Exhibit



Exhibit 10.1



EXECUTION VERSION


CUSIP NUMBER: 66807PAN0
    




$400,000,000 THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
among
NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION,
as Borrower,
The Several Lenders
from Time to Time Parties Hereto,
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED and 
CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC
as Joint Lead Arrangers,
CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC
As Syndication Agent,
KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
MUFG UNION BANK, N.A., and
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Co-Documentation Agents,
and 


BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent
Dated as of December 12, 2016




    






Exhibit 10.1



TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
		
	SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS
	1


		
	1.1.
	Defined Terms    1


		
	1.2.
	Other Definitional Provisions      19


		
	SECTION 2. AMOUNT AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS
	20


		
	2.1.
	Revolving Credit Commitments    20


		
	2.2.
	Procedure for Revolving Credit Borrowing    22


		
	2.3.
	[Reserved]    23


		
	2.4.
	[Reserved]    23


		
	2.5.
	Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt    23


		
	2.6.
	Commitment Fees, etc    23


		
	2.7.
	Termination or Reduction of Revolving Credit Commitments    24


		
	2.8.
	Optional Prepayments    24


		
	2.9.
	Conversion and Continuation Options    24


		
	2.10.
	Minimum Amounts and Maximum Number of Eurodollar Tranches    25


		
	2.11.
	Interest Rates and Payment Dates    25


		
	2.12.
	Computation of Interest and Fees    26


		
	2.13.
	Inability to Determine Interest Rate    26


		
	2.14.
	Pro Rata Treatment and Payments    27


		
	2.15.
	Requirements of Law    29


		
	2.16.
	Taxes    30


		
	2.17.
	Indemnity    33


		
	2.18.
	Illegality    33


		
	2.19.
	Change of Lending Office    34


		
	2.20.
	Replacement of Lenders under Certain Circumstances    34


		
	2.21.
	Defaulting Lenders    35


		
	2.22.
	Cash Collateral    37


		
	SECTION 3. LETTERS OF CREDIT
	38


		
	3.1.
	L/C Commitment    38


		
	3.2.
	Procedure for Issuance of Letter of Credit    39


		
	3.3.
	Fees and Other Charges    40


		
	3.4.
	L/C Participations    40


		
	3.5.
	Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrower    42


		
	3.6.
	Obligations Absolute    42


		
	3.7.
	Letter of Credit Payments    43


		
	3.8.
	Applications    43


		
	3.9.
	Existing Letters of Credit    44


		
	3.10.
	Applicability of ISP and UCP; Limitation of Liability    44








Exhibit 10.1



		
	SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
	44


		
	4.1.
	Financial Condition    44


		
	4.2.
	No Change    45


		
	4.3.
	Corporate Existence; Compliance with Law    45


		
	4.4.
	Corporate Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations    45


		
	4.5.
	No Legal Bar    46


		
	4.6.
	No Material Litigation    46


		
	4.7.
	No Default    46


		
	4.8.
	Ownership of Property    46


		
	4.9.
	Intellectual Property    46


		
	4.10.
	Taxes    46


		
	4.11.
	Federal Regulations    47


		
	4.12.
	Labor Matters    47


		
	4.13.
	ERISA    47


		
	4.14.
	Investment Company Act; Other Regulations    47


		
	4.15.
	Subsidiaries    47


		
	4.16.
	Environmental Matters    48


		
	4.17.
	Accuracy of Information, etc    49


		
	4.18.
	Solvency    49


		
	4.19.
	Anti-Corruption; OFAC; Anti-Money Laundering    49


		
	SECTION 5. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
	50


		
	5.1.
	Conditions to Closing Date    50


		
	5.2.
	Conditions to Each Extension of Credit or Increase of Revolving Credit 


Commitments    51
		
	SECTION 6. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
	52


		
	6.1.
	Financial Statements    52


		
	6.2.
	Certificates; Other Information    53


		
	6.3.
	Payment of Obligations    53


		
	6.4.
	Conduct of Business and Maintenance of Existence; Compliance    54


		
	6.5.
	Maintenance of Property; Insurance    54


		
	6.6.
	Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions    54


		
	6.7.
	Notices    54


		
	6.8.
	Environmental Laws    55


		
	6.9.
	Further Assurances    55


		
	6.10.
	Use of Proceeds    56


		
	6.11.
	Credit Ratings    56


		
	SECTION 7. NEGATIVE COVENANTS
	56


		
	7.1.
	Consolidated Debt to Capitalization Ratio    56


		
	7.2.
	Limitation on Fundamental Changes    56


		
	7.3.
	Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates    56


		
	7.4.
	Limitation on Changes in Fiscal Periods    57


		
	7.5.
	Limitation on Negative Pledge Clauses    57


		
	7.6.
	Limitation on Restrictions on Subsidiary Distributions    57


		
	7.7.
	Limitation on Lines of Business    57








Exhibit 10.1



		
	SECTION 8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT
	57


		
	SECTION 9. THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
	60


		
	9.1.
	Appointment    60


		
	9.2.
	Delegation of Duties    60


		
	9.3.
	Exculpatory Provisions    60


		
	9.4.
	Reliance by the Administrative Agent    61


		
	9.5.
	Notice of Default    61


		
	9.6.
	Non‐Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders    61


		
	9.7.
	Indemnification    62


		
	9.8.
	Agent in Its Individual Capacity    62


		
	9.9.
	Successor Agents    63


		
	9.10.
	The Joint Lead Arrangers; the Syndication Agent; the Co-Documentation 


Agents    63
		
	SECTION 10. MISCELLANEOUS
	63


		
	10.1.
	Amendments and Waivers    63


		
	10.2.
	Notices    65


		
	10.3.
	No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies    67


		
	10.4.
	Survival of Representations and Warranties    67


		
	10.5.
	Payment of Expenses    68


		
	10.6.
	Successors and Assigns; Participations and Assignments    69


		
	10.7.
	Adjustments; Set‐off    73


		
	10.8.
	Counterparts    74


		
	10.9.
	Severability    74


		
	10.10.
	Integration    74


		
	10.11.
	Governing Law    75


		
	10.12.
	Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers    75


		
	10.13.
	No Fiduciary Duty    75


		
	10.14.
	Confidentiality    76


		
	10.15.
	Accounting Changes    76


		
	10.16.
	WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL    77


		
	10.17.
	USA PATRIOT ACT    77


		
	10.18.
	Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents    77


		
	10.19.
	Amendment and Restatement; No Novation    77


		
	10.20.
	Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions    78












Exhibit 10.1



APPENDIX:
Commitment Appendix
ANNEXES:
A    Pricing Grid
B    Existing Letters of Credit


SCHEDULES:


4.4    Consents, Authorizations, Filings and Notices
4.6    Litigation
4.8    Title to Property
4.14    Limiting Regulations
4.15    Subsidiaries
4.16    Environmental
7.3    Affiliate Transactions
7.5    Negative Pledge Limitations


EXHIBITS:


A    Form of Compliance Certificate
B    Form of Secretary’s Certificate
C    Form of Revolving Credit Note
D    Form of Assignment and Acceptance
E    Form of Exemption Certificate
F    Form of Borrowing Notice
G    Form of Letter of Credit Request
H    Form of New Lender Supplement
I    Form of Increased Revolving Commitment Activation Notice




    


    






Exhibit 10.1



THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of December 12, 2016, among NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION d/b/a NorthWestern Energy, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties to this Agreement (the “Lenders”), and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as administrative agent.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Borrower, certain of the Lenders and the other parties are parties to the Original Credit Agreement (as hereinafter defined).
WHEREAS, the Lenders and such other parties or their successors have agreed to amend and restate in its entirety the Original Credit Agreement as provided herein; and
WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested and the Lenders have agreed to make this revolving credit facility available to the Borrower upon and subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1.  DEFINITIONS


2.1.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.
“Accounting Change”:  as defined in Section 10.15.
“Administrative Agent”:  Bank of America in its capacity as administrative agent under any of the Loan Documents, or any successor administrative agent.
“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, to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
“Agents”:  the collective reference to the Syndication Agent, the Administrative Agent and the Co-Documentation Agents.
“Aggregate Exposure”:  with respect to any Lender at any time, an amount equal to the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment then in effect or, if the Revolving Credit Commitments have been terminated, the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Extensions of Credit 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 sum of the Aggregate Exposures of all Lenders at such time.






Exhibit 10.1



“Agreement”:  this Credit Agreement, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
“Anti-Corruption Law”:  as defined in Section 4.19.
“Anti-Money Laundering Laws”:  as defined in Section 4.19(c). 
“Applicable Margin”:  a percentage determined from time to time in accordance with the pricing grid attached hereto as Annex A.
“Applicable Percentage”: with respect to any Lender at any time, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments represented by such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment at such time, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.21.  If the Revolving Credit Commitment of each Lender to make Loans and the obligation of the Issuing Lender to make L/C Credit Extensions have been terminated pursuant to Section 8 or if the aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments have expired, then the Applicable Percentage of each Lender shall be determined based on the Applicable Percentage of such Lender most recently in effect, giving effect to any subsequent assignments.  The initial Applicable Percentage of each Lender is set forth opposite the name of such Lender on the Commitment Appendix or in the assignment and acceptance pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable.
“Application”:  an application, in such form as the relevant Issuing Lender may specify from time to time, requesting such Issuing Lender to issue a Letter of Credit.
“Applicable Margin”:  as of any date, with respect to any Base Rate Loan or Eurodollar Loan, the percentage set forth in the Pricing Grid under “Base Rate Margin” or “Eurodollar Margin,” respectively, in each case based on the then-current Debt Rating.
“Assignee”:  as defined in Section 10.6(c).
“Assignor”:  as defined in Section 10.6(c).
“Available Revolving Credit Commitment”:  with respect to any Revolving Credit Lender at any time, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment then in effect over (b) such Lender’s Revolving Extensions of Credit then outstanding.
“Bail-In Action”:  the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an EEA Financial Institution.
“Bail-In Legislation”:  with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.
“Bank of America”: Bank of America, N.A. and its successors.






Exhibit 10.1



“Bank of America Entity”: any of Bank of America or any of its Affiliates.
“Base Rate”: for any day, a rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus 1⁄2 of 1% and (c) the Eurodollar Rate for a one month Interest Period on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day) plus 1%; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the Eurodollar Rate for any day shall be based on the rate appearing on the applicable Bloomberg screen page (or such other commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time) at approximately 11:00 a.m. London time on such day.  For purposes hereof:  “Prime Rate” shall mean the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Bank of America as its “prime rate” (the “prime rate” is a rate set by Bank of America based upon various factors including Bank of America’s costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate).  Any change in the Base Rate due to a change in the Eurodollar Rate, the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be effective as of the opening of business on the effective day of such change in Eurodollar Rate, the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate, respectively.


“Base Rate Loans”:  Loans for which the applicable rate of interest is based upon the Base Rate.
“Benefitted Lender”:  as defined in Section 10.7.
“Board”:  the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States (or any successor).
“Borrower”:  as defined in the preamble hereto.
“Borrower Materials”:  as defined in Section 10.1.
“Borrowing Date”:  any Business Day specified by the Borrower as a date on which the Borrower requests the Lenders to make Loans hereunder.
“Borrowing Notice”:  with respect to any request for borrowing of Loans hereunder, a notice from the Borrower, substantially in the form of, and containing the information prescribed by, Exhibit F, or such other form as may be approved by the Administrative Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.
“Business Day”:  (a) for all purposes other than as covered by clause (b) below, 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 and (b) with respect to all notices and determinations in connection with, and payments of principal and interest on, Eurodollar Loans, any day which is a Business Day described in clause (a) and which is also a day for trading by and between banks in Dollar deposits in the interbank eurodollar market.






Exhibit 10.1



“Capital Lease Obligations”:  with respect 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; provided, however, notwithstanding any accounting rule or interpretation under GAAP, Capital Lease Obligation shall not include (a) any Contractual Obligation arising under a power purchase and sale agreement, tolling agreement, off-take agreement, capacity sale agreement or other similar agreement, or (b) any obligations under leases or other agreements created by Accounting Standards Codification 810-10 issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board.
“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; provided, “Capital Stock” shall exclude any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock (whether or not such debt securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock).
“Cash Collateralize”: to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, Issuing Lender and the Lenders, as collateral for L/C Obligations or obligations of Lenders to fund participations in respect thereof, cash or deposit account balances or, if the Issuing Lender benefitting from such collateral shall agree in its sole discretion, other credit support, in each case pursuant to documentation in form and substance satisfactory to (a) the Administrative Agent and (b) the Issuing Lender.  “Cash Collateral” shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing and shall include the proceeds of such cash collateral and other credit support.
“Change of Control”:  the occurrence of any of the following events:  (a) any Person or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) (i) shall have acquired beneficial ownership of 40% or more of the aggregate outstanding classes of Capital Stock having voting power in the election of directors of the Borrower or (ii) shall obtain the power (whether or not exercised) to elect a majority of the Borrower’s directors; (b) a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of the Borrower shall at any time be occupied by Persons who were neither (i) nominated nor approved by the board of directors, (ii) nominated nor approved by any Person having, as of the Closing Date, beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the aggregate outstanding classes of Capital Stock having voting power in the election of directors of the Borrower, nor (iii) appointed nor approved by directors so nominated; or (c) the Borrower shall be liquidated or dissolved.
“Closing Date”:  the date on which the conditions precedent set forth in Section 5.1 shall have been satisfied, which date shall be not later than December 12, 2016.
“Code”:  the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
“Co-Documentation Agents”:  KeyBank National Association, MUFG Union Bank, N.A. and U.S. Bank National Association, in their respective capacity as Co-Documentation Agent.






Exhibit 10.1



“Commitment Fee Rate”:  the rate per annum determined from time to time pursuant to the Pricing Grid.
“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.
“Compliance Certificate”:  a certificate duly executed by a Responsible Officer, substantially in the form of Exhibit A.
“Consolidated Debt to Capitalization Ratio”:  as of the last day of any period, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Funded Debt on such day to (b) the sum of Consolidated Net Worth and Consolidated Funded Debt on such day.
“Consolidated Funded Debt”:  at any date, the aggregate principal amount of all Funded Debt of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at such date, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
“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.
“Debt Rating”:  as of any date of determination, those credit ratings then published by the Ratings Agencies with respect to the Borrower’s non­credit­enhanced, senior unsecured long-term debt.  For purposes of the foregoing:  (a) if a Debt Rating is issued by each of the Ratings Agencies and there is a split rating, then the two highest of such Debt Ratings shall apply (with the Debt Rating for Pricing Level V being the lowest and the Debt Rating for Pricing Level I being the highest) in determining the Pricing Level; (b) if there is a single level split in Debt Ratings of the two highest ratings of the Ratings Agencies, then the higher Debt Rating of the two highest shall apply in determining the Pricing Level or, if there is a multiple-level split in Debt Ratings of the two highest ratings of the Ratings Agencies, then the Debt Rating that is one level lower than the highest rating shall apply in determining the Pricing Level; (c) if only two Rating Agencies have published Debt Ratings, the Debt Ratings of such Rating Agencies shall be used in determining the Pricing Level and clause (b) of this paragraph shall apply in the event of a split between such two Debt Ratings; (d) if only one Rating Agency has published a Debt Rating, the Debt Rating of such Rating Agency shall be used in determining the Pricing Level; (e) if the Borrower’s non­credit­enhanced, senior unsecured long-term debt is not rated by any of the Rating Agencies, Pricing Level V shall apply for purposes of determining the Applicable Margin; (f) if any Debt Rating established by a Rating Agency shall be changed, such change shall be effective as of the date on which such change is first announced publicly by the Rating Agency making such change; and (g) if any Rating Agency shall change its system of 






Exhibit 10.1



classification after the date hereof, each reference to the Debt Rating announced by such Rating Agency shall refer to the then-equivalent rating thereby, as the case may be.
“Debtor Relief Laws”: the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally.
“Declining Lender”:  as defined in Section 2.1(e).
“Default”:  any of the events specified in clauses (a) through (j) of Section 8, whether or not any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, has been satisfied.
“Defaulting Lender”: subject to Section 2.21, any Lender that, as determined by the Administrative Agent, (a) has failed to perform any of its funding obligations hereunder,  including in respect of its Loans or participations in respect of Letters of Credit, within three Business Days of the date required to be funded by it hereunder, unless such obligation is the subject of a good faith dispute, (b) has notified the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or any Lender that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations or has made a public statement to that effect with respect to its funding obligations hereunder or under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) has failed, within three Business Days after request by the Administrative Agent, to confirm in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that it will comply with its funding obligations, or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, (ii) had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or a custodian appointed for it, (iii) taken any action in furtherance of, or indicated its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment or (iv) become the subject of a Bail-In Action; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any equity interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority.
“Disposition”:  with respect to any Property, any sale, lease, sale and leaseback, assignment, conveyance, transfer or other disposition thereof (or, in each case, any series of related dispositions); and the terms “Dispose” and “Disposed of” shall have correlative meanings.
“Dollars” and “$”:  dollars in lawful currency of the United States of America.
“EEA Financial Institution”:  (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a Subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent. 






Exhibit 10.1



“EEA Member Country”:  any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
“EEA Resolution Authority”:  any public administrative authority or any Person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.
“Environmental Laws”:  any and all laws, rules, orders, regulations, statutes, ordinances, guidelines, codes, decrees, or other legally enforceable requirements (including common law) of any international authority, foreign government, the United States, or any state, local, municipal or other governmental authority, regulating, relating to or imposing liability or standards of conduct concerning protection of the environment or of human health, or employee health and safety, as has been, is now, or may at any time hereafter be, in effect.
“Environmental Permits”:  any and all permits, licenses, approvals, registrations, notifications, exemptions and other authorizations required under any Environmental Law.
“Equity Interests”:  Capital Stock of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock of the Borrower or any Subsidiary (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, such Capital Stock).
“ERISA”:  the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.
“EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule”:  the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person), as in effect 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, 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 the applicable Bloomberg screen page 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 the applicable Bloomberg screen page (or successor thereto), the “Eurodollar Base Rate” for purposes of this definition shall be determined by reference to such other comparable publicly available service for displaying eurodollar rates as may be selected by the Administrative Agent. If the Eurodollar Bate Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed zero for purposes of this Agreement. 
“Eurodollar Loans”:  Loans for which the applicable rate of interest is based upon the Eurodollar Rate.






