Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)(Form S-3 Registration
Nos. 33-61228, 33-55473, 33-64455 and 333-15379)
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JANUARY 31, 1997
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(TO PROSPECTUS, DATED JANUARY 31, 1997)
$50,000,000
ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
QUICS(SM)
% QUARTERLY INCOME CAPITAL SECURITIES
(SERIES B JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES DUE 2037)
The % Quarterly Income Capital Securities (Series B Junior Subordinated
Debentures Due 2037) (the "Capital Securities") will mature on , 2037. Interest
on the Capital Securities is payable quarterly in arrears, on March 31, June 30,
September 30 and December 31 of each year, commencing on . The Capital
Securities will be redeemable at the option of Arizona Public Service Company
(the "Company"), in whole or in part, on or after at 100% of the principal
amount to be redeemed together with accrued interest to the redemption date. The
Capital Securities will be available for purchase in denominations of $25.00 and
any integral multiple thereof. Each $25.00 principal amount of Capital
Securities is referred to herein as a "Capital Security." The Capital Securities
will be represented by a Global Security registered in the name of Cede & Co.,
as nominee for The Depository Trust Company (the "Depositary"), which has agreed
to act as securities depositary for the Capital Securities. Except under the
limited circumstances described herein, beneficial interests in Capital
Securities will be shown only on records maintained by, transfers of Capital
Securities will be effected only through, and payments of principal of and
interest on Capital Securities will be made only through, the Depositary or a
successor depositary. See "Certain Terms of the Capital Securities" and, in the
accompanying Prospectus, "Description of Debt Securities."
The obligations of the Company under the Capital Securities are subordinate
and junior in right of payment to Senior Debt (as defined in the accompanying
Prospectus) of the Company. As of December 31, 1996, outstanding Senior Debt of
the Company aggregated approximately $2 billion.
Application will be made to have the Capital Securities listed on the New
York Stock Exchange. If approved for listing, trading of the Capital Securities
on the New York Stock Exchange is expected to commence within 30 days after the
initial delivery of the Capital Securities
SEE "INVESTMENT CONSIDERATIONS" ON PAGE S-3 FOR CERTAIN INFORMATION RELEVANT
TO AN INVESTMENT IN THE CAPITAL SECURITIES, INCLUDING THE PERIODS AND
CIRCUMSTANCES DURING AND UNDER WHICH PAYMENT OF INTEREST ON THE CAPITAL
SECURITIES MAY BE DEFERRED AND THE RELATED U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED
UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE
PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Price to Underwriting Proceeds to
Public(1) Discount(2)(3) Company(4)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per Capital Security ................ $ 25.00 $ $
Total ............................... $50,000,000 $ $
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Plus accrued interest, if any, from the date of original issuance.
(2) The Company has agreed to indemnify the several Underwriters against
certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended.
(3) The Company has agreed to pay to the Underwriters as compensation (the
Underwriters' Compensation) $ per Capital Security, except for Capital
Securities sold to certain institutions, for which the Underwriters'
Compensation will be $ per Capital Security. Therefore, to the extent the
Capital Securities are sold to such institutions, the actual amount of
Underwriters' Compensation will be less than the aggregate amount specified
above. See "Underwriting".
(4) Before deducting expenses payable by the Company estimated at $ .
The Capital Securities are offered severally by the Underwriters, as
specified herein, subject to receipt and acceptance by them and subject to their
right to reject any order in whole or in part. It is expected that the Capital
Securities will be ready for delivery in New York, New York, on or about , 1997.
LEHMAN BROTHERS
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
PAINEWEBBER INCORPORATED
, 1997
(sm)QUICS is a service mark of Lehman Brothers Inc.
IN CONNECTION, WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVERALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE CAPITAL
SECURITIES AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN
MARKET. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
S-1
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information appearing elsewhere, or incorporated by reference, in this
Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus.
The Company .................................. Arizona Public Service Company
is principally engaged in
providing electricity in the
State of Arizona. The principal
executive offices of the
Company are located at 400
North Fifth Street, Phoenix,
Arizona 85004 and its telephone
number is (602) 250-1000.
Securities Offered ........................... % Quarterly Income Capital
Securities (Series B Junior
Subordinated Debentures Due
2037). $50,000,000 aggregate
principal amount. The Capital
Securities will mature on ,
2037 . The Capital Securities
are subordinate and junior in
right of payment to all Senior
Debt of the Company. See
"Investment Considerations --
Subordination of Capital
Securities." The Capital
Securities will be available
for purchase in denominations
of $25.00 and integral
multiples thereof.
Interest ..................................... Holders of the Capital
Securities will be entitled to
receive interest at the rate of
% per annum, accruing from the
date of original issuance and
payable quarterly in arrears on
March 31, June 30, September 30
and December 31 of each year
commencing on (each, an
interest Payment Date). See
"Certain Terms of the Capital
Securities".
Options to Extend Interest Payment Period ... The Company shall have right to
defer payment of interest on
the Capital Securities by
extending the interest payment
period from time to time to a
period not exceeding 20
consecutive quarters. There
could be multiple Extension
Periods (as defined below) of
varying lengths throughout the
term of the Capital Securities.
During an Extension Period,
interest on the Capital
Securities will continue to
accrue at the rate of % per
annum, compounded quarterly, to
the extent permitted by
applicable law. During an
Extension Period, holders of
Capital Securities will be
required to include interest in
their gross income for federal
income tax purposes as original
issue discount (OID) even
though the cash payments
attributable thereto have not
been made. See "Certain Terms
of the Capital Securities --
Options to Extend Interest
Payment Period" and "United
States Taxation -- United
States Holders - Stated
Interest and Original Issue
Discount."
Redemption ................................... The Capital Securities will not
be redeemable prior to , 20;
the Capital Securities will be
redeemable at the option of the
Company, as a whole or in part,
at any time on or after , 20
and prior to maturity, upon not
less than 30 nor more than 60
days' notice, at 100% of the
principal amount redeemed
together with accrued interest
to the redemption date. See
"Certain Terms of the Capital
Securities -- Redemption."
S-2
INVESTMENT CONSIDERATIONS
Prospective purchasers of Capital Securities should carefully review the
information contained elsewhere in this Prospectus Supplement and in the
accompanying Prospectus and should particularly consider the following matters:
SUBORDINATION OF CAPITAL SECURITIES. The obligations of the Company under the
Capital Securities are subordinate and junior in right of payment to Senior Debt
of the Company and rank pari passu in right of payment to other subordinated
debt of the Company. As of December 31, 1996, outstanding Senior Debt and
subordinated debt of the Company aggregated approximately $2 billion and $75
million, respectively. There are no terms in the Capital Securities that limit
the Company's ability to incur additional indebtedness, including indebtedness
that ranks senior to the Capital Securities. See "Description of Debt Securities
- -- Subordination" in the accompanying Prospectus.
OPTION TO EXTEND INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD. The Company has the right under the
Indenture to extend the interest payment period from time to time on the Capital
Securities to a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters (an "Extension
Period"). At the end of an Extension Period, the Company must pay all interest
then accrued and unpaid (together with interest thereon at the same rate as
specified for the Capital Securities to the extent permitted by applicable law).
During any Extension Period, the Company may not declare or pay dividends on, or
redeem, purchase or acquire, any of its capital stock, except that the Company
may make mandatory sinking fund payments with respect to its $10.00 Cumulative
Preferred Stock, Series U ($100 par value), and its $7.875 Cumulative Preferred
Stock, Series V ($100 par value). Therefore, the Company believes that the
likelihood of an extension of an interest payment period on the Capital
Securities is remote. Prior to the termination of any Extension Period, the
Company may further extend the interest payment period, provided that such
Extension Period, together with all such previous and further extensions
thereof, may not exceed 20 consecutive quarters or extend beyond the maturity of
the Capital Securities. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and the
payment of all amounts then due, the Company may select a new Extension Period,
subject to the above requirements. See "Certain Terms of the Capital Securities
- -- Option to Extend Interest Payment Period."
Should an Extension Period occur, holders of the Capital Securities will
continue to accrue income for United States federal income tax purposes even
though interest is not being paid on a current basis. As a result, such a holder
would include such interest in gross income for United States federal income tax
purposes in advance of the receipt of cash, and would not receive the cash from
the Company related to such income if such a holder disposes of his or her
Capital Securities prior to the record date for payment of interest. See "United
States Taxation -- United States Holders -- Sale or Redemption of Capital
Securities."
CERTAIN TRADING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES. The Capital
Securities are expected to trade as other securities on the equity floor of the
New York Stock Exchange. Consequently, purchasers will not pay and sellers will
not receive any accrued and unpaid interest on the Capital Securities that is
not included in the trading price. For certain tax consequences with respect to
such Capital Securities, see "United States Taxation." Trading prices of the
Capital Securities are expected to be quoted in dollars per $25.00 unit of
Capital Securities rather than in percentages of their principal amount.
APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS
The Company intends to apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Capital
Securities to the repayment of short-term borrowings incurred or to be incurred
in connection with the redemption, repurchase, repayment or retirement of the
Company's cumulative preferred stock. The estimated average interest rate of the
short-term borrowings to be retired is 5.5%. Any proceeds not immediately so
applied will be invested temporarily, pending such application, in United States
government or agency obligations, commercial paper, bank certificates of
deposit, or repurchase agreements collateralized by United States government or
agency obligations, or will be deposited with banks.
CERTAIN TERMS OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES
The following description of specific terms of the Capital Securities
supplements and should be read in conjunction with the description of the
general terms and provisions of the Debt Securities set forth in the
accompanying
S-3
Prospectus under the caption "Description of Debt Securities." The following
summary does not purport to be complete and is subject in all respects to the
provisions of, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the description
in the accompanying Prospectus and the Indenture, dated as of January 1, 1995,
between the Company and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, as supplemented by a
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 1, 1995 and by a Second
Supplemental Indenture dated as of , 1997 (the Indenture, as so supplemented, is
hereinafter referred to as the "Indenture").
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT, INTEREST AND MATURITY
The Capital Securities will be issued as a series of Debt Securities under
the Indenture. The Capital Securities will be limited in aggregate principal
amount to $50 million. There is no limit on the amount of additional securities
similar to the Capital Securities that may be issued under the Indenture.
The Capital Securities will mature on , 2037 and will bear interest at the
rate per annum shown in the title thereof from the date on which the Capital
Securities are issued until the principal amount thereof becomes due and
payable. Interest will be payable quarterly in arrears on March 31, June 30,
September 30, and December 31 of each year, commencing on . Interest will be
payable to the persons in whose names the Capital Securities are registered at
the close of business on the relevant record dates, which will be one Business
Day (as hereinafter defined) prior to the relevant payment dates. The amount of
interest payable for any period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year
of twelve 30-day months. In the event that any date on which interest is payable
on the Capital Securities is not a Business Day, then payment of the interest
payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business
Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay),
except that, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such
payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day, in each case
with the same force and effect as if made on such date. A "Business Day" shall
mean any day other than a day on which banking institutions in The City of New
York are authorized or obligated by law to close.
GLOBAL SECURITIES
The Capital Securities will be represented by a Global Security or Securities
that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company (the
"Depositary"), and will be available for purchase in denominations of $25.00 and
integral multiples thereof.
The Depositary has advised the Company and the Underwriters as follows: the
Depositary is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York
Banking Law, a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York Banking
Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the
meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a "clearing agency"
registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934. The Depositary was created to hold securities of its participating
organizations ("participants") and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of
securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, among its participants
in such securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in
accounts of the participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement
of securities certificates. Participants include securities brokers and dealers
(including the Underwriters), banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and
certain other organizations, some of whom (and/or their representatives) own the
Depositary. Access to the Depositary's book entry system is also available to
others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through
or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or
indirectly. Persons who are not participants may beneficially own securities
held by the Depositary only through participants.
A further description of the Depositary's procedures with respect to the
Capital Securities is set forth under "Description of Debt Securities -Global
Securities" in the accompanying Prospectus.
REDEMPTION
The Capital Securities will be redeemable at the option of the Company, as a
whole or in part, at any time on or after and prior to maturity, upon not less
than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice, at 100% of the principal amount redeemed
together with accrued interest to the redemption date. If a partial redemption
would result in a delisting of the Capital Securities from any national
securities exchange on which the Capital Securities are then listed, the Company
may redeem such Capital Securities only in whole.
OPTION TO EXTEND INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD
The Company shall have the right at any time during the term of the Capital
Securities to extend the interest payment period from time to time to a period
not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters. At the end of an Extension Period,
S-4
the Company must pay all interest then accrued and unpaid (together with
interest thereon at the same rate as specified for the Capital Securities to the
extent permitted by applicable law). During any Extension Period, the Company
may not declare or pay any dividends on, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a
liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital stock or make any
guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing, except that the Company may
make mandatory sinking fund payments with respect to its $10.00 Cumulative
Preferred Stock, Series U ($100 par value), and its $7.875 Cumulative Preferred
Stock, Series V ($100 par value). Prior to the termination of any Extension
Period, the Company may further extend the interest payment period, provided
that such Extension Period, together with all such previous and further
extensions thereof, may not exceed 20 consecutive quarters or extend beyond the
maturity of the Capital Securities. Upon the termination of an Extension Period
and the payment of all amounts then due, the Company may select a new Extension
Period, subject to the above requirements. No interest during an Extension
Period, except at the end thereof, shall be due and payable. The Company shall
give the holders of the Capital Securities notice of its selection of such
Extension Period ten Business Days prior to the earlier of (i) the next interest
payment date or (ii) the date the Company is required to give notice to holders
of the Capital Securities (or, if applicable, to the New York Stock Exchange or
other applicable self-regulatory organization) of the record or payment date of
such interest payment, but in any event not less than two Business Days prior to
such record date.
