$700,000,000
CREDIT AGREEMENT
among
KEYSPAN CORPORATION,
as Borrower,
The Several Lenders
from Time to Time Parties Hereto,
CITIBANK, N.A. and ABN AMRO BANK, N.V.
as Co-Documentation Agents,
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.
as Syndication Agent
and
THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
as Administrative Agent
Dated as of September 22, 2000
CHASE SECURITIES INC. and J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.,
Co-Lead Arrangers and Joint Book Managers
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
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Section 1 DEFINITIONS.....................................................................................1
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1.1 Defined Terms...................................................................................1
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1.2 Other Definitional Provisions..................................................................14
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Section 2 AMOUNT AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS................................................................15
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2.1 Commitments....................................................................................15
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2.2 Competitive Bid Procedure......................................................................15
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2.3 Procedure for Loan Borrowing...................................................................17
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2.4 Facility Fees, etc.............................................................................17
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2.5 Termination or Reduction of Commitments........................................................17
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2.6 Optional Prepayments...........................................................................18
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2.7 Conversion and Continuation Options............................................................18
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2.8 Limitations on Eurodollar Tranches.............................................................18
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2.9 Interest Rates and Payment Dates...............................................................19
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2.10 Computation of Interest and Fees...............................................................19
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2.11 Inability to Determine Interest Rate...........................................................20
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2.12 Pro Rata Treatment and Payments................................................................20
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2.13 Requirements of Law............................................................................21
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2.14 Taxes..........................................................................................22
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2.15 Indemnity......................................................................................24
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2.16 Change of Lending Office.......................................................................24
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2.17 Replacement of Lenders.........................................................................24
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Section 3 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.................................................................25
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3.1 Financial Condition............................................................................25
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3.2 No Change......................................................................................25
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3.3 Corporate Existence; Compliance with Law.......................................................26
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3.4 Corporate Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations........................................26
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3.5 No Legal Bar...................................................................................26
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3.6 Litigation.....................................................................................26
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3.7 No Default.....................................................................................26
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3.8 Ownership of Property; Liens...................................................................27
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3.9 Intellectual Property..........................................................................27
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3.10 Taxes..........................................................................................27
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3.11 Federal Regulations............................................................................27
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3.12 Labor Matters..................................................................................27
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3.13 ERISA..........................................................................................28
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3.14 Investment Company Act; Other Regulations......................................................28
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3.15 Subsidiaries...................................................................................28
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3.16 Use of Proceeds................................................................................28
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3.17 Environmental Matters..........................................................................28
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3.18 Accuracy of Information, etc...................................................................29
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Section 4 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT...........................................................................30
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4.1 Conditions to Closing Date.....................................................................30
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4.2 Conditions to Initial Extension of Credit......................................................31
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4.3 Conditions to Each Extension of Credit.........................................................31
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Section 5 AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS..........................................................................31
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5.1 Financial Statements...........................................................................31
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5.2 Certificates; Other Information................................................................32
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5.3 Payment of Obligations.........................................................................32
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5.4 Maintenance of Existence; Compliance...........................................................32
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5.5 Maintenance of Property; Insurance.............................................................33
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5.6 Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions.........................................33
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5.7 Notices........................................................................................33
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5.8 Environmental Laws.............................................................................34
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5.9 Transaction with Affiliates....................................................................34
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Section 6 NEGATIVE COVENANTS.............................................................................34
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6.1 Financial Condition Covenant...................................................................34
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6.2 Liens..........................................................................................34
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6.3 Fundamental Changes............................................................................35
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6.4 Disposition of Property........................................................................36
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6.5 Negative Pledge Clauses........................................................................36
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6.6 Limitation on Restrictions on Distributions from Subsidiaries..................................36
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Section 7 EVENTS OF DEFAULT..............................................................................37
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Section 8 THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.......................................................................39
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8.1 Appointment....................................................................................39
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8.2 Delegation of Duties...........................................................................39
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8.3 Exculpatory Provisions.........................................................................39
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8.4 Reliance by Administrative Agent...............................................................40
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8.5 Notice of Default..............................................................................40
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8.6 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders.........................................40
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8.7 Indemnification................................................................................41
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8.8 Administrative Agent in Its Individual Capacity................................................41
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8.9 Successor Administrative Agent.................................................................41
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Section 9 MISCELLANEOUS..................................................................................42
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9.1 Amendments and Waivers.........................................................................42
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9.2 Notices........................................................................................42
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9.3 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies.................................................................43
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9.4 Survival of Representations and Warranties.....................................................43
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9.5 Payment of Expenses and Taxes..................................................................43
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9.6 Successors and Assigns; Participations and Assignments.........................................44
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9.7 Adjustments; Set-off...........................................................................46
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9.8 Counterparts...................................................................................47
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9.9 Severability...................................................................................47
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9.10 Integration....................................................................................47
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9.11 GOVERNING LAW..................................................................................47
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9.12 Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers............................................................47
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9.13 Acknowledgements...............................................................................48
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9.14 Confidentiality................................................................................48
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9.15 WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL..........................................................................48
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SCHEDULES:
1.1 Commitments
3.4 Consents, Authorizations, Filings and Notices
3.15 Subsidiaries
6.2(f) Existing Liens
6.5 Existing Negative Pledge Clauses
6.6 Existing Limitations on Restrictions on Distributions from Subsidiaries
EXHIBITS:
A Form of Closing Certificate
B Form of Assignment and Acceptance
C Form of Legal Opinion of Steven L. Zelkowitz
D Form of Exemption Certificate
CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of September 22, 2000, among KEYSPAN
CORPORATION, a New York corporation (the "Borrower"), the several banks and
other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties to this
Agreement (the "Lenders"), CITIBANK, N.A. and ABN AMRO BANK, N.V., as
co-documentation agents, J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC., as syndication agent, and
THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as administrative agent.
The parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
Section 1 DEFINITIONS
1.1 Defined Terms.As used in this Agreement, the terms listed in this Section
1.1 shall have the respective meanings set forth in this Section 1.1.
"ABR": for any day, a rate per annum (rounded upwards, if
necessary, to the next 1/16 of 1%) equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate
in effect on such day, (b) the Base CD Rate in effect on such day plus 1% and
(c) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus 1/2 of 1%. For
purposes hereof: "Prime Rate" shall mean the rate of interest per annum publicly
announced from time to time by the Reference Lender as its prime rate in effect
at its principal office in New York City (the Prime Rate not being intended to
be the lowest rate of interest charged by the Reference Lender in connection
with extensions of credit to debtors); "Base CD Rate" shall mean the sum of (a)
the product of (i) the Three-Month Secondary CD Rate and (ii) a fraction, the
numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the C/D
Reserve Percentage and (b) the C/D Assessment Rate; and "Three-Month Secondary
CD Rate" shall mean, for any day, the secondary market rate for three-month
certificates of deposit reported as being in effect on such day (or, if such day
shall not be a Business Day, the next preceding Business Day) by the Board
through the public information telephone line of the Federal Reserve Bank of New
York (which rate will, under the current practices of the Board, be published in
Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15(519) during the week following such
day), or, if such rate shall not be so reported on such day or such next
preceding Business Day, the average of the secondary market quotations for
three-month certificates of deposit of major money center banks in New York City
received at approximately 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on such day (or, if
such day shall not be a Business Day, on the next preceding Business Day) by the
Reference Lender from three New York City negotiable certificate of deposit
dealers of recognized standing selected by it. Any change in the ABR due to a
change in the Prime Rate, the Three-Month Secondary CD Rate or the Federal Funds
Effective Rate shall be effective as of the opening of business on the effective
day of such change in the Prime Rate, the Three-Month Secondary CD Rate or the
Federal Funds Effective Rate, respectively.
"ABR Loans": Loans the rate of interest applicable to which is based
upon the ABR.
"Acquisition Agreement": the acquisition agreement, dated as of
November 4, 1999, among the Borrower and Eastern Enterprises.
"Administrative Agent": The Chase Manhattan Bank, together with its
affiliates, as the administrative agent for the Lenders under this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with any of its
successors.
"Affiliate": as to any Person, any other Person that, directly or
indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control
with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, "control" of a Person
means the power, directly or indirectly, either to (a) vote 10% or more of
the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors
(or persons performing similar functions) of such Person or (b) direct or
cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether
by contract or otherwise.
"Aggregate Exposure": with respect to any Lender at any time, the
amount of such Lender's Commitments then in effect or, if the Commitments
have been terminated, the amount of such Lender's Loans then outstanding.
"Aggregate Exposure Percentage": with respect to any Lender at any
time, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of such Lender's Aggregate
Exposure at such time to the Aggregate Exposure of all Lenders at such
time.
"Agreement": this Credit Agreement, as amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time.
"Applicable Margin": for each Type of Loan, the rate per annum set
forth under the relevant column heading below which corresponds with the
most current rating of the Borrower's senior unsecured long-term debt
issued by S&P, Moody's and/or Fitch respectively; provided that for each
day the aggregate principal amount of Loans outstanding is greater than the
amount equal to 33% of the Total Commitments, the Applicable Margin then in
effect on all borrowings will be increased by 0.125% per annum.
======================= ============================ ==========================
Applicable Margin Applicable Margin
Ratings For Eurodollar Loans for ABR Loans
======================= ============================ ==========================
A/A2 0.305% 0.000%
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A-/A3 0.425% 0.000%
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BBB+/Baa1 0.525% 0.000%
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BBB/Baa2 0.625% 0.000%
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<BBB-/Baa3 0.975% 0.000%
-
======================= ============================ ==========================
Changes in the Applicable Margin shall become effective on the
date on which S&P, Moody's and/or Fitch changes the rating it has issued for the
Borrower's senior unsecured long-term debt. In the event of split ratings, if
all three agencies issue a rating and if the ratings from two agencies are at
the same level and the rating from the third agency is at a lower level, the
higher rating shall apply; if the ratings from two agencies are at the same
level and the rating from the third agency is at a higher level, the lower
rating shall apply; if all three ratings are at different levels, the rating
next below the highest of the three shall apply; if only two of such three
agencies issue a rating, the lower of such ratings shall apply; if only one of
such three agencies issues a rating, such rating shall apply.
"Approved Fund": with respect to any Lender that is a fund that
invests in commercial loans, any other fund that invests in commercial
loans and is managed or advised by the same investment advisor as such
Lender or by an Affiliate of such investment advisor.
"Asset Sale": any Disposition of property or series of related
Dispositions of property that yields gross proceeds to the Borrower or any
of its Subsidiaries (valued at the initial principal amount thereof in the
case of non-cash proceeds consisting of notes or other debt securities and
valued at fair market value in the case of other non-cash proceeds) in
excess of $50,000,000.
"Assignee": as defined in Section 9.6(c).
"Assignment and Acceptance": an Assignment and Acceptance,
substantially in the form of Exhibit B.
"Assignor": as defined in Section 9.6(c).
"Available Commitment": as to any Lender at any time, an amount equal
to the excess, if any, of (a) such Lender's Commitment then in effect over
(b) such Lender's Loans then outstanding.
"Benefitted Lender": as defined in Section 9.7(a).
"Board": the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the
United States (or any successor).
"Borrower": as defined in the preamble hereto.
"Borrowing Date": any Business Day specified by the Borrower as a date
on which the Borrower requests the relevant Lenders to make Loans
hereunder.
"Bridge Facility": the bridge facility to be entered into among the
Borrower, the several banks or other financial institutions or entities
from time to parties thereto, The Chase Manhattan Bank, as syndication
agent and Morgan, as administrative agent.
"Business": as defined in Section 3.17(b).
"Business Day": a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on
which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law
to close, provided, that with respect to notices and determinations in
connection with, and payments of principal and interest on, Eurodollar
Loans, such day is also a day for trading by and between banks in Dollar
deposits in the interbank eurodollar market.
"Capital Lease Obligations": as to any Person, the obligations of such
Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other
arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a
combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and
accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under
GAAP and, for the purposes of this Agreement, the amount of such
obligations at any time shall be the capitalized amount thereof at such
time determined in accordance with GAAP.
"Capital Stock": any and all shares, interests, participations or
other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock of a corporation,
any and all equivalent ownership interests in a Person (other than a
corporation) and any and all warrants, rights or options to purchase any of
the foregoing.
"Cash Equivalents": (a) marketable direct obligations issued by, or
unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States Government or issued by
any agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United
States, in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition;
(b) certificates of deposit, time deposits, eurodollar time deposits or
overnight bank deposits having maturities of six months or less from the
date of acquisition issued by any Lender or by any commercial bank
organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof having
combined capital and surplus of not less than $500,000,000; (c) commercial
paper of an issuer rated at least A-1 by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services
("S&P") or P-1 by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), or carrying
an equivalent rating by a nationally recognized rating agency, if both of
the two named rating agencies cease publishing ratings of commercial paper
issuers generally, and maturing within six months from the date of
acquisition; (d) repurchase obligations of any Lender or of any commercial
bank satisfying the requirements of clause (b) of this definition, having a
term of not more than 30 days, with respect to securities issued or fully
guaranteed or insured by the United States government; (e) securities with
maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully
guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States, by
any political subdivision or taxing authority of any such state,
commonwealth or territory or by any foreign government, the securities of
which state, commonwealth, territory, political subdivision, taxing
authority or foreign government (as the case may be) are rated at least A
by S&P or A by Moody's; (f) securities with maturities of six months or
less from the date of acquisition backed by standby letters of credit
issued by any Lender or any commercial bank satisfying the requirements of
clause (b) of this definition; or (g) shares of money market mutual or
similar funds which invest exclusively in assets satisfying the
requirements of clauses (a) through (f) of this definition.
"C/D Assessment Rate": for any day as applied to any ABR Loan, the
annual assessment rate in effect on such day that is payable by a member of
the Bank Insurance Fund maintained by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation (the "FDIC") classified as well-capitalized and within
supervisory subgroup "B" (or a comparable successor assessment risk
classification) within the meaning of 12 C.F.R. ss. 327.4 (or any successor
provision) to the FDIC (or any successor) for the FDIC's (or such
successor's) insuring time deposits at offices of such institution in the
United States.
"C/D Reserve Percentage": for any day as applied to any ABR Loan, that
percentage (expressed as a decimal) which is in effect on such day, as
prescribed by the Board, for determining the maximum reserve requirement
for a Depositary Institution (as defined in Regulation D of the Board as in
effect from time to time) in respect of new non-personal time deposits in
Dollars having a maturity of 30 days or more.
"Closing Date": the date on which the conditions precedent set forth
in Section 4.1 shall have been satisfied, which date is
September 22, 2000.
"Code": the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to
time.
"Commitment": as to any Lender, the obligation of such Lender, if any,
to make Loans in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the amount set
forth under the heading "Commitment" opposite such Lender's name on
Schedule 1.1 or in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which such
Lender became a party hereto, as the same may be changed from time to time
pursuant to the terms hereof. The original amount of the Total Commitments
is $700,000,000.
"Commitment Period": the period from and including the Effective Date
to the Termination Date.
"Commonly Controlled Entity": an entity, whether or not incorporated,
that is under common control with the Borrower within the meaning of
Section 4001 of ERISA or is part of a group that includes the Borrower and
that is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.
"Competitive Loans": a loan made pursuant to Section 2.2.
"Competitive Bid": means an offer by a Lender to make a Competitive
Loan in accordance with Section 2.2.
"Competitive Bid Rate": means, with respect to any Competitive Bid,
the Margin or Fixed Rate, as applicable, offered by
the Lender making such Competitive Bid.