Exhibit 10.1



“Eurodollar Rate”:  with respect to each day during each Interest Period, 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 under a particular Facility 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 clauses (a) through (j) of Section 8; provided that any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, has been satisfied.
“Existing Letters of Credit”:  collectively, the letters of credit listed on Annex B issued for the account of the Borrower pursuant to the terms of the Original Credit Agreement.  
“Extended Revolving Termination Date”:  as defined in Section 2.1(e).
“Extending Lender”:  as defined in Section 2.1(e).
“Extension Request”:  as defined in Section 2.1(e).
“Facility” or “Revolving Credit Facility”:  the Revolving Credit Commitments and the extensions of credit made thereunder.
“FATCA”: Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code.
“Federal Funds Effective Rate”:  for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System, as published on the next Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York; provided that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be determined in the same manner, but assuming that such transactions occurred one Business Day earlier, and (b) if no such rate is published on the next Business Day, the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be the average rate (rounded upward, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) charged to Bank of America on such day on such transactions as determined by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion. If the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed zero for purposes of this Agreement.
“Fee Letters”:  that (i) Fee Letter dated November 9, 2016 among Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and issuing lender and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as joint lead arranger and bookrunner, and the Borrower and (ii) that Fee Letter 






Exhibit 10.1



dated November 9, 2016 among Credit Suisse AG, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, as joint lead arranger and syndication agent, and the Borrower.
“Fitch”:  Fitch, Inc. and any successor thereto.
“Fronting Exposure”: at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the outstanding L/C Obligations other than L/C Obligations as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof.
“Funded Debt”:  with respect to any Person, all Indebtedness of such Person of the types described in clauses (a) through (e) of the definition of “Indebtedness” in this Section 1.1.
“Funding Office”:  the office specified from time to time by the Administrative Agent as its funding office by notice to the Borrower and the Lenders.
“GAAP”:  generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect from time to time; provided, however, if any operating lease would be recharacterized as a capital lease due to changes in the accounting treatment of such operating lease under GAAP since the Commitment Date, then solely with respect to the accounting treatment of any such leases, GAAP shall be interpreted as it was in effect on the Commitment Date.
“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, and any securities exchange (including any supra national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank) and any group or body charged with setting financial accounting or regulatory capital rules or standards (including the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Bank for International Settlements or the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision or any successor or similar authority to any of the foregoing).
“Granting Lender” as defined in Section 10.6(j).
“Guarantee Obligation”:  as to any Person (the “guaranteeing person”), any obligation, including a reimbursement, counterindemnity or similar obligation, of the guaranteeing person that guarantees or in effect guarantees, or which is given to induce the creation of a separate obligation by another Person (including any bank under any letter of credit) that guarantees or in effect guarantees 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 






Exhibit 10.1



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 or currency swaps, caps or collar agreements, foreign exchange agreements, or similar arrangements entered into by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries providing for protection against fluctuations in interest rates, currency exchange rates, or the exchange of nominal interest obligations, either generally or under specific contingencies.
“ICC”:  as defined in the definition of “UCP”.
“Increased Revolving Commitment Activation Notice”:  a notice substantially in the form of Exhibit I.
“Increased Revolving Commitment Closing Date”:  any Business Day designated as such in an Increased Revolving Commitment Activation Notice.
“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 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), other than any such indebtedness arising solely in connection with the Borrower’s gas storage arrangements, (e) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (f) all obligations of such Person, contingent or otherwise, as an account party or applicant under acceptance, letter of credit, surety bond or similar facilities, (g) all obligations of such Person, contingent or otherwise, to purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for value any Capital Stock of such Person, (h) all Mandatory Redeemable Stock of such Person, (i) all Guarantee Obligations of such Person in respect of obligations of the kind referred to in clauses (a) through (h) above, (j) all obligations of the kind referred to in clauses (a) through (i) 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 (k) for the purposes of Section 8(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 






Exhibit 10.1



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.
“Indemnified Liabilities”:  as defined in Section 10.5.
“Indemnitee”:  as defined in Section 10.5.
“Indentures”:  collectively, the Montana First Mortgage Indenture and the South Dakota First Mortgage Indenture.
“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 Base Rate 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 shorter, 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 and (d) as to any Loan (other than any Revolving Credit Loan that is a Base Rate Loan), the date of any repayment or prepayment made in respect thereof.
“Interest Period”: as to any Eurodollar Loan, (a) 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 (or with the consent of all Lenders, as determined by such Lenders in their sole discretion, twelve 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 (b) 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 (or with the consent of all Lenders, as determined by such Lenders in their sole discretion, twelve months) thereafter, as selected by the Borrower by irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on the date that is 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:
(1)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 






Exhibit 10.1



another calendar month in which event such Interest Period shall end on the immediately preceding Business Day;


(2)the Borrower may not select an Interest Period that would extend beyond the Revolving Credit Termination Date; and


(3)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 the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period.


“Investment”:  any advance, loan, extension of credit (by way of guaranty or otherwise) or capital contribution to, or purchase of any Capital Stock, bonds, notes, debentures or other debt securities of, or any assets constituting an ongoing business from, or any other investment in, any other Person.
“ISP”:  with respect to any Letter of Credit, the “International Standby Practices 1998” published by the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, Inc. (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).
“Issuing Lender”:  (i) Bank of America, N.A. or any Affiliate thereof; or (ii) any other Lender or any Affiliate thereof from time to time designated by the Borrower as an Issuing Lender with the consent of such Lender and the Administrative Agent.
“Joint Lead Arrangers”:  Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (or its successors and permitted assigns) and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC in their respective capacity as Joint Lead Arrangers.
“Laws”: collectively, all international, foreign, Federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority, in each case whether or not having the force of law.
“L/C Borrowing”: an extension of credit resulting from a drawing under any Letter of Credit which has not been reimbursed on the date when made or refinanced as a Revolving Credit Borrowing.
“L/C Commitment”:  an amount equal to $50,000,000.
“L/C Credit Extension”: with respect to any Letter of Credit, the issuance thereof or extension of the expiry date thereof, or the increase of the amount thereof.
“L/C Fee Payment Date”:  the last day of each March, June, September and December, commencing on December 31, 2016, and the last day of the Revolving Credit Commitment Period.






Exhibit 10.1



“L/C Obligations”:  at any time, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate then undrawn and unexpired amount of the then outstanding Letters of Credit and (b) the aggregate amount of drawings under Letters of Credit that have not then been reimbursed pursuant to Section 3.5.  For all purposes of this Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Rule 3.14 of the ISP, such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be “outstanding” in the amount so remaining available to be drawn.
“L/C Participants”:  with respect to any Letter of Credit, the collective reference to all the Revolving Credit Lenders other than the Issuing Lender that issued such Letter of Credit.
“L/C Supportable Obligations”:  payment obligations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as permitted pursuant to Section 4.16.
“Lenders”:  as defined in the preamble hereto and, in any event, the term “Lenders” shall include any Issuing Bank (other than with respect to the definition of the Interest Period, Sections 2.13(b), 9.9(a), 10.1 (iv) and 10.1(ix)).  
“Letters of Credit”:  as defined in Section 3.1(a).
“Letter of Credit Expiration Date”: the day that is seven days prior to the Revolving Credit Termination Date then in effect (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next preceding Business Day).
“Letter of Credit Fee”:  as defined in Section 3.3.
“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).
“Loan”:  any loan made by any Lender pursuant to this Agreement.
“Loan Documents”:  collectively, this Agreement, the Applications and the Notes.
“Mandatory Redeemable Stock”:  with respect to any Person, any share of such Person’s Capital Stock, to the extent that it is (a) redeemable, payable or required to be purchased or otherwise retired or extinguished, or convertible into any Indebtedness or other liability, obligation, covenant or duty of or binding upon, or any term or condition to be observed by or binding upon such Person or any of its assets (except for consideration comprised of Capital Stock of such Person which is not Mandatory Redeemable Stock), (i) at a fixed or determinable date, whether by operation of a sinking fund or otherwise, (ii) at the option of any other Person or (iii) upon the occurrence of a condition not solely within the control of such Person such as a redemption required to be made utilizing future earnings, or (b) convertible into Capital Stock which has the features set forth in clause (a).






Exhibit 10.1



“Material Adverse Effect”:  a material adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, property, operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, or (b) 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, polychlorinated biphenyls, urea-formaldehyde insulation, asbestos, pollutants, contaminants, radioactivity, and any other substances or forces of any kind, whether or not any such substance or force is defined as hazardous or toxic under any Environmental Law, that is regulated pursuant to or could give rise to liability under any Environmental Law.
“Material Subsidiary”:  (i) each Subsidiary designated as a “Material Subsidiary” in Schedule 4.15, and (ii) each other Subsidiary whose total assets as of the end of any fiscal year equal or exceed $50,000,000.
“Montana First Mortgage Indenture”:  the Mortgage and Deed of Trust dated October 1, 1945 from the Borrower (as successor by merger to The Montana Power Company) to the trustees named therein, as supplemented and amended to the date hereof.
 “Montana Utility Business”:  the regulated electric and natural gas assets and businesses owned and operated by the Borrower in the State of Montana, or otherwise subject to the Lien of the Montana First Mortgage Indenture.
“Moody’s”:  Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., and any successor thereto.
“Multiemployer Plan”:  a Plan that is a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.
“New Lender”:  as defined in Section 2.1(c).
“New Lender Supplement”:  as defined in Section 2.1(c).
“Non-Excluded Taxes”:  as defined in Section 2.16(a).
“Non-U.S. Lender”:  as defined in Section 2.16(d).
“Note”:  any promissory note evidencing any Loan.
“Noticed Anniversary Date”: as defined in Section 2.1(e).
“Obligations”:  the unpaid principal of and interest on (including interest accruing after the maturity of the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations 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, the Reimbursement Obligations and all other obligations and liabilities of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or to any Lender, whether 






Exhibit 10.1



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, the Letters of Credit, 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.
“OFAC”: the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury.
“Original Credit Agreement”:  that certain Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 5, 2013 among the Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.
“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 (except any such taxes imposed as a result of any assignment other than pursuant to Section 2.20) as a result of a present or former connection between the applicable Lender or Administrative Agent and the jurisdiction imposing such tax.
“Participant”:  as defined in Section 10.6(b).
“Participant Register”:  as defined in Section 10.6(b).
“Participation Amount”:  as defined in Section 3.4(b).
“Patriot Act”:  the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001).
“Payment Office”:  the office specified from time to time by the Administrative Agent as its payment office by notice to the Borrower and the Lenders.
“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.
“Platform”:  as defined in Section 10.1.






Exhibit 10.1



“Pricing Grid”:  the pricing grid attached hereto as Annex A.
“Pricing Level”:  each of “Pricing Level I” through “Pricing Level V” set forth in the Pricing Grid.
“Property”:  any right or interest in or to property of any kind whatsoever, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, including Capital Stock.
“Rating Agencies”:  Fitch, Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s.
“Register”:  as defined in Section 10.6(d).
“Regulation U”:  Regulation U of the Board as in effect from time to time.
“Reimbursement Obligation”:  the obligation of the Borrower to reimburse each Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 3.5 for amounts drawn under Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender.
“Related Fund”:  with respect to any Lender, any Person (other than an individual) that (x) is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its activities and (y) is managed or administered by such Lender, an Affiliate of such Lender or an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages such Lender.
“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(c) 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. § 4043.
“Required Lenders”:  at any time, the holders of more than 50% of the Total Revolving Credit Commitments then in effect or, if the Revolving Credit Commitments have been terminated, the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit then outstanding, in each case excluding the aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments of, and Revolving Extensions of Credit made by, Defaulting Lenders.
“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”:  as to any Person, the chief executive officer, president or chief financial officer of such Person, but in any event, with respect to financial matters, the chief financial officer, treasurer or assistant treasurer of such Person, or any other officer of such Person designated as a Responsible Officer by any one of the foregoing, and, solely for purposes of notices given pursuant to Section 2, any other officer or employee of such Person so 






Exhibit 10.1



designated by any of the foregoing officers in a notice to the Administrative Agent or any other officer or employee of such Person designated in or pursuant to an agreement between such Person and the Administrative Agent. 
“Revolving Credit Commitment”:  as to any Lender, the obligation of such Lender, if any, to make Revolving Credit Loans and participate in Letters of Credit, in an aggregate principal and/or face amount not to exceed the amount set forth under the heading “Revolving Credit Commitment” opposite such Lender’s name on the Commitment Appendix attached hereto, or, as the case may be, in the assignment and acceptance or New Lender Supplement pursuant to which such Lender became a party hereto, as the same may be changed from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof pursuant to Section 2.1(b).  The original aggregate amount of the Total Revolving Credit Commitments is $400,000,000.
“Revolving Credit Commitment Period”:  the period from and including the Closing Date to the Revolving Credit Termination Date.
“Revolving Credit Facility”:  as defined in the definition of “Facility” in this Section 1.1.
“Revolving Credit Lender”:  each Lender that has a Revolving Credit Commitment or that is the holder of Revolving Credit Loans.
“Revolving Credit Loans”:  as defined in Section 2.1.
“Revolving Credit Note”:  as defined in Section 2.5.
“Revolving Credit Percentage”:  as to any Revolving Credit Lender at any time, the percentage which such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment then constitutes of the Total Revolving Credit Commitments (or, at any time after the Revolving Credit Commitments shall have expired or terminated, the percentage which the aggregate amount of such Lender’s Revolving Extensions of Credit then outstanding constitutes of the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit then outstanding).
“Revolving Credit Termination Date”: December 12, 2021 or, subject to the terms of Section 2.1(e), the Extended Revolving Termination Date or the Second Extended Revolving Termination Date, as applicable.
“Revolving Extensions of Credit”:  as to any Revolving Credit Lender at any time, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Credit Loans made by such Lender then outstanding and (b) such Lender’s Revolving Credit Percentage of the L/C Obligations then outstanding.
“Sanctions”: as defined in Section 4.19(b)(i).
“SEC”:  the Securities and Exchange Commission (or successors thereto or an analogous Governmental Authority).
“SEC Reports”:  the publicly available (unredacted) portion of all reports filed by the Borrower with the SEC on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q or Form 8-K or any successor form.






Exhibit 10.1



“Second Extended Revolving Termination Date”:  as defined in Section 2.1(e).
“Single Employer Plan”:  any Plan that is covered by Title IV of ERISA, but which is not a Multiemployer Plan.
“Solvent”:  with respect to any Person, as of any date of determination, (a) 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, (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 probable 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.
“South Dakota First Mortgage Indenture”:  the General Mortgage Indenture and Deed of Trust dated as of August 1, 1993 between the Borrower and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee, as supplemented and amended to the date hereof.
“South Dakota Utility Business”:  the regulated electric and natural gas assets and businesses owned and operated by the Borrower in the States of South Dakota and Nebraska and all of the Borrower’s other assets that are subject to the Lien of the South Dakota First Mortgage Indenture (which consists principally, as of the date hereof, of the shared ownership interests in electric generation facilities located in the States of North Dakota and Iowa).
“SPC”: as defined in Section 10.6(j).
“Standard & Poor’s”:  Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of S&P Global Inc. and any successor thereto.
“Stated Maturity”:  with respect to any installment of interest or principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which the payment of interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the original documentation governing such Indebtedness, and will not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.
“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 the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by 






Exhibit 10.1



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.
“Syndication Agent”:  Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC.
“Total Revolving Credit Commitments”:  at any time, the aggregate amount of the Revolving Credit Commitments then in effect.
“Total Revolving Extensions of Credit”:  at any time, the aggregate amount of the Revolving Extensions of Credit of the Revolving Credit Lenders outstanding at such time.
“Transferee”:  as defined in Section 10.14.
“Type”:  as to any Loan, its nature as a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Loan. 
“UCP”:  with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, International Chamber of Commerce (“ICC”) Publication No. 600 (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).
“Utility Business”:  the regulated electric and natural gas utility business and operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.
“Write-Down and Conversion Powers”:  with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule. 
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.
(a)As used herein and in the other Loan Documents, and any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto, 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.
(b)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.
(c)The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.
(d)All calculations of financial ratios set forth in Section 7.1 shall be calculated to the same number of decimal places as the relevant ratios are expressed in and shall be rounded upward if the number in the decimal place immediately following the last calculated decimal place is five or greater.  For example, if the relevant ratio is to be calculated to the hundredth decimal place and the calculation of the ratio is 5.126, the ratio will be rounded up to 5.13.






Exhibit 10.1



(e)The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”.  The word “or” shall not be exclusive.  The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”.
(f)Unless the context requires otherwise (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, and (iii) 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, securities, accounts and contract rights.
SECTION 2.  AMOUNT AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS
2.1.Revolving Credit Commitments.  (a)  Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Revolving Credit Lenders severally agree to make revolving credit loans (“Revolving Credit Loans”) to the Borrower from time to time during the Revolving Credit Commitment Period in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding for each Revolving Credit Lender which, when added to such Lender’s Revolving Credit Percentage of the L/C Obligations then outstanding does not exceed the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment.  During the Revolving Credit Commitment Period the Borrower may use the Revolving Credit Commitments by borrowing, prepaying the Revolving Credit Loans in whole or in part, and reborrowing, all in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof.  The Revolving Credit Loans may from time to time be Eurodollar Loans or Base Rate Loans, as determined by the Borrower and notified to the Administrative Agent in accordance with Sections 2.5 and 2.13; provided that no Revolving Credit Loan shall be made as a Eurodollar Loan after the day that is one month prior to the Revolving Credit Termination Date.
(a)At any time, the Borrower and any one or more Lenders (including New Lenders) may agree that such Lender(s) shall make, obtain or increase the amount of their Revolving Credit Commitments by executing and delivering to the Administrative Agent an Increased Revolving Commitment Activation Notice specifying the amount of such increase and the applicable Increased Revolving Commitment Closing Date.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the aggregate amount of incremental Revolving Credit Commitments obtained pursuant to this Section 2.1(b) shall not exceed $50,000,000, (ii) incremental Revolving Credit Commitments may not be made, obtained or increased until all of the conditions precedent in Section 5.2 have been satisfied and (iii) the increase effected pursuant to this paragraph shall be in a minimum amount of at least $10,000,000.  No Lender shall have any obligation to participate in any increase described in this paragraph unless it agrees to do so in its sole discretion.
(b)Any additional bank, financial institution or other entity which, with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, elects to become a “Lender” under this Agreement in connection with an increase described in Section 2.1(b) shall execute a New Lender Supplement (each, a “New Lender Supplement”), substantially in the form of Exhibit H, whereupon such bank, financial institution or other entity (a “New Lender”) shall become a Lender for all purposes and to the same extent as if originally a party hereto and shall be bound by and entitled to the benefits of this Agreement.






Exhibit 10.1





(c)On each Increased Revolving Commitment Closing Date on which there are Revolving Credit Loans outstanding, the New Lender(s) and/or Lender(s) that have increased their Revolving Credit Commitments shall make Revolving Credit Loans, the proceeds of which will be used to prepay such portions of the Revolving Credit Loans of other Lenders, so that, after giving effect thereto, the resulting Revolving Credit Loans outstanding are allocated among the Lenders in accordance with Section 2.14(a) based on the respective Revolving Credit Percentages of the Lenders after giving effect to such Increased Revolving Commitment Closing Date.
(d)The Borrower shall repay all outstanding Revolving Credit Loans on the Revolving Credit Termination Date.  The Borrower may request (each, an “Extension Request”) that the Revolving Credit Commitments and L/C Commitments be extended for additional one-year periods by providing written notice to the Administrative Agent not more than 90 days, but not fewer than 30 days, prior to two of the first four anniversaries of the Closing Date (each, a “Noticed Anniversary Date”); provided that, in no event shall more than two Extension Requests be made.  If a Lender agrees, in its individual and sole discretion, to extend its Revolving Credit Commitments and/or L/C Commitments (such Lender, an “Extending Lender”), it will notify the Administrative Agent in writing of its decision to do so and the maximum amount of Revolving Credit Commitments and, if applicable, L/C Commitments it agrees to so extend no later than 20 days prior to the applicable Noticed Anniversary Date, which notice shall be irrevocable.  The Administrative Agent will notify the Borrower, in writing, of the Lenders’ decisions no later than 15 days prior to such Noticed Anniversary Date.  The Extending Lenders’ Revolving Credit Commitments and L/C Commitments will be extended for an additional year from the Revolving Termination Date (the “Extended Revolving Termination Date”) or the Extended Revolving Termination Date (the “Second Extended Revolving Termination Date”), as applicable; provided that (i) Lenders holding more than 50% of the aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments outstanding on the applicable Noticed Anniversary Date have agreed to so extend their respective Revolving Credit Commitments (but only with respect to the Revolving Credit Commitments of each Lender that votes in its sole discretion to so extend its Revolving Credit Commitments) and (ii) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the applicable Noticed Anniversary Date after giving effect to the requested extension.  No Lender shall be required to consent to any such Extension Request, and any Lender that declines or does not respond in writing to the Borrower’s request for commitment renewal (a “Declining Lender”) will have its Revolving Credit Commitments and L/C Commitments terminated on the then-existing Revolving Termination Date or Extended Revolving Termination Date, as applicable (without regard to any renewals by other Lenders).  The Borrower will have the right to remove or replace any Declining Lenders in accordance with Section 2.20.  If an Extension Request has become effective hereunder, on the then-existing Revolving Credit Termination Date, (i) the Borrower shall make payments of Loans and/or Cash Collateralize the L/C 






