A final forecast is then developed based on
evaluation of all the results. A software package called "Forecast-Pro",
developed by Business Forecast Systems, Inc., is used extensively in the
development of forecasts for all classes.
The first step in the forecast process is to develop a set of basic
economic assumptions for the U.S. and the State of New Jersey, including
assumptions on Gross Domestic Product, industrial production, manufacturing and
non-manufacturing employment, housing starts, and personal income. Data from a
variety of sources, including Regional Financial Associates, NPA Data Services,
the Blue Chip Economic Indicators Report and the Rutgers Economic Advisory
Service, is analyzed in the process. Then, forecasts are developed for each
customer class, as described below. All forecasts assume normal weather
conditions.
The residential forecast is developed in two parts. First, a forecast of
number of customers is developed, based primarily on projections of housing
starts in the State. Then, a forecast of use per customer is developed. Methods
used include Box-Jenkins and exponential smoothing, which project use per
customer based on past trends, and regression analysis, which projects use per
customer based on explanatory variables such as personal income, electricity
price and weather.
In the commercial sector, economic and demographic variables considered in
regression models include personal income, non-manufacturing employment, the
number of residential customers and weather. Box-Jenkins and exponential
smoothing models are also reviewed.
The primary variable in the industrial sales forecast is a survey of large
industrial customers -- who account for more than half of all industrial sales
- -- conducted each year. The survey provides information on the customers'
expected usage over the next few years. Projections of industrial production
and manufacturing employment are also considered in development of the
forecast.
Forecast Variances. The table below compares usage in gigawatt hours for a
particular year to the related forecast prepared during the previous year. For
example, the annual 1996 variance is based on a forecast of 1996 consumption
prepared in 1995. A positive variance indicates that actual consumption
exceeded forecasted consumption. There can be no assurance that the future
variance between actual and forecasted consumption will be similar to the
historical experience set forth below.
36
TABLE 4
VARIANCE FOR THE AMOUNT OF ELECTRICITY CONSUMED (GWH)
2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ------------ ----------
Forecast ............ 19,802 18,999 18,846 18,170 17,946 17,584
Actual .............. 19,833 19,182 18,972 18,366 17,845 17,670
Variance % .......... 0.16% 0.96% 0.67% 1.08% --0.56% 0.49%
If actual consumption of electricity is higher than the forecast, there
may be an excess of transition bond charge collections. Similarly, if actual
consumption is lower than the forecast, there may be a shortfall in transition
bond charge collections.
CREDIT POLICY; BILLING; COLLECTIONS; TERMINATION OF SERVICE
JCP&L is obligated to provide service to all customers within its service
area under New Jersey law. JCP&L relies on the information provided by the
customer, its customer information system and, for residential customers,
validation of the social security number provided by the customer to determine
whether JCP&L has previously served a customer. Certain accounts are secured
with deposits or guarantees as a precautionary measure. The amount of the
deposit reflects the estimated electricity use over a two-month period, which
is the average time period required to take collection action on past-due
billings. Since the vast majority of customers pay their bills within the
allotted time, JCP&L does not require deposits from new residential customers
who provide a valid social security number and whose credit score exceeds the
threshold set by JCP&L.
JCP&L has developed certain criteria for establishing credit. Industrial
and commercial customers may establish credit by depositing cash equal to twice
the estimated average monthly bill, by obtaining a guarantee from a
satisfactory guarantor, or by otherwise establishing credit to the satisfaction
of JCP&L. In general, residential customers may establish credit by depositing
cash equal to twice the estimated average monthly bill. Deposits may not be
required if the applicant is currently or has previously been a customer of
JCP&L and has paid all bills for service, or if the customer provides a letter
confirming the customer's creditworthiness from its previous utility.
Billing Process. JCP&L's policy is to bill its customers monthly. The
normal billing period for an individual customer ranges from 26 to 35 days for
a given month. In accordance with JCP&L's policy, bills are generally issued
the next business day after the meter readings are obtained. However, in
connection with the implementation of a new computer system in 1999 (which is
discussed below in greater detail), such policies were not always followed.
Billing is on a monthly basis now that the implementation period for the new
system is over.
Accounts with potential meter reading or billing errors are reviewed and,
if necessary, corrected before mailing. Accounts with unusually high or low
usage compared to past customer history are not billed until reviewed and/or
corrected. Residential bills of $5,000 or more and general service bills of
$50,000 or more are also reviewed and, if necessary, corrected before mailing.
For residential customers, a pre-disconnection warning notice is sent when
the customer's previous month's bill is not paid at the invoicing time of the
next monthly bill. This notice is sent as a separate notification to the
customer. If payment is not received by the time of the third month's bill, a
disconnection notice is sent to the customer. A telephone contact to the
premises scheduled for disconnection is attempted anywhere from three to five
days prior to the disconnection date. The customer will face termination of
service on or after the scheduled date of the termination if payment is not
received. Once the service is terminated, the customer may be required to pay
the full outstanding balance or, if eligible, enter into an installment payment
plan.
For commercial and industrial customers, a disconnection notice is sent if
the payment of the previous month's invoice is not received when JCP&L invoices
the account again. This notice is sent as a separate notification to the
customer. A telephone contact to the premises that is scheduled for
disconnection is attempted anywhere from three to five days prior to the
disconnection date. The customer will face termination of service on or after
the scheduled date of the termination if payment is
37
not received. Once the service is terminated, the customer may be required to
pay the full outstanding balance or, if eligible, enter into an installment
payment plan.
JCP&L may change its credit, billing and collections and
termination/restoration of service policies and procedures from time to time.
It is expected that any such changes would be designed to enhance JCP&L's
ability to bill and collect customer charges on a timely basis.
Termination of Service for Residential Customers in the Winter. The winter
termination program is part of the New Jersey Administrative Code and prevents
discontinuance of electric service to qualified residential customers from
November 15 through March 15. The program provides for the requirement of
good-faith payments equal to budget amounts and placement on a 12-month system
budget plan. However, averages will be taken into consideration when
calculating the 12-month budget plan amount.
The regulation also provides for restoration of service for customers
eligible to participate in the program who had service shut off for non-payment
prior to November 15, if up to 25% of the outstanding balance is paid. During
the program period, service can be discontinued when the customer has made no
contact with JCP&L; however, all efforts are made to contact the customer prior
to discontinuance. The program requires that a BPU-approved fact sheet
accompany each discontinuance notice to residential customers during the
program period. The fact sheet is distributed as a bill insert since
discontinuance notices are issued on the customer's bill.
See "RISK FACTORS--SERVICING RISKS--BILLING AND COLLECTION PRACTICES MAY
REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR PAYMENTS ON THE TRANSITION BONDS" in
this prospectus.
LOSS AND DELINQUENCY EXPERIENCE
The following table sets forth information relating to JCP&L's write-offs
as a percentage of total billed revenues for the past six years. Such
historical information is presented herein because JCP&L's actual experience
with respect to write-offs and delinquencies may affect the timing of
transition bond charge collections. JCP&L does not expect, but cannot assure,
that the delinquency or write-off experience with respect to transition bond
charge collections will differ substantially from the rates indicated below.
However, changes in general economic conditions and the retail electric market,
including but not limited to the introduction of third party electric power
suppliers who may be permitted to provide consolidated billing to JCP&L's
customers, could mean that historical delinquency and write-off ratios will not
be indicative of future rates.
For the total electric billed revenue for the past six years for each
customer class, see TABLE 1 "BILLED RETAIL REVENUE (IN THOUSANDS)" on page 35
of this prospectus.
TABLE 5
GROSS WRITE-OFF, NET WRITE-OFF AND NET WRITE-OFF
AS A PERCENTAGE OF BILLED RETAIL REVENUE
(in thousands)
2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996
------------ ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Gross Write-Off .............. $ 12,650 $ 12,736 $ 7,084 $ 5,549 $ 7,011 $ 7,475
Net Write-Off ................ 10,815 10,309 5,276 4,141 5,232 5,520
Net Write-Off as a % of Billed
Revenue ..................... 0.55% 0.56% 0.26% 0.21% 0.26% 0.28%
Net write-offs include amounts recovered by JCP&L from bankruptcy
proceedings and payments received after an account has been written off, either
by JCP&L or one of its external collection agencies. The increase in net
write-offs as a percentage of billed revenue beginning in 1999 resulted
primarily from problems experienced during the pre- and post-implementation of
a new customer service and billing computer system. The system implementation
caused delays in billing and also diverted resources from collection efforts.
In addition, the new system, initially, did not allow for effective processing
of overdue accounts. Through system enhancements put into place in 2000 and
2001, as well as improved handling
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of overdue accounts, JCP&L expects that the level of write-offs in 2002 will be
reduced, although net write-offs are not expected to return to
pre-implementation levels for a few years.
The following table sets forth information relating to JCP&L's rate of
delinquencies, as a percentage of accounts receivable of all JCP&L customers
for the past six years.
TABLE 6
BILLED ELECTRIC RECEIVABLES AGING ANALYSIS
AS OF YEAR END
2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
0-30 DAYS .............. 81.2% 73.0% 67.9% 84.7% 89.2% 87.0%
31-60 DAYS ............. 5.9% 6.8% 12.8% 7.3% 6.3% 7.5%
61-90 DAYS ............. 3.4% 4.9% 7.2% 4.1% 2.1% 2.3%
91-120 DAYS ............ 2.8% 3.5% 5.9% 2.5% 1.6% 2.0%
OVER 120 DAYS .......... 6.7% 11.8% 6.2% 1.4% 0.8% 1.2%
Any account that has an unpaid balance at the time of the next billing is
considered to be delinquent. The delinquency data above represents only active
customer accounts as opposed to the write-off data that includes customer
accounts where service is no longer being provided. JCP&L has not tracked the
rate of delinquencies by customer class. The deterioration in the aging of
electric receivables beginning in 1999 resulted primarily from problems
experienced during the pre- and post-implementation of a new customer service
and billing computer system. This system implementation caused delays in
billing and also diverted resources from collection efforts. In addition, the
new system, initially, did not allow for effective processing of overdue
accounts. Through system enhancements and adjustments in 2000 and 2001, as well
as improved handling of overdue accounts, arrears have been reduced. These
reductions are expected to continue in 2002, although arrearages are not
expected to return to pre-implementation levels for a few years because the
residual effects of these implementation problems continue to impact related
statistics.
The following table sets forth the average days of revenue outstanding for
the past six years.
TABLE 7
DAYS OF REVENUE OUTSTANDING
2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
AVERAGE DAYS .......... 32.7 34.7 31.2 29.7 26.9 27.7
The increase in days of revenue outstanding beginning in 1999 resulted
primarily from problems experienced during the pre- and post- implementation of
a new customer service and billing computer system. This system implementation
caused delays in billing and also diverted resources from collection efforts.
Through system enhancements and adjustments in 2000 and 2001, as well as
improved handling of overdue accounts, timeliness of collections has improved.
This trend is expected to continue in 2002, although days of revenue
outstanding are not expected to return to pre-implementation levels for a few
years because the residual effects of these implementation problems continue to
impact related statistics.
See "RISK FACTORS--SERVICING RISKS--BILLING AND COLLECTION PRACTICES MAY
REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR PAYMENTS ON THE TRANSITION BONDS" in
this prospectus.
HOW JCP&L WILL APPLY PARTIAL PAYMENTS BY ITS CUSTOMERS
In accordance with the BPU financing order, JCP&L will allocate, on a
system-wide basis, partial payments of electricity delivery and basic
generation service charges for any period in the following order:
o to sales taxes associated with the partial payment (which JCP&L collects
as trustee for the State of New Jersey and not for its own account or for
that of the issuer);
39
o pro rata to the transition bond charge and JCP&L's other charges and
taxes, where any of such charges are in arrears, based on their
proportion to JCP&L's total charges in arrears assessed for that period;
and
o pro rata to the transition bond charge and JCP&L's other charges and
taxes, where any of such charges are current charges, based on their
proportion to JCP&L's total charges assessed for that period.
Partial payments will also be allocated among different series of
transition bonds, pro rata, based on the amounts owed with respect to each
series.
40
JCP&L TRANSITION FUNDING LLC, THE ISSUER
JCP&L Transition Funding LLC, the issuer of the transition bonds, was
formed as a Delaware limited liability company in February 2000. JCP&L is the
sole member of the issuer. The assets of the issuer are limited to the bondable
transition property which will be purchased by the issuer, the trust funds to
be held by the trustee, the rights of the issuer under the transaction
documents, any third party credit enhancement, the rights under any interest
rate swap agreement and any money distributed to the issuer from the collection
account in accordance with the indenture and not distributed to JCP&L. The BPU
financing order and the indenture provide that the bondable transition
property, as well as the other collateral described in the BPU financing order
and the indenture, will be pledged by the issuer to the trustee. Pursuant to
the indenture, the transition bond charge collections remitted to the trustee
by the servicer must be used to pay the principal of and interest on the
transition bonds and other obligations of the issuer specified in the
indenture. As of the date of this prospectus, the issuer has not conducted any
business activities and has no operating history. Audited financial statements
of the issuer for the year ended December 31, 2001 and for the period from
inception (February 24, 2000) to December 31, 2000 are included in this
prospectus.
The Issuer's Purpose. The issuer has been created for the sole purpose of:
o purchasing and owning the bondable transition property;
o issuing one or more series of transition bonds, each of which may be
comprised of one or more classes, from time to time;
o pledging its interest in the bondable transition property and other
collateral to the trustee under the indenture in order to secure the
transition bonds; and
o performing activities that are necessary, suitable or convenient to
accomplish these purposes, including the execution of any interest rate
swap agreement or hedging arrangement incident to the issuance of
transition bonds.
The Interaction Among JCP&L and the Issuer. On the issue date for each
series, except in the event of a refunding of outstanding transition bonds,
JCP&L will sell bondable transition property to the issuer pursuant to the sale
agreement between the issuer as buyer and JCP&L as seller. JCP&L will service
the bondable transition property pursuant to a servicing agreement with the
issuer. JCP&L and any successor in the capacity of servicer are referred to as
the servicer.
The Issuer's Management. The issuer's business will be managed by five
managers, referred to as the "managers", appointed from time to time by JCP&L
or, in the event that JCP&L transfers its interest in the issuer, new managers
will be appointed by the new owner or owners. The issuer will have at all times
following the initial issuance of the transition bonds at least two independent
managers who, among other things, are not and have not been for at least five
years from the date of their appointment (except solely by virtue of their
serving as, or being an affiliate of any other entity serving as, an
independent director or manager, as applicable, of JCP&L or any
bankruptcy-remote special purpose entity that is an affiliate of JCP&L or the
issuer):
o a direct or indirect legal or beneficial owner of the issuer, JCP&L or
any of their respective affiliates;
o a relative, supplier, employee, officer, director, manager, contractor
or material creditor of the issuer, JCP&L or any of their respective
affiliates; or
o a person who controls JCP&L or any of its affiliates.
The remaining managers will be employees or officers of JCP&L or any of
its affiliates.
41
The managers will devote the time necessary to conduct the affairs of the
issuer. The following are the managers as of the date of this prospectus:
NAME AGE POSITION WITH FIRSTENERGY CORP.
- ---------------------- ----- ------------------------------------------------------------------
Anthony J. Alexander 51 President and Chief Operating Officer
Mr. Alexander is currently serving as President and Chief
Operating Officer of FirstEnergy Corp. Prior to his current
position, Mr. Alexander was President (2000-2001) and
Executive Vice President and General Counsel (1997-2000) of
FirstEnergy Corp.
H. Peter Burg 56 Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Burg is currently serving as Vice Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of FirstEnergy Corp. Prior to his current
position, Mr. Burg was Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer (2000-2001), President and Chief Executive
Officer (1999-2000) and President and Chief Operating Officer
(1998-1999) of FirstEnergy Corp.
Richard H. Marsh 51 Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Marsh is currently serving as Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer of FirstEnergy Corp. Prior to his current
position, Mr. Marsh was Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer (1998-2001) of FirstEnergy Corp.
JCP&L, as the sole member of the issuer, will appoint two independent
managers prior to the issuance of the initial series of transition bonds.
None of the managers has been involved in any legal proceedings that are
specified in Item 401(f) of the SEC's Regulation S-K.
The Managers' Compensation and Limitation on Liabilities. The issuer has
not paid any compensation to any manager since the issuer was formed. The
managers other than the independent managers will not be compensated by the
issuer for their services on behalf of the issuer. The independent managers
will be paid quarterly fees from the revenues of the issuer and will be
reimbursed for their reasonable expenses. These expenses include, without
limitation, the reasonable compensation, expenses and disbursements of such
agents, representatives, experts and counsel as the independent managers may
employ in connection with the exercise and performance of their rights and
duties under the issuer's limited liability company agreement, the indenture,
the sale agreement and the servicing agreement. The limited liability company
agreement provides that the managers will not be personally liable under any
circumstances except for:
o liabilities arising from their own willful misconduct or gross
negligence;
o liabilities arising from the failure by any of the managers to perform
obligations expressly undertaken in the issuer's limited liability
company agreement; or
o taxes, fees or other charges, based on or measured by any fees,
commissions or compensation received by the managers in connection with
the transactions described in this prospectus.
The limited liability company agreement further provides that, to the
fullest extent permitted by law, the issuer shall indemnify the managers
against any liability incurred in connection with their services as managers
for the issuer except in the cases described above.
The Issuer is a Separate and Distinct Legal Entity. Under the issuer's
limited liability company agreement, the issuer may not file a voluntary
petition for relief under federal bankruptcy law, nor consent to the
commencement of a Chapter 11 case pursuant to an involuntary petition, without
a unanimous
42
vote of its managers, including the independent managers. JCP&L has agreed that
it will not cause the issuer to file a voluntary petition for relief under
federal bankruptcy law. The limited liability company agreement requires the
issuer:
o to take all reasonable steps to continue its identity as a separate
legal entity;
o to make it apparent to third parties that it is an entity with assets
and liabilities distinct from those of JCP&L, other affiliates of JCP&L,
the managers or any other person; and
o to make it apparent to third persons that, except for federal and state
income tax purposes, it is not a division of JCP&L or any of its
affiliated entities or any other person.
The principal place of business of the issuer is 103 Foulk Road, Suite
202, Wilmington, Delaware 19803 and its telephone number is 302-691-6118.
Administration Agreement. Initially, GPU Service, Inc. will provide
administrative services for the issuer pursuant to an administration agreement
between the issuer and GPU Service, Inc. Another service company affiliate of
JCP&L may eventually act as administrator under this agreement. The issuer will
pay the administrator a cost-based fee for performing these services.
USE OF PROCEEDS
As required by the Competition Act, the issuer will use the net proceeds
of the issuance of the transition bonds to purchase the bondable transition
property from JCP&L. JCP&L will use the proceeds it receives from the issuer
principally to reduce stranded costs through the retirement of debt or equity
or both, including transactions completed before the date of the sale of the
transition bonds, and also to pay related expenses.
THE TRANSITION BONDS
The transition bonds will be issued under and secured by the indenture
between the issuer and the trustee substantially in the form filed as an
exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
The terms of each series of transition bonds will be provided in the indenture
and the related supplemental indenture. The following summary describes some
general terms and provisions of the transition bonds. The particular terms of
the transition bonds of any series offered by any prospectus supplement will be
described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
GENERAL TERMS OF THE TRANSITION BONDS
The transition bonds may be issued in one or more series, each made up of
one or more classes. The terms of a series may differ from the terms of another
series, and the terms of a class may differ from the terms of another class of
the same series. The terms of each series will be specified in the related
prospectus supplement and supplemental indenture.
The indenture requires, as a condition to the issuance of each series of
transition bonds, that such issuance will not result in any rating agency
reducing or withdrawing its then current rating of any outstanding series or
class of transition bonds.
The Issuer's Transition Bonds Will be Maintained in Book-Entry Format. The
related prospectus supplement will set forth the procedure for the manner of
the issuance of the transition bonds of each series. Generally, each series of
transition bonds will initially be represented by one or more transition bonds
registered in the name of Cede & Co., as the nominee of The Depository Trust
Company (referred to as "DTC"). The transition bonds will be available for
purchase in initial denominations specified in the related prospectus
supplement that will be not less than $1,000, with an exception for one
transition bond in each class that may have a smaller denomination. Unless and
until definitive transition bonds are issued under the limited circumstances
described in this prospectus, no beneficial owner of transition bonds will be
entitled to receive a physical bond representing a transition bond. All
references in this prospectus to actions by transition bondholders or holders
of transition bonds will refer to actions taken by DTC upon instructions from
DTC participants. In addition, all references in this prospectus to
43
payments, notices, reports and statements to transition bondholders or holders
of transition bonds will refer to payments, notices, reports and statements to
DTC or Cede & Co. as the registered holder of each series of transition bonds,
unless certificated transition bonds have been issued to beneficial owners of
interests in the transition bonds, as discussed in "--CERTIFICATED TRANSITION
BONDS" below. DTC or Cede & Co. will receive these payments, notices, reports
and statements for distribution to the beneficial owners of the transition
bonds in accordance with DTC's procedures with respect thereto. See
"--TRANSITION BONDS WILL BE ISSUED IN BOOK-ENTRY FORM" and "--CERTIFICATED
TRANSITION BONDS" below.
PAYMENTS OF INTEREST ON AND PRINCIPAL OF THE TRANSITION BONDS
Interest will accrue on the outstanding principal balance of transition
bonds of a series or class at the interest rate specified in or determined in
the manner specified in the related prospectus supplement. Interest will be
payable to the transition bondholders of a series or class on each payment
date, commencing on the first payment date specified in the related prospectus
supplement. On any payment date with respect to any series, the issuer will
make principal payments on that series only until the outstanding principal
balance thereof has been reduced to the principal balance specified for that
payment date in the expected amortization schedule for that series on that
payment date, but only to the extent funds are available for that series as
described in this prospectus. Accordingly, principal of any series or class of
transition bonds may be paid later than reflected in the expected amortization
schedule therefor, but generally not earlier, except in a case of any
applicable optional redemption or acceleration. See "RISK FACTORS--OTHER RISKS
ASSOCIATED WITH AN INVESTMENT IN THE TRANSITION BONDS " and "--SERVICING RISKS
" in this prospectus.
The indenture provides that failure to pay the entire outstanding
principal balance of the transition bonds of any series or class by the
applicable expected final payment date will not result in an event of default
under the indenture; however, a default will occur if the entire outstanding
principal balance is not paid on or before the applicable legal final maturity
date of that series or class, as applicable.
On each payment date, the amount required to be paid as principal of the
transition bonds, from transition bond charge collections allocable to all
series, all series capital subaccounts, all series overcollateralization
subaccounts and the reserve subaccount will equal:
o the outstanding principal balance of any transition bonds of any class
or series if such payment date is on or after the expected final payment
date of that class or series; plus
o the outstanding principal balance of any transition bonds of any class
or series called for redemption; plus
o the outstanding principal balance of any transition bonds of any class
or series upon an acceleration following an event of default as specified
in the indenture; plus
o the principal amount scheduled to be paid on the transition bonds of
each class or series on that payment date.
The entire outstanding principal balance of a series of transition bonds
will be due and payable if:
o an event of default as specified in the indenture occurs and is
continuing; and
o the trustee or the holders of a majority in principal amount of the
transition bonds of all series then outstanding, voting as a group, have
declared the transition bonds to be immediately due and payable.
See "THE INDENTURE--WHAT CONSTITUTES AN EVENT OF DEFAULT ON THE TRANSITION
BONDS" and "WEIGHTED AVERAGE LIFE AND YIELD CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE TRANSITION
BONDS" in this prospectus.
44
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION OF THE TRANSITION BONDS
The issuer may redeem all of the outstanding transition bonds of a series,
at its option, only if, on any payment date, the outstanding principal balance
of the transition bonds of that particular series (after giving effect to
payments scheduled to be made on that payment date) is less than 5% of the
initial principal balance of the transition bonds of that series. Unless
otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, there will be no other optional
redemption for a series.