DEFEASANCE
The provisions described in the accompanying Prospectus under the caption
"Description of Debt Securities -- Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance" are
applicable to the Capital Securities.
PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR
The Bank of New York will act as Paying Agent and Registrar for the Capital
Securities.
UNITED STATES TAXATION
The following summary describes the principal United States federal income
tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Capital
Securities. This summary addresses Capital Securities held as capital assets by
holders that acquire Capital Securities on their original issue at their
original offering price, and does not deal with special situations, such as
those of dealers in securities or currencies, financial institutions, insurance
companies, tax-exempt organizations, persons holding Capital Securities as part
of a hedging or conversion transaction or a straddle or holders whose
"functional currency" is not the U.S. dollar.
The statements of law or legal conclusion set forth in this summary
constitute the opinion of Snell & Wilmer L.L.P., special tax counsel to the
Company. The summary is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the "Code"), and regulations, rulings, pronouncements and judicial decisions
thereunder as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to change. Any such
change, which may be retroactive, may cause the United States federal income tax
consequences to vary substantially from the consequences described below. An
opinion of counsel is not binding on the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") or the
courts, and the authorities on which this summary is based are subject to
various interpretations. It is, therefore, possible that the United States
federal income tax treatment of the purchase, ownership and disposition of
Capital Securities may differ from the treatment described below.
Furthermore, recently proposed Internal Revenue Service regulations ( the
"Proposed Regulations") revise various elements of the current regime governing
withholding and backup withholding, including the process for certifying the
status of United States Alien Holders, as hereinafter defined. In particular,
the Proposed Regulations would modify the current rules applicable to the
certification required in the case of foreign partnerships and the partners of
such foreign partnerships. The Proposed Regulations are proposed to be effective
for payments made after December 31, 1997. There can be no assurance that the
Proposed Regulations will be adopted or that, if and when adopted in temporary
or final form, the provisions of such regulations will be the form currently
proposed.
PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS ARE ADVISED TO CONSULT WITH THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS IN
LIGHT OF THEIR OWN PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES AS TO THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL TAX
CONSEQUENCES OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF CAPITAL SECURITIES,
AS WELL AS THE EFFECT OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN TAX LAWS.
UNITED STATES HOLDERS -- STATED INTEREST AND ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT
Under recently issued Treasury Regulations applicable to debt instruments
issued on or after August 13, 1996, generally, stated interest on a debt
instrument will give rise to original issue discount ("OID") unless the
likelihood of late payment or nonpayment is a "remote contingency." Under the
Indenture, the Company has the right to defer the
S-5
payment of interest on the Capital Securities at any time or from time to time
for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters with respect to each
Extension Period, provided that no Extension Period may extend beyond the
maturity of the Capital Securities. The Company believes that the likelihood of
it exercising its option to defer payments of interest is remote because
exercising the option would, among other things, prevent the Company from
declaring dividends on, redeeming, or otherwise acquiring, its capital stock,
subject to certain exceptions. Accordingly, the Company believes that the
Capital Securities should be considered as issued without OID and, therefore,
except as set forth below, stated interest on Capital Securities will generally
be taxable to a United States Holder as ordinary income at the time it is paid
or accrued in accordance with the United States Holder's method of accounting
for United States federal income tax purposes.As used herein, a "United States
Holder" means a beneficial owner of Capital Securities that is a citizen or
resident of the United States, a corporation or partnership organized in or
under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of
Columbia, or an estate or trust the income of which is subject to United States
federal income taxation regardless of its source. This summary also addresses
Capital Securities acquired by United States Alien Holders, as defined below.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, should the Company exercise its right to defer
payments of interest, the Capital Securities would at that time be treated as
having been reissued with OID. Consequently, United States Holders (even if they
used the cash method of accounting for United States federal income tax
purposes) would be required to include OID in income on an economic accrual
basis for as long as the Capital Securities remained outstanding, including any
Extension Periods. The amount of OID that would accrue in any quarterly period
would approximately equal the amount of interest that accrues in that quarterly
period at the stated interest rate. A United States Holder that disposed of
Capital Securities before the record date for the payment of interest following
an Extension Period would include interest in gross income as it accrued on the
Capital Securities but would not receive any interest payments related thereto
from the Company.
UNITED STATES HOLDERS -- SALE OR REDEMPTION OF CAPITAL SECURITIES
Gain or loss will be recognized by a United States Holder on a sale of
Capital Securities (including a redemption) in an amount equal to the difference
between the amount realized (which, for this purpose, will exclude amounts
attributable to accrued interest not previously included in income as interest
or OID) and the United States Holder's adjusted tax basis in the Capital
Securities sold or redeemed. The tax basis of a United States Holder in its
Capital Securities would be increased by any OID included in income and
decreased by any subsequent payments of interest. A United States Holder that
disposed of Capital Securities during an Extension Period may recognize a
capital loss because the market value of the Capital Securities may not fully
reflect interest accrued as OID during such Extension Period. Gain or loss
recognized by a United States Holder on Capital Securities held for more than
one year will generally be taxable as long-term capital gain or loss. Subject to
certain limited exceptions, capital losses cannot be applied to offset ordinary
income.
UNITED STATES HOLDERS -- INFORMATION REPORTING AND BACKUP WITHHOLDING
The amount of interest paid or OID accrued, if any, on Capital Securities
held of record by United States Holders (other than corporations and other
exempt holders) will be reported annually to the IRS. It is anticipated that
such interest or OID will be reported to holders on Form 1099 and delivered by
January 31 following each calendar year.
"Backup withholding" at a rate of 31% will apply to payments of interest to
non-exempt United States Holders unless the holder furnishes its taxpayer
identification number in the manner prescribed in applicable Treasury
Regulations, certifies that such number is correct, certifies as to no loss of
exemption from backup withholding and meets certain other conditions.
Payment of the proceeds from the disposition of Capital Securities to or
through the United States office of a broker is subject to information reporting
and backup withholding unless the holder or beneficial owner establishes an
exemption from information reporting and backup withholding.
Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a
refund or a credit against the holder's United States federal income tax
liability, provided the required information is furnished to the IRS.
UNITED STATES ALIEN HOLDERS
For purposes of this discussion, a "United States Alien Holder" is any holder
who or that is (i) a nonresident alien individual or (ii) a foreign corporation,
partnership or estate or trust, in either case not subject to United States
federal income tax on a net income basis in respect of Capital Securities.
Under current United States federal income tax law, subject to the discussion
below with respect to backup withholding: (i) payments by the Company or any of
its paying agents to any holder of Capital Securities who or that
S-6
is a United States Alien Holder will not be subject to United States federal
withholding tax provided that (a) the beneficial owner of Capital Secuirites
does not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total combined voting
power of all classes of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote, (b) the
beneficial owner of Capital Securities is not a controlled foreign corporation
that is related to the Company through stock ownership and (c) either (x) the
beneficial owner of Capital Securities certifies to the Company or its agents,
under penalties of perjury, that it is a United States Alien Holder and provides
its name and address or (y) the holder of Capital Securities is a securities
clearing organization, bank or other financial institution that holds customers'
securities in the ordinary course of its trade or business (a "financial
institution"), and such holder certified to the Company or its agent under
penalties of perjury that such statement has been received from the beneficial
owner by it or by a financial institution between it and the beneficial owner
and furnishes the Company or its agent with a copy thereof, and (ii) a United
States Alien Holder of Capital Securities will generally not be subject to
United States federal income or withholding taxes on any gain realized on the
sale or exchange of Capital Securities if (a) such gain is not effectively
connected with a U. S. trade or business of the United States Alien Holder and
(b) in the case of an individual, such United States Alien Holder (x) is not
present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the
sale or exchange and (y) does not have a tax home (as defined in Section 911
(d)(3) of the Code) in the United States in the taxable year of the sale or
exchange and the gain is not attributable to an office or other fixed place of
business maintained by such individual in the United States.
UNITED STATES ALIEN HOLDERS -- INFORMATION REPORTING AND BACKUP WITHOLDING
Information reporting and backup withholding will not apply to payments of
principal and interest (including OID) made by the Company or a paying agent to
a United States Alien Holder on Capital Securities if the certification
described in clause (i)(c) under "United States Alien Holders" above is
received, or if the United States Alien Holder otherwise establishes an
exemption, provided that the payor does not have actual knowledge that the
holder is a United States Holder. The Company or a paying agent, however, may
report (on Internal Revenue Service Form 1042S) payments of interest (including
OID) on Capital Securities.
Payments of the proceeds from the sale by a United States Alien Holder of
Capital Securities made to or through a foreign office of a broker will not be
subject to information reporting or backup withholding, except that if the
broker is a United States person, a controlled foreign corporation for United
States tax purposes or a foreign person 50% or more of whose gross income from
all sources for the three-year period ending with the close of its taxable year
preceeding the payment is effectively connected with a United States trade or
business, information reporting may apply to such payments. Payments of proceeds
from the sale of Capital Securities to or through the United States office of a
broker is subject to information reporting and backup withholding unless the
United States Alien Holder or beneficial owner certifies as to its non-United
States status or otherwise establishes an exemption from information reporting
and backup withholding.
S-7
UNDERWRITING
The Underwriters named below have severally agreed to purchase from the
Company the following respective principal amounts of Capital Securities:
Underwriter Principal Amount
----------- ----------------
Lehman Brothers Inc. ........................... $
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated ..................................
PaineWebber Incorporated .......................
----------------
Total ........................................ $50,000,000
================
The Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligations of the Underwriters
are subject to certain conditions precedent, and that the Underwriters will be
obligated to purchase all of the Capital Securities if any are purchased.
The Company has been advised by the several Underwriters that they propose to
offer Capital Securities to the public initially at the price to public set
forth on the cover page of this Prospectus Supplement and to certain dealers at
such price less a concession not in excess of $ per Capital Security; that the
Underwriters and such dealers may reallow a discount not in excess of $ per
Capital Security on sales to certain other dealers; and that after the initial
public offering, the public offering price and concession and discount to
dealers may be changed by the Underwriters.
The Capital Securities are a new issue of securities with no established
trading market. Application will be made to have the Capital Securities listed
on the New York Stock Exchange (the "Exchange"). In order to meet one of the
requirements for listing the Capital Securities on the Exchange, the
Underwriters will undertake to sell 1,000,000 or more Capital Securities to a
minimum of 400 beneficial holders. Trading of the Capital Securities on the
Exchange is expected to commence within a thirty-day period after the initial
delivery of the Capital Securities. The Company has been advised by the
Underwriters that they intend to make a market in the Capital Securities, 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 Capital Securities.
Certain of the Underwriters have provided various investment banking
services, including serving as commercial paper dealers under the Company's
commercial paper program, to the Company and its affiliates from time to time,
for which they have received customary compensation. In addition, certain of the
Underwriters have provided various investment banking services to Pinnacle West
Capital Corporation, the Company's parent, from time to time, for which they
have received customary compensation.
The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
See "Plan of Distribution" in the accompanying Prospectus for further
information regarding the distribution of Capital Securities.
LEGAL MATTERS
Statements as to United States taxation in the Prospectus Supplement under
the caption "United States Taxation" have been passed upon for the Company by
Snell & Wilmer L.L.P., special tax counsel to the Company, and are stated herein
on their authority as experts.
S-8
ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
FIRST MORTGAGE BONDS
SENIOR NOTES
DEBT SECURITIES
Arizona Public Service Company (the "Company") intends from time to time to
issue up to $75,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its first mortgage bonds
(the "New Bonds"), senior notes (the "Senior Notes"), or unsecured debt
securities ("Debt Securities") of the Company (collectively, the "Securities"),
in one or more series at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of
sale.
For each issue of Securities for which this Prosepctus is being delivered
(the "Offered Bonds," the "Offered Senior Notes," or the "Offered Debt
Securities" and, collectively, the "Offered Securities"), there will be an
accompanying Prospectus Supplement (the "Prospectus Supplement") that sets
forth, without limitation and to the extent applicable, the specific
designation, aggregate principal amount, denomination, maturity, premium, if
any, rate of interest (which may be fixed or variable) or method of calculation
thereof, time of payment of interest, any terms for redemption, any sinking fund
provisions, any subordination provisions, the initial public offering price, the
names of any underwriters or agents, the principal amounts, if any, to be
purchased by the underwriters, the compensation of such underwriters or agents,
and any other special terms of the Offered Securities. The Prospectus Supplement
relating to any series of Offered Securities will also contain information
concerning certain United States federal income tax considerations, if
applicable to the Offered Securities.