Exhibit 10.1



Obligations in an aggregate amount sufficient to reduce the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit as of such date of payment to an amount not to exceed one hundred percent (100%) of the Total Revolving Credit Commitments then in effect of the Extending Lenders extended pursuant to this Section 2.1(e) (and the Borrower shall not be permitted thereafter to request any Loan or any issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit if, after giving effect thereto, the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit of all Loans and all L/C Obligations would exceed the aggregate amount of the Total Revolving Credit Commitments so extended), and (ii) the Revolving Credit Commitment of each Declining Lender shall terminate, and the Borrowers shall repay all the Loans of each Declining Lender, together with accrued and unpaid interest and all fees and other amounts owing to such Declining Lender hereunder, it being understood and agreed that such repayments may be funded with the proceeds of new Borrowings made simultaneously with such repayments by the Extending Lenders, which such Borrowings shall be made ratably by the Extending Lenders in accordance with their extended Revolving Credit Commitments.  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, it is hereby agreed that no extension of a maturity date in accordance with the express terms of this Section 2.1(e), or any amendment or modification of the terms and conditions of the Revolving Credit Commitments and the Loans of the Extending Lenders effected pursuant thereto, shall be deemed to violate Section 2.7 or any other provision of this Agreement requiring the ratable reduction of Revolving Credit Commitments.  This Section 2.1(e) shall supersede anything in Section 10.1 to the contrary.
2.2.Procedure for Revolving Credit Borrowing.  The Borrower may borrow under the Revolving Credit Commitments on any Business Day during the Revolving Credit Commitment Period; provided that the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent irrevocable notice, which may be given by (A) telephone or (B) a Borrowing Notice (which Borrowing 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) on the requested Borrowing Date, in the case of Base Rate Loans).  Any Revolving Credit Loans made on the Closing Date shall initially be Base Rate Loans.  Except as provided in Section 3.5, each borrowing of Revolving Credit Loans under the Revolving Credit Commitments shall be in an amount equal to (x) in the case of Base Rate Loans, $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof (or, if the then aggregate Available Revolving Credit Commitments are less than $1,000,000, such lesser amount) and (y) in the case of Eurodollar Loans, $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof.  Any telephonic notice by the Borrower must be confirmed immediately by delivery to the Administrative Agent of a Borrowing Notice specifying therein the requested (i) date of such Borrowing, (ii) the amount of Loans requested, (iii) Type of Loans comprising such Borrowing, (iv) Borrower’s account for such Loans and (v) in the case of any Loans requested to be made as Eurodollar Loans, the initial Interest Period therefor.  If no election as to the Type of Loans is specified in the Borrowing Notice, then the requested Loans shall be Base Rate Loans.  If no Interest Period with respect to any Eurodollar Loans is specified in any such Borrowing Notice, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.  Upon receipt of any such Borrowing Notice from the Borrower, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Revolving Credit Lender thereof.  Each Revolving Credit Lender will make its Revolving Credit Percentage of the amount of each borrowing of Revolving Credit Loans available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Borrower at the Funding Office prior to 3:00 PM, New York City time, on the Borrowing Date requested by the Borrower in funds 






Exhibit 10.1



immediately available to the Administrative Agent.  Such borrowing will then be made available to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent.
2.3.[Reserved]
2.4.[Reserved]
2.5.Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt.  (a)  The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the appropriate Revolving Credit Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Credit Loan of such Revolving Credit Lender on the Revolving Credit Termination Date (or on such earlier date on which the Loans become due and payable pursuant to Section 8).  The Borrower hereby further agrees to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of the Loans from time to time outstanding from the date hereof until payment in full thereof at the rates per annum, and on the dates, set forth in Section 2.11.
(a)Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan of such Lender from time to time, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time under this Agreement.
(b)The Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Borrower, shall maintain the Register pursuant to Section 10.6(d), and a subaccount therein for each Lender, in which shall be recorded (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder and any Note evidencing such Loan, the Type of such Loan and each Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender hereunder and (iii) both the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder from the Borrower and each Lender’s share thereof.
(c)The entries made in the Register and the accounts of each Lender maintained pursuant to Section 2.5(b) shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations of the Borrower therein recorded; provided, however, that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain the Register or any such account, or any error therein, shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay (with applicable interest) the Loans made to the Borrower by such Lender in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(d)The Borrower agrees that, upon its receipt of notice of the request to the Administrative Agent by any Lender, the Borrower will promptly execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note of the Borrower evidencing any Revolving Credit Loans of such Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit C (a “Revolving Credit Note”), with appropriate insertions as to date and then outstanding principal amount; provided, that delivery of Notes shall not be a condition precedent to the occurrence of the Closing Date or the making of the Loans or issuance of Letters of Credit on the Closing Date.
2.6.Commitment Fees, etc.  (a)  The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Credit Lender a commitment fee for the 






Exhibit 10.1



period from and including the Closing Date to the last day of the Revolving Credit Commitment Period, computed at the Commitment Fee Rate on the average daily amount of the Available Revolving Credit Commitment of such Lender during the period for which payment is made, payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of each March, June, September and December and on the Revolving Credit Termination Date, commencing on the first of such dates to occur after the date hereof; provided, however, that no Commitment Fee shall accrue on any of the Revolving Credit Commitment of a Defaulting Lender so long as such Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender.  
(b)    The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent the fees in the amounts and on the dates agreed to in the Fee Letters (or otherwise from time to time agreed to in writing by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent).
2.7.Termination or Reduction of Revolving Credit Commitments.  The Borrower shall have the right, upon not less than three Business Days’ notice to the Administrative Agent, without premium or penalty, to terminate the Revolving Credit Commitments or, from time to time, to reduce the aggregate amount of the Revolving Credit Commitments; provided that no such termination or reduction of Revolving Credit Commitments shall be permitted if, after giving effect thereto and to any prepayments of the Revolving Credit Loans made on the effective date thereof, the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit would exceed the Total Revolving Credit Commitments.  Any such reduction shall be in an amount equal to $1,000,000, or a whole multiple thereof, and shall reduce permanently the Revolving Credit Commitments then in effect.
2.8.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 (but including breakage costs, if any, pursuant to Section 2.17), upon irrevocable notice delivered to the Administrative Agent no later than 11:00 A.M., New York City time, three Business Days prior thereto in the case of Eurodollar Loans and no later than 11:00 A.M., New York City time, one Business Day prior thereto in the case of Base Rate Loans, which notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment and whether such prepayment is of Eurodollar Loans or Base Rate 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 2.17.  Upon receipt of any such notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each relevant 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 Revolving Credit Loans that are Base Rate Loans) accrued interest to such date on the amount prepaid.  Partial prepayments of Revolving Credit Loans shall be in an aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple thereof.  
2.9.Conversion and Continuation Options.  (a)  The Borrower may elect from time to time to convert Eurodollar Loans to Base Rate Loans by giving the Administrative Agent at least one Business Day prior irrevocable notice of such election; provided that any such conversion of Eurodollar Loans may be made only on the last day of an Interest Period with respect thereto.  The Borrower may elect from time to time to convert Base Rate Loans to Eurodollar Loans by giving the Administrative Agent irrevocable notice of such election no later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, three Business Days prior thereto (which notice shall 






Exhibit 10.1



specify the length of the initial Interest Period therefor); provided that no Base Rate Loan may be converted into a Eurodollar Loan (i) 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 conversions or (ii) after the date that is one month prior to the final scheduled termination or maturity date of the Facility.  Upon receipt of any such notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender thereof.
(b)    The Borrower may elect to continue any Eurodollar Loan as such upon the expiration of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto by 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 Loan; provided that no Eurodollar Loan under the Facility may be continued as such (i) 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 or (ii) after the date that is one month prior to the final scheduled termination or maturity date of the Facility; 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 converted automatically to Base Rate 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.
2.10.Minimum Amounts and Maximum Number of Eurodollar Tranches.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, all borrowings, conversions, continuations and optional prepayments of Eurodollar Loans and all selections of Interest Periods 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.
2.11.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 applicable to such Eurodollar Loan plus the Applicable Margin with respect to Eurodollar Loans in effect for such day.
(b)Each Base Rate Loan shall bear interest for each day on which it is outstanding at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate in effect for such day plus the Applicable Margin with respect to Base Rate Loans in effect for such day.
(c)[Reserved]
(d)(i) If all or a portion of the principal amount of any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation shall not be paid when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), all outstanding Loans and Reimbursement Obligations (whether or not overdue)(to the extent legally permitted) shall bear interest at a rate per annum that is equal to (x) in the case of the Loans, the rate that would otherwise be applicable thereto pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section plus 2% or (y) in the case of Reimbursement Obligations, the rate applicable to Base Rate Loans (including the Applicable Margin) plus 2%, and (ii) if all 






Exhibit 10.1



or a portion of any interest payable on any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation or any commitment 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 Base Rate Loans (including the Applicable Margin) 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 (after as well as before judgment).
(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.
2.12.Computation of Interest and Fees.  (a)  Interest, fees and commissions payable pursuant hereto shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual days elapsed, except that, with respect to Base Rate Loans on which interest 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 Base Rate 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 2.11(a).
2.13.Inability to Determine Interest Rate.  If prior to the first day of any Interest Period:
(a)the Administrative Agent shall have reasonably determined (which determination shall be conclusive and binding upon the Borrower) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period, or
(b)the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Required Lenders that the Eurodollar Rate determined or to be determined for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (as conclusively certified by such Lenders) 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 Lenders as soon as practicable thereafter.  If such notice is given (x) any Eurodollar Loans requested to be made on the first day of such Interest Period shall be made as Base Rate Loans, (y) any Loans that were to have been converted on the first day of such Interest Period to Eurodollar Loans shall be continued as Base Rate Loans and (z) any outstanding Eurodollar Loans shall be converted, on the last day of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto, to Base Rate Loans.  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.
2.14.Pro Rata Treatment and Payments.  (a)  Each borrowing by the Borrower from the Lenders hereunder, each payment by the Borrower on account of any commitment fee or Letter of Credit Fee, and any reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitments of the Lenders, shall be made pro rata 






Exhibit 10.1



according to the Revolving Credit Percentages of the Lenders.  Each payment of interest in respect of the Loans and each payment in respect of fees payable hereunder shall be applied to the amounts of such obligations owing to the applicable Lenders pro rata according to the respective amounts then due and owing to such Lenders.
(b)Each payment (including each prepayment) by the Borrower on account of principal of the Revolving Credit Loans shall be made pro rata according to the respective outstanding principal amounts of the Revolving Credit Loans then held by the Revolving Credit Lenders.  Each payment in respect of Reimbursement Obligations in respect of any Letter of Credit shall be made to the Issuing Lender that issued such Letter of Credit.  
(c)The application of any payment of Loans under the Facility (including optional and mandatory prepayments) shall be made, first, to Base Rate Loans under the Facility and, second, to Eurodollar Loans under the Facility.  Each payment of the Loans (except in the case of Revolving Credit Loans that are Base Rate Loans) shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the date of such payment on the amount paid.
(d)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 relevant Lenders, at the Payment Office, in Dollars and in immediately available funds.  Any payment made by the Borrower after 12:00 Noon, New York City time, on any Business Day shall be deemed to have been on the next following Business Day.  Except as otherwise provided herein, if any payment hereunder becomes due and payable, or the performance of any covenant, duty or obligation is stated to be due or required, on a day other than a Business Day, such payment or performance 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.
(e)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 






Exhibit 10.1



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 greater of (i) the Federal Funds Effective Rate and (ii) a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, 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 after such Borrowing Date, the Administrative Agent shall also be entitled to recover such amount with interest thereon at the rate per annum applicable to Base Rate Loans under the Facility, on demand, from the Borrower.
(f)Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified in writing by the Borrower prior to the date of any payment due to be made by the Borrower 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 after such due 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 greater of (i) the Federal Funds Effective Rate and (ii) a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, for the period until such Lender makes such amount immediately available to the Administrative Agent.  Nothing herein shall be deemed to limit the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender against the Borrower.
(g)Subject to Section 2.21(a)(ii), upon receipt by the Administrative Agent of payments on behalf of Lenders, the Administrative Agent shall promptly distribute such payments to the Lender or Lenders entitled thereto, in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent.
(h)Failure to Satisfy Conditions Precedent.  If any Lender makes available to the Administrative Agent funds for any Loan to be made by such Lender as provided in the foregoing provisions of this Section 2, and such funds are not made available to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent because the conditions to the applicable extension of credit set forth in Section 5 are not satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms hereof, the Administrative Agent shall return such funds (in like funds as received from such Lender) to such Lender, without interest.
(i)Obligations of Lenders Several.  The obligations of the Lenders hereunder to make Loans and to fund participations in Letters of Credit are several and not joint.  The failure of any Lender to make any Loan or to fund any L/C Participation on any date required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do so on such 






Exhibit 10.1



date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to so make its Loan or to purchase its L/C Participation.
(j)Funding Source.  Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner.
2.15.Requirements of Law.  (a)    If the adoption of or any change in any Requirement of Law or in the interpretation, implementation 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 any Loan Document, any Letter of Credit, any Application or any 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 2.16 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 which such Lender deems to be material, of making, converting into, continuing or maintaining Loans or issuing or participating in Letters of Credit, 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 Section, 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.  For purposes of this clause (a) and clause (b) below, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a change in Requirement of Law regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.
(b)If any Lender shall have reasonably determined that the adoption of or any change in any Requirement of Law regarding capital adequacy or liquidity 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 or liquidity (whether or not 






Exhibit 10.1



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 or under or in respect of any Letter of Credit 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 or liquidity) 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 or such corporation 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)A certificate as to any additional amounts payable pursuant to this Section (and setting forth calculations in reasonable detail demonstrating the basis therefor) 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.
2.16.Taxes.  (a)  All payments made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower under any Loan Document 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 (except as required by Law), excluding taxes imposed on or measured by net income, franchise taxes and branch profits taxes, in each case (i) imposed on the Administrative Agent or any Lender as a result of the Administrative Agent or such Lender being organized under the Laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing the tax or (ii) 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’s or such Lender’s 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 any 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, including all such amounts applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.16) interest and all other amounts payable at the rates or in the amounts specified in the applicable Loan Documents; 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 or the Administrative Agent’s failure to comply with the requirements of paragraph (d) or (e) of this Section, as applicable, (ii) that are United States withholding taxes imposed on amounts payable 






Exhibit 10.1



to or for the account of such Lender at the time such 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 (a) or (iii) any U.S. federal withholding taxes imposed under FATCA.
(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 practicable thereafter the Borrower shall send to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Administrative Agent or 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.  The agreements in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.
(d)Each Lender (or Transferee) that is not a “U.S. Person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code (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 duly completed copies of either U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN, Form W-8BEN-E 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 duly completed statement substantially in the form of Exhibit E and a Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E, 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).  Any Non-U.S. Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by such recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Non-U.S. Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of any other form prescribed by applicable Law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable Law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made.  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. 






Exhibit 10.1



Lender is not legally able to deliver.  Any Lender that is a “U.S. Person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax.  In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by Borrower, shall deliver such other documentation as will enable the Borrower to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.16(d), the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than the Form W-8BEN, the Form W-8BEN-E, the Form W-8ECI, the statement provided in Exhibit E and the Form W-9 described in this Section 2.16(d) and the documentation described below in Section 2.16(g)) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.
(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 reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would not materially prejudice the legal position of such Lender.
(f)The Borrower shall, subject to the limitations provided in subclauses (i) through (iii) in the last sentence of Section 2.16(a), indemnify the Administrative Agent and each Lender, within 10 days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Non-Excluded Taxes and Other Taxes (including any Non-Excluded Taxes and Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) payable or paid by the Administrative Agent or such Lender or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to the Administrative Agent or such Lender and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority.  A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent or the applicable Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of such Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(g)If a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by Law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation 






Exhibit 10.1



prescribed by applicable Law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this Section 2.16(g), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.  For purposes of determining any withholding Tax imposed by FATCA, from and after the Closing Date, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall treat (and the Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent to treat) this Agreement as not qualifying as a “grandfathered obligation” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.1471-2(b)(2)(i).
2.17.Indemnity.  The Borrower agrees to indemnify each Lender for, 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 after the Borrower has given a notice thereof in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement or (c) the continuation, conversion, payment or prepayment of Eurodollar Loans on a day that is not the last day of an Interest Period with respect thereto (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise) or (d) the assignment of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period or maturity date applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.20.  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 (and setting forth calculations in reasonable detail demonstrating the basis therefor) 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.
2.18.Illegality.  Notwithstanding any other provision herein, if after the Closing Date the adoption of or any change in any Requirement of Law or in the interpretation or application thereof shall make it unlawful for any Lender to make or maintain Eurodollar Loans as contemplated by this Agreement, (a) the commitment of such Lender hereunder to make Eurodollar Loans, continue Eurodollar Loans as such and convert Base Rate Loans to Eurodollar Loans shall forthwith be suspended until such condition shall cease to exist and (b) such Lender’s Loans then outstanding as Eurodollar Loans, if any, shall be converted automatically to Base Rate Loans on the respective last days of the then current Interest Periods with 






Exhibit 10.1



respect to such Loans or within such earlier period as required by law.  If any such conversion of a Eurodollar Loan occurs on a day which is not the last day of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto, the Borrower shall pay to such Lender such amounts, if any, as may be required pursuant to Section 2.17.
2.19.Change of Lending Office.  Each Lender agrees that, upon the occurrence of any event giving rise to the operation of Section 2.15, 2.16(a) or 2.18 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 the Borrower or the rights of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.15, 2.16(a) or 2.18.
2.20.Replacement of Lenders under Certain Circumstances.  The Borrower shall be permitted to replace with a replacement financial institution any Lender that (a) requests compensation for amounts owing pursuant to Section 2.15 or if the Borrower is required to pay any Non-Excluded Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.15 or 2.16 or gives a notice of illegality pursuant to Section 2.18, (b) defaults in its obligation to make Loans hereunder (or is otherwise a Defaulting Lender) or (c) refuses to consent to any amendment, waiver or other modification of any Loan Document requested by the Borrower that requires the consent of all Lenders and such amendment, waiver or other modification is consented to by the Required Lenders; 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 2.19 so as to eliminate the continued need for payment of amounts owing pursuant to Section 2.15 or 2.16 or to eliminate the illegality referred to in such notice of illegality given pursuant to Section 2.18, (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 2.17 (as though Section 2.17 were applicable) if any Eurodollar 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 10.6 (provided that the Borrower shall be obligated to pay the registration and processing fee referred to therein), (viii) the Borrower shall pay all additional amounts (if any) required pursuant to Section 2.15 or 2.16, as the case may be, in respect of any period prior to the date on which such replacement shall be consummated, 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.






Exhibit 10.1



2.21.Defaulting Lenders.
(a)Adjustments.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as that Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable Law:
(i)Waivers and Amendments.  Such Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in Section 10.01.
(ii)Reallocation of Payments.  Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article VIII or otherwise, and including any amounts made available to the Administrative Agent by such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 10.07), shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows:  first, to the payment of any amounts owing by that Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Issuing Lender hereunder; third, if so determined by the Administrative Agent or requested by the Issuing Lender, to be held as Cash Collateral for future funding obligations of such Defaulting Lender of any participation in any Letter of Credit; fourth, as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; fifth, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to be held in a non-interest bearing deposit account and released in order to satisfy obligations of such Defaulting Lender to fund Loans under this Agreement; sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders or the Issuing Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender or the Issuing Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; seventh, so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrower against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and eighth, to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or L/C Obligations in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share and (y) such Loans or L/C Obligations were made at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 5.2 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of, and L/C Obligations owed to, all non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of, or L/C Obligations owed to, such Defaulting Lender.  Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 2.21(a)(ii) 






Exhibit 10.1



shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.
(iii)Certain Fees.  Such Defaulting Lender (x) shall not be entitled to receive any commitment fee pursuant to Section 2.6 for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and the Borrower shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to that Defaulting Lender) and (y) shall be limited in its right to receive Letter of Credit Fees as provided in Section 3.3.  If the Borrower Cash Collateralizes any portion of a Defaulting Lender’s L/C Obligations pursuant to Section 2.22(a), the Borrower shall not be required to pay any fees to such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 3.3 with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s L/C Obligations during the period such Defaulting Lender’s L/C Obligations are Cash Collateralized.
(iv)Reallocation of Applicable Percentages to Reduce Fronting Exposure.  During any period in which there is a Defaulting Lender, for purposes of computing the amount of the obligation of each non-Defaulting Lender to acquire, refinance or fund participations in Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 2.5, the “Applicable Percentage” of each non-Defaulting Lender shall be computed without giving effect to the Revolving Credit Commitment of that Defaulting Lender; provided, that, (i) each such reallocation shall be given effect only if, at the date the applicable Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, no Default or Event of Default exists; and (ii) the aggregate obligation of each non-Defaulting Lender to acquire, refinance or fund participations in Letters of Credit shall not exceed the positive difference, if any, of (1) the Revolving Credit Commitment of that non-Defaulting Lender minus (2) the aggregate outstanding amount of the Revolving Credit Loans of that Lender.
(b)Defaulting Lender Cure.  If the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, and the Issuing Lender  agree in writing in their sole discretion that a Defaulting Lender should no longer be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to any Cash Collateral), that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase that portion of outstanding Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Revolving Credit Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit to be held on a pro rata basis by the Lenders in accordance with their Applicable Percentages (without giving effect to Section 2.21(a)(iv)), whereupon that Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.