Redemption provisions, if any, for any series will be specified in the
related prospectus supplement, including the premiums, if any, payable upon
redemption. Unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this
prospectus to principal of the transition bonds of a series insofar as it
relates to redemption includes any premium that might be payable thereon if
transition bonds of the series are redeemed, as described in the related
prospectus supplement. Notice of redemption of any series of transition bonds
will be given by the trustee to each registered holder of a transition bond by
first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than five days nor more than
45 days prior to the date of redemption or in another manner or at another time
as may be specified in the related prospectus supplement. The redemption price
will, in each case, include accrued interest to the date of redemption. Notice
of redemption may be conditioned upon the deposit of moneys with the trustee
before the redemption date and this notice will be of no effect unless these
moneys are so deposited. All transition bonds called for redemption will cease
to bear interest on the specified redemption date, provided the redemption
price is on deposit with the trustee at that time, and will no longer be
considered "outstanding" under the indenture. The transition bondholders will
have no further rights with respect thereto, except to receive payment of the
redemption price thereof and unpaid interest accrued to the date fixed for
redemption from the trustee. For so long as any transition bonds are listed on
the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and the rules of that exchange so require, notice
of redemption also will be given by publication in a daily newspaper in
Luxembourg, expected to be the Luxemburger Wort, not less than 10 days prior to
the date of redemption.
FLOATING RATE TRANSITION BONDS
In connection with the issuance of any class of floating rate transition
bonds, the issuer may enter into or arrange for one or more interest rate swap
transactions. The related prospectus supplement will include a description of:
o the material terms of any interest rate swap transaction;
o the identity of any interest rate swap counterparty;
o any payments due to be paid by or to the issuer or the trustee under any
interest rate swap transaction;
o scheduled deposits in and withdrawals from any class subaccount of the
collection account with respect to any interest rate swap transaction;
o the formula for calculating the floating rate of interest of any
floating interest rate class; and
o the rights of transition bondholders with respect to any interest rate
swap transaction, including any right of termination of or amendment to
the interest rate swap agreement.
Under the indenture, the issuer is obligated to perform all of its
obligations pursuant to any interest rate swap agreement to which it is a
party.
CREDIT ENHANCEMENT FOR THE TRANSITION BONDS
Credit enhancement with respect to the transition bonds of any series will
be provided principally by adjustments to the transition bond charge and
amounts on deposit in the reserve subaccount for all series, the related series
overcollateralization subaccount and the related series capital subaccount. In
addition, for any series of transition bonds or one or more classes thereof,
additional credit enhancement may be provided. The amounts and types of
additional credit enhancement, if any, and the provider of
45
any additional credit enhancement with respect to any series of transition
bonds or one or more classes thereof, will be described in the related
prospectus supplement.
Additional credit enhancement may be in the form of:
o an additional reserve subaccount;
o subordination of one series for the benefit of another;
o additional overcollateralization;
o a financial guaranty insurance policy;
o a letter of credit;
o a credit or liquidity facility;
o a repurchase obligation;
o a third party payment or other support;
o a cash deposit or other credit enhancement; or
o any combination of the foregoing, as may be set forth in the related
prospectus supplement.
If specified in the related prospectus supplement, credit enhancement for
a series of transition bonds may cover one or more other series of transition
bonds. See "RISK FACTORS--TRANSITION BONDHOLDERS MAY EXPERIENCE PAYMENT DELAYS
OR LOSSES AS A RESULT OF THE LIMITED SOURCES OF PAYMENT FOR THE TRANSITION
BONDS AND LIMITED CREDIT ENHANCEMENT" in this prospectus.
TRANSITION BONDS WILL BE ISSUED IN BOOK-ENTRY FORM
Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, all
classes of transition bonds will initially be represented by one or more bonds
registered in the name of DTC, or another securities depository. The transition
bonds will be available to investors only in the form of book-entry transition
bonds. Transition bondholders may also hold transition bonds through
Clearstream Banking, Luxembourg, S.A., referred to as "Clearstream Banking"
(formerly known as CEDEL, societe anonyme), or Euroclear in Europe, if they are
participants in one of those systems or indirectly through participants.
The Role of Cede & Co., Clearstream Banking and Euroclear. DTC will hold
the global bond or bonds representing the transition bonds. Clearstream Banking
and Euroclear will hold omnibus positions on behalf of their participants
through customers' securities accounts in Clearstream Banking's and Euroclear's
names on the books of their respective depositories. Citibank, N.A. is
depository for Clearstream Banking and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New
York is depository for Euroclear. These depositories will, in turn, hold these
positions in customers' securities accounts in the depositories' names on the
books of DTC. Citibank, N.A. will act as depository for Clearstream Banking and
Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York will act as depository for Euroclear.
The Function of DTC. DTC is a limited purpose trust company organized
under the laws of the State of New York, and is a member of the Federal Reserve
System. DTC is a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the New York
Uniform Commercial Code and a "clearing agency" registered pursuant to Section
17A of the Exchange Act. DTC was created to hold securities for its
participants and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities
transactions between participants through electronic book-entries, thereby
eliminating the need for physical movement of bonds. Direct participants of DTC
include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing
corporations and some other organizations. DTC is owned by a number of its
direct participants and by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the American
Stock Exchange LLC and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
Access to DTC's system is also available to indirect participants.
The Function of Clearstream Banking. Clearstream Banking is incorporated
under the laws of Luxembourg. Clearstream Banking holds securities for its
customers and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities
transactions by electronic book-entry transfers between their accounts.
46
Clearstream Banking provides various services, including safekeeping,
administration, clearance and settlement of internationally traded securities
and securities lending and borrowing. Clearstream Banking also deals with
domestic securities markets in over 30 countries through established depository
and custodial relationships. Clearstream Banking has established an electronic
bridge with Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York as the Operator of the
Euroclear system in Brussels to facilitate settlement of trades between
Clearstream Banking and MGT/EOC. Clearstream Banking currently accepts over
110,000 securities issues on its books.
Clearstream Banking customers are world-wide financial institutions
including underwriters, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies
and clearing corporations and may include any underwriters, agents or dealers
with respect to a series of transition bonds offered hereby. Clearstream
Banking's U.S. customers are limited to securities brokers and dealers and
banks.
The Function of Euroclear. Euroclear was created in 1968 to hold
securities for Euroclear participants and to clear and settle transactions
between Euroclear participants through simultaneous electronic book-entry
delivery against payment. By performing these functions, Euroclear eliminated
the need for physical movement of securities and also eliminated any risk from
lack of simultaneous transfers of securities and cash. Transactions may now be
settled in any of 30 currencies, including Euros and U.S. dollars. The
Euroclear System includes various other services, including securities lending
and borrowing, and arrangements with domestic markets in several countries
generally similar to the arrangements for cross-market transfers with DTC
described below. The Euroclear System is operated by Euroclear Operator under
contract with the Euroclear Clearance System S.C., a Belgian cooperative
corporation, referred to as the "Cooperative". All operations are conducted by
the Euroclear Operator, and all Euroclear securities clearance accounts and
Euroclear cash accounts are accounts with the Euroclear Operator, not the
Cooperative. The Cooperative establishes policy for Euroclear on behalf of
Euroclear participants. Euroclear participants include central banks,
investment banks, securities brokers and dealers and other professional
financial intermediaries. Indirect access to Euroclear is also available to
other firms that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a
Euroclear participant, either directly or indirectly.
The Euroclear Operator is the Belgian branch of a New York banking
corporation that is a member bank of the Federal Reserve System. As a Federal
Reserve System member, it is regulated and examined by the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System and the New York State Banking Department, as
well as the Belgian Banking Commission.
Securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with the Euroclear
Operator are governed by the Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear
and the related Operating Procedures of Euroclear and applicable Belgian law
which are referred to in this prospectus as the "Terms and Conditions". The
Terms and Conditions govern transfers of securities and cash within Euroclear,
withdrawals of securities and cash from Euroclear and receipts of payments with
respect to securities in Euroclear. All securities in Euroclear are held on a
fungible basis without attribution of specific securities to specific
securities clearance accounts. The Euroclear Operator acts under the Terms and
Conditions only on behalf of Euroclear participants and has no record of or
relationship with persons holding through Euroclear participants.
The Rules for Transfers Among DTC, Clearstream Banking or Euroclear
Participants. Transfers between DTC participants will occur in accordance with
DTC rules. Transfers between Clearstream Banking customers and Euroclear
participants will occur in accordance with their respective rules and operating
procedures. Cross-market transfers between persons holding directly or
indirectly through DTC, on the one hand, and directly or indirectly through
Clearstream Banking customers or Euroclear participants, on the other, will be
effected in DTC in accordance with DTC rules on behalf of the relevant European
international clearing system by its depository. Cross-market transactions will
require delivery of instructions to the relevant European international
clearing system by the counterparty in this system in accordance with its rules
and procedures and within its established deadlines, in European time. The
relevant European international clearing system will, if the transaction meets
its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its depository to take
action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or
47
receiving transition bonds in DTC, and making or receiving payments in
accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to
DTC. Clearstream Banking customers and Euroclear participants may not deliver
instructions directly to the depositories.
DTC Will be the Holder of the Issuer's Transition Bonds. Unless and until
definitive transition bonds are issued, it is anticipated that the only
"holder" of transition bonds of any series will be DTC. Transition bondholders
will only be permitted to exercise their rights as transition bondholders
indirectly through participants and DTC. All references herein to actions by
transition bondholders thus refer to actions taken by DTC upon instructions
from its participants. In addition, all references herein to payments, notices,
reports and statements to transition bondholders refer to payments, notices,
reports and statements to DTC, as the registered holder of the transition
bonds, for payments or delivery to the beneficial owners of the transition
bonds in accordance with DTC procedures.
Book-Entry Transfers and Transmission of Payments. Except under the
circumstances described below, while any book-entry transition bonds of a
series are outstanding, under DTC's rules, DTC is required to make book-entry
transfers among participants on whose behalf it acts with respect to the
book-entry transition bonds. In addition, DTC is required to receive and
transmit payments of principal of, and interest on, the book-entry transition
bonds. Participants with whom transition bondholders have accounts with respect
to book-entry transition bonds are similarly required to make book-entry
transfers and receive and transmit these payments on behalf of their respective
transition bondholders. Accordingly, although transition bondholders will not
possess physical bonds, DTC's rules provide a mechanism by which transition
bondholders will receive payments and will be able to transfer their interests.
DTC can only act on behalf of participants, who, in turn, act on behalf of
indirect participants and some banks. Thus, the ability of holders of
beneficial interests in the transition bonds to pledge transition bonds to
persons or entities that do not participate in the DTC system, or otherwise
take actions in respect of these transition bonds, may be limited due to the
lack of definitive transition bonds.
DTC has advised the trustee that it will take any action permitted to be
taken by a transition bondholder under the indenture only at the direction of
one or more participants to whose account with DTC the transition bonds are
credited.
How Transition Bond Payments will be Credited by Clearstream Banking and
Euroclear. Payments with respect to transition bonds held through Clearstream
Banking or Euroclear will be credited to the cash accounts of Clearstream
Banking customers or Euroclear participants in accordance with the relevant
system's rules and procedures, to the extent received by its depository. These
payments will be subject to tax reporting in accordance with relevant United
States tax laws and regulations. See "MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS
FOR THE TRANSITION BONDHOLDERS" in this prospectus. Clearstream Banking or the
Euroclear Operator, as the case may be, will take any other action permitted to
be taken by a transition bondholder under the indenture on behalf of a
Clearstream Banking customer or Euroclear participant only in accordance with
its relevant rules and procedures and subject to its depository's ability to
effect these actions on its behalf through DTC.
DTC, Clearstream Banking and Euroclear have agreed to the foregoing
procedures in order to facilitate transfers of transition bonds among
participants of DTC, Clearstream Banking and Euroclear. However, they are under
no obligation to perform or continue to perform these procedures and these
procedures may be discontinued at any time.
CERTIFICATED TRANSITION BONDS
The Circumstances That Will Result in the Issuance of Certificated
Transition Bonds. Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus
supplement, each class of transition bonds will be issued in fully registered,
certificated form to beneficial owners of transition bonds or intermediaries,
rather than to DTC, only if:
o the issuer advises the trustee in writing that DTC is no longer willing
or able to discharge properly its responsibilities as depository with
respect to that class of transition bonds and the issuer is unable to
locate a qualified successor;
48
o the issuer, at its option, elects to terminate the book-entry system
through DTC; or
o after the occurrence of an event of default as specified in the
indenture, beneficial owners of transition bonds representing at least a
majority of the outstanding principal balance of the transition bonds of
all series advise the trustee through DTC in writing that the
continuation of a book-entry system through DTC, or a successor thereto,
is no longer in the transition bondholders' best interest.
The Delivery of Certificated Transition Bonds. Upon the occurrence of any
event described in the immediately preceding paragraph, DTC will be required to
notify the trustee and all affected beneficial owners of transition bonds
through participants of the availability of certificated transition bonds. Upon
surrender by DTC of the certificated bonds representing the applicable
transition bonds and receipt of instructions for re-registration, the trustee
will authenticate and deliver certificated transition bonds to the beneficial
owners. Any certificated transition bonds listed on the Luxembourg Stock
Exchange will be made available to the beneficial owners of such transition
bonds through the office of the transfer agent in Luxembourg. Thereafter, the
trustee will recognize the holders of these certificated transition bonds as
transition bondholders under the indenture.
The Payment Mechanism for Certificated Transition Bonds. Payments of
principal of, and interest on, certificated transition bonds will be made by
the trustee, as paying agent, in accordance with the procedures set forth in
the indenture. These payments will be made directly to holders of certificated
transition bonds in whose names the certificated transition bonds were
registered at the close of business 15 days prior to the payment date, unless
otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement. These payments will be made by
check mailed to the address of the holder as it appears on the register
maintained by the trustee. The final payment on any transition bond, however,
will be made only upon presentation and surrender of the transition bond at the
office or agency specified in the notice of final payment to transition
bondholders.
The Transfer or Exchange of Certificated Transition Bonds. Certificated
transition bonds will be transferable and exchangeable at the offices of the
transfer agent and registrar, which will initially be the trustee. No service
charge will be imposed for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the
transfer agent and registrar may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover
any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith.
Final Payments on Transition Bonds. The final payment on any transition
bond will be made only upon presentation and surrender of the transition bond
at the office or agency specified in the notice of final payment to transition
bondholders. The final payment of any transition bond listed on the Luxembourg
Stock Exchange may also be made upon presentation and surrender of the
transition bond at the office of the paying agent in Luxembourg as specified in
the notice of final distribution. A notice of such final distribution will be
published in a daily newspaper in Luxembourg, which is expected to be the
Luxemburger Wort, not later than the fifth day of the month of such final
distribution. Certificated transition bonds listed on the Luxembourg Stock
Exchange will also be transferable and exchangeable at the offices of the
transfer agent in Luxembourg. With respect to any transfer of these listed
certificated transition bonds, the new certificated transition bonds registered
in the names specified by the transferee and the original transferor will be
available at the offices of the transfer agent in Luxembourg.
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WEIGHTED AVERAGE LIFE AND YIELD CONSIDERATIONS
FOR THE TRANSITION BONDS
The rate of principal payments, the amount of each interest payment and
the actual final payment date for each series or class of transition bonds will
be dependent on the rate and timing of receipt of transition bond charge
collections and the effectiveness of credit enhancement. Accelerated receipts
of transition bond charge collections will not, however, result in payment of
principal of the transition bonds earlier than the related expected final
payment dates. This is because receipts in excess of the amounts necessary to
amortize the transition bonds in accordance with the applicable expected
amortization schedule, to pay interest on the transition bonds, to pay related
costs and expenses and to fund or replenish the capital and
overcollateralization subaccounts for each series, will be allocated to the
reserve subaccount. However, delayed receipts of transition bond charge
collections may result in principal payments on the transition bonds occurring
more slowly than as reflected in the expected amortization schedule or later
than the related expected final payment dates. Redemption of any class or
series of transition bonds and acceleration of the legal final maturity date
after an event of default will result in payment of principal earlier than the
related expected final payment dates.
The Effect of Transition Bond Charge Collections on the Timing of
Transition Bond Payments. The actual payments on each payment date for each
series or class of transition bonds and the weighted average life thereof will
be affected primarily by the rate and the timing of receipt of transition bond
charge collections. Amounts available in the reserve subaccount, the series
overcollateralization subaccount and the series capital subaccount will also
affect the weighted average life of that series of transition bonds. The
transition bond charge will be calculated based on estimates of energy use by
customers and estimates of delinquencies and write-offs. However, the aggregate
amount of transition bond charge collections and the rate of principal
amortization of the transition bonds will depend, in part, on actual
electricity usage by customers and the rate of delinquencies and write-offs.
The transition bond charge will be adjusted from time to time based in part on
the actual rate of transition bond charge collections compared to the estimated
transition bond charge collections. However, there can be no assurance that the
servicer will be able to forecast accurately actual electricity usage and the
rate of collections or implement adjustments to the transition bond charge that
will cause transition bond charge collections to be received at any particular
rate.
A payment on a date that is later than the expected final payment date
will result in a longer weighted average life. In addition, if scheduled
payments on the transition bonds are received later than the applicable
expected payment date, this will result in a longer weighted average life of
the transition bonds.
See "RISK FACTORS--SERVICING RISKS " and "THE BPU FINANCING ORDER AND THE
TRANSITION BOND CHARGE--THE BPU'S TRANSITION BOND CHARGE ADJUSTMENT PROCESS" in
this prospectus.
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THE SALE AGREEMENT
The following summary describes material terms and provisions of the sale
agreement pursuant to which JCP&L will sell and the issuer will purchase
bondable transition property. The sale agreement may be amended by the parties
thereto, with the consent of the trustee, provided notice of the substance of
the amendment is provided by the issuer to each rating agency. The form of the
sale agreement has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of
which this prospectus forms a part.
JCP&L'S SALE AND ASSIGNMENT OF THE BONDABLE TRANSITION PROPERTY TO THE ISSUER
For convenience of usage in this prospectus, there are numerous references
to the holding and transfer of bondable transition property by JCP&L and
others. However, pursuant to New Jersey State law and the BPU financing order,
bondable transition property arises, and constitutes a vested, presently
existing property right, upon (i) the transfer to an assignee and (ii) receipt
of consideration therefor.
Pursuant to the sale agreement, JCP&L will:
(1) assign and transfer to the issuer, without recourse, except as
provided in the sale agreement, all right, title and interest of JCP&L
in, to and under the bondable transition property which represents the
irrevocable right to charge, collect and receive, and be paid from
collections of, the transition bond charges in the amount necessary to
provide for the full recovery of JCP&L's bondable stranded costs with
respect to the related series of transition bonds; and
(2) agree that JCP&L's representations, warranties, covenants and
obligations under the sale agreement, including JCP&L's
indemnification obligations, inure to the benefit of the issuer and
the trustee for the benefit of the transition bondholders.
The assignments and transfers of the bondable transition property by JCP&L
to the issuer are expressly stated to be absolute transfers. Pursuant to the
Competition Act, these assignments and transfers will be treated as absolute
transfers of all of JCP&L's right, title and interest, as in a sale or other
absolute transfer of the bondable transition property. JCP&L agrees that, after
giving effect to its assignment, it will have no rights in the bondable
transition property.
In addition, JCP&L may from time to time offer to sell on a subsequent
transfer date additional bondable transition property to the issuer, subject to
the satisfaction of the conditions specified in the sale agreement and the
indenture. Each subsequent sale will be financed through the issuance of an
additional series of transition bonds. If this offer is accepted by the issuer,
the subsequent sale will be effective on a subsequent transfer date.
In accordance with the Competition Act, after the issuance of the BPU
financing order and upon the execution and delivery of the sale agreement and
the related bill of sale and the proper filing of a financing statement under
the Uniform Commercial Code with respect to the sale and absolute transfer of
the bondable transition property, the sale and absolute transfer will be
perfected as against any third party, including judicial lien creditors. The
sale agreement provides that in the event that the true and absolute sale of
the bondable transition property is determined by a court not to be a true and
absolute sale as contemplated by the Competition Act, then the transfer shall
be treated as a pledge of the bondable transition property and JCP&L shall be
deemed to have granted a security interest to the issuer in the bondable
transition property, which security interest will secure a payment obligation
of JCP&L in an amount equal to the purchase price for the bondable transition
property.