"Competitive Bid Request": means a request by the Borrower for
Competitive Bids in accordance with Section.2.2.
"Confidential Information Memorandum": the Confidential Information
Memorandum dated July 2000 and furnished to the Lenders.
"Consolidated Capitalization": at any date, the sum of Consolidated
Net Worth and Consolidated Indebtedness.
"Consolidated Indebtedness": at any date, all Indebtedness of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries at such date, determined on a consolidated
basis in accordance with GAAP, as reflected on the balance sheet.
"Consolidated Net Income": for any period, the consolidated net income
(or loss) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that there shall be
excluded (a) the income (or deficit) of any Person accrued prior to the
date it becomes a Subsidiary of the Borrower or is merged into or
consolidated with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (b) the income
(or deficit) of any Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Borrower) in
which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has an ownership interest,
except to the extent that any such income is actually received by the
Borrower or such Subsidiary in the form of dividends or similar
distributions and (c) the undistributed earnings of any Subsidiary of the
Borrower to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or
similar distributions by such Subsidiary is not at the time permitted by
the terms of any Contractual Obligation (other than under any Loan
Document) or Requirement of Law applicable to such Subsidiary.
"Consolidated Net Worth": at any date, all amounts that would, in
conformity with GAAP, be included on a consolidated balance sheet of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries under stockholders' equity at such date.
"Contractual Obligation": as to any Person, any provision of any
security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or other
undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its
property is bound.
"Core Gas Distribution Business": the distribution and sale at retail
to customers of natural gas in the New York City boroughs of Brooklyn,
Queens and Staten Island, the Long Island counties of Nassau and Suffolk,
in Massachussets and in New Hampshire, as such business is conducted by
KeySpan Energy Delivery New York, KeySpan Energy Delivery Long Island,
Boston Gas, Colonial Gas, Essex Gas and EnergyNorth Natural Gas on the
Effective Date.
"Default": any of the events specified in Section 7, whether or not
any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or
both, has been satisfied.
"Disposition": with respect to any property, any sale, lease, sale and
leaseback, assignment, conveyance, transfer or other disposition thereof,
including the sale of Capital Stock of any Subsidiary owned by the Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries. The terms "Dispose" and "Disposed of" shall
have correlative meanings.
"Dollars" and "$": dollars in lawful currency of the United States.
"Effective Date": the date on which the conditions precedent set forth
in Section 4.1 and Section 4.2 shall have been satisfied.
"Environmental Laws": any and all foreign, Federal, state, local or
municipal laws, rules, orders, regulations, statutes, ordinances, codes,
decrees, requirements of any Governmental Authority or other Requirements
of Law (including common law) regulating, relating to or imposing liability
or standards of conduct concerning protection of human health or the
environment, as now or may at any time hereafter be in effect.
"ERISA": the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended from time to time.
"Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements": for any day as applied to a
Eurodollar Loan, the aggregate (without duplication) of the maximum rates
(expressed as a decimal fraction) of reserve requirements in effect on such
day (including basic, supplemental, marginal and emergency reserves under
any regulations of the Board or other Governmental Authority having
jurisdiction with respect thereto) dealing with reserve requirements
prescribed for eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as "Eurocurrency
Liabilities" in Regulation D of the Board) maintained by a member bank of
the Federal Reserve System.
"Eurodollar Base Rate": with respect to each day during each Interest
Period pertaining to a Eurodollar Loan, the rate per annum determined on
the basis of the rate for deposits in Dollars for a period equal to such
Interest Period commencing on the first day of such Interest Period
appearing on Page 3750 of the Telerate screen as of 11:00 A.M., London
time, two Business Days prior to the beginning of such Interest Period. In
the event that such rate does not appear on Page 3750 of the Telerate
screen (or otherwise on such screen), the "Eurodollar Base Rate" shall be
determined by reference to such other comparable publicly available service
for displaying eurodollar rates as may be selected by the Administrative
Agent or, in the absence of such availability, by reference to the rate at
which the Administrative Agent is offered Dollar deposits at or about 11:00
A.M., New York City time, two Business Days prior to the beginning of such
Interest Period in the interbank eurodollar market where its eurodollar and
foreign currency and exchange operations are then being conducted for
delivery on the first day of such Interest Period for the number of days
comprised therein.
"Eurodollar Competitive Loan": a Competitive Loan which bears interest
based upon the Eurodollar Rate.
"Eurodollar Loans": Loans the rate of interest applicable to which is
based upon the Eurodollar Rate.
"Eurodollar Rate": with respect to each day during each Interest
Period pertaining to a Eurodollar Loan, a rate per annum determined for
such day in accordance with the following formula (rounded upward to the
nearest 1/100th of 1%):
Eurodollar Base Rate
---------------------------------
1.00 - Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements
"Eurodollar Tranche": the collective reference to Eurodollar Loans the
then current Interest Periods with respect to all of which begin on the
same date and end on the same later date (whether or not such Loans shall
originally have been made on the same day).
"Event of Default": any of the events specified in Section 7, provided
that any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both,
has been satisfied.
"Facility Fee Rate": the rate per annum set forth below which
corresponds with the most current rating of the Borrower's senior unsecured
long-term debt issued by S&P, Moody's and/or Fitch, respectively.
=========================== =========================
Ratings Facility Fee
=========================== =========================
A/A2 0.070%
- --------------------------- -------------------------
A-/A3 0.075%
- --------------------------- -------------------------
BBB+/Baa1 0.100%
- --------------------------- -------------------------
BBB/Baa2 0.125%
- --------------------------- -------------------------
<BBB-/Baa3 0.150%
-
=========================== =========================
Changes in the Facility Fee shall become effective on the date
on which S&P, Moody's and/or Fitch changes the rating it has issued for the
Borrower's senior unsecured long-term debt. In the event of split ratings, if
all three agencies issue a rating and if the ratings from two agencies are at
the same level and the rating from the third agency is at a lower level, the
higher rating shall apply; if the ratings from two agencies are at the same
level and the rating from the third agency is at a higher level, the lower
rating shall apply; if all three ratings are at different levels, the rating
next below the highest of the three shall apply; if only two of such three
agencies issue a rating, the lower of such ratings shall apply; if only one of
such three agencies issues a rating, such rating shall apply.
"Federal Funds Effective Rate": for any day, the weighted average of
the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the
Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers, as published on
the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York,
or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day,
the average of the quotations for the day of such transactions received by
the Reference Lender from three federal funds brokers of recognized
standing selected by it.
"Final Maturity Date": the date that is the one year anniversary of
the Termination Date.
"Fitch": Fitch Investor Services, Inc. (or any successor thereto).
"Fixed Rate": with respect to a Competitive Loan, the fixed rate of
interest per annum specified by the Lender making such Competitive Loan in
its related Competitive Bid.
"Fixed Rate Competitive Loan": Competitive Loans which bear a rate of
interest equal to the Fixed Rate.
"Funding Office": the office of the Administrative Agent specified in
Section 9.2 or such other office as may be specified from time to time by
the Administrative Agent as its funding office by written notice to the
Borrower and the Lenders.
"GAAP": generally accepted accounting principles in the United States
as in effect from time to time, except that for purposes of Section 6.1,
GAAP shall be determined on the basis of such principles in effect on the
date hereof and consistent with those used in the preparation of the most
recent audited financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a).
In the event that any "Accounting Change" (as defined below) shall occur
and such change results in a change in the method of calculation of
financial covenants, standards or terms in this Agreement, then the
Borrower and the Administrative Agent agree to enter into negotiations in
order to amend such provisions of this Agreement so as to equitably reflect
such Accounting Changes with the desired result that the criteria for
evaluating the Borrower's financial condition shall be the same after such
Accounting Changes as if such Accounting Changes had not been made. Until
such time as such an amendment shall have been executed and delivered by
the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders, all
financial covenants, standards and terms in this Agreement shall continue
to be calculated or construed as if such Accounting Changes had not
occurred. "Accounting Changes" refers to changes in accounting principles
required by the promulgation of any rule, regulation, pronouncement or
opinion by the Financial Accounting Standards Board of the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants or, if applicable, the SEC.
"Governmental Authority": any nation or government, any state or other
political subdivision thereof, any agency, authority, instrumentality,
regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive,
legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative functions of or
pertaining to government, any securities exchange and any self-regulatory
organization (including the National Association of Insurance
Commissioners).
"Guarantee Obligation": as to any Person (the "guaranteeing person"),
any obligation of (a) the guaranteeing person or (b) another Person
(including any bank under any letter of credit) to induce the creation of
which the guaranteeing person has issued a reimbursement, counterindemnity
or similar obligation, in either case guaranteeing or in effect
guaranteeing any Indebtedness, leases, dividends or other obligations (the
"primary obligations") of any other third Person (the "primary obligor") in
any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including any obligation of the
guaranteeing person, whether or not contingent, (i) to purchase any such
primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security
therefor, (ii) to advance or supply funds (1) for the purchase or payment
of any such primary obligation or (2) to maintain working capital or equity
capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or
solvency of the primary obligor, (iii) to purchase property, securities or
services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such
primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of
such primary obligation or (iv) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the
owner of any such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof;
provided, however, that the term Guarantee Obligation shall not include
endorsements of instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary
course of business. The amount of any Guarantee Obligation of any
guaranteeing person shall be deemed to be the lower of (a) an amount equal
to the stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect
of which such Guarantee Obligation is made and (b) the maximum amount for
which such guaranteeing person may be liable pursuant to the terms of the
instrument embodying such Guarantee Obligation, unless such primary
obligation and the maximum amount for which such guaranteeing person may be
liable are not stated or determinable, in which case the amount of such
Guarantee Obligation shall be such guaranteeing person's maximum reasonably
anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the Borrower in
good faith.
"Hedge Agreements": all interest rate swaps, caps or collar agreements
or similar arrangements dealing with interest rates or currency exchange
rates or the exchange of nominal interest obligations, either generally or
under specific contingencies.
"Indebtedness": of any Person at any date, without duplication, (a)
all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of
such Person for the deferred purchase price of property or services (other
than current trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of such
Person's business), (c) all obligations of such Person evidenced by notes,
bonds, debentures or other similar instruments, (d) all indebtedness
created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention
agreement with respect to property acquired by such Person (even though the
rights and remedies of the seller or lender under such agreement in the
event of default are limited to repossession or sale of such property), (e)
all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (f) all obligations of such
Person, contingent or otherwise, as an account party under acceptances,
letters of credit, surety bonds or similar arrangements, (g) the
liquidation value of all preferred Capital Stock of such Person that is
redeemable at the option of the holder thereof or that has any mandatory
dividend, redemption or other required payment that could be required
thereunder prior to the date that is one year after the Final Maturity
Date, (h) all Guarantee Obligations of such Person in respect of
obligations of the kind referred to in clauses (a) through (g) above, (i)
all obligations of the kind referred to in clauses (a) through (h) above
secured by (or for which the holder of such obligation has an existing
right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property
(including accounts and contract rights) owned by such Person, whether or
not such Person has assumed or become liable for the payment of such
obligation, and (j) for the purposes of Section 7(e) only, all obligations
of such Person in respect of Hedge Agreements. The Indebtedness of any
Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any
partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such
Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person's ownership interest
in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms
of such Indebtedness expressly provide that such Person is not liable
therefor.
"Insolvency": with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the condition
that such Plan is insolvent within the meaning of Section 4245
of ERISA.
"Insolvent": pertaining to a condition of Insolvency.
"Intellectual Property": the collective reference to all rights,
priorities and privileges relating to intellectual property, whether
arising under United States, multinational or foreign laws or otherwise,
including copyrights, copyright licenses, patents, patent licenses,
trademarks, trademark licenses, technology, know-how and processes, and all
rights to sue at law or in equity for any infringement or other impairment
thereof, including the right to receive all proceeds and damages therefrom.
"Interest Payment Date": (a) as to any ABR Loan, the last day of each
March, June, September and December to occur while such Loan is outstanding
and the final maturity date of such Loan, (b) as to any Eurodollar Loan
having an Interest Period of three months or less, the last day of such
Interest Period, (c) as to any Eurodollar Loan having an Interest Period
longer than three months, each day that is three months, or a whole
multiple thereof, after the first day of such Interest Period and the last
day of such Interest Period (d) as to any Eurodollar Loan, the date of any
repayment or prepayment made in respect thereof and (e) as to any Fixed
Rate Competitive Loan, the last Business Day of the Interest Period
applicable to such Loan as specified and accepted in the applicable
Competitive Bid Request and, in the case of a Fixed Rate Competitive Loan
with an Interest Period of more than 90 days' duration (unless otherwise
specified in the applicable Competitive Bid Request), each Business Day
prior to the last Business Day of such Interest Period that occurs at
intervals of 90 days' duration after the first Business Day of such
Interest Period, and any other dates that are specified in the applicable
Competitive Bid Request as interest payment dates with respect to such
borrowing.
"Interest Period": (a) as to any Eurodollar Loan, (i) initially, the
period commencing on the borrowing or conversion date, as the case may be,
with respect to such Eurodollar Loan and ending one, two, three or six
months thereafter, as selected by the Borrower in its notice of borrowing
or notice of conversion, as the case may be, given with respect thereto;
and (ii) thereafter, each period commencing on the last day of the next
preceding Interest Period applicable to such Eurodollar Loan and ending
one, two, three or six months thereafter, as selected by the Borrower by
irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent not less than three Business
Days prior to the last day of the then current Interest Period with respect
thereto; provided that, all of the foregoing provisions relating to
Interest Periods are subject to the following:
(A) if any Interest Period would otherwise end on a day that is not a
Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding
Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to carry such
Interest Period into another calendar month in which event such Interest
Period shall end on the immediately preceding Business Day;
(B) the Borrower may not select an Interest Period that would extend
beyond the Termination Date;
(C) any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a
calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding
day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on
the last Business Day of a calendar month; and
(D) the Borrower shall select Interest Periods so as not to require a
payment or prepayment of any Eurodollar Loan during an Interest Period for
such Loan; and
(b) with respect to any Fixed Rate Competitive Loan, the period (which
shall not be less than 7 days or more than 360 days) commencing on the date
of such borrowing and ending on the date specified in the applicable
Competitive Bid Request; provided that (i) if any Interest Period would
otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period
shall extend to the next succeeding Business Day and (ii) the Borrower may
not select an Interest Period that would extend beyond the Termination
Date.
"Lenders": as defined in the preamble hereto.
"Lien": any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit
arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge or other
security interest or any preference, priority or other security agreement
or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any
conditional sale or other title retention agreement and any capital lease
having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).
"Loans": as defined in Section 2.1(a).
"Loan Documents": this Agreement and the Notes.
"Margin" means, with respect to any Competitive Loan bearing interest
at a rate based on the Eurodollar Rate, the marginal rate of interest, if
any, to be added to or subtracted from the Eurodollar Rate to determine the
rate of interest applicable to such Loan, as specified by the Lender making
such Loan in its related Competitive Bid.
"Material Adverse Effect": a material adverse effect on the business,
property, operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or the validity or
enforceability of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or the
rights or remedies of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders hereunder or
thereunder.
"Materials of Environmental Concern": any gasoline or petroleum
(including crude oil or any fraction thereof) or petroleum products or any
hazardous or toxic substances, materials or wastes, defined or regulated as
such in or under any Environmental Law, including asbestos, polychlorinated
biphenyls and urea-formaldehyde insulation.
"Morgan": Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York.