Exhibit 10.1





2.22.Cash Collateral.
(a)Certain Credit Support Events.  Upon the request of the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Lender if, as of the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, any L/C Obligation for any reason remains outstanding, the Borrower shall immediately Cash Collateralize the then outstanding amount of all L/C Obligations.  At any time that there shall exist a Defaulting Lender, immediately upon the request of the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Lender, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to cover all Fronting Exposure (after giving effect to Section 2.21(a)(iv) and any Cash Collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender).
(b)Grant of Security Interest.  All Cash Collateral (other than credit support not constituting funds subject to deposit) shall be maintained in blocked, non-interest bearing deposit accounts at Bank of America.  The Borrower, and to the extent provided by any Lender, such Lender, hereby grants to (and subjects to the control of) the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender and the Lenders, and agrees to maintain, a first priority security interest in all such cash, deposit accounts and all balances therein, and all other property so provided as collateral pursuant hereto, and in all proceeds of the foregoing, all as security for the obligations to which such Cash Collateral may be applied pursuant to Section 2.22(c).  If at any time the Administrative Agent determines that Cash Collateral is subject to any right or claim of any Person other than the Administrative Agent as herein provided, or that the total amount of such Cash Collateral is less than the applicable Fronting Exposure and other obligations secured thereby, the Borrower or the relevant Defaulting Lender will, promptly upon demand by the Administrative Agent, pay or provide to the Administrative Agent additional Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to eliminate such deficiency.
(c)Application.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Cash Collateral provided in respect of Letters of Credit shall be held and applied to the satisfaction of the specific L/C Obligations, obligations to fund participations therein (including, as to Cash Collateral provided by a Defaulting Lender, any interest accrued on such obligation) and other obligations for which the Cash Collateral was so provided, prior to any other application of such property as may be provided for herein.
(d)Release.  Cash Collateral (or the appropriate portion thereof) provided to reduce Fronting Exposure or other obligations shall be released promptly following (i) the elimination of the applicable Fronting Exposure or other obligations giving rise thereto (including by the termination of Defaulting Lender status of the applicable Lender (or, as appropriate, its assignee following compliance with Section 10.06(d)) or (ii) the Administrative Agent’s good faith determination that there exists excess Cash Collateral; provided, however, (x) that Cash Collateral furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower shall not be released during the continuance of a Default or Event of Default (and following application as provided in this Section 2.22 may be otherwise applied in accordance with Article 8), and (y) the Person providing Cash Collateral and the Issuing Lender may agree that Cash Collateral shall not be released but instead held to support future anticipated Fronting Exposure or other obligations.






Exhibit 10.1





SECTION 3.  LETTERS OF CREDIT
3.1.L/C Commitment.  (a)  Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Issuing Lender, in reliance on the agreements of the other Revolving Credit Lenders set forth in Section 3.4, agrees to issue sight letters of credit on a standby basis (the “Letters of Credit”) in support of the L/C Supportable Obligations for the account of the Borrower on any Business Day during the Revolving Credit Commitment Period in such form as may be approved from time to time by such Issuing Lender; provided, that no Issuing Lender shall have any obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if, after giving effect to such issuance, (i) the L/C Obligations would exceed the L/C Commitment or (ii) the aggregate amount of the Available Revolving Credit Commitments would be less than zero.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Issuing Lender shall have any obligation to issue any Letter of Credit on any date that is later than the Letter of Credit Expiration Date.  Each Letter of Credit shall (i) be denominated in Dollars and (ii) expire no later than the earlier of (x) the first anniversary of its date of issuance and (y) the date which is five Business Days prior to the Revolving Credit Termination Date; provided that any Letter of Credit may provide for the extension thereof for additional one year periods (which shall in no event extend beyond the date referred to in clause (y) above) (each, an “Auto-Extension Letter of Credit”); provided that any such Auto-Extension Letter of Credit must permit the Issuing Lender to prevent any such extension (commencing with the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit) by giving prior notice to the beneficiary thereof not later than a day (the “Non-Extension Notice Date”) to be agreed upon at the time such Letter of Credit is issued.  Unless otherwise directed by the Issuing Lender, the Borrower shall not be required to make a specific request to the Issuing Lender for any such extension.  Once an Auto-Extension Letter of Credit has been issued, the Revolving Credit Lenders shall be deemed to have authorized (but may not require) the Issuing Lender to permit the extension of such Letter of Credit at any time to an expiry date not later than the Letter of Credit Expiration Date; provided, however, that the Issuing Lender shall not permit any such extension if the Issuing Lender has determined that it would not be permitted, or would have no obligation at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its revised form (as extended) under the terms hereof (by reason of the provisos of this clause (a) or the provisions of clauses (b), (c) or (d) of this Section 3.1).  
(b)No Issuing Lender shall at any time be obligated to issue any Letter of Credit hereunder if (i) there shall have occurred and be continuing a Default or Event of Default shall exist or (ii) such issuance would conflict with, or cause such Issuing Lender or any L/C Participant to exceed any limits imposed by, any applicable Requirement of Law.
(c)So long as any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, no Issuing Lender shall be required to issue, amend or increase any Letters of Credit, unless it is satisfied that the related exposure and such Defaulting Lender’s then outstanding L/C Obligations will be 100% covered by the Revolving Credit Commitments of the non-Defaulting Lenders (by re-allocation among non-Defaulting Lenders (without the participation of such Defaulting Lender therein) as provided in Section 2.21(a)(iv)) and/or by Cash Collateral provided by such Defaulting Lender (and/or by the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.22(a)).
(d)No Issuing Lender shall be under any obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if:






Exhibit 10.1





(i)any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain the Issuing Lender from issuing the Letter of Credit, or any Law applicable to the Issuing Lender or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over the Issuing Lender shall prohibit, or request that the Issuing Lender refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or the Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon the Issuing Lender with respect to the Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which the Issuing Lender is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Closing Date, or shall impose upon the Issuing Lender any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Closing Date and which the Issuing Lender in good faith deems material to it; or
(ii)the issuance of the Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of the Issuing Lender applicable to letters of credit generally; or
(iii)the Letter of Credit contains any provisions for automatic reinstatement of the stated amount after any drawing thereunder. 
(e)No Issuing Lender shall be under any obligation to amend any Letter of Credit if:
(i)the Issuing Lender would have no obligation at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof; or 
(ii)the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit does not accept the proposed amendment to the Letter of Credit.
3.2.Procedure for Issuance of Letter of Credit.  The Borrower may from time to time request that an Issuing Lender issue a Letter of Credit by delivering to such Issuing Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) a Letter of Credit Request in the form of Exhibit G, attached hereto, accompanied by such other certificates, documents and other papers and other information as such Issuing Lender may request.  If the Issuing Lender shall so reasonably request, each Letter of Credit Request shall be accompanied by an Application; provided that if the Administrative Agent reasonably determines that such Application contains all information required with respect to a Letter of Credit, no Letter of Credit Request shall be necessary.  Upon receipt of any Letter of Credit Request, an Issuing Lender will process such request in accordance with its customary procedures.  The Issuing Lender, upon determining that it has received an acceptable Letter of Credit Request, that the terms and conditions of the requested Letter of Credit are acceptable to it and that the Administrative Agent has confirmed that such issuance would not cause (i) the L/C Obligations to exceed the L/C Commitment or (ii) the aggregate amount of the Available Revolving Credit Commitments to be less than zero, shall issue the Letter of Credit (but in no event shall any Issuing Lender be required to issue any Letter of Credit earlier than three Business Days after its receipt of a Letter of Credit Request).  The original of any Letter of Credit shall be delivered to the beneficiary thereof or as otherwise agreed to by the Borrower and the Issuing Lender.  Promptly after the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit, the Issuing Lender shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the 






Exhibit 10.1



Borrower, in writing, of such issuance or amendment and such notice shall be accompanied by a copy of such issuance or amendment.  Upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent shall notify each L/C Participant of such issuance or amendment, and if so requested by an L/C Participant, the Administrative Agent shall provide such L/C Participant with copies of such issuance or amendment.
3.3.Fees and Other Charges.  (a)  The Borrower will pay a fee to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Revolving Credit Lenders, on the daily aggregate drawable amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit at a per annum rate equal to the Applicable Margin then in effect with respect to Eurodollar Loans under the Revolving Credit Facility ( the “Letter of Credit Fee”), shared ratably among the Revolving Credit Lenders in accordance with their respective Revolving Credit Percentages and payable quarterly in arrears on each L/C Fee Payment Date after the issuance date; provided, however, any fees otherwise payable for the account of a Defaulting Lender with respect to any Letter of Credit as to which such Defaulting Lender has not provided Cash Collateral satisfactory to the Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 3.1(c) shall be payable, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable Law, to the other Lenders in accordance with the upward adjustments in their respective Applicable Percentages allocable to such Letter of Credit pursuant to Section 2.21(a)(iv), with the balance of such fee, if any, payable to the Borrower to the extent that the Borrower has provided Cash Collateral on account of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.22(a) and otherwise to the Issuing Lender for its own account; provided further that any fee payable to a Defaulting Lender shall be subject to Section 2.21(a)(iii).  In addition, except as otherwise agreed to between the relevant Issuing Lender and the Borrower, the Borrower shall pay to the relevant Issuing Lender for its own account a fronting fee on the aggregate drawable amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit issued by it of 0.125% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears on each L/C Fee Payment Date after the issuance date.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, while any of the events described in Section 8(f) shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to the Borrower, the Letter of Credit Fee shall accrue at a rate equal to the Applicable Margin plus 2% per annum.
(b)In addition to the foregoing fees, the Borrower shall pay or reimburse each Issuing Lender quarterly in arrears on each L/C Fee Payment Date for such reasonable, normal and customary costs and expenses as are incurred or charged by such Issuing Lender in issuing, effecting payment under, amending or otherwise administering any Letter of Credit.
3.4.L/C Participations.  (a)  Each Issuing Lender irrevocably agrees to grant and hereby grants to each L/C Participant, and, to induce each Issuing Lender to issue Letters of Credit hereunder, each L/C Participant irrevocably agrees to accept and purchase and hereby accepts and purchases from each Issuing Lender, on the terms and conditions hereinafter stated, for such L/C Participant’s own account and risk, an undivided interest equal to such L/C Participant’s Revolving Credit Percentage of each Issuing Lender’s obligations and rights under each Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender hereunder and the amount of each draft paid by such Issuing Lender thereunder.  Each L/C Participant unconditionally and irrevocably agrees with each Issuing Lender that, if a draft is paid under any Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender for which such Issuing Lender is not reimbursed in full by the Borrower in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, such L/C Participant shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Issuing Lender upon demand at the Funding Office (and thereafter the 






Exhibit 10.1



Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to such Issuing Lender) an amount equal to such L/C Participant’s Revolving Credit Percentage of the amount of such draft, or any part thereof, that is not so reimbursed.  Each L/C Participant’s obligation to pay such amount shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (i) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right that such L/C Participant may have against the Issuing Lender, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (ii) the occurrence or continuance of a Default or an Event of Default or the failure to satisfy any of the other conditions specified in Section 5, (iii) any adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower, (iv) any breach of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by the Borrower or any other L/C Participant or (v) any other circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing.  The failure of any L/C Participant to make any payment pursuant to this Section 3.4 shall not relieve any other L/C Participant of its obligation hereunder.
(b)If any amount (a “Participation Amount”) required to be paid by any L/C Participant to an Issuing Lender through the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 3.4(a) in respect of any unreimbursed portion of any payment made by such Issuing Lender under any Letter of Credit is paid to such Issuing Lender within three Business Days after the date such payment is due, such Issuing Lender shall so notify the Administrative Agent, which shall promptly notify the L/C Participants, and each L/C Participant shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of such Issuing Lender, on demand (and thereafter the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to such Issuing Lender) an amount equal to the product of (i) such Participation Amount, times (ii) the daily average Federal Funds Effective Rate during the period from and including the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to such Issuing Lender, times (iii) a fraction the numerator of which is the number of days that elapse during such period and the denominator of which is 360.  If any Participation Amount required to be paid by any L/C Participant pursuant to Section 3.4(a) is not made available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the relevant Issuing Lender by such L/C Participant within three Business Days after the date such payment is due, the Administrative Agent on behalf of such Issuing Lender shall be entitled to recover from such L/C Participant, on demand, such Participation Amount with interest thereon calculated from such due date at the rate per annum applicable to Base Rate Loans under the Revolving Credit Facility.  A certificate of the Administrative Agent submitted on behalf of an Issuing Lender to any L/C Participant with respect to any amounts owing under this Section shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.
(c)Whenever, at any time after an Issuing Lender has made payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from the Administrative Agent any  L/C Participant’s pro rata share of such payment in accordance with Section 3.4(a), such Issuing Lender receives any payment related to such Letter of Credit (whether directly from the Borrower or otherwise, including proceeds of collateral applied thereto by such Issuing Lender), or any payment of interest on account thereof, such Issuing Lender will distribute to the Administrative Agent for the account of such L/C Participant (and thereafter the Administrative Agent will promptly distribute to such L/C Participant) its pro rata share of such payment in accordance with Section 3.4(a), if the Administrative Agent received for the account of the Issuing Lender (whether directly from the Borrower or otherwise, including proceeds of any collateral applied thereto by the Administrative Agent) or any payment of interest on account thereof, the Administrative 






Exhibit 10.1



Agent will distribute to such L/C Participant its pro rata share thereof; provided, however, that in the event that any such payment received by such Issuing Lender shall be required to be returned by such Issuing Lender, such L/C Participant shall return to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Issuing Lender (and thereafter the Administrative Agent shall promptly return to such Issuing Lender) the portion thereof previously distributed by such Issuing Lender.
3.5.Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrower.  The Borrower agrees to reimburse each Issuing Lender, within one Business Day (or two Business Days if the Borrower and the Administrative Agent are notified on after 11:00 a.m. New York City time on such date) after the Business Day on which such Issuing Lender notifies the Borrower and the Administrative Agent of the date and amount of a draft presented under any Letter of Credit and paid by such Issuing Lender, for the amount of (a) such draft so paid and (b) any taxes, fees, charges or other costs or expenses incurred by such Issuing Lender in connection with such payment (the amounts described in the foregoing clauses (a) and (b) in respect of any drawing, collectively, the “Payment Amount”).  Each such payment shall be made to such Issuing Lender through the Administrative Agent in lawful money at its address for notices specified herein in lawful money of the United States of America and in immediately available funds.  Interest shall be payable on each Payment Amount from the date of the applicable drawing until payment in full at the rate set forth in (i) until the second Business Day following the date of the applicable drawing, Section 2.11(b) and (ii) thereafter, Section 2.11(c).  Each notice from an Issuing Lender of a drawing under any Letter of Credit shall (unless an event of the type described in clause (i) or (ii) of Section 8(f) shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to the Borrower, in which case the procedures specified in Section 3.4 for funding by L/C Participants shall apply) constitute a request by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent for a borrowing pursuant to Section 2.2 of Base Rate Loans in the amount of such drawing.  The Borrowing Date with respect to such borrowing shall be the first date on which a borrowing of Revolving Credit Loans could be made, pursuant to Section 2.2, if the Administrative Agent had received a notice of such borrowing at the time the Administrative Agent receives notice from the relevant Issuing Lender of such drawing under such Letter of Credit.
3.6.Obligations Absolute.  The Borrower’s obligations under this Section 3 shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances and irrespective of (i) any setoff, counterclaim or defense to payment that the Borrower may have or have had against any Issuing Lender, any beneficiary of a Letter of Credit or any other Person, (ii) any waiver by the Issuing Lender of any requirement that exists for the Issuing Lender’s protection or any waiver by the Issuing Lender which does not in fact materially prejudice the Borrower, (iii) honor of a demand for payment presented electronically even if such Letter of Credit requires that demand be in the form of a draft, any payment made by the Issuing Lender in respect of an otherwise complying item presented after the date specified as the expiration date of, or the date by which documents must be received under such Letter of Credit if presentation after such date is authorized by the UCC, the ISP or the UCP, as applicable or (iv) any payment by the Issuing Lender under such Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or certificate that does not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; or any payment made by the Issuing Lender under such Letter of Credit to any Person purporting to be a trustee in bankruptcy, debtor-in-possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors, liquidator, receiver or other representative of or successor to any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit, including any arising in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law.  The 






Exhibit 10.1



Borrower also agrees with each Issuing Lender that such Issuing Lender shall not be responsible for, and the Borrower’s Reimbursement Obligations under Section 3.5 shall not be affected by, among other things, the validity or genuineness of documents or of any endorsements thereon, even though such documents shall in fact prove to be invalid, fraudulent or forged, or any dispute between or among the Borrower and any beneficiary of any Letter of Credit or any other party to which such Letter of Credit may be transferred or any claims whatsoever of the Borrower against any beneficiary of such Letter of Credit or any such transferee.  No Issuing Lender shall be liable to the Borrower for any error, omission, interruption or delay in transmission, dispatch or delivery of any message or advice, however transmitted, in connection with any Letter of Credit, except for errors or omissions 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 Issuing Lender.  The Borrower, the Lenders and any other party hereto agree that any action taken or omitted by an Issuing Lender under or in connection with any Letter of Credit issued by it or the related drafts or documents, including the payment thereof, absent a finding of gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Issuing Lender as determined by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction, shall be binding on the Borrower, the Lenders and any other party hereto and shall not result in any liability of such Issuing Lender to the Borrower, the Lenders or any other party hereto.  Furthermore, no Issuing Lender shall be liable to the Borrower for the existence of any claim, counterclaim, setoff, defense or other right that the Borrower or any Subsidiary may have at any time against any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any such beneficiary or any such transferee may be acting), the Issuing Lender or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement or by such Letter of Credit, the transactions contemplated hereby or any agreement or instrument relating thereto, or any unrelated transaction or any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, including any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.  The Borrower shall promptly examine a copy of each Letter of Credit and each amendment thereto that is delivered to it and, in the event of any claim of noncompliance with the Borrower’s instructions or other irregularity, the Borrower will immediately notify the Issuing Lender.  The Borrower shall be conclusively deemed to have waived any such claim against the Issuing Lender and its correspondents unless such notice is given as aforesaid.
3.7.Letter of Credit Payments.  If any draft shall be presented for payment under any Letter of Credit, the relevant Issuing Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent of the date and amount thereof.  The responsibility of the relevant Issuing Lender to the Borrower in connection with any draft presented for payment under any Letter of Credit, in addition to any payment obligation expressly provided for in such Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender, shall be limited to determining that the documents (including each draft) delivered under such Letter of Credit in connection with such presentment appear on their face to be in conformity with such Letter of Credit.
3.8.Applications.  To the extent that any provision of any Application related to any Letter of Credit is inconsistent with the provisions of this Section 3, the provisions of this Section 3 shall apply.