The Company may sell Securities directly to purchasers or through agents
designated from time to time by the Company or to or through underwriters or a
group of underwriters which may be managed by one or more underwriters. If any
agents of the Company or any underwriters are involved in the sale of Securities
in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered, the names of such agents
or underwriters and any applicable commission or discount will be set forth in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The net proceeds to the Company from the
sale of Securities will be the public offering price of such Secutiries less
such discount, in the case of an offering through an underwriter, or the
purchase price of such Securities less such commission, in the case of an
offering through an agent, and less, in each case, other expenses of the Company
associated with the issuance and distribution of such Securities.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF
THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The date of this Prospectus is January 31, 1997
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
Arizona Public Service Company (the "Company") is subject to the
informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "1934 Act"), and in accordance therewith files reports, proxy statements,
and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission"). Such reports, proxy statements, and other information can be
obtained at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Section of the Commission
or may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by
the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington, D.C. 20549 and
at certain of its regional offices located at 500 West Madison Street, Suite
1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661; and Seven World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New
York, New York 10048. In addition, such material may be accessed electronically
by means of the Commission's Web Site on the Internet at http://www.sec.gov.
Certain securities of the Company are listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Reports, proxy materials, and other information concerning the Company can be
inspected at the office of this exchange at 20 Broad Street, 7th Floor, New
York, New York 10005.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents previously filed with the Commission by the Company
(File No. 1-4473) are incorporated by reference in this Prospectus:
1. The Company's Form 10-K Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995
(the "1995 10-K Report");
2. The Company's Form 10-Q Reports for the fiscal quarters ended March 31,
June 30, and September 30, 1996; and
3. The Company's Form 8-K Reports, dated August 28 and November 19 (the
"November 8-K Report"), 1996.
All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or
15(d) of the 1934 Act after the filing date of the November 8-K Report and prior
to the termination of the offering of the securities offered hereby shall be
deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and to be a part
hereof from the date of filing of such documents.
Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference herein shall
be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the
extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed
document which is also incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes
such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed,
except as modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
The Company will provide without charge to each person, including any
beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this Prospectus is delivered, upon the oral
or written request of such person, a copy of any or all of the documents
referred to above which have been or may be incorporated in this Prospectus by
reference, other than exhibits to such documents. Request for such copies should
be directed to Arizona Public Service Company, Office of the Secretary, Station
9068, P.O. Box 53999, Phoenix, Arizona 85072-3999, (602) 250-3252.
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SELECTED INFORMATION
The following material is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
detailed information and financial statements incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus.
THE OFFERING
Securities Offered ...................... Up to $75,000,000 of any combination
of First Mortgage Bonds, Senior
Notes, and Debt Securities.
Application of Proceeds ................. Except as otherwise described in the
Prospectus Supplement, the net
proceeds of the Offered Securities
will be applied primarily to the
redemption, repurchase, repayment, or
retirement of outstanding
indebtedness and preferred stock, and
temporary investment pending such
application.
THE COMPANY
Business ................................ Electric utility servicing
approximately 705,000 customers in an
area that includes all or part of 11
of Arizona's 15 counties.
Generating Fuel Mix (estimated for the
twelve months ended December 31, 1996). Coal--32.52%; Nuclear--26.44%;
Purchases--38.06%; Other--2.98%.
FINANCIAL DATA (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS):
Twelve Months Ended
--------------------------------------
December 31,
--------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994
------------ ------------ ------------
Electric Operating Revenues ..... $1,718,272 $1,614,952 $1,626,168
============ ============ ============
Net Income ....................... $ 243,471 $ 239,570 $ 243,486
============ ============ ============
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges 2.84 2.77 2.96
CAPITALIZATION DATA (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS):
As Adjusted(2)
As Of -------------------------
December 31, 1996(1) Amount Percentage
-------------------- ------------ ------------
Total Debt (including current maturities) $2,200,162 $2,250,162 54.2%
Preferred Stock .......................... 218,673 168,673 4.1
Common Stock Equity ...................... 1,729,390 1,729,390 43.4
-------------------- ------------ ------------
Total Capitalization ................... $4,148,225 $4,148,225 100.0%
==================== ============ ============
<FN>
- ---------------
(1) Financial information as of and for the twelve months ended December 31,
1996 is unaudited but, in the judgment of the Company's management,
contains all necessary adjustments for a fair presentation of the financial
position of the Company on such date and the results of operations for such
period.
(2) For the (i) assumed issuance of $75 million of the Offered Securities; (ii)
redemption, repayment, repurchase or retirement of $50 million of the Company's
cumulative preferred stock; and (iii) redemption of $25 million of the Company's
long-term debt.
</FN>
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THE COMPANY
The Company was incorporated in 1920 under the laws of Arizona and is
principally engaged in providing electricity in the State of Arizona. The
principal executive offices of the Company are located at 400 North Fifth
Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85004 and its telephone number is (602) 250-1000.
APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS
Except as otherwise described in the Prospectus Supplement, the net proceeds
of the Offered Securities will be applied primarily to the redemption,
repurchase, repayment, or retirement of outstanding indebtedness and preferred
stock. Any proceeds not immediately so applied when received may be invested
temporarily, pending such application, in United States government or agency
obligations, commercial paper, bank certificates of deposit, or repurchase
agreements collateralized by United States government or agency obligations, or
will be deposited with banks.
EARNINGS RATIOS
The following table sets forth the Company's historical ratio of earnings to
fixed charges for each of the indicated periods:
Twelve Months Ended
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31,
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
2.84 2.77 2.96 2.99 2.73
For the purposes of these computations, "earnings" are defined as the sum of
pre-tax income plus fixed charges of the Company and its subsidiaries; "fixed
charges" consist of interest on debt, amortization of debt discount, premium,
and expense and an estimated interest factor in rentals.
SECURITIES
The Securities may be issued in one or more series as (i) first mortgage
bonds ("New Bonds"), (ii) notes secured by New Bonds or, in the circumstances
described under the caption "Description of Senior Notes -- Security; Release
Date," as unsecured notes (such notes are herein referred to as "Senior Notes"),
or (iii) unsecured debt securities ("Debt Securities"). From and after the
"Release Date" (as defined below), any outstanding Senior Notes secured by New
Bonds when issued will cease to be secured and will become unsecured obligations
of the Company. The New Bonds are described below under the caption "Description
of New Bonds," the Senior Notes are described below under the caption
"Description of Senior Notes," and the Debt Securities are described below under
the caption "Description of Debt Securities."
DESCRIPTION OF NEW BONDS
GENERAL
The New Bonds may be issued in one or more new series under the Mortgage and
Deed of Trust dated as of July 1, 1946 between the Company and The Bank of New
York, as successor Trustee ("Bond Trustee"), which as heretofore amended and
supplemented is herein referred to as the "Mortgage," and which is to be further
amended and supplemented by appropriate Supplemental Indentures ("Bond
Supplemental Indentures"). The following summary does not purport to be complete
and is subject in all respects to the provisions of, and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to, the Mortgage, the New Bonds, and the Bond Supplemental
Indentures, the forms of which are filed, or will be filed, as exhibits to the
registration statement of which this Prospectus forms a part. Whenever
particular provisions or defined terms in such documents are referred to herein
or in a Prospectus Supplement, such provisions or defined terms are incorporated
by reference herein or therein, as the case may be.
Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to any particular
issue of Offered Bonds for the following terms: (1) the aggregate principal
amount of the Offered Bonds; (2) the date on which such Offered Bonds mature;
(3) the rate per annum at which such Offered Bonds will bear interest; (4) the
times at which such interest will
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be payable; (5) the date, if any, after which such Offered Bonds may be redeemed
at the option of the Company and the redemption price; (6) whether any of such
Offered Bonds will be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more
Global Securities and, if so, the Depositaries for such Global Securities, the
form of any legend or legends to be borne by any such Global Security, and any
circumstances under which any such Global Security may be exchanged in whole or
in part for Offered Bonds, registered in the names of persons other than the
Depositary for such Global Security or its nominee; and (7) any other special
terms. Interest will be paid to the person in whose name the Offered Bonds are
registered at the close of business on the record date, as established in the
Bond Supplemental Indenture relating thereto, preceding the interest payment
date in respect thereof. The New Bonds will be issued as fully registered bonds,
without coupons, in denominations of $1,000 and multiples thereof. The New Bonds
will be transferable at any time without any service or other charge, except
transfer taxes and other governmental charges, if any.
Except as otherwise described under the heading "Description of New Bonds
- -Issuance of Additional Bonds" or in the Prospectus Supplement, the covenants
contained in the Mortgage and the New Bonds would not afford holders of the New
Bonds protection in the event of a highly-leveraged transaction involving the
Company.
REDEMPTION
The Offered Bonds are redeemable as set forth in the Prospectus Supplement
relating thereto and, subject to any qualifications or variations set forth in
any such Prospectus Supplement, are also subject to redemption, in each case at
the principal amount of the Offered Bonds to be redeemed together with accrued
interest to the date fixed for redemption, (i) in whole or in part with the
proceeds from mortgaged property of the Company taken under eminent domain by,
or otherwise sold to, a governmental body or agency; (ii) in whole or in part
with the Proceeds of Released Property, including proceeds from the sale or
other disposition (including a sale and leaseback) of property released from the
lien of the Mortgage as specified in section (b) of the second to the last
paragraph under the heading "Description of New Bonds -- Security" below; and
(iii) in whole, together with all other first mortgage bonds of the Company then
outstanding, within twelve months of certain mergers or other transactions
involving the transfer of substantially all of the property subject to the lien
of the Mortgage, as then amended. In addition, after the date and at the price
set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, Offered Bonds may be redeemed in whole
or in part with cash deposited in the replacement fund discussed below.
SECURITY
The New Bonds will rank pari passu, except as to any sinking fund or similar
fund provided for a particular series, with all bonds at any time outstanding
under the Mortgage. The Mortgage constitutes a first mortgage lien on
substantially all the fixed property owned by the Company (which does not
include a combined cycle plant or certain interests in Unit 2 of the Palo Verde
Nuclear Generating Station being leased), other than property specifically
excepted by the Mortgage. Such lien and the Company's title to certain of its
properties are subject to Excepted Encumbrances, to minor leases, defects,
irregularities, and deficiencies, and to the considerations discussed below with
respect to the Four Corners and Navajo Plant locations. The lien of the Mortgage
will also extend to all after-acquired property (other than the excepted
classes) located in the jurisdictions in which the necessary recordations or
filings have been accomplished, subject to Excepted Encumbrances and to liens
existing or placed on such property at the time of its acquisition by the
Company.
Both the Four Corners and the Navajo Plants are located on property held by
the plant participants under leases from the Navajo Tribe and easements from the
Secretary of the Interior. The leases extend from their respective effective
dates in 1966 and 1969 for terms of 50 years with rights of renewal for up to 25
additional years. The easements are for 50-year terms from the same effective
dates. While the Company owns the rights conferred upon it by the leases from
the Navajo Tribe, the Company does not make any representation with respect to
the Tribe's interest in the lands leased (but is not aware of any assertion of a
contesting claim to such lands) or with respect to the enforceability of the
leases against the Tribe.
The Mortgage requires the Company to keep the property encumbered thereby as
an operating system or systems in good repair and working order, but permits the
permanent discontinuance or reduction in capacity of any such properties which,
in the judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company, is desirable in the
conduct of its business or which is ordered by a regulatory authority or which
properties are to be sold or disposed of by the Company.
When not in default under the Mortgage, the Company may obtain the release
from the lien thereof of (a) property that has become unserviceable, obsolete,
or unnecessary for use in the Company's operations, provided that
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it replaces such property with, or substitutes for the same, an equal value of
other property, and (b) other property that has been sold or otherwise disposed
of, provided that the Company deposits with the Bond Trustee cash in an amount,
waives the right to issue additional bonds on the basis of retired bonds
previously issued in an amount, or utilizes as a credit net Property Additions
acquired by the Company within the preceding five years and having a fair value
(not more than Cost), equal to the fair value of the property to be released.
The Bond Trustee may, and upon request of the Company shall, cancel and
discharge the lien of the Mortgage and all indentures supplemental thereto
whenever all indebtedness secured by the Mortgage has been paid.
ISSUANCE OF ADDITIONAL BONDS
Additional bonds may be issued under the Mortgage in a principal amount equal
to (a) 60% of net Property Additions, (b) the principal amount of certain
redeemed or retired bonds previously issued, and/or (c) deposited cash, provided
that the Company's Adjusted Net Earnings over a twelve-month period are at least
two times the annual interest on all bonds to be outstanding under the Mortgage
after the issuance and on indebtedness secured by prior liens. Exceptions to
this earnings coverage requirement apply to bonds issued on the basis of
redeemed or retired bonds where the redeemed or retired bonds bore a higher rate
of interest and where certain other conditions are satisfied. In addition, the
Company's articles of incorporation allow the Company to issue additional
preferred stock when certain earnings coverage requirements are met. Exceptions
to this earnings coverage requirement apply to preferred stock issued for the
purpose of redeeming or retiring other preferred stock.