"Multiemployer Plan": a Plan that is a multiemployer plan as defined
in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.
"Moody's": Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (or any successor thereto).
"Net Cash Proceeds": (a) in connection with any Asset Sale, the
proceeds thereof in the form of cash and Cash Equivalents (including any
such proceeds received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to
a note or installment receivable or purchase price adjustment receivable or
otherwise, but only as and when received) of such Asset Sale, net of
attorneys' fees, accountants' fees, investment banking fees, amounts
required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness secured by a Lien
expressly permitted hereunder on any asset that is the subject of such
Asset Sale and other customary fees and expenses actually incurred in
connection therewith and net of taxes paid or reasonably estimated to be
payable as a result thereof (after taking into account any available tax
credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements) and (b) in
connection with any sale of Capital Stock, the cash proceeds received from
such sale, net of attorneys' fees, investment banking fees, accountants'
fees, underwriting discounts and commissions and other customary fees and
expenses actually incurred in connection therewith.
"Non-Excluded Taxes": as defined in Section 2.14(a).
"Non-U.S. Lender": as defined in Section 2.14(d).
"Notes": the collective reference to any promissory note evidencing
Loans.
"Obligations": the unpaid principal of and interest on (including
interest accruing after the maturity of the Loans and interest accruing
after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any
insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding, relating to the Borrower,
whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed
in such proceeding) the Loans and all other obligations and liabilities of
the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or to any Lender, whether direct
or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, or now existing
or hereafter incurred, which may arise under, out of, or in connection
with, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other document made,
delivered or given in connection herewith or therewith, whether on account
of principal, interest, reimbursement obligations, fees, indemnities,
costs, expenses (including all fees, charges and disbursements of counsel
to the Administrative Agent or to any Lender that are required to be paid
by the Borrower pursuant hereto) or otherwise.
"Other Taxes": any and all present or future stamp or documentary
taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies
arising from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery or
enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other
Loan Document.
"Participant": as defined in Section 9.6(b).
"PBGC": the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established pursuant
to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA (or any successor).
"Person": an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability
company, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated
association, joint venture, Governmental Authority or other entity of
whatever nature.
"Plan": at a particular time, any employee benefit plan that is
covered by ERISA and in respect of which the Borrower or a Commonly
Controlled Entity is (or, if such plan were terminated at such time, would
under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an "employer" as defined in
Section 3(5) of ERISA.
"Properties": as defined in Section 3.17(a).
"Reference Lender": The Chase Manhattan Bank.
"Register": as defined in Section 9.6(d).
"Regulation U": Regulation U of the Board as in effect from time to
time.
"Reorganization": with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the
condition that such plan is in reorganization within the meaning of Section
4241 of ERISA.
"Reportable Event": any of the events set forth in Section 4043(b) of
ERISA, other than those events as to which the thirty day notice period is
waived under subsections .27, .28, .29, .30, .31, .32, .34 or .35 of PBGC
Reg.ss.4043.
"Required Lenders": at any time, the holders of more than 50% of the
sum of the Commitments then in effect, provided that (i) for purposes of
declaring the Loans to be due and payable, and/or the Commitments to be
terminated pursuant to Section 7, and (ii) for all purposes after the
Commitments have been terminated, such term shall mean the holders of more
than 50% of the Loans outstanding.
"Requirement of Law": as to any Person, the Certificate of
Incorporation and By-Laws or other organizational or governing documents of
such Person, and any law, treaty, rule or regulation or determination of an
arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority, in each case
applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to
which such Person or any of its property is subject.
"Responsible Officer": the chief executive officer, president,
treasurer, secretary or chief financial officer of the Borrower, but in any
event, with respect to financial matters, the treasurer or chief financial
officer of the Borrower.
"Revolving Facility": the Commitments and the Loans made thereunder.
"Revolving Percentage": as to any Lender at any time, the percentage
which such Lender's Commitment then constitutes of the Total Commitments
(or, at any time after the Commitments shall have expired or terminated,
the percentage which the aggregate principal amount of such Lender's Loans
then outstanding constitutes of the aggregate principal amount of the Loans
then outstanding.)
"S&P": Standard & Poor's Rating Services, a division of The
McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (or any successor thereto).
"SEC": the Securities and Exchange Commission, any successor thereto
and any analogous Governmental Authority.
"Significant Subsidiary": at any particular time, any Subsidiary and
any other Affiliate of the Borrower which is engaged in the Core Gas
Distribution Business.
"Single Employer Plan": any Plan that is covered by Title IV of ERISA,
but that is not a Multiemployer Plan.
"Solvent": when used with respect to any Person, means that, as of any
date of determination, (a) the amount of the "present fair saleable value"
of the assets of such Person will, as of such date, exceed the amount of
all "liabilities of such Person, contingent or otherwise", as of such date,
as such quoted terms are determined in accordance with applicable federal
and state laws governing determinations of the insolvency of debtors, (b)
the present fair saleable value of the assets of such Person will, as of
such date, be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the
liability of such Person on its debts as such debts become absolute and
matured, (c) such Person will not have, as of such date, an unreasonably
small amount of capital with which to conduct its business, and (d) such
Person will be able to pay its debts as they mature. For purposes of this
definition, (i) "debt" means liability on a "claim", and (ii) "claim" means
any (x) right to payment, whether or not such a right is reduced to
judgment, liquidated, unliquidated, fixed, contingent, matured, unmatured,
disputed, undisputed, legal, equitable, secured or unsecured or (y) right
to an equitable remedy for breach of performance if such breach gives rise
to a right to payment, whether or not such right to an equitable remedy is
reduced to judgment, fixed, contingent, matured or unmatured, disputed,
undisputed, secured or unsecured.
"Subsidiary": as to any Person, a corporation, partnership, limited
liability company or other entity of which shares of stock or other
ownership interests having ordinary voting power (other than stock or such
other ownership interests having such power only by reason of the happening
of a contingency) to elect a majority of the board of directors or other
managers of such corporation, partnership or other entity are at the time
owned (or, in the case of Eastern Enterprises, anticipated to be owned), or
the management of which is (or, in the case of Eastern Enterprises, is
anticipated to be) otherwise controlled, directly or indirectly through one
or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless otherwise
qualified, all references to a "Subsidiary" or to "Subsidiaries" in this
Agreement shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower.
"Termination Date": September 20, 2001.
"Total Commitments": at any time, the aggregate amount of the
Commitments then in effect.
"Transferee": any Assignee or Participant.
"Type": as to any Loan, its nature as an ABR Loan or a Eurodollar
Loan.
"United States": the United States of America.
1.2 Other Definitional Provisions. (a) Unless otherwise specified
therein, all terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined
meanings when used in the other Loan Documents or any certificate or other
document made or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto.
(b) As used herein and in the other Loan Documents, and any
certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto,
(i) accounting terms relating to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries not
defined in Section 1.1 and accounting terms partly defined in Section 1.1,
to the extent not defined, shall have the respective meanings given to them
under GAAP, (ii) the words "include", "includes" and "including" shall be
deemed to be followed by the phrase "without limitation", (iii) the word
"incur" shall be construed to mean incur, create, issue, assume, become
liable in respect of or suffer to exist (and the words "incurred" and
"incurrence" shall have correlative meanings), and (iv) the words "asset"
and "property" shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and
to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties,
including cash, Capital Stock, securities, revenues, accounts, leasehold
interests and contract rights.
(c) The words "hereof", "herein" and "hereunder" and words of similar
import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole
and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and Section,
Schedule and Exhibit references are to this Agreement unless otherwise
specified.
(d) The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally
applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.
Section 2 AMOUNT AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS
2.1 Commitments. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Lender
severally agrees to make revolving credit loans ("Loans") to the Borrower from
time to time during the Commitment Period in an aggregate principal amount at
any one time outstanding which does not exceed the amount of such Lender's
Commitment. During the Commitment Period the Borrower may use the Commitments by
borrowing, prepaying the Loans in whole or in part, and reborrowing, all in
accordance with the terms and conditions hereof. The Loans may from time to time
be Eurodollar Loans, ABR Loans or Competitive Loans, as determined by the
Borrower and notified to the Administrative Agent in accordance with Sections
2.3 and 2.7.
(b) Any Loans outstanding on the Termination Date will mature and
be payable on the Final Maturity Date.
2.2 Competitive Bid Procedure. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions set
forth herein, from time to time the Borrower may request Competitive Bids and
may (but shall not have any obligation to) accept Competitive Bids and borrow
Competitive Loans; provided that while Competitive Loans are outstanding, the
Available Commitments shall be reduced by the aggregate amount of such
Competitive Loans. To request Competitive Bids, the Borrower shall notify the
Administrative Agent of such request by telephone, in the case of a Eurodollar
Loan, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, four Business Days before
the date of the proposed borrowing and, in the case of an ABR Loan, not later
than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, one Business Day before the date of the
proposed borrowing; provided that the Borrower may submit up to (but not more
than) three Competitive Bid Requests on the same day, but a Competitive Bid
Request shall not be made within five Business Days after the date of any
previous Competitive Bid Request, unless any and all such previous Competitive
Bid Requests shall have been withdrawn or all Competitive Bids received in
response thereto rejected. Each such telephonic Competitive Bid Request shall be
confirmed promptly by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a
written Competitive Bid Request in a form approved by the Administrative Agent
and signed by the Borrower. Each such telephonic and written Competitive Bid
Request shall specify the following information:
(i) the aggregate amount of the requested Loan;
(ii) the date of such Loan, which shall be a Business Day;
(iii) whether such Loan is to be a Eurodollar Loan or a Fixed
Rate Competitive Loan;
(iv) the maturity for such Loan, which shall range from 7 to 360
days (but not to extend past the Termination Date; and
(v) the Interest Period, if applicable, for such Loan, which
shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term "Interest
Period".
Promptly following receipt of a Competitive Bid Request in accordance with this
Section, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of the details
thereof by telecopy, inviting the Lenders to submit Competitive Bids.
(b) Each Lender may (but shall not have any obligation to) make one or more
Competitive Bids to the Borrower in response to a Competitive Bid Request. Each
Competitive Bid by a Lender must be in a form approved by the Administrative
Agent and must be received by the Administrative Agent by telecopy, in the case
of a Eurodollar Loan, not later than 9:30 a.m., New York City time, three
Business Days before the proposed date of such Competitive Loan, and in the case
of an ABR Loan, not later than 9:30 a.m., New York City time, on the proposed
date of such Competitive Loan. Competitive Bids that do not conform
substantially to the form approved by the Administrative Agent may be rejected
by the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent shall notify the
applicable Lender as promptly as practicable. Each Competitive Bid shall specify
(i) the principal amount (which shall be a minimum of $5,000,000 and an integral
multiple of $1,000,000 and which may equal the entire principal amount of the
Competitive Loan requested by the Borrower) of the Competitive Loan or Loans
that the Lender is willing to make, (ii) the Competitive Bid Rate or Rates at
which the Lender is prepared to make such Loan or Loans (expressed as a
percentage rate per annum in the form of a decimal to no more than four decimal
places) and (iii) the Interest Period applicable to each such Loan and the last
day thereof.
(c) The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower by telecopy
of the Competitive Bid Rate and the principal amount specified in each
Competitive Bid and the identity of the Lender that shall have made such
Competitive Bid.
(d) Subject only to the provisions of this paragraph, the Borrower may
accept or reject any Competitive Bid. The Borrower shall notify the
Administrative Agent by telephone, confirmed by telecopy in a form approved by
the Administrative Agent, whether and to what extent it has decided to accept or
reject each Competitive Bid, in the case of a Eurodollar Loan, not later than
10:30a.m., New York City time, three Business Days before the proposed date of
the Competitive Loan, and in the case of an ABR Loan, not later than 10:30a.m.,
New York City time, on the proposed date of the Competitive Loan; provided that
(i) the failure of the Borrower to give such notice shall be deemed to be a
rejection of each Competitive Bid, (ii) the Borrower shall not accept a
Competitive Bid made at a particular Competitive Bid Rate if the Borrower
rejects a Competitive Bid made at a lower Competitive Bid Rate, (iii) the
aggregate amount of the Competitive Bids accepted by the Borrower shall not
exceed the aggregate amount of the requested Competitive Loan specified in the
related Competitive Bid Request, (iv) to the extent necessary to comply with
clause (iii) above, the Borrower may accept Competitive Bids at the same
Competitive Bid Rate in part, which acceptance, in the case of multiple
Competitive Bids at such Competitive Bid Rate, shall be made pro rata in
accordance with the amount of each such Competitive Bid, and (v) except pursuant
to clause (iv) above, no Competitive Bid shall be accepted for a Competitive
Loan unless such Competitive Loan is in a minimum principal amount of $5,000,000
and an integral multiple of $1,000,000; provided further that if a Competitive
Loan must be in an amount less than $5,000,000 because of the provisions of
clause (iv) above, such Competitive Loan may be for a minimum of $1,000,000 or
any integral multiple thereof, and in calculating the pro rata allocation of
acceptances of portions of multiple Competitive Bids at a particular Competitive
Bid Rate pursuant to clause (iv) the amounts shall be rounded to integral
multiples of $1,000,000 in a manner determined by the Borrower. A notice given
by the Borrower pursuant to this paragraph shall be irrevocable.
(e) The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each bidding Lender by
telecopy whether or not its Competitive Bid has been accepted (and, if so, the
amount and Competitive Bid Rate so accepted), and each successful bidder will
thereupon become bound, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, to make the
Competitive Loan in respect of which its Competitive Bid has been accepted.
(f) If the Administrative Agent shall elect to submit a Competitive Bid in
its capacity as a Lender, it shall submit such Competitive Bid directly to the
Borrower at least one quarter of an hour earlier than the time by which the
other Lenders are required to submit their Competitive Bids to the
Administrative Agent pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section.
2.3 Procedure for Loan Borrowing. The Borrower may borrow under the
Commitments during the Commitment Period on any Business Day, provided that the
Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent irrevocable notice (which notice
must be received by the Administrative Agent prior to 12:00 Noon, New York City
time, (a) three Business Days prior to the requested Borrowing Date, in the case
of Eurodollar Loans, or (b) one Business Day prior to the requested Borrowing
Date, in the case of ABR Loans), specifying (i) the amount and Type of Loans to
be borrowed, (ii) the requested Borrowing Date and (iii) in the case of
Eurodollar Loans, the respective amounts of each such Type of Loan and the
respective lengths of the initial Interest Period therefor. Any Loans made on
the Effective Date shall initially be ABR Loans. Each borrowing under the
Commitments shall be in an amount equal to (x) in the case of ABR Loans,
$1,000,000 or a whole multiple thereof (or, if the then aggregate Available
Commitments are less than $1,000,000, such lesser amount) and (y) in the case of
Eurodollar Loans, $10,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess
thereof. Upon receipt of any such notice from the Borrower, the Administrative
Agent shall promptly notify each Lender thereof. Each Lender will make the
amount of its pro rata share of each borrowing available to the Administrative
Agent for the account of the Borrower at the Funding Office prior to 12:00 Noon,
New York City time, on the Borrowing Date requested by the Borrower in funds
immediately available to the Administrative Agent. Such borrowing will then be
made available to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent crediting the account
of the Borrower on the books of such office with the aggregate of the amounts
made available to the Administrative Agent by the Lenders and in like funds as
received by the Administrative Agent.