Exhibit 10.1





3.9.Existing Letters of Credit.  The Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Revolving Credit Lenders and the Issuing Bank hereby acknowledge that on and as of the Closing Date the Existing Letters of Credit shall irrevocably be deemed to be Letters of Credit under this Agreement and all the provisions of this Agreement shall apply to the Existing Letters of Credit as being Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement by the relevant Issuing Bank, the whole without novation of all of the obligations of Borrower to each relevant Issuing Bank in respect of said Existing Letters of Credit.
3.10.Applicability of ISP and UCP; Limitation of Liability.  Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the Issuing Lender and the Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued (including any such agreement applicable to an Existing Letter of Credit), (i) the rules of the ISP shall apply to each standby Letter of Credit and (ii) the rules of the UCP shall apply to each commercial Letter of Credit.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuing Lender shall not be responsible to the Borrower for, and the Issuing Lender’s rights and remedies against the Borrower shall not be impaired by, any action or inaction of the Issuing Lender required or permitted under any law, order or practice that is required or permitted to be applied to any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, including the Law or any order of a jurisdiction where the Issuing Lender or the beneficiary is located, the practice stated in the ISP or UCP, as applicable, or in the decisions, opinions, practice statements or official commentary of the ICC Banking Commission, the Bankers Association for Finance and Trade - International Financial Services Association (BAFT-IFSA), or the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, whether or not any Letter of Credit chooses such law or practice.
SECTION 4.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
To induce the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to make the Loans and issue or participate in the Letters of Credit, the Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and each Lender that:
4.1.Financial Condition
(a)[Reserved.]
(b)The audited consolidated balance sheets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2015, and the related consolidated statements of income and of cash flows for the fiscal year ended on such date, reported on by and accompanied by a report from Deloitte & Touche LLP, a copy of which have heretofore been furnished to each Lender, present fairly the consolidated financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at such date, and the results of their operations and cash flows for the period then ended.  The unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of March 31, 2016, June 30, 2016 and September 30, 2016 and the related unaudited consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the three-month periods ended on such dates, copies of which have heretofore been furnished to the Administrative Agent, present fairly the consolidated financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at such dates, and the results of their operations and cash flows for the three-month periods then ended (subject to normal year‐end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes).  All such financial statements, including the related schedules and notes thereto, have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied consistently throughout the 






Exhibit 10.1



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 financial statements referred to in this paragraph or disclosed in SEC Reports filed prior to the date hereof.  During the period from September 30, 2016 to and including the date hereof there has been no Disposition by the Borrower of any material part of its business or Property except as has been expressly disclosed in SEC Reports filed prior to the date hereof.
4.2.No Change.  Since December 31, 2015 there has been no development or event that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect except as has been expressly disclosed in SEC Reports filed prior to the date hereof.
4.3.Corporate Existence; Compliance with Law.  Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (a) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (b) has the corporate or limited liability 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 or other organization 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 except to the extent to so qualify and be in good standing could not in the aggregate reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (and, in any event, the Borrower is duly qualified as a foreign corporation and in good standing under the laws of the States of Montana and South Dakota), 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.
4.4.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 to which it is a party and to borrow hereunder.  The Borrower has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which it is a party 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 the execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except (i) consents, authorizations, filings and notices described in Schedule 4.4, which consents, authorizations, filings and notices have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect, and (ii) consents, authorizations, filings or notices which, if not obtained, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  This Agreement has been, and each other Loan Document upon execution will be, 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).






Exhibit 10.1





4.5.No Legal Bar.  The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the issuance of Letters of Credit, the borrowings hereunder and the use of proceeds thereof will not violate any Requirement of Law or any Contractual Obligation of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than violations which in the aggregate could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and after taking into consideration all consents and waivers obtained by the Borrower) 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.
4.6.No Material Litigation.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.6 or disclosed in SEC Reports filed prior to the date of this Agreement, 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.
4.7.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.
4.8.Ownership of Property.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.8, each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has title in fee simple to, or a valid leasehold interest in, or other appropriate property rights in, all its material real property, and good title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all its other material Property.
4.9.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 for any such Intellectual Property that if it were not so owned or licensed 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, 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 for such claims and infringements that, in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.10.Taxes.  Each of the Borrower and its Material 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 amount the validity of which is currently being contested in good faith and with respect to which reserves in conformity with GAAP have been provided on the books of the Borrower or its Material Subsidiaries, as the case may be); and no tax Lien has been filed, and, to the knowledge of the Borrower, no claim is being asserted, with respect to any such tax, fee or other charge.






Exhibit 10.1





4.11.Federal Regulations.  The Borrower is not engaged in the business of extending credit for the purpose of “purchasing” 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, and no proceeds of any extension of credit hereunder will be used to “purchase” or “carry” any “margin stock” or to extend credit to others for the purpose of “purchasing” or “carrying” any “margin stock”, except in compliance with applicable law and regulations.
4.12.Labor Matters.  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 that (individually or in the aggregate) could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  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 that (individually or in the aggregate) could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  All payments due from the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries on account of employee health and welfare insurance that (individually or in the aggregate) could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect if not paid have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of the Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary.
4.13.ERISA.  Other than exceptions to any of the following that could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:  (a) neither a Reportable Event nor a failure to meet the minimum funding standard (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Sections 303 and 304 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 Single Employer Plan, and each Single Employer Plan has complied in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code; (b) no termination of a Single Employer Plan has occurred, and no Lien in favor of the PBGC or a Single Employer Plan has arisen, during such five-year period; (c) the present value of all accrued benefits under each Single Employer Plan (based on those assumptions used to fund such Single Employer 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 Single Employer Plan allocable to such accrued benefits by a material amount; (d) 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 (e) no such Multiemployer Plan is in Reorganization or Insolvent.
4.14.Investment Company Act; Other Regulations.  The Borrower is not an “investment company”, or a company “controlled” by an “investment company”, within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.14, the Borrower is not subject to regulation under any Requirement of Law (other than Regulation X of the Board) that limits its ability to incur Indebtedness under this Agreement.
4.15.Subsidiaries.  (a)  The Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 4.15 constitute all the Subsidiaries of the Borrower at the date hereof and each Material Subsidiary is indicated by an asterisk on Schedule 4.15.  Schedule 4.15 sets forth as of the date hereof the name and jurisdiction of incorporation of each Subsidiary and, as to each Subsidiary, the percentage of each class of Capital Stock owned by the Borrower.








Exhibit 10.1



(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 Subsidiary, except as disclosed on Schedule 4.15.
4.16.Environmental Matters.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.16 or disclosed in SEC Reports filed prior to the date hereof, other than exceptions to any of the following that could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:
(i)The Borrower and its Material Subsidiaries:  (A) are, and within the period of all applicable statutes of limitation have been, in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws; (B) hold all Environmental Permits (each of which is in full force and effect) required for any of their current or intended operations or for any property owned, leased, or otherwise operated by any of them; (C) are, and within the period of all applicable statutes of limitation have been, in compliance with all of their Environmental Permits; and (D) reasonably believe that:  each of their Environmental Permits will be timely renewed and complied with, without material expense; any additional Environmental Permits that may be required of any of them will be timely obtained and complied with, without material expense; and compliance with any Environmental Law that is or is expected to become applicable to any of them will be timely attained and maintained, without material expense.
(ii)Materials of Environmental Concern are not present at, on, under, in, or about any real property now or formerly owned, leased or operated by the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries, or at any other location (including any location to which Materials of Environmental Concern have been sent for re-use or recycling or for treatment, storage, or disposal) which could reasonably be expected to (A) give rise to liability of the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries under any applicable Environmental Law, or (B) interfere with the Borrower’s or any of its Material Subsidiaries’ continued operations, or (C) impair the fair saleable value of any real property owned or leased by the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries (excluding any use restrictions that may be applicable to any such real property as of the date hereof).
(iii)There is no judicial, administrative, or arbitral proceeding (including any notice of violation or alleged violation) under or relating to any Environmental Law to which the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries is, or to the knowledge of the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries will be, named as a party that is pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries, threatened.
(iv)Neither the Borrower nor any of its Material Subsidiaries has been notified that it is a potentially responsible party under or relating to the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, as 






Exhibit 10.1



amended or any similar Environmental Law, or with respect to any Materials of Environmental Concern.
(v)Neither the Borrower nor any of its Material Subsidiaries has entered into or agreed to any consent decree, order, or settlement or other agreement, or is subject to any judgment, decree, or order or other agreement, in any judicial, administrative, arbitral, or other forum for dispute resolution, the obligations of the Borrower and its Material Subsidiaries under which remain unsatisfied and unwaived (other than ongoing compliance obligations under any Environmental Law).
(vi)Neither the Borrower nor any of its Material Subsidiaries has assumed or retained, by contract or operation of law, any liabilities of any kind, fixed or contingent, known or unknown, under any Environmental Law or with respect to any Material of Environmental Concern.
4.17.Accuracy of Information, etc.  All information, reports and other papers and data (other than projections) furnished to the Lenders by the Borrower, or on behalf of the Borrower, and all SEC Reports were, in each case at the date thereof, complete and correct in all material respects, or have been subsequently supplemented by other information, reports or other papers or data, to the extent necessary to give the Lenders a true and accurate knowledge of the subject matter in all material respects.  All projections with respect to the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary, if furnished by the Borrower, were prepared and presented in good faith by the Borrower based upon facts and assumptions that the Borrower believed to be reasonable in light of current and foreseeable conditions, it being understood that projections are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of the Borrower and that no assurance can be given that the financial results set forth in such projections will actually be realized and the Borrower shall be under no obligation to update such projections.  No document furnished or statement made in writing to the Lenders by or on behalf of the Borrower in connection with the negotiation, preparation or execution of this Agreement and no SEC Report contained as of the date thereof any untrue statement of a material fact, or omitted to state any such material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein not misleading.
4.18.Solvency.  The Borrower is, and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby and the incurrence of all Indebtedness and obligations being incurred in connection herewith will be, Solvent.
4.19.Anti-Corruption; OFAC; Anti-Money Laundering.  
(a)Anti-Corruption.  None of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, or any director or officer thereof, nor, to the Borrower’s knowledge, any employee, Affiliate,  agent or representative of the Borrower or of any of its Subsidiaries, has, in the course of its actions for, or on behalf of, the Borrower or any such Subsidiary, directly or indirectly (i) used any corporate funds of the Borrower or any such Subsidiary for any contribution, gift, entertainment or other expenses relating to political activity, in each case, in violation of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, or any other applicable anti-bribery or corruption Law (each, 






Exhibit 10.1



an “Anti-Corruption Law”), (ii) made any direct or indirect payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee in violation of any applicable Anti- Corruption Law, (iii) violated or is in violation, in any material respect, of any provision of any applicable Anti-Corruption Law.
(b)OFAC.
(i)Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor, to the Borrower’s knowledge, any director, officer, employee agent, Affiliate or representative of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, is, or is owned or controlled by a Person that is: the subject of any sanctions administered or enforced by OFAC or any other applicable sanctions authority (collectively, “Sanctions”), 
(ii)Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is located or organized or operating in a country or region or territory that is the subject of Sanctions (including Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria).
(iii)The Borrower will not, directly or, to its knowledge, indirectly, use the proceeds of the Loans, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person to fund or facilitate any activities or business of or with any Person, or in any country or territory, that, at the time of such funding or facilitation, is the subject of Sanctions.
(c)Anti-Money Laundering. The operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in material compliance with all applicable Laws relating to terrorism or money laundering (collectively, the “Anti-Money Laundering Laws”), and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any Governmental Authority involving the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to any potential material violation of any Anti-Money Laundering Law is pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened.
SECTION 5.  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
5.1.Conditions to Closing Date.  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 on the Closing Date, of the following conditions precedent:
(a)Loan Documents.  The Administrative Agent shall have received this Agreement, executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of the Borrower and the other parties hereto (including each Lender under the Original Credit Agreement as either a “Continuing Lender” or an “Exiting Lender”).
(b)No Default or Event of Default.  There shall not exist (pro forma for the incurrence of the Facility) any Default or Event of Default.
(c)Approvals.  All governmental and third party approvals necessary or, in the reasonable discretion of the Joint Lead Arrangers, advisable in connection with the 






Exhibit 10.1



transactions contemplated hereby and the continuing operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall have been obtained and be in full force and effect, and all applicable waiting periods shall have expired without any action being taken or threatened by any competent authority that would restrain, prevent or otherwise impose materially adverse conditions on the financings contemplated hereby.
(d)Fees. (i) The Lenders, the Joint Lead Arrangers and the Administrative Agent shall have received all fees required to be paid, and all expenses required to be reimbursed for which invoices have been presented (including reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel to the Agents), on or before the Closing Date and (ii) the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders under the Original Credit Agreement, shall have received, on or before the Closing Date, all fees accrued to such date and payable to such Lenders in respect of the Revolving Credit Commitments and Extensions of Credit under the Original Credit Agreement (including all Letter of Credit Fees and Commitment Fees thereunder).  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, all fees required to be paid under the Fee Letters as of the Closing Date shall have been paid in full.  All such amounts will be paid with proceeds of Loans made on the Closing Date and will be reflected in the funding instructions given by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent on or before the Closing Date.
(e)Closing Certificate.  The Administrative Agent shall have received certificates of the Borrower, dated the Closing Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit B, with appropriate insertions and attachments.
(f)Good Standing. The Administrative Agent shall have received a copy of a certificate of good standing for the Borrower from the office of the secretary of state of the State of Delaware.
(g)Legal Opinions.  The Administrative Agent shall have received an executed legal opinion addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Joint Lead Arrangers from Timothy P. Olson, Senior Corporate Counsel and Corporate Secretary of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.
(h)PATRIOT Act, Etc. The Lenders shall have received, at least five Business Days prior to the Closing Date, all documentation and other information required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act.
5.2.Conditions to Each Extension of Credit or Increase of Revolving Credit Commitments.  The agreement of each Lender to make any extension of credit requested to be made by it hereunder on any date (including any extension of credit made on the Closing Date) or to increase the Revolving Credit Commitments hereunder are 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 the Loan Documents, other than those in Sections 4.2 and 4.6 (except to the extent applicable to an earlier date) shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of such date as if made on and as of such date.






Exhibit 10.1





(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 and issuance (or extension, or renewal) of a Letter of Credit (including an Auto-Extension Letter of Credit) on behalf of 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 5.2 have been satisfied.
		
	SECTION 6.  
	AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS


The Borrower hereby agrees that, so long as the Revolving Credit Commitments remain in effect, any Letter of Credit remains outstanding or any Loan or other Obligation is owing to any Lender or the Administrative Agent hereunder (other than any Obligation for indemnifications or reimbursements in respect of which no claim or demand for payment has been made), the Borrower shall and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to:
6.1.Financial Statements.  Furnish to the Administrative Agent (which shall make available such items to the Lenders):
(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 Subsidiaries as at the end of such year and the related audited consolidated statements of income and cash flows for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the actual figures as of the end of and for the previous year, reported on without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception, or qualification arising out of the scope of the audit, by Deloitte & Touche LLP or other independent certified public accountants of nationally recognized standing, provided that delivering to the Administrative Agent copies of the Borrower’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for such period shall satisfy the foregoing requirements; and
(b)as soon as available, but in any event not later than 45 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 Subsidiaries as at the end of such quarter and the related unaudited consolidated statements of income and 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 actual figures as of the end of and for the corresponding period in the previous year, certified by a Responsible Officer as being fairly stated in all material respects (subject to normal year‐end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes), provided that delivering to the Administrative Agent copies of the Borrower’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for such period shall satisfy the foregoing requirements; all such financial statements to be complete and correct in all material respects and to 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).  Information required to be delivered pursuant to the foregoing Section 6.1(a) and (b) or pursuant to Section 6.2(c) below shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date on which Borrower delivers electronic copies of such information to the Administrative Agent or on the date on which the Borrower provides notice (including notice by email) to the 






Exhibit 10.1



Administrative Agent (which notice the Administrative Agent will convey promptly to the Lenders) that such information has been posted on the SEC website on the Internet at sec.gov/edgar/searches.htm or at another website identified in such notice and accessible by the Lenders without charge; provided that (i) such notice may be included in a certificate delivered pursuant to Section 6.2(a) or (b) and (ii) the Borrower shall deliver paper copies of such information to the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent shall deliver paper copies of such information to any Lender that requests such delivery.
6.2.Certificates; Other Information.  Furnish to the Administrative Agent (which shall make available such items to the Lenders):
(a)concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Section 6.1(a), a certificate of the independent certified public accountants reporting on such financial statements stating that in making the examination necessary therefor no knowledge was obtained of any Default or Event of Default, except as specified in such certificate (it being understood that such certificate shall be limited to the items that independent certified public accountants are permitted to cover in such certificates pursuant to the professional standards and customs of their profession);
(b)concurrently with the delivery of any financial statements pursuant to Section 6.1, (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 and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party 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) a Compliance Certificate containing all information and calculations necessary for determining compliance by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries with the provisions 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;
(c)within five Business Days after the same are sent, copies of all reports that the Borrower sends to the holders of any class of its public equity securities and, within five Business Days after the same are filed, copies of all registration statements, SEC Reports and other material reports that the Borrower may file with the SEC;
(d)concurrently with the delivery thereof or promptly after receipt thereof, a copy of all notices of default by the Borrower under either Indenture; and
(e)promptly, such additional financial and other information (including any bondable capacity reports or information then available) as any Lender may, through the Administrative Agent, from time to time reasonably request.
6.3.Payment of Obligations.  Pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy at or before maturity or before they become delinquent, as the case may be, all its obligations of whatever nature, material to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, except where the amount or validity thereof is currently being contested in good faith and reserves in conformity with 






Exhibit 10.1



GAAP with respect thereto have been provided on the books of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, as the case may be.
6.4.Conduct of Business and Maintenance of Existence; Compliance.  (a)  (i) Preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its organizational 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 7.2 and except, in the case of clause (ii) above, to the extent that failure to do so could not, in the aggregate, 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.
6.5.Maintenance of Property; Insurance.  (a) Keep all material Property and systems useful and necessary in its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear and casualties excepted, (b) maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies insurance on all its material Property in at least such amounts and against at least such risks as are usually insured against in the same general area by companies engaged in the same or a similar business, and (c) except pursuant to Dispositions not prohibited hereby, maintain ownership, directly (and not through any Subsidiary), of all or substantially all of the businesses and assets of the Utility Business.
6.6.Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions.  (a) Keep proper books of records and accounts 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) upon reasonable prior notice, 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.
6.7.Notices.  Within five days after the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has knowledge of such event or circumstance under clause (a) below, within ten days after the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has knowledge of such event or circumstance under clause (b), (c) or (f) below, and within thirty days after the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has knowledge of such event or circumstance under clause (d) or (e) below, give notice to the Administrative Agent 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 Material Subsidiaries or (ii) litigation, investigation or proceeding which may exist at any time between the Borrower or any of its Material 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;






Exhibit 10.1





(c)any litigation or proceeding affecting the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries (i) in which the amount involved is $50,000,000 or more and not covered by insurance, (ii) in which injunctive or similar relief is sought which if such relief is obtained could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or (iii) which directly relates to any Loan Document;
(d)(i) the occurrence of any Reportable Event with respect to any Single Employer Plan, a failure to make any required contribution to a Single Employer Plan, the creation of any Lien in favor of the PBGC or a Single Employer 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 Single Employer Plan or Multiemployer Plan;
(e)any notice that any Governmental Authority may deny any application for a material Environmental Permit sought by, or revoke or refuse to renew any material Environmental Permit held by, the Borrower; and
(f)any development or event that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Each notice pursuant to this Section 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.  For purposes of this Section 6.7, the Borrower shall be deemed to have knowledge of an event or circumstance if (i) the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, treasurer, general counsel or any assistant general counsel has actual knowledge or receives written notice thereof or (ii) any other officer of the Borrower charged with responsibility for the matter that is the subject of such notice requirement knows or should have known that such notice was required.
6.8.Environmental Laws.  (a) Comply in all respects with, and ensure compliance in all respects by all tenants and subtenants, if any, with, all applicable Environmental Laws, and obtain and comply in all 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, except in any such case as such failure to comply or obtain would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b)Conduct and complete all material investigations, studies, sampling and testing, and all remedial, removal and other actions required under Environmental Laws.
6.9.Further Assurances.  From time to time execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, such additional instruments, certificates or documents, and take such actions, as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request for the purposes of implementing or effectuating the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.  Upon the exercise by the Administrative Agent or any Lender of any power, right, privilege or remedy pursuant to 