JCP&L'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
In the sale agreement, JCP&L will make the following representations and
warranties:
1. all information provided by JCP&L to the issuer with respect to the
bondable transition property is correct in all material respects;
2. the assignments and transfers contemplated by the sale agreement
constitute absolute transfers of the initial bondable transition property or
the additional bondable transition property, as the
51
case may be, from JCP&L to the issuer, JCP&L will have no right, title or
interest in the bondable transition property, and the transferred bondable
transition property would not be part of the estate of JCP&L as debtor in the
event of the filing of a bankruptcy petition by or against JCP&L under any
bankruptcy law;
3. (a) JCP&L is the sole owner of the bondable transition property being
transferred and assigned to the issuer pursuant to the sale agreement on the
initial transfer date or the subsequent transfer date, as applicable;
(b) upon the execution and delivery of the sale agreement and the
related bill of sale, the bondable transition property will be validly assigned
and transferred to the issuer free and clear of all liens other than liens
created by the issuer pursuant to the indenture; and
(c) all filings (including filings with the New Jersey Secretary of
State or the Delaware Secretary of State under the New Jersey Uniform
Commercial Code or the Delaware Uniform Commercial Code, respectively)
necessary in any jurisdiction to give the issuer a valid perfected ownership
interest in the transferred bondable transition property free and clear of all
liens of JCP&L or anyone else, other than the issuer or the trustee, have been
made;
4. the BPU financing order has been issued by the BPU in accordance with
the Competition Act; the BPU financing order and the process by which it was
issued comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations; and the BPU
financing order is in full force and effect, is final, and is not subject to
appeal;
5. as of the date of issuance of any series of transition bonds, the
transition bonds will be entitled to the protections provided by the
Competition Act and, in accordance with the Competition Act, the BPU financing
order and the transition bond charge authorized by the BPU financing order will
not be revocable by the BPU and each issuance advice letter delivered by JCP&L
to the BPU pursuant to the BPU financing order will be irrevocable, final and
uncontestable;
6. (a) under the Competition Act, the State of New Jersey may not limit,
alter or impair the bondable transition property or other rights vested in
JCP&L, the issuer and the trustee for the benefit of the transition bondholders
pursuant to the BPU financing order until the transition bonds are fully paid
and discharged, or in any way limit, alter, impair or reduce the value or
amount of the bondable transition property, as approved pursuant to the BPU
financing order; and
(b) under the contract clauses of the Constitutions of the State of New
Jersey and the United States, the State of New Jersey could not, absent a
demonstration that such action was necessary to serve a significant and
legitimate public purpose, take any action that substantially impairs the
rights of the transition bondholders unless such action is a reasonable
exercise of the State of New Jersey's sovereign powers and of a character
reasonable and appropriate to the public purpose justifying that action, and,
under the Takings Clauses of the New Jersey and United States Constitutions,
the State of New Jersey could not repeal or amend the Competition Act or take
any other action in contravention of its pledge and agreement in the
Competition Act, in the event such action constitutes a permanent appropriation
of the property interest of transition bondholders in the bondable transition
property and deprives the transition bondholders of their reasonable
expectations arising from their investments in transition bonds, unless just
compensation, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, is provided
to the transition bondholders;
7. there is no order by any court providing for the revocation,
alteration, limitation or other impairment of the Competition Act, the BPU
financing order, the restructuring order (insofar as it relates to the sale of
the transferred bondable transition property), the bondable transition property
or the transition bond charge or any rights arising under any of them or which
seeks to enjoin the performance of any obligations under the BPU financing
order;
8. no other approval, authorization, consent, order or other action of, or
filing with, any court, federal or state regulatory body, administrative agency
or other governmental instrumentality is required in connection with the
creation, assignment or transfer of the bondable transition property, except
those that have been obtained or made;
52
9. except as disclosed by JCP&L in writing, there are no proceedings or
investigations pending, or to JCP&L's best knowledge, threatened, before any
court, federal or state regulatory body, administrative agency or other
governmental instrumentality having jurisdiction over JCP&L or the issuer or
their respective properties challenging the Competition Act, the BPU financing
order or the restructuring order (insofar as the restructuring order relates to
the sale, assignment or transfer of the bondable transition property and the
sale of the transition bonds);
10. the assumptions used in calculating the transition bond charge in the
issuance advice letter delivered by JCP&L to the BPU pursuant to the BPU
financing order are reasonable and made in good faith;
11. (a) the bondable transition property constitutes a presently existing
property right;
(b) the bondable transition property includes, without limitation:
(1) the irrevocable right of JCP&L to charge, collect and receive, and
be paid from collections of, the transition bond charge in the amounts
necessary to provide for the full recovery of the bondable stranded
costs determined to be recoverable in the BPU financing order; and
(2) all rights of JCP&L under the BPU financing order, including all
rights to obtain periodic adjustments of the transition bond charge
pursuant to the Competition Act and all revenues, collections, payments,
money and proceeds arising under, or with respect to, all of the
foregoing;
(c) the bondable transition property is not subject to any lien created
by a previous indenture; and
(d) the BPU financing order, including the right to collect the
transition bond charge, is irrevocable by the BPU;
12. JCP&L is a corporation duly organized and in good standing under the
laws of the State of New Jersey, with corporate power and authority to own its
properties and conduct its business as currently owned and conducted;
13. JCP&L has the full corporate power and authority to execute and
deliver the sale agreement and to carry out its terms; JCP&L has full corporate
power and authority to own the bondable transition property and to assign and
transfer the initial and additional bondable transition property; and JCP&L has
duly authorized by all necessary corporate action such assignment and transfer
to the issuer pursuant to the sale agreement;
14. each of the sale agreement and the bill of sale for the bondable
transition property pursuant to the sale agreement, constitutes a legal, valid
and binding obligation of JCP&L, enforceable against it in accordance with its
terms, subject to bankruptcy, receivership, insolvency, fraudulent transfer,
reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors' rights
generally from time to time in effect and to general principles of equity;
15. the execution and delivery by JCP&L of each of the sale agreement and
the bill of sale for the bondable transition property pursuant to the sale
agreement, the performance by JCP&L of the transactions contemplated thereby
and the fulfillment by JCP&L of the terms thereof do not conflict with, result
in any breach of any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute (with or
without notice or lapse of time) a default under, the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation or By-Laws of JCP&L or any indenture, agreement or other
instrument to which JCP&L is a party or by which it is bound; or result in the
creation or imposition of any lien upon any of its properties pursuant to the
terms of any such indenture, agreement or other instrument except as
contemplated by the sale agreement, the bill of sale for the bondable
transition property pursuant to the sale agreement, the servicing agreement,
the indenture, the administration agreement between the issuer and GPU Service,
Inc., or its successor, the issuer's limited liability company agreement, and
any amendments thereto, the certificate of formation and any amendments
thereto, that was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware to
establish the
53
issuer or any interest rate swap agreement (which are collectively referred to
as the "basic documents"); or violate any law or any order, rule or regulation
applicable to JCP&L of any court or of any federal or state regulatory body,
administrative agency or other governmental instrumentality having jurisdiction
over JCP&L or its properties;
16. except for the filing of financing statements and continuation
statements under the New Jersey and Delaware Uniform Commercial Codes, no
approval, authorization, consent, order or other action of, or filing with, any
court, federal or state regulatory body, administrative agency or other
governmental instrumentality is required in connection with the execution and
delivery of the sale agreement by each of the parties to the sale agreement,
the performance by such parties of the transactions contemplated by such
agreement or the fulfillment by such parties of the terms of such agreement,
except those that have been obtained or made;
17. except as disclosed in writing by JCP&L, there are no proceedings or
investigations pending or, to JCP&L's best knowledge, threatened, before any
court, federal or state regulatory body, administrative agency or other
governmental instrumentality:
(a) asserting the invalidity of any of the basic documents or the
transition bonds;
(b) seeking to prevent the issuance of transition bonds or the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by the basic documents;
(c) seeking any determination or ruling that could reasonably be
expected to materially and adversely affect the performance by JCP&L or the
issuer of their respective obligations under, or the validity or enforceability
of, the basic documents or the transition bonds; or
(d) challenging JCP&L's treatment of the transition bonds as debt of
JCP&L for federal and state income tax purposes;
18. after giving effect to the assignment and transfer of the bondable
transition property to the issuer, JCP&L:
(a) will be solvent and expects to remain solvent;
(b) will be adequately capitalized to conduct its business and affairs
considering its size and the nature of its business and intended purposes;
(c) will not be engaged, nor does it expect to engage, in a business
for which its remaining property represents an unreasonably small portion of its
capital;
(d) reasonably believes that it will be able to pay its debts as they
become due; and
(e) will be able to pay its debts as they mature and does not intend to
incur, and does not believe that it will incur, indebtedness that it will not
be able to repay at its maturity; and
19. JCP&L is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation in
good standing, and has obtained all necessary licenses and approvals, in all
jurisdictions in which the ownership or lease of its property or the conduct of
its business requires such qualifications, licenses or approvals (except where
the failure to so qualify or to obtain such licenses or approvals would not be
reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on it).
JCP&L agrees that the issuer will have the right to assign the right to
enforce these representations and warranties to the trustee for the benefit of
the transition bondholders. These representations and warranties will survive
the pledge of the bondable transition property by the issuer to the trustee
pursuant to the indenture. JCP&L represents, warrants and agrees that these
representations and warranties will be true and correct on and as of each date
on which bondable transition property is sold by JCP&L to the issuer as if made
by it on that date.
JCP&L'S COVENANTS
In the sale agreement, JCP&L makes the following covenants and agrees that
these covenants inure to the benefit of the issuer and the trustee for the
benefit of the transition bondholders:
54
1. so long as any of the transition bonds are outstanding, JCP&L shall
keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and remain in good
standing under the laws of the State of New Jersey, and shall obtain and
preserve its qualification to do business in each jurisdiction in which such
qualification is necessary to protect the validity and enforceability of the
sale agreement and each other instrument or agreement to which JCP&L is a party
necessary to the proper administration of the sale agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby;
2. except for the transfers and assignments pursuant to the sale
agreement, JCP&L shall not sell, pledge, assign or transfer to any other
person, or grant, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any lien on, any of
the bondable transition property, whether now existing or hereafter created, or
any interest therein;
3. JCP&L shall not at any time assert any lien against or with respect to
any bondable transition property, and shall defend the right, title and
interest of the issuer, and upon pledge by the issuer to the trustee, the
trustee for the benefit of the transition bondholders, in, to and under the
bondable transition property, whether now existing or hereafter created,
against all claims of third parties claiming through or under JCP&L;
4. in the event that JCP&L is no longer acting as the servicer, if JCP&L
receives collections in respect of the transition bond charge or the proceeds
thereof, JCP&L agrees to pay the servicer, on behalf of the issuer, all
payments received by JCP&L in respect thereof as soon as practicable after
receipt thereof by JCP&L, but in no event later than two business days after
such receipt;
5. JCP&L shall notify the issuer and the trustee promptly after becoming
aware of any lien on any bondable transition property other than any lien
arising under the sale agreement or the indenture;
6. JCP&L agrees to comply with its organizational or governing documents
and all laws, treaties, rules, regulations and determinations of any
governmental instrumentality applicable to JCP&L, except to the extent that
failure to so comply would not adversely affect the interests of the issuer or
the trustee in the bondable transition property or under any of the basic
documents or JCP&L's performance of its obligations under the sale agreement or
under any of the other basic documents to which it is a party;
7. (a) so long as any of the transition bonds are outstanding, JCP&L shall
treat the transition bonds as debt of JCP&L for federal and state income tax
purposes; and
(b) so long as any of the transition bonds are outstanding, JCP&L shall:
(1) clearly disclose in its financial statements that it is not the
owner of the bondable transition property and that the assets of the
issuer are not available to pay creditors of JCP&L or any of its other
affiliates;
(2) clearly disclose the effects of all transactions between JCP&L and
the issuer in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
and
(3) not own or purchase any transition bonds;
8. JCP&L agrees that upon the assignment and transfer by JCP&L of the
bondable transition property to the issuer pursuant to the sale agreement:
(a) to the fullest extent permitted by law, including the Competition
Act and applicable BPU orders and regulations, the issuer shall have all of the
rights originally held by JCP&L with respect to the bondable transition
property (other than the rights of an electric public utility set forth in the
Competition Act), including the right to collect any amounts payable by any
customer or third party electric power supplier in respect of such bondable
transition property, notwithstanding any objection or direction to the contrary
by JCP&L; and
(b) any such payment to the issuer by any customer or third party
electric power supplier in respect of the transition bond charge shall
discharge such customer's or such third party electric power supplier's
obligations in respect of such bondable transition property to the extent of
such payment, notwithstanding any objection or direction to the contrary by
JCP&L;
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9. so long as any of the transition bonds are outstanding:
(a) JCP&L shall not make any statement or reference in respect of
bondable transition property that is inconsistent with the ownership thereof by
the issuer, other than for financial accounting, state or federal regulatory or
tax purposes; and
(b) JCP&L shall not take any action in respect of the bondable
transition property except solely in its capacity as the servicer thereof
pursuant to the servicing agreement or as otherwise contemplated by the basic
documents; provided, however, that JCP&L, not in its capacity as servicer,
shall take such actions as are required to satisfy the requirements of
paragraph 13 below;
10. JCP&L shall deliver to the issuer and the trustee, promptly after
having obtained knowledge thereof, written notice in a certificate, signed by
an authorized officer of JCP&L, of the occurrence of any event which requires
or which, with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both, would
require JCP&L to make any indemnification payment pursuant to the sale
agreement;
11. JCP&L shall execute and file such filings and cause to be executed and
filed such filings and take all such actions, all in such manner and in such
places as may be required by law fully to preserve, maintain and protect the
interests of the issuer and its permitted assigns in the bondable transition
property, including all filings required under the Delaware Uniform Commercial
Code and the New Jersey Uniform Commercial Code relating to the transfer of the
ownership of the bondable transition property from JCP&L to the issuer and the
pledge of the bondable transition property by the issuer to the trustee;
12. JCP&L shall deliver to the issuer file-stamped copies of, or filing
receipts for, any document filed as provided above, as soon as available
following such filing;
13. JCP&L agrees to take legal or administrative actions, including
defending against or instituting and pursuing legal actions and appearing or
testifying at hearings or similar proceedings (the costs of any such actions to
be reimbursed from transition bond charge collections as described under "THE
INDENTURE--HOW FUNDS IN THE COLLECTION ACCOUNT WILL BE ALLOCATED" in this
prospectus), as may be reasonably necessary:
(a) to protect the issuer and the trustee for the benefit of the
transition bondholders from claims, state actions or other actions or
proceedings of third parties which, if successfully pursued, would result in a
breach of any representation, warranty or covenant set forth in the sale
agreement; or
(b) to block or overturn any attempts to cause a repeal of, modification
of or supplement to the Competition Act or the BPU financing order or the
rights of holders of bondable transition property by legislative enactment or
constitutional amendment that would be adverse to the holders of bondable
transition property; and
14. so long as any of the transition bonds are outstanding, JCP&L shall,
and shall cause each of its subsidiaries to, pay all material taxes,
assessments and governmental charges imposed upon it or any of its properties
or assets or with respect to any of its franchises, business, income or
property before any penalty accrues thereon if the failure to pay any such
material taxes, assessments and governmental charges would, after any
applicable grace periods, notices or other similar requirements, result in a
lien on the bondable transition property; provided that no such tax need be
paid if JCP&L or any of its subsidiaries is contesting the same in good faith
by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted and if
JCP&L or that subsidiary has established appropriate reserves as shall be
required in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
JCP&L'S OBLIGATION TO INDEMNIFY THE ISSUER AND THE TRUSTEE AND TO TAKE LEGAL
ACTION
Under the sale agreement, JCP&L is obligated to indemnify the issuer, any
swap counterparty and the trustee for itself and on behalf of the transition
bondholders and related parties specified in the sale agreement, against:
1. any and all taxes, other than any taxes imposed on transition
bondholders solely as a result of their ownership of transition bonds, that may
at any time be imposed on or asserted against any of those persons under
existing law as of the date of issuance of the transition bonds as a result of
the assignment
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and transfer of the bondable transition property by JCP&L to the issuer, or the
acquisition or holding of bondable transition property by the issuer, or the
issuance and sale by the issuer of the transition bonds, including any sales,
general corporation, personal property, privilege, franchise or license taxes
not recovered by the issuer through the transition bond charge, or through the
market transition charge, but excluding any taxes imposed as a result of a
failure of that person to properly withhold or remit taxes imposed with respect
to payments on any transition bond; and
2. (a) any and all amounts of principal of and interest on the transition
bonds not paid when due or when scheduled to be paid in accordance with their
terms and the amount of any deposits to the issuer required to have been made
in accordance with the terms of the basic documents or the BPU financing order
which are not made when so required, in either case as a result of JCP&L's
breach of any of its representations, warranties or covenants contained in the
sale agreement; and
(b) any and all liabilities, obligations, claims, actions, suits or
payments of any kind whatsoever that may be imposed on or asserted against any
of those persons (other than any liabilities, obligations or claims for, or
payments of, principal or interest on the transition bonds) together with any
reasonable costs and expenses incurred by that person, as a result of JCP&L's
breach of any of its representations, warranties or covenants contained in the
sale agreement.
These indemnification obligations will rank equally in right to payment
with other general unsecured obligations of JCP&L. The indemnities described
above will survive the termination of the sale agreement and include reasonable
fees and expenses of investigation and litigation, including reasonable
attorneys' fees and expenses. The above representations and warranties are made
under existing law as in effect as of the date of issuance of any series of
transition bonds. JCP&L will not indemnify any party for any changes of law
after the issuance of any series of transition bonds.
JCP&L's Obligation to Undertake Legal Action. The sale agreement requires
JCP&L, in its capacity as seller and not in its capacity as the servicer, to
take legal or administrative actions as may be reasonably necessary to protect
the rights of the holders of the bondable transition property and the trustee
for the benefit of the transition bondholders. See "JCP&L'S COVENANTS" above.
JCP&L will not be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any
legal action that is not incidental to its obligations under the sale
agreement, and that in its opinion may involve it in any expense or liability.
However, this provision is subject to JCP&L's covenant to fully preserve,
maintain and protect the interests of the issuer, the trustee and the
transition bondholders in the bondable transition property.
SUCCESSORS TO JCP&L
The sale agreement provides that any person:
o into which JCP&L may be merged or consolidated and which succeeds to all
or substantially all of the electric distribution business of JCP&L;
o which results from the division of JCP&L into two or more entities and
which succeeds to all or substantially all of the electric distribution
business of JCP&L;
o which may result from any merger or consolidation to which JCP&L shall
be a party and which succeeds to all or substantially all of the electric
distribution business of JCP&L;
o which may succeed to the properties and assets of JCP&L substantially as
a whole and which succeeds to all or substantially all of the electric
distribution business of JCP&L; or
o which may otherwise succeed to all or substantially all of the electric
distribution business of JCP&L
will be the successor to JCP&L.
The sale agreement further requires that:
o immediately after giving effect to any transaction referred to above, no
representation, warranty or covenant made in the sale agreement will have
been breached and no servicer default, and no event that, after notice or
lapse of time, or both, would become a servicer default will have occurred
and be continuing;
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o the successor to JCP&L must execute an agreement of assumption to
perform every obligation of JCP&L under the sale agreement;
o the rating agencies will have received prior written notice of the
transaction; and
o officers' certificates and opinions of counsel specified in the sale
agreement will have been delivered to the issuer and the trustee.
THE SERVICING AGREEMENT
The following summary describes material terms and provisions of the
servicing agreement pursuant to which the servicer is undertaking to service
bondable transition property. The form of the servicing agreement has been
filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus
forms a part.
JCP&L'S SERVICING PROCEDURES
The servicer will manage, service, administer and make collections in
respect of the transition bond charge. The servicer's duties will include:
1. obtaining meter reads, calculating and billing the transition bond
charge and collecting the transition bond charges from customers and third
party electric power suppliers, as applicable;
2. responding to inquiries by customers, third party electric power
suppliers, the BPU, or any federal, local or other state governmental authority
with respect to the transition bond charge;
3. delivering bills or arranging for delivery of bills, accounting for
transition bond charge collections, investigating and resolving delinquencies,
processing and depositing collections, making periodic remittances and
furnishing periodic reports to the issuer, the trustee and the rating agencies;
4. selling, as agent for the issuer, defaulted or written-off accounts in
accordance with the servicer's usual and customary practices for accounts of
its own electric service customers; and
5. taking action in connection with adjustments to the transition bond
charge as described below.
The servicer is required to notify the issuer, the trustee and the rating
agencies in writing of any laws or BPU regulations promulgated after the
execution of the servicing agreement that have a material adverse effect on the
servicer's ability to perform its duties under the servicing agreement.
The servicer will remit to the trustee transition bond charge collections
based on its estimated system-wide write-off percentage and the average number
of days outstanding of bills. The servicer will reconcile remittances of
estimated payments arising from billed transition bond charges with the trustee
to more accurately reflect the amount of billed transition bond charges that
should have been remitted, based on the actual system-wide write-off
percentage. To the extent the remittances of estimated payments arising from
the transition bond charge exceed the amounts that should have been remitted
based on actual system-wide write-offs, the servicer will be entitled to
withhold the excess amount from any subsequent remittance to the trustee, or,
alternatively the servicer may require the trustee to pay the servicer the
amount of any over-payment from the general subaccount. To the extent the
remittances of estimated payments arising from the transition bond charges are
less than the actual payments arising from the transition bond charges, the
servicer will remit the amount of the shortfall to the trustee within two
business days, or, if monthly remittances are permitted, as described below, on
the next remittance date. Although the servicer will remit estimated payments
arising from the transition bond charge to the trustee, the servicer is not
obligated to make any payments on the transition bonds.
In the event that the servicer makes changes to its current computerized
customer information system which would allow the servicer to track actual
transition bond charge collections and/or otherwise monitor payment and
collection activity more efficiently or accurately than is being done today,
the servicing agreement will allow the servicer to substitute actual remittance
procedures for the estimated remittance procedures described above and
otherwise modify the remittance procedures described above as may be
appropriate in the interests of efficiency, accuracy, cost and/or system
capabilities.
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However, the servicer will not be allowed to make any modification or
substitution that will materially and adversely affect the transition
bondholders. The servicer must also give notice to the rating agencies of any
such computer system changes no later than 60 business days after the date on
which all customer accounts are billed on the new system.
The BPU financing order requires that JCP&L, as servicer, remit estimated
transition bond charges collections to the trustee within two business day of
the deemed receipt of such estimated collections. The servicing agreement
provides for monthly remittances under certain conditions as discussed below,
but such monthly remittances would only be permitted with further BPU
authorization. If such BPU authorization is obtained and if the servicer has
provided certain opinions acceptable in form and substance to the rating
agencies, and for so long as:
1. JCP&L or any successor to JCP&L's electric distribution business
remains the servicer;
2. no servicer default has occurred and is continuing; and
3. (a) JCP&L, or any successor servicer that is also the successor to
JCP&L's electric distribution business, maintains a short-term rating of `A-1'
or better by S&P, `P-1' or better by Moody's, and `F-1' or better by Fitch; or
(b) any additional conditions or limitations imposed by the rating
agencies are complied with, and each rating agency has notified the servicer,
the issuer and the trustee that the monthly remittance will not result in a
reduction or withdrawal of the then current rating of any outstanding class of
transition bonds,
the servicer will remit to the trustee, on the first day of each calendar
month, or if such first day is not a business day, the next business day,
referred to as a "monthly remittance date", for each preceding billing month,
an amount equal to the amount of transition bond charge collections estimated
to have been received during the preceding calendar month, based on the average
number of days outstanding of bills then in effect.
If the servicer has not satisfied the conditions specified above, the
servicer will remit estimated payments arising from the transition bond charge
to the trustee within two business days after receipt in the manner described
above.
A business day is any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or a day on
which banking institutions in New York, New York or, with respect to any
transition bonds listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, in Luxembourg, are
required or authorized by law or executive order to close.
Upon five business days' prior written notice to the rating agencies, the
servicing agreement may be amended with the consent of the trustee, but without
the consent of the transition bondholders:
o to cure any ambiguity;
o to correct or supplement any provision in the servicing agreement;
o to add any provisions to or change in any manner or eliminate any of the
provisions of the servicing agreement; or
o to modify in any manner the rights of the transition bondholders;
provided that the action will not, as certified in a certificate of an officer
of the servicer delivered to the issuer and to the trustee and the managers,
adversely affect in any material respect the interest of any holder of
transition bonds then outstanding.
The servicing agreement may also be amended by the servicer and the issuer
with prior written notice to the rating agencies and with the consent of the
trustee and the transition bondholders evidencing not less than a majority in
principal amount of the then outstanding transition bonds of all affected
series and classes, voting together as a single class, for the purpose of
adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the
provisions of the servicing agreement or of modifying in any manner the rights
of the transition bondholders. However, no amendment adopted in
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this manner may increase or decrease, or accelerate or delay the timing of,
collection of transition bond charges, or reduce the percentage of transition
bondholders required to consent to amendments. No amendment of the provisions
of the servicing agreement relating to the servicer's remittance and transition
bond charge adjustment obligations will be permitted absent confirmation from
the rating agencies that such amendment will not result in a reduction or
withdrawal of the then existing rating of the transition bonds by the rating
agencies (except that with regard to Moody's it will be sufficient to provide
ten days' prior notice of the amendment). The issuer may also amend the
servicing procedures provided in the servicing agreement solely to address
changes to the servicer's method of calculating payments of transition bond
charges received as a result of changes to the servicer's current computerized
information system, if the amendment does not have a material adverse effect on
the holders of transition bonds then outstanding, with prior written notice to
the trustee and the rating agencies, but without the consent of the trustee,
any rating agency or any transition bondholder. These changes may include
changes that would replace remittances calculated by estimation procedures with
remittances of transition bond charge collections actually received.
THE BPU'S TRANSITION BOND CHARGE ADJUSTMENT PROCESS
Among other things, the servicing agreement requires the servicer to file
transition bond charge adjustment requests at least annually. The servicer is
permitted under the BPU financing order to file adjustment requests more often
than annually but not more frequently than quarterly, except that monthly
filings are permitted in the last year before expected maturity of the
transition bonds and continuing until their legal final maturity. In addition,
the BPU financing order grants JCP&L, as servicer, the authority to make
"non-routine" filings for adjustment, under certain circumstances. See "THE BPU
FINANCING ORDER AND THE TRANSITION BOND CHARGE--THE BPU FINANCING ORDER" in
this prospectus. These adjustment requests will be based on actual transition
bond charge collections and updated assumptions by the servicer as to projected
future usage of electricity by customers, expected delinquencies and
write-offs, future payments and expenses relating to the bondable transition
property and the transition bonds and any amounts on deposit in the reserve
subaccount. The servicer will calculate these adjustments to result in the
calculations specified in "THE BPU FINANCING ORDER AND THE TRANSITION BOND
CHARGE--THE BPU'S TRANSITION BOND CHARGE ADJUSTMENT PROCESS" in this
prospectus.
The servicer will file adjustment requests 30 days in advance of the date
on which the servicer requests the adjustment to be effective. The adjustment
request will become effective on an interim basis 30 days after filing, absent
a determination of manifest error by the BPU, and will become final 60 days
after filing in the absence of a BPU order to the contrary.