2.4 Facility Fees, etc.(a) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative
Agent for the account of each Lender a facility fee for the period from and
including the Closing Date until all of the Obligations have been repaid and the
Commitments have been terminated, computed at the Facility Fee Rate on the
Revolving Percentage of such Lender of the total amount of the Revolving
Facility (drawn or undrawn), payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of
each March, June, September and December and on the Final Maturity Date,
commencing on the first of such dates to occur after the date hereof.
(b) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent the fees in the
amounts and on the dates previously agreed to in writing by the Borrower and the
Administrative Agent.
2.5 Termination or Reduction of Commitments. The Borrower shall have the
right, upon not less than three Business Days' notice to the Administrative
Agent, to terminate the Commitments or, from time to time, to reduce the amount
of the Commitments; provided that no such termination or reduction of
Commitments shall be permitted if, after giving effect thereto and to any
prepayments of the Loans made on the effective date thereof, the aggregate
principal amount of (i) the Loans outstanding and (ii) any Competitive Loans
outstanding, would exceed the Total Commitments. Any such reduction shall be in
an amount equal to $1,000,000, or a whole multiple thereof, and shall reduce
permanently the Commitments then in effect. The Administrative Agent will, in
accordance with its usual practice, notify the Lenders of each such termination
or reduction.
2.6 Optional Prepayments. The Borrower may at any time and from time to
time prepay the Loans, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty, upon
irrevocable notice delivered to the Administrative Agent at least three Business
Days prior thereto in the case of Eurodollar Loans and at least one Business Day
prior thereto in the case of ABR Loans, which notice shall specify the date and
amount of prepayment and whether the prepayment is of Eurodollar Loans or ABR
Loans; provided, that if a Eurodollar Loan is prepaid on any day other than the
last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, the Borrower shall also pay
any amounts owing pursuant to Section 2.15. Upon receipt of any such notice, the
Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender thereof. If any such
notice is given, the amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on
the date specified therein, together with (except in the case of Loans that are
ABR Loans) accrued interest to such date on the amount prepaid. Partial
prepayments of Loans shall be in an aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000 or
a whole multiple thereof. Competitive Loans may not be prepaid without the
consent of the relevant Lender.
2.7 Conversion and Continuation Options. (a) The Borrower may elect from
time to time to convert Eurodollar Loans to ABR Loans by giving the
Administrative Agent at least two Business Days' prior irrevocable notice of
such election, provided that any such conversion of Eurodollar Loans may only be
made on the last day of an Interest Period with respect thereto. The Borrower
may elect from time to time to convert ABR Loans to Eurodollar Loans by giving
the Administrative Agent at least three Business Days' prior irrevocable notice
of such election (which notice shall specify the length of the initial Interest
Period therefor), provided that no ABR Loan may be converted into a Eurodollar
Loan when any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the
Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders have determined in its or their
sole discretion not to permit such conversions. Upon receipt of any such notice
the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each relevant Lender thereof.
(b) Any Eurodollar Loan may be continued as such upon the expiration of the
then current Interest Period with respect thereto by the Borrower giving
irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent, in accordance with the
applicable provisions of the term "Interest Period" set forth in Section 1.1, of
the length of the next Interest Period to be applicable to such Loans, provided
that no Eurodollar Loan may be continued as such when any Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent has or the Required
Lenders have determined in its or their sole discretion not to permit such
continuations, and provided, further, that if the Borrower shall fail to give
any required notice as described above in this paragraph or if such continuation
is not permitted pursuant to the preceding proviso such Loans shall be
automatically converted to ABR Loans on the last day of such then expiring
Interest Period. Upon receipt of any such notice the Administrative Agent shall
promptly notify each relevant Lender thereof.
2.8 Limitations on Eurodollar Tranches. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary in this Agreement, all borrowings, conversions and continuations of
Eurodollar Loans hereunder and all selections of Interest Periods hereunder
shall be in such amounts and be made pursuant to such elections so that, (a)
after giving effect thereto, the aggregate principal amount of the Eurodollar
Loans comprising each Eurodollar Tranche shall be equal to $5,000,000 or a whole
multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof and (b) no more than ten Eurodollar
Tranches shall be outstanding at any one time.
2.9 Interest Rates and Payment Dates. (a) Each Eurodollar Loan shall bear
interest for each day during each Interest Period with respect thereto at a rate
per annum equal to the Eurodollar Rate determined for such day plus the
Applicable Margin.
(b) Each ABR Loan shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the ABR
plus the Applicable Margin.
(c) Each Competitive Loan shall bear interest in accordance with the
applicable Competitive Bid Rate.
(d) (i) If all or a portion of the principal amount of any Loan shall not
be paid when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise),
such overdue amount shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the rate
that would otherwise be applicable thereto pursuant to the foregoing provisions
of this Section plus 2%, and (ii) if all or a portion of any interest payable on
any Loan or any facility fee or other amount payable hereunder shall not be paid
when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), such
overdue amount shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the rate then
applicable to ABR Loans plus 2%, in each case, with respect to clauses (i) and
(ii) above, from the date of such non-payment until such amount is paid in full.
(e) Interest shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date,
provided that interest accruing pursuant to paragraph (d) of this Section shall
be payable from time to time on demand.
2.10 Computation of Interest and Fees. (a) Interest and fees payable
pursuant hereto shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year for the
actual days elapsed, except that, with respect to ABR Loans the rate of interest
on which is calculated on the basis of the Prime Rate, the interest thereon
shall be calculated on the basis of a 365- (or 366-, as the case may be) day
year for the actual days elapsed. The Administrative Agent shall as soon as
practicable notify the Borrower and the relevant Lenders of each determination
of a Eurodollar Rate. Any change in the interest rate on a Loan resulting from a
change in the ABR or the Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements shall become
effective as of the opening of business on the day on which such change becomes
effective. The Administrative Agent shall as soon as practicable notify the
Borrower and the relevant Lenders of the effective date and the amount of each
such change in interest rate.
(b) Each determination of an interest rate by the Administrative Agent
pursuant to any provision of this Agreement shall be conclusive and binding on
the Borrower and the Lenders in the absence of manifest error. The
Administrative Agent shall, at the request of the Borrower, deliver to the
Borrower a statement showing the quotations used by the Administrative Agent in
determining any interest rate pursuant to Section 2.9(a).
2.11 Inability to Determine Interest Rate. If prior to the first day of any
Interest Period:
(a) the Administrative Agent shall have determined (which determination
shall be conclusive and binding upon the Borrower) that, by reason of
circumstances affecting the relevant market, adequate and reasonable means do
not exist for ascertaining the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period, or that
such Eurodollar rate is not available; or
(b) the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Required
Lenders (or, in the case of a Eurodollar Competitive Loan, the Lender that is
required to make such Loan) that the Eurodollar Rate determined or to be
determined for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the
cost to such Lenders or Lender, as the case may be (as conclusively certified by
such Lenders, or Lender as the case may be) of making or maintaining their
affected Loans during such Interest Period,
the Administrative Agent shall give telecopy or telephonic notice thereof to the
Borrower and the relevant Lenders as soon as practicable thereafter. If such
notice is given (w) any Eurodollar Loans requested to be made on the first day
of such Interest Period shall be made as ABR Loans, (x) any Loans that were to
have been converted on the first day of such Interest Period to Eurodollar Loans
shall be continued as ABR Loans, (y) any outstanding Eurodollar Loans shall be
converted, on the last day of the then-current Interest Period, to ABR Loans and
(z) any request by the Borrower for a Eurodollar Competitive Loan shall be
ineffective. Until such notice has been withdrawn by the Administrative Agent,
no further Eurodollar Loans shall be made or continued as such, nor shall the
Borrower have the right to convert Loans to Eurodollar Loans.
2.12 Pro Rata Treatment and Payments. (a) Each borrowing by the Borrower
from the Lenders hereunder, each payment by the Borrower on account of any
facility fee and any reduction of the Commitments of the Lenders shall be made
pro rata according to the respective Revolving Percentage as the case may be, of
the relevant Lenders.
(b) Each payment (including each prepayment) by the Borrower on account of
principal of and interest on the Loans shall be made pro rata according to the
respective outstanding principal amounts of the Loans then held by the Lenders.
(c) All payments (including prepayments) to be made by the Borrower
hereunder, whether on account of principal, interest, fees or otherwise, shall
be made without setoff or counterclaim and shall be made prior to 12:00 Noon,
New York City time, on the due date thereof to the Administrative Agent, for the
account of the Lenders, at the Funding Office, in Dollars and in immediately
available funds. The Administrative Agent shall distribute such payments to the
Lenders promptly upon receipt in like funds as received. If any payment
hereunder (other than payments on the Eurodollar Loans) becomes due and payable
on a day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be extended to the next
succeeding Business Day. If any payment on a Eurodollar Loan becomes due and
payable on a day other than a Business Day, the maturity thereof shall be
extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless the result of such extension
would be to extend such payment into another calendar month, in which event such
payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day. In the case of
any extension of any payment of principal pursuant to the preceding two
sentences, interest thereon shall be payable at the then applicable rate during
such extension.
(d) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified in writing by
any Lender prior to a borrowing that such Lender will not make the amount that
would constitute its share of such borrowing available to the Administrative
Agent, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender is making such
amount available to the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent may,
in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding
amount. If such amount is not made available to the Administrative Agent by the
required time on the Borrowing Date therefor, such Lender shall pay to the
Administrative Agent, on demand, such amount with interest thereon at a rate
equal to the daily average Federal Funds Effective Rate for the period until
such Lender makes such amount immediately available to the Administrative Agent.
A certificate of the Administrative Agent submitted to any Lender with respect
to any amounts owing under this paragraph shall be conclusive in the absence of
manifest error. If such Lender's share of such borrowing is not made available
to the Administrative Agent by such Lender within three Business Days of such
Borrowing Date, the Administrative Agent shall also be entitled to recover such
amount with interest thereon at the rate per annum applicable to ABR Loans, on
demand, from the Borrower.
(e) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified in writing by
the Borrower prior to the date of any payment being made hereunder that the
Borrower will not make such payment to the Administrative Agent, the
Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower is making such payment, and
the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be required to, in reliance upon
such assumption, make available to the Lenders their respective pro rata shares
of a corresponding amount. If such payment is not made to the Administrative
Agent by the Borrower within three Business Days of such required date, the
Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover, on demand, from each Lender
to which any amount which was made available pursuant to the preceding sentence,
such amount with interest thereon at the rate per annum equal to the daily
average Federal Funds Effective Rate. Nothing herein shall be deemed to limit
the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender against the Borrower.
2.13 Requirements of Law. (a) If the adoption of or any change in any
Requirement of Law or in the interpretation or application thereof or compliance
by any Lender with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of
law) from any central bank or other Governmental Authority made subsequent to
the date hereof:
(i) shall subject any Lender to any tax of any kind whatsoever
with respect to this Agreement or any Eurodollar Loan made by it, or
change the basis of taxation of payments to such Lender in respect
thereof (except for Non-Excluded Taxes covered by Section 2.14 and
changes in the rate of tax on the overall net income of such Lender);
(ii) shall impose, modify or hold applicable any reserve, special
deposit, compulsory loan or similar requirement against assets held
by, deposits or other liabilities in or for the account of, advances,
loans or other extensions of credit by, or any other acquisition of
funds by, any office of such Lender that is not otherwise included in
the determination of the Eurodollar Rate hereunder; or
(iii) shall impose on such Lender any other condition;
and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender,
by an amount that such Lender deems to be material, of making, converting into,
continuing or maintaining Eurodollar Loans, or to reduce any amount receivable
hereunder in respect thereof, then, in any such case, the Borrower shall
promptly pay such Lender, upon its demand, any additional amounts necessary to
compensate such Lender for such increased cost or reduced amount receivable. If
any Lender becomes entitled to claim any additional amounts pursuant to this
paragraph, it shall promptly notify the Borrower (with a copy to the
Administrative Agent) of the event by reason of which it has become so entitled.
(b) If any Lender shall have determined that the adoption of or
any change in any Requirement of Law regarding capital adequacy or in
the interpretation or application thereof or compliance by such Lender
or any corporation controlling such Lender with any request or
directive regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having the force
of law) from any Governmental Authority made subsequent to the date
hereof shall have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such
Lender's or such corporation's capital as a consequence of its
obligations hereunder to a level below that which such Lender or such
corporation could have achieved but for such adoption, change or
compliance (taking into consideration such Lender's or such
corporation's policies with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount
deemed by such Lender to be material, then from time to time, after
submission by such Lender to the Borrower (with a copy to the
Administrative Agent) of a written request therefor, the Borrower
shall pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will
compensate such Lender for such reduction; provided that the Borrower
shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to this
paragraph for any amounts incurred more than six months prior to the
date that such Lender notifies the Borrower of such Lender's intention
to claim compensation therefor; and provided further that, if the
circumstances giving rise to such claim have a retroactive effect,
then such six-month period shall be extended to include the period of
such retroactive effect.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section, a
Lender shall not be entitled to compensation pursuant to this Section
in respect of any Competitive Loan if the Requirement of Law that
would otherwise entitle it to such compensation shall have been
publicly announced prior to submission of the Competitive Bid pursuant
to which such Loan was made.
(d) A certificate as to any additional amounts payable pursuant
to this Section submitted by any Lender to the Borrower (with a copy
to the Administrative Agent) shall be conclusive in the absence of
manifest error. The obligations of the Borrower pursuant to this
Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the
payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.
2.14 Taxes. (a) All payments made by the Borrower under this Agreement
shall be made free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for or on
account of, any present or future income, stamp or other taxes, levies, imposts,
duties, charges, fees, deductions or withholdings, now or hereafter imposed,
levied, collected, withheld or assessed by any Governmental Authority, excluding
net income taxes and franchise taxes (imposed in lieu of net income taxes)
imposed on the Administrative Agent or any Lender as a result of a present or
former connection between the Administrative Agent or such Lender and the
jurisdiction of the Governmental Authority imposing such tax or any political
subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein (other than any such
connection arising solely from the Administrative Agent or such Lender having
executed, delivered or performed its obligations or received a payment under, or
enforced, this Agreement or any other Loan Document). If any such non-excluded
taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions or withholdings
("Non-Excluded Taxes") or Other Taxes are required to be withheld from any
amounts payable to the Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder, the amounts
so payable to the Administrative Agent or such Lender shall be increased to the
extent necessary to yield to the Administrative Agent or such Lender (after
payment of all Non-Excluded Taxes and Other Taxes) interest or any such other
amounts payable hereunder at the rates or in the amounts specified in this
Agreement, provided, however, that the Borrower shall not be required to
increase any such amounts payable to any Lender with respect to any Non-Excluded
Taxes (i) that are attributable to such Lender's failure to comply with the
requirements of paragraph (d) or (e) of this Section or (ii) that are United
States withholding taxes imposed on amounts payable to such Lender at the time
the Lender becomes a party to this Agreement, except to the extent that such
Lender's assignor (if any) was entitled, at the time of assignment, to receive
additional amounts from the Borrower with respect to such Non-Excluded Taxes
pursuant to this paragraph.
(b) In addition, the Borrower shall pay any Other Taxes to the
relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.
(c) Whenever any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes are payable by
the Borrower, as promptly as possible thereafter the Borrower shall
send to the Administrative Agent for its own account or for the
account of the relevant Lender, as the case may be, a certified copy
of an original official receipt received by the Borrower showing
payment thereof. If the Borrower fails to pay any Non-Excluded Taxes
or Other Taxes when due to the appropriate taxing authority or fails
to remit to the Administrative Agent the required receipts or other
required documentary evidence, the Borrower shall indemnify the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders for any incremental taxes,
interest or penalties that may become payable by the Administrative
Agent or any Lender as a result of any such failure.