Exhibit 10.1



this Agreement or the other Loan Documents which requires any consent, approval, recording, qualification or authorization of any Governmental Authority, the Borrower will execute and deliver, or will cause the execution and delivery of, all applications, certifications, instruments and other documents and papers that the Administrative Agent or such Lender may be required to obtain from the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries for such governmental consent, approval, recording, qualification or authorization.
6.10.Use of Proceeds.  Use  proceeds of the Loans for general corporate purposes (including commercial paper support) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.  The Letters of Credit shall be used to support payment obligations of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries in each case incurred for general corporate purposes (including commercial paper support) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.
6.11.Credit Ratings.  Use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain ratings by each of Moody’s, Fitch and Standard & Poor’s with respect to the Facility.
SECTION 7.  NEGATIVE COVENANTS
The Borrower hereby agrees that, so long as the Revolving Credit Commitments remain in effect, any Letter of Credit remains outstanding or any Loan or other Obligation is owing to any Lender or the Administrative Agent hereunder (other than any Obligation for indemnifications or reimbursements in respect of which no claim or demand for payment has been made), the Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:
7.1.Consolidated Debt to Capitalization Ratio.  Permit the Consolidated Debt to Capitalization Ratio as of the end of any fiscal quarter to exceed 65.0%.
7.2.Limitation on Fundamental Changes.  Enter into any merger, consolidation or amalgamation, or liquidate, wind up or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution), Dispose of all or substantially all of its Property or business or, in the case of the Borrower, Dispose of all or substantially all of the South Dakota Utility Business or the Montana Utility Business, except that:
(a)any Subsidiary of the Borrower may be merged or consolidated with or into the Borrower (provided that the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving corporation); and
(b)any Subsidiary of the Borrower may Dispose of any or all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation, dissolution or otherwise) to the Borrower.
7.3.Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates.  Other than any transaction set forth on Schedule 7.3, 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 Affiliate (other than the Borrower and its Subsidiaries) unless such transaction is (a) in the ordinary course of business of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, and (b) upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as 






Exhibit 10.1



the case may be, than it would obtain in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate.
7.4.Limitation on Changes in Fiscal Periods.  Permit the fiscal year of the Borrower to end on a day other than December 31 or change the Borrower’s method of determining fiscal quarters.
7.5.Limitation on 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 Material Subsidiaries to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its Property or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, to secure the Obligations other than (a) this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (b) the Indentures, (c) 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 (d) any other agreement listed on Schedule 7.5.
7.6.Limitation on Restrictions on Subsidiary Distributions.  Enter into or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Material Subsidiary to (a) pay dividends or make distributions with respect to the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary held by the Borrower or any other Subsidiary or (b) make Investments in the Borrower or any other Subsidiary or (c) transfer any of its assets to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary, except for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of (i) any restrictions existing under the Loan Documents, (ii) any restrictions existing on the date hereof under the Indentures and (iii) any restrictions with respect to a Subsidiary imposed pursuant to an agreement that has been entered into in connection with the Disposition of all or substantially all of the Capital Stock or assets of such Subsidiary.
7.7.Limitation on Lines of Business.  Enter into any business, either directly or through any Subsidiary, except for those businesses in which the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are engaged on the date of this Agreement or that are reasonably related thereto.
SECTION 8.  EVENTS OF DEFAULT
If any of the following events shall occur and be continuing:
(a)(i) the Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation when due in accordance with the terms hereof, or (ii) the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation, or any other amount payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document, in the case of clause (ii), within five days after any such interest or other amount becomes due in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof; or
(b)any representation or warranty made or deemed made by the Borrower herein or in any other Loan Document 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 or any such other Loan Document shall prove to have been inaccurate in any material respect on or as of the date made or deemed made or furnished; or






Exhibit 10.1





(c)the Borrower shall default in the observance or performance of any agreement contained in clause (b)(iii) of Section 4.19 or clause (i) or (ii) of Section  6.4(a) (with respect to the Borrower only) or Section 7 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; or
(e)the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries shall (i) default in making any payment of any principal of, or interest on, any Indebtedness (including any Guarantee Obligation, but excluding the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations) beyond the period of grace, if any, provided in the instrument or agreement under which such Indebtedness was created; or (ii) 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 which 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 to become subject to a mandatory offer to purchase by the obligor thereunder 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) or (ii) 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) and (ii) of this paragraph (e) shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to Indebtedness the outstanding principal amount of which exceeds in the aggregate $50,000,000; or
(f)(i) the Borrower or any of its Material 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 a 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 or any of its Material Subsidiaries shall make a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or (ii) there shall be commenced against the Borrower or any of its Material 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 or any of its Material 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 or any of its Material 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 






Exhibit 10.1



Borrower or any of its Material 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 failure to meet the minimum funding standard (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Sections 303 and 304 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 in an involuntary or distress termination, (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 shall be 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 Material Subsidiaries involving for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole a liability (to the extent not covered by insurance as to which the relevant insurance company has acknowledged coverage) of $50,000,000 or more, and all such judgments or decrees shall not have been vacated, discharged, stayed or bonded pending appeal within 60 days from the entry thereof; or
(i)there shall occur an “Event of Default” under the South Dakota First Mortgage Indenture or a “Default” under the Montana First Mortgage Indenture; provided that the waiver or cure of such “Event of Default” under the South Dakota First Mortgage Indenture, or such “Default” under the Montana First Mortgage Indenture, as the case may be, and the rescission and annulment of the consequences thereof under such Indenture will constitute a cure of the corresponding Event of Default hereunder and a rescission or annulment of the consequences thereof; or
(j)any Change of Control shall occur;
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 Revolving Credit 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 Revolving Credit Commitments to be terminated forthwith, whereupon the Revolving Credit Commitments shall immediately 






Exhibit 10.1



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.  In the case of all Letters of Credit with respect to which presentment for honor shall not have occurred at the time of an acceleration pursuant to this paragraph, the Borrower shall at such time Cash Collateralize an amount equal to the aggregate then undrawn and unexpired face amount of such Letters of Credit.  The Cash Collateral shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to the payment of drafts drawn under such Letters of Credit, and the unused portion thereof after all such Letters of Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn upon, if any, shall be applied to repay other obligations of the Borrower hereunder and under the other Loan Documents.  After all such Letters of Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn upon, all Reimbursement Obligations shall have been satisfied and all other obligations of the Borrower hereunder and under the other Loan Documents shall have been paid in full, the balance, if any, of the Cash Collateral shall be returned to the Borrower (or such other Person as may be lawfully entitled thereto).
		
	SECTION 9.  
	THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT


9.1.Appointment.  Each Lender hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Administrative Agent (for the purposes of this Section 9, the term “Administrative Agent” shall also include any Issuing Lender acting in its capacity as such) as the agent of such Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and each 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.
9.2.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.
9.3.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 






Exhibit 10.1



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.
9.4.Reliance by the 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 such Note shall have been transferred in accordance with Section 10.6 and all actions required by such Section in connection with such transfer shall have been taken.  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 or any other instructing group of Lenders specified by this Agreement) 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 or any other instructing group of Lenders specified by this Agreement), 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.
9.5.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 it shall have received written 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 shall receive 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 or any other instructing group of Lenders specified by this Agreement); 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.
9.6.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 






Exhibit 10.1



it and that no act by the Administrative Agent hereafter 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.
9.7.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 Revolving Credit 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), for, and to save the Administrative Agent harmless 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 (including at any time following 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 Revolving Credit 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 such 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.
9.8.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 or any of its Subsidiaries as though the Administrative Agent were not an Administrative Agent.  With respect to its Loans made or renewed by it and with respect to any 






Exhibit 10.1



Letter of Credit issued or participated in 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 an agent hereunder and the terms “Lender” and “Lenders” shall include the Administrative Agent in its individual capacity.
9.9.Successor Agents.  The Administrative Agent may resign as Administrative Agent upon 10 days’ notice to the Lenders and the Borrower.  If the Administrative Agent shall resign as Administrative Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, 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 8(a) or Section 8(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 10 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 such agent hereunder, the provisions of this Section 9 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it (i) while it was an agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (ii) after such resignation or removal for as long as it continues to act in any capacity hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, including (a) holding any collateral security on behalf of any of the Lenders and (b) in respect of any actions taken in connection with transferring the agency to any successor Administrative Agent.
9.10.The Joint Lead Arrangers; the Syndication Agent; the Co-Documentation Agents.  Neither the Joint Lead Arrangers, the Syndication Agent nor the Co-Documentation Agents, in their respective capacities as such, shall have any duties or responsibilities, and shall incur no liability, under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
SECTION 10.  MISCELLANEOUS
10.1.Amendments and Waivers.  Neither this Agreement or 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 10.1.  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 and to the other Loan Documents (including amendments and restatements hereof or thereof) for the purpose of adding any provisions to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or changing in any manner the rights of the Lenders or of the Borrower hereunder or thereunder or (b) waive, on such terms and conditions as may be specified in the instrument of waiver, any of the requirements of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or any Default 






Exhibit 10.1



or Event of Default and its consequences; provided, however that no such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification shall be effective until notice has been provided to the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 10.2 of this Agreement; provided, further, that the Administrative Agent may, with the consent of the Borrower only and without the need to obtain the consent of any Lender, amend, supplement or modify this Agreement or any other Loan Document to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency, so long as such amendment, supplement or modification does not adversely affect the rights of any Lender; provided, further, that no such waiver and no such amendment, supplement or modification shall, without the consent of the requisite Lenders specified below:
(i)forgive the principal amount or extend the final scheduled date of maturity of any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation, reduce the stated rate of any interest or fee payable under this Agreement (except (x) in connection with the waiver of applicability of any post-default increase in interest rates (which waiver shall be effective with the consent of the Required Lenders and (y) that any amendment or modification of defined terms used in the financial covenants in this Agreement shall not constitute a reduction in the rate of interest or fees for purposes of this clause (i)) or extend the scheduled date of any payment thereof, or increase the amount or extend the expiration date of any Revolving Credit Commitment of any Lender, in each case without the consent of each Lender directly affected thereby;
(ii)amend, modify or waive any provision of this Section, reduce any percentage specified in the definition of Required Lenders or 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 the Lenders;
(iii)amend, modify or waive any condition precedent to any extension of credit under the Revolving Credit Facility set forth in Section 5.2 (including the waiver of an existing Default or Event of Default required to be waived in order for such extension of credit to be made) without the consent of the Required Lenders;
(iv)reduce the percentage specified in the definition of Required Lenders without the consent of all of the Lenders;
(v)amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 9, or any other provision affecting the rights, duties or obligations of any Agent, without the consent of any Agent directly affected thereby;
(vi)amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 2.14 or 10.7 without the consent of each Lender directly affected thereby; 
(vii)amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 3 (or Annex B) without the consent of each Issuing Lender affected thereby; 






Exhibit 10.1





(viii)impose restrictions on assignments and participations that are more restrictive than, or additional to, those set forth in Section 10.6 without the consent of all the Lenders; or
(ix)except as provided in Section 2.21, change any provision hereof in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required by Section 2.14, without the written consent of each Lender whose pro rata share could otherwise be reduced thereby.
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.  Any such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification shall be effected by a written instrument signed by the parties required to sign pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section; provided, that delivery of an executed signature page of any such instrument by facsimile or email transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart thereof.
For the avoidance of doubt, this Agreement and any other Loan Document may be amended (or amended and restated) with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (x) to add one or more additional credit facilities to this Agreement and to permit the extensions of credit from time to time outstanding thereunder and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof (collectively, the “Additional Extensions of Credit”) to share ratably in the benefits of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with the Revolving Extensions of Credit and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof and (y) to include appropriately the Lenders holding such credit facilities in any determination of the Required Lenders.
For the avoidance of doubt, an increase in the Revolving Credit Commitments pursuant to Section 2.1(b) shall not be deemed an amendment, modification or supplement to this Agreement.
10.2.Notices.  All notices, requests and demands to or upon the respective parties hereto to be effective shall be in writing (including by telecopy or electronic communication), 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 or electronic communication, when received, addressed (i) in the case of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, as set forth below, (ii) in the case of the Lenders, as set forth in an administrative questionnaire delivered to the Administrative Agent or, in the case of a Lender which becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance, in such Assignment and Acceptance and (iii) in the case of any party, to such other address as such party may hereafter notify to the other parties hereto:






Exhibit 10.1



	
		
	The Borrower:
	Northwestern Corporation
3010 West 69th Street
Sioux Falls, South Dakota  57108
Attention:  Chief Financial Officer
Telephone:  (605) 978-2909
Email:  brian.bird@northwestern.com

	with a copy to:
	Northwestern Corporation
208 N Montana Avenue, Suite 205
Helena, Montana  59601
Attention:  General Counsel
Telephone:  (406) 443-8958
Email: heather.grahame@northwestern.com

	The Administrative Agent:
	Gerund Diamond
Agency Management
Mail Code:  IL4-135-09-61 
Telephone:  (312) 992-8588 
Facsimile:  (312) 453-3635 
Email:  gerund.diamond@baml.com

	Issuing Lender:
	As notified by such Issuing Lender to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower




provided that any notice, request or demand to or upon the any Agent, any Issuing Lender or any Lender shall not be effective until received.
Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communications (including email, FpML messaging, and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices pursuant to Section 2 unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lender.  The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its reasonable discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.
The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to make available to the Lenders materials and/or information provided by, or on behalf of, the Borrower hereunder (collectively, the “Borrower Materials”) by posting the Borrower Materials on Intralinks, Syndtrak, ClearPar, or a substantially similar electronic transmission system (the “Platform”) and (b) certain of the Lenders (each, a “Public Lender”) may have personnel who do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its Affiliates, or the respective securities of any of the foregoing, and who may be engaged in investment and other market-related activities with respect to such Persons’ securities.  The Borrower hereby agrees that (w) all Borrower Materials that are to be made 






Exhibit 10.1



available to Public Lenders shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC,” the Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers, the L/C Participants and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States Federal and state securities laws (provided, however, that to the extent such Borrower Materials contain non-public information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 10.14); (y) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Side Information;” and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Arranger shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated “Public Side Information.”  
THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.” NEITHER THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT NOR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES WARRANTS THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM AND EACH EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS LIABILITY FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN THE BORROWER MATERIALS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NONINFRINGEMENT OF THIRD-PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS IS MADE BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES IN CONNECTION WITH THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE PLATFORM. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO ANY LENDER OR ANY OTHER PERSON FOR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER OR NOT BASED ON STRICT LIABILITY AND INCLUDING DIRECT OR INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOSSES OR EXPENSES (WHETHER IN TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF ANY LENDER’S OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT’S TRANSMISSION OF BORROWER MATERIALS THROUGH THE INTERNET, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THE LIABILITY OF ANY SUCH PERSON IS FOUND IN A FINAL RULING BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION TO HAVE RESULTED FROM SUCH PERSON’S GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT.
10.3.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.
10.4.Survival of Representations and Warranties.  All representations and warranties made herein, in the other Loan Documents 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.






Exhibit 10.1





10.5.Payment of Expenses.  The Borrower agrees (a) to pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent for all its reasonable and documented or invoiced out‐of‐pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the syndication of the Facilities (including legal expenses (but limited to expenses of one legal counsel and, if reasonably necessary or advisable, of one regulatory counsel and a single local counsel in any relevant jurisdiction )) (other than fees payable to syndicate members) and 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 and other charges of counsel to the Administrative Agent and the charges of Intralinks, (b) to pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent and any Issuing Lender and, if incurred during the continuance of an Event of Default, each Lender for all their costs and expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement or preservation of any rights under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any other documents prepared in connection herewith or therewith, including the fees and disbursements of counsel to such Person (including the allocated fees and disbursements and other charges of in-house counsel, but otherwise limited to expenses of one legal counsel and, if reasonably necessary or advisable, of one regulatory counsel and a single local counsel in any relevant jurisdiction for all such Persons unless, in the reasonable opinion of any such Person, representation of all such Persons by such counsel would be inappropriate due to the existence of an actual or potential conflict of interest), (c) to pay, indemnify, or reimburse each Lender, each Issuing Lender and the Administrative Agent for, and hold each Lender, each Issuing 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, which 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 or reimburse each Lender, each Issuing Lender, each Agent, their respective Affiliates, successors and assigns, and their respective officers, directors, trustees, employees, advisors, agents, controlling persons and members (each, an “Indemnitee”) for, and hold each 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 incurred by an Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party or by the Borrower arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (and in each case regardless of whether such matter is initiated by a third party or by the Borrower or any of their respective Affiliates or equity holders) (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto or thereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by any Issuing Bank to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Materials of Environmental Concern on or from any property owned, occupied or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any liability related to any Environmental Law related in any way to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties, or (iv) any actual or 






Exhibit 10.1



prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by any third party or by the Borrower, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto (all the foregoing in this clause (d), collectively, the “Indemnified Liabilities”); provided that no Indemnitee will be indemnified for any claim, loss, damage, liability or expense to the extent the same resulted from (A) the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the respective Indemnitee, any of its Affiliates or their respective officers, directors, trustees, employees, advisors, agents, controlling persons and members (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable judgment), (B) any claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding solely between or among Indemnified Persons other than actions against the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers or other persons acting in an agency or similar role in their capacity as such (and which does not involve an act or omission of the Borrower or any of its affiliates) and (C) any legal expenses in excess of the expenses of one legal counsel and, if reasonably necessary or advisable, of one regulatory counsel and a single local counsel in any relevant jurisdiction for all Indemnitees unless, in the reasonable opinion of an Indemnitee, representation of all Indemnitees by such counsel would be inappropriate due to the existence of an actual or potential conflict of interest.  No Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unauthorized persons of information, data, reports or other materials sent through electronic, telecommunications or other information transmission systems that are intercepted by such persons (unless it is finally judicially determined that such interception was directly a result of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee) or for any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages in connection with the Facilities.  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 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 shall be payable not later than 30 days after written demand therefor.  Statements payable by the Borrower pursuant to this Section shall be submitted to its Chief Financial Officer (Brian Bird) (Telephone: (605) 978-2909; Email:  brian.bird@northwestern.com), at the address of the Borrower set forth in Section 10.2, or to such other Person or address as may be hereafter designated by the Borrower in a notice to the Administrative Agent.  The agreements in this Section shall survive repayment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.
10.6.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 the Administrative Agent and each Lender.
(b)Any Lender may, in the ordinary course of its business, 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 Revolving Credit Commitment 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 






Exhibit 10.1



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 or other amounts payable hereunder, in each case to the extent subject to such participating interest, or postpone any date fixed for any payment of principal of, or interest on, the Loans or any fees or other amounts payable hereunder, in each case to the extent subject to such participating interest.  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 10.7(a) as fully as if such Participant were a Lender hereunder.  The Borrower also agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits and subject to the obligations of Sections 2.15, 2.16 and 2.17 with respect to its participation in the Revolving Credit Commitments and the Loans outstanding from time to time as if such Participant were a Lender or Assignee under Section 10.6(c); provided that, in the case of Section 2.16, such Participant shall have complied with the requirements of said Section; and provided, further, that (A) such Participant agrees to be subject to the provisions of Section 2.19 and 2.20 as if it were an Assignee under Section 10.6(c) and(B) 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.  Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant's interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations.  The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary.  For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register. 
(c)Any Lender (an “Assignor”) may, in accordance with applicable law and upon written notice to the Administrative Agent, at any time and from time to time assign to any 






Exhibit 10.1



Lender or any Affiliate or Related Fund of a Lender or, with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and, in the case of any assignment of Revolving Credit Commitments, the written consent of the Issuing Lender (which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) (provided that no consent from the applicable parties need be obtained by any Bank of America Entity in its capacity as Assignor (other than, solely in the case of any assignment of Revolving Credit Commitments, the consent of the Issuing Lender (which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed)), to an additional bank, financial institution or other entity (an “Assignee”) all or any part of its rights and obligations under this Agreement pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance, substantially in the form of Exhibit D, executed by such Assignee and such Assignor (and, where the consent of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Lender is required pursuant to the foregoing provisions, by the Borrower and such other Persons) and delivered to the Administrative Agent for its acceptance and recording in the Register; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated may, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower or any other Person, assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any other registered broker-dealer wholly-owned by any Bank of America Entity to which all or substantially all of Bank of America’s or any of its subsidiaries’ investment banking, commercial lending services or related businesses may be transferred following the date of this Agreement; provided further that with respect to assignments of Revolving Credit Commitments, no such assignment to an Assignee (other than any Lender or any Affiliate or Related Fund thereof) shall be in an aggregate principal amount of less than $5,000,000 (other than in the case of an assignment of all of a Lender’s interests under this Agreement) and, after giving effect thereto, such Assignor shall have Revolving Credit Commitments and Revolving Credit Loans aggregating at least $5,000,000 (if holding any), unless otherwise agreed by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.  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 Revolving Credit 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, except as to Section 2.15, 2.16 and 10.5 in respect of the period prior to such effective date).  Notwithstanding any provision of this Section, the consent of the Borrower shall not be required for any assignment that occurs at any time when any Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.  For purposes of the minimum assignment amounts and minimum hold amounts set forth in this paragraph, multiple assignments to or by two or more Related Funds shall be aggregated.
(d)No such assignment shall be made (i) to the Borrower or any of the Borrower's Affiliates or Subsidiaries or (ii) to any Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing Persons described in this clause (ii).
(e)No such assignment shall be made to a natural Person. 
(f)In connection with any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder, no such assignment shall be effective unless and until, in addition 