JCP&L'S TRANSITION BOND CHARGE COLLECTIONS
The servicer will remit all transition bond charge collections from
whatever source, based on the estimated collections, to the trustee for deposit
pursuant to the indenture on each remittance date. Until transition bond charge
collections are remitted to the collection account, the servicer will not
segregate them from its general funds. See "RISK FACTORS--THE RISKS ASSOCIATED
WITH POTENTIAL BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS " in this prospectus.
JCP&L'S COMPENSATION FOR ITS ROLE AS SERVICER AND ITS RELEASE OF OTHER PARTIES
The issuer will pay the servicer a servicing fee set forth in any
applicable prospectus supplement. The servicing fee, together with any portion
of the servicing fee that remains unpaid from prior periods, will be paid
solely to the extent funds are available therefor as described under "THE
INDENTURE--HOW FUNDS IN THE COLLECTION ACCOUNT WILL BE ALLOCATED" in this
prospectus. The servicing fee will be paid prior to the payment of or provision
for any amounts in respect of interest on and principal of the transition
bonds. In the servicing agreement, the servicer releases the issuer and the
trustee from any and all claims whatsoever relating to bondable transition
property or the servicer's servicing activities with respect thereto (other
than with respect to the purchase price for the bondable transition property,
servicing fees and claims arising out of willful misconduct, bad faith or gross
negligence).
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JCP&L'S DUTIES AS SERVICER
In the servicing agreement, the servicer has agreed, among other things,
that, in servicing bondable transition property:
1. except where the failure to comply with any of the following would not
have a material adverse effect on the issuer's or the trustee's respective
interests in bondable transition property:
(a) it will manage, service, administer and make collections in respect
of bondable transition property with reasonable care and in material compliance
with applicable law and regulations, using the same degree of care and
diligence that the servicer exercises with respect to billing and collection
activities that the servicer conducts for itself and others;
(b) it will follow standards, policies and procedures that are customary
in the electric power distribution industry;
(c) it will use all reasonable efforts, consistent with its customary
servicing procedures, to enforce and maintain the rights of the issuer and the
trustee in respect of the bondable transition property; and
(d) it will calculate the transition bond charge in compliance with the
Competition Act, the BPU financing order and any applicable tariffs;
2. it will keep on file, in accordance with customary procedures, all
documents related to the bondable transition property and will maintain
accurate and complete accounts pertaining to the bondable transition property;
and
3. it will use all reasonable efforts consistent with its customary
servicing procedures to collect all amounts owed in respect of the bondable
transition property as they become due.
JCP&L'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES AS SERVICER
In the servicing agreement, the servicer will make representations and
warranties as of the date it sells or otherwise transfers bondable transition
property to the issuer to the effect, among other things, that:
1. the servicer is a corporation duly organized and in good standing under
the laws of the state of its incorporation, with the corporate power and
authority to own its properties and conduct its business as its properties are
currently owned and its business is presently conducted and to execute, deliver
and carry out the terms of the servicing agreement, and has the power,
authority and legal right to service the bondable transition property;
2. the servicer is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation
in good standing in all jurisdictions in which it is required to do so, except
where the failure to do so would not be reasonably likely to have a material
adverse effect on it or on the transactions contemplated by the servicing
agreement;
3. the servicer has the corporate power to execute and deliver the
servicing agreement and to carry out its terms and the servicer's execution,
delivery and performance of the servicing agreement have been authorized by all
necessary corporate action;
4. the servicing agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding
obligation of the servicer, enforceable against the servicer in accordance with
its terms, subject to customary exceptions relating to bankruptcy and other
laws affecting creditors' rights generally and equitable principles;
5. the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the servicing
agreement does not conflict with the servicer's certificate of incorporation or
by-laws or any material agreement by which the servicer is bound, nor result in
any lien upon the servicer's properties or violate any law or regulation
applicable to the servicer or its properties;
6. except for filings with the BPU for adjusting the transition bond
charge, filings under the New Jersey and Delaware Uniform Commercial Codes and
the approval of the SEC under the Public Utility
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Holding Company Act of 1935, no governmental actions or filings are required
for the servicer to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the
servicing agreement, except those which have been taken or made;
7. each report or certificate delivered in connection with a transition
bond charge adjustment request to the BPU will be true and correct, or, if
based on predictions and assumptions, will be based on predictions and
assumptions that are reasonably based on historical performance or facts known
to the servicer on the date such report or certificate is delivered; and
8. no proceeding or investigation is pending or, to the servicer's best
knowledge, threatened, before any court or other governmental authority having
jurisdiction over the servicer or its properties:
(a) seeking to prevent the issuance of the transition bonds or the
consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by the basic documents;
(b) except as disclosed by the servicer to the issuer (or as disclosed
in filings with the SEC made by the servicer), seeking any determination or
ruling that might materially and adversely affect the performance by the
servicer of its obligations under, or the enforceability against the servicer
of, the servicing agreement; or
(c) relating to the servicer and which might materially and adversely
affect the federal or state income tax attributes of the transition bonds.
JCP&L, AS SERVICER, WILL INDEMNIFY THE ISSUER AND OTHER RELATED ENTITIES
Under the servicing agreement, the servicer agrees to indemnify the issuer
and the trustee, for itself and on behalf of the transition bondholders, and
related parties specified in the servicing agreement, against any liabilities
of any kind that may be incurred by or asserted against any of those persons as
a result of:
1. the servicer's willful misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence in the
performance of its duties under the servicing agreement or the servicer's
reckless disregard of its duties under the servicing agreement;
2. the servicer's breach of any of its representations or warranties under
the servicing agreement; and
3. litigation and related expenses relating to its above-stated
indemnifications as servicer.
JCP&L, AS SERVICER, WILL PROVIDE STATEMENTS TO THE ISSUER AND TO THE TRUSTEE
For each payment date, the servicer will provide to the issuer, the
trustee, each rating agency and the listing agent in Luxembourg, if any of the
transition bonds are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, a statement
indicating, among other things:
1. the amount to be paid to transition bondholders of each series and
class in respect of principal on that payment date;
2. the amount to be paid to transition bondholders of each series and
class in respect of interest on that payment date;
3. the projected outstanding principal balance of all transition bonds and
the projected outstanding principal balance of the transition bonds of each
series and class as of that payment date;
4. the amount on deposit in the overcollateralization subaccount for each
series and the required overcollateralization level for each series as of that
payment date;
5. the amount on deposit in the capital subaccount as of that payment
date;
6. the amount, if any, on deposit in the reserve subaccount as of that
payment date; and
7. the amount of any other transfers and payments to be made on such
payment date or in accordance with the indenture.
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On the basis of this information, the trustee will furnish to the
transition bondholders on each payment date the report described under "THE
INDENTURE--REPORTS TO TRANSITION BONDHOLDERS."
On or before each remittance date, but not more frequently than monthly,
the servicer will furnish to the issuer and the trustee a statement setting
forth the aggregate amount remitted or to be remitted by the servicer to the
trustee for deposit on that remittance date pursuant to the indenture. In
addition, under the servicing agreement the servicer is required to give
written notice to the issuer, the trustee and each rating agency, promptly
after having obtained knowledge thereof, but in no event later than five
business days thereafter, of any event which, with the giving of notice or the
passage of time or both, would become a servicer default under the servicing
agreement. For so long as any transition bonds are listed on the Luxembourg
Stock Exchange and the rules of that exchange so require, notice that this
notice is available with the listing agent in Luxembourg also will be published
in a daily newspaper in Luxembourg, which is expected to be the Luxemburger
Wort.
JCP&L WILL PROVIDE COMPLIANCE REPORTS AND CERTIFICATES CONCERNING THE SERVICING
AGREEMENT
An independent certified public accounting firm will furnish to the
issuer, the trustee and the rating agencies, on or before June 1 of each year,
a statement as to compliance by the servicer during the preceding calendar
year, or the relevant portion thereof, with procedures relating to the
servicing of bondable transition property. This report, which is referred to as
the "annual accountant's report", will state that the firm has performed the
procedures in connection with the servicer's compliance with the servicing
obligations of the servicing agreement, identifying the results of these
procedures and including any exceptions noted. The accounting firm providing
the report will be independent of the servicer within the meaning of the Code
of Professional Ethics of the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants. The servicing agreement will also provide for delivery to the
issuer and the trustee, on or before June 1 of each year, a certificate signed
by an officer of the servicer. This certificate will state that the servicer
has fulfilled its obligations under the servicing agreement for the preceding
calendar year, or the relevant portion thereof, or, if there has been a default
in the fulfillment of any relevant obligation, describing each default.
MATTERS REGARDING JCP&L AS SERVICER
Pursuant to the servicing agreement and the BPU financing order, JCP&L may
assign any or all of its obligations under the servicing agreement to any
successor upon the satisfaction of certain conditions specified in the
servicing agreement. Under the servicing agreement, any person that succeeds to
the major part of the electric distribution business of the servicer and that
assumes the obligations of the servicer will be the successor of the servicer
under the servicing agreement. The servicing agreement further requires that,
among other things:
1. immediately after giving effect to the transaction referred to in this
paragraph, no representation or warranty made by the servicer in the servicing
agreement will have been breached and no servicer default, and no event that,
after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become a servicer default, will
have occurred and be continuing;
2. officers' certificates and opinions of counsel with respect to the
transaction referred to in this paragraph will have been delivered to the
issuer, the trustee and the rating agencies; and
3. prior written notice will have been received by the rating agencies,
and the then current ratings on any of the transition bonds will not be
withdrawn or downgraded.
Subject to the foregoing provisions, JCP&L may not resign from the
obligations and duties imposed on it as servicer. However, JCP&L may resign as
servicer upon a determination, communicated to the issuer, the trustee and each
rating agency and evidenced by an opinion of counsel, to the effect that the
performance of JCP&L's duties under the servicing agreement is no longer
permissible under applicable law. This resignation will not become effective
until a successor servicer has assumed the duties of JCP&L under the servicing
agreement.
Until the transition bonds have been paid in full and all related
obligations have been satisfied, JCP&L is obligated by the Competition Act to
provide electricity through its transmission and distribution
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system to its customers and will have the right, which will be assigned to the
issuer pursuant to the sale agreement, to charge, collect and receive the
transition bond charge from its customers. However, under the Competition Act,
if JCP&L defaults in respect of charging, collecting and receiving revenues
derived from the transition bond charge, the trustee or the issuer may apply to
the BPU or any court of competent jurisdiction for an order designating a
trustee or other entity to act in place of JCP&L for imposing, metering,
charging, collecting and receiving of the transition bond charge for the
account of the issuer and the trustee. Under the Competition Act, the BPU or
the court is required to issue the order. The BPU may, at its discretion,
establish criteria for the selection of any entity that may become a successor
servicer upon default or other adverse material change in the financial
condition of JCP&L.
EVENTS CONSTITUTING A DEFAULT BY JCP&L IN ITS ROLE AS SERVICER
Servicer defaults will include, among other things:
1. any failure by the servicer to remit to the trustee, on behalf of the
issuer, any required remittance that continues unremedied for a period of five
business days after the date it is required to be paid;
2. any failure by the servicer to perform in any material respect any
other covenant or agreement in the servicing agreement or any other basic
document to which it is a party, which failure materially and adversely affects
the bondable transition property or the rights of the transition bondholders
and which continues unremedied for 60 days after notice of this failure has
been given to the servicer by the issuer, the trustee or the holders of not
less than 25% of the total outstanding principal balance of the transition
bonds of all series and classes, acting together as a single class, or after
discovery of this failure by an officer of the servicer, as the case may be;
3. any representation or warranty made by the servicer in the servicing
agreement proves to have been incorrect when made, which has a material adverse
effect on any of the transition bondholders or the issuer and which continues
unremedied for 60 days after notice of this failure has been given to the
servicer by the issuer, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% of the
total outstanding principal balance of the transition bonds of all series and
classes, acting together as a single class, or after discovery of this failure
by an officer of the servicer, as the case may be; or
4. an event of bankruptcy, insolvency, appointment of a receiver,
marshaling of assets and liabilities, or similar proceedings with respect to
the servicer or the failure by the servicer to pay its debts as they come due,
as specified in the servicing agreement.
The trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority
of the total outstanding principal balance of the transition bonds of all
series and classes, voting together as a single class, may waive any default by
the servicer, except a default in making any required remittances to the
trustee of transition bond charge collections.
THE TRUSTEE'S RIGHTS IF JCP&L DEFAULTS AS SERVICER
As long as a servicer default remains unremedied, the trustee, with the
consent of the holders of a majority of the principal balance of the
outstanding transition bonds of all series and classes, voting together as a
single class, may terminate all the rights and obligations of the servicer
under the servicing agreement. However, the servicer's indemnification
obligation and obligation to continue performing its functions as servicer
until a successor servicer is appointed will not be terminated. Under the
servicing agreement, the trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less
than a majority of the principal balance of the outstanding transition bonds of
all series and classes, voting together as a single class, may appoint a
successor servicer. The trustee may make arrangements for compensation to be
paid to any successor servicer. Only a successor servicer that is an electric
public utility may bring an action against a customer for nonpayment of the
transition bond charge, or terminate service for failure to pay the transition
bond charge.
Upon a servicer default based upon the commencement of a case by or
against the servicer under the federal bankruptcy law or similar laws, the
trustee and the issuer may be prevented from effecting a transfer of servicing.
Upon a servicer default because of a failure to make required remittances, the
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issuer or the trustee will have the right to apply to the BPU for an order of
sequestration and payment of revenues arising from the bondable transition
property. However, federal bankruptcy law may prevent the trustee and issuer
from applying to the BPU for such an order and/or the BPU from issuing or
enforcing this order. See "RISK FACTORS--THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH POTENTIAL
BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS " in this prospectus.
THE OBLIGATIONS OF A SERVICER THAT SUCCEEDS JCP&L
If a third party succeeds to the role of the servicer, the predecessor
servicer is obligated, on an ongoing basis, to cooperate with the successor
servicer and provide whatever information is, and take whatever actions are,
reasonably necessary to assist the successor servicer in performing its
obligations under the servicing agreement. This includes the transfer to the
successor servicer of all related documentation and cash. A successor servicer
may not resign unless it is prohibited from serving by law.
THE INDENTURE
The following summary describes the material terms and provisions of the
indenture pursuant to which transition bonds will be issued. The form of the
indenture, including the form of the supplemental indenture, has been filed as
an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
THE SECURITY FOR THE TRANSITION BONDS
To secure the payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest
on, and any other amounts owing in respect of, the transition bonds pursuant to
the indenture, the issuer will grant to the trustee for the benefit of the
transition bondholders a security interest in all of the issuer's right, title
and interest in, to and under the following collateral:
1. all bondable transition property sold by JCP&L to the issuer pursuant
to the sale agreement and all proceeds thereof;
2. the sale agreement;
3. all bills of sale delivered by JCP&L pursuant to the sale agreement;
4. the servicing agreement;
5. the administration agreement;
6. any interest rate swap agreement;
7. the collection account, each subaccount thereof and all amounts on
deposit therein from time to time;
8. any other property of whatever kind owned from time to time by the
issuer, other than:
(a) cash released to any swap counterparty from any class subaccount in
accordance with the indenture and the related supplemental indenture;
(b) cash or other property released to the issuer from the capital
subaccount in accordance with the indenture; and
(c) proceeds from the sale of the transition bonds used to pay: (i) the
costs of issuance of the transition bonds, and any upfront transaction costs
and capital reduction costs as permitted under, and defined in, the BPU
financing order; and (ii) the purchase price of the bondable transition
property paid pursuant to the sale agreement;
9. all present and future claims, demands, causes and choses in action in
respect of any or all of the foregoing; and
10. all payments on or under and all proceeds of every kind and nature
whatsoever in respect of any or all of the foregoing.
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TRANSITION BONDS MAY BE ISSUED IN VARIOUS SERIES OR CLASSES
Transition bonds may be issued under the indenture from time to time in
series, to finance the purchase by the issuer of bondable transition property.
Any series of transition bonds may include one or more classes, which differ,
among other things, as to interest rate and amortization of principal. The
terms of all transition bonds of the same series will be identical, unless a
series includes more than one class, in which case the terms of all transition
bonds of the same class will be identical. The particular terms of the
transition bonds of any series and class will be set forth in the related
supplemental indenture. The terms of any series and any classes thereof will
not be subject to prior review by, or consent of, the transition bondholders of
any previously issued series. See "RISK FACTORS--OTHER RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH AN
INVESTMENT IN THE TRANSITION BONDS--THE ISSUER MAY ISSUE ADDITIONAL SERIES OF
TRANSITION BONDS THAT WILL SHARE AVAILABLE CREDIT ENHANCEMENT AND WHOSE HOLDERS
MAY HAVE INTERESTS THAT CONFLICT WITH YOURS," "THE TRANSITION BONDS," "JCP&L'S
RESTRUCTURING" and "THE BPU FINANCING ORDER AND THE TRANSITION BOND CHARGE" in
this prospectus.
The principal source of repayment for all series of transition bonds will
be the transition bond charges collected by the servicer. Upon the issuance of
additional series of transition bonds, the transition bond charge will increase
by an amount designed to accommodate the payment requirements of the additional
series. The issuance will not be permitted if it would result in the
downgrading or withdrawal of any then current rating by a rating agency on any
outstanding transition bonds.
Under the indenture, the trustee will authenticate and deliver a new
series of transition bonds only upon receipt by the trustee of, among other
things, a certificate of the issuer that no default under the indenture has
occurred and is continuing, an opinion of counsel to the issuer to the effect
that the requirements under the indenture for the issuance, authentication and
delivery of a new series of transition bonds have been satisfied and evidence
from each rating agency that the issuance of any additional series of
transition bonds will not result in the downgrading or withdrawal of any then
current rating by such rating agency on any outstanding transition bonds.
Certificate or Opinion of Independent Certified Public Accountants
Required for Each Series. In addition, in connection with the issuance of each
new series, the trustee must receive a certificate or opinion of an independent
certified public accounting firm of recognized national reputation. This
certificate or opinion will be based on the assumptions used in calculating the
initial transition bond charge with respect to the transferred bondable
transition property or, if applicable, the most recent revised transition bond
charge with respect to the transferred bondable transition property. The
certificate or opinion will state to the effect that, after giving effect to
the issuance of the new series and the application of the proceeds therefrom,
and taking into account any amounts on deposit in the reserve subaccount, the
transition bond charge will be sufficient:
o to pay all costs, fees, indemnity payments and other operating expenses
owed by the issuer;
o to pay interest on each series of transition bonds when due;
o to pay principal of each series of transition bonds in accordance with
the expected amortization schedule for each series;
o to fund the overcollateralization subaccount to the aggregate required
overcollateralization level; and
o to pay amounts due by the issuer under any interest rate swap agreement;
as of each payment date.
Refunding Issuance. If the issuance is a refunding issuance, the amount of
money necessary to pay premiums, if any, and the outstanding principal amount
of and interest on the transition bonds being refunded will be deposited into a
separate account with the trustee.
THE COLLECTION ACCOUNT FOR THE TRANSITION BONDS
Under the indenture, the trustee will establish the collection account,
with the trustee or at another eligible institution as described below. Funds
received from transition bond charge collections, any
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indemnity amount, as described below, and any amounts paid by any swap
counterparty under any interest rate swap agreement will be deposited into the
collection account. The collection account will be divided into the following
subaccounts, which need not be separate bank accounts:
o the general subaccount;
o the overcollateralization subaccount for each series;
o one or more series or class subaccounts;
o the capital subaccount for each series;
o if required by the indenture, one or more defeasance subaccounts; and
o the reserve subaccount.
All amounts in the collection account not allocated to any other
subaccount will be allocated to the general subaccount. Unless the context
indicates otherwise, references to the collection account include all of the
subaccounts contained therein. All money deposited from time to time in the
collection account, all deposits therein pursuant to the indenture, and all
investments made in eligible investments will be held by the trustee in the
collection account as part of the collateral.
For so long as any of the transition bonds are listed on the Luxembourg
Stock Exchange, and to the extent the rules of that exchange so require, the
issuer will have a listing agent, a paying agent and a transfer agent in
Luxembourg.
The following institutions are eligible institutions for the establishment
of the collection account:
(1) the corporate trust department of the trustee, so long as any of its
securities are rated investment grade by the rating agencies; or
(2) a depositary institution organized under the laws of the United States
of America or any state (or any domestic branch of a foreign bank), which:
(a) has either:
(i) with respect to any investment having a maturity of greater
than one month, a long-term unsecured debt rating of 'AAA' by
S&P and Fitch and 'Aaa' by Moody's; or
(ii) with respect to any investment having a maturity of one month
or less, a certificate of deposit rating of 'A-1+' by S&P and
'P-1' by Moody's, or any other long-term, short-term or
certificate of deposit rating acceptable to the rating
agencies; and
(b) whose deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation.
Appropriate Investments for Funds in the Collection Account. All funds in
the collection account shall be invested in only any of the following eligible
investments:
(1) direct obligations of, and obligations fully and unconditionally
guaranteed as to the timely payment by, the United States of America;
(2) demand deposits, time deposits, certificates of deposit of depository
institutions or trust companies specified in the indenture;
(3) commercial paper having, at the time of investment, a rating in the
highest rating category from each rating agency;
(4) demand deposits, time deposits and certificates of deposit which are
fully insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation;
(5) money market funds which have the highest rating from each rating
agency, including funds for which the trustee or any of its affiliates
is investment manager or advisor;
(6) bankers' acceptances issued by any depository institution or trust
company as specified in the indenture;
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(7) repurchase obligations with respect to any security that is a direct
obligation of, or fully guaranteed by, the United States of America or
agencies or instrumentalities thereof, entered into with depository
institutions or trust companies, in each case as specified in the
indenture;
(8) repurchase obligations with respect to any security or whole loan
with the entities specified in the indenture; or
(9) any other investment permitted by each rating agency.
All eligible investments may not:
o be sold, liquidated or otherwise disposed of at a loss, prior to the
maturity thereof; or
o mature later than the day the eligible investment must be held in the
collection account in order for the trustee to make scheduled payments
or deposits into subaccounts as required under the indenture, if the
eligible investment is held by an affiliate of the trustee, or, if the
eligible investment is not held by an affiliate of the trustee, the
business day before that day.
In the case of a defeasance, the issuer will deposit cash or U.S.
government obligations in the defeasance subaccount. "U.S. Government
Obligations" are direct obligations, or certificates representing an ownership
interest in those obligations, of the United States of America, including any
agency or instrumentality thereof, for the payment of which the full faith and
credit of the United States of America is pledged and which are not callable at
the issuer's option. No money held in the collection account may be invested,
and no investment held in the collection account may be sold, unless the
security interest in the collection account will continue to be perfected in
the investment or the proceeds of the sale.
Remittances to the Collection Account. On each remittance date, as
described under "THE SERVICING AGREEMENT--JCP&L'S SERVICING PROCEDURES" in this
prospectus, the servicer will remit to the trustee for deposit in the
collection account (1) the estimated transition bond charge collections based
on the servicer's estimated system-wide write-off percentage and the average
number of days outstanding of bills and (2) any indemnity amounts to the
trustee under the indenture. An "indemnity amount" is any amount paid by JCP&L
to the trustee, for the trustee itself or on behalf of the transition
bondholders, in respect of indemnification obligations pursuant to the
indenture, the sale agreement or the servicing agreement. See "THE SALE
AGREEMENT" and "THE SERVICING AGREEMENT" in this prospectus.
Collection Account. Transition bond charges, any indemnity amounts, any
amounts paid by any swap counterparty and any other proceeds of the indenture's
collateral will be deposited in the collection account. On the business day
preceding each payment date, the trustee will allocate amounts in the
collection account as described under "--HOW FUNDS IN THE COLLECTION ACCOUNT
WILL BE ALLOCATED" below.