(d) Each Lender (or Transferee) that is not a citizen or resident
of the United States of America, a corporation, partnership or other
entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States
of America (or any jurisdiction thereof), or any estate or trust that
is subject to federal income taxation regardless of the source of its
income (a "Non-U.S. Lender") shall deliver to the Borrower and the
Administrative Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender
from which the related participation shall have been purchased) two
copies of either U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or Form
W-8ECI, or, in the case of a Non-U.S. Lender claiming exemption from
U.S. federal withholding tax under Section 871(h) or 881(c) of the
Code with respect to payments of "portfolio interest", a statement
substantially in the form of Exhibit D and a Form W-8BEN, or any
subsequent versions thereof or successors thereto, properly completed
and duly executed by such Non-U.S. Lender claiming complete exemption
from, or a reduced rate of, U.S. federal withholding tax on all
payments by the Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents. Such forms shall be delivered by each Non-U.S. Lender on or
before the date it becomes a party to this Agreement (or, in the case
of any Participant, on or before the date such Participant purchases
the related participation). In addition, each Non-U.S. Lender shall
deliver such forms promptly upon the obsolescence or invalidity of any
form previously delivered by such Non-U.S. Lender. Each Non-U.S.
Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower at any time it determines
that it is no longer in a position to provide any previously delivered
certificate to the Borrower (or any other form of certification
adopted by the U.S. taxing authorities for such purpose).
Notwithstanding any other provision of this paragraph, a Non-U.S.
Lender shall not be required to deliver any form pursuant to this
paragraph that such Non-U.S. Lender is not legally able to deliver.
(e) A Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction
of non-U.S. withholding tax under the law of the jurisdiction in which
the Borrower is located, or any treaty to which such jurisdiction is a
party, with respect to payments under this Agreement shall deliver to
the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at the time or
times prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the
Borrower, such properly completed and executed documentation
prescribed by applicable law as will permit such payments to be made
without withholding or at a reduced rate, provided that such Lender is
legally entitled to complete, execute and deliver such documentation
and in such Lender's judgment such completion, execution or submission
would not materially prejudice the legal position of such Lender.
(f) The agreements in this Section shall survive the termination
of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts
payable hereunder.
2.15 Indemnity. The Borrower agrees to indemnify each Lender and to hold
each Lender harmless from any loss or expense that such Lender may sustain or
incur as a consequence of (a) default by the Borrower in making a borrowing of,
conversion into or continuation of Eurodollar Loans after the Borrower has given
a notice requesting the same in accordance with the provisions of this
Agreement, (b) default by the Borrower in making any prepayment of or conversion
from Eurodollar Loans after the Borrower has given a notice thereof in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, (c) the making of a prepayment
of Eurodollar Loans on a day that is not the last day of an Interest Period with
respect thereto or (d) the making of a prepayment of a Competitive Loan. Such
indemnification may include an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the
amount of interest that would have accrued on the amount so prepaid, or not so
borrowed, converted or continued, for the period from the date of such
prepayment or of such failure to borrow, convert or continue to the last day of
such Interest Period (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or
continue, the Interest Period that would have commenced on the date of such
failure) in each case at the applicable rate of interest for such Loans provided
for herein (excluding, however, the Applicable Margin included therein, if any)
over (ii) the amount of interest (as reasonably determined by such Lender) that
would have accrued to such Lender on such amount by placing such amount on
deposit for a comparable period with leading banks in the interbank eurodollar
market. A certificate as to any amounts payable pursuant to this Section
submitted to the Borrower by any Lender shall be conclusive in the absence of
manifest error. This covenant shall survive the termination of this Agreement
and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.
2.16 Change of Lending Office. Each Lender agrees that, upon the occurrence
of any event giving rise to the operation of Section 2.13 or 2.14(a) with
respect to such Lender, it will, if requested by the Borrower, use reasonable
efforts (subject to overall policy considerations of such Lender) to designate
another lending office for any Loans affected by such event with the object of
avoiding the consequences of such event; provided, that such designation is made
on terms that, in the sole judgment of such Lender, cause such Lender and its
lending office(s) to suffer no economic, legal or regulatory disadvantage, and
provided, further, that nothing in this Section shall affect or postpone any of
the obligations of any Borrower or the rights of any Lender pursuant to Section
2.13 or 2.14(a).
2.17 Replacement of Lenders. The Borrower shall be permitted to replace any
Lender that (a) requests reimbursement for amounts owing pursuant to Section
2.13 or 2.14(a) or (b) defaults in its obligation to make Loans hereunder, with
a replacement financial institution; provided that (i) such replacement does not
conflict with any Requirement of Law, (ii) no Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing at the time of such replacement, (iii) prior to any
such replacement, such Lender shall have taken no action under Section 2.16 so
as to eliminate the continued need for payment of amounts owing pursuant to
Section 2.13 or 2.14(a), (iv) the replacement financial institution shall
purchase, at par, all Loans and other amounts owing to such replaced Lender on
or prior to the date of replacement, (v) the Borrower shall be liable to such
replaced Lender under Section 2.15 if any Eurodollar Loan or Eurodollar
Competitive Loan owing to such replaced Lender shall be purchased other than on
the last day of the Interest Period relating thereto, (vi) the replacement
financial institution, if not already a Lender, shall be reasonably satisfactory
to the Administrative Agent, (vii) the replaced Lender shall be obligated to
make such replacement in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.6 (provided
that the Borrower shall be obligated to pay the registration and processing fee
referred to therein), (viii) until such time as such replacement shall be
consummated, the Borrower shall pay all additional amounts (if any) required
pursuant to Section 2.13 or 2.14(a), as the case may be, and (ix) any such
replacement shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any rights that the Borrower,
the Administrative Agent or any other Lender shall have against the replaced
Lender.
Section 3 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
To induce the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter
into this Agreement and to make the Loans the Borrower hereby represents and
warrants to the Administrative Agent and each Lender that:
3.1 Financial Condition. The audited consolidated and, to the extent
available, unconsolidated balance sheets of the Borrower at December 31, 1998
and December 31, 1999, and the related consolidated and, to the extent
available, unconsolidated statements of income and of cash flows for the nine
month period ended on December 31, 1998 and the fiscal year ended on December
31, 1999, reported on by and accompanied by an unqualified report from Arthur
Andersen L.P., present fairly the consolidated and unconsolidated financial
condition of the Borrower as at such date, and the consolidated and
unconsolidated results of its operations and its consolidated and unconsolidated
cash flows for the respective fiscal years then ended. The unaudited
consolidated and, to the extent available, unconsolidated balance sheet of the
Borrower as at June 30, 2000 and the related unaudited consolidated and, to the
extent available, unconsolidated statements of income and cash flows for the
six-month period ended on such date, present fairly the consolidated and
unconsolidated financial condition of the Borrower as at such date, and the
consolidated and unconsolidated results of its operations and its consolidated
cash flows for the six-month period then ended (subject to normal year-end audit
adjustments). All such financial statements, including the related schedules and
notes thereto, have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied consistently
throughout the periods involved (except as approved by the aforementioned firm
of accountants and disclosed therein). The Borrower and its Subsidiaries do not
have any material Guarantee Obligations, contingent liabilities and liabilities
for taxes, or any long-term leases or unusual forward or long-term commitments,
including any interest rate or foreign currency swap or exchange transaction or
other obligation in respect of derivatives, that are not reflected in the most
recent financial statements referred to in this paragraph, except Guarantee
Obligations of Indebtedness of the Borrower and/or any of its Subsidiaries so
long as the Indebtedness in respect of which such Guarantee Obligations arise is
reflected in such financial statements. During the period from July 1, 2000 to
and including the date hereof there has been no Disposition by the Borrower of
any material part of its business or property.
3.2 No Change. Since December 31, 1999 there has been no development or
event that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.
3.3 Corporate Existence; Compliance with Law. Each of the Borrower and its
Significant Subsidiaries (a) is duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (b) has the
corporate power and authority, and the legal right, to own and operate its
property, to lease the property it operates as lessee and to conduct the
business in which it is currently engaged, (c) is duly qualified as a foreign
corporation and in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction where its
ownership, lease or operation of property or the conduct of its business
requires such qualification and (d) is in compliance with all Requirements of
Law except to the extent that the failure to comply therewith could not, in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
3.4 Corporate Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations. The Borrower
has the corporate power and authority, and the legal right, to make, deliver and
perform the Loan Documents and to borrow hereunder. The Borrower has taken all
necessary corporate action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance
of the Loan Documents and to authorize the borrowings on the terms and
conditions of this Agreement. No consent or authorization of, filing with,
notice to or other act by or in respect of, any Governmental Authority or any
other Person is required in connection with the borrowings hereunder or with the
execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of this Agreement
or any of the Loan Documents, except consents, authorizations, filings and
notices described in Schedule 3.4, which consents, authorizations, filings and
notices have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect. Each Loan
Document has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of the Borrower. This
Agreement constitutes, and each other Loan Document upon execution will
constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower, enforceable
against the Borrower in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may
be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or
similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and by
general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in
equity or at law).
3.5 No Legal Bar. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents, the borrowings hereunder and the use of the
proceeds thereof will not violate any Requirement of Law or any Contractual
Obligation of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and will not result in, or
require, the creation or imposition of any Lien on any of their respective
properties or revenues pursuant to any Requirement of Law or any such
Contractual Obligation. No Requirement of Law or Contractual Obligation
applicable to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
3.6 Litigation. No litigation, investigation or proceeding of or before any
arbitrator or Governmental Authority is pending or, to the knowledge of the
Borrower, threatened by or against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or
against any of their respective properties or revenues (a) with respect to any
of the Loan Documents or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby,
or (b) that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
3.7 No Default. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is in
default under or with respect to any of its Contractual Obligations in any
respect that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No
Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.
3.8 Ownership of Property; Liens. Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
has title in fee simple to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all its real
property, and good title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all its other
property, except to the extent failure to have such title could not reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and none of such property is
subject to any Lien except as permitted by Section 6.2.
3.9 Intellectual Property. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries owns,
or is licensed to use, all Intellectual Property necessary for the conduct of
its business as currently conducted, except to the extent failure to have such
ownership or license could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect. No material claim has been asserted and is pending by any Person
challenging or questioning the use of any Intellectual Property or the validity
or effectiveness of any Intellectual Property, except to the extent any such
claim could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, nor
does the Borrower know of any valid basis for any such claim. The use of
Intellectual Property by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries does not infringe on
the rights of any Person in any material respect, except to the extent any such
infringement could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
3.10 Taxes. Each of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries has filed or
caused to be filed all Federal, state and other material tax returns that are
required to be filed and has paid all taxes shown to be due and payable on said
returns or on any assessments made against it or any of its property and all
other taxes, fees or other charges imposed on it or any of its property by any
Governmental Authority (other than any the amount or validity of that are
currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with
respect to which reserves in conformity with GAAP have been provided on the
books of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, as the case may be); no material tax
Lien has been filed, and, to the knowledge of the Borrower, no material claim is
being asserted, with respect to any such tax, fee or other charge.
3.11 Federal Regulations. No part of the proceeds of any Loans will be used
for "buying" or "carrying" any "margin stock" within the respective meanings of
each of the quoted terms under Regulation U as now and from time to time
hereafter in effect or for any purpose that violates the provisions of the
Regulations of the Board.
3.12 Labor Matters. Except as, in the aggregate, could not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: (a) there are no strikes or other
labor disputes against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pending or, to
the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened; (b) hours worked by and payment made
to employees of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries have not been in violation of
the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable Requirement of Law dealing
with such matters; and (c) all payments due from the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries on account of employee health and welfare insurance have been paid
or accrued as a liability on the books of the Borrower or the relevant
Subsidiary.
3.13 ERISA. Neither a Reportable Event nor an "accumulated funding
deficiency" (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of
ERISA) has occurred during the five-year period prior to the date on which this
representation is made or deemed made with respect to any Plan, and each Plan
has complied in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA
and the Code. No termination of a Single Employer Plan which could reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect has occurred, and no Lien in
favor of the PBGC or a Plan has arisen, during such five-year period. The
present value of all accrued benefits under each Single Employer Plan (based on
those assumptions used to fund such Plans) did not, as of the last annual
valuation date prior to the date on which this representation is made or deemed
made, exceed the value of the assets of such Plan allocable to such accrued
benefits by a material amount. Neither the Borrower nor any Commonly Controlled
Entity has had a complete or partial withdrawal from any Multiemployer Plan that
has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability
under ERISA, and neither the Borrower nor any Commonly Controlled Entity would
become subject to any material liability under ERISA if the Borrower or any such
Commonly Controlled Entity were to withdraw completely from all Multiemployer
Plans as of the valuation date most closely preceding the date on which this
representation is made or deemed made. No such Multiemployer Plan is in
Reorganization or Insolvent.
3.14 Investment Company Act; Other Regulations. Neither the Borrower nor
any of its Subsidiaries is (i) an "investment company", or a company
"controlled" by an "investment company", within the meaning of the Investment
Company Act of 1940. The Borrower, after the completion of the acquisition of
Eastern Enterprises, will be a registered "holding company" under the Public
Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended, and will be subject to
regulation by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Neither the Borrower nor
any of its Subsidiaries is subject to regulation under any Requirement of Law
(other than Regulation X of the Board) that limits its ability to incur
Indebtedness.
3.15 Subsidiaries. Except as disclosed to the Administrative Agent by the
Borrower in writing from time to time after the Closing Date, (a) Schedule 3.15
sets forth the name and jurisdiction of incorporation of each Significant
Subsidiary and, as to each such Subsidiary, the percentage of each class of
Capital Stock owned by the Borrower and (b) there are no outstanding
subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, rights or other agreements or
commitments (other than stock options granted to employees or directors and
directors' qualifying shares) of any nature relating to any Capital Stock of the
Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary, except as created by the Loan Documents.
3.16 Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Loans shall be used for general
corporate purposes (including commercial paper back-up liquidity) of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.
3.17 Environmental Matters. Except as, in the aggregate, could not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:
(a) the facilities or properties owned, leased or operated by the
Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries (the "Properties") do not contain, and
have not previously contained, any Materials of Environmental Concern in
amounts or concentrations or under circumstances that constitute or
constituted a violation of, or could give rise to liability under, any
Environmental Law;
(b) neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has received or
is aware of any notice of violation, alleged violation, non-compliance,
liability or potential liability regarding environmental matters or
compliance with Environmental Laws with regard to any of the Properties or
the business operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (the
"Business"), nor does the Borrower have knowledge or reason to believe that
any such notice will be received or is being threatened;
(c) Materials of Environmental Concern have not been transported or
disposed of from the Properties in violation of, or in a manner or to a
location that could give rise to liability under, any Environmental Law,
nor have any Materials of Environmental Concern been generated, treated,
stored or disposed of at, on or under any of the Properties in violation
of, or in a manner that could give rise to liability under, any applicable
Environmental Law;
(d) no judicial proceeding or governmental or administrative action is
pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened, under any
Environmental Law to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is or will be
named as a party with respect to the Properties or the Business, nor are
there any consent decrees or other decrees, consent orders, administrative
orders or other orders, or other administrative or judicial requirements
outstanding under any Environmental Law with respect to the Properties or
the Business;
(e) there has been no release or threat of release of Materials of
Environmental Concern at or from the Properties, or arising from or related
to the operations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with the
Properties or otherwise in connection with the Business, in violation of or
in amounts or in a manner that could give rise to liability under
Environmental Laws;
(f) the Properties and all operations at the Properties are in
compliance, and have in the last five years been in compliance, with all
applicable Environmental Laws, and there is no contamination at, under or
about the Properties or violation of any Environmental Law with respect to
the Properties or the Business; and
(g) neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has assumed any
liability of any other Person under Environmental Laws.
3.18 Accuracy of Information, etc. No statement or information contained in
this Agreement, the Notes, the Confidential Information Memorandum or any other
document, certificate or statement furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower to
the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, or any of them, for use in connection
with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, contained as of the date
such statement, information, document or certificate was so furnished (or, in
the case of the Confidential Information Memorandum, as of the date of this
Agreement), any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a
material fact necessary to make the statements contained herein or therein not
misleading. There is no fact known to the Borrower that could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect that has not been expressly disclosed
herein, in the Confidential Information Memorandum or in any other documents,
certificates and statements furnished to the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders for use in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 4 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
4.1 Conditions to Closing Date. The Closing Date shall be the date upon
which the following conditions precedent shall have been fulfilled:
(a) Credit Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall have received
this Agreement, executed and delivered by the Administrative Agent, the
Borrower and each Person listed on Schedule 1.1.
(b) Financial Statements. The Lenders shall have received (i) audited
consolidated and, to the extent available, unconsolidated financial
statements of the Borrower for the nine month period ended December 31,
1998 and for the 1999 fiscal year and (ii) unaudited interim consolidated
and, to the extent available, unconsolidated financial statements of the
Borrower for each quarterly period ended subsequent to the date of the
latest applicable financial statements delivered pursuant to clause (i) of
this paragraph as to which such financial statements are available, and
such financial statements shall not, in the reasonable judgment of the
Lenders, reflect any material adverse change in the consolidated financial
condition of the Borrower, as reflected in the financial statements or
projections contained in the Confidential Information Memorandum.
(c) Approvals. All governmental and third party approvals necessary in
connection with the continuing operations of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries and the transactions contemplated hereby shall have been
obtained and be in full force and effect.
(d) Fees. The Lenders and the Administrative Agent shall have received
all fees required to be paid, and all expenses for which invoices have been
presented (including the reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel), on
or before the Closing Date.
(e) Closing Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have received,
with a counterpart for each Lender, a certificate of the Borrower, dated
the Closing Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit A, with appropriate
insertions and attachments.
(f) Legal Opinions. The Administrative Agent shall have received the
executed legal opinion of Steven L. Zelkowitz, general counsel of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries, substantially in the form of Exhibit C. Such
legal opinion shall cover such other matters incident to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement as the Administrative Agent may reasonably
require.
(g) Reaffirmation of Commercial Paper Ratings. The Borrower shall have
reaffirmed the indicative rating of its commercial paper of at least A2
from S&P and P2 from Moody's.
(h) Reaffirmation of Senior Unsercured Long Term Debt Ratings. The
Borrower shall have received an indicative rating of its senior unsecured
long-term debt of at least BBB from S&P, Baa2 from Moody's and BBB from
Fitch.
4.2 Conditions to Initial Extension of Credit. The agreement of each Lender
to make the initial extension of credit requested to be made by it hereunder is
subject to the satisfaction, prior to or concurrently with the making of such
extension of credit, of the conditions contained in Section 4.1 and of the
following conditions precedent:
(a) Bridge Facility. Satisfactory definitive financing documentation
with respect to the Bridge Facility shall have been executed and delivered
by the Borrower, Morgan and the banks and other financial institutions or
entities party thereto.
(b) Acquisition of Eastern Enterprises. The acquisition of Eastern
Enterprises shall have been consummated in accordance with the terms of the
Acquisition Agreement.
(c) Approvals. All governmental and third party approvals necessary in
connection with the acquisition of Eastern Enterprises shall have been
obtained and be in full force and effect.
4.3 Conditions to Each Extension of Credit...The agreement of each Lender
to make any extension of credit requested to be made by it on any date
(including its initial extension of credit) is subject to the satisfaction of
the following conditions precedent:
(a) Representations and Warranties...Each of the representations and
warranties made by the Borrower in or pursuant to this Agreement shall be
true and correct on and as of such date as if made on and as of such date.
(b) No Default. No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and
be continuing on such date or after giving effect to the extensions of
credit requested to be made on such date.
Each borrowing by the Borrower hereunder shall constitute a representation
and warranty by the Borrower as of the date of such extension of credit that the
conditions contained in this Section 4.3 have been satisfied.
Section 5 AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
The Borrower hereby agrees that, so long as the Commitments
remain in effect or any Loan or other amount is owing to any Lender or the
Administrative Agent hereunder, the Borrower shall and shall cause each of its
Subsidiaries to:
5.1 Financial Statements. Furnish to the Administrative Agent and each
Lender:
(a) as soon as available, but in any event within 90 days after the
end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a copy of the audited consolidated
balance sheet of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at the
end of such fiscal year and the related audited consolidated statements of
income and of cash flows for such fiscal year, setting forth in each case
in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, reported on
without a "going concern" or like qualification or exception, or
qualification arising out of the scope of the audit, by Arthur Andersen
L.P. or other independent certified public accountants of nationally
recognized standing; and
(b) as soon as available, but in any event not later than 60 days
after the end of each of the first three quarterly periods of each fiscal
year of the Borrower, the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the
Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of such quarter
and the related unaudited consolidated statements of income and of cash
flows for such quarter and the portion of the fiscal year through the end
of such quarter, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures
for the previous year, certified by a Responsible Officer as being fairly
stated in all material respects (subject to normal year-end audit
adjustments).
All such financial statements shall be complete and correct in all material
respects and shall be prepared in reasonable detail and in accordance with GAAP
applied consistently throughout the periods reflected therein and with prior
periods (except as approved by such accountants or officer, as the case may be,
and disclosed therein).
5.2 Certificates; Other Information. Furnish to the Administrative Agent
and each Lender (or, in the case of clause (c), to the relevant Lender):
(a) concurrently with the delivery of any financial statements
pursuant to Section 5.1, (i) a certificate of a Responsible Officer stating
that, to the best of such Responsible Officer's knowledge, the Borrower
during such period has observed or performed all of its covenants and other
agreements, and satisfied every condition, contained in this Agreement to
be observed, performed or satisfied by it, and that such Responsible
Officer has obtained no knowledge of any Default or Event of Default except
as specified in such certificate and (ii) in the case of quarterly or
annual financial statements, a compliance certificate containing all
information and calculations necessary for determining compliance with the
provisions of Section 6.1 of this Agreement referred to therein as of the
last day of the fiscal quarter or fiscal year of the Borrower, as the case
may be;
(b) within five days after the same are sent, copies of all financial
statements and reports that the Borrower sends to the holders of any class
of its debt securities or public equity securities and, within five days
after the same are filed, copies of all financial statements and reports
that the Borrower may make to, or file with, the SEC; and
(c) promptly, such additional financial and other information as any
Lender may from time to time reasonably request.
5.3 Payment of Obligations. Pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy at or
before maturity or before they become delinquent, as the case may be, all its
material obligations of whatever nature, except where (i) the amount or validity
thereof is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings
and reserves in conformity with GAAP with respect thereto have been provided on
the books of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, as the case may be or (ii) the
failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.
5.4 Maintenance of Existence; Compliance. (a) In the case of the Borrower
and each of its Significant Subsidiaries, (i) preserve, renew and keep in full
force and effect its corporate existence and (ii) take all reasonable action to
maintain all rights, privileges and franchises necessary or desirable in the
normal conduct of its business, except, in each case, as otherwise permitted by
Section 5.4 and except, in the case of clause (ii) above, to the extent that
failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect; and (b) comply with all Contractual Obligations and Requirements of Law
except to the extent that failure to comply therewith could not, in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.5 Maintenance of Property; Insurance. (a) Keep all property useful and
necessary in its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and
tear excepted and (b) maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance
companies insurance on all its property in at least such amounts and against at
least such risks (but including, in any event, public liability, product
liability and business interruption) as are usually insured against in the same
general area by companies engaged in the same or a similar business.
5.6 Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions. (a) Keep proper
books of records and account in which full, true and correct entries in
conformity with GAAP and all Requirements of Law shall be made of all dealings
and transactions in relation to its business and activities and (b) permit
representatives of any Lender to visit and inspect any of its properties and
examine and make abstracts from any of its books and records at any reasonable
time and as often as may reasonably be desired and to discuss the business,
operations, properties and financial and other condition of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries with officers and employees of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
and with its independent certified public accountants.
5.7 Notices. Promptly give notice to the Administrative Agent and each
Lender of:
(a) the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default;
(b) any (i) default or event of default under any Contractual
Obligation of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or (ii) litigation,
investigation or proceeding that may exist at any time between the Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries and any Governmental Authority, that, in either
case, if not cured or if adversely determined, as the case may be, could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(c) any litigation or proceeding affecting the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries in which the amount involved is $25,000,000 or more and not
covered by insurance or in which injunctive or similar relief is sought;
(d) the following events, as soon as possible and in any event within
30 days after the Borrower knows or has reason to know thereof: (i) the
occurrence of any Reportable Event with respect to any Plan, a failure to
make any required contribution to a Plan, the creation of any Lien in favor
of the PBGC or a Plan or any withdrawal from, or the termination,
Reorganization or Insolvency of, any Multiemployer Plan or (ii) the
institution of proceedings or the taking of any other action by the PBGC or
the Borrower or any Commonly Controlled Entity or any Multiemployer Plan
with respect to the withdrawal from, or the termination, Reorganization or
Insolvency of, any Plan; and
(e) any development or event that has had or could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Each notice pursuant to this Section 5.7 shall be accompanied by a statement of
a Responsible Officer setting forth details of the occurrence referred to
therein and stating what action the Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary proposes
to take with respect thereto.
5.8 Environmental Laws. (a) Comply in all material respects with, and
ensure compliance in all material respects by all tenants and subtenants, if
any, with, all applicable Environmental Laws, and obtain and comply in all
material respects with and maintain, and ensure that all tenants and subtenants
obtain and comply in all material respects with and maintain, any and all
licenses, approvals, notifications, registrations or permits required by
applicable Environmental Laws.
(b) Conduct and complete all investigations, studies, sampling and
testing, and all remedial, removal and other actions required under
Environmental Laws and promptly comply in all material respects with all
lawful orders and directives of all Governmental Authorities regarding
Environmental Laws.
5.9 Transaction with Affiliates. Enter into any transaction, including any
purchase, sale, lease or exchange of property, the rendering of any service or
the payment of any management, advisory or similar fees, with any Affiliates
(other than the Borrower) upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to
the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, than it would obtain in a
comparable arm's length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate,
subject to any requirement under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935,
as amended.
Section 6 NEGATIVE COVENANTS
The Borrower hereby agrees that, so long as the Commitments
remain in effect or any Loan or other amount is owing to any Lender or the
Administrative Agent hereunder, the Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any
of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:
6.1 Financial Condition Covenant. (a) Permit the ratio of Consolidated
Indebtedness to Consolidated Capitalization as at the last day of any fiscal
quarter to exceed 0.65:1.0.
(b) Permit the Consolidated Net Worth at any time to be less than the
sum of (i) 75% of Consolidated Net Worth as of the Closing Date until the
Effective Date, (ii) 75% of pro forma Consolidated Net Worth as of the
Effective Date, (iii) 25% of positive quarterly Consolidated Net Income for
each fiscal quarter ending after the Closing Date and (iv) 75% of the
amount by which Consolidated Net Worth is increased by reason of any
issuance by the Borrower of Capital Stock consummated after the Closing
Date.
6.2 Liens. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of
its property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except for:
(a) Liens for taxes not yet due or that are being contested in good
faith by appropriate proceedings, provided that adequate reserves with
respect thereto are maintained on the books of the Borrower or its
Subsidiaries, as the case may be, in conformity with GAAP;
(b) carriers', warehousemen's, mechanics', materialmen's, repairmen's
or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business that are not
overdue for a period of more than 30 days or that are being contested in
good faith by appropriate proceedings;
(c) pledges or deposits in connection with workers' compensation,
unemployment insurance and other social security legislation;
(d) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts (other
than for borrowed money), leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal
bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature incurred in
the ordinary course of business;
(e) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions and other similar
encumbrances incurred in the ordinary course of business that, in the
aggregate, are not substantial in amount and that do not in any case
materially detract from the value of the property subject thereto or
materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;
(f) Liens in existence on the date hereof listed on Schedule 6.2(f),
securing Indebtedness outstanding on the date hereof, provided that no such
Lien is spread to cover any additional property after the Closing Date and
that the amount of Indebtedness secured thereby is not increased;
(g) Liens securing Indebtedness of the Borrower or any other
Subsidiary incurred to finance the acquisition of fixed or capital assets
(including, without limitation, Capital Lease Obligations), provided that
(i) such Liens shall be created substantially simultaneously with the
acquisition of such fixed or capital assets and (ii) such Liens do not at
any time encumber any property other than the property financed by such
Indebtedness;
(h) any interest or title of a lessor under any lease entered into by
the Borrower or any other Subsidiary in the ordinary course of its business
and covering only the assets so leased; and
(i) Liens not otherwise permitted by this Section so long as neither
(i) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the obligations secured
thereby nor (ii) the aggregate fair market value (determined as of the date
such Lien is incurred) of the assets subject thereto exceeds (as to the
Borrower and all Subsidiaries) $25,000,000 at any one time.
6.3 Fundamental Changes. In the case of the Borrower and any Significant
Subsidiary, enter into any merger, consolidation or amalgamation, or liquidate,
wind up or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution), or
Dispose of, all or substantially all of its property or business, except that:
(a) any Subsidiary of the Borrower may be merged or consolidated with
or into the Borrower or a Significant Subsidiary of the Borrower (provided
that the Borrower, the Significant Subsidiary or another Significant
Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall be the continuing or surviving
corporation);
(b) any Significant Subsidiary of the Borrower may Dispose of any or
all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to the
Borrower; and
(c) any Disposition permitted under Section 6.4.
6.4 Disposition of Property.(a) Dispose of any of the Borrower's or any
Significant Subsidiaries' property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or,
in the case of any Significant Subsidiary, issue or sell any shares of such
Significant Subsidiary's Capital Stock to any Person, except:
(i) the Disposition of obsolete or worn out property in the ordinary
course of business;
(ii) the sale of inventory in the ordinary course of business;
(iii) Dispositions permitted by Section 6.3 (b); and
(iv) the sale or issuance of any Significant Subsidiary's Capital
Stock to the Borrower or any other Significant Subsidiary; and
(b) Permit any Asset Sale, other than any permitted under clause
6.4(a) above, except to the extent that the Net Cash Proceeds thereof
received by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall be applied on the
date of receipt thereof to reduce Consolidated Indebtedness by an amount
equal to such Net Cash Proceeds.
6.5 Negative Pledge Clauses. Enter into or suffer to exist or become
effective any agreement that prohibits or limits the ability of the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien
upon any of its property or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired,
other than (a) this Agreement, (b) any agreements governing any purchase money
Liens or Capital Lease Obligations otherwise permitted hereby (in which case,
any prohibition or limitation shall only be effective against the assets
financed thereby) and (c) any agreements listed on Schedule 6.5 and any
extensions, renewals or replacements thereof having substantially similar
provisions with respect thereto.
6.6 Limitation on Restrictions on Distributions from Subsidiaries. Create
or otherwise cause or permit to exist or become effective any consensual
encumbrance or consensual restriction on the ability of any Subsidiary to pay
dividends or make any other distribution on its Capital Stock, other than any
encumbrance or restriction pursuant to an agreement in effect on the Closing
Date as set forth on Schedule 6.6, or imposed by any Governmental Authority.
Section 7 EVENTS OF DEFAULT
If any of the following events shall occur and be continuing:
(a) the Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan when due in
accordance with the terms hereof; or the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest
on any Loan, or any other amount payable hereunder or under any other Loan
Document, within five days after any such interest or other amount becomes due
in accordance with the terms hereof; or
(b) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by the Borrower
herein or that is contained in any certificate, document or financial or other
statement furnished by it at any time under or in connection with this Agreement
shall prove to have been inaccurate in any material respect on or as of the date
made or deemed made; or
(c) the Borrower shall default in the observance or performance of any
agreement contained in clause (i) or (ii) of Section 5.4(a), Section 5.7(a) or
Section 6 of this Agreement; or
(d) the Borrower shall default in the observance or performance of any
other agreement contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document (other
than as provided in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Section), and such
default shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after notice to the
Borrower from the Administrative Agent or any Lender; or
(e) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall (i) default in making any
payment of any principal of any Indebtedness (including any Guarantee
Obligation, but excluding the Loans) on the scheduled or original due date with
respect thereto; or (ii) default in making any payment of any interest on any
such Indebtedness beyond the period of grace, if any, provided in the instrument
or agreement under which such Indebtedness was created; or (iii) default in the
observance or performance of any other agreement or condition relating to any
such Indebtedness or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing,
securing or relating thereto, or any other event shall occur or condition exist,
the effect of such default or other event or condition is to cause, or to permit
the holder or beneficiary of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf
of such holder or beneficiary) to cause, with the giving of notice if required,
such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity or (in the case of
any such Indebtedness constituting a Guarantee Obligation) to become payable;
provided, that a default, event or condition described in clause (i), (ii) or
(iii) of this paragraph (e) shall not at any time constitute an Event of Default
unless, at such time, one or more defaults, events or conditions of the type
described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of this paragraph (e) shall have
occurred and be continuing with respect to Indebtedness the outstanding
principal amount of which exceeds in the aggregate $25,000,000; or
(f) (i) the Borrower, any of its Significant Subsidiaries or, should such
commencement have or reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect,
any of its other Subsidiaries, shall commence any case, proceeding or other
action (A) under any existing or future law of any jurisdiction, domestic or
foreign, relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or relief of
debtors, seeking to have an order for relief entered with respect to it, or
seeking to adjudicate it bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking reorganization,
arrangement, adjustment, winding-up, liquidation, dissolution, composition or
other relief with respect to it or its debts, or (B) seeking appointment of a
receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator or other similar official for it or
for all or any substantial part of its assets, or the Borrower, any of its
Significant Subsidiaries or, should such assignment have or be reasonably
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, any of its other Subsidiaries, shall
make a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or (ii) there shall
be commenced against the Borrower, any of its Significant Subsidiaries, or,
should such commencement have or be reasonably expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect, any of its other Subsidiaries, any case, proceeding or other
action of a nature referred to in clause (i) above that (A) results in the entry
of an order for relief or any such adjudication or appointment or (B) remains
undismissed, undischarged or unbonded for a period of 60 days; or (iii) there
shall be commenced against the Borrower, any of its Significant Subsidiaries,
or, should such commencement have or be reasonably expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect, any of its other Subsidiaries, any case, proceeding or other
action seeking issuance of a warrant of attachment, execution, distraint or
similar process against all or any substantial part of its assets that results
in the entry of an order for any such relief that shall not have been vacated,
discharged, or stayed or bonded pending appeal within 60 days from the entry
thereof; or (iv) the Borrower, any of its Significant Subsidiaries, or, should
any such action have or be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect, any of its other Subsidiaries, shall take any action in furtherance of,
or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the acts
set forth in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) above; or (v) the Borrower, any of its
Significant Subsidiaries, or, should any such failure or inability have or be
reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, any of its other
Subsidiaries, shall generally not, or shall be unable to, or shall admit in
writing its inability to, pay its debts as they become due; or
(g) (i) any Person shall engage in any "prohibited transaction" (as defined
in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) involving any Plan, (ii)
any "accumulated funding deficiency" (as defined in Section 302 of ERISA),
whether or not waived, shall exist with respect to any Plan or any Lien in favor
of the PBGC or a Plan shall arise on the assets of the Borrower or any Commonly
Controlled Entity, (iii) a Reportable Event shall occur with respect to, or
proceedings shall commence to have a trustee appointed, or a trustee shall be
appointed, to administer or to terminate, any Single Employer Plan, which
Reportable Event or commencement of proceedings or appointment of a trustee is,
in the reasonable opinion of the Required Lenders, likely to result in the
termination of such Plan for purposes of Title IV of ERISA, (iv) any Single
Employer Plan shall terminate for purposes of Title IV of ERISA, (v) the
Borrower or any Commonly Controlled Entity shall, or in the reasonable opinion
of the Required Lenders is likely to, incur any liability in connection with a
withdrawal from, or the Insolvency or Reorganization of, a Multiemployer Plan or
(vi) any other event or condition shall occur or exist with respect to a Plan;
and in each case in clauses (i) through (vi) above, such event or condition,
together with all other such events or conditions, if any, could, in the sole
judgment of the Required Lenders, reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect; or
(h) one or more judgments or decrees shall be entered against the Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries involving in the aggregate a liability (not paid or
fully covered by insurance as to which the relevant insurance company has
acknowledged coverage) of $25,000,000 or more, and all such judgments or decrees
shall not have been vacated, discharged, stayed or bonded pending appeal within
30 days from the entry thereof; or
(i) any "person" or "group" (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and
14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"))
shall become, or obtain rights (whether by means or warrants, options or
otherwise) to become, the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rules 13(d)-3 and
13(d)-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more than 20% of the
outstanding common stock of the Borrower;
then, and in any such event, (A) if such event is an Event of Default specified
in clause (i) or (ii) of paragraph (f) above with respect to the Borrower,
automatically the Commitments shall immediately terminate and the Loans
hereunder (with accrued interest thereon) and all other amounts owing under this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall immediately become due and payable,
and (B) if such event is any other Event of Default, either or both of the
following actions may be taken: (i) with the consent of the Required Lenders,
the Administrative Agent may, or upon the request of the Required Lenders, the
Administrative Agent shall, by notice to the Borrower declare the Commitments to
be terminated forthwith, whereupon the Commitments shall immediately terminate;
and (ii) with the consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent may,
or upon the request of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent shall, by
notice to the Borrower, declare the Loans hereunder (with accrued interest
thereon) and all other amounts owing under this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents to be due and payable forthwith, whereupon the same shall immediately
become due and payable. Except as expressly provided above in this Section,
presentment, demand, protest and all other notices of any kind are hereby
expressly waived by the Borrower.
Section 8 THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
8.1 Appointment. Each Lender hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the
Administrative Agent as the agent of such Lender under this Agreement and the
other Loan Documents, and each such Lender irrevocably authorizes the
Administrative Agent, in such capacity, to take such action on its behalf under
the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to exercise
such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to the
Administrative Agent by the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, the
Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those
expressly set forth herein, or any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and
no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or
liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Loan Document or
otherwise exist against the Administrative Agent.
8.2 Delegation of Duties. The Administrative Agent may execute any of its
duties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents by or through agents or
attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all
matters pertaining to such duties. The Administrative Agent shall not be
responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agents or attorneys in-fact
selected by it with reasonable care.
8.3 Exculpatory Provisions. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its
officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates shall be
(i) liable for any action lawfully taken or omitted to be taken by it or such
Person under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document
(except to the extent that any of the foregoing are found by a final and
nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted
from its or such Person's own gross negligence or willful misconduct) or (ii)
responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for any recitals, statements,
representations or warranties made by the Borrower or any officer thereof
contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or in any certificate,
report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received
by the Administrative Agent under or in connection with, this Agreement or any
other Loan Document or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness,
enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or
for any failure of the Borrower to perform its obligations hereunder or
thereunder. The Administrative Agent shall not be under any obligation to any
Lender to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of
the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement or any other Loan
Document, or to inspect the properties, books or records of the Borrower.
8.4 Reliance by Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be
entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any instrument,
writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, telecopy,
telex or teletype message, statement, order or other document or conversation
believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made
by the proper Person or Persons and upon advice and statements of legal counsel
(including counsel to the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts
selected by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent may deem and
treat the payee of any Note as the owner thereof for all purposes unless a
written notice of assignment, negotiation or transfer thereof shall have been
filed with the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be fully
justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this Agreement or any
other Loan Document unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of
the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all Lenders) as it
deems appropriate or it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the
Lenders against any and all liability and expense that may be incurred by it by
reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. The Administrative Agent
shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting,
under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents in accordance with a request
of the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all Lenders),
and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall
be binding upon all the Lenders and all future holders of the Loans.
8.5 Notice of Default. The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have
knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default
hereunder unless the Administrative Agent has received notice from a Lender or
the Borrower referring to this Agreement, describing such Default or Event of
Default and stating that such notice is a "notice of default". In the event that
the Administrative Agent receives such a notice, the Administrative Agent shall
give notice thereof to the Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall take such
action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall be reasonably
directed by the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all
Lenders); provided that unless and until the Administrative Agent shall have
received such directions, the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be
obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect
to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable in the best
interests of the Lenders.
8.6 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders. Each Lender
expressly acknowledges that neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its
officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates have
made any representations or warranties to it and that no act by the
Administrative Agent hereinafter taken, including any review of the affairs of
the Borrower or any affiliate of the Borrower, shall be deemed to constitute any
representation or warranty by the Administrative Agent to any Lender. Each
Lender represents to the Administrative Agent that it has, independently and
without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and based on
such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own
appraisal of and investigation into the business, operations, property,
financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Borrower and its
affiliates and made its own decision to make its Loans hereunder and enter into
this Agreement. Each Lender also represents that it will, independently and
without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and based on
such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time,
continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or
not taking action under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and to make
such investigation as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business,
operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the
Borrower and its affiliates. Except for notices, reports and other documents
expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent
hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to
provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the business,
operations, property, condition (financial or otherwise), prospects or
creditworthiness of the Borrower or any affiliate of the Borrower that may come
into the possession of the Administrative Agent or any of its officers,
directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates.
8.7 Indemnification. The Lenders agree to indemnify the Administrative
Agent in its capacity as such (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower and
without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so), ratably according to
their respective Aggregate Exposure Percentages in effect on the date on which
indemnification is sought under this Section (or, if indemnification is sought
after the date upon which the Commitments shall have terminated and the Loans
shall have been paid in full, ratably in accordance with such Aggregate Exposure
Percentages immediately prior to such date), from and against any and all
liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits,
costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind whatsoever that may at any time
(whether before or after the payment of the Loans) be imposed on, incurred by or
asserted against the Administrative Agent in any way relating to or arising out
of, the Commitments, this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents or any
documents contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken or omitted by the
Administrative Agent under or in connection with any of the foregoing; provided
that no Lender shall be liable for the payment of any portion of such
liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits,
costs, expenses or disbursements that are found by a final and nonappealable
decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the
Administrative Agent's gross negligence or willful misconduct. The agreements in
this Section shall survive the payment of the Loans and all other amounts
payable hereunder.
8.8 Administrative Agent in Its Individual Capacity. The Administrative
Agent and its affiliates may make loans to, accept deposits from and generally
engage in any kind of business with the Borrower as though the Administrative
Agent was not the Administrative Agent. With respect to its Loans made or
renewed by it, the Administrative Agent shall have the same rights and powers
under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as any Lender and may exercise
the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and the terms "Lender"
and "Lenders" shall include the Administrative Agent in its individual capacity.
8.9 Successor Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent may resign as
Administrative Agent upon 30 days' notice to the Lenders and the Borrower. If
the Administrative Agent shall resign as Administrative Agent under this
Agreement, then the Required Lenders shall appoint from among the Lenders a
successor agent for the Lenders, which successor agent shall (unless an Event of
Default under Section 7(a) or Section 7(f) with respect to the Borrower shall
have occurred and be continuing) be subject to approval by the Borrower (which
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), whereupon such
successor agent shall succeed to the rights, powers and duties of the
Administrative Agent, and the term "Administrative Agent" shall mean such
successor agent effective upon such appointment and approval, and the former
Administrative Agent's rights, powers and duties as Administrative Agent shall
be terminated, without any other or further act or deed on the part of such
former Administrative Agent or any of the parties to this Agreement or any
holders of the Loans. If no successor agent has accepted appointment as
Administrative Agent by the date that is 30 days following a retiring
Administrative Agent's notice of resignation, the retiring Administrative
Agent's resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective and the
Lenders shall assume and perform all of the duties of the Administrative Agent
hereunder until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor
agent as provided for above. After any retiring Administrative Agent's
resignation as Administrative Agent, the provisions of this Section 8 shall
inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while
it was Administrative Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
Section 9 MISCELLANEOUS
9.1 Amendments and Waivers. Neither this Agreement, any other Loan
Document, nor any terms hereof or thereof may be amended, supplemented or
modified except in accordance with the provisions of this Section 9.1. The
Required Lenders and the Borrower may, or, with the written consent of the
Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may, from time to
time, (a) enter into written amendments, supplements or modifications hereto for
the purpose of adding any provisions to this Agreement or changing in any manner
the rights of the Lenders or of the Borrower hereunder or (b) waive, on such
terms and conditions as the Required Lenders or the Administrative Agent, as the
case may be, may specify in such instrument, any of the requirements of this
Agreement or any Default or Event of Default and its consequences; provided,
however, that no such waiver and no such amendment, supplement or modification
shall (i) eliminate or reduce any voting rights under this Section 9.1, forgive
the principal amount or extend the final scheduled date of maturity of any Loan,
reduce the stated rate of any interest or fee payable hereunder or extend the
scheduled date of any payment thereof, or increase the amount or extend the
expiration date of any Lender's Commitments, in each case without the consent of
each Lender directly affected thereby; (ii) reduce any percentage specified in
the definition of Required Lenders, consent to the assignment or transfer by the
Borrower of any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other
Loan Documents, in each case without the consent of all Lenders; (iii) amend,
modify or waive any provision of Section 8 without the consent of the
Administrative Agent. Any such waiver and any such amendment, supplement or
modification shall apply equally to each of the Lenders and shall be binding
upon the Borrower, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and all future holders
of the Loans. In the case of any waiver, the Borrower, the Lenders and the
Administrative Agent shall be restored to their former position and rights
hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, and any Default or Event of
Default waived shall be deemed to be cured and not continuing; but no such
waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default, or
impair any right consequent thereon.