As of December 31, 1996, the Company estimates that the Mortgage and the
articles of incorporation would have allowed the Company to issue up to
approximately $1.7 billion and $1.1 billion of additional first mortgage bonds
and preferred stock, respectively.
In addition to the Mortgage restrictions on the Company's issuance of
additional bonds, the Company must obtain ACC approval before issuing equity
securities or incurring long-term debt. Existing ACC orders allow the Company to
have approximately $501 million in aggregate par value of preferred stock and
approximately $2.6 billion in principal amount of long-term debt outstanding at
any one time. The Company does not expect these provisions or authorizations to
limit the Company's ability to meet its capital requirements.
Property Additions, and in many instances redeemed or retired bonds, as well
as deposited cash, may be used for certain alternative purposes under the
Mortgage, including the release of property from the lien thereof or the
satisfaction of sinking or replacement fund requirements. The Mortgage contains
restrictions on the issuance of bonds, withdrawal of cash, or release of
property on the basis of property subject to prior liens. Property located on
leaseholds or easements (as, for example, the Four Corners and Navajo Plants)
will constitute fundable Property Additions if the leasehold or easement has an
unexpired term of, or the term is extendable at the Company's option for, at
least 30 years after the time of funding, or if the property may be removed by
the Company without compensation.
REPLACEMENT FUND
So long as any of the New Bonds are outstanding, the Company is required for
each calendar year to deposit with the Bond Trustee cash in a formularized
amount related to net additions to the Company's mortgaged utility plant;
however, the Company may satisfy all or any part of the requirement by utilizing
redeemed or retired bonds, net Property Additions, or property retirements. For
1995, such requirement amounted to approximately $128 million. Any cash that may
be deposited by the Company pursuant to the requirement may, upon request by the
Company, be applied to the redemption or purchase of bonds and, if not withdrawn
against Property Additions or retired bonds within five years, must be so
applied, subject in each case to any restrictions on any such redemption or
purchase as set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to the issue of
bonds to be redeemed or purchased.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
The following are defaults under the Mortgage: (a) failure to pay the
principal of any bond outstanding under the Mortgage when due and payable; (b)
failure to pay interest on any bond outstanding under the Mortgage within 60
days after the same is due and payable; (c) failure to pay any installment of
any fund required to be applied to the purchase or redemption of bonds
outstanding under the Mortgage within 60 days after the same is due and payable;
(d) certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization; and (e) failure
to perform any other covenant of the Mortgage continuing for 90 days after
notice by the Bond Trustee or holders of 15% in principal amount of Eligible
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bonds. The Mortgage allows the Bond Trustee to withhold notice of certain
defaults, not including any default in the payment of principal of, or interest
on, any bond outstanding, or in the payment of any sinking, improvement,
replacement, or purchase fund installment, if it in good faith determines that
the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the bondholders.
The holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of Eligible bonds
may direct the time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any
remedy available to the Bond Trustee under the Mortgage; provided, however, that
the Trustee may decline to follow any such direction under certain
circumstances, including a determination made in good faith by the Bond Trustee
that it will not be sufficiently indemnified for any expenditures, including its
own charges, in any action or proceeding so directed. The Company is required to
file with the Bond Trustee, on or before July 1 of each year, a certificate to
the effect that, except as otherwise stated therein, the Company has complied
with all of the provisions of the Mortgage and is not then in default
thereunder.
MODIFICATION OF THE MORTGAGE
The Mortgage and the rights of bondholders may be modified with the consent
of the Company, and of the Bond Trustee if deemed affected, and the vote or
assent of the holders of not less than 70% in principal amount of the Eligible
bonds, and of not less than 70% in principal amount of the Eligible bonds of any
one or more series (less than all) affected by any such modification; except
that the bondholders, without the consent of the holder of each bond affected,
have no power to (a) reduce the principal thereof, or the premium, if any, or
rate of interest thereon or otherwise modify the terms of payment of principal,
premium, or interest, or extend the maturity of any bonds, (b) permit the
creation of any lien ranking prior to or on a parity with the lien of the
Mortgage with respect to any of the mortgaged property, (c) deprive any
nonassenting bondholder of a lien upon the mortgaged property for the security
of his or her bonds, or (d) reduce the percentage of bondholders authorized to
effect any such modification.
GLOBAL SECURITIES
Some or all of the New Bonds of any series may be represented, in whole or in
part, by one or more "Global Securities" which will have an aggregate principal
amount equal to that of the New Bonds represented thereby. Each Global Security
will be registered in the name of a depositary or a nominee thereof identified
in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, will be deposited with such depositary
or nominee or a custodian therefor and will bear a legend regarding the
restrictions on exchanges and registration of transfer thereof referred to below
and any such other matters as may be provided for pursuant to the applicable
Bond Supplemental Indenture.
Notwithstanding any provision of the Mortgage or any New Bond described
herein, no Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for New Bonds
registered, and no transfer of a Global Security in whole or in part may be
registered, in the name of any person other than the depositary for such Global
Security or any nominee of such depositary unless (i) the depositary has
notified the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary
for such Global Security or has ceased to be qualified to act as such as
required by the Mortgage, (ii) there shall have occurred and be continuing a
default with respect to the New Bonds represented by such Global Security or
(iii) there shall exist such circumstances, if any, in addition to or in lieu of
those described above as may be described in the applicable Bond Supplemental
Indenture and Prospectus Supplement. All securities issued in exchange for a
Global Security or any portion thereof will be registered in such names as the
depositary may direct.
As long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered holder of a
Global Security, the depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, will be
considered the sole owner and holder of such Global Security and the New Bonds
represented thereby for all purposes under the New Bonds and the Mortgage.
Except in the limited circumstances referred to above, owners of beneficial
interests in a Global Security will not be entitled to have such Global Security
or any New Bonds represented thereby registered in their names, will not receive
or be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated New Bonds in
exchange therefor and will not be considered to be the owners or holders of such
Global Security or any New Bonds represented thereby for any purpose under the
New Bonds or the Mortgage. All payments of principal of and any premium and
interest on a Global Security will be made to the depositary or its nominee, as
the case may be, as the holder thereof. The laws of some jurisdictions require
that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities
in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial
interests in a Global Security.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Security will be limited to
institutions that have accounts with the depositary or its nominee
("participants") and to persons that may hold beneficial interests through
participants. In
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connection with the issuance of any Global Security, the depositary will credit,
on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal
amounts of New Bonds represented by the Global Security to the accounts of its
participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Security will be
shown only on, and the transfer of those ownership interests will be effected
only through, records maintained by the depositary (with respect to
participants' interests) or any such participant (with respect to interests of
persons held by such participants on their behalf). Payments, transfers,
exchanges, and other matters relating to beneficial interests in a Global
Security may be subject to various policies and procedures adopted by the
depositary from time to time. None of the Company, the Bond Trustee or any agent
of the Company or the Bond Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for
any aspect of the depositary's or any participant's records relating to, or for
payments made on account of, beneficial interests in a Global Security, or for
maintaining, supervising, or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial
interests.
OTHER
The Mortgage restricts the payment of dividends on common stock of the
Company under certain conditions which have not existed in the past and do not
currently exist.
The Bond Trustee, security registrar, and paying agent under the Mortgage is
The Bank of New York. The Company maintains normal banking arrangements with The
Bank of New York, which includes (i) two commitments in the aggregate principal
amount of approximately $35.7 million by The Bank of New York pursuant to
reimbursement agreements related to letters of credit issued on behalf of the
Company in connection with issuances of pollution control bonds, the proceeds of
which were made available to the Company, and (ii) a $25 million commitment by
The Bank of New York pursuant to a revolving credit agreement, $0 and $20
million of which, respectively, were outstanding at December 31, 1996. The Bank
of New York also serves as (i) trustee for the holders of several issues of
pollution control bonds issued on behalf of the Company, (ii) trustee under the
Indenture relating to the subordinated Debt Securities (see "Description of Debt
Securities" below), (iii) trustee under the Senior Note Indenture (as defined
below), (iv) investment manager for the Company's nonunion post-retirement
medical fund, and (v) custodian of international fixed-income assets for the
Company's pension plan.
DESCRIPTION OF SENIOR NOTES
GENERAL
The Senior Notes may be issued in one or more new series under an Indenture
(the "Senior Note Indenture") between the Company and The Bank of New York, or
any other trustee to be named, as Trustee (the "Senior Note Trustee"). The
following summary does not purport to be complete and is subject in all respects
to the provisions of, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the
Senior Note Indenture pursuant to which the Senior Notes are to be issued and to
the Senior Notes, the forms of which are filed, or will be filed, as exhibits to
the registration statement of which this Prospectus forms a part. Whenever
particular provisions or defined terms in the Senior Note Indenture are referred
to herein or in a Prospectus Supplement, such provisions or terms are
incorporated by reference herein or therein, as the case may be.
Until the Release Date (as defined below), the Senior Notes will be secured
by one or more series of New Bonds ("Senior Note Mortgage Bonds") issued and
delivered by the Company to the Senior Note Trustee. See "Description of Senior
Notes -- Security; Release Date." On the Release Date, the Senior Notes will
cease to be secured by Senior Note Mortgage Bonds, will become unsecured
obligations of the Company, and will rank on a parity with other unsecured
senior indebtedness of the Company, including senior Debt Securities. The Senior
Note Indenture provides that, in addition to the Senior Notes offered hereby,
additional Senior Notes may be issued thereunder, without limitation as to
aggregate principal amount, provided that, prior to the Release Date, the amount
of Senior Notes that may be issued cannot exceed the amount of first mortgage
bonds that the Company is able to issue under its Mortgage. See "Description of
New Bonds -- Issuance of Additional Bonds."
Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to any particular
issue of Offered Senior Notes for the following terms: (1) the title of such
Senior Notes; (2) any limit on the aggregate principal amount of such Senior
Notes or the series of which they are a part; (3) the date or dates on which the
principal of any of such Senior Notes will be payable; (4) the rate or rates at
which any of such Senior Notes will bear interest, if any, the date or dates
from which any such interest will accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which
any such interest will be payable and the Regular
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Record Date for any such interest payable on any Interest Payment Date; (5) the
place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on any of
such Senior Notes will be payable, if other than as described under "Description
of Senior Notes -- Payment and Paying Agents"; (6) the period or periods within
which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions on which any of
such Senior Notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the
Company; (7) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase any of
such Senior Notes pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the
option of the Holder thereof, and the period or periods within which, the price
or prices at which and the terms and conditions on which any of such Senior
Notes will be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to any such
obligation; (8) the denominations in which any of such Senior Notes will be
issuable, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple
thereof; (9) if the amount of principal of or any premium or interest on any of
such Senior Notes may be determined with reference to an index or pursuant to a
formula, the manner in which such amounts will be determined; (10) if other than
the currency of the United States of America, the currency, currencies, or
currency units in which the principal of or any premium or interest on any of
such Senior Notes will be payable and the manner of determining the equivalent
thereof in the currency of the United States of America for any purpose,
including for purposes of determining the principal amount deemed to be
Outstanding at any time; (11) if the principal of or any premium or interest on
any of such Senior Notes is to be payable, at the election of the Company or the
Holder thereof, in one or more currencies, or currency units other than those in
which such Senior Notes are stated to be payable, the currency, currencies or
currency units in which payment of any such amount as to which such election is
made will be payable, the periods within which and the terms and conditions upon
which such election is to be made and the amount so payable (or the manner in
which such amount is to be determined); (12) if other than the entire principal
amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of any of such Senior Notes
which will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof;
(13) if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of any of such
Senior Notes will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to the
Stated Maturity, the amount which will be deemed to be such principal amount as
of any such date for any purpose, including the principal amount thereof which
will be due and payable upon any Maturity other than the Stated Maturity or
which will be deemed to be Outstanding as of any such date (or, in any such
case, the manner in which such deemed principal amount is to be determined);
(14) if applicable, that such Senior Notes, in whole or any specified part, are
defeasible pursuant to the provisions of the Senior Note Indenture described
under "Description of Senior Notes -- Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
- -Defeasance and Discharge" or "Description of Senior Notes -- Defeasance and
Covenant Defeasance -- Covenant Defeasance," or under both such captions; (15)
whether any of such Senior Notes will be issuable in whole or in part in the
form of one or more Global Securities and, if so, the respective Depositaries
for such Global Securities, the form of any legend or legends to be borne by any
such Global Security in addition to or in lieu of the legend referred to under
"Description of Senior Notes -- Global Securities" and, if different from those
described under such caption, any circumstances under which any such Global
Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for Senior Notes registered, and
any transfer of such Global Security in whole or in part may be registered, in
the names of Persons other than the Depositary for such Global Security or its
nominee; (16) if any of such Senior Notes are to be issued prior to the Release
Date, the designation of the series of Senior Note Mortgage Bonds to be
delivered to the Senior Note Trustee as security for such Senior Notes; (17) any
addition to or change in the Events of Default applicable to any of such Senior
Notes and any change in the right of the Trustee or the Holders to declare the
principal amount of any of such Senior Notes due and payable; (18) any addition
to or change in the covenants in the Senior Note Indenture; and (19) any other
terms of such Senior Notes not inconsistent with the provisions of the Senior
Note Indenture. (Section 301).
Senior Notes, including Original Issue Discount Notes, may be sold at a
substantial discount below their principal amount. Certain special United States
federal income tax considerations (if any) applicable to Senior Notes sold at an
original issue discount may be described in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement. In addition, certain special United States federal income tax or
other considerations (if any) applicable to any Senior Notes which are
denominated in a currency or currency unit other than United States dollars may
be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
Except as otherwise described in the Prospectus Supplement, the covenants
contained in the Senior Note Indenture would not afford holders of Senior Notes
protection in the event of a highly-leveraged transaction involving the Company.
9
FORM, EXCHANGE, AND TRANSFER
The Senior Notes of each series will be issuable only in fully registered
form without coupons and, unless otherwise specified in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple
thereof. (Section 302).
At the option of the Holder, subject to the terms of the Senior Note
Indenture and the limitations applicable to Global Securities, Senior Notes of
any series will be exchangeable for other Senior Notes of the same series, of
any authorized denomination and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.
(Section 305).
Subject to the terms of the Senior Note Indenture and the limitations
applicable to Global Securities, Senior Notes may be presented for exchange as
provided above or for registration of transfer (duly endorsed or with the form
of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed) at the office of the Note Registrar
or at the office of any transfer agent designated by the Company for such
purpose. No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or
exchange of Senior Notes, but the Company may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection
therewith. Such transfer or exchange will be effected upon the Note Registrar or
such transfer agent, as the case may be, being satisfied with the documents of
title and identity of the person making the request. The Company has appointed
the Senior Note Trustee as Note Registrar. Any transfer agent (in addition to
the Note Registrar) initially designated by the Company for any Senior Notes
will be named in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. (Section 305). The
Company may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the
designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through
which any transfer agent acts, except that the Company will be required to
maintain a transfer agent in each Place of Payment for the Senior Notes of each
series. (Section 1102).
If the Senior Notes of any series (or of any series and specified tenor) are
to be redeemed, the Company will not be required to (i) issue, register the
transfer of, or exchange any Senior Note of that series (or of that series and
specified tenor, as the case may be) during a period beginning at the opening of
business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of any such
Senior Note that may be selected for redemption and ending at the close of
business on the day of such mailing or (ii) register the transfer of or exchange
any Senior Note so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the
unredeemed portion of any such Senior Note being redeemed in part. (Section
305).
GLOBAL NOTES
Some or all of the Senior Notes of any series may be represented, in whole or
in part, by one or more Global Notes which will have an aggregate principal
amount equal to that of the Senior Notes represented thereby. Each Global Note
will be registered in the name of a Depositary or a nominee thereof identified
in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, will be deposited with such Depositary
or nominee or a custodian therefor and will bear a legend regarding the
restrictions on exchanges and registration of transfer thereof referred to below
and any such other matters as may be provided for pursuant to the Senior Note
Indenture.
Notwithstanding any provision of the Senior Note Indenture or any Senior Note
described herein, no Global Note may be exchanged in whole or in part for Senior
Notes registered, and no transfer of a Global Note in whole or in part may be
registered, in the name of any Person other than the Depositary for such Global
Note or any nominee of such Depositary unless (i) the Depositary has notified
the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such
Global Note or has ceased to be qualified to act as such as required by the
Senior Note Indenture, (ii) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event
of Default with respect to the Senior Notes represented by such Global Note or
(iii) there shall exist such circumstances, if any, in addition to or in lieu of
those described above as may be described in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement. All securities issued in exchange for a Global Note or any portion
thereof will be registered in such names as the Depositary may direct. (Sections
204 and 305).
As long as the Depositary, or its nominee, is the registered Holder of a
Global Note, the Depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, will be
considered the sole owner and Holder of such Global Note and the Senior Notes
represented thereby for all purposes under the Senior Notes and the Senior Note
Indenture. Except in the limited circumstances referred to above, owners of
beneficial interests in a Global Note will not be entitled to have such Global
Note or any Senior Notes represented thereby registered in their names, will not
receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated Senior Notes
in exchange therefor and will not be considered to be the owners or Holders of
such Global Note or any Senior Notes represented thereby for any purpose under
the Senior Notes or the Senior Note Indenture. All payments of principal of and
any premium and interest on a Global Note will be made to
10
the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the Holder thereof. The
laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of securities take
physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. These laws may impair
the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Note.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Note will be limited to
institutions that have accounts with the Depositary or its nominee
("participants") and to persons that may hold beneficial interests through
participants. In connection with the issuance of any Global Note, the Depositary
will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective
principal amounts of Senior Notes represented by the Global Note to the accounts
of its participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Note will be
shown only on, and the transfer of those ownership interests will be effected
only through, records maintained by the Depositary (with respect to
participants' interests) or any such participant (with respect to interests of
persons held by such participants on their behalf). Payments, transfers,
exchanges, and others matters relating to beneficial interests in a Global Note
may be subject to various policies and procedures adopted by the Depositary from
time to time. None of the Company, the Senior Note Trustee or any agent of the
Company or the Senior Note Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for
any aspect of the Depositary's or any participant's records relating to, or for
payments made on account of, beneficial interests in a Global Note, or for
maintaining, supervising, or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial
interests.
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment
of interest on a Senior Note on any Interest Payment Date will be made to the
Person in whose name such Senior Note (or one or more Predecessor Senior Notes)
is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such
interest. (Section 307).
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, principal
of and any premium and interest on the Senior Notes of a particular series will
be payable at the office of such Paying Agent or Paying Agents as the Company
may designate for such purpose from time to time, except that at the option of
the Company payment of any interest may be made by check mailed to the address
of the Person entitled thereto as such address appears in the Note Register.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
corporate trust office of the Senior Note Trustee in The City of New York will
be designated as the Company's sole Paying Agent for payments with respect to
Senior Notes of each series. Any other Paying Agents initially designated by the
Company for the Senior Notes of a particular series will be named in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. The Company may at any time designate
additional Paying Agents or rescind the designation of any Paying Agent or
approve a change in the office through which any Paying Agent acts, except that
the Company will be required to maintain a Paying Agent in each Place of Payment
for the Senior Notes of a particular series. (Section 1102).
All moneys paid by the Company to a Paying Agent for the payment of the
principal of or any premium or interest on any Senior Notes which remain
unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has
become due and payable will be repaid to the Company, and the Holder of such
Senior Notes thereafter may look only to the Company for payment thereof.
(Section 1103).
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, AND SALE OF ASSETS
The Company may not consolidate with or merge into any other Person or
convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets "substantially as an
entirety" to any Person, and may not permit any Person to consolidate with or
merge into the Company or convey, transfer, or lease its properties and assets
substantially as an entirety to the Company, unless (a) the successor Person (if
any) is a corporation, partnership, trust or other entity organized and validly
existing under the laws of any domestic jurisdiction and (i) assumes the
Company's obligations on the Senior Notes and under the Senior Note Indenture,
and (ii) if such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer, or lease occurs
prior to the Release Date, assumes the Company's obligations under the Senior
Note Mortgage Bonds and under the Mortgage; (b) immediately after giving effect
to the transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or
lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and
be continuing and (iii) certain other conditions are met. The term
"substantially as an entirety" means 50% or more of the total assets of the
Company as shown on the Company's consolidated balance sheet as of the end of
the calendar year immediately preceding the day of the year in which such
determination is made. (Section 901).
SECURITY; RELEASE DATE
Until the Release Date (as defined below), the Senior Notes will be secured
by one or more series of Senior Note Mortgage Bonds issued and delivered by the
Company to the Senior Note Trustee (see "Description of the New
11
Bonds"). Upon the issuance of a series of Senior Notes prior to the Release
Date, the Company will simultaneously issue and deliver to the Senior Note
Trustee, as security for such series of Senior Notes, a series of Senior Note
Mortgage Bonds that will have the same stated rate or rates of interest (or
interest calculated in the same manner), Interest Payment Dates, Stated Maturity
and redemption provisions, and will be in the same aggregate principal amount as
the series of the Senior Notes being issued. (Sections 401-403). Payments by the
Company to the Senior Note Trustee of principal of, premium and interest on, a
series of Senior Note Mortgage Bonds will be applied by the Senior Note Trustee
to satisfy the Company's obligations with respect to principal of, premium and
interest on, the related series of Senior Notes (Section 312). THE RELEASE DATE
WILL BE THE DATE THAT ALL FIRST MORTGAGE BONDS ("FIRST MORTGAGE BONDS") OF THE
COMPANY ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING UNDER THE MORTGAGE, OTHER THAN SENIOR NOTE
MORTGAGE BONDS, HAVE BEEN RETIRED (AT, BEFORE OR AFTER THE MATURITY THEREOF)
THROUGH PAYMENT, REDEMPTION, OR OTHERWISE. ON THE RELEASE DATE, THE SENIOR NOTE
TRUSTEE WILL DELIVER TO THE COMPANY FOR CANCELLATION ALL SENIOR NOTE MORTGAGE
BONDS AND THE COMPANY WILL CAUSE THE SENIOR NOTE TRUSTEE TO PROVIDE NOTICE TO
ALL HOLDERS OF SENIOR NOTES OF THE OCCURRENCE OF THE RELEASE DATE. AS A RESULT,
ON THE RELEASE DATE, THE SENIOR NOTE MORTGAGE BONDS WILL CEASE TO SECURE THE
SENIOR NOTES, AND THE SENIOR NOTES WILL BECOME UNSECURED GENERAL OBLIGATIONS OF
THE COMPANY. (SECTION 407) SEE "DESCRIPTION OF SENIOR NOTES -- DEFEASANCE AND
COVENANT DEFEASANCE -- DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE" FOR A DISCUSSION OF ANOTHER
SITUATION IN WHICH OUTSTANDING SENIOR NOTES WOULD NOT BE SECURED BY SENIOR NOTE
MORTGAGE BONDS. Each series of Senior Note Mortgage Bonds will be a series of
New Bonds, all of which are secured by a lien on certain property owned by the
Company. See "Description of New Bonds -- Security." In certain circumstances
prior to the Release Date, the Company is permitted to reduce the aggregate
principal amount of a series of Senior Note Mortgage Bonds held by the Senior
Note Trustee, but in no event to an amount lower than the aggregate outstanding
principal amount of the series of Senior Notes initially issued
contemporaneously with such Senior Note Mortgage Bonds. (Section 409). Following
the Release Date, the Company will cause the Mortgage to be closed and the
Company will not issue any additional First Mortgage Bonds under the Mortgage.
(Section 403). While the Company will be precluded after the Release Date from
issuing additional First Mortgage Bonds, the Company will not be precluded under
the Senior Note Indenture or the Senior Notes from issuing or assuming other
secured debt, or incurring liens on its property, unless otherwise indicated in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
Each of the following will constitute an Event of Default under the Senior
Note Indenture with respect to Senior Notes of any series: (a) failure to pay
principal of or any premium on any Senior Note of that series when due,
continued for five days; (b) failure to pay any interest on any Senior Notes of
that series when due, continued for sixty days; (c) failure to deposit any
sinking fund payment, when due, in respect of any Senior Note of that series;
(d) failure to perform any other covenant of the Company in the Senior Note
Indenture (other than a covenant included in the Senior Note Indenture solely
for the benefit of a series other than that series), continued for 90 days after
written notice has been given by the Senior Note Trustee, or the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Senior Notes of that series, as
provided in the Senior Note Indenture; (e) prior to the Release Date, the
occurrence of a Default under the Mortgage (see "Description of the Bonds
- -Events of Default"), of which the Trustee under the Mortgage, the Company or
the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding
Senior Notes have given written notice thereof to the Senior Note Trustee; and
(f) certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization. (Section 601).
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default described in clause
(f) above) with respect to the Senior Notes of any series at the time
Outstanding shall occur and be continuing, either the Senior Note Trustee or the
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Senior Notes of
that series by notice as provided in the Senior Note Indenture may declare the
principal amount of the Senior Notes of that series (or, in the case of any
Senior Note that is an Original Issue Discount Note or the principal amount of
which is not then determinable, such portion of the principal amount of such
Senior Note, or such other amount in lieu of such principal amount, as may be
specified in the terms of such Senior Note) to be due and payable immediately.
If an Event of Default described in clause (f) above with respect to the Senior
Notes of any series at the time Outstanding shall occur, the principal amount of
all the Senior Notes of that series (or, in the case of any such Original Issue
Discount Note or other Senior Note, such specified amount) will automatically,
and without any action by the Senior Note Trustee or any Holder, become
immediately due and payable. After any such acceleration, but before (i) a
judgment or decree based on acceleration or (ii) the Senior Note Trustee's
receipt from the Trustee under the Mortgage of a notice of acceleration of
Senior Note First Mortgage
12
Bonds such acceleration will be automatically waived and rescinded if all Events
of Default, other than the non- payment of accelerated principal (or other
specified amount), have been cured or waived as provided in the Indenture.
(Section 602). For information as to waiver of defaults, see "Modification and
Waiver."
Subject to the provisions of the Senior Note Indenture relating to the duties
of the Senior Note Trustee in case an Event of Default shall occur and be
continuing, the Senior Note Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any
of its rights or powers under the Senior Note Indenture at the request or
direction of any of the Holders, unless such Holders shall have offered to the
Senior Note Trustee reasonable indemnity. (Section 703). Subject to such
provisions for the indemnification of the Senior Note Trustee, the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Senior Notes of any series will
have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding
for any remedy available to the Senior Note Trustee, or exercising any trust or
power conferred on the Senior Note Trustee, with respect to the Senior Notes of
that series. (Section 612).
No Holder of a Senior Note of any series will have any right to institute any
proceeding with respect to the Senior Note Indenture, or for the appointment of
a receiver or a trustee, or for any other remedy thereunder, unless (i) such
Holder has previously given to the Senior Note Trustee written notice of a
continuing Event of Default with respect to the Senior Notes of that series,
(ii) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Senior Notes of that series have made written request, and such
Holder or Holders have offered reasonable indemnity, to the Senior Note Trustee
to institute such proceeding as trustee and (iii) the Senior Note Trustee has
failed to institute such proceeding, and has not received from the Holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Senior Notes of that
series a direction inconsistent with such request, within 60 days after such
notice, request and offer. (Section 607). However, such limitations do not apply
to a suit instituted by a Holder of a Senior Note for the enforcement of payment
of the principal of or any premium or interest on such Senior Note on or after
the applicable due date specified in such Senior Note. (Section 608).
The Company will be required to furnish to the Trustee annually a statement
by certain of its officers as to whether or not the Company, to their knowledge,
is in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions
and conditions of the Indenture and, if so, specifying all such known defaults.
(Section 1104).
MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
Modifications and amendments of the Senior Note Indenture may be made by the
Company and the Senior Note Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Senior Notes of each series
affected by such modification or amendment; provided, however, that no such
modification or amendment may, without the consent of the Holder of each
Outstanding Senior Note affected thereby, (a) change the Stated Maturity of the
principal of, or any instalment of principal of or interest on, any Senior Note,
(b) reduce the principal amount of, or any premium or interest on, any Senior
Note, (c) reduce the amount of principal of an Original Issue Discount Note or
any other Senior Note payable upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof, (d)
change the place or currency of payment of principal of, or any premium or
interest on, any Senior Note, (e) impair the right to institute suit for the
enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any Senior Note, (f) prior to
the Release Date, (i) impair the interest of the Senior Note Trustee in the
Senior Note Mortgage Bonds, (ii) reduce the principal amount of any series of
Senior Note Mortgage Bonds to an amount less than the principal amount of the
related Series of Notes, or (iii) alter the payment provisions of the Senior
Note Mortgage Bonds in a manner adverse to the Holders of the Notes, or (g)
reduce the percentage in principal amount of Outstanding Senior Notes of any
series, the consent of whose Holders is required for modification or amendment
of the Senior Note Indenture, reduce the percentage in principal amount of
Outstanding Senior Notes of any series necessary for waiver of compliance with
certain provisions of the Senior Note Indenture or for waiver of certain
defaults or modify such provisions with respect to modification and waiver.
(Section 1002).
The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Senior Notes
of any series may waive compliance by the Company with certain restrictive
provisions of the Senior Note Indenture. (Section 1108). The Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Senior Notes of any series may
waive any past default under the Senior Note Indenture, except a default in the
payment of principal, premium, or interest and certain covenants and provisions
of the Senior Note Indenture which cannot be amended without the consent of the
Holder of each Outstanding Senior Note of such series affected. (Section 613).
The Senior Note Indenture provides that in determining whether the Holders of
the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Senior Notes have given or
taken any direction, notice, consent, waiver, or other action under the
13
Senior Note Indenture as of any date, (i) the principal amount of an Original
Issue Discount Note that will be deemed to be Outstanding will be the amount of
the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of such date upon
acceleration of the Maturity thereof to such date, (ii) if, as of such date, the
principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of a Senior Note is not
determinable (for example, because it is based on an index), the principal
amount of such Senior Note deemed to be Outstanding as of such date will be an
amount determined in the manner prescribed for such Senior Note and (iii) the
principal amount of a Senior Note denominated in one or more foreign currencies
or currency units that will be deemed to be Outstanding will be the U.S. dollar
equivalent, determined as of such date in the manner prescribed for such Senior
Note, of the principal amount of such Senior Note (or, in the case of a Senior
Note described in clause (i) or (ii) above, of the amount described in such
clause). Certain Senior Notes, including those for whose payment or redemption
money has been deposited or set aside in trust for the Holders and those that
have been fully defeased pursuant to Section 1402, will not be deemed to be
Outstanding. (Section 101).
Except in certain limited circumstances, the Company will be entitled to set
any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of
Outstanding Senior Notes of any series entitled to give or take any direction,
notice, consent, waiver, or other action under the Senior Note Indenture, in the
manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Senior Note Indenture. In
certain limited circumstances, the Senior Note Trustee will be entitled to set a
record date for action by Holders. If a record date is set for any action to be
taken by Holders of a particular series, such action may be taken only by
persons who are Holders of Outstanding Senior Notes of that series on the record
date. To be effective, such action must be taken by Holders of the requisite
principal amount of such Senior Notes within a specified period following the
record date. For any particular record date, this period will be 180 days or
such other shorter period as may be specified by the Company (or the Senior Note
Trustee, if it set the record date), and may be shortened or lengthened (but not
beyond 180 days) from time to time. (Section 104).
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
If and to the extent indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Company may elect, at its option at any time, to have the provisions of Section
1402, relating to defeasance and discharge of indebtedness, or Section 1403,
relating to defeasance of certain restrictive covenants in the Senior Note
Indenture, applied to the Senior Notes of any series, or to any specified part
of a series. (Section 1401).
DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE. The Senior Note Indenture provides that, upon the
Company's exercise of its option (if any) to have Section 1402 applied to any
Senior Notes, the Company will be discharged from all its obligations with
respect to such Senior Notes (except for certain obligations to exchange or
register the transfer of Senior Notes, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated
Senior Notes, to maintain paying agencies and to hold moneys for payment in
trust) upon the deposit in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Senior
Notes of money or U.S. Government Obligations, or both, which, through the
payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their
terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and
any premium and interest on such Senior Notes on the respective Stated
Maturities in accordance with the terms of the Senior Note Indenture and such
Senior Notes. UPON SUCH DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE, THE SENIOR NOTE TRUSTEE WILL
DELIVER TO THE COMPANY FOR CANCELLATION ALL SENIOR NOTE MORTGAGE BONDS SECURING
SUCH SENIOR NOTES, AFTER WHICH TIME THE SENIOR NOTES WILL NO LONGER BE SECURED
BY SENIOR NOTE MORTGAGE BONDS. Such defeasance and discharge may occur only if,
among other things, the Company has delivered to the Senior Note Trustee an
Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Company has received from, or there
has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or
there has been a change in tax law, in either case to the effect that Holders of
such Senior Notes will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax
purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance, and discharge and will be
subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the
same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge
were not to occur. (Sections 1402 and 1404).
DEFEASANCE OF CERTAIN COVENANTS. The Senior Note Indenture provides that,
upon the Company's exercise of its option (if any) to have Section 1403 applied
to any Senior Notes, the Company may omit to comply with certain restrictive
covenants that may be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, and the
occurrence of certain Events of Default, which are described above in clause (d)
(with respect to such restrictive covenants) under "Description of Senior Notes
- -- Events of Default" and any that may be described in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, will be deemed not to be or result in an Event of Default will cease
to be effective, in each case with respect to such Senior Notes. The Company, in
order to exercise such option, will be required to deposit, in trust for the
benefit of the Holders of such Senior Notes, money or U.S. Government
Obligations, or both, which, through the payment of
14
principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will
provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and any premium
and interest on such Senior Notes on the respective Stated Maturities in
accordance with the terms of the Senior Note Indenture and such Senior Notes.
The Company will also be required, among other things, to deliver to the Trustee
an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that Holders of such Senior Notes will not
recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such
deposit and defeasance of certain obligations and will be subject to federal
income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would
have been the case if such deposit and defeasance were not to occur. In the
event the Company exercised this option with respect to any Senior Notes and
such Senior Notes were declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any
Event of Default, the amount of money and U.S. Government Obligations so
deposited in trust would be sufficient to pay amounts due on such Senior Notes
at the time of their respective Stated Maturities but may not be sufficient to
pay amounts due on such Senior Notes upon any acceleration resulting from such
Event of Default. In such case, the Company would remain liable for such
payments. (Sections 1403 and 1404).
NOTICES
Notices to Holders of Senior Notes will be given by mail to the addresses of
such Holders as they may appear in the Note Register. (Sections 101 and 106).
TITLE
The Company, the Senior Note Trustee, and any agent of the Company or the
Senior Note Trustee may treat the Person in whose name a Senior Note is
registered as the absolute owner thereof (whether or not such Senior Note may be
overdue) for the purpose of making payment and for all other purposes.
(Section 308).
GOVERNING LAW
The Senior Note Indenture and the Senior Notes will be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York. (Section 112).
REGARDING THE SENIOR NOTE TRUSTEE
The Senior Note Trustee is The Bank of New York. The Company maintains normal
banking arrangements with The Bank of New York, which includes (i) two
commitments in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $35.7 million by
The Bank of New York pursuant to reimbursement agreements related to letters of
credit issued on behalf of the Company in connection with issuances of pollution
control bonds, the proceeds of which were made available to the Company, and
(ii) a $25 million commitment by The Bank of New York pursuant to a revolving
credit agreement, $0 and $20 million of which, respectively, was outstanding at
December 31, 1996. The Bank of New York also serves as (i) trustee under the
Mortgage, (ii) trustee for the holders of several issues of pollution control
bonds issued on behalf of the Company, (iii) trustee under the Company's
Indenture relating to subordinated Debt Securities (see below), (iv) investment
manager for the Company's nonunion post-retirement medical fund, and (v)
custodian of international fixed-income assets for the Company's pension plan.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
GENERAL
The Debt Securities may be issued in one or more new series under an
Indenture between the Company and (i) The Bank of New York, in the case of
subordinated Debt Securities, and (ii) The Chase Manhattan Bank, in the case of
senior Debt Securities, or any other trustees to be named, as Trustee (each, a
"Trustee"). The following summary does not purport to be complete and is subject
in all respects to the provisions of, and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to, the Indentures pursuant to which the subordinated and senior Debt
Securities are to be issued and to the Debt Securities, the forms of which are
filed, or will be filed, as exhibits to the registration statement of which this
Prospectus forms a part. Whenever particular provisions or defined terms in such
documents are referred to herein or in a Prospectus Supplement, such provisions
or terms are incorporated by reference herein or therein, as the case may be.
The Debt Securities will be unsecured obligations of the Company. Separate
Indentures will be used for senior Debt Securities and subordinated Debt
Securities, respectively, although the description of the Indenture herein,
except as specifically stated otherwise, applies to both Indentures.
15
Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to any particular
issue of Offered Debt Securities for the following terms: (1) the title of such
Debt Securities; (2) any limit on the aggregate principal amount of such Debt
Securities or the series of which they are a part; (3) the date or dates on
which the principal of any of such Debt Securities will be payable; (4) the rate
or rates at which any of such Debt Securities will bear interest, if any, the
date or dates from which any such interest will accrue, the Interest Payment
Dates on which any such interest will be payable and the Regular Record Date for
any such interest payable on any Interest Payment Date; (5) the place or places
where the principal of and any premium and interest on any of such Debt
Securities will be payable, if other than as described under "Description of
Debt Securities -- Payment and Paying Agents"; (6) the period or periods within
which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions on which any of
such Debt Securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the
Company; (7) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase any of
such Debt Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at
the option of the Holder thereof, and the period or periods within which, the
price or prices at which and the terms and conditions on which any of such Debt
Securities will be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to any
such obligation; (8) the denominations in which any of such Debt Securities will
be issuable, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple
thereof; (9) if the amount of principal of or any premium or interest on any of
such Debt Securities may be determined with reference to an index or pursuant to
a formula, the manner in which such amounts will be determined; (10) if other
than the currency of the United States of America, the currency, currencies, or
currency units in which the principal of or any premium or interest on any of
such Debt Securities will be payable and the manner of determining the
equivalent thereof in the currency of the United States of America for any
purpose, including for purposes of determining the principal amount deemed to be
Outstanding at any time; (11) if the principal of or any premium or interest on
any of such Debt Securities is to be payable, at the election of the Company or
the Holder thereof, in one or more currencies, or currency units other than
those in which such Debt Securities are stated to be payable, the currency,
currencies or currency units in which payment of any such amount as to which
such election is made will be payable, the periods within which and the terms
and conditions upon which such election is to be made and the amount so payable
(or the manner in which such amount is to be determined); (12) if other than the
entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of any of
such Debt Securities which will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of
the Maturity thereof; (13) if the principal amount payable at the Stated
Maturity of any of such Debt Securities will not be determinable as of any one
or more dates prior to the Stated Maturity, the amount which will be deemed to
be such principal amount as of any such date for any purpose, including the
principal amount thereof which will be due and payable upon any Maturity other
than the Stated Maturity or which will be deemed to be Outstanding as of any
such date (or, in any such case, the manner in which such deemed principal
amount is to be determined); (14) if applicable, that such Debt Securities, in
whole or any specified part, are defeasible pursuant to the provisions of the
Indenture described under "Description of Debt Securities -- Defeasance and
Covenant Defeasance -- Defeasance and Discharge" or "Description of Debt
Securities -Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance -- Covenant Defeasance," or under
both such captions; (15) whether any of such Debt Securities will be issuable in
whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, if so, the
respective Depositaries for such Global Securities, the form of any legend or
legends to be borne by any such Global Security in addition to or in lieu of the
legend referred to under "Description of Debt Securities -- Global Securities"
and, if different from those described under such caption, any circumstances
under which any such Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for
Debt Securities registered, and any transfer of such Global Security in whole or
in part may be registered, in the names of Persons other than the Depositary for
such Global Security or its nominee; (16) any addition to or change in the
Events of Default applicable to any of such Debt Securities and any change in
the right of the Trustee or the Holders to declare the principal amount of any
of such Debt Securities due and payable; (17) any addition to or change in the
covenants in the Indenture; and (18) any other terms of such Debt Securities not
inconsistent with the provisions of the Indenture. (Section 301).
Debt Securities, including Original Issue Discount Securities, may be sold at
a substantial discount below their principal amount. Certain special United
States federal income tax considerations (if any) applicable to Debt Securities
sold at an original issue discount may be described in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement. In addition, certain special United States federal income tax or
other considerations (if any) applicable to any Debt Securities which are
denominated in a currency or currency unit other than United States dollars may
be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
Except as otherwise described in the Prospectus Supplement, the covenants
contained in the Indenture would not afford holders of Debt Securities
protection in the event of a highly-leveraged transaction involving the Company.
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SUBORDINATION
The Indenture relating to the subordinated Debt Securities provides that,
unless otherwise provided in a supplemental indenture or a Board Resolution, the
Debt Securities will be subordinate and subject in right of payment to the prior
payment in full of all Senior Debt of the Company, whether outstanding as of the
date of the Indenture or thereafter incurred. (Section 1401). The balance of the
information under this "Subordination" heading assumes that the relevant
supplemental indenture or Board Resolution results in the corresponding series
of Debt Securities being subordinated obligations of the Company.
No payment of principal of (including redemption and sinking fund payments),
premium, if any, or interest on, the subordinated Debt Securities may be made if
any Senior Debt is not paid when due, any applicable grace period with respect
to such default has ended and such default has not been cured or waived, or if
the maturity of any Senior Debt has been accelerated because of a default.
(Section 1402). Upon any distribution of assets of the Company to creditors upon
any dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization, whether voluntary or
involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings, all
principal of, and premium, if any, and interest due or to become due on, all
Senior Debt must be paid in full before the holders of the subordinated Debt
Securities are entitled to receive or retain any payment. (Section 1403). The
rights of the holders of the subordinated Debt Securities will be subordinated
to the rights of the holders of Senior Debt to receive payments or distributions
applicable to Senior Debt until all amounts owing on the Debt Securities are
paid in full. (Section 1404).
The term "Senior Debt" shall mean the principal of, premium, if any, interest
on and any other payment due pursuant to any of the following, whether
outstanding at the date of execution of the Indenture or thereafter incurred,
created or assumed:
(a) all indebtedness of the Company evidenced by notes, debentures,
bonds, or other securities sold by the Company for money, including all first
mortgage bonds of the Company outstanding from time to time;
(b) all indebtedness of others of the kinds described in the preceding
clause (a) assumed by or guaranteed in any manner by the Company; and
(c) all renewals, extensions, or refundings of indebtedness of the
kinds described in any of the preceding clauses (a) and (b);
unless, in the case of any particular indebtedness, renewal, extension or
refunding, the instrument creating or evidencing the same or the assumption or
guarantee of the same expressly provides that such indebtedness, renewal,
extension or refunding is not superior in right of payment to or is pari passu
with the Debt Securities. (Section 101).
The Indenture does not limit the aggregate amount of Senior Debt that the
Company may issue. As of December 31, 1996, outstanding Senior Debt and
subordinated debt of the Company aggregated approximately $2 billion and $75
million, respectively. Any Senior Notes issued by the Company would constitute
Senior Debt, whether before or after the Release Date. See "Description of
Senior Notes -- Security; Release Date."
FORM, EXCHANGE, AND TRANSFER
The Debt Securities of each series will be issuable only in fully registered
form without coupons and, unless otherwise specified in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple
thereof. (Section 302).
At the option of the Holder, subject to the terms of the Indenture and the
limitations applicable to Global Securities, Debt Securities of any series will
be exchangeable for other Debt Securities of the same series, of any authorized
denomination and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.
(Section 305).
Subject to the terms of the Indenture and the limitations applicable to
Global Securities, Debt Securities may be presented for exchange as provided
above or for registration of transfer (duly endorsed or with the form of
transfer endorsed thereon duly executed) at the office of the Security Registrar
or at the office of any transfer agent designated by the Company for such
purpose. No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or
exchange of Debt Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection
therewith. Such transfer or exchange will be effected upon the Security
Registrar or such transfer agent, as the case may be, being satisfied with the
documents of title and identity of the person making the request. The Company
has appointed the Trustee as Security Registrar. Any transfer agent (in addition
to the Security Registrar) initially designated by the Company for any Debt
Securities will be named in the applicable Prospectus
17
Supplement. (Section 305). The Company may at any time designate additional
transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a
change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that the
Company will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each Place of Payment
for the Debt Securities of each series. (Section 1002).
If the Debt Securities of any series (or of any series and specified tenor)
are to be redeemed, the Company will not be required to (i) issue, register the
transfer of, or exchange any Debt Security of that series (or of that series and
specified tenor, as the case may be) during a period beginning at the opening of
business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of any such
Debt Security that may be selected for redemption and ending at the close of
business on the day of such mailing or (ii) register the transfer of or exchange
any Debt Security so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the
unredeemed portion of any such Debt Security being redeemed in part. (Section
305).
GLOBAL SECURITIES
Some or all of the Debt Securities of any series may be represented, in whole
or in part, by one or more Global Securities which will have an aggregate
principal amount equal to that of the Debt Securities represented thereby. Each
Global Security will be registered in the name of a Depositary or a nominee
thereof identified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, will be deposited
with such Depositary or nominee or a custodian therefor and will bear a legend
regarding the restrictions on exchanges and registration of transfer thereof
referred to below and any such other matters as may be provided for pursuant to
the Indenture.
Notwithstanding any provision of the Indenture or any Debt Security described
herein, no Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for Debt
Securities registered, and no transfer of a Global Security in whole or in part
may be registered, in the name of any Person other than the Depositary for such
Global Security or any nominee of such Depositary unless (i) the Depositary has
notified the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary
for such Global Security or has ceased to be qualified to act as such as
required by the Indenture, (ii) there shall have occurred and be continuing an
Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities represented by such Global
Security or (iii) there shall exist such circumstances, if any, in addition to
or in lieu of those described above as may be described in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement. All securities issued in exchange for a Global Security
or any portion thereof will be registered in such names as the Depositary may
direct. (Sections 204 and 305).
As long as the Depositary, or its nominee, is the registered Holder of a
Global Security, the Depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, will be
considered the sole owner and Holder of such Global Security and the Debt
Securities represented thereby for all purposes under the Debt Securities and
the Indenture. Except in the limited circumstances referred to above, owners of
beneficial interests in a Global Security will not be entitled to have such
Global Security or any Debt Securities represented thereby registered in their
names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of
certificated Debt Securities in exchange therefor and will not be considered to
be the owners or Holders of such Global Security or any Debt Securities
represented thereby for any purpose under the Debt Securities or the Indenture.
All payments of principal of and any premium and interest on a Global Security
will be made to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the Holder
thereof. The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of
securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. These
laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global
Security.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Security will be limited to
institutions that have accounts with the Depositary or its nominee
("participants") and to persons that may hold beneficial interests through
participants. In connection with the issuance of any Global Security, the
Depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the
respective principal amounts of Debt Securities represented by the Global
Security to the accounts of its participants. Ownership of beneficial interests
in a Global Security will be shown only on, and the transfer of those ownership
interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the Depositary
(with respect to participants' interests) or any such participant (with respect
to interests of persons held by such participants on their behalf). Payments,
transfers, exchanges, and others matters relating to beneficial interests in a
Global Security may be subject to various policies and procedures adopted by the
Depositary from time to time. None of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of
the Company or the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any
aspect of the Depositary's or any participant's records relating to, or for
payments made on account of, beneficial interests in a Global Security, or for
maintaining, supervising, or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial
interests.
18
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment
of interest on a Debt Security on any Interest Payment Date will be made to the
Person in whose name such Debt Security (or one or more Predecessor Debt
Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date
for such interest. (Section 307).
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, principal
of and any premium and interest on the Debt Securities of a particular series
will be payable at the office of such Paying Agent or Paying Agents as the
Company may designate for such purpose from time to time, except that at the
option of the Company payment of any interest may be made by check mailed to the
address of the Person entitled thereto as such address appears in the Security
Register. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
the corporate trust office of the Trustee in The City of New York will be
designated as the Company's sole Paying Agent for payments with respect to Debt
Securities of each series. Any other Paying Agents initially designated by the
Company for the Debt Securities of a particular series will be named in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. The Company may at any time designate
additional Paying Agents or rescind the designation of any Paying Agent or
approve a change in the office through which any Paying Agent acts, except that
the Company will be required to maintain a Paying Agent in each Place of Payment
for the Debt Securities of a particular series. (Section 1002).
All moneys paid by the Company to a Paying Agent for the payment of the
principal of or any premium or interest on any Debt Security which remain
unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has
become due and payable will be repaid to the Company, and the Holder of such
Debt Security thereafter may look only to the Company for payment thereof.
(Section 1003).
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, AND SALE OF ASSETS
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Company may not consolidate with or merge into any other Person or convey,
transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any
Person, and may not permit any Person to consolidate with or merge into the
Company or convey, transfer, or lease its properties and assets substantially as
an entirety to the Company, unless (i) the successor Person (if any) is a
corporation, partnership, trust or other entity organized and validly existing
under the laws of any domestic jurisdiction and assumes the Company's
obligations on the Debt Securities and under the Indenture, (ii) immediately
after giving effect to the transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which,
after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall
have occurred and be continuing and (iii) certain other conditions are met.
(Section 801).
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
Each of the following will constitute an Event of Default under the Indenture
with respect to Debt Securities of any series: (a) failure to pay principal of
or any premium on any Debt Security of that series when due; (b) failure to pay
any interest on any Debt Securities of that series when due, continued for 30
days; (c) failure to deposit any sinking fund payment, when due, in respect of
any Debt Security of that series; (d) failure to perform any other covenant of
the Company in the Indenture (other than a covenant included in the Indenture
solely for the benefit of a series other than that series), continued for 90
days after written notice has been given by the Trustee, or the Holders of at
least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series,
as provided in the Indenture; and (e) certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency
or reorganization. (Section 501).
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default described in clause
(e) above) with respect to the Debt Securities of any series at the time
Outstanding shall occur and be continuing, either the Trustee or the Holders of
at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of
that series by notice as provided in the Indenture may declare the principal
amount of the Debt Securities of that series (or, in the case of any Debt
Security that is an Original Issue Discount Security or the principal amount of
which is not then determinable, such portion of the principal amount of such
Debt Security, or such other amount in lieu of such principal amount, as may be
specified in the terms of such Debt Security) to be due and payable immediately.
If an Event of Default described in clause (e) above with respect to the Debt
Securities of any series at the time Outstanding shall occur, the principal
amount of all the Debt Securities of that series (or, in the case of any such
Original Issue Discount Security or other Debt Security, such specified amount)
will automatically, and without any action by the Trustee or any Holder, become
immediately due and payable. After any such acceleration, but before a judgment
or decree based on acceleration, the Holders of a
19
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of
that series may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such
acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of accelerated
principal (or other specified amount), have been cured or waived as provided in
the Indenture. (Section 502). For information as to waiver of defaults, see
"Modification and Waiver."
Subject to the provisions of the Indenture relating to the duties of the
Trustee in case an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Trustee
will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the
Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders, unless such Holders
shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity. (Section 603). Subject
to such provisions for the indemnification of the Trustee, the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series
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, with respect to the Debt Securities of that
series. (Section 512).
No Holder of a Debt Security of any series will have any right to institute
any proceeding with respect to the Indenture, or for the appointment of a
receiver or a trustee, or for any other remedy thereunder, unless (i) such
Holder has previously given to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event
of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of that series, (ii) the Holders
of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities
of that series have made written request, and such Holder or Holders have
offered reasonable indemnity, to the Trustee to institute such proceeding as
trustee and (iii) the Trustee has failed to institute such proceeding, and has
not received from the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Debt Securities of that series a direction inconsistent with such
request, within 60 days after such notice, request and offer. (Section 507).
However, such limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a Holder of a
Debt Security for the enforcement of payment of the principal of or any premium
or interest on such Debt Security on or after the applicable due date specified
in such Debt Security. (Section 508).
The Company will be required to furnish to the Trustee annually a statement
by certain of its officers as to whether or not the Company, to their knowledge,
is in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions
and conditions of the Indenture and, if so, specifying all such known defaults.
(Section 1004).
MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
Modifications and amendments of the Indenture may be made by the Company and
the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of not less than 66 2/3 % in
aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of each series
affected by such modification or amendment; provided, however, that no such
modification or amendment may, without the consent of the Holder of each
Outstanding Debt Security affected thereby, (a) change the Stated Maturity of
the principal of, or any instalment of principal of or interest on, any Debt
Security, (b) reduce the principal amount of, or any premium or interest on, any
Debt Security, (c) reduce the amount of principal of an Original Issue Discount
Security or any other Debt Security payable upon acceleration of the Maturity
thereof, (d) change the place or currency of payment of principal of, or any
premium or interest on, any Debt Security, (e) impair the right to institute
suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any Debt Security,
(f) reduce the percentage in principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of
any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for modification or
amendment of the Indenture, reduce the percentage in principal amount of
Outstanding Debt Securities of any series necessary for waiver of compliance
with certain provisions of the Indenture or for waiver of certain defaults or
modify such provisions with respect to modification and waiver. (Section 902).
The Holders of not less than 66 2/3 % in aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Debt Securities of any series may waive compliance by the Company
with certain restrictive provisions of the Indenture. (Section 1008). The
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of
any series may waive any past default under the Indenture, except a default in
the payment of principal, premium, or interest and certain covenants and
provisions of the Indenture which cannot be amended without the consent of the
Holder of each Outstanding Debt Security of such series affected. (Section 513).
The Indenture provides that in determining whether the Holders of the
requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities have given or
taken any direction, notice, consent, waiver, or other action under the
Indenture as of any date, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount
Security that will be deemed to be Outstanding will be the amount of the
principal thereof that would be due and payable as of such date upon
acceleration of the Maturity thereof to such date, (ii) if, as of such date, the
principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of a Debt
20
Security is not determinable (for example, because it is based on an index), the
principal amount of such Debt Security deemed to be Outstanding as of such date
will be an amount determined in the manner prescribed for such Debt Security and
(iii) the principal amount of a Debt Security denominated in one or more foreign
currencies or currency units that will be deemed to be Outstanding will be the
U.S. dollar equivalent, determined as of such date in the manner prescribed for
such Debt Security, of the principal amount of such Debt Security (or, in the
case of a Debt Security described in clause (i) or (ii) above, of the amount
described in such clause). Certain Debt Securities, including those for whose
payment or redemption money has been deposited or set aside in trust for the
Holders and those that have been fully defeased pursuant to Section 1302, will
not be deemed to be Outstanding. (Section 101).
Except in certain limited circumstances, the Company will be entitled to set
any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of
Outstanding Debt Securities of any series entitled to give or take any
direction, notice, consent, waiver, or other action under the Indenture, in the
manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture. In certain
limited circumstances, the Trustee will be entitled to set a record date for
action by Holders. If a record date is set for any action to be taken by Holders
of a particular series, such action may be taken only by persons who are Holders
of Outstanding Debt Securities of that series on the record date. To be
effective, such action must be taken by Holders of the requisite principal
amount of such Debt Securities within a specified period following the record
date. For any particular record date, this period will be 180 days or such other
shorter period as may be specified by the Company (or the Trustee, if it set the
record date), and may be shortened or lengthened (but not beyond 180 days) from
time to time. (Section 104).
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
If and to the extent indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Company may elect, at its option at any time, to have the provisions of Section
1302, relating to defeasance and discharge of indebtedness, or Section 1303,
relating to defeasance of certain restrictive covenants in the Indenture,
applied to the Debt Securities of any series, or to any specified part of a
series. (Section 1301).
DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE. The Indenture provides that, upon the Company's
exercise of its option (if any) to have Section 1302 applied to any Debt
Securities, the Company will be discharged from all its obligations with respect
to such Debt Securities (except for certain obligations to exchange or register
the transfer of Debt Securities, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated Debt
Securities, to maintain paying agencies and to hold moneys for payment in trust)
upon the deposit in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Debt Securities
of money or U.S. Government Obligations, or both, which, through the payment of
principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will
provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and any premium
and interest on such Debt Securities on the respective Stated Maturities in
accordance with the terms of the Indenture and such Debt Securities. Such
defeasance or discharge may occur only if, among other things, the Company has
delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Company
has received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal
Revenue Service a ruling, or there has been a change in tax law, in either case
to the effect that Holders of such Debt Securities will not recognize gain or
loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance,
and discharge and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in
the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such
deposit, defeasance and discharge were not to occur. (Sections 1302 and 1304).
DEFEASANCE OF CERTAIN COVENANTS. The Indenture provides that, upon the
Company's exercise of its option (if any) to have Section 1303 applied to any
Debt Securities, the Company may omit to comply with certain restrictive
covenants that may be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, and the
occurrence of certain Events of Default, which are described above in clause (d)
(with respect to such restrictive covenants) under "Events of Default" and any
that may be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, will be deemed
not to be or result in an Event of Default and the provisions of Article
Fourteen relating to subordination (included in the Indenture relating to
subordinated Debt Securities) will cease to be effective, in each case with
respect to such Debt Securities. The Company, in order to exercise such option,
will be required to deposit, in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such
Debt Securities, money or U.S. Government Obligations, or both, which, through
the payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with
their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of
and any premium and interest on such Debt Securities on the respective Stated
Maturities in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and such Debt
Securities. The Company will also be required, among other things, to deliver to
the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that Holders of such Debt
Securities will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a
result of such deposit and defeasance of certain obligations and will be subject
to
21
federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times
as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance were not to occur. In
the event the Company exercised this option with respect to any Debt Securities
and such Debt Securities were declared due and payable because of the occurrence
of any Event of Default, the amount of money and U.S. Government Obligations so
deposited in trust would be sufficient to pay amounts due on such Debt
Securities at the time of their respective Stated Maturities but may not be
sufficient to pay amounts due on such Debt Securities upon any acceleration
resulting from such Event of Default. In such case, the Company would remain
liable for such payments. (Sections 1303 and 1304).
NOTICES
Notices to Holders of Debt Securities will be given by mail to the addresses
of such Holders as they may appear in the Security Register.
(Sections 101 and 106).
TITLE
The Company, the Trustee, and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may
treat the Person in whose name a Debt Security is registered as the absolute
owner thereof (whether or not such Debt Security may be overdue) for the purpose
of making payment and for all other purposes. (Section 308).
GOVERNING LAW
The Indenture and the Debt Securities will be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the law of the State of New York. (Section 112).
REGARDING THE TRUSTEES
The Trustee under the Indenture relating to the subordinated Debt Securities
is The Bank of New York. The Company maintains normal banking arrangements with
The Bank of New York, which includes (i) two commitments in the aggregate
principal amount of approximately $35.7 million by The Bank of New York pursuant
to reimbursement agreements related to letters of credit issued on behalf of the
Company in connection with issuances of pollution control bonds, the proceeds of
which were made available to the Company, and (ii) a $25 million commitment by
The Bank of New York pursuant to a revolving credit agreement, $0 and $20
million of which, respectively, were outstanding at December 31, 1996. The Bank
of New York also serves as (i) trustee under the Mortgage (see "Description of
New Bonds"), (ii) trustee for the holders of several issues of pollution control
bonds issued on behalf of the Company, (iii) trustee under the Senior Note
Indenture (see "Description of Senior Notes"), (iv) investment manager for the
Company's nonunion post-retirement medical fund and (v) custodian of
international fixed-income assets for the Company's pension plan. The Trustee
under the Indenture relating to the senior Debt Securities is The Chase
Manhattan Bank. The Company maintains normal banking arrangements with The Chase
Manhattan Bank. The Chase Manhattan Bank also (i) serves as trustee for the
holders of several series of bonds secured by, among other things, the Company's
payments under its Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station leases (these bonds
were issued by a party unaffiliated with the Company), (ii) serves as an issuing
and paying agent with respect to the Company's commercial paper program, and
(iii) has a commitment to lend the Company up to $55 million under a revolving
credit agreement, $50 million of which was outstanding as of December 31, 1996.
In addition, an affiliate of The Chase Manhattan Bank is the lessor with respect
to a lease with the Company relating to the sale and leaseback of a portion of
Unit 2 of the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Company intends to sell up to $75 million in aggregate principal amount
of the Offered Securities to or through underwriters or dealers, and may also
sell the Offered Securities directly to other purchasers or through agents, as
described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to an issue of Offered
Securities.
The distribution of the Offered Securities 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 such
prevailing market prices, or at negotiated prices.
In connection with the sale of the Offered Securities, underwriters may
receive compensation from the Company or from purchasers of Offered Securities
for whom they may act as agents in the form of discounts, concessions, or
22
commissions. Underwriters may sell Offered Securities to or through dealers, and
such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions, or
commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for
whom they may act as agents. Underwriters, dealers, and agents that participate
in the distribution of Offered Securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and
any discounts or commissions received by them from the Company and any profit on
the resale of Offered Securities by them may be deemed to be underwriting
discounts and commissions under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act"). Any
such person who may be deemed to be an underwriter will be identified, and any
such compensation received from the Company will be described, in the Prospectus
Supplement.
Under agreements which may be entered into by the Company, underwriters,
dealers, and agents who participate in the distribution of the Offered
Securities may be entitled to indemnification by the Company against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the 1933 Act.
EXPERTS
The financial statements incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the
Company's 1995 Annual Report on Form 10-K have been audited by Deloitte & Touche
LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their report, which is incorporated
herein by reference, and have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report
of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
With respect to the unaudited interim financial information for the periods
ended March 31, and June 30, 1996 and 1995, which is incorporated herein by
reference, Deloitte & Touche LLP have applied limited procedures in accordance
with professional standards for a review of such information. However, as stated
in their reports included in the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for
the quarters ended March 31 and June 30, 1996, and incorporated by reference
herein, they did not audit and they do not express an opinion on that interim
financial information. Accordingly, the degree of reliance on their reports on
such information should be restricted in light of the limited nature of the
review procedures applied. Deloitte & Touche LLP are not subject to the
liability provisions of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 for their
reports on the unaudited interim financial information because those reports are
not "reports" or a "part" of the registration statement prepared or certified by
an accountant within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Act.
LEGAL OPINIONS
The validity of the Securities offered hereby will be passed upon for the
Company by Snell & Wilmer L.L.P., One Arizona Center, Phoenix, Arizona 85004,
and, it is currently anticipated, for any underwriters of Securities by Sullivan
& Cromwell, 444 South Flower Street, Los Angeles, California 90071. In giving
their opinions, Sullivan & Cromwell and Snell & Wilmer L.L.P. may rely as to
matters of New Mexico law upon the opinion of Keleher & McLeod, P.A., 1200
Public Service Building, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102, Sullivan & Cromwell may
rely as to all matters of Arizona law upon the opinion of Snell & Wilmer L.L.P.,
and Snell & Wilmer L.L.P. may rely as to all matters of New York law upon the
opinion of Sullivan & Cromwell.
23
No dealer, salesperson or other person has been authorized to give any
information or to make any representation not contained in this Prospectus
Supplement or the accompanying Prospectus and, if given or made, such
information or representation must not be relied upon as having been audited by
the Company or by any agent or underwriter. This Prospectus Supplement and the
accompanying Prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of
an offer to buy any of the securities offered hereby in any jurisdiction to any
person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer in such jurisdiction. Neither
the delivery of this Prospectus Supplement and the Prospectus nor any sale made
hereunder shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that the
information herein is correct as of any time subsequent to the date hereof or
that there has been no change in the affairs of the Company since such date.
---------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prospectus Supplement
PAGE
----
Prospectus Supplement Summary ..............S-2
Investment Considerations ..................S-3
Application of Proceeds ....................S-3
Certain Terms of the Capital Securities ...S-4
United States Taxation .....................S-5
Underwriting ...............................S-8
Legal Matters ..............................S-8
PROSPECTUS
Available Information ......................2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
Reference ..................................2
Selected Information .......................3
The Company ................................4
Application of Proceeds.....................4
Earnings Ratios ............................4
Securities .................................4
Description of New Bonds ...................4
Description of Senior Notes ................8
Description of Debt Securities..............15
Plan of Distribution........................22
Experts ....................................23
Legal Opinions .............................23
$50,000,000
Arizona Public Service
Company
IMAGE: "APS"
QUICS(sm)
% Quarterly Income Capital Securities
(Series B Junior Subordinated
Debentures Due 2037)
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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
, 1997
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Lehman Brothers
Merrill Lynch & Co.
PaineWebber Incorporated