Exhibit 10.1



to the other conditions thereto set forth herein, the parties to the assignment shall make such additional payments to the Administrative Agent in an aggregate amount sufficient, upon distribution thereof as appropriate (which may be outright payment, purchases by the assignee of participations or subparticipations, or other compensating actions, including funding, with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, the applicable pro rata share of Loans previously requested but not funded by the Defaulting Lender, to each of which the applicable assignee and assignor hereby irrevocably consent), to (x) pay and satisfy in full all payment liabilities then owed by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder (and interest accrued thereon) and (y) acquire (and fund as appropriate) its full pro rata share of all Loans and participations in Letters of Credit in accordance with its Applicable Percentage.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder shall become effective under applicable Law without compliance with the provisions of this paragraph, then the assignee of such interest shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender for all purposes of this Agreement until such compliance occurs.
(g)The Administrative Agent shall, on behalf of the Borrower, maintain at its address referred to in Section 10.2 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 Revolving Credit Commitment of, and 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 such 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).  The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower or any Lender (with respect to any entry relating to such Lender’s Loans) at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
(h)Upon its receipt of an Assignment and Acceptance executed by an Assignor and an Assignee (and, in any case where the consent of any other Person is required by Section 10.6(c), by each such other Person) together with payment by the applicable Assignor or Assignee to the Administrative Agent of a registration and processing fee of $3,500 (treating multiple, simultaneous assignments by or to two or more Related Funds as a single assignment) (except that no such registration and processing fee shall be payable (y) in connection with an assignment by or to a Bank of America Entity or (z) in the case of an Assignee which is already a Lender or is an affiliate or Related Fund of a Lender or a Person under common management with a Lender), the Administrative Agent shall (i) promptly accept such Assignment and Acceptance and (ii) on the effective date determined pursuant thereto record the information contained therein in the Register and give notice of such acceptance and recordation to the Borrower.  The Borrower, at its own expense, promptly upon receipt of a request by the Administrative Agent, shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent (in exchange for the Revolving Credit Note of the assigning Lender) a new Revolving Credit Note to the order of such Assignee in an amount equal to the Revolving Credit Commitment assumed or acquired by it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance and, if the Assignor has retained a Revolving Credit Commitment, upon request, a new Revolving Credit Note to the order of the Assignor in an amount equal to the Revolving Credit Commitment retained by it hereunder.  Such new Note or 






Exhibit 10.1



Notes shall be dated the effective date of the relevant assignment and shall otherwise be in the form of the Note or Notes replaced thereby.
(i)For avoidance of doubt, the parties to this Agreement acknowledge that the provisions of this Section concerning assignments of Loans and Notes relate only to absolute assignments and that such provisions do not prohibit assignments creating security interests in Loans and Notes, including any pledge or assignment by a Lender of any Loan or Note to any Federal Reserve Bank in accordance with applicable law.
(j)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Lender (a “Granting Lender”) may grant to a special purpose funding vehicle (an “SPC”), identified as such in writing from time to time by the Granting Lender to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, the option to provide to the Borrower all or any part of any Loan that such Granting Lender would otherwise be obligated to make to the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement; provided that (i) nothing herein shall constitute a commitment by any SPC to make any Loan and (ii) if an SPC elects not to exercise such option or otherwise fails to provide all or any part of such Loan, the Granting Lender shall be obligated to make such Loan pursuant to the terms hereof.  The making of a Loan by an SPC hereunder shall utilize the Revolving Credit Commitment of the Granting Lender to the same extent, and as if, such Loan were made by such Granting Lender.  Each party hereto hereby agrees that no SPC shall be liable for any indemnity or similar payment obligation under this Agreement (all liability for which shall remain with the Granting Lender).  In furtherance of the foregoing, each party hereto hereby agrees (which agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement) that, prior to the date that is one year and one day after the payment in full of all outstanding commercial paper or other indebtedness of any SPC, it will not institute against, or join any other person in instituting against, such SPC any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceedings under the laws of the United States or any state thereof.  In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 10.6(g), any SPC may (A) with notice to, but without the prior written consent of, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and without paying any processing fee therefor, assign all or a portion of its interests in any Loans to the Granting Lender, or with the prior written consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) to any financial institutions providing liquidity and/or credit support to or for the account of such SPC to support the funding or maintenance of Loans, and (B) disclose on a confidential basis any non-public information relating to its Loans to any rating agency, commercial paper dealer or provider of any surety, guarantee or credit or liquidity enhancement to such SPC; provided that non-public information with respect to the Borrower may be disclosed only with the Borrower’s consent which will not be unreasonably withheld.  This paragraph (f) may not be amended without the written consent of any SPC with Loans outstanding at the time of such proposed amendment.
10.7    Adjustments; Set‐off.  (a)  Except to the extent that this Agreement provides for payments to be allocated to a particular Lender or to the Lenders under a particular Facility; and except as expressly provided herein with respect to Defaulting Lenders, if any Lender (a “Benefitted Lender”) shall at any time receive any payment of all or part of the Obligations owing to it, or receive any collateral in respect thereof (whether voluntarily or involuntarily, by set‐off, pursuant to events or proceedings of the nature referred to in Section 8(f), or otherwise), in a greater proportion than any such payment to or collateral 






Exhibit 10.1



received by any other Lender, if any, in respect of such other Lender’s Obligations, such Benefitted Lender shall purchase for cash from the other Lenders a participating interest in such portion of each such other Lender’s Obligations, or shall provide such other Lenders with the benefits of any such collateral, as shall be necessary to cause such Benefitted Lender to share the excess payment or benefits of such collateral ratably with each of the Lenders; provided, however, that if all or any portion of such excess payment or benefits is thereafter recovered from such Benefitted Lender, such purchase shall be rescinded, and the purchase price and benefits returned, to the extent of such recovery, but without interest.
(b)    Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, in addition to any rights and remedies of the Lenders provided by law, each Lender, including each Issuing 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, agency or Affiliate thereof to or for the credit or the account of  the Borrower.  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; provided, further, that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.22 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff.
10.8    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 or email 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.
10.9    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.
10.10    Integration.  This Agreement, the Fee Letters and the other Loan Documents represent the entire agreement of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers and the Lenders with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and there are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by any Joint Lead Arrangers, the 






Exhibit 10.1



Administrative Agent or any Lender relative to subject matter hereof not expressly set forth or referred to herein or in the other Loan Documents.
10.11    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.
10.12    Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers.  The Borrower, each Lender and the Administrative Agent 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 to which it is a party, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York, the courts of the United States of America for the Southern District of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, 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 such party at its address set forth in Section 10.2 or at such other address of which the other parties hereto 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.
10.13    No Fiduciary Duty.  Each Agent, each Lender and their respective Affiliates (collectively, solely for purposes of this paragraph, the “Lender Parties”), may have economic interests that conflict with those of the Borrower, its stockholders or their respective Affiliates.  The Borrower agrees that nothing in the Loan Documents will be deemed to create an advisory, fiduciary or agency relationship or fiduciary or other implied duty between any Lender Party, on the one hand, and the Borrower, its Affiliates or their respective stockholders, on the other.  The Borrower acknowledges and agrees that (a) the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents (including the exercise of rights and remedies hereunder and thereunder) are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Lender Parties, on the one hand, and the Borrower, on the other, and (b) in connection therewith and with the process leading thereto, (ii) no Lender Party has assumed an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Borrower, its Affiliates or their respective stockholders, in each case, with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby (or the exercise of rights or remedies with respect thereto) or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether any Lender has advised, is currently advising or will 






Exhibit 10.1



advise the Borrower, its stockholders or their respective Affiliates on other matters) except the obligations expressly set forth in the Loan Documents and (y) each Lender Party is acting solely as principal and not as the agent or fiduciary of the Borrower, its management, stockholders, creditors or any other Person.  The Borrower acknowledges and agrees that it has consulted its own legal and financial advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate and that it is responsible for making its own independent judgment with respect to such transactions contemplated hereby and the process leading thereto.  The Borrower agrees that it will not claim that any Lender Party has rendered advisory services of any nature or respect, or owes a fiduciary or similar duty to the Borrower, in connection with such transactions contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto.  The Borrower acknowledges no joint venture is created hereby or by the other Loan Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby among the Joint Lead Arrangers, the Agents and the Lenders or among the Borrower and the Lender Parties.
10.14    Confidentiality.  The Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders agrees to keep confidential all non-public information provided or made available to it by, or on behalf of, the Borrower in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby; provided that nothing herein shall prevent the Administrative Agent or any Lender from disclosing any such information (a) to any Joint Lead Arrangers, the Administrative Agent, any other Lender or any Affiliate of any thereof, (b) to any Participant or Assignee (each, a “Transferee”) or prospective Transferee that agrees to comply with the provisions of this Section or substantially equivalent provisions, (c) to any of its employees, directors, agents, attorneys, accountants and other professional advisors, (d) upon the request or demand of any Governmental Authority or self-regulatory organization having jurisdiction over it, (e) in response to any order, audit, request, review or inquiry of any court or other Governmental Authority or self-regulatory organization or as may otherwise be required pursuant to any Requirement of Law, (f) in connection with any litigation or similar proceeding relating to any Obligation, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, the Indentures, or any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby, (g) that has been publicly disclosed other than in breach of this Section, (h) to any state, Federal or foreign authority or examiner (including the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any similar organization or any nationally recognized regulatory authority) 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 or (j) to market data collectors, similar service providers to the lending industry and service providers to the Administrative Agent in connection with the administration, settlement and management of this Agreement and the Loan Documents.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing sentence or any other express or implied agreement, arrangement or understanding, the parties hereto hereby agree that, from the commencement of discussions with respect to the financing provided hereunder, any party hereto (and each of its employees, representatives, or agents) is permitted to disclose to any and all persons, without limitation of any kind, the tax structure and tax aspects of the transactions contemplated hereby, and all materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax analyses) related to such tax structure and tax aspects.
10.15    Accounting Changes.  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 good faith negotiations in order to amend such 






Exhibit 10.1



provisions of this Agreement so as to equitably reflect such Accounting Change with the desired result that the criteria for evaluating the Borrower’s financial condition shall be the same after such Accounting Change as if such Accounting Change 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 Change had not occurred.  “Accounting Change” refers to any change in accounting principles.
10.16    WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL.  TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, 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.
10.17    USA PATRIOT ACT.  Each Lender that is subject to the Act (as hereinafter defined) and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the Patriot Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Act.  The Borrower shall, promptly following a request by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, provide all documentation and other information that the Administrative Agent or such Lender requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act.
10.18    Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents.  The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement (including without limitation assignment and assumptions, amendments or other modifications, Borrowing Notices, waivers and consents) shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; provided that notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary the Administrative Agent is under no obligation to agree to accept electronic signatures in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by the Administrative Agent pursuant to procedures approved by it.
10.19    Amendment and Restatement; No Novation.  This Agreement constitutes for all purposes an amendment and restatement of the Original Credit Agreement.  The Original Credit Agreement, as amended and restated hereby, continues in full force and effect as so amended and restated by this Agreement.  Nothing contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall constitute or be construed as a novation of any of the Obligations.  From the Closing Date, (i) each Person signing this Agreement as an “Exiting Lender” shall cease to be a Lender hereunder and its “Revolving Credit Commitments” under the Original Credit Agreement shall be terminated, (ii) each Person signing this agreement as a “New or Continuing 






Exhibit 10.1



Lender” shall be a Lender for all purposes hereunder with the initial Revolving Credit Commitments set forth in the Commitment Appendix and (iii) each Lender’s Applicable Percentage of L/C Obligations on the Closing Date shall be recalculated giving effect to the foregoing. 
10.20    Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions.  Solely to the extent any Lender or Issuing Lender that is an EEA Financial Institution is a party to this Agreement and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Lender or Issuing Lender that is an EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of an EEA Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:
(a)the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any Lender or Issuing Lender that is an EEA Financial Institution; and
(b)the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:
(i)a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;
(ii)a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or
(iii)the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of any EEA Resolution Authority.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Blank.  Signature pages Follow.]








Exhibit 10.1



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.
NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION,
as Borrower




By: /s/ Daniel Rausch    
Name: Daniel Rausch
Title: Treasurer








Exhibit 10.1



BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent




By: /s/ Gerund Diamond    
Name: Gerund Diamond
Title: Assistant Vice President








Exhibit 10.1



BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as a Continuing Lender




By: /s/ Carlos Morales    
Name: Carlos Morales
Title: Senior Vice President








Exhibit 10.1



CREDIT SUISSE AG, Cayman Islands Branch
as a Continuing Lender




By: /s/ Mikhail Faybusovich    
Name: Mikhail Faybusovich
Title: Authorized Signatory




By: /s/ Lorenz Meier    
Name: Lorenz Meier
Title: Authorized Signatory










Exhibit 10.1



	
		
	Check only one of the following:

	 The undersigned is a New or Continuing Lender.

	 The undersigned is an Exiting Lender.




KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

	By:
	/s/ Kevin D. Smith

	Name: Kevin D. Smith
         Title: Senior Vice President 



	 

	 
















Exhibit 10.1



	
		
	Check only one of the following:

	 The undersigned is a New or Continuing Lender.

	 The undersigned is an Exiting Lender.




U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

	By:
	/s/ Michael E. Temnick

	Name: Michael E. Temnick
         Title: Vice President 



	 

	 


















Exhibit 10.1



	
		
	Check only one of the following:

	 The undersigned is a New or Continuing Lender.

	 The undersigned is an Exiting Lender.




MUFG UNION BANK, N.A.

	By:
	/s/ Jeffrey Flagg

	Name: Jeffrey Flagg
         Title: Vice President 



	 

	 


















Exhibit 10.1



	
		
	Check only one of the following:

	 The undersigned is a New or Continuing Lender.

	 The undersigned is an Exiting Lender.




ROYAL BANK OF CANADA

	By:
	/s/ Eric D. Koppelson

	Name: Eric D. Koppelson
         Title: Authorized Signatory



	 

	 


















Exhibit 10.1



	
		
	Check only one of the following:

	 The undersigned is a New or Continuing Lender.

	 The undersigned is an Exiting Lender.




CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE, NEW YORK BRANCH

	By:
	/s/ Robert Casey

	Name: Robert Casey
         Title: Authorized Signatory





	By:
	/s/ Anju Abraham

	Name: Anju Abraham
         Title: Authorized Signatory





	 

	 


















Exhibit 10.1



	
		
	Check only one of the following:

	 The undersigned is a New or Continuing Lender.

	 The undersigned is an Exiting Lender.




JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.

	By:
	/s/ Nancy R. Barwig 

	Name: Nancy R. Barwig
         Title: Credit Risk Director



	 

	 












    








Exhibit 10.1



	
			
	Commitment Appendix 
	 

	Lender
	Commitment Amount
	Applicable Percentage

	Bank of America, N.A.
	$65,000,000
	16.25%

	Credit Suisse AG
	$65,000,000
	16.25%

	KeyBank National Association 
	$45,000,000.00
	11.25%

	MUFG Union Bank, N.A. 
	$45,000,000.00
	11.25%

	U.S. Bank National Association 
	$45,000,000.00
	11.25%

	Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, New York Branch 
	$45,000,000.00
	11.25%

	JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. 
	$45,000,000.00
	11.25%

	Royal Bank of Canada 
	$45,000,000.00
	11.25%

	Total
	$400,000,000
	100%






#89040102v23    




    






Exhibit 10.1



ANNEX A
PRICING GRID
	
						
	LEVEL
	Debt Rating
	Commitment Fee
	Applicable Margin
for Eurodollar Rate Loans
	Applicable Margin
for Base Rate Loans
	Letter of Credit Fee

	I
	> or equal to A / A2/A
	10.0 bps
	87.5 bps
	0 bps 
	87.5 bps

	II
	 A- / A3/A-
	12.5 bps
	112.5 bps
	12.5 bps 
	112.5 bps

	III
	 BBB+ / Baa1/ BBB+
	17.5 bps
	125.0 bps
	25.0 bps 
	125.0 bps

	IV
	BBB / Baa2/BBB
	22.5 bps
	150.0 bps
	50.0 bps
	150.0 bps

	V
	< or equal to BBB- / Baa3/BBB-
	27.5 bps
	175.0 bps
	75.0 bps
	175.0 bps














Exhibit 10.1



ANNEX B


EXISTING LETTERS OF CREDIT


None.






Exhibit 10.1



SCHEDULE 4.4


CONSENTS, AUTHORIZATIONS, FILINGS AND NOTICES


1.The Borrower is subject to Section 204 of the Federal Power Act.  The Borrower applied to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (the “FERC”) for authority to issue unsecured debt securities, including borrowings under its credit facility and commercial paper program up to a maximum of $450 million pursuant to its “Application of NorthWestern Corporation for Authorization Under Section 204 of the Federal Power Act to Issue Securities” dated December 28, 2015, Docket No. ES16-18-000. The FERC authorized the Borrower, pursuant to Section 204 and consistent with the foregoing application, to issue unsecured debt securities, including borrowings under its credit facility and commercial paper program in an amount not to exceed $450 million, pursuant to the FERC’s Order dated February 12, 2016, Docket No. ES16-18-000 (NorthWestern Corporation, 154 FERC ¶ 62,107 (2016).


2.The Montana Public Service Commission (“MPSC”) takes the position that its approval is required in connection with the issuance of debt by entities subject to the regulation and oversight of the MPSC. The Borrower is subject to the regulation and oversight of the MPSC in connection with its conduct of the utility business in the State of Montana, including, without limitation, with respect to the issuance of debt securities specifically relating to such business. Without conceding the Borrower’s position that the MPSC may not have jurisdiction over this financing, the Borrower filed with the MPSC its application, dated December 22, 2015, pursuant to the Montana Code Annotated §§ 69‐3‐501 through 69-3-507, seeking, among other things, authorization for the Borrower to issue unsecured debt securities in an amount not to exceed $450 million. Pursuant to the MPSC’s Default Order dated January 28, 2016, the MPSC authorized the Borrower, consistent with the foregoing application, to issue unsecured debt securities in an amount not to exceed $450 million.








Exhibit 10.1



SCHEDULE 4.6


LITIGATION


Pacific Northwest Solar, LLC vs. NorthWestern Corporation, a Delaware Corporation DBA NorthWestern Energy, Cause No. BDV 2016-929, Montana First Judicial District Court, Lewis and Clark County.
    






Exhibit 10.1





SCHEDULE 4.8


TITLE TO PROPERTY




None.






Exhibit 10.1



SCHEDULE 4.14


LIMITING REGULATIONS


See Schedule 4.4.








Exhibit 10.1









    




    
SCHEDULE 4.15


SUBSIDARIES OF THE BORROWER


	
			
	Name of Company    
	Jurisdiction of
Organization
	Percentage
Owned








	
			
	NorthWestern Services, LLC
	Delaware
	100

	Canadian-Montana Pipe Line Corporation
	Canada
	100

	Montana Generation, LLC
	Delaware
	1,001

	Clark Fork and Blackfoot, L.L.C.
	Montana
	100

	Risk Partners Assurance, Ltd.
	Bermuda
	100

	Willow Creek Gathering, LLC
	Nevada
	100

	Lodge Creek Pipelines, LLC
	Nevada
	100

	Havre Pipeline Company, LLC
	Texas
	94.99












 1    Indirect ownership.  Montana Generation, LLC is 100% owned by NorthWestern Services LLC.










Exhibit 10.1



SCHEDULE 4.16


ENVIRONMENTAL


None.