9.2 Notices. All notices, requests and demands to or upon the respective
parties hereto to be effective shall be in writing (including by telecopy), and,
unless otherwise expressly provided herein, shall be deemed to have been duly
given or made when delivered, or three Business Days after being deposited in
the mail, postage prepaid, or, in the case of telecopy notice, when received,
addressed as follows in the case of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent,
and as set forth in an administrative questionnaire delivered to the
Administrative Agent in the case of the Lenders, or to such other address as may
be hereafter notified by the respective parties hereto:
The Borrower: KeySpan Corporation
One MetroTech Center
Brooklyn, New York 11201
Attention: Treasurer
Telecopy: (718) 403-2042
The Administrative Agent: The Chase Manhattan Bank
Brooklyn Middle Market Bank Group
Four MetroTech Center
Brooklyn, New York 11245
Attention: Peter D'Agostino
Telecopy: (718) 242-3837
with a copy to: The Chase Manhattan Bank
Agency Bank Services
One Chase Manhattan Plaza
New York, New York
Telecopy: (212) 552-7400
provided that any notice, request or demand to or upon the Administrative Agent
or the Lenders shall not be effective until received.
9.3 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. No failure to exercise and no delay in
exercising, on the part of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, any right,
remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under the other Loan Documents shall
operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any
right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further
exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege.
The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are cumulative and
not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.
9.4 Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations and
warranties made hereunder and in any document, certificate or statement
delivered pursuant hereto or in connection herewith shall survive the execution
and delivery of this Agreement and the making of the Loans and other extensions
of credit hereunder.
9.5 Payment of Expenses and Taxes. The Borrower agrees (a) to pay or
reimburse the Administrative Agent for all its reasonable out-of-pocket costs
and expenses incurred in connection with the development, preparation and
execution of, and any amendment, supplement or modification to, this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents and any other documents prepared in connection
herewith or therewith, and the consummation and administration of the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including the reasonable fees and
disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent and filing and recording
fees and expenses, with statements with respect to the foregoing to be submitted
to the Borrower prior to the Closing Date (in the case of amounts to be paid on
the Closing Date) and from time to time thereafter on a quarterly basis or such
other periodic basis as the Administrative Agent shall deem appropriate, (b) to
pay or reimburse each Lender and the Administrative Agent for all its costs and
expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement or preservation of any
rights under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any such other
documents, including the fees and disbursements of counsel (including the
allocated fees and expenses of in-house counsel) to each Lender and of counsel
to the Administrative Agent, (c) to pay, indemnify, and hold each Lender and the
Administrative Agent harmless from, any and all recording and filing fees and
any and all liabilities with respect to, or resulting from any delay in paying,
stamp, excise and other taxes, if any, that may be payable or determined to be
payable in connection with the execution and delivery of, or consummation or
administration of any of the transactions contemplated by, or any amendment,
supplement or modification of, or any waiver or consent under or in respect of,
this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any such other documents, and (d)
to pay, indemnify, and hold each Lender and the Administrative Agent and their
respective officers, directors, employees, affiliates, agents and controlling
persons (each, an "Indemnitee") harmless from and against any and all other
liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits,
costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever with respect
to the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this
Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any such other documents, including any
of the foregoing relating to the use of proceeds of the Loans or the violation
of, noncompliance with or liability under, any Environmental Law applicable to
the operations of the Borrower any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Properties
and the reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel in connection with claims,
actions or proceedings by any Indemnitee against the Borrower under any Loan
Document (all the foregoing in this clause (d), collectively, the "Indemnified
Liabilities"), provided, that the Borrower shall have no obligation hereunder to
any Indemnitee with respect to Indemnified Liabilities to the extent such
Indemnified Liabilities are found by a final and nonappealable decision of a
court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the gross negligence or
willful misconduct of such Indemnitee. Without limiting the foregoing, and to
the extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower agrees not to assert and to
cause its Subsidiaries not to assert, and hereby waives and agrees to cause its
Subsidiaries to so waive, all rights for contribution or any other rights of
recovery with respect to all claims, demands, penalties, fines, liabilities,
settlements, damages, costs and expenses of whatever kind or nature, under or
related to Environmental Laws, that any of them might have by statute or
otherwise against any Indemnitee. All amounts due under this Section 9.5 shall
be payable promptly after written demand therefor. The agreements in this
Section 9.5 shall survive repayment of the Loans and all other amounts payable
hereunder.
9.6 Successors and Assigns; Participations and Assignments.(a) This
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrower, the
Lenders, the Administrative Agent, all future holders of the Loans and their
respective successors and assigns, except that the Borrower may not assign or
transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior
written consent of each Lender.
(b) Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower, in accordance
with applicable law, at any time sell to one or more banks, financial
institutions or other entities (each, a "Participant") participating
interests in any Loan owing to such Lender, any Commitments of such Lender
or any other interest of such Lender hereunder and under the other Loan
Documents. In the event of any such sale by a Lender of a participating
interest to a Participant, such Lender's obligations under this Agreement
to the other parties to this Agreement shall remain unchanged, such Lender
shall remain solely responsible for the performance thereof, such Lender
shall remain the holder of any such Loan for all purposes under this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and the Borrower and the
Administrative Agent shall continue to deal solely and directly with such
Lender in connection with such Lender's rights and obligations under this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents. In no event shall any Participant
under any such participation have any right to approve any amendment or
waiver of any provision of any Loan Document, or any consent to any
departure by the Borrower therefrom, except to the extent that such
amendment, waiver or consent would reduce the principal of, or interest on,
the Loans or any fees payable hereunder, or postpone the date of the final
maturity of the Loans, in each case to the extent subject to such
participation. The Borrower agrees that if amounts outstanding under this
Agreement and the Loans are due or unpaid, or shall have been declared or
shall have become due and payable upon the occurrence of an Event of
Default, each Participant shall, to the maximum extent permitted by
applicable law, be deemed to have the right of setoff in respect of its
participating interest in amounts owing under this Agreement to the same
extent as if the amount of its participating interest were owing directly
to it as a Lender under this Agreement, provided that, in purchasing such
participating interest, such Participant shall be deemed to have agreed to
share with the Lenders the proceeds thereof as provided in Section 9.7(a)
as fully as if it were a Lender hereunder. The Borrower also agrees that
each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.13, 2.14
and 2.15 with respect to its participation in the Commitments and the Loans
outstanding from time to time as if it was a Lender; provided that, in the
case of Section 2.14, such Participant shall have complied with the
requirements of said Section and provided, further, that no Participant
shall be entitled to receive any greater amount pursuant to any such
Section than the transferor Lender would have been entitled to receive in
respect of the amount of the participation transferred by such transferor
Lender to such Participant had no such transfer occurred.
(c) Any Lender (an "Assignor") may, in accordance with applicable law,
at any time and from time to time assign to any Lender, any affiliate of
any Lender or any Approved Fund or, with the consent of the Borrower and
the Administrative Agent (which, in each case, shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed), to an additional bank, financial institution or other
entity (an "Assignee") all or, except in the case of an outstanding
Competitive Loan, any part of its rights or obligations under this
Agreement pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance, executed by such
Assignee, such Assignor and any other Person whose consent is required
pursuant to this paragraph, and delivered to the Administrative Agent for
its acceptance and recording in the Register; provided that no such
assignment to an Assignee (other than any Lender, any affiliate of any
Lender or any Approved Fund) shall be in an aggregate principal amount of
less than $1,000,000 (other than in the case of an assignment of all of a
Lender's interests under this Agreement), unless otherwise agreed by the
Borrower and the Administrative Agent. For purposes of the proviso
contained in the preceding sentence, the amount described therein shall be
aggregated in respect of each Lender and its related Approved Funds, if
any. Upon such execution, delivery, acceptance and recording, from and
after the effective date determined pursuant to such Assignment and
Acceptance, (x) the Assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the
extent provided in such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and
obligations of a Lender hereunder with Commitments and/or Loans as set
forth therein, and (y) the Assignor thereunder shall, to the extent
provided in such Assignment and Acceptance, be released from its
obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and
Acceptance covering all of an Assignor's rights and obligations under this
Agreement, such Assignor shall cease to be a party hereto). Notwithstanding
any provision of this Section 9.6, the consent of the Borrower shall not be
required for any assignment that occurs when an Event of Default pursuant
to Section 7(f) shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to the
Borrower.
(d) The Administrative Agent shall, on behalf of the Borrower,
maintain at its address referred to in Section 9.2 a copy of each
Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a register (the "Register")
for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders and the
Commitments of, and the principal amount of the Loans owing to, each Lender
from time to time. The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, in the
absence of manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and
the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register
as the owner of the Loans and any Notes evidencing the Loans recorded
therein for all purposes of this Agreement. Any assignment of any Loan,
whether or not evidenced by a Note, shall be effective only upon
appropriate entries with respect thereto being made in the Register (and
each Note shall expressly so provide). Any assignment or transfer of all or
part of a Loan evidenced by a Note shall be registered on the Register only
upon surrender for registration of assignment or transfer of the Note
evidencing such Loan, accompanied by a duly executed Assignment and
Acceptance, and thereupon one or more new Notes shall be issued to the
designated Assignee.
(e) Upon its receipt of an Assignment and Acceptance executed by an
Assignor, an Assignee and any other Person whose consent is required by
Section 9.6(c), together with payment to the Administrative Agent of a
registration and processing fee of $3,500, the Administrative Agent shall
(i) promptly accept such Assignment and Acceptance and (ii) record the
information contained therein in the Register on the effective date
determined pursuant thereto.
(f) For avoidance of doubt, the parties to this Agreement acknowledge
that the provisions of this Section 9.6 concerning assignments of Loans and
Notes relate only to absolute assignments and that such provisions do not
prohibit assignments creating security interests, including any pledge or
assignment by a Lender of any Loan or Note to any Federal Reserve Bank in
accordance with applicable law.
(g) The Borrower, upon receipt of written notice from the relevant
Lender, agrees to issue Notes to any Lender requiring Notes to facilitate
transactions of the type described in paragraph (f) above.
9.7 Adjustments; Set-off. (a) Except to the extent that this Agreement
expressly provides for payments to be allocated to a particular Lender, if any
Lender (a "Benefitted Lender") shall, at any time after the Loans and other
amounts payable hereunder shall immediately become due and payable pursuant to
Section 7, receive any payment of all or part of the Obligations owing to it
(whether voluntarily or involuntarily, by set-off, pursuant to events or
proceedings of the nature referred to in Section 7(f), or otherwise), in a
greater proportion than any such payment to any other Lender, if any, in respect
of the Obligations owing to such other Lender, such Benefitted Lender shall
purchase for cash from the other Lenders a participating interest in such
portion of the Obligations owing to each such other Lender, as shall be
necessary to cause such Benefitted Lender to share the excess payment ratably
with each of the Lenders; provided, however, that if all or any portion of such
excess payment is thereafter recovered from such Benefitted Lender, such
purchase shall be rescinded, and the purchase price returned, to the extent of
such recovery, but without interest.
(b) In addition to any rights and remedies of the Lenders provided by
law, each Lender shall have the right, without prior notice to the
Borrower, any such notice being expressly waived by the Borrower to the
extent permitted by applicable law, upon any amount becoming due and
payable by the Borrower hereunder (whether at the stated maturity, by
acceleration or otherwise), to set off and appropriate and apply against
such amount any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand,
provisional or final), in any currency, and any other credits, indebtedness
or claims, in any currency, in each case whether direct or indirect,
absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, at any time held or owing by
such Lender or any branch or agency thereof to or for the credit or the
account of the Borrower, as the case may be. Each Lender agrees promptly to
notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent after any such setoff and
application made by such Lender, provided that the failure to give such
notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.
9.8 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by one or more of the
parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts, and all of
said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same
instrument. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Agreement by
facsimile transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed
counterpart hereof. A set of the copies of this Agreement signed by all the
parties shall be lodged with the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
9.9 Severability. Any provision of this Agreement that is prohibited or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective
to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the
remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any
jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any
other jurisdiction.
9.10 Integration. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents represent the
agreement of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with respect
to the subject matter hereof, and there are no promises, undertakings,
representations or warranties by the Administrative Agent or any Lender relative
to subject matter hereof not expressly set forth or referred to herein or in the
other Loan Documents.
9.11 GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE
PARTIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
9.12 Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers. The Borrower hereby irrevocably
and unconditionally:
(a) submits for itself and its property in any legal action or
proceeding relating to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, or for
recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof, to the
non-exclusive general jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York,
the courts of the United States for the Southern District of New York, and
appellate courts from any thereof;
(b) consents that any such action or proceeding may be brought in such
courts and waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the
venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or that such
action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to
plead or claim the same;
(c) agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding
may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail
(or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to the
Borrower, as the case may be at its address set forth in Section 9.2 or at
such other address of which the Administrative Agent shall have been
notified pursuant thereto;
(d) agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right to effect
service of process in any other manner permitted by law or shall limit the
right to sue in any other jurisdiction; and
(e) waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it
may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to
in this Section any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages.
9.13 Acknowledgements. The Borrower hereby acknowledges that:
(a) it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation, execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;
(b) neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender has any fiduciary
relationship with or duty to the Borrower arising out of or in connection
with this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, and the
relationship between the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, on one hand,
and the Borrower, on the other hand, in connection herewith or therewith is
solely that of debtor and creditor; and
(c) no joint venture is created hereby or by the other Loan Documents
or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby among
the Lenders or among the Borrower and the Lenders.
9.14 Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent and each Lender
agrees to keep confidential all non-public information provided to it by the
Borrower pursuant to this Agreement that is designated by the Borrower as
confidential; provided that nothing herein shall prevent the Administrative
Agent or any Lender from disclosing any such information (a) to the
Administrative Agent, any other Lender, any affiliate of any Lender or any
Approved Fund, (b) to any Transferee or prospective Transferee that agrees to
comply with the provisions of this Section, (c) to its employees, directors,
agents, attorneys, accountants and other professional advisors or those of any
of its affiliates, (d) upon the request or demand of any Governmental Authority,
(e) in response to any order of any court or other Governmental Authority or as
may otherwise be required pursuant to any Requirement of Law, (f) if requested
or required to do so in connection with any litigation or similar proceeding,
(g) that has been publicly disclosed, (h) to the National Association of
Insurance Commissioners or any similar organization or any nationally recognized
rating agency that requires access to information about a Lender's investment
portfolio in connection with ratings issued with respect to such Lender, or (i)
in connection with the exercise of any remedy hereunder or under any other Loan
Document.
9.15 WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL. THE BORROWER, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND THE
LENDERS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL
ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AND
FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.
(End of Page)
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their proper and duly authorized
officers as of the day and year first above written.
KEYSPAN CORPORATION
By:
-----------------------
Name:
Title:
THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as Administrative
Agent and as a Lender
By:
-----------------------
Name:
Title:
Schedule 1.1
COMMITMENTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
BANK COMMITMENT
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
CHASE MANHATTAN BANK $49,000,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK
$49,000,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
ABN AMRO BANK, N.V. $49,000,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
CITIBANK, NA $49,000,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA $32,000,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
THE INDUSTRIAL BANK OF JAPAN, LIMITED $32,000,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
WESTDEUTSCHE LANDESBANK GIROZENTRALE
$32,000,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
BANK ONE, NA $32,000,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. $32,000,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
BAYERISCHE LANDESBANK $32,000,000
GIROZENTRALE,
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
CREDIT LYONNAIS $32,000,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
ROYAL BANK OF CANADA $32,000,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
BARCLAYS BANK PLC $32,000,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
FLEET NATIONAL BANK $32,000,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
THE BANK OF NEW YORK $32,000,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC $32,000,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION $22,000,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI TRUST COMPANY
$22,000,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
MELLON BANK, N.A. $22,000,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
THE DAI-ICHI KANGYO BANK, LTD. $22,000,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
UNION BANK OF CALIFORNIA, N.A $22,000,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
FIFTH THIRD BANK $10,000,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------