General Subaccount. Transition bond charge collections and any indemnity
amounts remitted to the collection account will be deposited into the general
subaccount. On each payment date, the trustee will allocate amounts in the
collection account to the general subaccount described under "--HOW FUNDS IN
THE COLLECTION ACCOUNT WILL BE ALLOCATED" below.
Series Subaccount. Upon the issuance of each series of transition bonds, a
series subaccount will be established for that series. On each payment date (or
before each payment date to the extent provided in any prospectus supplement),
the trustee will allocate funds, to the extent available following payment of
the expenses of the trustee, the issuer's independent managers and the servicer
and certain other fees and expenses, from amounts on deposit in the general
subaccount to each series subaccount in an amount sufficient to pay:
(1) current and past due interest payable on each class of that series on
that payment date, including interest on past due interest and, to the
extent provided in any prospectus supplement, any amount required to
be allocated to a class subaccount with respect to any floating rate
class;
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(2) the principal of each class of that series payable as a result of an
acceleration following the occurrence of an event of default, the
principal of each class of that series if that payment date is the
legal final maturity date of that series, and the principal of each
class of that series if that payment date is a redemption date for
that series; and
(3) principal scheduled to be paid on each class of that series on that
payment date according to the expected amortization schedule,
excluding amounts provided for in item (2) above.
Except as specified in any prospectus supplement with respect to any
deposits to any class subaccount, on each payment date, allocations will be
made to each series subaccount and the trustee will withdraw funds from the
series subaccount to make payments on the related series of transition bonds.
See "--HOW FUNDS IN THE COLLECTION ACCOUNT WILL BE ALLOCATED" below.
Class Subaccount. If specified in the related prospectus supplement, upon
the issuance of a specified class of floating rate transition bonds, a class
subaccount will be established with respect to that class. On or before each
payment date, a fixed amount specified in the related prospectus supplement
will be allocated to that class subaccount from the related series subaccount
and payments to and from any swap counterparty pursuant to the related interest
rate swap agreement will be made from or allocated to, as applicable, that
class subaccount as described in the related prospectus supplement. On or
before each payment date, amounts on deposit in the class subaccount will be
applied to make payments with respect to the related class, as specified in the
related prospectus supplement.
Capital Subaccount. Upon the issuance of each series of transition bonds,
JCP&L will make a capital contribution to the issuer from JCP&L's general funds
in an amount equal to the required capitalization amount. The issuer will
transfer this amount to the trustee for deposit into the capital subaccount for
such series, which will be invested in eligible investments. The trustee will
draw on amounts in the capital subaccount for such series to the extent that,
after allocating funds to such series as described in "--HOW FUNDS IN THE
COLLECTION ACCOUNT WILL BE ALLOCATED" below, amounts on deposit in the general
subaccount, the series subaccount for such series, the reserve subaccount and
the overcollateralization subaccount for such series are insufficient to make
scheduled principal and interest distributions and payments of fees and
expenses specified in items (1) through (7) of that section. Upon the
retirement of any series of outstanding transition bonds, the amounts on
deposit in the capital subaccount for such series in excess of the sum of the
aggregate required capitalization amount for all remaining series will be
released to the issuer, free of the lien of the indenture. The issuer is not
contractually obligated to pay over to JCP&L any amounts released to the issuer
from the capital subaccount upon retirement of any series of transition bonds.
Overcollateralization Subaccount. Amounts in the collection account to the
extent available as described in "--HOW FUNDS IN THE COLLECTION ACCOUNT WILL BE
ALLOCATED" below will be allocated to the overcollateralization subaccount for
any series on each payment date. Each prospectus supplement and any related
supplemental indenture will specify the required overcollateralization level
for that series on each payment date. The overcollateralization level for any
series will be funded over the life of the transition bonds of that series and
in the aggregate will equal the amount stated in the related prospectus
supplement for that series, which is referred to as the "required
overcollateralization level" for that series.
Amounts in the overcollateralization subaccount for each series will be
invested in eligible investments. On each payment date, the trustee will draw
on the overcollateralization subaccount for any series to the extent that,
after allocating funds to such series as described in "--HOW FUNDS IN THE
COLLECTION ACCOUNT WILL BE ALLOCATED" below, amounts on deposit in the general
subaccount, the series subaccount for such series, and the reserve subaccount
are insufficient to make scheduled principal and interest distributions and
payment of fees and expenses specified in items (1) through (7) of that
section. Upon retirement of any series of outstanding transition bonds, the
amounts on deposit in the overcollateralization subaccount for such series in
excess of the sum of the aggregate required overcollateralization levels for
all remaining series will be released to the issuer, free of the lien of the
indenture. The issuer is not contractually obligated to pay over to JCP&L any
amounts released to the issuer from the overcollateralization subaccount upon
retirement of any series of transition bonds.
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Reserve Subaccount. Amounts in the collection account available on any
payment date that are not necessary to pay the amounts specified in items (1)
through (11) in "--HOW FUNDS IN THE COLLECTION ACCOUNT WILL BE ALLOCATED" below
will be allocated to the reserve subaccount. Amounts in the reserve subaccount
will be invested in eligible investments. On each payment date, the trustee
will draw on the reserve subaccount, if any, to the extent that, after
allocating funds as described in "--HOW FUNDS IN THE COLLECTION ACCOUNT WILL BE
ALLOCATED" below, amounts on deposit in the general subaccount and the series
subaccounts are insufficient to make scheduled principal and interest
distributions and payments of fees and expenses specified in items (1) through
(7), (9) and (10) of that section.
Defeasance Subaccount. In the event funds are remitted to the trustee in
connection with the exercise of the legal defeasance option or the covenant
defeasance option, the issuer will establish a defeasance subaccount for each
series. If this occurs, funds set aside for future payment of the transition
bonds will be deposited into the applicable defeasance subaccount. All amounts
in a defeasance subaccount will be applied by the trustee to the payment to the
holders of the affected transition bonds. These amounts will include all sums
due for principal, premium, if any, and interest. These amounts will be applied
in accordance with the provisions of the transition bonds and the indenture.
See "--THE ISSUER'S LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE OPTIONS" below.
HOW FUNDS IN THE COLLECTION ACCOUNT WILL BE ALLOCATED
Amounts remitted from the servicer to the trustee in respect of transition
bond charge collections, any indemnity amounts or proceeds from the indenture's
collateral received by the trustee and amounts paid by any swap counterparty in
accordance with any interest rate swap agreement, and all investment earnings
on the subaccounts in the collection account other than the capital subaccount,
will be deposited into the general subaccount of the collection account. On
each payment date, the trustee will pay or allocate all amounts in the general
subaccount in the following priority, or on any other date specified in any
prospectus supplement with respect to any class subaccount:
(1) payment of all amounts owed to the trustee and all amounts owed to
the independent managers of the issuer so long as the payment of any
indemnity amounts owed to the trustee will not cause an event of
default under the indenture;
(2) payment of the servicing fees and all unpaid servicing fees from prior
periods, if these fees have not been withheld by the servicer from
transition bond charge collections for that purpose;
(3) payment of the administration fee to GPU Service, Inc. or its
successor pursuant to the administration agreement between the issuer
and the administrator in an amount not to exceed the administrator's
actual costs;
(4) so long as no event of default has occurred and is continuing or would
be caused by this payment, the payment of operating expenses of the
issuer, excluding items (1), (2) and (3) above (up to an annual
aggregate of $250,000 for all series);
(5) payment of interest as follows:
o first, payment of unpaid interest on any series from prior periods,
including payment of any amount payable to any swap counterparty on
any interest rate swap agreement, including interest on past due
interest; and
o then, payment of the current interest then due on each series,
including payment of any amount payable to the swap counterparty on
any interest rate swap agreement;
(6) payment of an amount equal to:
o principal of any series or class payable if such payment date is on
or after the legal final maturity date of that series or class;
plus
o principal of any series or class called for redemption; plus
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o principal of each class of each series payable as a result of an
acceleration triggered by an event of default;
(7) payment of an amount equal to the principal then scheduled to be paid
on each class of each series of transition bonds on such payment date
according to the expected amortization schedule, other than principal
paid under item (6) above;
(8) payment of any remaining unpaid operating expenses and indemnity
amounts then owed;
(9) allocation to each series capital subaccount of any amount necessary
to replenish that subaccount, pro rata, up to the required
capitalization amount for each series, based on the outstanding
principal balance of each series;
(10) allocation of any amount necessary to cause the amount in each series
overcollateralization subaccount to equal the required
overcollateralization level for the related series as of that payment
date, based on the outstanding principal balance of each series;
(11) payment of any termination or breakage amounts payable under any
interest rate swap agreement relating to any floating rate transition
bonds;
(12) so long as no event of default under the indenture has occurred and
is continuing, release to the issuer of an amount equal to investment
earnings since the preceding payment date (or, in the case of the
first payment date, since the issuance date) on amounts in each series
capital subaccount; and
(13) allocation of the remainder, if any, to the reserve subaccount.
Following repayment of all outstanding series of transition bonds, the
balance, if any, remaining in the general subaccount will be released to the
issuer, free of the lien of the indenture.
Amounts credited to any class subaccount will be paid from that subaccount
as specified in the related prospectus supplement. Overdue and unpaid amounts
due to a swap counterparty will be paid from that class subaccount on the same
priority as any overdue and unpaid interest due to the holders of the related
class of floating rate transition bonds.
If on any payment date funds in the general subaccount are insufficient to
make the allocations contemplated by items (1) through (7), (9) and (10) above
for any series, the trustee will draw from amounts on deposit in the following
subaccounts in the following order up to the amount of the shortfall for such
series, to make these payments and allocations:
o from the reserve subaccount pro rata among series based on the total
amounts payable with respect to each series, for allocations described in
items (1) through (7), (9) and (10);
o from the overcollateralization subaccount for such series, for
allocations described in items (1) through (7); and
o from the capital subaccount for such series, for allocations described
in items (1) through (7).
For the purpose of allocations among series prior to an acceleration, pro
rata has the following meaning, unless otherwise provided in the applicable
prospectus supplement. With respect to a payment of interest, pro rata means
the proportion that the aggregate amount of interest payable to each series,
including, for any floating rate class, the gross fixed amount for that class,
bears to the aggregate amount of interest payable to all series, in each case,
on that payment date. With respect to a payment of principal, pro rata means
the proportion that the aggregate outstanding principal amount scheduled to be
paid on that payment date for that series bears to the aggregate outstanding
principal amount scheduled to be paid on that payment date for all series.
For the purpose of allocations among classes within a series prior to an
acceleration, pro rata has the following meaning, unless otherwise provided in
the related prospectus supplement. With respect to a payment of interest, pro
rata means the proportion that the aggregate amount of interest payable to each
class, including, for any floating rate class, the gross fixed amount for that
class, bears to the
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aggregate amount of interest payable to all classes within that series, in each
case, on that payment date. With respect to a payment of principal, pro rata
means the proportion that the aggregate outstanding principal amount of that
class scheduled to be paid on that payment date bears to the aggregate
outstanding principal amount of all classes of that series scheduled to be paid
on that payment date.
Upon an acceleration of the maturity of the transition bonds, the
aggregate amount of principal of and interest accrued on each transition bond
will be payable without priority of interest over principal or principal over
interest and without regard to series or class, in the proportion that the
aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on that transition bond
bears to the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on all
transition bonds.
If the maturity of the transition bonds is accelerated and the collateral
held under the indenture is liquidated in accordance with the indenture and if
any interest rate swap agreement so requires, the proceeds of such liquidation
allocated to the related class of floating rate transition bonds will be
deposited in the related class subaccount and allocated between and paid to the
holders of the related floating rate class of transition bonds, on the one
hand, and the related swap counterparty, on the other hand, pro rata based on
the aggregate amount of principal and interest due and payable on that class of
floating rate transition bonds and the aggregate amount payable to the related
swap counterparty in accordance with such interest rate swap agreement.
REPORTS TO TRANSITION BONDHOLDERS
With respect to each series and class of transition bonds, on or prior to
each payment date, the trustee will deliver a statement prepared by the trustee
to each transition bondholder of that series and class. This statement will
include, to the extent applicable, the following information, as well as any
other information so specified in the related supplemental indenture, as to the
transition bonds of that series and class with respect to that payment date or
the period since the previous payment date:
o the amount to be paid to transition bondholders of that series and class
in respect of principal;
o the amount to be paid to transition bondholders of that series and class
in respect of interest;
o the projected transition bond principal balance and the transition bond
principal balance, in each case for that series and class as of that
payment date;
o with respect to that series, the amount on deposit in the
overcollateralization subaccount and the required overcollateralization
level as of that payment date;
o with respect to that series, the amount on deposit in the related series
capital subaccount as of that payment date;
o the amount, if any, on deposit in the reserve subaccount as of that
payment date;
o the amount to be paid to any swap counterparty;
o the amounts to be paid to the trustee since the preceding payment date;
o the amounts to be paid to the servicer since the preceding payment date;
and
o any other transfers and payments made pursuant to the indenture.
If any of the transition bonds are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange
and the rules of that exchange so require, notice that such report is available
with the listing agent in Luxembourg will be given to holders of such
transition bonds by publication in a daily newspaper in Luxembourg, which is
expected to be the Luxemburger Wort.
THE ISSUER AND THE TRUSTEE MAY MODIFY THE INDENTURE; THE ISSUER MUST ENFORCE
THE SALE AGREEMENT, THE SERVICING AGREEMENT AND ANY INTEREST RATE SWAP
AGREEMENT
Modifications That Do Not Require Consent of Transition
Bondholders. Without the consent of any of the holders of the outstanding
transition bonds or any swap counterparty but with prior notice to the rating
agencies, the issuer and the trustee may execute a supplemental indenture for
any of the following purposes:
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o to correct or amplify the description of the collateral, or better to
confirm to the trustee the collateral, or to subject to the lien of the
indenture additional property;
o to evidence the succession, in compliance with the indenture, of another
person to the issuer, and the assumption by the successor of the
covenants of the issuer in the indenture and in the transition bonds;
o to add to the covenants of the issuer, for the benefit of the holders of
the transition bonds, or to surrender any right or power conferred upon
the issuer in the indenture;
o to transfer, assign or pledge any property to or with the trustee;
o to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any inconsistent
provision of the indenture or any supplemental indenture or to make any
other provisions with respect to matters arising under the indenture or
in any supplemental indenture; but:
o this action shall not, as evidenced by an opinion of counsel,
adversely affect in any material respect the interests of any
transition bondholder or any swap counterparty; and
o the then current ratings on any outstanding transition bonds shall
not be withdrawn or downgraded;
o to provide for a successor trustee and to facilitate the administration
of the trusts under the indenture by more than one trustee, pursuant to
the indenture;
o to modify the indenture to effect the qualification of the indenture
under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended ("Trust Indenture Act")
or any similar federal statute hereafter enacted and to add to the
indenture any other provisions as may be expressly required by the Trust
Indenture Act;
o to set forth the terms of any series of the transition bonds that has
not theretofore been authorized by a supplemental indenture, provided
that the then current ratings on any outstanding transition bonds have
not been, and will not be as a result of such additional series,
withdrawn or downgraded;
o to provide for any interest rate swap transactions with respect to any
floating rate series or class of transition bonds or any series or class
with specified credit enhancement; but such action shall not (a) as
evidenced by an opinion of counsel, adversely affect in any material
respect the interests of any transition bondholder or other swap
counterparty, and (b) cause the then current ratings on any outstanding
transition bonds to be withdrawn or downgraded; or
o to authorize the appointment of any listing agent, transfer agent or
paying agent or additional registrar for any class of transition bonds
required or advisable in connection with the listing of any class of
transition bonds on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange or any other stock
exchange, and otherwise to amend the indenture to incorporate any changes
requested or required by any governmental authority, stock exchange
authority, listing agent, transfer agent or paying agent or additional
registrar for any class of transition bonds in connection with that
listing.
Modifications That Require the Approval of the Transition Bondholders. The
issuer and the trustee also may, with prior notice to the rating agencies and
with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority of the total
outstanding principal balance of the transition bonds of all series or classes
to be affected thereby, voting together as a single class, execute a
supplemental indenture to add any provisions to, or change in any manner or
eliminate any of the provisions of, the indenture or modify in any manner the
rights of the transition bondholders under the indenture. However, such a
supplemental indenture may not, without the consent of the holder of each
outstanding transition bond of each series or class affected thereby and each
swap counterparty, if any, affected thereby:
o change the date of payment of any scheduled payment of principal of or
premium, if any, or interest on any transition bond, or reduce the
principal balance thereof, the interest rate specified thereon or the
redemption price or the premium, if any, with respect thereto, change the
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provisions of any interest rate swap agreement relating to the amount,
calculation or timing of payments, change the provisions of the indenture
and the applicable supplemental indenture relating to the application of
collections on, or the proceeds of the sale of, the collateral to payment
of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the transition bonds,
or change the currency in which any transition bond or any interest
thereon is payable;
o impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of the provisions
of the indenture regarding certain payments;
o reduce the percentage of the total principal balance of the outstanding
transition bonds, or of a series or class thereof, the consent of the
holders of which is required for any supplemental indenture or any waiver
of compliance with the provisions of the indenture or of defaults and
their consequences;
o reduce the percentage of the total principal balance of the outstanding
transition bonds required to direct the trustee to direct the issuer to
liquidate or preserve the collateral;
o modify the section of the indenture relating to the required consent of
transition bondholders with respect to supplemental indentures, except to
increase any percentage specified therein or to provide that those
provisions of the indenture specified in the indenture or the basic
documents cannot be modified or waived without the consent of each holder
of an outstanding transition bond affected thereby;
o reduce the percentage of the total principal balance of the outstanding
transition bonds, or of a series or class thereof, the consent of the
holders of which is required for any amendments to the sale agreement,
the administration agreement, the servicing agreement or any interest
rate swap agreement entered into in connection with any series or class
of transition bonds;
o modify the indenture to affect the amount of any payment of interest,
principal or premium, if any, payable on any transition bond on any
payment date, modify the method of calculating interest on any floating
rate transition bond, or change the redemption dates, expected
amortization schedules or series legal final maturity dates or class
legal final maturity dates of any transition bonds;
o with respect to any series, decrease the required capitalization amount,
the overcollateralization amount or the required overcollateralization
level with respect to any payment date;
o modify the indenture regarding the voting of transition bonds held by
the issuer, JCP&L, an affiliate of either of them or any obligor on the
transition bonds;
o decrease the percentage of the total principal balance of the outstanding
transition bonds required to amend the sections of the indenture which
specify the applicable percentage of the total outstanding principal
balance of the transition bonds necessary to amend the indenture or any
other basic document; or
o permit the creation of any lien ranking prior to or on a parity with the
lien of the indenture with respect to any of the collateral for the
transition bonds or, except as otherwise contemplated in the indenture,
terminate the lien of the indenture on any property or deprive the holder
of any transition bond of the security provided by the lien of the
indenture.
Promptly following the execution of any supplemental indenture requiring the
consent of any transition bondholders, the trustee will furnish written notice
of the substance of such amendment to each transition bondholder. For so long
as any of the transition bonds are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and
the rules of that exchange so require, information regarding this notice will
be published in a daily newspaper in Luxembourg, which is expected to be the
Luxemburger Wort.
Enforcement of the Sale Agreement, Servicing Agreement and Any Interest
Rate Swap Agreement. The indenture will provide that the issuer will take all
lawful actions to enforce the issuer's rights under the sale agreement, the
servicing agreement and any interest rate swap agreement. The indenture will
also provide that the issuer will take all lawful actions to compel or secure
the performance and
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observance by JCP&L, the servicer and any swap counterparty of each of their
respective obligations to the issuer under the sale agreement, the servicing
agreement and any interest rate swap agreement. So long as no event of default
occurs and is continuing, except as otherwise directed by the trustee under the
circumstances described in the indenture or any supplemental indenture, as
described in any prospectus supplement, the issuer may exercise any and all
rights, remedies, powers and privileges lawfully available to the issuer under
or in connection with the sale agreement, the servicing agreement and any
interest rate swap agreement. However, if the issuer or the servicer proposes
to materially amend, modify, waive, supplement, terminate or surrender, or
agree to any material amendment, modification, supplement, termination, waiver
or surrender of, the process for adjusting the transition bond charge, the
issuer must notify the trustee and the trustee must notify transition
bondholders of this proposal. In addition, the trustee will consent to this
proposal only with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority of
the total principal balance of the outstanding transition bonds of all series
or classes materially and adversely affected thereby, voting together as a
single class, and only if consent to this proposal will not result in a
reduction or withdrawal of the then current rating of any outstanding
transition bonds.
If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee may, and at
the direction of (1) the holders of not less than a majority of the total
principal balance of the outstanding transition bonds of all series, voting
together as a single class, with respect to the sale agreement and the
servicing agreement, and (2) the holders of that percentage of the total
principal balance of the outstanding transition bonds of the related class
specified in the related prospectus supplement, or voting together in a single
class, with respect to any interest rate swap agreement, shall, exercise all
rights, remedies, powers, privileges and claims of the issuer against JCP&L,
the servicer or any swap counterparty under or in connection with the sale
agreement, the servicing agreement and any interest rate swap agreement, and
any right of the issuer to take this action shall be suspended. In the event of
a foreclosure, there is likely to be a limited market, if any, for the bondable
transition property and, therefore, foreclosure may not be a realistic or
practical remedy.
Modifications to the Sale Agreement, the Servicing Agreement and any
Interest Rate Swap Agreement. With the consent of the trustee, the sale
agreement and the servicing agreement may be amended at any time and from time
to time, without the consent of the transition bondholders or the counterparty
to any interest rate swap agreement. However, such an amendment may not
adversely affect the interest of any transition bondholder or the counterparty
to any interest rate swap agreement in any material respect without the consent
of the holders of not less than a majority of the total principal balance of
the outstanding transition bonds of all series or classes materially and
adversely affected thereby and each counterparty to an interest rate swap
agreement materially and adversely affected thereby.
Also, an interest rate swap agreement may be amended with the consent of
the trustee and the related swap counterparty, so long as the amendment will
not result in a reduction or withdrawal of the then current rating of any
outstanding transition bond and the amendment is in accordance with the related
supplemental indenture as described in the related prospectus supplement.
However, this amendment may not adversely affect in any material respect the
interest of any other transition bondholder or counterparty to any swap
transaction without the consent of the holders of 662/3% of the total
outstanding principal balance of the transition bonds of each series or class
and each counterparty to any swap transaction materially and adversely affected
thereby.
Notification of the Rating Agencies, the Trustee and the Transition
Bondholders of any Modification. If the issuer, JCP&L, the servicer or any swap
counterparty:
o proposes to amend, modify, waive, supplement, terminate or surrender, or
agree to any other amendment, modification, waiver, supplement,
termination or surrender of, the terms of the sale agreement, the
servicing agreement or any interest rate swap agreement; or
o waives timely performance or observance by JCP&L, the servicer or any
swap counterparty under the sale agreement, the servicing agreement or
any interest rate swap agreement, respectively;
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in each case in a way that would materially and adversely affect the interests
of transition bondholders or the counterparty to any interest rate swap
agreement, the issuer must first notify the rating agencies of the proposed
amendment. The issuer must thereafter notify the trustee and the trustee must
notify the transition bondholders and any swap counterparty of the proposed
amendment. With respect to any proposed action related to the sale agreement or
the servicing agreement, the trustee will consent to the proposed action only
with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority of the total
principal balance of the outstanding transition bonds of all series or classes
materially and adversely affected thereby and each swap counterparty materially
and adversely affected thereby, and only if such action will not result in a
reduction or withdrawal of the then current rating of any outstanding
transition bonds. With respect to any proposed action related to any interest
rate swap agreement, the trustee will consent to this proposed action only with
the consent of the holders of 66 2/3% of the total outstanding principal balance
of the transition bonds of the related series or class and each swap
counterparty materially and adversely affected thereby and only if such action
will not result in a reduction or withdrawal of the then current rating of any
outstanding transition bonds. For so long as any of the transition bonds are
listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and the rules of that exchange so
require, notice of this proposed action will be published in a daily newspaper
in Luxembourg, which is expected to be the Luxemburger Wort, promptly following
its effectiveness.
WHAT CONSTITUTES AN EVENT OF DEFAULT ON THE TRANSITION BONDS
An "event of default" is defined in the indenture as:
o a default for five business days in the payment of any interest on any
transition bond when due;
o a default in the payment of the unpaid principal of any transition bond
of any series on the legal final maturity date for that series or, if
applicable, any class on the legal final maturity date for that class;
o a default in the payment of the redemption price for any transition bond
on the redemption date therefor;
o a default in the observance or performance of any covenant or agreement
of the issuer made in the indenture (other than those specifically dealt
with in the first three items above) or any material representation or
warranty of the issuer made in the indenture or in any certificate or
other writing delivered in connection with the indenture proving to have
been incorrect in any material respect as of the time when made, and the
continuation of that default for a period of 30 days after the earlier of
the date (a) notice is given to the issuer by the trustee; (b) notice is
given to the issuer and the trustee by the holders of not less than 25%
of the total principal balance of the outstanding transition bonds of any
series or class, specifying such default or incorrect representation or
warranty; or (c) the issuer has knowledge of the default;
o specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or liquidation
of the issuer; and
o violation by the State of New Jersey (or any of its agencies) of its
pledge and agreement with respect to the Competition Act and the
transition bonds.
If an event of default occurs and is continuing, other than a default
involving the State of New Jersey's pledge and agreement as discussed above,
the trustee or holders of not less than a majority of the total principal
balance of the outstanding transition bonds of all series, voting together as a
single class, may declare all series of the transition bonds to be immediately
due and payable. This declaration of acceleration may, under the circumstances
specified in the indenture, be rescinded by the holders of not less than a
majority of the total principal balance of the outstanding transition bonds of
all series, voting together as a single class.
Remedies Available to the Trustee Following an Event of Default. In
addition to acceleration of the transition bonds, the trustee may exercise one
or more of the following remedies upon an event of default:
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o the trustee may institute proceedings in its own name and as trustee of
an express trust for the collection of all amounts then payable on the
transition bonds or under the indenture with respect to the transition
bonds, whether by declaration or otherwise, enforce any judgment
obtained, and collect from the issuer and any other obligor upon the
transition bonds moneys adjudged due;
o the trustee may institute proceedings from time to time for the complete
or partial foreclosure of the indenture with respect to the collateral;
o the trustee may exercise any remedies of a secured party under the New
Jersey Uniform Commercial Code, the Delaware Uniform Commercial Code or
the Competition Act or any other applicable law and take any other
appropriate action to protect and enforce the rights and remedies of the
trustee and the holders of the transition bonds;
o the trustee may sell the collateral or any portion thereof or rights or
interest therein, at one or more public or private sales called and
conducted in any manner permitted by law;
o the trustee may exercise all rights, remedies, powers, privileges and
claims of the issuer against JCP&L, GPU Service, Inc., the servicer or
any swap counterparty under or in connection with the sale agreement, the
administration agreement, the servicing agreement or any interest rate
swap agreement; and
o the trustee may institute or participate in proceedings reasonably
necessary to compel performance of or to enforce the pledge and agreement
of the State of New Jersey under the Competition Act and collect any
monetary damages incurred by the holders of the transition bonds or the
trustee.
The final remedy described above may only be exercised, and is the only
remedy that the trustee may exercise, upon an event of default caused solely by
a violation by the State of New Jersey of its pledge and agreement with respect
to the Competition Act and the transition bonds.
When the Trustee Can Sell the Collateral. If the transition bonds of all
series have been declared to be due and payable following an event of default,
the trustee may, in its discretion, either:
o sell the collateral; or
o elect to have the issuer maintain possession of the collateral and
continue to apply distributions on the collateral as if there had been no
declaration of acceleration.
The trustee is prohibited from selling or liquidating the collateral
following an event of default other than a default in the payment of any
principal on the legal final maturity date of any class or series, a default
for five business days or more in the payment of any interest on any transition
bond or a default in the payment of the redemption price for any transition
bond on the redemption date therefor unless:
o the holders of 100% of the total principal balance of the outstanding
transition bonds of all series consent to this sale or liquidation; or
o the proceeds of this sale or liquidation are sufficient to pay in full
the principal of and premium, if any, and accrued interest on all
outstanding transition bonds; or
o the trustee determines that funds provided by the sale or liquidation of
collateral would not be sufficient on an ongoing basis to make all
payments on the transition bonds of all series as these payments would
have become due if the transition bonds had not been declared due and
payable, and the trustee obtains the consent of the holders of not less
than 66 2/3% of the total principal balance of the outstanding transition
bonds of all series.
Right of Transition Bondholders to Direct Proceedings. Subject to the
provisions for indemnification and the limitations contained in the indenture,
and except as may be described in any prospectus supplement regarding any
floating rate class of transition bonds, the holders of not less than a
majority of the total principal balance of the outstanding transition bonds of
all series, voting together as a single class, will have the right to direct
the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy
available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the
trustee; provided that, among other things:
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o this direction shall not conflict with any rule of law or with the
indenture;
o subject to the provisions specified in the indenture, any direction to
the trustee to sell or liquidate the collateral shall be by the holders
of not less than 100% of the total principal balance of the outstanding
transition bonds of all series; and
o the trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the trustee that
is not inconsistent with this direction.
If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee will be under
no obligation to take any action at the direction of any of the transition
bondholders if it reasonably believes it will not be adequately indemnified
against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in
complying with the bondholder direction. The trustee does not need to take any
action pursuant to the direction of the transition bondholders if it determines
that this action might materially and adversely affect the rights of any
transition bondholder not consenting to this action.
Waiver of Default. Except as may be described in any prospectus supplement
regarding any floating rate class of transition bonds, the holders of not less
than a majority of the total principal balance of the outstanding transition
bonds of all series, voting together as a single class, may, in those cases
specified in the indenture, waive any default with respect thereto. However,
these holders may not waive a default in the payment of principal of or
premium, if any, or interest on any of the transition bonds or a default in
respect of a covenant or provision of the indenture that cannot be modified
without the waiver or consent of the holders of all of the outstanding
transition bonds of all affected series and classes.
No transition bondholder will have the right to institute any proceeding,
judicial or otherwise, to avail itself of any remedies provided in the
Competition Act or to avail itself of the right to foreclose on the bondable
transition property or otherwise enforce the lien on the bondable transition
property, with respect to the indenture, unless:
o the holder previously has given to the trustee written notice of a
continuing event of default;
o the holders of not less than 25% of the total principal balance of the
outstanding transition bonds of all series have made written request of
the trustee to institute the proceeding in its own name as trustee under
the indenture;
o the holder or holders have offered the trustee security or indemnity
reasonably satisfactory to the trustee against the costs, expenses and
liabilities to be incurred in complying with the request;
o the trustee for 60 days after its receipt of the notice, request and
offer of indemnity has failed to institute the proceeding; and
o no direction inconsistent with this written request has been given to
the trustee during the 60-day period referred to above by the holders of
not less than a majority of the total principal balance of the
outstanding transition bonds of all series.
However, each holder of transition bonds also has the unconditional right
to institute suit for the enforcement of payment of interest and principal due
on such holder's transition bonds.
COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER
The issuer will keep in effect its existence as a limited liability
company under Delaware law, provided that the issuer may consolidate with or
merge into another entity or sell, in one or a series of related transactions,
substantially all of its assets to another entity or dissolve if:
o the entity formed by or surviving the consolidation or merger or to whom
substantially all of the issuer's assets are sold is organized and
existing under the laws of the United States or any state thereof and
expressly assumes by a supplemental indenture the due and punctual
payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on all
transition bonds and the performance of the issuer's obligations under
the indenture and any supplemental indenture;
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o the entity expressly assumes all obligations and succeeds to all rights
of the issuer under the sale agreement, the servicing agreement, the
administration agreement and any interest rate swap agreement pursuant to
an assignment and assumption agreement executed and delivered to the
trustee;
o no default or event of default under the indenture has occurred and is
continuing immediately after giving effect to the consolidation, merger
or sale;
o there has not been a reduction or withdrawal in connection with the
consolidation, merger or sale of the then current rating of any
outstanding class or series of transition bonds;
o the issuer has received an opinion of counsel to the effect that this
consolidation, merger or sale will have no material adverse tax
consequence to the issuer or any transition bondholder, the
consolidation, merger or sale complies with the indenture and all
conditions precedent in the indenture relating to the consolidation,
merger or sale and the consolidation, merger or sale will result in the
trustee maintaining a continuing valid first priority perfected security
interest in the collateral;
o none of the bondable transition property, the BPU financing order or
JCP&L's, the servicer's or the issuer's rights under the Competition Act
or the BPU financing order are impaired thereby; and
o any action that is necessary to maintain the lien created by the
indenture has been taken.
Additional Covenants of the Issuer. The issuer will take any action
necessary or advisable to, among other things, maintain and preserve the lien
and security interest, and priority thereof, of the indenture. The issuer will
not permit the validity of the indenture to be impaired, the lien to be
amended, subordinated, terminated or discharged, or any person to be released
from any covenants or obligations, except as expressly permitted by the
indenture. The issuer will also not permit any lien, charge, claim, security
interest, mortgage or other encumbrance, other than the lien created by the
indenture, to be created on or extend to or otherwise arise upon or burden the
collateral or any part thereof or any interest therein or the proceeds thereof.
Finally, the issuer will not permit the lien of the indenture not to constitute
a continuing valid first priority security interest in the collateral.
The issuer may not, among other things:
o except as expressly permitted by the indenture, the sale agreement, the
servicing agreement, the interest rate swap agreement or any other basic
document, sell, transfer, exchange or otherwise dispose of any of the
collateral unless directed to do so by the trustee in accordance with the
indenture; or
o claim any credit on, or make any deduction from the principal or
premium, if any, or interest payable in respect of, the transition bonds,
other than amounts properly withheld under the Internal Revenue Code or
pursuant to any interest rate swap agreement, or assert any claim against
any present or former transition bondholder because of the payment of
taxes levied or assessed upon the issuer or any part of the collateral.
The issuer may not engage in any business other than purchasing and owning
bondable transition property, issuing transition bonds from time to time,
pledging its interest in the collateral to the trustee to secure the transition
bonds, entering into the basic documents and all other agreements relating to
the transition bonds and performing its obligations under these agreements, and
performing activities that are necessary, suitable or convenient to accomplish
the foregoing.
The Issuer May Not Engage in Any Other Financial Transactions. The issuer
may not issue, incur, assume or guarantee any indebtedness except for the
transition bonds and as contemplated by the basic documents and the
underwriting agreement and any obligations under any credit enhancement or
interest rate swap agreement for any series of transition bonds. Also, the
issuer may not guarantee or otherwise become contingently liable in connection
with the obligations, stocks or dividends of, or own, purchase, repurchase or
acquire, or agree contingently to acquire any stock, obligations, assets or
79
securities of, or any other interest in, or make any capital contribution to,
any other entity, other than the eligible investments. The issuer may not make
any loan or advance or credit to any entity. The issuer will not make any
expenditure for capital assets or lease any capital asset other than bondable
transition property purchased from JCP&L pursuant to, and in accordance with,
the sale agreement. The issuer may not make any payments, distributions or
dividends to any member of the issuer in respect of its membership interest in
the issuer, other than any amount released to the issuer by the trustee in
accordance with the indenture or otherwise not subject to the lien of the
indenture and except as otherwise provided in the indenture.
The Issuer Must File an Annual Compliance Statement. The issuer will file
annually with the trustee a written statement as to the fulfillment of its
obligations under the indenture. In addition, the issuer will furnish to the
trustee an opinion of counsel concerning filings made by the issuer on an
annual basis and before the effectiveness of any amendment, if any, to the sale
agreement or the servicing agreement.
The servicer will deliver to the trustee, annually, the report of the
independent certified public accounting firm, as well as compliance
certificates and monthly reports regarding distributions and other statements,
required by the servicing agreement. See "THE SERVICING AGREEMENT" in this
prospectus.
Access to the List of Holders of the Transition Bonds. Any three or more
transition bondholders may, by written request to the trustee, obtain access to
the list of all transition bondholders maintained by the trustee for the
purpose of communicating with other transition bondholders with respect to
their rights under the indenture or the transition bonds. The trustee may elect
not to afford a requesting transition bondholder access to the list of
transition bondholders if the trustee agrees to mail the desired communication
or proxy, on behalf and at the expense of the requesting transition bondholder,
to all transition bondholders.
THE TRUSTEE MUST PROVIDE A REPORT TO ALL TRANSITION BONDHOLDERS
If required by the Trust Indenture Act, the trustee will be required to
mail each year to all transition bondholders a report stating, among other
items:
o the trustee's eligibility and qualification to continue as the trustee
under the indenture;
o any amounts advanced by it under the indenture;
o the amount, interest rate and maturity date of specific indebtedness
owing by the issuer to the trustee in the trustee's individual capacity;
o the property and funds physically held by the trustee;
o any additional issue of a series of transition bonds not previously
reported; and
o any action taken by it that materially affects the transition bonds of
any series and that has not been previously reported.
For so long as any of the transition bonds are listed on the Luxembourg
Stock Exchange and the rules of that exchange so require, the trustee will
publish or will cause to be published following the preparation of this annual
report in a daily newspaper in Luxembourg, expected to be the Luxemburger Wort,
a notice to the effect that the information set forth in the preceding
paragraph will be available for review at the main office of the listing agent
in Luxembourg.
WHAT WILL TRIGGER SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF THE INDENTURE
The indenture will be discharged with respect to the transition bonds of
any series upon the delivery to the trustee of funds sufficient for the payment
in full of all amounts owed under the transition bonds of that series. In
addition, the issuer must deliver to the trustee the officer's certificate and
opinion of counsel specified in the indenture. The deposited funds will be
segregated and held apart solely for paying the transition bonds of that
series, and the transition bonds of that series will not be entitled to any
amounts on deposit in the collection account other than amounts on deposit in
the defeasance subaccount for the transition bonds of that series.
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THE ISSUER'S LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE OPTIONS
The issuer may, at any time, by defeasing the transition bonds, terminate:
o all of its obligations under the indenture with respect to the
transition bonds of any series; or
o its obligations to comply with certain of the covenants in the
indenture, including all of the covenants described under "--COVENANTS OF
THE ISSUER" above.
The legal defeasance option is the right of the issuer to terminate at any
time its obligations under the indenture with respect to the transition bonds
of any series. The covenant defeasance option is the right of the issuer at any
time to terminate its obligations to comply with the covenants in the
indenture. The issuer may exercise the legal defeasance option with respect to
any series of transition bonds notwithstanding its prior exercise of the
covenant defeasance option with respect to that series. If the issuer exercises
the legal defeasance option with respect to any series, that series will be
entitled to payment only from the funds or other obligations set aside under
the indenture for payment thereof on the expected final payment date or
redemption date therefor as described below. That series will not be subject to
payment through redemption or acceleration prior to the expected final payment
date or redemption date, as applicable. If the issuer exercises the covenant
defeasance option with respect to any series, the final payment of the
transition bonds of that series may not be accelerated because of an event of
default relating to a default in the observance or performance of any covenant
or agreement of the issuer made in the indenture.
The issuer may exercise the legal defeasance option or the covenant
defeasance option with respect to any series of transition bonds only if:
(1) the issuer irrevocably deposits or causes to be deposited in trust
with the trustee cash or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment
of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on that series to
the expected final payment date or redemption date therefor, as
applicable, such deposit to be made in the defeasance subaccount for
that series;
(2) the issuer delivers to the trustee a certificate from an independent
certified public accounting firm of recognized national reputation
expressing its opinion that the payments of principal of and interest
on the U.S. Government Obligations when due and without reinvestment
plus any cash deposited in the defeasance subaccount without
investment will provide cash at times and in sufficient amounts to pay
in respect of the transition bonds of that series:
(a) principal in accordance with the expected amortization schedule
therefor, and/or if that series is to be redeemed, the redemption
price on the redemption date therefor; and
(b) interest when due;
(3) in the case of the legal defeasance option, 95 days pass after the
deposit is made and during the 95-day period no default by the issuer
relating to events of bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or
liquidation of the issuer occurs and is continuing at the end of the
period;
(4) no default by the issuer has occurred and is continuing on the day of
this deposit and after giving effect thereto;
(5) in the case of the legal defeasance option, the issuer delivers to
the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that:
(a) the issuer has received from, or there has been published by, the
Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or
(b) since the date of execution of the indenture, there has been a
change in the applicable federal income tax law,
in either case confirming that the holders of the transition bonds of
that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income
tax purposes as a result of the exercise of the legal defeasance option
and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the
same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the
legal defeasance had not occurred;
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(6) in the case of the covenant defeasance option, the issuer delivers to
the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of
the transition bonds of that series will not recognize income, gain or
loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the exercise of
the covenant defeasance option and will be subject to federal income
tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as
would have been the case if the covenant defeasance had not occurred;
and
(7) the issuer delivers to the trustee a certificate of an authorized
officer of the issuer and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all
conditions precedent to the satisfaction and discharge of the
transition bonds of that series have been complied with as required by
the indenture.
There will be no other conditions to the exercise by the issuer of its
legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option.
THE TRUSTEE
The Bank of New York will be the initial trustee under the indenture. The
trustee may resign at any time upon 30 days prior written notice to the issuer.
The holders of a majority of the total principal balance of the outstanding
transition bonds of all series, voting together as a single class, may remove
the trustee by so notifying the trustee and may appoint a successor trustee.
The issuer will remove the trustee if the trustee ceases to be eligible to
continue in this capacity under the indenture, the trustee becomes insolvent, a
receiver or other public officer takes charge of the trustee or its property or
the trustee becomes incapable of acting. If the trustee resigns or is removed
or a vacancy exists in the office of trustee for any reason, the issuer will be
obligated promptly to appoint a successor trustee eligible under the indenture.
No resignation or removal of the trustee will become effective until acceptance
of the appointment by a successor trustee.
The trustee must at all times satisfy the requirements of the Trust
Indenture Act and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as specified in the
indenture. The trustee must also have a combined capital and surplus of at
least $50 million and a long term debt rating of at least `BBB'-- by S&P and
Fitch and at least `Baa3' by Moody's. If the trustee consolidates with, merges
or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust
business or assets to, another entity, the resulting, surviving or transferee
entity will without any further action be the successor trustee.
GOVERNING LAW
The Indenture will be governed by the laws of the State of New Jersey.
HOW A BANKRUPTCY OF JCP&L OR THE SERVICER
MAY AFFECT YOUR INVESTMENT
Sale or Financing. JCP&L will represent and warrant in the sale agreement
that the sale and absolute transfer of the bondable transition property in
accordance with the sale agreement constitutes a valid sale and absolute
transfer by JCP&L to the issuer of the bondable transition property. JCP&L will
also represent and warrant in the sale agreement, and it is a condition of
closing for the sale and absolute transfer of bondable transition property,
that the appropriate actions will be taken under the Competition Act and the
New Jersey and Delaware Uniform Commercial Codes, including the filing of a
financing statement, to perfect this sale and absolute transfer. The
Competition Act provides that a transfer of bondable transition property by an
electric public utility to an assignee which the parties have in the governing
documentation expressly stated to be a sale or other absolute transfer, in a
transaction approved in a financing order, shall be treated as an absolute
transfer of all the transferor's right, title and interest, as in a sale or
other absolute transfer, and not as a pledge or other financing, of the
relevant bondable transition property. The Competition Act also provides that
the characterization of a transfer as a sale or other absolute transfer shall
not be affected or impaired in any manner by treatment of the transfer as a
financing for federal, state or local tax purposes or financial accounting
purposes. JCP&L and the issuer will treat the transaction as a sale under
applicable law, although for financial accounting and federal and state tax
purposes the transaction will be treated as a financing and not a sale. See
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"THE COMPETITION ACT--JCP&L AND OTHER UTILITIES MAY SECURITIZE STRANDED COSTS"
in this prospectus. In the event of a bankruptcy of JCP&L, a party in interest
in the bankruptcy might take the position that the sale and absolute transfer
of the bondable transition property to the issuer was a financing transaction
and not a "sale or other absolute transfer." The party in interest might argue
that the treatment of the transaction for financial accounting and tax purposes
as a financing and not a sale lends weight to the position that the transaction
should be treated as a financing and not a sale. However, as noted above, the
Competition Act specifically provides for the treatment of the transaction as a
sale as a matter of state law and that this treatment is not affected by
treatment of the transfer as a financing for federal, state or local tax
purposes or financial accounting purposes. In a recent bankruptcy court case
involving LTV Steel Company, the debtor obtained an interim emergency motion to
use collections from accounts and inventory that it had sold on the grounds
that the sales were in fact disguised financings. The circumstances under which
the LTV Steel Company ruling would be followed by other courts are not certain.
If a court were to adopt reasoning similar to that of the court in the LTV
Steel case or were otherwise to characterize the transaction as a financing,
the issuer would be treated as a secured creditor of JCP&L in the bankruptcy
proceedings. Although, as noted below, the issuer would in that case have a
security interest in the bondable transition property, it would not likely be
entitled to access to the transition bond charge collections during the
bankruptcy. As a result, repayment on the transition bonds could be
significantly delayed and a plan of reorganization in the bankruptcy might
permanently modify the amount and timing of payments to the issuer of
transition bond charge collections and therefore the amount and timing of funds
available to the issuer to pay transition bondholders. Even if a court did not
ultimately characterize the transaction as a financing transaction, the mere
commencement of a bankruptcy by JCP&L and the attendant possible uncertainty
surrounding the treatment of the transaction could result in delays in payments
on the transition bonds.
In order to mitigate the impact of the possible recharacterization of a
sale of bondable transition property as a financing transaction, financing
statements will be filed with the Delaware Secretary of State and the New
Jersey Secretary of State in accordance with the Delaware Uniform Commercial
Code and the New Jersey Uniform Commercial Code, respectively, and the
Competition Act so that if the transfer is thereafter held to constitute a
financing transaction and not a sale or other absolute transfer, the financing
statement will constitute a filing with respect to a security interest. The
sale agreement provides that in the event that the sale and absolute transfer
of the bondable transition property is determined by a court not to be a sale
and absolute transfer as contemplated by the Competition Act, then the sale and
absolute transfer shall be treated as a pledge of the bondable transition
property and JCP&L shall be deemed to have granted a security interest to the
issuer in the bondable transition property, and to have incurred an obligation
secured by this security interest in an amount equal to the purchase price for
the bondable transition property. The sale agreement requires that financing
statements with respect to the bondable transition property under the New
Jersey Uniform Commercial Code be filed in the appropriate offices in New
Jersey. As a result of these filings, in the event of the bankruptcy of JCP&L,
the issuer would be a secured creditor of the bankrupt entity and entitled to
recover against the security, which is the collateral (except as described in
"--Status of Bondable Transition Property as Current Property" below). None of
this, however, mitigates the risk of payment delays and other adverse effects
caused by a bankruptcy of JCP&L. Further, if, for any reason, a financing
statement is not filed in accordance with the New Jersey Uniform Commercial
Code and the Competition Act or the issuer fails to otherwise perfect its
interest in the bondable transition property, and the transfer is thereafter
deemed not to constitute a sale or other absolute transfer, the issuer would be
an unsecured creditor of the bankrupt entity. In that event, the issuer's sole
source of payment for the transition bonds would be whatever it recovered on
its unsecured claim in the JCP&L bankruptcy case, which could differ materially
from the amount and timing of transition bond charge collections that were
intended to fund payments on the transition bonds.
Consolidation of the Issuer and JCP&L in Bankruptcy. If JCP&L were to
become a debtor in a bankruptcy case, a party in interest in the bankruptcy may
attempt to substantively consolidate the assets and liabilities of the issuer
and JCP&L. JCP&L and the issuer have taken steps to attempt to minimize this
risk (as discussed in "JCP&L TRANSITION FUNDING LLC, THE ISSUER" in this
prospectus). However, no assurance can be given that if JCP&L or an affiliate
of JCP&L other than the
83
issuer were to become a debtor in a bankruptcy case, a court would not order
that the assets and liabilities of the issuer be consolidated with those of the
bankrupt entity. If the assets and liabilities were ordered consolidated, the
claims of the transition bondholders against the issuer would be treated as
secured claims against the consolidated entities and would share in the
bankrupt estate with claims of other creditors of the consolidated entities.
Payment of those claims would be subject to substantial delay and to adjustment
in timing and amount under a plan of reorganization in the bankruptcy case.
Claims in Bankruptcy; Challenge to Indemnity Claims. If JCP&L were to
become a debtor in a bankruptcy case, claims including indemnity claims, by the
issuer against the bankrupt entity under the sale agreement and the other basic
documents, would be unsecured claims and would be subject to being discharged
in the bankruptcy case. In addition, a party in interest in the bankruptcy may
request that the bankruptcy court estimate any contingent claims of the issuer
against the bankrupt entity. That party may then take the position that these
claims should be estimated at zero or at a low amount because the contingency
giving rise to these claims is unlikely to occur. If JCP&L were to become a
debtor in a bankruptcy case and the indemnity provisions of the sale agreement
were triggered, a party in interest in the bankruptcy might challenge the
enforceability of the indemnity provisions. If a court were to hold that the
indemnity provisions were unenforceable, the issuer would be left with a claim
for actual damages against the bankrupt entity based on breach of contract
principles. The actual amount of these damages would be subject to estimation
and/or calculation by the court.
No assurances can be given as to the result of any of the above-described
actions or claims. Furthermore, no assurance can be given as to what percentage
of their claims, if any, unsecured creditors would receive in any bankruptcy
proceeding involving JCP&L.
Status of Bondable Transition Property as Current Property. JCP&L has
represented in the sale agreement, and the Competition Act provides, that the
bondable transition property constitutes a vested, presently existing property
right upon transfer to an assignee for consideration and that it thereafter
exists continuously for all purposes. Nevertheless, no assurance can be given
that, in the event of a bankruptcy of JCP&L or an affiliate of JCP&L other than
the issuer, a party in interest in the bankruptcy proceeding would not attempt
to take the position that the bondable transition property comes into existence
only as customers use electricity. Bondable transition property is the right to
charge, collect and receive the transition bond charge (and not simply the
right to receive revenues arising from the collection of the transition bond
charge). Therefore, JCP&L and the issuer believe that the bondable transition
property will constitute a presently existing right at the time the transition
bonds are issued. Nonetheless, if a court were to adopt the position that the
property comes into existence only as customers use electricity, no assurance
can be given that a security interest in favor of the transition bondholders
would attach to transition bond charge collections in respect of electricity
consumed after the commencement of the bankruptcy case. If it were determined
that the bondable transition property had not been sold to the issuer, and the
security interest in favor of the transition bondholders did not attach to
transition bond charge collections in respect of electricity consumed after the
commencement of the bankruptcy case, then the issuer would be an unsecured
creditor of the bankrupt entity. If so, there would be delays or reductions in
payments on the transition bonds. Whether or not a court determined that the
bondable transition property had been sold to the issuer, no assurances can be
given that a court would not rule that any transition bond charge relating to
electricity consumed after the commencement of the bankruptcy cannot be
transferred to the issuer or the trustee.
In addition, in the event of a bankruptcy of JCP&L, a party in interest in
the bankruptcy could assert that the issuer should pay a portion of JCP&L's
costs associated with the generation, transmission or distribution of the
electricity, consumption of which gave rise to the transition bond charge
collections used to make payments on the transition bonds.
Regardless of whether JCP&L is the debtor in a bankruptcy case, if a court
were to accept the argument that the bondable transition property comes into
existence only as customers use electricity, a tax or government lien or other
nonconsensual lien on property of the bankrupt entity arising before the
bondable transition property came into existence could have priority over the
issuer's interest in the bondable transition property. Adjustments to the
transition bond charge may be available to mitigate this exposure, although
there may be delays in implementing these adjustments.
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Enforcement of Rights by Trustee. Upon an event of default under the
indenture, the Competition Act permits the trustee to enforce the security
interest in the bondable transition property in accordance with the terms of
the indenture. In this capacity, the trustee is permitted to request the BPU to
order the sequestration and payment to transition bondholders of all revenues
arising with respect to the bondable transition property. The Competition Act
provides that this order will remain in full force and effect notwithstanding
bankruptcy, reorganization or other insolvency proceedings with respect to
JCP&L or its assignee. There can be no assurance, however, that the trustee
would be permitted to seek such an order or that the BPU would issue this order
after a bankruptcy of JCP&L in light of the automatic stay provisions of
Section 362 of the United States Bankruptcy Code or, alternatively, that a
bankruptcy court would lift the automatic stay to permit this action by the
BPU. In that event, the trustee may under the indenture seek an order from the
bankruptcy court lifting the automatic stay with respect to this action by the
BPU, and an order requiring an accounting and segregation of the revenues
arising from the bondable transition property. There can be no assurance that a
court would grant either order.
Bankruptcy of Servicer. The servicer is entitled to commingle transition
bond charge collections with its own funds until each remittance date. The
Competition Act provides that the relative priority of a lien created under the
Competition Act is not defeated or adversely affected by the commingling of
transition bond charge collections arising with respect to the bondable
transition property with funds of JCP&L. However, in the event of a bankruptcy
of the servicer, a party in interest in the bankruptcy might assert, and a
court might rule, that transition bond charge collections commingled by the
servicer with its own funds and held by the servicer as of the date of
bankruptcy were property of the servicer as of that date and are therefore
property of the servicer's bankruptcy estate, rather than property of the
issuer. If the court so rules, then the court would likely rule that the
trustee has only a general unsecured claim against the servicer for the amount
of commingled transition bond charge collections held as of that date and could
not recover the commingled transition bond charge collections held as of the
date of bankruptcy.
However the court rules on the ownership of the commingled transition bond
charge collections, the automatic stay arising upon the bankruptcy of the
servicer could delay the trustee from receiving the commingled transition bond
charge collections held by the servicer as of the date of the bankruptcy until
the court grants relief from the stay. A court ruling on any request for relief
from the stay could be delayed pending the court's resolution of whether the
commingled transition bond charge collections are property of the issuer or of
the servicer, including resolution of any tracing of proceeds issues.
The servicing agreement provides that the trustee, as assignee of the
issuer, together with the other persons specified therein, may vote to appoint
a successor servicer that satisfies any conditions imposed by any rating
agency. The servicing agreement also provides that the trustee, together with
the other persons specified therein, may petition the BPU or a court of
competent jurisdiction to appoint a successor servicer that meets these
conditions. However, the automatic stay might delay a successor servicer's
replacement of the servicer. Even if a successor servicer may be appointed and
may replace the servicer, a successor servicer may be difficult to obtain and
may not be capable of performing all of the duties that JCP&L as servicer was
capable of performing.
85
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS FOR THE
TRANSITION BONDHOLDERS
GENERAL
The following is a summary of material U.S. federal income tax
consequences relevant to the purchase, ownership and disposition of the
transition bonds and applicable to initial purchasers of transition bonds who
acquire and hold the transition bonds as capital assets within the meaning of
section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Code"). It is
intended as a summary of only certain of the more generally applicable U.S.
federal income tax consequences relating to the purchase, ownership and
disposition of the transition bonds. It does not address tax consequences to
holders who may be subject to special tax treatment, including, but not limited
to, dealers in securities, financial institutions, tax-exempt entities,
insurance companies, holders who hold the transition bonds as part of a
"hedging", "integrated", or "constructive sale" transaction or as a straddle,
or holders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. It does not
purport to furnish information in the level of detail or with the attention to
an investor's specific tax circumstances that would be provided by an
investor's tax adviser. This summary also does not address the consequences to
holders of the transition bonds under state, local or foreign tax laws.
However, certain State of New Jersey tax aspects relating to the transition
bonds are discussed below, in the section captioned "MATERIAL STATE OF NEW
JERSEY TAX MATTERS FOR THE TRANSITION BONDHOLDERS". This summary is based upon
current provisions of the Code, Treasury Regulations issued thereunder, current
administrative rulings, judicial decisions and other applicable authorities in
effect as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to change. Legislative,
judicial or administrative changes may occur, perhaps with retroactive effect,
which could affect the accuracy of the statements and conclusions set forth
herein as well as the tax consequences to holders of the transition bonds.
ALL PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISERS REGARDING
THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND
DISPOSITION OF TRANSITION BONDS IN LIGHT OF THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES, AS
WELL AS THE EFFECT OF ANY FOREIGN, STATE, LOCAL OR OTHER LAWS.
JCP&L has received a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (referred to
as the "IRS") to the effect that the transition bonds will be treated as
obligations of JCP&L for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Based in part on
that ruling and on representations made by JCP&L and its affiliates that no
election will be made to the contrary, and that JCP&L at all relevant times
will be the sole member of the issuer, Carter Ledyard & Milburn, special U.S.
federal income tax counsel to JCP&L and the issuer, referred to as "special
U.S. federal income tax counsel", will render its opinion that the issuer will
not be subject to U.S. federal income tax as an entity separate from JCP&L, and
that the transition bonds will be treated as debt obligations of JCP&L for U.S.
federal income tax purposes.
The following summary of material U.S. federal income tax consequences
relevant to the purchase, ownership and disposition of the transition bonds is
based on the advice of special U.S. federal income tax counsel, and assumes
that, in conformity with the opinion referred to above, the transition bonds
will constitute debt obligations of JCP&L for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
For purposes of the discussion below, a U.S. Holder means a beneficial
owner of a transition bond that is a U.S. Person, and a Non-U.S. Holder means a
beneficial owner of a transition bond that is not a U.S. Person.
For these purposes, a U.S. Person means:
(1) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States for
U.S. federal income tax purposes;
(2) a corporation, partnership or other entity (treated as a corporation
or a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or
organized in or under the laws of the United States, or any state or
the District of Columbia (other than a partnership that is not treated
as a U.S. Person under any applicable Treasury Regulations);
86
(3) an estate the net income of which is subject to U.S. federal income
taxation regardless of its source; or
(4) a trust, if (i) a court within the United States is able to exercise
primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or
more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial
decisions of such trust or (ii) the trust was in existence on or
before August 20, 1996, was treated as a U.S. Person under the law in
effect on such date and elected in accordance with applicable Treasury
Regulations to continue to be treated as a U.S. Person.
TAXATION OF U.S. HOLDERS
Payment of Interest. Subject to the discussion below under the caption
"Special Considerations Relating to Floating Rate Transition Bonds", stated
interest on the transition bonds will be taxable to a U.S. Holder as ordinary
interest income at the time it is paid or accrued in accordance with the
holder's method of accounting for tax purposes.
Original Issue Discount. This discussion assumes that the transition bonds
will not be considered to be issued with original issue discount (referred to
as "OID"). OID is generally defined as any excess of the stated redemption
price at maturity over the issue price which is greater than a de minimis
amount (0.25% of a bond's stated redemption price at maturity multiplied by the
bond's weighted average maturity), all within the meaning of the Code and the
Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (referred to as "OID Regulations").
If the transition bonds are issued with OID, U.S. Holders generally will be
subject to the special tax accounting rules for OID obligations provided under
the OID Regulations. U.S. Holders of transition bonds issued with OID should be
aware that they generally must include OID in income for U.S. federal income
tax purposes as it accrues economically, in advance of the receipt of cash
attributable to that income. As stated above, U.S. Holders must include all
interest payments, other than payments of OID, in gross income under their
normal method of tax accounting. If any series or class of transition bonds is
issued with OID, prospective holders will be so informed in the related
prospectus supplement.
Sale, Exchange or Redemption of Transition Bonds. Upon the sale, exchange,
redemption or other taxable disposition of transition bonds, a U.S. Holder will
recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized
(other than amounts attributable to, and taxable as, accrued stated interest)
and the U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in the transition bonds. A U.S.
Holder's adjusted tax basis in the transition bonds generally will equal the
cost thereof, reduced by any payments of principal on the transition bonds. Any
such gain or loss will be a capital gain or loss and will be a long-term
capital gain or loss if the transition bonds have been held for more than one
year. Long-term capital gains of non-corporate taxpayers are generally subject
to lower rates of U.S. federal income taxation than ordinary income. The
deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. If a U.S. Holder
sells a transition bond between interest payment dates, a portion of the amount
received will reflect interest that has accrued on the transition bond but that
has not yet been paid by the sale date. To the extent that amount has not
already been included in the U.S. Holder's income, it will be treated as
ordinary interest income and not as sale proceeds.
Special Considerations Relating to Floating Rate Transition
Bonds. Although the proper U.S. federal income tax treatment of floating rate
transition bonds is not free from doubt, JCP&L and the issuer intend to treat
any floating rate transition bonds as "variable rate debt instruments" for U.S.
federal income tax purposes. Each purchaser of floating rate transition bonds,
by virtue of their purchase of such transition bonds, will agree to treat them
as variable rate debt instruments for such purposes. Based on such treatment,
interest on floating rate transition bonds will be includable in a U.S.
Holder's income in the manner described above under the caption "Payment of
Interest ".
As described more fully in the prospectus supplement for any class of
floating rate transition bonds, the termination of the interest rate swap
agreement for those bonds under the circumstances specified in the applicable
prospectus supplement could cause those bonds to become fixed rate bonds
calling for interest payments based on the gross fixed rate for such bonds as
specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. In addition, if a
termination payment were to be made by the interest rate swap counterparty,
87
the termination payment may be credited to the subaccount established for that
class of bonds and distributed to the holders of those bonds. If such a
termination of the swap agreement were to occur, JCP&L and the issuer would
treat it as a "change in circumstances" within the meaning of applicable
Treasury Regulations, which would be treated, for purposes of computing taxable
income on that class of transition bonds, as though the class of transition
bonds had been retired and reissued. Any termination payment passed through to
the transition bondholders would reduce the adjusted issue price of the
transition bonds, which could in turn create OID with respect to the bonds
deemed to have been reissued. See the discussion above under the caption
"Original Issue Discount."
Notwithstanding the intent of JCP&L and the issuer, and the agreement of
each purchaser of floating rate transition bonds, to treat such transition
bonds as variable rate debt instruments, there can be no assurance that the IRS
will not disagree with such treatment and assert an alternative
characterization of such bonds, or that a court will not uphold such an
alternative characterization. For example, the IRS could assert that the
floating rate transition bonds are in fact investment units made up of two
components. The first component would be a fixed rate debt instrument having a
principal balance that would at all times equal the principal balance of the
floating rate transition bonds and an interest rate equal to the gross fixed
rate for such transition bonds. The second component would be an undivided
interest in the interest rate swap agreement with the swap counterparty. If
this alternative characterization of an investment in floating rate transition
bonds were to prevail, then the U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning
and disposing of a floating rate transition bond could differ materially from
those described above.
Under this alternative characterization, a holder of a floating rate
transition bond would include in income the gross fixed rate of interest on the
floating rate transition bond in accordance with the holder's regular method of
tax accounting. As the tax owner of an undivided interest in the swap agreement
related to that class of bonds, the holder would account for net income and/or
net expense with respect to the swap agreement. In the case of a floating rate
transition bond, a holder would be treated as though it had made quarterly
periodic payments based on the gross fixed rate to the swap counterparty and as
though the holder had received quarterly periodic payments based on the
floating rate paid by the swap counterparty. For any taxable year, a holder of
a floating rate transition bond would include in, or deduct from, gross income
the holder's net swap income or expense for the year, based on all periodic
payments recognized and attributable to the year.
Periodic payments made on any quarterly payment date would be allocated
ratably among the days in the quarter, and a holder of a floating rate
transition bond would include or deduct the holder's share of the net periodic
payments allocated to the year. Thus, if for a taxable year the sum of periodic
payments considered to have been made by a holder for the year were to exceed
the periodic payments considered to have been received by the holder for the
year, the holder would have net swap expense for the year.
Generally, such net swap expense would be deductible for the year as an
ordinary deduction. If, however, a holder of a floating rate transition bond
were an individual, any net swap expense for any year would be treated as a
miscellaneous itemized deduction. In computing taxable income, an individual is
allowed to deduct miscellaneous itemized deductions only to the extent the sum
of such deductions exceeds two percent of the individual's adjusted gross
income. Further, an individual is not allowed a deduction for miscellaneous
itemized deductions in computing alternative minimum taxable income. Thus, for
any period for which the gross fixed rate on the floating rate transition bonds
exceeded the floating rate payments made to the issuer by the swap counterparty
under the swap agreement, an individual would include in income interest at the
gross fixed rate payable, but could be precluded from deducting all or a part
of the net swap expense for the period due to the limitations imposed on
miscellaneous itemized deductions.
If the underlying swap agreement terminated and a payment were made by the
swap counterparty as a result of the termination, the receipt of such payment
by a holder would be treated as capital gain. Moreover, if a holder's interest
in a floating rate transition bond were to be sold, the holder would be treated
as having made or as having received a termination payment with respect to the
holder's interest
88
in the swap agreement. The holder would recognize gain or loss in the year of
termination of the holder's interest in the swap agreement, determined by
reference to the amount of the termination payment made or received and the
holder's basis, if any, in the swap agreement.
Other alternative characterizations of an investment in floating rate
bonds may be possible, such as the characterization of such bonds as contingent
payment debt instruments. Investors should consult their tax advisers
concerning the tax implications of an investment in floating rate transition
bonds.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding. In general, information
reporting will apply to payments of principal of, and interest on, and to the
proceeds from the sale of, transition bonds to U.S. Holders, other than certain
exempt recipients (such as corporations). Moreover, a "backup" withholding tax
may apply to those payments if the U.S. Holder (1) fails to provide a taxpayer
identification number (referred to as a "TIN"), (2) furnishes an incorrect TIN,
(3) is notified by the IRS that it has failed to properly report payments of
interest and dividends, or (4) under certain circumstances, fails to certify,
under penalties of perjury, that it has furnished a correct TIN and has not
been notified by the IRS that it is subject to backup withholding. If the
backup withholding tax applies, it will be imposed at a rate equal to the
fourth lowest income tax rate applicable to individuals, which under current
law is 30% for 2002 and 2003, 29% for 2004 and 2005, and 28% for 2006 and
thereafter. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules generally
will be allowed as a refund or credit against a U.S. Holder's U.S. federal
income tax liability, provided the required information is furnished to the
IRS.
TAXATION OF NON-U.S. HOLDERS
Withholding Taxation on Interest. Payments of interest income on the
transition bonds received by a Non-U.S. Holder that does not hold its
transition bonds in connection with the conduct of a trade or business in the
United States will not be subject to United States federal income or
withholding tax, provided that:
(1) such Non-U.S. Holder:
(a) does not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total
combined voting power of all classes of stock of JCP&L entitled to
vote; and
(b) is not a controlled foreign corporation that is related to JCP&L
through stock ownership; and
(2) the issuer or the paying agent:
(a) receives from such Non-U.S. Holder a withholding certificate
permitting the payment to be treated as made to a foreign
beneficial owner under Treasury Regulations issued under section
1441 of the Code;
(b) receives a withholding certificate and a withholding statement
from a person claiming to be a foreign partnership certifying that
it holds the transition bonds on behalf of beneficial owners who
are Non-U.S. Persons, and such foreign partnership has attached
thereto a copy of a withholding certificate from each such
beneficial owner permitting the payment to be treated as made to a
foreign beneficial owner in accordance with the Treasury
Regulations issued under section 1441 of the Code;
(c) receives a withholding certificate from a person representing
itself to be a withholding foreign partnership or trust and that
it is receiving the payment on behalf of its partners,
beneficiaries or owners;
(d) receives a withholding certificate and a withholding statement
from a person representing itself to be a "qualified intermediary"
certifying that it has assumed primary withholding responsibility
under the Treasury Regulations issued under section 1441 of the
Code and that it has received from each beneficial owner of the
transition bonds on behalf of whom it is acting a withholding
certificate certifying that such beneficial owner is a Non-U.S.
Person; or
89
(e) receives a statement, under penalties of perjury, from an
authorized representative of a U.S. bank, securities clearing
organization or other financial institution that holds the
transitions bonds (referred to as a "Financial Institution"),
stating that the Financial Institution has received from each
beneficial owner of the bonds for whom it is acting a withholding
certificate described in the Treasury Regulations issued under
section 1441 of the Code, or that it has received a similar
statement from another Financial Institution acting on behalf of
such foreign beneficial owner.
In general, it will not be necessary for a Non-U.S. Holder to obtain or
furnish a United States taxpayer identification number to the issuer or its
paying agent in order to claim any of the foregoing exemptions from United
States withholding tax on payments of interest.
Interest payments made to a Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to a United
States withholding tax of 30%, except where the conditions described above have
been satisfied or where an applicable tax treaty provides for the reduction or
elimination of the withholding tax. However, provided that the issuer or its
paying agent receives an appropriate certification form containing a taxpayer
identification number, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to
withholding on payments of interest and will be taxable in the same manner as a
United States corporation or resident with respect to interest income from the
transition bonds if the interest income is effectively connected with the
Non-U.S. Holder's conduct of a trade or business in the United States.
Effectively connected income received by a Non-U.S. Holder that is a
corporation may in some circumstances be subject to an additional "branch
profits tax" at a 30% rate or, if applicable, a lower rate provided by a
treaty.
Capital Gains Tax Issues. A Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject
to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on gain realized on the sale,
exchange or redemption of transition bonds, unless:
(a) the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United
States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and the gain is from
United States sources; or
(b) the gain is effectively connected with the conduct by the Non-U.S.
Holder of a trade or business in the United States and certain other
conditions are met.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding. Information reporting and
backup withholding of U.S. federal income tax at the applicable backup
withholding tax rate on payments made in respect of the transition bonds to
Non-U.S. Holders will apply to certain Non-U.S. Holders if the issuer or its
paying agent does not receive the required withholding certificate with respect
to such Non-U.S. Holder. However, compliance with the conditions described in
the second preceding subsection would establish an exemption from these
reporting and withholding requirements, provided neither the issuer nor its
paying agent has actual knowledge that the beneficial owner of the transition
bonds is a U.S. Person.
The payment of the proceeds from the sale of a transition bond through the
U.S. office of a broker will be subject to information reporting and possible
backup tax withholding. To avoid these requirements, a Non-U.S. Holder must
certify that it is not a U.S. Person under penalties of perjury or otherwise
establish an exemption in accordance with applicable Treasury Regulations. The
payment of the proceeds of the sale of a transition bond to or through the
foreign office of a broker generally will not be subject to information
reporting or backup withholding tax. However, in the case of the payment of the
proceeds from the sale of a transition bond through the foreign office of a
broker that is (i) a U.S. Person, (ii) a controlled foreign corporation, (iii)
a person that is not a U.S. Person but 50% or more of whose gross income from
all sources for a specified period is derived from activities that are
effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United
States or (iv) a foreign partnership with certain connections to the United
States, information reporting will apply to such payment unless the broker has
a withholding certificate in its files certifying that the owner of the payment
is not a U.S. Person and the broker has no actual knowledge to the contrary.
Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to
a Non-U.S. Holder would be allowed as a refund or a credit against such
Non-U.S. Holder's U.S. federal income tax, provided the required information is
furnished to the IRS.
90
MATERIAL STATE OF NEW JERSEY TAX MATTERS
FOR THE TRANSITION BONDHOLDERS
In the opinion of Thelen Reid & Priest LLP, special New Jersey tax counsel
to JCP&L and the issuer, interest from transition bonds received by a person
who is not otherwise subject to corporate or personal income tax in the State
of New Jersey will not be subject to these taxes. Neither the State of New
Jersey nor any of its political subdivisions presently impose intangible
personal property taxes and therefore New Jersey residents will not be subject
to these taxes.
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (referred to as
"ERISA") and/or section 4975 of the Code impose certain requirements on
employee benefit plans and certain other plans and arrangements, including
individual retirement accounts and annuities, Keogh plans, and certain
collective investment funds or insurance company general or separate accounts
in which such plans or arrangements are invested, that are subject to ERISA
and/or the Code (collectively, "Plans"), and on persons who are fiduciaries
with respect to the investment of assets treated as "plan assets" of a Plan.
Governmental plans and some church plans are not subject to the fiduciary
responsibility provisions of ERISA or the provisions of section 4975 of the
Code, but may be subject to substantially similar rules under state or other
federal law.
In contemplating an investment of a portion of Plan assets in transition
bonds, the Plan fiduciary responsible for making such investment should
carefully consider, taking into account the facts and circumstances of the
Plan, the "RISK FACTORS" discussed in this prospectus and whether such
investment is consistent with its fiduciary responsibilities, including, but
not limited to: (a) whether the fiduciary has the authority to make the
investment under the appropriate governing plan instrument; (b) whether the
investment constitutes a direct or indirect non-exempt prohibited transaction
with a party in interest (see "--PROHIBITED TRANSACTIONS ISSUES" below); (c)
whether the investment is made solely in the interest of participants and
beneficiaries of the Plan; (d) the Plan's funding objectives; (e) the tax
effects of the investment; and (f) whether under the general fiduciary
standards of investment prudence and diversification such investment is
appropriate for the Plan, taking into account the overall investment policy of
the Plan, the composition of the Plan's investment portfolio and the Plan's
need for sufficient liquidity to pay benefits when due in the event that there
is no ready market for transition bonds at such time.
PROHIBITED TRANSACTIONS ISSUES
ERISA and section 4975 of the Code generally prohibit certain transactions
involving the assets of a Plan and persons who have certain specified
relationships to the Plan (referred to as "parties in interest" under ERISA and
"disqualified persons" under the Code, collectively "parties in interest"),
unless a statutory or administrative exemption is applicable to the
transaction. The acquisition or holding of transition bonds by a Plan could be
a prohibited transaction if the issuer, JCP&L or any of its affiliates are
parties in interest with respect to the Plan. However, such prohibited
transaction may be treated as exempt under ERISA and the Code if transition
bonds were acquired pursuant to and in accordance with one or more "class
exemptions" issued by the Department of Labor (referred to as the "DOL").
Potentially applicable prohibited transaction class exemptions (referred to as
"PTCEs"), include the following:
1. PTCE 84-14, which exempts specific transactions effected on behalf of a
Plan by a "qualified professional asset manager";
2. PTCE 90-1, which exempts specific transactions involving insurance
company pooled separate accounts;
3. PTCE 91-38, which exempts specific transactions involving bank
collective investment funds;
4. PTCE 95-60, which exempts specific transactions involving insurance
company general accounts; and
91
5. PTCE 96-23, which exempts specific transactions effected on behalf of a
Plan by specific "in-house" asset managers.
It should be noted, however, there can be no assurance that any of these
class exemptions will be available with respect to any transaction involving
the transition bonds. In addition, even if the conditions specified in one or
more of the foregoing exemptions are met, the scope of relief provided by these
exemptions may not necessarily cover all acts that might be construed as
prohibited transactions. If the purchase of transition bonds were to be a
non-exempt prohibited transaction, the purchase might have to be rescinded and
an excise tax or other liabilities may apply.
In this regard, any potential investor that is an insurance company
investing assets of its general account should consider the United States
Supreme Court's decision in John Hancock Mut. Life Ins. Co. v. Harris Trust and
Sav. Bank, 510 U.S. 86 (1993), which holds that in certain circumstances an
insurance company's general account may be deemed to include assets of the Plan
investing in the general account, such as through the Plan's purchase of an
annuity contract. Such insurance company could, therefore, be treated as a
party in interest with respect to the Plan by virtue of this investment.
Moreover, it should be noted that the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996
added a new section 401(c) to ERISA relating to the status of the assets of
insurance company general accounts under ERISA and section 4975 of the Code.
Pursuant to section 401(c), the DOL has issued Regulation section 2550.401c-1
with respect to insurance policies issued on or before December 31, 1998 that
are supported by an insurer's general account. These regulations provide
guidance on which assets held by an insurer constitute "plan assets" for
purposes of the fiduciary responsibility and prohibited transaction provisions
of ERISA and section 4975 of the Code.
PRIOR TO MAKING AN INVESTMENT IN THE TRANSITION BONDS OF ANY SERIES, A PLAN
INVESTOR AND EACH FIDUCIARY CAUSING THE TRANSITION BONDS TO BE PURCHASED WITH
PLAN ASSETS OF A PLAN THAT IS SUBJECT TO THE PROHIBITED TRANSACTION RULES OF
ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE (OR, IN THE CASE OF A GOVERNMENTAL OR CHURCH
PLAN, ANY SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL LAW), INCLUDING WITHOUT
LIMITATION AN INSURANCE COMPANY GENERAL ACCOUNT, MUST DETERMINE WHETHER, AND
SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED AND WARRANTED BY ITS PURCHASE OF TRANSITION
BONDS THAT, THE USE OF PLAN ASSETS TO PURCHASE AND HOLD THE TRANSITION BONDS
DOES NOT AND WILL NOT CONSTITUTE OR RESULT IN A NON-EXEMPT PROHIBITED
TRANSACTION IN VIOLATION OF SECTION 406 OR 407 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE
CODE (OR, IN THE CASE OF A GOVERNMENTAL PLAN OR CHURCH PLAN, ANY SUBSTANTIALLY
SIMILAR FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL LAW).
PLAN ASSET ISSUES
The "plan asset" regulations issued by the DOL state that if a Plan makes
an "equity" investment in a corporation, partnership, trust or other specified
entities, the underlying assets and properties of the entity will be deemed for
purposes of ERISA and section 4975 of the Code to be assets of the investing
Plan unless certain exceptions set forth in the regulations apply. Although
there is little statutory or regulatory guidance on this subject, and there can
be no assurances in this regard, it appears that the transition bonds should
not be treated as equity interests for purposes of these regulations.
The sale of transition bonds to a Plan shall not be deemed a
representation by JCP&L, the issuer or the underwriters that such investment
meets all relevant legal requirements with respect to Plans generally or any
particular Plan. Due to the complexity of these rules and the penalties that
may be imposed upon persons involved in non-exempt prohibited transactions, IT
IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT THAT PLAN FIDUCIARIES OR OTHER PERSONS CONSIDERING
PURCHASING THE TRANSITION BONDS ON BEHALF OF OR WITH "PLAN ASSETS" OF ANY PLAN
CONSULT WITH THEIR OWN LEGAL COUNSEL REGARDING THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES
THEREOF UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF ERISA AND THE CODE DISCUSSED ABOVE.
92
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION FOR THE TRANSITION BONDS
The transition bonds of each series may be sold to or through the
underwriters by a negotiated firm commitment underwriting and public reoffering
by the underwriters. The transition bonds may also be sold to or through any
other underwriting arrangement as may be specified in the related prospectus
supplement or may be offered or placed either directly or through agents. The
issuer and the trustee intend that transition bonds will be offered through
various methods from time to time. The issuer also intends that offerings may
be made concurrently through more than one of these methods or that an offering
of a particular series of transition bonds may be made through a combination of
these methods.
The distribution of transition bonds may be effected from time to time in
one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or
at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to the
prevailing market prices or in negotiated transactions or otherwise at varying
prices to be determined at the time of sale.
The transition bonds may be offered through one or more different methods,
including offerings through underwriters. It is not anticipated that any of the
transition bonds will be listed on any securities exchange. There can be no
assurance that a secondary market for any series of transition bonds will
develop or, if one does develop, that it will continue.
Compensation to Underwriters. In connection with the sale of the
transition bonds, underwriters or agents may receive compensation in the form
of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters may sell transition
bonds to particular dealers at prices less a concession. Underwriters may
allow, and these dealers may reallow, a concession to other dealers.
Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the
transition bonds of a series may be deemed to be underwriters. Any discounts or
commissions received by the underwriters from the issuer and any profit on the
resale of the transition bonds by them may be deemed to be underwriting
discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. These underwriters or
agents will be identified, and any compensation received from the issuer will
be described, in the related prospectus supplement.
Other Distribution Issues. Under agreements which may be entered into by
JCP&L, the issuer and the trustee, underwriters and agents who participate in
the distribution of the transition bonds may be entitled to indemnification by
JCP&L and the issuer against liabilities specified therein, including under the
Securities Act.
RATINGS FOR THE TRANSITION BONDS
It is a condition of any underwriter's obligation to purchase the
transition bonds that each series or class be rated investment grade, that is,
in one of the four highest rating categories, by each of S&P, Moody's and
Fitch. The required amount of credit enhancement for any series of transition
bonds will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Limitations of Security Ratings. A security rating is not a recommendation
to buy, sell or hold securities and may be subject to revision or withdrawal at
any time by the assigning rating agency. No person is obligated to maintain the
rating on any transition bonds, and, accordingly, there can be no assurance
that the ratings assigned to any series or class of transition bonds upon
initial issuance will not be lowered or withdrawn by a rating agency at any
time thereafter. If a rating of any series or class of transition bonds is
revised or withdrawn, the liquidity of this class of transition bonds may be
adversely affected. In general, ratings address credit risk and do not
represent any assessment of any particular rate of principal payments on the
transition bonds other than the payment in full of each series or class of
transition bonds by the applicable legal final maturity date for such series or
class.
For so long as any of the transition bonds are listed on the Luxembourg
Stock Exchange and the rules of that exchange so require, the issuer will
notify the Luxembourg Stock Exchange if any rating assigned to any class of
transition bonds listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange is reduced or
withdrawn and will cause such notice to be published in a daily newspaper
published in Luxembourg, which is expected to be the Luxemburger Wort.
93
VARIOUS LEGAL MATTERS RELATING TO THE TRANSITION BONDS
Some legal matters relating to the issuer, JCP&L and the issuance of the
transition bonds will be passed upon for the issuer by Thelen Reid & Priest
LLP, Morristown, New Jersey and New York, New York and for the underwriters by
Pillsbury Winthrop LLP, New York, New York. Pillsbury Winthrop LLP acts from
time to time as counsel for FirstEnergy Corp. and its affiliates in certain
matters. Some legal matters relating to the federal tax consequences of the
issuance of the transition bonds will be passed upon for the issuer by Carter
Ledyard & Milburn, New York, New York. Some legal matters relating to State of
New Jersey tax consequences of the issuance of the transition bonds will be
passed upon for the issuer by Thelen Reid & Priest LLP, Morristown, New Jersey.
Some legal matters relating to the issuer will be passed upon for the issuer by
Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A., Wilmington, Delaware.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The financial statements of JCP&L Transition Funding LLC for the year
ended December 31, 2001 and the period from inception (February 24, 2000) to
December 31, 2000 included in this prospectus have been audited by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their report
appearing in this prospectus.
94
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF JCP&L TRANSITION FUNDING LLC
PAGE
-----
Report of Independent Accountants .................. F-2
Balance Sheets .................................... F-3
Statements of Changes in Member's Equity .......... F-4
Statements of Cash Flows .......................... F-5
Notes to Financial Statements ...................... F-6
F-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To the Member of
JCP&L Transition Funding LLC:
In our opinion, the accompanying balance sheets and the related statements
of changes in member's equity and cash flows present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of JCP&L Transition Funding LLC (a Delaware
limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of Jersey Central Power &
Light Company) at December 31, 2001 and 2000, and the results of its changes in
member's equity and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2001 and for
the period from inception (February 24, 2000) to December 31, 2000 in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in
accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of
America, which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our
audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
April 25, 2002
F-2
JCP&L TRANSITION FUNDING LLC
BALANCE SHEETS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2001 AND 2000
2001 2000
------------ ------------
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash ............................................ $ 1,000 $ 1,000
OTHER ASSETS:
Deferred financing costs ........................ 1,581,263 1,129,717
---------- ----------
Total assets .................................. $1,582,263 $1,130,717
========== ==========
LIABILITIES AND MEMBER'S EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Payable to JCP&L ................................ $1,581,263 $1,129,717
---------- ----------
Total liabilities ............................. 1,581,263 1,129,717
---------- ----------
MEMBER'S EQUITY .................................. 1,000 1,000
---------- ----------
Total liabilities and member's equity ......... $1,582,263 $1,130,717
========== ==========
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these
statements.
F-3
JCP&L TRANSITION FUNDING LLC
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN MEMBER'S EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2001 AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM
INCEPTION (FEBRUARY 24, 2000) TO DECEMBER 31, 2000
MEMBER'S EQUITY, PRIOR TO INCEPTION ................... $ --
Capital contributed by member upon inception ......... 1,000
------
MEMBER'S EQUITY, DECEMBER 31, 2000 .................... $1,000
======
MEMBER'S EQUITY, DECEMBER 31, 2001 .................... $1,000
======
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these
statements.
F-4
JCP&L TRANSITION FUNDING LLC
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2001 AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM
INCEPTION (FEBRUARY 24, 2000) TO DECEMBER 31, 2000
INCEPTION
(FEBRUARY 24,
2000) TO
DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,
2001 2000
-------------- --------------
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income .......................................... $ -- $ --
---------- ----------
Net cash from operating activities ................ -- --
---------- ----------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Capital contributed by member ....................... -- 1,000
Deferred financing costs ............................ (451,546) (1,129,717)
Borrowings from JCP&L ............................... 451,546 1,129,717
---------- ----------
Net cash provided by financing activities ......... -- 1,000
---------- ----------
NET CHANGE IN CASH FROM ABOVE ACTIVITIES ............. -- 1,000
CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD ............................ 1,000 --
---------- ----------
CASH, END OF PERIOD .................................. $ 1,000 $ 1,000
========== ==========
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these
statements.
F-5
JCP&L TRANSITION FUNDING LLC
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(1) NATURE OF OPERATIONS
JCP&L Transition Funding LLC (the Company), a limited liability company
established by Jersey
Central Power & Light Company (JCP&L) and certain of its direct and
indirect subsidiaries under the laws of the State of Delaware, was
formed on February 24, 2000, pursuant to a limited liability company
agreement with JCP&L Transition, Inc., an indirect subsidiary of JCP&L,
as sole member of the Company. JCP&L Transition, Inc. transferred its
interest in the Company to JCP&L effective February 19, 2002. JCP&L is
an electric utility operating company and, effective November 7, 2001,
became a wholly owned subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (FirstEnergy) in
connection with FirstEnergy's merger with GPU, Inc. Prior to that time,
JCP&L was a wholly owned subsidiary of GPU, Inc.
The Company was organized for the sole purpose of purchasing and owning
bondable transition
property (BTP), issuing transition bonds to raise the capital to
purchase BTP, pledging its interest in BTP and other collateral to the
trustee to collateralize the transition bonds, and performing activities
that are necessary, suitable or convenient to accomplish these purposes.
BTP represents the irrevocable right of JCP&L, or its successor or
assignee, to charge, collect and receive a non-bypassable transition
bond charge (TBC) from customers pursuant to a bondable stranded costs
rate order (the BPU Financing Order), which was issued on February 6,
2002 by the State of New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) in
accordance with the Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act enacted
in New Jersey in February 1999. The BPU Financing Order authorizes the
TBC to be sufficient to recover $320 million aggregate principal amount
of transition bonds (Bonds), plus an amount sufficient to provide for
any credit enhancement, to fund any reserves and to pay interest
(including deferred financing costs), redemption premiums, if any,
servicing fees and other expenses relating to the Bonds.
The Company did not have results of operations in the period from its
formation to December 31,
2000 or for the year ended December 31, 2001, as the Company had not
issued Bonds and purchased BTP as of those dates. As a result, the
accompanying financial statements do not include Statements of
Operations.
The Company's organizational documents require it to operate in a manner
so that it should not be consolidated in the bankruptcy estate of JCP&L
in the event JCP&L becomes subject to a bankruptcy proceeding. Both JCP&L
and the Company will treat the transfer of BTP to the Company as a sale
under applicable law. The Bonds will be treated as debt obligations of
the Company. For financial reporting, federal income tax and State of New
Jersey income and corporation business tax purposes, the transfer of BTP
to the Company will be treated as a financing arrangement and not as a
sale.
(2) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States requires management
to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of
assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and revenues and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from
those estimates.
DEFERRED FINANCING COSTS
Costs associated with the anticipated issuance of Bonds are capitalized
and will be amortized over the life of the Bonds utilizing the effective
interest method. The deferred financing costs have been paid by JCP&L and
will be reimbursed by the Company upon the issuance of Bonds.
F-6
JCP&L TRANSITION FUNDING LLC
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
INCOME TAXES
The Company is a single member limited liability company which is
treated as a disregarded entity for federal and state income tax
purposes. Accordingly, the Company's results will be included in the
taxable income of JCP&L.
(3) BONDS
The purpose of the Company is to issue Bonds pursuant to authority granted
to it by the BPU in the BPU Financing Order. The Company intends to issue
Bonds in one or more series, the maturities and interest rates of which
will depend upon market conditions at the time of issuance. The proceeds
will be used to fund the purchase of BTP from JCP&L. Under applicable
law, the Bonds will not be an obligation of JCP&L or secured by the
assets of JCP&L. Also under applicable law, the Bonds will be recourse
only to the Company and will be collateralized on a pro-rata basis by the
BTP and the equity and assets of the Company. The source for repayment
will be the TBC authorized pursuant to the BPU Financing Order, which
will be collected from JCP&L customers by JCP&L, as servicer. TBC
collections will be deposited with the Company daily by JCP&L and used to
pay the expenses of the Company, to pay debt service on the Bonds and to
fund any credit enhancement for the Bonds. The Company will also pledge
the capital contributed by its member to secure the debt service
requirements of the Bonds. The debt service requirements will include an
overcollateralization subaccount, a capital subaccount and a reserve
subaccount, which will be available to bondholders. Any amounts
collateralizing Bonds will be returned to JCP&L upon payment of the
Bonds.
(4) SIGNIFICANT AGREEMENTS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
All deferred financing costs incurred prior to the issuance of Bonds have
been or will be paid by JCP&L and will be reimbursed by the Company upon
the issuance of Bonds. These costs are classified as payable to JCP&L in
the accompanying balance sheets.
Under the servicing agreement to be entered into by the Company and JCP&L
concurrently with the issuance of the first series of Bonds, JCP&L, as
servicer, will be required to manage and administer the BTP of the
Company and to collect the TBC on behalf of the Company. The Company will
pay an annual servicing fee to JCP&L equal to 0.125% of the initial
principal balance of Bonds outstanding. This servicing fee will be
recovered by the Company through the TBC. The Company will also enter
into an administration agreement with GPU Service, Inc., an affiliated
company, pursuant to which GPU Service, Inc. will provide administrative
services to the Company.
(5) SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Subsequent to December 31, 2001, the Company has incurred certain
additional obligations in connection with the anticipated issuance of
Bonds and purchase of BTP. To the extent such obligations are not paid
with a portion of the proceeds from the issuance of Bonds, such costs
would be funded by JCP&L.
F-7
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GLOSSARY OF TERMS USED IN THE ATTACHED
PROSPECTUS AND PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
TERM DEFINED ON PAGE
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Annual accountant's report .................... 63
Basic documents ............................... 54
BGS ........................................... S-13, 32
Bondable stranded costs ....................... S-11
Bondable transition property .................. 4
BPU ........................................... S-3, 4
BPU financing order ........................... S-3, 6
Change in circumstances ....................... 88
Clearstream Banking ........................... 46
Code .......................................... 86
Competition Act ............................... S-3, 4
Cooperative ................................... 47
Customer ...................................... S-3, 6
Distribution facilities ....................... 28
DOL ........................................... 91
DTC ........................................... 43
ERISA ......................................... 12, 91
Event of default .............................. 76
Exchange Act .................................. 28
Expected amortization schedule ................ S-4
Financial Institution ......................... 90
Floating rate class ........................... 8
Generation-related facilities ................. 28
Indemnity amount .............................. 68
IRS ........................................... 86
Issuance advice letter ........................ 17
Issuer ........................................ 3
Prospectus
JCP&L ......................................... Supplement cover, 1
Managers ...................................... 41
Manifest error ................................ S-12, 17
Monthly remittance date ....................... 59
Moody's ....................................... 20
Non-bypassable ................................ 30
OID ........................................... 87
OID regulations ............................... 87
Parties in interest ........................... 91
Payment date .................................. S-7
PJM ........................................... 27
Plans ......................................... 91
PTCEs ......................................... 91
Rating agencies ............................... 24
Record date ................................... S-3
Required overcollateralization level .......... 69
Resturcturing order ........................... 31
S&P ........................................... 20
A-1
TERM DEFINED ON PAGE
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SEC ............................................. 2
Securities Act .................................. 27
Special U.S. federal income tax counsel ......... 86
Terms and Conditions ............................ 47
TIN ............................................. 89
Transmission facilities ......................... 28
Trust Indenture Act ............................. 73
U.S. Government Obligations ..................... 68
Variable rate debt instruments .................. 87
A-2
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No dealer, salesperson, or other person is authorized to give any
information or to represent anything not contained in this prospectus
supplement and the accompanying prospectus. You must not rely on any
unauthorized information or representations. This prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus is an offer to sell only the securities offered hereby,
but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so.
The information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying
prospectus is current only as of the date of this prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus.
---------------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
-----------
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Where to Find Information in These Documents ....... S-1
Introduction ....................................... S-2
The Series 2002-A Transition Bonds ................. S-2
Credit Enhancement ................................. S-8
Description of Bondable Transition Property ........ S-11
The Transition Bond Charge ......................... S-11
Information Regarding Jersey Central Power &
Light Company .................................... S-12
Underwriting the Series 2002-A Transition Bonds..... S-13
Ratings for the Series 2002-A Transition Bonds ..... S-14
Income Tax Matters ................................. S-15
PROSPECTUS
Important Notice About Information Presented in
this Prospectus .................................. 1
Forward-Looking Statements ......................... 2
Summary of Terms ................................... 3
Reports to Transition Bondholders .................. 13
Risk Factors ....................................... 14
Jersey Central Power & Light Company ............... 27
Where You Can Find More Information ................ 27
The Competition Act ................................ 28
JCP&L's Restructuring .............................. 31
The BPU Financing Order and the Transition
Bond Charge ...................................... 33
Servicing of the Bondable Transition Property ...... 35
JCP&L Transition Funding LLC, the Issuer ........... 41
Use of Proceeds .................................... 43
The Transition Bonds ............................... 43
Weighted Average Life and Yield Considerations
for the Transition Bonds ......................... 50
The Sale Agreement ................................. 51
The Servicing Agreement ............................ 58
The Indenture ...................................... 65
How a Bankruptcy of JCP&L or the Servicer
May Affect Your Investment ....................... 82
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters for the
Transition Bondholders ........................... 86
Material State of New Jersey Tax Matters for the
Transition Bondholders ........................... 91
ERISA Considerations ............................... 91
Plan of Distribution for the Transition Bonds ...... 93
Ratings for the Transition Bonds ................... 93
Various Legal Matters Relating to the Transition
Bonds ............................................ 94
Independent Auditors ............................... 94
Index to Financial Statements of JCP&L
Transition Funding LLC ........................... F-1
Glossary of Terms Used in the Attached
Prospectus and Prospectus Supplement ............. A-1
$320,000,000
JCP&L TRANSITION
FUNDING LLC
ISSUER OF THE TRANSITION BONDS
JERSEY CENTRAL POWER &
LIGHT COMPANY
SELLER AND SERVICER
TRANSITION BONDS, SERIES 2002-A
---------------------------------
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
---------------------------------
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
MORGAN STANLEY
SALOMON SMITH BARNEY
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