Exhibit 10.1



SCHEDULE 7.3


AFFILIATE TRANSACTIONS




		
	•
	Administrative Fee with Havre Pipeline Co., LLC for $500,400 per year.








Exhibit 10.1



SCHEDULE 7.5


NEGATIVE PLEDGES


Stipulation and Settlement Agreement dated July 8, 2004 by and among the Borrower, the Montana Public Service Commission and the Montana Consumer Counsel.






Exhibit 10.1



EXHIBIT A
FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
This Compliance Certificate is delivered to you pursuant to Section 6.2(b) of the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of December [12], 2016, as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time (the “Credit Agreement”), among NorthWestern Corporation d/b/a NorthWestern Energy, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties thereto (the “Lenders”), and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent. 
I am the duly elected, qualified and acting [____________], and a Responsible Officer, of the Borrower.
I have reviewed and am familiar with the contents of this Certificate.
I have reviewed the terms of the Credit Agreement and the Loan Documents to which the Borrower is a party and have made, or caused to be made under my supervision, a review in reasonable detail of the financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries during the accounting period covered by the financial statements attached hereto as Attachment 1 (the “Financial Statements”).  Such review did not disclose the existence during or at the end of the accounting period covered by the Financial Statements, and I have no knowledge of the existence, as of the date of this Certificate, of any condition or event which constitutes a Default or Event of Default [, except as set forth below].
Attached hereto as Attachment 2 are the computations showing compliance with the covenant set forth in Section 7.1 of the Credit Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I execute this Certificate this _____ day of _______, 20__.
NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION




By:        
Title:
        






Exhibit 10.1



Attachment 2
to EXHIBIT A


The information described herein is as of _________, and pertains to the period from __________ __, 20__ to ____________ __, 20__.
[Set forth Covenant Calculations]
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF SECRETARY’S CERTIFICATE


December [12], 2016
Pursuant to subsection 5.1(e) of the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December [12], 2016 (the “Credit Agreement”; capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given such terms in the Credit Agreement), among NorthWestern Corporation d/b/a NorthWestern Energy, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties to thereto (the “Lenders”), and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as administrative agent, the undersigned hereby certifies that he is the duly elected and qualified Corporate Secretary of the Borrower and in such capacity further certifies as follows:
1.Attached hereto as Annex 1 is a true and complete copy of resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Borrower on October 19, 2016, such resolutions have not in any way been amended, modified, revoked or rescinded, have been in full force and effect since their adoption to and including the date hereof and are now in full force and effect.
2.Attached hereto as Annex 2 is a true and complete copy of the By-Laws of the Borrower as in effect on the date hereof.
3.Attached hereto as Annex 3 is a true and complete copy of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Borrower as in effect on the date hereof, and such certificate has not been amended, repealed, modified or restated.
4.Attached hereto as Annex 4 are certificates of existence or similar certificates, as the case may be, from the Secretary of State or similar state official of Delaware and each other state in which the Borrower is qualified to do business.
5.Attached hereto as Annex 5 are true and complete copies of the application of the Borrower to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) and the related order issued by the FERC, which order authorizes the incurrence of Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement.
6.Attached hereto as Annex 6 are true and complete copies of the application of the Borrower to the Montana Public Service Commission (“MPSC”) and the related order issued by the MPSC, which order authorizes the incurrence of Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement.






Exhibit 10.1



7.Brian B. Bird is the duly elected and qualified Vice President, and Chief Financial Officer of the Borrower, and the signature appearing opposite his name below is his true and genuine signature.  Mr. Bird is duly authorized to execute and deliver on behalf of the Borrower each of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and any certificate or other document to be delivered by the Borrower pursuant to the Loan Documents to which it is a party.


NAME                OFFICE            SIGNATURE


Brian B. Bird            Vice President and         _____________________
Chief Financial Officer 




The undersigned has executed this Secretary’s Certificate as of the date set forth above.


__________________________________
Timothy P. Olson
Corporate Secretary




I, Brian B. Bird, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Borrower, certify that Timothy P. Olson is the duly qualified Corporate Secretary of the Borrower and that the signature set forth above is his genuine signature.






__________________________________
Brian B. Bird
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 










Exhibit 10.1



EXHIBIT C
FORM OF REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE
THIS NOTE AND THE OBLIGATIONS REPRESENTED HEREBY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT REFERRED TO BELOW.  TRANSFERS OF THIS NOTE AND THE OBLIGATIONS REPRESENTED HEREBY MUST BE RECORDED IN THE REGISTER MAINTAINED BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT PURSUANT TO THE TERMS OF SUCH CREDIT AGREEMENT.
$____________                                    New York, New York
[DATE]
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION d/b/a NORTHWESTERN ENERGY, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), hereby promises to pay to ___________________ (the “Lender”) or its registered assigns at the Payment Office specified in the Credit Agreement (as hereinafter defined) in lawful money of the United States and in immediately available funds, on the Revolving Credit Termination Date the principal amount of (a) _________ DOLLARS ($______), or, if less, (b) the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Revolving Credit Loans made by the Lender to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.1 of the Credit Agreement.  The Borrower further agrees to pay interest in like money at such Payment Office on the unpaid principal amount hereof from time to time outstanding at the rates and on the dates specified in Section 2.11 of the Credit Agreement.
The holder of this Note is authorized to endorse on the schedules annexed hereto and made a part hereof or on a continuation thereof which shall be attached hereto and made a part hereof the date, Type and amount of each Revolving Credit Loan made pursuant to the Credit Agreement and the date and amount of each payment or prepayment of principal thereof, each continuation thereof, each conversion of all or a portion thereof to another Type and, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, the length of each Interest Period with respect thereto.  The failure to make any such endorsement or any error in any such endorsement shall not affect the obligations of the Borrower in respect of any Revolving Credit Loan.
This Note (a) is one of the Revolving Credit Notes referred to in the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December [12], 2016 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among the Borrower, the Lender, the other banks and financial institutions or entities from time to time parties thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, (b) is subject to the provisions of the Credit Agreement and (c) is subject to optional prepayment in whole or in part as provided in the Credit Agreement.
Upon the occurrence of any one or more of the Events of Default, all principal and all accrued interest then remaining unpaid on this Note shall become, or may be declared to be, immediately due and payable, all as and to the extent provided in the Credit Agreement.
All parties now and hereafter liable with respect to this Note, whether maker, principal, surety, guarantor, endorser or otherwise, hereby waive presentment, demand, protest and all other notices of any kind.
Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.






Exhibit 10.1



NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY CONTAINED HEREIN OR IN THE CREDIT AGREEMENT, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REGISTRATION AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF SECTION 10.6 OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT.
THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO THE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICT OF LAWS THEREOF OTHER THAN SECTION 5-1401 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION




By:        
Name:
Title:









Exhibit 10.1



Schedule A
to Revolving Credit Note
LOANS, CONVERSIONS AND REPAYMENTS OF BASE RATE LOANS
	
							
	Date
	

Amount of Base Rate
Loans
	Amount
Converted to
Base Rate Loans
	

Amount of Principal of
Base Rate Loans Repaid
	Amount of Base Rate
Loans Converted to
Eurodollar Loans
	

Unpaid Principal Balance
of Base Rate Loans
	Notation Made By

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 










Exhibit 10.1



Schedule B
to Revolving Credit Note
LOANS, CONTINUATIONS, CONVERSIONS AND REPAYMENTS OF EURODOLLAR LOANS
	
								
	Date
	

Amount of
Eurodollar Loans
	Amount Converted
to Eurodollar
Loans
	Interest Period and
Eurodollar Rate with
Respect Thereto
	Amount of Principal
of Eurodollar Loans
Repaid
	Amount of Eurodollar
Loans Converted to
Base Rate Loans
	Unpaid Principal
Balance of
Eurodollar Loans
	

Notation
Made By

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 











Exhibit 10.1



EXHIBIT D


ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE


This Assignment and Acceptance (the “Assignment and Assumption”) is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between [Insert name of Assignor] (the “Assignor”) and [Insert name of Assignee] (the “Assignee”).  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement identified below (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by the Assignee.  The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Assumption as if set forth herein in full.
For an agreed consideration, the Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to the Assignee, and the Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from the Assignor, subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by Administrative Agent as contemplated below (i) all of the Assignor’s rights and obligations in its capacity as a Lender under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of the Assignor under the facility identified below (including any letters of credit and guarantees included in the facility) and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender) against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as the “Assigned Interest”).  Such sale and assignment is without recourse to the Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Assumption, without representation or warranty by the Assignor.
1.    Assignor:        ______________________________
2.          Assignee:                        ______________________________
[and is an Affiliate/Related Fund of [identify Lender] Select as applicable.]
		
	3.
	Borrower:        NorthWestern Corporation d/b/a NorthWestern Energy


		
	4.
	Administrative Agent:    Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement


		
	5.
	Credit Agreement:    Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December [12], 2016 among NorthWestern Corporation d/b/a NorthWestern Energy, as Borrower, the Lenders party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent


6.           Assigned Interest:
	
				
	Aggregate Amount of Commitment/Loans for all Lenders
	Amount of Commitment/Loans Assigned
	Percentage 
Assigned of Commitment/Loans Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Commitment/Loans of all Lenders thereunder.
	CUSIP Number

	$
	$
	%
	 

	$
	$
	%
	 

	$
	$
	%
	 










Exhibit 10.1



Effective Date:  _____________ ___, 201_ [TO BE INSERTED BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR.]
The terms set forth in this Assignment and Assumption are hereby agreed to:


	
		
	ASSIGNOR
[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]

	By:
	 

	 
	Name:

	 
	Title:






	
		
	ASSIGNEE
[NAME OF ASSIGNEE]

	By:
	 

	 
	Name:

	 
	Title:






Consented to and Accepted:


	
		
	BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent

	By:
	 

	 
	Name:

	 
	Title:






	
		
	 

	By:
	 

	 
	Name:

	 
	Title:










	
		
	NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION

	By:
	 

	 
	Name:

	 
	Title:














Exhibit 10.1



EXHIBIT E


ANNEX 1
STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION


1.  Representations and Warranties.  
1.1  Assignor.  The Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Interest, (ii) it has not created any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim upon the Assigned Interest and the Assigned Interest is free and clear of any such lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim, (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and (iv) it is not a Defaulting Lender; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (iii) the financial condition of Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person obligated in respect of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document. 
1.2.  Assignee.  The Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) it satisfies the requirements, if any, specified in the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document that are required to be satisfied by it in order to acquire the Assigned Interest and become a Lender, (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of the Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, together with copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 6.1 thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase the Assigned Interest on the basis of which it has made such analysis and decision independently and without reliance on Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and (v) if it is a Lender not formed under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof, attached to the Assignment and Assumption is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, duly completed and executed by the Assignee; and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on Administrative Agent, the Assignor 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 decisions in taking or not taking action under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document are required to be performed by it as a Lender.
2.  Payments.  From and after the Effective Date, Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of the Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to the Assignor for amounts which have accrued up to but excluding the Effective Date and to the Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date.
3.  General Provisions.  This Assignment and Assumption shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.  This Assignment and Assumption may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Assumption.  This Assignment and Assumption shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.








Exhibit 10.1



Exhibit E
FORM OF EXEMPTION CERTIFICATE
(For Non-U.S. Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Reference is made to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of December [12], 2016 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) among NorthWestern Corporation d/b/a NorthWestern Energy, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties thereto (the “Lenders”), and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent.  Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Credit Agreement.  _______________________ (the “Non-U.S. Lender”) is providing this certificate pursuant to subsection 2.16(d) of the Credit Agreement.  
The Non-U.S. Lender hereby represents and warrants that:
The Non-U.S. Lender is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Loans or the obligations evidenced by Note(s) in respect of which it is providing this certificate.
The Non-U.S. Lender is not a “bank” for purposes of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).  In this regard, the Non-U.S. Lender further represents and warrants that:
the Non-U.S. Lender is not subject to regulatory or other legal requirements as a bank in any jurisdiction; and
the Non-U.S. Lender has not been treated as a bank for purposes of any tax, securities law or other filing or submission made to any Governmental Authority, any application made to a rating agency or qualification for any exemption from tax, securities law or other legal requirements.
The Non-U.S. Lender is not a 10-percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code; and
The Non-U.S. Lender is not a controlled foreign corporation receiving interest from a related person within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.
The undersigned has furnished the administrative agent and the Borrower with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E.  By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this certificate.






Exhibit 10.1



[NAME OF NON-U.S. LENDER]




By:        
Name:
Title:
Date: 








Exhibit 10.1



FORM OF EXEMPTION CERTIFICATE


(For Non-U.S. Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)


Reference is made to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of December [12], 2016 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) among NorthWestern Corporation d/b/a NorthWestern Energy, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties thereto (the “Lenders”), and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent.  Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Credit Agreement.  _______________________ (the “Non-U.S. Participant”) is providing this certificate pursuant to subsection 2.16(d) of the Credit Agreement.  
The Non-U.S. Participant hereby represents and warrants that:
The Non-U.S. Participant is the sole record and beneficial owner of the participating interest(s) in respect of which it is providing this certificate.
The Non-U.S. Participant is not a “bank” for purposes of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).  In this regard, the Non-U.S. Participant further represents and warrants that:
the Non-U.S. Participant is not subject to regulatory or other legal requirements as a bank in any jurisdiction; and 
the Non-U.S. Participant has not been treated as a bank for purposes of any tax, securities law or other filing or submission made to any Governmental Authority, any application made to a rating agency or qualification for any exemption from tax, securities law or other legal requirements.
The Non-U.S. Participant is not a 10-percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code; and
The Non-U.S. Participant is not a controlled foreign corporation receiving interest from a related person within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.
The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E.  By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform its participating Lender in writing, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished its participating Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this certificate.








Exhibit 10.1



[NAME OF NON-U.S. PARTICIPANT]




By:        
Name:
Title:
Date: 






Exhibit 10.1



FORM OF EXEMPTION CERTIFICATE


(For Non-U.S. Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)


Reference is made to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of December [12], 2016 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) among NorthWestern Corporation d/b/a NorthWestern Energy, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties thereto (the “Lenders”), and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent.  Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Credit Agreement.  _______________________ (the “Non-U.S. Lender”) is providing this certificate pursuant to subsection 2.16(d) of the Credit Agreement.  
The Non-U.S. Lender hereby represents and warrants that:
The Non-U.S. Lender is the sole record owner of, and its direct or indirect partners/members are the beneficial owners of, the Loans or the obligations evidenced by Note(s)  in respect of which it is providing this certificate.
Neither the Non-U.S. Lender nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a “bank” for purposes of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).  In this regard, the Non-U.S. Lender further represents and warrants that:
neither the Non-U.S. Lender nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members are subject to regulatory or other legal requirements as a bank in any jurisdiction; and 
neither the Non-U.S. Lender nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members have been treated as a bank for purposes of any tax, securities law or other filing or submission made to any Governmental Authority, any application made to a rating agency or qualification for any exemption from tax, securities law or other legal requirements.
Neither the Non-U.S. Lender nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a 10-percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code; and
Neither the Non-U.S. Lender nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation receiving interest from a related person within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.
The undersigned has furnished the administrative agent and the Borrower with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption.  By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this certificate.






Exhibit 10.1



[NAME OF NON-U.S. LENDER]




By:        
Name:
Title:
Date: 






Exhibit 10.1



FORM OF EXEMPTION CERTIFICATE


(For Non-U.S. Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)


Reference is made to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of December [12], 2016 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) among NorthWestern Corporation d/b/a NorthWestern Energy, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties thereto (the “Lenders”), and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent.  Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Credit Agreement.  _______________________ (the “Non-U.S. Participant”) is providing this certificate pursuant to subsection 2.16(d) of the Credit Agreement.  
The Non-U.S. Participant hereby represents and warrants that:
The Non-U.S. Participant is the sole record owner of, and its direct or indirect partners/members are the beneficial owners of, the participation interests in respect of which it is providing this certificate.
Neither the Non-U.S. Participant nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a “bank” for purposes of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).  In this regard, the Non-U.S. Lender further represents and warrants that:
neither the Non-U.S. Participant nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members are subject to regulatory or other legal requirements as a bank in any jurisdiction; and 
neither the Non-U.S. Participant nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members have been treated as a bank for purposes of any tax, securities law or other filing or submission made to any Governmental Authority, any application made to a rating agency or qualification for any exemption from tax, securities law or other legal requirements.
Neither the Non-U.S. Participant nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a 10-percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code; and
Neither the Non-U.S. Participant nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation receiving interest from a related person within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.
The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption.  By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform its participating Lender, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished its participating Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this certificate.






Exhibit 10.1



[NAME OF NON-U.S. PARTICIPANT]




By:        
Name:
Title:


Date: 








Exhibit 10.1



EXHIBIT F
FORM OF BORROWING NOTICE
Date:  ___________, _____
To:    Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is made to that certain Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of December [12], 2016 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Agreement;” the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among NorthWestern Corporation d/b/a NorthWestern Energy, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.
The undersigned hereby requests (select one):
  A Borrowing of Revolving Credit Loans
  A conversion or continuation of Revolving Credit
		
	1.
	On                     (a Business Day).


		
	2.
	In the amount of $                


		
	3.
	Comprised of                         


[Type of Loan requested]
		
	4.
	Wire instructions for Borrower’s account: ______________


		
	5.
	For Eurodollar Rate Loans:  with an Interest Period of      [months][weeks].


The Revolving Credit Borrowing requested herein complies with Section 2.2 of the Agreement.


The Borrower hereby represents and warrants that the conditions specified in Section 5.2 shall be satisfied on and as of the date of the Borrowing Date.
NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
as the Borrower




By:      
Name:      
Title:                      








Exhibit 10.1



EXHIBIT G
FORM OF LETTER OF CREDIT REQUEST


Dated           Date of Letter of Credit Request which will be on or after the Initial Borrowing Date and prior to the 7th Business Day prior to the Revolving Credit Termination Date.     


Bank of America N.A., as Administrative Agent
under the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, supplemented or modified for time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) dated as of December [12], 2016 among Northwestern Corporation (the “Borrower”) and d/b/a NorthWestern Energy.
135 South LaSalle Street
IL4-135-09-61
Chicago, IL 60603
[Name and Address of applicable Issuing Lender]     If Bank of America is the Issuing Lender insert the following name and address: Bank of America, N.A., Trade Operations, Mail Code: PA6-580-02-30, 1 Fleet Way, Scranton, PA 18507, Phone: 570-496-9619, Facscimile: 800-755-8740, Email: tradeclientserviceteamus@baml.com, Attention: Alfonso Malave, Phone: 570-496-9622, Facsimile: 800-755-8743, Email: alfonso.malave@baml.com
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen: 
We hereby request that the Issuing Lender, in its individual capacity, issue a standby Letter of Credit for the account of the undersigned on           Date of Issuance which shall be at least four (4) Business Days from the date hereof (or such shorter period as is reasonably acceptable to the respective Issuing Lender).         (the “Date of Issuance”), which Letter of Credit shall be denominated in United States Dollars and shall be in the aggregate amount of           Aggregate initial amount of the Letter of Credit.      . 
For the purposes of this Letter of Credit Request, unless otherwise defined herein, all capitalized terms used herein and defined in the Credit Agreement shall have the respective meaning provided such terms in the Credit Agreement. 
The beneficiary of the requested Letter of Credit will be           Insert name and address of beneficiary.      , and such Letter of Credit will be in support of           Insert brief description of the L/C Supportable Obligations.       and will have a stated expiration date of           Insert the last date upon which drafts may be presented which may not be later than the earlier of (x) the first anniversary of the date of issuance and (y) the date which is five Business Days prior to the Revolving Credit Termination Date.      . We hereby certify that: 
(1)    Each of the representations and warranties made by the Borrower in or pursuant to the Loan Documents to which it is a party other than those in Sections 4.2 and 4.6 of the Credit Agreement (except to the extent applicable to an earlier date) is true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof as if made on and as of the date hereof; and






Exhibit 10.1



(2)    No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing nor, after giving effect to the issuance of the Letter of Credit requested hereby, would such a Default or an Event of Default occur.  


NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION




By    ___________________________
Name:
Title: