Exhibit 10.4

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 


 



AMENDED AND RESTATED
 PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT

 

(T1)

 

Dated as of April 1, 2014

 

among

 

MIDWEST GENERATION, LLC,

 

NESBITT ASSET RECOVERY SERIES P-1
 (f/k/a POWERTON TRUST I),

 

U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
  as successor trustee to Wilmington Trust
 Company, not in its individual capacity, except
 as expressly provided herein, but solely
 as Owner Trustee,

 

NESBITT ASSET RECOVERY LLC, SERIES P-1
 (as successor to POWERTON GENERATION I, LLC),

 

NRG ENERGY, INC.,

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON,
 not in its individual capacity, except as expressly provided herein,
 but solely as Lease Indenture Trustee,

 

and

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON,
 not in its individual capacity, except as expressly provided herein,
 but solely as Pass Through Trustee,

 

POWERTON STATION
 FOSSIL COAL-FIRED ELECTRIC GENERATING FACILITY

 


 













 

Table of Contents

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
Pages
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION I
    	
DEFINITIONS; INTERPRETATION OF THIS PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
    	
3
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION II
    	
ORIGINAL CLOSING; AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT
    	
3
    
	
Section 2.1.
    	
Original Closing
    	
4
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION III
    	
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
    	
5
    
	
Section 3.1.
    	
Representations and Warranties of Midwest
    	
5
    
	
Section 3.2.
    	
Representations and Warranties of NRG
    	
8
    
	
Section 3.3.
    	
Representations and Warranties of the Owner Lessor
    	
10
    
	
Section 3.4.
    	
Representations and Warranties of the Owner Trustee and the   Trust Company
    	
12
    
	
Section 3.5.
    	
Representations and Warranties of the Owner Participant
    	
14
    
	
Section 3.6.
    	
Representations and Warranties of Lease Indenture Trustee   and the Lease Indenture Company
    	
16
    
	
Section 3.7.
    	
Representations and Warranties of Pass Through Trustee and   the Pass Through Company
    	
17
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION IV
    	
CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS
    	
19
    
	
Section 4.1.
    	
Plan Confirmation Order
    	
19
    
	
Section 4.2.
    	
Plan Effective Date
    	
19
    
	
Section 4.3.
    	
Payment of Required Amounts
    	
19
    
	
Section 4.4.
    	
Operative Documents
    	
19
    
	
Section 4.5.
    	
Representations and Warranties
    	
20
    
	
Section 4.6.
    	
Assumption and Assignment of Operative Documents
    	
20
    
	
Section 4.7.
    	
Consents
    	
20
    
	
Section 4.8.
    	
Governmental Actions
    	
20
    
	
Section 4.9.
    	
Insurance
    	
20
    
	
Section 4.10.
    	
Recordings and Filings
    	
20
    
	
Section 4.11.
    	
NRG Guarantees
    	
21
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION V
    	
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS OF MIDWEST
    	
21
    
	
Section 5.1.
    	
Delivery of Certain Information
    	
21
    
	
Section 5.2.
    	
Financial Information
    	
22
    
	
Section 5.3.
    	
Information Concerning the Facility
    	
23
    
	
Section 5.4.
    	
Maintenance of Existence; Conduct of Business
    	
23
    
	
Section 5.5.
    	
Compliance with Requirements of Law and Contractual   Obligations
    	
24
    
	
Section 5.6.
    	
Regulatory Status
    	
24
    
	
Section 5.7.
    	
Environmental Covenant with Respect to the Facility and the   Facility Site
    	
24
    
	
Section 5.8.
    	
Further Assurances
    	
24
    
	
Section 5.9.
    	
Required Modifications
    	
24
    


 

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Section 5.10.
    	
Permitted Temporary Shutdown
    	
25
    
	
Section 5.11.
    	
Access
    	
25
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION VI
    	
NEGATIVE COVENANTS OF MIDWEST
    	
25
    
	
Section 6.1.
    	
Merger and Consolidation
    	
25
    
	
Section 6.2.
    	
Sale of Assets
    	
26
    
	
Section 6.3.
    	
Changes in Legal Form or Business
    	
26
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION VII
    	
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS OF NRG
    	
27
    
	
Section 7.1.
    	
Financial Information, Reports, Notices
    	
27
    
	
Section 7.2.
    	
Maintenance of Corporate Existence
    	
28
    
	
Section 7.3.
    	
Certain Obligations with respect to the Facility
    	
28
    
	
Section 7.4.
    	
Taxes
    	
29
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION VIII
    	
[RESERVED]
    	
29
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION IX
    	
COVENANTS OF THE TRUST COMPANY, THE OWNER TRUSTEE AND THE   OWNER LESSOR
    	
29
    
	
Section 9.1.
    	
Compliance with the Trust Agreement
    	
29
    
	
Section 9.2.
    	
Owner Lessor’s Liens
    	
29
    
	
Section 9.3.
    	
Amendments to Operative Documents
    	
29
    
	
Section 9.4.
    	
Transfer of the Owner Lessor’s Interest
    	
30
    
	
Section 9.5.
    	
Owner Lessor; Trust Estate
    	
30
    
	
Section 9.6.
    	
Limitation on Indebtedness and Actions
    	
30
    
	
Section 9.7.
    	
Change of Location
    	
30
    
	
Section 9.8.
    	
Bankruptcy of Trust
    	
30
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION X
    	
COVENANTS OF THE OWNER PARTICIPANT
    	
30
    
	
Section 10.1.
    	
Restrictions on Transfer of Beneficial Interest
    	
30
    
	
Section 10.2.
    	
Owner Participant’s Liens
    	
32
    
	
Section 10.3.
    	
Amendments or Revocation of Trust Agreement
    	
32
    
	
Section 10.4.
    	
Prohibition on Fundamental Changes
    	
33
    
	
Section 10.5.
    	
Bankruptcy Filings
    	
33
    
	
Section 10.6.
    	
Instructions
    	
33
    
	
Section 10.7.
    	
Appointment of Successor Owner Trustee
    	
33
    
	
Section 10.8.
    	
Cooperation
    	
33
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION XI
    	
COVENANTS OF THE LEASE INDENTURE TRUSTEE
    	
34
    
	
Section 11.1.
    	
The Indenture Trustee’s Liens
    	
34
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION XII
    	
NRG’S INDEMNIFICATIONS
    	
34
    
	
Section 12.1.
    	
General Indemnity
    	
34
    
	
Section 12.2.
    	
General Tax Indemnity
    	
40
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION XIII
    	
MIDWEST’S RIGHT OF QUIET ENJOYMENT
    	
49
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION XIV
    	
SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCING OF IMPROVEMENTS; OPTIONAL   REFINANCINGS
    	
50
    


 

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Section 14.1.
    	
Financing Improvements
    	
50
    
	
Section 14.2.
    	
Optional Refinancing of Lessor Notes
    	
52
    
	
Section 14.3.
    	
Cooperation
    	
54
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION XV
    	
[RESERVED]
    	
54
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION XVI
    	
RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL; RIGHT OF FIRST OFFER
    	
54
    
	
Section 16.1.
    	
Right of First Offer
    	
54
    
	
Section 16.2.
    	
Right of First Refusal
    	
55
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION XVII
    	
SPECIAL LESSEE TRANSFER
    	
56
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION XVIII
    	
MISCELLANEOUS
    	
57
    
	
Section 18.1.
    	
Consents
    	
57
    
	
Section 18.2.
    	
Successor Owner Lessor
    	
57
    
	
Section 18.3.
    	
Bankruptcy of Trust Estate
    	
57
    
	
Section 18.4.
    	
Amendments and Waivers
    	
57
    
	
Section 18.5.
    	
Notices
    	
57
    
	
Section 18.6.
    	
Survival
    	
60
    
	
Section 18.7.
    	
Successors and Assigns
    	
60
    
	
Section 18.8.
    	
Governing Law
    	
60
    
	
Section 18.9.
    	
Severability
    	
61
    
	
Section 18.10.
    	
Counterparts
    	
61
    
	
Section 18.11.
    	
Headings and Table of Contents
    	
61
    
	
Section 18.12.
    	
Limitation of Liability
    	
61
    
	
Section 18.13.
    	
Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Trial by Jury, Process   Agent
    	
62
    
	
Section 18.14.
    	
Further Assurances
    	
63
    
	
Section 18.15.
    	
Effectiveness
    	
63
    
	
Section 18.16.
    	
Measuring Life
    	
63
    
	
Section 18.17.
    	
No Partnership, Etc.
    	
64
    
	
Section 18.18.
    	
Restrictions on Transfer of Membership Interest
    	
64
    
	
Section 18.19.
    	
[RESERVED]
    	
65
    
	
Section 18.20.
    	
Guaranteed TV Amount
    	
65
    


 

APPENDICES

 

	
Appendix A
    	
Definitions
    


 

EXHIBITS

 

	
Exhibit A
    	
[RESERVED]
    
	
Exhibit B
    	
Facility   Deed
    
	
Exhibit C
    	
Facility   Lease
    
	
Exhibit C1
    	
First   Amendment to Facility Lease
    
	
Exhibit D
    	
Facility   Site Lease
    
	
Exhibit E
    	
Facility   Site Sublease
    


 

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Exhibit F
    	
Lease   Indenture
    
	
Exhibit F1
    	
First   Amendment to Lease Indenture
    
	
Exhibit G
    	
Tax   Indemnity Agreement
    
	
Exhibit H
    	
NRG   Guarantee
    
	
Exhibit I
    	
NRG   OP Guarantee
    
	
Exhibit J
    	
Form of   Assignment and Assumption Agreement
    
	
Exhibit K
    	
List   of Competitors
    
	
Exhibit L
    	
FERC   Section 203 Order
    
	
Exhibit M
    	
Engineering   Report
    
	
Exhibit N
    	
Closing   Date Appraisal
    


 

SCHEDULES

 

	
Schedule 3.1(c)
    	
Midwest   Governmental Approvals
    
	
 
    	
Part B   - Non-final Approvals
    
	
 
    	
Part C   - Threatened Approvals
    
	
Schedule 3.2(c)
    	
NRG   Governmental Approvals
    


 

iv




 









 

AMENDED AND RESTATED
 PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT

 

(T1)

 

This AMENDED AND RESTATED PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT (T1), dated as of April 1, 2014 (as may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Participation Agreement” or this “Agreement”), among, (i) MIDWEST GENERATION, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as the Facility Lessee and as the Ground Lessor (herein, together with its successors and permitted assigns, called “Midwest”), (ii) NESBITT ASSET RECOVERY SERIES P-1 (f/k/a POWERTON TRUST I), a Delaware statutory trust created for the benefit of Nesbitt Asset Recovery LLC, Series P-1 (as successor to Powerton Generation I, LLC), as the Facility Lessor and as the Ground Lessee (herein, together with its successors and permitted assigns, called the “Owner Lessor”), (iii) U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association with its principal place of business in the State of Delaware, as successor trustee to Wilmington Trust Company, not in its individual capacity, except as expressly provided herein, but solely as trustee under the Trust Agreement (herein in its capacity as a trustee under the Trust Agreement, together with its successors and permitted assigns, called the “Owner Trustee,” and herein in its individual capacity, together with its successors and permitted assigns, called the “Trust Company”), (iv) NESBITT ASSET RECOVERY LLC, SERIES P-1 (as successor to POWERTON GENERATION I, LLC), a duly constituted series of Nesbitt Asset Recovery LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (herein, together with its successors and permitted assigns, called the “Owner Participant”), (v) NRG ENERGY, INC., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (herein, together with its successors and permitted assigns, called “NRG”), (vi) THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, not in its individual capacity, except as expressly provided herein, but solely as successor trustee under the Lease Indenture (herein in its capacity as successor trustee under the Lease Indenture, together with its successors and permitted assigns, the “Lease Indenture Trustee,” and herein in its individual capacity, together with its successors and permitted assigns, the “Lease Indenture Company”), and (vii) THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, not in its individual capacity, except as expressly provided herein, but solely as successor trustee under the Pass Through Trust Agreement (herein in its capacity solely as successor trustee under the Pass Through Trust Agreement, together with its successors and permitted assigns, the “Pass Through Trustee,” and herein in its individual capacity, together with its successors and permitted assigns, called the “Pass Through Company”).

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS, Edison Mission Energy, a Delaware corporation (herein, together with its successors and permitted assigns, “EME”) previously entered into that certain Participation Agreement (T1) (the “Original Participation Agreement”), dated as of August 17, 2000 (the “Closing Date”), with each of the parties hereto other than NRG; and

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Original Participation Agreement and the other Operative Documents, the Owner Lessor purchased the Undivided Interest and leased the

 











 

Ground Interest from Midwest in exchange for payment of the Purchase Price and payment of rent under the Facility Site Lease; and

 

WHEREAS, the Owner Lessor leases the Undivided Interest and subleases the Ground Interest to Midwest pursuant to, among other Operative Documents, the Facility Lease and Facility Site Sublease; and

 

WHEREAS, in order to provide the Purchase Price payable by the Owner Lessor to Midwest, (a) the Owner Participant made certain investments in the Owner Lessor, and (b) the Owner Lessor issued the Initial Lessor Notes to the Pass Through Trust; and

 

WHEREAS, in order to fund the purchase of the Initial Lessor Notes, the Pass Through Trusts issued the Certificates pursuant to the Pass Through Trust Agreements, which Certificates represent fractional undivided interests in the Pass Through Trusts; and

 

WHEREAS, as of the date of this Agreement, only the Certificates issued pursuant to Pass Through Trust Agreement B remain outstanding; and

 

WHEREAS, in accordance with the Original Participation Agreement, EME issued (i) the EME Guarantee in favor of the Owner Lessor, and (ii) the EME OP Guarantee in favor of the Owner Participant, the Equity Investor and each of their respective affiliates, successors, assigns, agents, members, partners, directors, officers or employees, but excluding in all cases the Owner Lessor;

 

WHEREAS, on December 17, 2012, EME, Midwest, and certain of their subsidiaries and affiliates commenced the Chapter 11 Cases by filing petitions under chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code, 11 U.S.C. §§ 101—1532, with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois (the “Bankruptcy Court”), which Chapter 11 Cases have been jointly administered under the caption In re Edison Mission Energy, Case No. 12-49219 (JPC) (Bankr. N.D. Ill.); and

 

WHEREAS, EME, Midwest, and certain of EME’s and Midwest’s debtor affiliates, NRG, NRG Holdings, the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors appointed in the Chapter 11 Cases, certain holders of EME’s senior unsecured fixed rate notes, and the PoJo Parties entered into a Plan Sponsor Agreement, dated as of October 18, 2013 (the “Plan Sponsor Agreement”), pursuant to which the parties agreed to pursue and support a restructuring of EME and its affiliates through a joint chapter 11 plan of reorganization on terms reflected in a plan term sheet annexed to the Plan Sponsor Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the Plan Sponsor Agreement, EME, NRG, and NRG Holdings entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement, dated October 18, 2013 (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”), which provided for a sale of substantially all of EME’s assets to NRG Holdings; and

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the Plan Sponsor Agreement, NRG, EME, Midwest, and the PoJo Parties agreed on terms and conditions, as set forth in in a term sheet annexed to the Plan Sponsor Agreement, upon which (i) Midwest would assume the Facility Lease and related Operative Documents, (ii) NRG would assume EME’s obligations under,

 

2











 

among other Operative Documents, the Original Participation Agreement, the EME Guarantee and the EME OP Guarantee, and the Tax Indemnity Agreement, and (iii) certain of the Operative Documents, as assumed and/or assigned, would be modified and amended, as necessary, to reflect the terms of the Plan Sponsor Agreement and the Asset Purchase Agreement (such amendments, together with items (i) and (ii) of this recital, the “PoJo Lease Modifications”); and

 

WHEREAS, by order dated October 24, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court approved the Plan Sponsor Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, on March 10, 2014, in accordance with the Plan Sponsor Agreement, the Debtors filed the Debtors’ Third Amended Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization (with Technical Modifications) (together with all supplements, schedules and appendices annexed thereto, the “Chapter 11 Plan”), which provides for, among other things, (a) consummation of the Asset Purchase Agreement, and (b) implementation of the PoJo Lease Modifications; and

 

WHEREAS, on March 11, 2014, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order confirming the Chapter 11 Plan (the “Plan Confirmation Order”); and

 

WHEREAS, on March 18, 2014, FERC entered an order granting NRG Holdings’ and EME’s joint application pursuant to Section 203 of the FPA and Part 33 of the regulations of FERC for all FPA Section 203 approvals required in connection with NRG Holdings’ acquisition of substantially all of the assets of EME, including EME’s direct and indirect interests in its public utility subsidiaries (the “FERC Section 203 Order”); and

 

WHEREAS, on the Plan Effective Date, the Owner Lessor, the Owner Participant, Midwest, and NRG entered into a Consent to Modification and Assumption of PoJo Leases and Documents (the “Omnibus Consent”), which sets forth the parties’ agreement with respect to the PoJo Lease Modifications and the process for effectuating such modifications; and

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, each of the transactions contemplated by the Omnibus Consent, the Chapter 11 Plan, and the Plan Confirmation Order have occurred.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the adequacy and receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree to amend and restate the Original Participation Agreement in its entirety as follows:

 

SECTION I                                DEFINITIONS; INTERPRETATION OF THIS PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT

 

Capitalized terms used in this Agreement, including the foregoing recitals, and not otherwise defined herein, shall have the respective meanings specified in Appendix A hereto.  The general provisions of Appendix A shall apply to terms used in this Agreement and specifically defined herein.

 

3











 

SECTION II                           ORIGINAL CLOSING; AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT

 

Section 2.1.                                Original Closing.

 

The following transactions occurred on or around the Closing Date:

 

(a)                                 The Owner Lessor (i) issued the Initial Lessor Notes, (ii) sold the Initial Lessor Notes to the relevant Pass Through Trustee, and (iii) granted to the Lease Indenture Trustee, for the benefit of the Pass Through Trustees, certain liens and security interests in the Indenture Estate to secure its obligations with respect to the Lessor Notes;

 

(b)                                 The Pass Through Trusts used the Proceeds to purchase the Initial Lessor Notes from the Owner Lessor;

 

(c)                                  The Owner Lessor used the proceeds of the (i) Owner Participant’s Commitment and (ii) sale of the Initial Lessor Notes to pay (x) the Purchase Price for the Undivided Interest to Midwest and (y) the Transaction Costs which the Owner Lessor was responsible to pay pursuant to the Original Participation Agreement;

 

(d)                                 Midwest transferred the Undivided Interest to the Owner Lessor by issuing the Facility Deed and a Bill of Sale to the Owner Lessor;

 

(e)                                  The Owner Lessor and Midwest entered into the Facility Lease, pursuant to which the Owner Lessor leases the Undivided Interest to Midwest and Midwest leases the Undivided Interest from the Owner Lessor;

 

(f)                                   Midwest entered into the Facility Site Lease with the Owner Lessor, pursuant to which Midwest leases the Ground Interest to the Owner Lessor and granted to the Owner Lessor certain non-exclusive easements and the Owner Lessor leases the Ground Interest from Midwest;

 

(g)                                  The Owner Lessor and Midwest entered into the Facility Site Sublease, pursuant to which the Owner Lessor subleases the Ground Interest to Midwest and Midwest subleases the Ground Interest from the Owner Lessor;

 

(h)                                 Midwest and the Equity Investor entered into the Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which Midwest sold its membership interest in the Owner Participant to the Equity Investor and the Equity Investor purchased Midwest’s membership interest in the Owner Participant from Midwest;

 

(i)                                     The OP Guarantor guaranteed the performance and payment obligations of the Owner Participant under the Operative Documents pursuant to the Owner Participant Guaranty;

 

(j)                                    EME guaranteed the performance and payment obligations of Midwest under the Facility Lease;

 

(k)                                 The Owner Participant and EME entered into the Tax Indemnity Agreement;

 

4











 

(l)                                     The Owner Lessor paid all Transaction Costs which the Owner Lessor was responsible to pay pursuant to the Original Participation Agreement; and

 

(m)                             the parties entered into the agreements referred to above and the other Operative Documents.

 

SECTION III                       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

Section 3.1.                                Representations and Warranties of Midwest.  Midwest represents and warrants that, as of the date of execution and delivery hereof:

 

(a)                                 Organization; Power.  Midwest (i) is a Delaware limited liability company, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, (ii) is duly qualified to do business and in good standing in each jurisdiction where the nature of its business requires such qualification, and (iii) has all requisite power and authority and holds all material requisite Governmental Approvals to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and each of the other Operative Documents to which it is or will be a party and to conduct the business of owning and operating the Facility and the sale and marketing of wholesale electric power and other products and service related thereto, except, with respect to clauses (ii) and (iii) above, where failure to be so qualified or be in good standing or the failure to obtain such Governmental Approvals would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect on Midwest.  As of the Plan Effective Date, Midwest is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of NRG.

 

(b)                                 Due Authorization; Non-Contravention.  The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and each of the other Operative Documents to which it is or will be a party have been or when executed and delivered will be duly authorized by all necessary company action and do not and will not:

 

(i)                                     contravene the Organic Documents of Midwest;

 

(ii)                                  contravene any Requirement of Law or Contractual Obligation, binding on or affecting Midwest; or

 

(iii)                               result in, or require the creation or imposition of, any Lien (other than pursuant to the Operative Documents) on any of the properties of Midwest;

 

except, in case of clauses (ii) and (iii) where such contravention, creation or imposition would not result in a Material Adverse Effect on Midwest.

 

(c)                                  Government Approvals.

 

(i)                                     All Governmental Approvals required in connection with the execution and delivery of, or performance of the transactions contemplated by, this Agreement, the Chapter 11 Plan, the Asset Purchase Agreement, and the other Operative Documents to which Midwest is or will be a party and the conduct of the business by Midwest are listed on Schedule 3.1(c) and have been

 

5











 

duly obtained or made and are in full force and effect, other than (A) as may be required under existing Requirements of Law to be obtained, given, accomplished or renewed at any time after the date of execution and delivery hereof or from time to time after the Plan Effective Date in connection with the maintenance or operation of the Facility, (B) where failure to obtain such Governmental Approval would not result in a Material Adverse Effect on Midwest, (C) where such Governmental Approval is not normally applied for in advance of the time required and which Midwest has no reason to believe will not be timely obtained, (D) as may be required in connection with any refinancing of the Lessor Notes or the issuance of Additional Lessor Notes, (E) as may be required in consequence of any transfer of the Beneficial Interest or any transfer of ownership of the Undivided Interest or the Trust Estate by the Owner Lessor or any relinquishment of the use or operation of the Undivided Interest by Midwest and (F) as required to perfect any Lien of the Lease Indenture Trustee or ownership and leasehold interests conveyed pursuant to this Agreement to the extent arrangements have been made satisfactory to the Owner Participant, the Owner Lessor and the Lease Indenture Trustee.  Except as noted in Part B of Schedule 3.1(c), all Governmental Approvals that have been obtained pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 3.1(c) are final and any period for the filing of notice of rehearing or application for judicial review of the issuance of each such Governmental Approval has expired without any such notice or application having been made.  No such Governmental Approval is the subject of any pending or, except as indicated in Part C of Schedule 3.1(c), threatened judicial or administrative proceeding.

 

(ii)                                  Midwest has obtained or caused to be obtained all consents and approvals required to be obtained from Persons other than Governmental Authorities in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Chapter 11 Plan, the Asset Purchase Agreement, and any other Operative Documents and all consents and approvals are in full force and effect, other than such consents or approvals the failure of which to obtain, would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect on Midwest.

 

(d)                                 Validity.  Each of the Operative Documents to which Midwest is or will be a party constitutes, or, upon the due execution and delivery thereof by Midwest, will constitute, the legal, valid and binding obligation of Midwest enforceable in accordance with its terms (except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity).

 

(e)                                  Litigation.  Other than any action, suit, investigation, proceeding or labor controversy that was (i) disclosed in the Chapter 11 Cases, (ii) disclosed in any filing by Midwest or its Affiliates with the Commission, or (iii) resolved pursuant to the Chapter 11 Plan, there is, to the Knowledge of Midwest, no pending or threatened action, suit, investigation, proceeding or labor controversy against Midwest or any of its properties, business, assets or revenues or affecting any Governmental Approval before any Governmental Authority, which, if determined adversely to Midwest (taking into account any insurance proceeds payable under a

 

6











 

policy where the insurer has accepted coverage without any reservations), would result in a Material Adverse Effect on Midwest or the Facility.

 

(f)                                   Title; Liens.

 

(i)                                     To the Knowledge of Midwest, Midwest has good, clear, marketable record fee title in the Facility Site, free and clear of all Liens, encumbrances or title defects other than Permitted Encumbrances and Lease Permitted Liens except to the extent the existence of any such Liens, individually or in the aggregate, would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(ii)                                  To the Knowledge of Midwest, none of the Permitted Encumbrances and Lease Permitted Liens will, on and after the Plan Effective Date, materially interfere with the use, operation or possession of the Facility (as contemplated by the Operative Documents) or the use of or the exercise by the Owner Lessor of its rights under the Facility Site Lease with respect to the Facility.

 

(g)                                  Tax Obligations.  To the Knowledge of Midwest and except as has not or would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect on Midwest, Midwest has complied with all federal, state and local tax obligations and has paid all Taxes shown to be due and payable on any tax return or pursuant to any assessment received by it (other than Taxes and assessments which are being diligently contested in good faith by Midwest and with respect to which adequate reserves have to the extent required by GAAP been set aside on its books).

 

(h)                                 Investment Company Act.  Midwest is not subject to any regulation as an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

(i)                                     Regulatory Status.

 

(i)                                     Midwest is an EWG, is interconnected with the high voltage electric transmission network and has MBR Authority which is in full force and effect, and is otherwise eligible to participate in the wholesale electric energy, capacity and ancillary services markets administered by PJM Interconnection.

 

(ii)                                  Midwest is not subject to or is exempt from (i) regulation under PUHCA, except for regulation under Section 1265 of PUHCA and regulation relating to maintaining status as a EWG, or (ii) public utility regulation or regulation as an alternative retail electric supplier under the laws of the State of Illinois.

 

(j)                                    Environmental Warranties.  Except as (w) has not or would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect on Midwest, (x) disclosed in the Chapter 11 Cases, (y) resolved pursuant to the Chapter 11 Plan, or (z) disclosed by Midwest or its Affiliates in any filing with the Commission:

 

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(i)                                     To the Knowledge of Midwest, the Facility and the Facility Site have been, and continue to be operated in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws (as modified or waived by any variance or compliance commitment agreement issued by, or entered into with, any Governmental Authority, in each case only to the extent such variance or compliance commitment agreement relates to the Facility).

 

(ii)                                  Other than those Environmental Claims that are the subject of the Environmental Actions, there are, to the Knowledge of Midwest, no pending or threatened Environmental Claims involving or against Midwest, the Facility or Facility Site.

 

(iii)                               To the Knowledge of Midwest, Midwest has obtained and is in compliance with all Governmental Approvals required under any applicable Environmental Law (as modified or waived by any variance or compliance commitment agreement issued by, or entered into with, any Governmental Authority, in each case only to the extent such variance or compliance commitment agreement relates to the Facility).

 

(k)                                 Location of Chief Executive Office and Principal Place of Business, etc.  The chief executive office and principal place of business of Midwest and the office where Midwest keeps its corporate records concerning the Facility, the Facility Site and the other Operative Documents is located at 211 Carnegie Center, Princeton, New Jersey 08540.

 

(l)                                     Power Sales Agreements and Other Contracts.  To the Knowledge of Midwest, there are no contracts or agreements providing for sales of electric energy, capacity or ancillary services produced by the Facility or for the use and operation of the Facility that have a term which extends beyond the expiration of the Basic Lease Term other than the Interconnection Agreement.

 

(m)                             Return Acceptance Tests.  To the Knowledge of Midwest, the Facility will be able to satisfy the return conditions set forth in Section 5 of the Facility Lease as of the expiration of the Facility Lease Term, taking into account the modifications to the Facility required by Section 7.4 of the Facility Lease, if the Facility is maintained in accordance with Sections 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3 of the Facility Lease.

 

(n)                                 No Defaults, No Event of Loss.  No Event of Loss, Lease Event of Default, Material Lease Default or event that with the passage of time or notice or both would constitute a Lease Event of Default will occur solely by the execution of this Agreement; provided, however, that the commencement or pendency of the Chapter 11 Cases (and any default related to the non-payment of Rent during the pendency of the Chapter 11 Cases) shall not be considered a Lease Event of Default for purposes of this Section 3.1.

 

(o)                                 Assumption of Operative Documents.  The condition set forth in Section 4.6 of this Agreement has been satisfied.

 

Section 3.2.                                Representations and Warranties of  NRG.  NRG represents and warrants that, as of the date of execution and delivery hereof:

 

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(a)                                 Organization; Power.  NRG (i) is a Delaware corporation, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, (ii) is duly qualified to do business and in good standing in each jurisdiction where the nature of its business requires such qualification, and (iii) has all requisite power and authority and holds all material requisite Governmental Approvals to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and each of the other Operative Documents to which it is or will be a party and to conduct its business as currently conducted and currently expected to be conducted, except, with respect to clauses (ii) and (iii) above, where failure to be so qualified or be in good standing or the failure to obtain such Governmental Approvals could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Effect on NRG.

 

(b)                                 Due Authorization; Non-Contravention.  The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and each of the Operative Documents to which it is or will be a party have been or when executed and delivered will be duly authorized by all necessary company action and do not and will not:

 

(i)                                     contravene the Organic Documents of NRG;

 

(ii)                                  contravene any Requirement of Law or Contractual Obligation, binding on or affecting NRG; or

 

(iii)                               result in, or require the creation or imposition of, any Lien (other than pursuant to the Operative Documents) on any of the properties of NRG;

 

except, in case of clauses (ii) and (iii) where such contravention, creation or imposition would not result in a Material Adverse Effect on NRG.

 

(c)                                  Government Approvals.

 

(i)                                     All Governmental Approvals required in connection with the execution and delivery of, or performance of the transactions contemplated by, this Agreement, the Chapter 11 Plan, the Asset Purchase Agreement, and the other Operative Documents to which NRG is or will be a party are listed on Schedule 3.2(c) and have been duly obtained or made and are in full force and effect, in each case, other than (A) as may be required under existing Requirements of Law to be obtained, given, accomplished or renewed at any time after the date of execution and delivery hereof or from time to time after the Plan Effective Date in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Operative Documents and (B) where failure to obtain such Governmental Approval would not result in a Material Adverse Effect on NRG, (C) where such Governmental Approval is not normally applied for in advance of the time required and which NRG has no reason to believe will not be timely obtained.

 

(ii)                                  NRG has obtained or caused to be obtained all consents and approvals required to be obtained from Persons other than Governmental Authorities in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Chapter 11 Plan, the Asset Purchase Agreement, and the other Operative

 

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Documents and all such consents and approvals are in full force and effect, other than such consents or approvals the failure of which to obtain, would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect on NRG.

 

(d)                                 Litigation.  There is no pending or threatened action, suit, Environmental Claim, investigation, proceeding or labor controversy against NRG or any of its properties, business, assets or revenues or affecting any Governmental Approval before any Governmental Authority hereto which, if determined adversely to NRG (taking into account any insurance proceeds payable under a policy where the insurer has accepted coverage without any reservations), would result in a Material Adverse Effect on NRG; provided that the representation and warranty made in this Section 3.2(d) shall not apply to any pending or threatened action, suit, Environmental Claim, investigation, proceeding or labor controversy against NRG that (i) is solely related to the Facility, (ii) was disclosed in any filing by NRG with the Commission, and (iii) was disclosed in the Chapter 11 Cases or resolved pursuant to the Chapter 11 Plan.

 

(e)                                  Tax Obligations.  Except as has not or would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect on NRG, NRG has complied with all federal, state and local tax obligations and has paid all Taxes shown to be due and payable on any tax return or pursuant to any assessment received by it (other than Taxes and assessments which are being diligently contested in good faith by NRG and with respect to which adequate reserves have to the extent required by GAAP been set aside on its books).

 

(f)                                   Regulatory Status.  NRG is not subject to or is exempt from (i) regulation of its accounting and access to books and records by FERC as a “holding company” or a “public-utility company” under PUHCA, and (ii) regulation as a “public utility” under Section 201(e) of the FPA.

 

(g)                                  Location of Chief Executive Office and Principal Place of Business, etc.  The chief executive office and principal place of business of NRG and the office where NRG keeps its corporate records is located at 211 Carnegie Center, Princeton, New Jersey 08540.

 

(h)                                 Ranking of Guarantees.  The obligations of NRG under each of the NRG Guarantees are senior, unsecured Indebtedness of NRG ranking at least pari passu with all other senior unsecured Indebtedness of NRG.

 

(i)                                     Assumption and Assignment of Operative Documents.  The condition set forth in Section 4.6 of this Agreement has been satisfied.

 

Section 3.3.                                Representations and Warranties of the Owner Lessor.  The Owner Lessor represents and warrants that as of the date of execution and delivery hereof and as of the Plan Effective Date:

 

(a)                                 Due Organization.  The Owner Lessor is a duly organized and validly existing “statutory trust” as such term is defined in 12 Del. C. 3801(g) under the laws of the State of Delaware of which the Owner Participant is the beneficial owner, and has the power

 

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and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and each of the other Operative Documents to which it is or will be a party.

 

(b)                                 Due Authorization, Enforceability; etc.

 

(i)                                     This Agreement and each of the other Operative Documents (other than the Lessor Notes) to which the Owner Lessor is or will be a party has been or when executed and delivered will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Owner Lessor, and assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement by each party hereto other than the Owner Lessor, this Agreement constitutes, and when executed and delivered each of the other Operative Documents (other than the Lessor Notes) to which it is or will be a party, will be the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Owner Lessor, enforceable against the Owner Lessor in accordance with its terms, except as the same may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, arrangement, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally and by general principles of equity.

 

(ii)                                  The Lessor Notes constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Owner Lessor, enforceable against the Owner Lessor in accordance with their terms, except as the same may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, arrangement, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally and by general principles of equity.

 

(c)                                  Non-Contravention.  The execution and delivery by the Owner Lessor of this Agreement and the other Operative Documents to which it is or will be a party, the consummation by the Owner Lessor of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and the compliance by the Owner Lessor with the terms and provisions hereof and thereof, do not and will not contravene (except where such contravention would not result in a Material Adverse Effect on the Owner Lessor) (i) the Trust Agreement or any of the Organic Documents of the Owner Lessor or (ii) any Requirement of Law or the provisions of, or constitute a default by the Owner Lessor under any Contractual Obligation binding on the Owner Lessor or its property, or in the creation of any Owner Lessor’s Lien upon the Trust Estate; provided, however, that no representation is made with respect to the right, power or authority of the Owner Lessor to act as operator of the Facility following a Lease Event of Default or the expiration or termination of the Facility Lease.

 

(d)                                 Governmental Actions.  Assuming the representations and warranties of Midwest contained in paragraphs (c), (h), (i), and (j) of  Section 3.1 are true, no authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing or registration with, any Governmental Authority is required for the due execution, delivery or performance by the Owner Lessor, as the case may be, of the Trust Agreement, the Lessor Notes, this Agreement or the other Operative Documents to which the Owner Lessor is or will be a party, other than any such authorization or approval or other action or notice or filing as has been duly obtained, taken or given; provided, however, that no representation is made with respect to the right, power or

 

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authority of the Owner Lessor to act as operator of the Facility following a Lease Event of Default or the expiration or termination of the Facility Lease.

 

(e)                                  Litigation.  There is no pending or, to the knowledge of the Owner Lessor, threatened, action, suit, investigation or proceeding against the Owner Lessor before any Governmental Authority which, if determined adversely to it, would materially adversely affect the ability of the Owner Lessor to perform its obligations under the Trust Agreement, the Lessor Notes, this Agreement or the other Operative Documents to which it is or will be a party or would materially adversely affect the Facility, the Facility Site or any interest therein or part thereof or the Lien of the Lease Indenture Trustee on the Trust Estate or which questions the validity or enforceability of any Operative Document to which the Owner Lessor is or will be a party.

 

(f)                                   Liens.  The Owner Lessor’s right, title and interest in and to the Trust Estate is free of any Owner Lessor’s Liens.

 

(g)                                  Investment Company Act; PUHCA, FPA and Utility Regulation.  The Owner Lessor is not (i) an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company,” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (ii) subject to regulation under PUHCA as a “holding company” or a “public-utility company,” (iii) subject to regulation as a “public utility” under Section 201(e) of the FPA, or (iv) subject to any other Requirement of Law which purports to restrict or regulate its ability to borrow money.

 

(h)                                 Location of Chief Executive Office; Principal Place of Business; Situs.  The chief executive office and principal place of business of the Owner Lessor where the Owner Lessor will keep its corporate records concerning the Facility, the Facility Site and the Operative Documents is located in Wilmington, Delaware.  The situs of the Owner Lessor is in Delaware.

 

(i)                                     Payment of Taxes.  The Owner Lessor has filed all federal, state and local tax returns and reports required by law to have been filed by it and has paid all Taxes shown to be due and payable on such returns or pursuant to any assessment received by it (other than Taxes and assessments which are being diligently contested in good faith by the Owner Lessor and with respect to which adequate reserve have, to the extent required by GAAP, been set aside on its books).

 

Section 3.4.                                Representations and Warranties of the Owner Trustee and the Trust Company.  The Trust Company (only with respect to representations and warranties relating to the Trust Company) and the Owner Trustee hereby severally represent and warrant that, as of the date of execution and delivery hereof and as of the Plan Effective Date:

 

(a)                                 Due Incorporation; etc.  The Trust Company is a national banking association with its principal place of business in the State of Delaware, and has the corporate power and authority, as the Owner Trustee and/or in its individual capacity to the extent expressly provided herein or in the Trust Agreement, to enter into and perform its obligations

 

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under the Trust Agreement, this Agreement and each of the other Operative Documents to which it is or will be a party.

 

(b)                                 Due Authorization, Enforceability; etc.

 

(i)                                     (x) The Trust Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trust Company, and (y) assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of the Trust Agreement by the Owner Participant, the Trust Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Trust Company, enforceable against it in its individual capacity or as Owner Trustee, as the case may be, in accordance with its terms, except as the same may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, arrangement, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally and by general principles of equity.

 

(ii)                                  (x) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Owner Trustee and the Trust Company, and (y) assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement by each party hereto other than the Owner Trustee and the Trust Company, this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Owner Trustee and the Trust Company, enforceable against the Trust Company or the Owner Trustee, as the case may be, in accordance with its terms, except as the same may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, arrangement, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally and by general principles of equity.

 

(iii)                               (x) Each of the other Operative Documents to which the Trust Company or the Owner Trustee is or will be a party has been or when executed and delivered will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trust Company or the Owner Trustee, and (y) assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of each of the other Operative Documents by each party thereto other than the Trust Company or the Owner Trustee, each of the other Operative Documents to which the Trust Company or the Owner Trustee is or will be a party constitutes or when executed and delivered will constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Trust Company or the Owner Trustee, as the case may be, enforceable against the Trust Company or the Owner Trustee in accordance with its terms, except as the same may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, arrangement, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally and by general principles of equity.

 

(c)                                  Non-Contravention.  The execution and delivery by the Trust Company, in its individual capacity or as Owner Trustee, as the case may be, of the Trust Agreement, this Agreement and the other Operative Documents to which it is or will be a party, the consummation by the Trust Company, in its individual capacity or as Owner Trustee, as the case may be, of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and the compliance by the Trust Company, in its individual capacity or as Owner Trustee, as the case may be, with the

 

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terms and provisions hereof and thereof, do not and will not (i) contravene any Requirement of Law of the State of Delaware or the United States governing the banking or trust powers of the Trust Company, the Trust Agreement, or its Organic Documents, or (ii) contravene the provisions of, or constitute a default by the Trust Company under, or result in the creation of any Owner Lessor’s Lien attributable to it in its individual capacity and unrelated to the transactions contemplated by the Operative Documents upon the Trust Estate under Contractual Obligation binding on the Trust Company or its property; provided, however, that no representation is made with respect to the right, power or authority of the Trust Company or the Owner Trustee to act as operator of the Facility following a Lease Event of Default.

 

(d)                                 Governmental Actions.  Assuming the representations and warranties of Midwest contained in paragraphs (c), (h), (i), and (j) of Section 3.1 are true, no authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing or registration with, any Governmental Authority of the State of Delaware or the United States governing the banking or trust powers of the Trust Company is required for the due execution, delivery or performance by the Trust Company or the Owner Trustee, as the case may be, of the Trust Agreement, this Agreement or the other Operative Documents to which the Trust Company or the Owner Trustee is or will be a party, other than any such authorization or approval or other action or notice or filing as has been duly obtained, taken or given.

 

(e)                                  Litigation.  There is no pending or, to the actual knowledge of the Trust Company, threatened action, suit, investigation or proceeding against the Trust Company either in its individual capacity or as the Owner Trustee, as the case may be, before any Governmental Authority of the State of Delaware or the United States governing its banking and trust powers which, if determined adversely to it, would materially adversely affect the ability of the Trust Company, in its individual capacity or as Owner Trustee, as the case may be, to perform its obligations under the Trust Agreement, this Agreement or the other Operative Documents to which it is or will be a party or would materially adversely affect the Facility, the Facility Site or any interest therein or part thereof or the security interest of the Lease Indenture Trustee in the Trust Estate or which question the validity or enforceability of any Operative Document to which the Trust Company, in its individual capacity or as the Owner Trustee, is or will be a party.

 

(f)                                   Liens.  The Trust Estate is free of any Owner Lessor’s Liens attributable to the Trust Company or the Owner Trustee.

 

Section 3.5.                                Representations and Warranties of the Owner Participant.  The Owner Participant represents and warrants that, as of the Plan Effective Date:

 

(a)                                 Due Organization.  The Owner Participant is a duly constituted series of Nesbitt Asset Recovery LLC, a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has the necessary power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Trust Agreement, the OP LLC Agreement and the Tax Indemnity Agreement.

 

(b)                                 Due Authorization, Enforceability; etc.  This Agreement, the Trust Agreement, the Tax Indemnity Agreement and the other Operative Documents to which it is or

 

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will be a party have been or when executed and delivered will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Owner Participant and assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by each other party thereto, this Agreement, the Trust Agreement, the Tax Indemnity Agreement and the other Operative Documents to which it is or will be a party constitute or when executed and delivered will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Owner Participant, enforceable against the Owner Participant in accordance with their respective terms, except as the same may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, arrangement, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally and by general principles of equity.

 

(c)                                  Non-Contravention.  The execution and delivery by the Owner Participant of this Agreement, the consummation by the Owner Participant of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and the compliance by the Owner Participant with the terms and provisions hereof and thereof, do not and will not contravene any Requirement of Law binding on the Owner Participant (except where such contravention would not result in a Material Adverse Effect on the Owner Participant), or its Organic Documents, or contravene the provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation of any Owner Participant’s Lien (other than any Lien created under any Operative Document) upon the Trust Estate under any Contractual Obligation binding on the Owner Participant or its property (it being understood that no representation or warranty is being made as to any Requirement of Law relating to the Facility or the Facility Site other than its representations set forth in Section 4975 of the Code).

 

(d)                                 Governmental Action.  Assuming the representations and warranties of NRG contained in paragraphs (c) and (f) of Section 3.2 and the representations and warranties of Midwest contained in paragraphs (c), (h), (i), and (j) of Section 3.1 are true, no authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing or registration with, any Governmental Authority is required for the due execution, delivery or performance by the Owner Participant of this Agreement, the Trust Agreement, the OP LLC Agreement or the Tax Indemnity Agreement, other than any authorization or approval or other action or notice or filing as has been duly obtained, taken or given (it being understood that no representation or warranty is being made as to any Requirements of Law relating to the ownership or operation of the Facility or the Facility Site).

 

(e)                                  Litigation.  There is no pending or, to the knowledge of the Owner Participant, threatened action, suit, investigation or proceeding against the Owner Participant before any Governmental Authority which, if determined adversely to it, would materially adversely affect the Owner Participant’s ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Trust Agreement, the OP LLC Agreement or the Tax Indemnity Agreement or would materially adversely affect the Facility, the Facility Site or any interest therein or part thereof or the Lien of the Lease Indenture Trustee in the Trust Estate or which questions the validity or enforceability of any Operative Document to which the Owner Participant is or will be a party.

 

(f)                                   Regulatory Status.  The Owner Participant is not (i) an “electric utility company,” “public-utility company,” or “holding company” under PUHCA or (ii) a “public utility” under the FPA.

 

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Section 3.6.                                Representations and Warranties of Lease Indenture Trustee and the Lease Indenture Company.  The Lease Indenture Company and the Lease Indenture Trustee hereby severally represent and warrant that, as of the date of execution hereof and as of the Plan Effective Date:

 

(a)                                 Due Organization.  The Lease Indenture Company is a banking corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of New York, has the corporate power and authority, as Lease Indenture Trustee and/or in its individual capacity to the extent expressly provided herein or in the Lease Indenture, to enter into and perform its obligations under the Lease Indenture, this Agreement and each of the other Operative Documents to which it is or will be a party.

 

(b)                                 Due Authorization, Enforceability; etc.

 

(i)                                     (A) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Lease Indenture Trustee and the Lease Indenture Company, and (B) assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement by each party hereto other than the Lease Indenture Trustee and the Lease Indenture Company, this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Lease Indenture Company and the Lease Indenture Trustee, enforceable against the Lease Indenture Company or the Lease Indenture Trustee, as the case may be, in accordance with its terms, except as the same may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, arrangement, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally and by general principles of equity.

 

(ii)                                  (A) Each of the other Operative Documents to which the Lease Indenture Trustee is or will be a party has been or when executed and delivered will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Lease Indenture Trustee, and (B) assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of each of the other Operative Documents by each party thereto other than the Lease Indenture Trustee, each of the other Operative Documents to which the Lease Indenture Trustee is or will be a party constitutes or when executed and delivered will be a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Lease Indenture Trustee, enforceable against the Lease Indenture Trustee in accordance with its terms, except as the same may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, arrangement, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally and by general principles of equity.

 

(c)                                  Non-Contravention.  The execution and delivery by the Lease Indenture Company, in its individual capacity or as Lease Indenture Trustee, as the case may be, of this Agreement and the other Operative Documents to which it is or will be a party, the consummation by the Lease Indenture Company, in its individual capacity or as Lease Indenture Trustee, as the case may be, of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and the compliance by the Lease Indenture Company, in its individual capacity or as Lease Indenture Trustee, as the case may be, with the terms and provisions hereof and thereof, do not and will not contravene any Requirement of Law of the United States of America governing the Lease

 

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Indenture Company or the banking or trust powers of the Lease Indenture Company, or its organizational documents or by-laws, or contravene the provisions of, or constitute a default by the Lease Indenture Company under, or result in the creation of any Lien attributable to the Lease Indenture Company upon the Indenture Estate or any Contractual Obligation binding on the Lease Indenture Company or its property which would materially adversely affect the ability of the Lease Indenture Company, in its individual capacity or as Lease Indenture Trustee, as the case may be, to perform its obligations under this Agreement or the other Operative Documents to which it is or will be a party or would materially adversely affect the Facility, the Facility Site or any interest therein or part thereof or the security interest of the Lease Indenture Trustee in the Indenture Estate; provided, however, that no representation is made with respect to the right, power or authority of the Lease Indenture Company or the Lease Indenture Trustee to act as operator of the Facility following a Lease Event of Default.

 

(d)                                 Governmental Action.  Assuming the representations and warranties of Midwest contained in paragraphs (c), (h), (i), and (j) of Section 3.1 are true, no authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing or registration with, any Governmental Authority governing its banking or trust powers is required for the due execution, delivery or performance by the Lease Indenture Company or the Lease Indenture Trustee, as the case may be, of this Agreement or the other Operative Documents to which the Lease Indenture Trustee is or will be a party, other than any such authorization or approval or other action or notice or filing as has been duly obtained, taken or given.

 

(e)                                  Litigation.  There is no pending or, to the knowledge of the Lease Indenture Company, threatened action, suit, investigation or proceeding against the Lease Indenture Company either in its individual capacity or as Lease Indenture Trustee, before any Governmental Authority which, if determined adversely to it, would materially adversely affect the ability of the Lease Indenture Company, in its individual capacity or as Lease Indenture Trustee, as the case may be, to perform its obligations under this Agreement or the other Operative Documents to which it is or will be a party or would materially adversely affect the Facility, the Facility Site or any interest therein or part thereof or the security interest of the Lease Indenture Trustee in the Indenture Estate.

 

Section 3.7.                                Representations and Warranties of Pass Through Trustee and the Pass Through Company.  The Pass Through Company and each Pass Through Trustee hereby severally represents and warrants that, as of the date of execution hereof and as of the Plan Effective Date:

 

(a)                                 Due Organization.  The Pass Through Company is a banking corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of New York, has the corporate power and authority, as Pass Through Trustee and/or in its individual capacity to the extent expressly provided herein or in the Pass Through Trust Agreement, to enter into and perform its obligations under the Pass Through Trust Agreement, this Agreement and each of the other Operative Documents to which it is or will be a party.

 

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(b)                                 Due Authorization, Enforceability; etc.

 

(i)                                     (A) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Pass Through Trustee and the Pass Through Company and (B) assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement by each party hereto other than each Pass Through Trustee and the Pass Through Company, as the case may be, this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Pass Through Company and each Pass Through Trustee, enforceable against the Pass Through Company or each Pass Through Trustee, as the case may be, in accordance with its terms, except as the same may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, arrangement, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally and by general principles of equity.

 

(ii)                                  (A) Each of the other Operative Documents to which the Pass Through Company or such Pass Through Trustee is or will be a party has been or when executed and delivered will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Pass Through Company or such Pass Through Trustee, as the case may be, and (B) assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of each of the other Operative Documents by each party thereto other than the Pass Through Company or such Pass Through Trustee, as the case may be, each of the other Operative Documents to which the Pass Through Company or such Pass Through Trustee is or will be a party constitutes or when executed and delivered will constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Pass Through Company or such Pass Through Trustee, enforceable against the Pass Through Company or such Pass Through Trustee, as the case may be, in accordance with its terms, except as the same may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, arrangement, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally and by general principles of equity.

 

(c)                                  Non-Contravention.  The execution and delivery by the Pass Through Company, in its individual capacity or as Pass Through Trustee, as the case may be, of this Agreement and the other Operative Documents to which it is or will be a party, the consummation by the Pass Through Company, in its individual capacity or as Pass Through Trustee, as the case may be, of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and the compliance by the Pass Through Company, in its individual capacity or as Pass Through Trustee, as the case may be, with the terms and provisions hereof and thereof, do not and will not contravene any Requirement of Law of the United States of America or the State of New York governing the Pass Through Company or the banking or trust powers of the Pass Through Company, or its organizational documents or by-laws, or contravene the provisions of, or constitute a default by the Pass Through Company under, or result in the creation of any Lien attributable to the Pass Through Company upon the Certificates or any Contractual Obligation binding on the Pass Through Company or its property which would materially adversely affect the ability of the Pass Through Company, in its individual capacity or as Pass Through Trustee, as the case may be, to perform its obligations under this Agreement or the other Operative Documents to which it is a party or would materially adversely affect the Facility, the Facility Site or any interest therein or part thereof or the security interest of any Pass Through Trustee in

 

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the Indenture Estate; provided, however, that no representation is made with respect to the right, power or authority of the Pass Through Company or any Pass Through Trustee to act as operator of the Facility following a Lease Event of Default.

 

(d)                                 Governmental Action.  Assuming the representation and warranties of Midwest contained in paragraphs (c), (h), (i), and (j) of  Section 3.1 are true, no authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing or registration with, any Governmental Authority governing its banking or trust powers is required for the due execution, delivery or performance by the Pass Through Company or any Pass Through Trustee, as the case may be, of this Agreement or the other Operative Documents to which such Pass Through Trustee is or will be a party, other than any such authorization or approval or other action or notice or filing as has been duly obtained, taken or given.

 

(e)                                  Litigation.  There is no pending or, to the knowledge of the Pass Through Company, threatened action, suit, investigation or proceeding against the Pass Through Company either in its individual capacity or as Pass Through Trustee, before any Governmental Authority which, if determined adversely to it, would materially adversely affect the ability of the Pass Through Company, in its individual capacity or as Pass Through Trustee, as the case may be, to perform its obligations under this Agreement or the other Operative Documents to which it is a party or would materially adversely affect the Facility, the Facility Site or any interest therein or part thereof or the security interest of any Pass Through Trustee in the Indenture Estate.

 

SECTION IV                        CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS

 

The obligations of the Owner Participant, the Owner Lessor, the Owner Trustee, the Lease Indenture Trustee, the Pass Through Trustee, Midwest and NRG to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby on the Plan Effective Date shall be subject to prior or concurrent satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions, except that the obligations of any Person shall not be subject to such Person’s own performance or compliance.

 

Section 4.1.                                Plan Confirmation Order.  The Plan Confirmation Order shall have been entered and shall not be subject to any stay.

 

Section 4.2.                                Plan Effective Date.  Each of the conditions precedent set forth in the Plan to the Plan Effective Date shall have occurred.

 

Section 4.3.                                Payment of Required Amounts.  The Reorganization Trust shall have paid, in full, in cash (i) the Agreed PoJo Cure Amount to the Lease Indenture Trustees and (ii) the PoJo Restructuring Fees to the appropriate attorneys and financial advisors to the PoJo Parties.

 

Section 4.4.                                Operative Documents.  Each of the Operative Documents required to effectuate the PoJo Lease Modifications shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto, and executed counterparts of each shall have been delivered to each of the parties hereto.

 

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Section 4.5.                                Representations and Warranties.  The representation and warranties set forth in Section 3 hereof shall be true and correct on and as of the Plan Effective Date with the same effect as though made on and as of the Plan Effective Date.

 

Section 4.6.                                Assumption and Assignment of Operative Documents.

 

(a)                                 Each of the Operative Documents being assumed by Midwest has been assumed in accordance with section 365 of the Bankruptcy Code.

 

(b)                                 Each of the Operative Documents being assumed by EME and assigned to NRG has been assumed and assigned in accordance with section 365 of the Bankruptcy Code.

 

Section 4.7.                                Consents.  All material permits, licenses, approvals and consents necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Chapter 11 Plan and the Asset Purchase Agreement (including any consent required from any lenders to NRG, Midwest or any of its Subsidiaries) shall be in full force and effect except to the extent that such permits, licenses, approvals and consents failing to be in full force and effect would not result in a Material Adverse Effect on Midwest.

 

Section 4.8.                                Governmental Actions.  All material actions, if any, required to have been taken by any Governmental Authority on or prior to the Plan Effective Date in connection with the transactions contemplated by any Operative Documents on the Plan Effective Date, including, without limitation, the FERC Section 203 Order (attached hereto as Exhibit L), shall have been taken and all orders, permits, waivers, exemptions, authorizations and approvals of and registrations with such Governmental Authorities required to be in effect on the Plan Effective Date in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Operative Documents on the Plan Effective Date shall have been issued; and all such orders, permits, waivers, exemptions, authorizations and approvals shall be in full force and effect on the Plan Effective Date.

 

Section 4.9.                                Insurance.  Insurance (including all related endorsements) complying with the requirements of Section 11 of the Facility Lease shall be in full force and effect and all premiums thereon shall be current.  The Owner Participant, the Equity Investor, the Owner Trustee, the Owner Lessor, the Lease Indenture Trustee and the Pass Through Trustee shall have received a certificate or certificates dated the Plan Effective Date of an independent insurance broker or carrier reasonably satisfactory to such Persons stating that such insurance is in full force and effect.

 

Section 4.10.                         Recordings and Filings.  All filings and recordings listed on Schedule 4.14 to the Original Participation Agreement shall have been duly made and remain in existence and all filing, recordation, transfer and other fees payable in connection therewith shall have been paid; and the filing of all precautionary financing statements under the Uniform Commercial Code of Illinois and any other mortgages, security agreements or other documents as may be reasonably requested by counsel to the Owner Participants, the Lease Indenture Trustee or the Pass Through Trustee to perfect the right, title and interest of the Owner

 

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Lessor in the Owner Lessor’s Interest, or any part thereof or interest therein and the Lien of the Lease Indenture Trustee in the Indenture Estate, shall have been made and remain in existence.

 

Section 4.11.                         NRG Guarantees.  NRG shall have executed and delivered (i) to the Owner Lessor the NRG Guarantee attached hereto as Exhibit H and (ii) the NRG OP Guarantee to the beneficiaries thereof, which guarantee is attached hereto as Exhibit I.

 

SECTION V                             AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS OF MIDWEST

 

Midwest covenants and agrees that it will perform the obligations set forth in this Section 5.

 

Section 5.1.                                Delivery of Certain Information.  Midwest shall furnish prompt written notice to the Owner Trustee, the Owner Lessor, the Owner Participant and, for so long as the Lien of the Lease Indenture has not been terminated or discharged, the Lease Indenture Trustee and the Pass Through Trustee:

 

(a)                                 as soon as possible and in any event within ten (10) Business Days after any Authorized Officer of Midwest obtains knowledge of the occurrence of any default under any material agreement to which Midwest is a party or any termination thereof, in each case, together with a statement of an Authorized Officer of Midwest setting forth details of such event of default, default or termination and the action Midwest has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto;

 

(b)                                 as soon as possible and in any event within ten (10) Business Days after the commencement of, or the occurrence of any material adverse development with respect to, any litigation, action, proceeding, or labor controversy of the type described in Section 3.1(e) of this Agreement, notice thereof;

 

(c)                                  immediately upon becoming aware of the institution of any steps by Midwest to terminate any Pension Plan (other than a standard termination under ERISA Section 4041(b)), or the failure to make a required contribution to any Pension Plan if such failure is sufficient to give rise to a Lien under Section 302(f) of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code, or the taking of any action with respect to a Pension Plan which could result in the requirement that Midwest furnish a bond or other security to the PBGC or such Pension Plan, or the occurrence of any event with respect to any Pension Plan which could result in the incurrence by Midwest or any member of the Controlled Group of any material liability (other than liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of maintaining the Pension Plan), fine or penalty, or any increase in the contingent liability of Midwest with respect to any post-retirement Welfare Plan benefit, the occurrence or expected occurrence of any Reportable Event or the termination, reorganization or Insolvency of any Multiemployer Plan or the complete or partial withdrawal by Midwest or any member of the Controlled Group from a Multiemployer Plan, notice thereof and copies of all documentation relating thereto;

 

(d)                                 as soon as possible and in any event within ten (10) Business Days after any Authorized Officer of Midwest obtains knowledge of the occurrence thereof, notice that any Governmental Authority may revoke, or refuse to grant or renew, or materially modify, any material Governmental Approval described in Section 3.1(c) of this Agreement;

 

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(e)                                  promptly following any request therefor, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of Midwest, or compliance with the terms of this Agreement or the other Operative Documents, as the Owner Trustee, the Owner Lessor, the Owner Participant and, for so long as the Lien of the Lease Indenture has not been terminated or discharged, the Lease Indenture Trustee and the Pass Through Trustee may reasonably request; provided that such information shall not be disclosed to any personnel that perform any trading or marketing functions with respect to the purchase, sale, or transportation  of electricity, capacity, ancillary services, or other energy products in the PJM Interconnection or Midwest ISO (MISO) regions or fuel or emissions allowances;

 

(f)                                   promptly upon becoming aware of any written communications from FERC or commencement of proceedings before FERC (i) alleging a material violation of FERC regulations with respect to the Facility, (ii) challenging or threatening to materially condition, limit, suspend or revoke Midwest’s MBR Authority, or (iii) challenging or threatening to revoke Midwest’s EWG status or otherwise to cause Midwest to lose its exemptions from FERC accounting and books and records access regulation under PUHCA; provided that (x) Midwest may redact commercially sensitive portions of any document to be delivered pursuant to this Section 5.1(f), and (y) the existence and content of any non-public communications shall not be disclosed to any personnel that perform any trading or marketing functions with respect to the purchase, sale, or transportation  of electricity, capacity, ancillary services, or other energy products in the PJM Interconnection or Midwest ISO (MISO) regions or fuel or emissions allowances; and

 

(g)                                  concurrently with the delivery of any notice, report, request, demand, certificate, financial statement or other instrument to the Owner Lessor pursuant to the Facility Lease (but without duplication of deliveries required under Section 5.1(a) of this Agreement), for so long as the Lien of the Lease Indenture has not been terminated or discharged, Midwest shall furnish a copy of the same to the Lease Indenture Trustee and the Pass Through Trustee.

 

Section 5.2.                                Financial Information.  Midwest shall cause to be delivered to the Owner Trustee, the Owner Lessor, the Owner Participant, and for as long as the Lien of the Lease Indenture has not been terminated or discharged, the Lease Indenture Trustee and the Pass Through Trustee:

 

(a)                                 as soon as available and in any event within sixty (60) days after the end of each of the first three Fiscal Quarters of each Fiscal Year of Midwest, consolidated balance sheets of Midwest (which will include results for its Consolidated Subsidiaries) as of the end of such Fiscal Quarter and consolidated statements of income and cash flows of Midwest (which will include results for its Consolidated Subsidiaries) for such Fiscal Quarter and for the period commencing at the end of the previous Fiscal Year and ending with the end of such Fiscal Quarter;

 

(b)                                 as soon as available and in any event within one-hundred-and-twenty (120) days after the end of each Fiscal Year of Midwest, commencing with the 2013 Fiscal Year, a copy of the annual audited report for such Fiscal Year for Midwest, including therein consolidated balance sheets of Midwest as of the end of such Fiscal Year and

 

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consolidated statements of income and cash flows of Midwest or such Fiscal Year, and accompanied by the opinion of KPMG LLP or other internationally recognized independent auditors selected by Midwest, which report shall state that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial position for the periods indicated in conformity with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with prior periods;

 

(c)                                  as soon as available, one copy of any documents filed by Midwest with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor agency pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) (or any successor sections) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) except to the extent that such documents are made publicly available via the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Electronic Data, Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval (EDGAR) or similar public electronic database;

 

(d)                                 within ten (10) Business Days after each anniversary of the Plan Effective Date, a certificate from Midwest’s insurers or insurance agents evidencing that the insurance policies in place satisfy the requirements of the Operative Documents;

 

(e)                                  as soon as possible and in any event within ten (10) Business Days after any Authorized Officer of Midwest obtains (i) knowledge of the occurrence thereof, notice of any casualty, damage or loss to the Facility, whether or not insured, through fire, theft, other hazard or casualty, involving a probable loss of $5,000,000 or more or (ii) knowledge of (A) the occurrence, notice of any cancellation, notice of threatened or potential cancellation or (B) any material change in the terms, coverage or amounts of any policy of insurance which would result in such policy deviating from Prudent Industry Practice.

 

Section 5.3.                                Information Concerning the Facility.  Concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Section 5.2(b) of this Agreement, Midwest shall furnish the Owner Trustee, the Owner Lessor, the Owner Participant and, for so long as the Lien of the Lease Indenture has not been terminated or discharged, the Lease Indenture Trustee and the Pass Through Trustee and their respective authorized representatives either:  (i) the annual report provided to senior management and shareholders of Midwest or its Affiliates, or (ii) a report for the preceding calendar year with respect to the Facility, in each case, covering the following matters:  (A) production, including availability, output, planned outages and unplanned outages (and the reason for such unplanned outages); (B) environmental matters; (C) health and safety matters, to the extent the same shall have given rise to material claims against Midwest or the Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries; (D) significant plant activities, such as major plant overhauls, alterations, modifications and other capital expenditures, significant changes in plant operations and major operating incidents; and (E) markets activities, including quantities and average price of energy and capacity delivered; provided that such information shall not be disclosed to any personnel that perform any trading or marketing functions with respect to the purchase, sale, or transportation  of electricity, capacity, ancillary services, or other energy products in the PJM Interconnection or Midwest ISO (MISO) regions or fuel or emissions allowances.

 

Section 5.4.                                Maintenance of Existence; Conduct of Business.  Midwest shall continue to engage in the business of owning and operating the Facility and the sale and marketing of wholesale electric power and other products and services related thereto, and

 

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preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its limited liability company existence and take all commercially reasonable action to maintain all material rights, privileges and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, except, in each case, as otherwise permitted by Sections 5.10, 6.1, 6.2, and 6.3 of this Agreement.

 

Section 5.5.                                Compliance with Requirements of Law and Contractual Obligations.  Midwest shall comply with all Requirements of Law and Contractual Obligations, such compliance to include the payment, before the same become delinquent, of all taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies, except to the extent such non-compliance would not result in a Material Adverse Effect on Midwest.

 

Section 5.6.                                Regulatory Status.  Midwest shall comply with all requirements of FERC necessary to maintain its MBR Authority and EWG status.

 

Section 5.7.                                Environmental Covenant with Respect to the Facility and the Facility Site.  Midwest shall:

 

(a)                                 comply with all applicable Environmental Laws and obtain, comply with and maintain all necessary Governmental Approvals required under any applicable Environmental Law in connection with the use, operation and maintenance of the Facility and the Facility Site, in each case, except where such noncompliance or failure, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect on Midwest;

 

(b)                                 promptly upon the request of the Owner Trustee, the Owner Lessor, the Owner Participant or, for so long as the Lien of the Lease Indenture has not been terminated or discharged, the Lease Indenture Trustee or the Pass Through Trustee, if there has been a Lease Event of Default which has not been fully and timely cured, arrange for, and NRG shall be responsible for all costs and expenses incurred in connection with, the environmental surveys in accordance with the terms of Section 5.2(f) of the Facility Lease.

 

(c)                                  provide copies of such information to evidence compliance with this Section 5.7 as the Owner Trustee, the Owner Lessor, the Owner Participant or, for so long as the Lien of the Lease Indenture has not been terminated or discharged, the Lease Indenture Trustee and the Pass Through Trustee, may reasonably request in writing from time to time.

 

Section 5.8.                                Further Assurances.  Upon written request of the Owner Trustee, the Owner Lessor, the Owner Participant, or, for so long as the Lien of the Lease Indenture has not been terminated or discharged, the Lease Indenture Trustee or the Pass Through Trustee, Midwest shall promptly perform or cause to be performed any and all acts and execute or cause to be executed any and all documents (including financing statements and continuation statements) for filing under the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code or any other Requirement of Law which are necessary or advisable to preserve, protect and perfect the ownership of the Undivided Interest and the interest of the Owner Lessor in the Facility Site Lease and to maintain the first priority Lien intended to be created by the Lease Indenture therein.

 

Section 5.9.                                Required Modifications.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, and without causing any breach or default under the Operative Documents, Midwest

 

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shall, in accordance with Section 7.4 of the Facility Lease, complete modifications to the Facility such that the Facility is capable of economic dispatch at full capacity or otherwise capable of participating as a capacity resource in PJM Interconnection’s (or its successor’s) market or other markets, in compliance in all material respects with all Environmental Laws (“Post-Modification Capability”).  Such modifications may include, but are not limited to, gas additions, oil additions or installation of emissions controls; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be construed to require the Facility to be operated at baseload or in any particular dispatch profile.  Any shutdowns of the Facility related to making the modifications described in this Section 5.9 and Section 7.4 of the Facility Lease shall not cause a breach or default under the Operative Documents; provided, however, that no such shutdown shall relieve Midwest of its obligations to make payment of Basic Lease Rent in accordance with Section 3.2 of the Facility Lease or Supplemental Rent in accordance with Section 3.3 of the Facility Lease.

 

Section 5.10.                         Permitted Temporary Shutdown.  Midwest may temporarily shut down the Facility; provided that, for voluntary shutdowns of one (1) year or longer that are unrelated to making the modifications described in Section 5.9 of this Agreement and Section 7.4 of the Facility Lease, (i) prior to the implementation of any such shutdown, NRG shall have complied with each of its obligations under paragraphs (a) and (b) of Section 7.3 of this Agreement, (ii) no such shutdown shall relieve Midwest of its obligations to make payment of Basic Lease Rent in accordance with Section 3.2 of the Facility Lease or Supplemental Rent in accordance with Section 3.3 of the Facility Lease, and (iii) Midwest shall deliver the Facility with Post-Modification Capability upon any return thereof to the Owner Lessor.

 

Section 5.11.                         Access.  A portion of the access to the Facility Site and the Facility is made available pursuant to that certain Easement dated December 16, 1999 between ComEd, as grantor, and Midwest, as grantee, which Easement was recorded December 22, 1999 in Tazewell County, Illinois as Document No. 9931148 (the “Access Easement”).  The Access Easement is subject to the lien of the Mortgage dated July 1, 1923 made by ComEd, as mortgagor, to predecessor Trustees of Harris Trust and Savings Bank and D.G. Donovan Trustees, as mortgagee, which Mortgage was supplemented from time to time, the most recent of which was recorded June 11, 1974 in Tazewell County, Illinois as Document No. 1033-124 (the “ComEd Mortgage”).  In the event that access to the Facility Site and the Facility shall be denied as a result of the foreclosure of the ComEd Mortgage, Midwest shall do or cause to be done whatever is necessary to provide sufficient access to the Facility Site and the Facility.

 

SECTION VI                        NEGATIVE COVENANTS OF MIDWEST

 

Midwest covenants and agrees that it will perform the obligations set forth in this Section 6.

 

Section 6.1.                                Merger and Consolidation.  Midwest shall not consolidate or merge with any other Person (unless it is the surviving entity) or sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of transactions, unless (i) no Lease Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing prior to and after giving effect to such merger, consolidation or sale, (ii) the entity resulting from such consolidation, surviving such merger or to whom such assets are transferred shall (a) be a corporate entity (including a limited liability company) organized under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or

 

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the District of Columbia, and (b) expressly assume, pursuant to an agreement reasonably acceptable to the other Lease Financing Parties, each obligation of Midwest under the Operative Documents, (iii) the Owner Participant shall have received an opinion reasonably satisfactory to it from a nationally recognized tax counsel selected by the Owner Participant and reasonably acceptable to Midwest to the effect that such consolidation, merger or sale of assets would not result in any material indemnified, or any unindemnified, incremental tax risk to the Owner Participant, (iv) the Owner Participant and, so long as the Lessor Notes are outstanding, the Lease Indenture Trustee and Pass Through Trustee, shall have received an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to each such Person (y) with respect to the agreement referred to in the immediately preceding clause (ii) (b) and (z) addressing other customary matters, (v) after giving effect to such transaction (A) while the Certificates are outstanding, the ratings of the Certificates shall be equal to or greater than the ratings of the Certificates immediately prior to consummating such transaction and (B) if the Certificates are no longer outstanding, the credit rating of the long-term senior unsecured indebtedness of Midwest or any successor or surviving entity shall be equal to or greater than the credit rating of the long-term senior unsecured indebtedness of Midwest immediately prior to consummating such transaction and, (vi) for as long as the NRG Guarantee and NRG OP Guarantee are in effect, NRG shall have delivered written affirmations of its obligations thereunder to the beneficiaries of such guarantees.

 

Section 6.2.                                Sale of Assets.  Midwest shall not sell or dispose of more than fifty percent (50%) of its assets without the prior written consent of the Owner Lessor and, for as long as the Lessor Notes are outstanding, the Lease Indenture Trustee and the Pass Through Trustee, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, provided, however, that (i) the assets of Midwest located at either of the Fisk Generating Station or Crawford Generating Station prior to the Plan Effective Date shall not be taken into account for purposes of this Section 6.2, and (ii) such consent shall not be required in connection with any such sale or disposition if (x) the Certificates are rated at least Baa3 by Moody’s and BBB- by S&P taking into account such sale of assets or (y) if the Certificates are no longer outstanding, the outstanding long-term senior unsecured indebtedness of Midwest (if any) is rated at least Baa3 by Moody’s and BBB- by S&P taking into account such sale of assets; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, Midwest shall remain subject to the requirements of this Section 6.2 if it does not have any outstanding long-term senior unsecured indebtedness at the time of any such sale or disposition.

 

Section 6.3.                                Changes in Legal Form or Business.  Other than (i) as permitted by Section 6.1 of this Agreement, or (ii) as set forth in any amendment to Midwest’s limited liability company agreement solely related to the management of Midwest, Midwest shall not (x) change its legal form or Organic Documents (other than a  change in its Fiscal Year) or (y) engage in any business other than the construction, ownership, maintenance, operation and redevelopment of power generating assets, the sale of wholesale electric power therefrom, and related products and services and such other business as may be reasonably incidental thereto.

 

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SECTION VII                   AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS OF NRG

 

NRG covenants and agrees that it will perform the obligations set forth in this Section 7.

 

Section 7.1.                                Financial Information, Reports, Notices.  Except to the extent that such documents are made publicly available via the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Electronic Data, Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval (EDGAR) or similar public electronic database, NRG shall furnish to the Owner Trustee, the Owner Lessor, the Owner Participant and, for as long as the Lien of the Lease Indenture Trustee has not been terminated or discharged, the Lease Indenture Trustee and the Pass Through Trustee:

 

(a)                                 as soon as available and in any event within sixty (60) days after the end of each of the first three Fiscal Quarters of each Fiscal Year of NRG, consolidated balance sheets of NRG (which will include results for its Consolidated Subsidiaries) as of the end of such Fiscal Quarter and consolidated statements of income and cash flows of NRG (which will include results for its Consolidated Subsidiaries) for such Fiscal Quarter and for the period commencing at the end of the previous Fiscal Year and ending with the end of such Fiscal Quarter, certified by an Authorized Officer of NRG with responsibility for financial matters;

 

(b)                                 as soon as available and in any event within one-hundred-and-twenty (120) days after the end of each Fiscal Year of NRG, a copy of the annual audited report for such Fiscal Year for NRG (which will include results for its Consolidated Subsidiaries), including therein consolidated balance sheets of NRG (which will include results for its Consolidated Subsidiaries) as of the end of such Fiscal Year and consolidated statements of income and cash flows of NRG (which will include results for its Consolidated Subsidiaries) for such Fiscal Year, and accompanied by the opinion of KPMG LLP other internationally recognized independent auditors selected by NRG, which report shall state that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial position for the periods indicated in conformity with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with prior periods;

 

(c)                                  as soon as possible and in any event within ten (10) Business Days after any Authorized Officer of NRG obtains knowledge of the occurrence of (i) each Lease Event of Default or (ii) any default under any other material agreement to which NRG or any of its subsidiaries is a party or any termination thereof, if such event could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect on NRG, in each case, together with a statement of such Authorized Officer setting forth details of such Default, default or termination and the action which NRG or such subsidiary of NRG has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto;

 

(d)                                 as soon as possible and in any event within ten (10) Business Days after (i) the occurrence of any material adverse development with respect to any litigation, action, proceeding, or labor controversy of the type described in Section 3.2(d) or (ii) the commencement of any labor controversy, litigation, action, proceeding of the type described in Section 3.2(d) hereof, notice thereof and, upon request of the Owner Lessor and, for so long as the Lien of the Lease Indenture has not been terminated or discharged, the Lease Indenture Trustee and the Pass Through Trustee, copies of all non-privileged documentation relating thereto;

 

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(e)                                  immediately upon becoming aware of the institution of any steps by NRG or any other Person to terminate any Pension Plan (other than a standard termination under ERISA Section 4041(b)), or the failure to make a required contribution to any Pension Plan if such failure is sufficient to give rise to a Lien under Section 302(f) of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code, or the taking of any action with respect to a Pension Plan which could result in the requirement that NRG furnish a bond or other security to the PBGC or such Pension Plan, or the occurrence of any event with respect to any Pension Plan which could result in the incurrence by NRG or any member of the Controlled Group of any material liability (other than liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of maintaining the Pension Plan), fine or penalty, or any increase in the contingent liability of NRG with respect to any post-retirement Welfare Plan benefit, which has a Material Adverse Effect on NRG notice thereof and copies of all documentation relating thereto;

 

(f)                                   promptly following any reasonable request therefor, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of NRG, or compliance with the terms of this Agreement or the other Operative Documents, as Owner Lessor, the Owner Participant, the Lease Indenture Trustee or the Pass Through Trustee may reasonably request.

 

Section 7.2.                                Maintenance of Corporate Existence.  NRG shall at all times preserve and maintain in full force and effect (i) its corporate existence and good standing under the laws of its state of incorporation and (ii) its qualification to do business in each other jurisdiction in which the character of its properties or the nature of its activities make such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect with respect to NRG.

 

Section 7.3.                                Certain Obligations with respect to the Facility.

 

(a)                                 In the event Midwest voluntarily shuts down the Facility for a period of one (1) year or longer and such shutdown is unrelated to the performance of the modifications described in Section 5.9 of this Agreement and Section 7.4 of the Facility Lease, NRG shall (i) prior to the implementation of any such shutdown, replace the NRG Guarantee with one (1) or more irrevocable letter(s) of credit in a form reasonably acceptable to the Owner Lessor in an aggregate amount not less than the Termination Value, and (ii) cause Midwest to deliver the Facility with Post-Modification Capability upon any return thereof to the Owner Lessor.

 

(b)                                 NRG shall make cash investments to Midwest (either as equity or on an unsecured and subordinated debt basis (on terms reasonably acceptable to the Owner Lessor and Owner Participant)) to pay for the modifications described in Section 5.9 of this Agreement and Section 7.4 of the Facility Lease, as is necessary to permit Midwest to comply with the Facility Lease and achieve the Post-Modification Capability described therein; provided, however, that NRG shall not be required to contribute any amounts in excess of $350,000,000 in respect of such investments for the PoJo Facilities in the aggregate; provided further, however, that such contribution limitation shall not modify, or reduce the amount of, any of NRG’s obligations under the NRG Guarantees.

 

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Section 7.4.                                Taxes.  NRG shall, prior to the time penalties attach thereto, (i) file, or cause to be filed, all tax and information returns that are required to be, or are required to have been, filed by it in any jurisdiction, and (ii) pay or cause to be paid all taxes shown to be, or to have been, due and payable on such returns and all other taxes lawfully imposed and payable by it, except, in each case, to the extent that (x) there is a Good Faith Contest thereof by NRG and (y) the failure to so file, cause to be filed, pay or cause to be paid would not result in a Material Adverse Effect on NRG.

 

SECTION VIII                                      [RESERVED]

 

SECTION IX                                                COVENANTS OF THE TRUST COMPANY, THE OWNER TRUSTEE  AND THE OWNER LESSOR

 

Section 9.1.                                Compliance with the Trust Agreement.  Each of the Owner Lessor, the Trust Company and the Owner Trustee hereby severally covenants and agrees severally and as to itself only that it will:

 

(a)                                 comply with all of the terms of the Trust Agreement applicable to it; and

 

(b)                                 not amend, supplement, or otherwise modify Section 9.01, Section 10.01 or Section 10.02 of the Trust Agreement without the prior written consent of Midwest so long as no Material Lease Default or Lease Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or the Lease Indenture Trustee so long as the Lessor Notes are outstanding.

 

Section 9.2.                                Owner Lessor’s Liens.  The Trust Company, the Owner Trustee and the Owner Lessor each covenants severally and as to itself only that it will not directly or indirectly create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Owner Lessor’s Lien attributable to it and unrelated to the transactions contemplated hereby and will promptly notify in writing Midwest, NRG, the Owner Participant and, for so long as the Lien of the Lease Indenture has not been terminated or discharged, the Lease Indenture Trustee and the Pass Through Trustee of the imposition of any such Lien of which it has actual knowledge and shall promptly, at its own expense, take such action as may be necessary to duly discharge such Owner Lessor’s Lien attributable to it.

 

Section 9.3.                                Amendments to Operative Documents.  The Owner Trustee and the Trust Company each covenants severally and as to itself only that it will not unless such action is expressly contemplated by the Operative Documents, or with respect to the Owner Trustee and the Owner Lessor, unless it is expressly directed by the Owner Participant in writing, (i) through its own action terminate any Operative Document to which it is a party, (ii) amend, supplement, waive or modify (or consent to any such amendment, supplement, waiver or modification) any Operative Document (other than the Trust Agreement, amendments to and modifications of which are governed by Section 9.1 hereof) in any manner other than with respect to administrative or ministerial matters, or (iii) except as provided in Section 14.2 hereof, take any action to prepay or refund the Lessor Notes or amend any of the payment terms of the Lessor Notes without, in each case, the prior written consent of Midwest so long as no Material Lease Default or Lease Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and, in the case

 

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of Sections 9.3(a) or (b), the Lease Indenture Trustee and the Pass Through Trustee as long as the Lien of the Lease Indenture has not been terminated or discharged.

 

Section 9.4.                                Transfer of the Owner Lessor’s Interest.  Other than as contemplated by the Operative Documents, each of the Owner Lessor and the Owner Trustee covenants severally and as to itself only that it will not assign, pledge, sell, lease, convey or otherwise transfer any of its then existing right, title or interest in and to the Owner Lessor’s Interest, the Trust Estate or the other Operative Documents without the consent of Midwest and, so long as the Lessor Notes are outstanding, the Lease Indenture Trustee, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld.  Nothing in this Section 9.4 shall limit the ability of the Owner Trustee or the Owner Participant to appoint a successor Owner Trustee pursuant to Section 9 of the Trust Agreement.

 

Section 9.5.                                Owner Lessor; Trust Estate.  Each of the Owner Trustee and the Owner Lessor covenants severally and as to itself only that it will not voluntarily take any action to subject the Owner Lessor or the Trust Estate to the provisions of any applicable bankruptcy or insolvency law (as now or hereafter in effect).

 

Section 9.6.                                Limitation on Indebtedness and Actions.  Each of the Owner Trustee and the Owner Lessor covenants severally and as to itself only that it will not incur any indebtedness nor enter into any business or activity except as required or expressly permitted or contemplated by any Operative Document.

 

Section 9.7.                                Change of Location.  The Owner Trustee shall use all reasonable efforts to give the Owner Participant, the Lease Indenture Trustee, the Pass Through Trustee, Midwest and NRG thirty (30) days’ written notice of any relocation of the Owner Trustee’s chief executive office or the place where documents and records relating to the Owner Trustee or the Trust Estate are kept and of any change in its name.

 

Section 9.8.                                Bankruptcy of Trust.  Each of the Trust Company, the Owner Trustee and the Owner Lessor hereby agrees severally and as to itself only that it shall not voluntarily take any action that shall, or cause any action to be taken that is intended to, submit the Owner Lessor, as debtor, to any proceeding under any Requirement of Law involving bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other laws affecting the rights of creditors generally unless a Lease Event of Default or a Material Lease Default shall have occurred and be continuing (in which case, if the Lien of the Lease Indenture shall not have been discharged, the Trust Company or the Owner Lessor shall not take such action unless the Lease Indenture Trustee shall have given its prior written consent to such action in its sole discretion).

 

SECTION X                             COVENANTS OF THE OWNER PARTICIPANT

 

Section 10.1.                         Restrictions on Transfer of Beneficial Interest.  The Owner Participant covenants and agrees that it shall not during the Facility Lease Term assign, convey or transfer any of its right, title or interest in the Beneficial Interest without the prior written consent of Midwest and, so long as the Lien of the Lease Indenture has not been terminated or discharged, without the prior written consent of the Lease Indenture Trustee and the Pass Through Trustee; provided, however, that the Owner Participant may assign, convey or transfer

 

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all or any part of its interest in the Beneficial Interest without such consent to a Person (the “Transferee”) which shall assume the duties and obligations of the Owner Participant under the Operative Documents with respect to the interest being transferred pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit J hereto, if each of the following conditions shall have been satisfied:

 

(a)                                 Midwest, NRG, the Owner Trustee and, so long as the Lien of the Lease Indenture has not been terminated or discharged, the Lease Indenture Trustee and the Pass Through Trustee shall have received an opinion of counsel, which opinion and counsel are reasonably satisfactory to each recipient thereof, to the effect that such Assignment and Assumption Agreement is a legal, valid and binding obligation of, and is enforceable against, each party thereto, that all regulatory approvals required in connection with such transfer or necessary to assume the Owner Participant’s obligations under the Operative Documents shall have been obtained and that the proposed transfer of the Beneficial Interest will not require registration the Securities Act;

 

(b)                                 the Transferee shall be a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code;

 

(c)                                  the Transferee or a guarantor of such Transferee meets the following criteria:  (i) the Consolidated Tangible Net Assets of at least equal to $75 million calculated in accordance with GAAP, (ii) agrees to be bound by the terms of the Operative Documents pursuant to an Assumption and Assignment Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit J hereto, and (iii) so long as no Lease Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, such Transferee is not a Competitor of, or in material litigation with, Midwest or any Affiliate of Midwest, unless waived by Midwest;

 

(d)                                 the transferring Owner Participant shall pay, without any right of indemnification from Midwest or any other Person, all reasonable documented out-of-pocket costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with any such transfer by (i) the other Lease Financing Parties, except Midwest and NRG, and (ii) Midwest and NRG, so long as no Lease Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

 

(e)                                  following such transfer, there shall be not more than two Owner Participants with interests (Undivided Interests or beneficial trust interests) in the Facility.  For purposes of Section 10.1(c), a “Competitor” of Midwest shall be an entity (other than an entity which on the Plan Effective Date is the Other Owner Participant or an Affiliate thereof) which, or an Affiliate of which, is significantly involved as a seller or trader of capacity or energy in the electricity market; provided that, the foregoing restriction shall not apply in the case of a Transferee that is an Affiliate of such a seller or trader so long as (i) such Transferee is an entity involved in making passive investments such as the Owner Participant’s contemplated investment in this transaction, (ii) such Transferee has in place procedures which shall be reasonably acceptable to Midwest to prevent such Affiliate that is a seller or trader of capacity from acquiring confidential information relating to such passive investments and agrees in writing with Midwest to maintain and abide by such procedures, and (iii) neither such Transferee nor any Affiliate thereof is an entity that is (x) actively involved in the generation of electricity in PJM Interconnection or Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc, or any successor

 

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thereto, or (y) on the List of Competitors, attached hereto as Exhibit K, which may, from time to time, but no more often than once per year, be modified by Midwest, and shall contain a list of up to six entities (including Affiliates) which Midwest reasonably believes in its good faith judgment are Competitors of Midwest.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the restrictions set forth above in Sections 10.1(a) or (c)(1) and (c)(3) shall not inure to the benefit of Midwest if such transfer is in connection with the exercise of remedies during a Lease Event of Default.

 

(f)                                   Neither Midwest nor NRG shall be responsible for any adverse tax consequence to the Owner Lessor or the Owner Participant resulting from any transfer pursuant to this Section 10.1 and the Pricing Assumptions (as set forth on Schedule 10.1(c) to the Original Participation Agreement) shall not be changed as a result of any such transfer except if such transfer is in connection with the exercise of remedies during a Lease Event of Default.

 

(g)                                  The Owner Participant shall give the Owner Lessor, the Owner Trustee, the Lease Indenture Trustee, the Pass Through Trustee, NRG and Midwest thirty (30) days’ prior written notice of such transfer, or ten (10) days in the case of a transfer to an Affiliate of the Owner Participant, specifying the name and address of any proposed Transferee and such additional information as shall be necessary to determine whether the proposed transfer satisfies the requirements of this Section 10.1. If requested by the Owner Participant, the Lease Indenture Trustee or any Pass Through Trustee, Midwest shall acknowledge qualifying transfers.

 

(h)                                 Upon any such transfer in compliance with this Section 10.1, (i) such Transferee shall, to the extent of the Beneficial Interest conveyed to the Transferee, (x) be deemed the “Owner Participant” for all purposes, and (y) enjoy the rights and privileges and perform the obligations of the Owner Participant hereunder and under the Assignment and Assumption Agreement, the Owner Participant Guaranty and each other Operative Document to which such Owner Participant is a party, and each reference in this Agreement, the Assignment and Assumption Agreement, the Owner Participant Guaranty and each other Operative Document to the “Owner Participant” shall thereafter be deemed to include such Transferee, to the extent of the Beneficial Interest conveyed to the Transferee, for all purposes and (ii) the transferor Owner Participant and the Guarantor, if any, of such transferor Owner Participant’s obligations shall be released from all obligations hereunder and under each other Operative Document to which such transferor or Guarantor is a party or by which such transferor Owner Participant or Guarantor is bound to the extent such obligations are expressly assumed by a Transferee; provided, however, that in no event shall any such transfer waive or release the transferor or its Guarantor from any liability existing immediately prior to or occurring simultaneously with such transfer.

 

Section 10.2.                         Owner Participant’s Liens.  The Owner Participant covenants that it will not directly or indirectly create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Owner Participant’s Lien and the Owner Participant shall promptly notify Midwest, NRG, the Lease Indenture Trustee and the Pass Through Trustee, in writing of the imposition of any such Lien of which the Owner Participant has actual knowledge and shall promptly, at its own expense, take such action as may be necessary to duly discharge such Owner Participant’s Lien.

 

Section 10.3.                         Amendments or Revocation of Trust Agreement.  The Owner Participant covenants that it will not (a) amend, supplement, or otherwise modify Section 9.01,

 

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Section 10.01 or Section 10.02 of the Trust Agreement except for amendments required by the Operative Documents or by Requirement of Law or which are administrative or ministerial in nature without the prior written consent of Midwest so long as no Material Lease Default or Lease Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and without the prior written consent of the Lease Indenture Trustee and the Pass Through Trustee, so long as the Lien of the Lease Indenture has not been terminated or discharged, or (b) revoke, or otherwise waive compliance with or terminate the Trust Agreement without the prior written consent of Midwest so long as no Material Lease Default or Lease Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and the Lease Indenture Trustee so long as the Lien of the Lease Indenture has not been terminated or discharged.

 

Section 10.4.                         Prohibition on Fundamental Changes.  The Owner Participant shall not change its form of organization and shall not enter into or engage in any business other than as contemplated by the Operative Documents and the activities related thereto.

 

Section 10.5.                         Bankruptcy Filings.  The Owner Participant agrees that it will not file a petition, or join in the filing of a petition, seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of, or in respect of, the Owner Lessor under the Bankruptcy Code, or any other applicable Federal or state law or the law of the District of Columbia.

 

Section 10.6.                         Instructions.  The Owner Participant agrees that it will not instruct the Owner Lessor to take any action prohibited by this Agreement or any other Operative Documents.

 

Section 10.7.                         Appointment of Successor Owner Trustee.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, a successor Owner Trustee shall not be appointed by the Owner Participant without the consent of Midwest and, so long as the Lien of the Lease Indenture has not been terminated or discharged, the Lease Indenture Trustee and the Pass Through Trustee unless such successor Owner Trustee (a) meets the requirements of the Trust Agreement, (b) has a combined capital and surplus of at least $150 million, and (c) Midwest and, so long as Lien of the Lease Indenture has not been terminated or discharged, the Lease Indenture Trustee and the Pass Through Trustee shall have received at the expense of the Owner Participant:  (i) an opinion or opinions of counsel, such counsel and such opinion to be reasonably acceptable to such parties, to the effect that no regulatory consents or approvals are required, or (ii) such other documentation reasonably satisfactory to Midwest, the Lease Indenture Trustee or Pass Through Trustee, as the case may be; provided, however, that if U.S. Bank Trust National Association resigns as Owner Trustee, is terminated for cause, or shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Owner Trustee or its properties shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Owner Trustee or its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation, the opinion required by Section 10.7(c) shall be at the expense of Midwest.

 

Section 10.8.                         Cooperation.  Owner Lessor agrees, and each of the Owner Participant and the Owner Trustee agree to cause the Owner Lessor to, at the request of Midwest and at the sole cost and expense of NRG on an After-Tax Basis, take such actions as may be necessary for the Owner Lessor to take as the owner of the Facility for purposes of obtaining the valid and effective issue, transfer or amendment, as the case may be, of all Governmental

 

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Approvals to the extent the same are required for the use, ownership, operation or maintenance of the Facility, the Facility Site, the Undivided Interest, the Ground Interest or any Component by Midwest or any permitted assignee of Midwest in the manner contemplated by the Operative Documents.  Midwest shall pay on an After-Tax Basis all reasonable costs and expenses (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) of Owner Lessor and each other Person party to an Operative Document incurred in connection with any such action.  It is understood and agreed that, with respect to any action requested of it, and taken by it, under this Section 10.8, the Owner Lessor, the Owner Participant and the Owner Trustee shall make no representation or warranty as to, and shall have no responsibility for the effectiveness of such action to accomplish or promote the objective intended by the Person making such request.

 

SECTION XI                                                COVENANTS OF THE LEASE INDENTURE TRUSTEE

 

Section 11.1.                         The Indenture Trustee’s Liens.  Neither the Lease Indenture Company nor the Lease Indenture Trustee will directly or indirectly create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indenture Trustee’s Lien attributable to it and arising out of events or conditions not related to its rights in the Indenture Estate or the administration thereof, and will promptly notify the Owner Participant, the Equity Investor, the Owner Trustee, Midwest and NRG in writing of the imposition of any such Lien of which it has actual knowledge and shall promptly, at its own expense, take such action as may be necessary to duly discharge such Indenture Trustee’s Lien.

 

SECTION XII                                           NRG’S INDEMNIFICATIONS

 

Section 12.1.                         General Indemnity.

 

(a)                                 Claims Identified.  Subject to the exclusions stated in paragraph (b) below, NRG agrees to indemnify, protect, defend and hold harmless, and does hereby indemnify the Owner Participant, the OP Guarantor, the Owner Lessor, the Trust Company in its individual capacity, the Owner Trustee, the Equity Investor, the Lease Indenture Trustee, the Lease Indenture Company in its individual capacity, the Pass Through Trustee, the Pass Through Company in its individual capacity and their respective Affiliates, successors, assigns, agents, members, partners, directors, officers or employees (each an “Indemnitee”) against any and all Claims (including Environmental Claims) (whether or not any of the transactions contemplated by the Operative Documents are consummated) imposed on, incurred or suffered by or asserted against such Indemnitee in any way relating to or in connection with or resulting from or arising out of or attributable to:

 

(i)                                     the construction, financing, refinancing, acquisition, operation, rebuilding, warranty, ownership, use, possession, maintenance, repair, lease, condition, alteration, modification, restoration, refurbishing, return, purchase, sale or other disposition, insuring, sublease, or other use or non-use of the Facility, the Facility Site, the Undivided Interest, the Ground Interest or any Component or any portion thereof or any interest therein;

 

(ii)                                  the conduct of the business or affairs of Midwest at the Facility and the Facility Site or in connection therewith;

 

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(iii)                               the manufacture, design, purchase, acceptance, rejection, delivery or condition of, or improvement to, the Facility, the Facility Site, the Undivided Interest, the Ground Interest, or any Component, or any portion of any thereof or any interest therein;

 

(iv)                              the Facility Lease, the Facility Site Lease, the Facility Site Sublease or any other Operative Document, the execution or delivery thereof or the performance, enforcement, attempted enforcement or amendment, supplement or modification or any waiver of any terms thereof, or the transactions contemplated thereby or resulting therefrom;

 

(v)                                 any actual or alleged Environmental Condition or Environmental Claim at, in, on, under, from or related in any way to the Facility or the Facility Site or any portion thereof or any Component;

 

(vi)                              the reasonable costs and expenses of any Indemnitee in connection with amendments or supplements to the Operative Documents requested or consented to by Midwest or NRG or required or necessary as a result of a Lease Event of Default;

 

(vii)                           the imposition of any Lien other than, with respect to a particular Indemnitee (or a Related Party), a Lien arising by or through such Indemnitee that is prohibited by the terms of this Agreement or other Operative Documents;

 

(viii)                        any violation by, or liability relating to, Midwest or NRG of, or under, any Requirement of Law, whether now or hereafter in effect (including Environmental Laws), or any action of any Governmental Authority or other Person taken with respect to the Facility or the Facility Site, the Operative Documents or the interest of any Indemnitee under the Operative Documents or the presence, Release, generation, management, recycling, use, storage, transportation, treatment or manufacture of any Hazardous Material in, at, under, to or from the Facility, the Facility Site or any Component;

 

(ix)                              the non-performance or breach by Midwest or NRG of any obligation contained in this Agreement or any other Operative Document or the falsity or inaccuracy of any representation, warranty or obligation of Midwest or NRG contained in this Agreement, or any other Operative Document;

 

(x)                                 the continuing fees (if any) and expenses of the Owner Lessor, the Owner Trustee (including the reasonable compensation and expenses of their counsel, accountants and other professional persons) arising out of the Owner Lessor’s or the Owner Trustee’s discharge of their respective duties under or in connection with the Operative Documents;

 

(xi)                              the continuing fees (if any) and expenses of the Lease Indenture Company, the Lease Indenture Trustee, the Pass Through Company and the Pass Through Trustee (including the reasonable compensation and expenses of

 

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their respective counsel, accountants and other professional persons) arising out of the discharge of their respective duties under or in connection with the Operative Documents;

 

(xii)                           the applications of Part 4 and 5 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA (including, without limitation, any penalties imposed under Section 501(i) or (1) of ERISA) or any excise taxes, charges or penalties imposed under Section 4975 of the Code;

 

(xiii)                        the issuance of the Initial Lessor Notes in accordance with Section 2.4 of the Lease Indenture and the issuance of any Additional Lessor Notes or New Lessor Notes pursuant to Section 2.12 or Section 2.13 of the Lease Indenture; and

 

(xiv)                       in any other way relating to the transactions contemplated by the Operative Documents.

 

(b)                                 Claims Excluded.  Any Claim, to the extent or resulting from or arising out of or attributable to any of the following, is excluded from NRG’s agreement to indemnify any Indemnitee under this Section 12.1:

 

(i)                                     acts, omissions or events occurring after expiration or other termination of the Facility Lease and, where required by the Facility Lease, return of the Facility to the Owner Lessor or its designee in compliance with the provisions of the Facility Lease, except to the extent such Claim is (A) an Environmental Claim that relates to, results from, arises out of or is attributable to an Environmental Condition that was in existence at the Facility or the Facility Site prior to or as of such expiration or termination of the Facility Lease and the return of the Facility or (B) is a Claim that relates to, results from, arises out of or is attributable to the ComEd Consent;

 

(ii)                                  with respect to a particular Indemnitee and Related Parties, any offer, sale, assignment, transfer or other disposition (voluntary or involuntary) by or on behalf of (a) in the case of the Owner Participant of any of its interest in the Beneficial Interest, or (b) in the case of the Owner Lessor, and if such action is taken at the written direction of the Owner Participant, the Owner Participant and Related Parties, of all or any of the Owner Lessor’s interest in the Facility or the Facility Site, or (c) all or any of either Pass Through Trust’s interest in the Lessor Notes or the collateral therefor, unless such transfer is required by the terms of the Operative Documents or occurs in connection with the exercise of remedies during a Lease Event of Default;

 

(iii)                               with respect to any Indemnitee and Related Parties, any Claim attributable to the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Indemnitee seeking indemnification or a Related Party of such Indemnitee;

 

(iv)                              as to any Indemnitee, any Claim attributable to the noncompliance of such Indemnitee or a Related Party, with any of the terms of, or

 

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any misrepresentation or breach of warranty by such Indemnitee contained in any Operative Document or any breach by such Indemnitee or a Related Party of any covenant contained in any Operative Document attributable to such Indemnitee or Related Party, unless attributable to Midwest or NRG or the breach by another Person of its obligations under the Operative Documents or imputed to the Indemnitee;

 

(v)                                 with respect to the Owner Trustee and the Trust Company, any Claim constituting or arising from an Owner Lessor’s Lien attributable to it;

 

(vi)                              with respect to the Lease Indenture Trustee, any Claim arising from an Indenture Trustee’s Lien prohibited by Section 11.1 hereof;

 

(vii)                           with respect to the Pass Through Trustee and the Pass Through Company, any Claim arising from a Lien prohibited by Section 7.16 of either Pass Through Trust Agreement;

 

(viii)                        with respect to the Owner Participant, any claim constituting or arising from an Owner Participant’s Lien;

 

(ix)                              [RESERVED]

 

(x)                                 any Claim relating to the payment of any other amount to the extent such Indemnitee or a Related Party has expressly agreed in any Operative Document to pay such amount without a right of reimbursement;

 

(xi)                              any Claim that is a Tax, or is a cost of contesting a Tax, whether or not NRG is required to indemnify therefor pursuant to Section 14.2 or under the Tax Indemnity Agreement;

 

(xii)                           any failure on the part of the Owner Trustee to distribute in accordance with the Trust Agreement any amounts received by it under the Operative Documents and distributable by it thereunder;

 

(xiii)                        any Claim relating to the costs and expenses of any Indemnitee in connection with any amendments or supplements to the Operative Documents requested by such Indemnitee or a Related Party if such amendment or supplement is not required by the Operative Documents;

 

(xiv)                       any Claim that constitutes principal and/or interest on the Lessor Notes, any Additional Lessor Notes or the corresponding payments under the Certificates or any Additional Certificates, respectively; and

 

(xv)                          any Claim arising out of obligations expressly assumed by the Indemnitee seeking indemnification or a Related Party thereof.

 

provided that the terms “omission,” “gross negligence” and “willful misconduct,” when applied with respect to the Owner Trustee, the Owner Participant, the OP Guarantor, the Equity Investor,

 

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the Owner Lessor, the Lease Indenture Trustee, the Pass Through Trustee or any Certificateholder or any Affiliate of any thereof, shall not include any liability imputed as a matter of law to such Indemnitee solely by reason of such entity’s interest in the Facility or the Facility Site or such Indemnitee’s failure to act in respect of matters which are or were the obligation of Midwest under this Agreement or any other Operative Document.

 

(c)                                  Insured Claims.  Subject to the provisions of paragraph (e) of this Section 12.1, in the case of any Claim indemnified by NRG hereunder which is covered by a policy of insurance maintained by NRG, each Indemnitee agrees, unless it and each other Indemnitee shall waive its rights to indemnification (for itself and each Related Party thereto) in a manner reasonably acceptable to NRG, to cooperate, at the sole cost and expense of NRG, with insurers in exercise of their rights to investigate, defend or compromise such Claim.

 

(d)                                 After-Tax Basis.  NRG agrees that any payment or indemnity pursuant to this Section 12.1 in respect of any Claim shall be made on an After-Tax Basis to the Indemnitees.

 

(e)                                  Claims Procedure.  Each Indemnitee shall promptly after such Indemnitee shall have actual knowledge thereof notify NRG in writing of any Claim as to which indemnification is sought; provided that the failure so to notify NRG shall not reduce or affect NRG’s liability which it may have to such Indemnitee under this Section 12.1.  Any amount payable to any Indemnitee pursuant to this Section 12.1 shall be paid within fifteen (15) days after receipt of such written demand therefor from such Indemnitee, accompanied by a certificate of such Indemnitee stating in reasonable detail the basis for the indemnification thereby sought and (if such Indemnitee is not a party hereto) an agreement to be bound by the terms hereof as if such Indemnitee were such a party.  The foregoing shall not, however, constitute an obligation to disclose confidential information of any kind without the execution of an appropriate confidentiality agreement.  Promptly after NRG receives notification of such Claim accompanied by a written statement describing in reasonable detail the Claims which are the subject of and basis for such indemnity and the computation of the amount so payable, NRG shall notify such Indemnitee in writing whether it intends to pay, object to, compromise or defend any matter involving the asserted liability of such Indemnitee.  NRG shall have the right to investigate and so long as no Material Lease Default or Lease Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, NRG shall have the right in its sole discretion, to defend or compromise any Claim for which indemnification is sought under this Section 12.1 which NRG acknowledges in writing to the applicable Indemnitee is subject to indemnification hereunder; provided that no such defense or compromise shall involve any danger of (i) foreclosure, sale, forfeiture or loss of, or imposition of a Lien on any part of the Undivided Interest, the Ground Interest, the Trust Estate or the Indenture Estate or the impairment of the Facility in any material respect or (ii) any criminal liability being incurred or any material adverse effect on such Indemnitee, provided, further, that no Claim shall be compromised by NRG on a basis that admits any criminal violation or gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of such Indemnitee without the express written consent of such Indemnitee; and provided, further, that to the extent that other Claims unrelated to the transactions contemplated by the Operative Documents are part of the same proceeding involving such Claim, NRG may assume responsibility for the contest or compromise of such Claim only if the same may be and is severed from such other Claims (and each Indemnitee agrees to use reasonable efforts to obtain such a severance).  If NRG elects,

 

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subject to the foregoing, to compromise or defend any such asserted liability, it may do so at its own expense and by counsel selected by it and reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnitee.  Upon NRG’s election to compromise or defend such asserted liability and prompt notification to such Indemnitee of its intent to do so, such Indemnitee shall cooperate at NRG’s expense with all reasonable requests of NRG in connection therewith and will provide NRG with all information not within the control of NRG as is reasonably available to such Indemnitee which NRG may reasonably request; provided, however, that such Indemnitee shall not, unless otherwise required by Requirement of Law, be obligated to disclose to NRG or any other Person, or permit NRG or any other Person to examine (i) any income tax returns of the Owner Participant or (ii) any confidential information or pricing information not generally accessible by the public possessed by the Owner Participant (and, in the event that any such information is made available, NRG shall treat such information as confidential and shall take all actions reasonably requested by such Indemnitee for purposes of obtaining a stipulation from all parties to the related proceeding providing for the confidential treatment of such information from all such parties).  Where NRG, or the insurers under a policy of insurance maintained by NRG, undertake the defense of such Indemnitee with respect to a Claim (with counsel reasonably satisfactory to each such Person such Indemnitee and without reservation of rights against such Indemnitee), no additional legal fees or expenses of such Indemnitee in connection with the defense of such Claim shall be indemnified hereunder unless such fees or expenses were incurred at the request of NRG or such insurers.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Indemnitee may participate at its own expense in any judicial proceeding controlled by NRG pursuant to the preceding provisions, but only to the extent that such party’s participation does not in the reasonable opinion of counsel to NRG interfere with such control; provided, however, that such party’s participation does not constitute a waiver of the indemnification provided in this Section 12.1; provided, further, that if and to the extent that (i) such Indemnitee is advised by counsel that an actual or potential conflict of interest exists where it is advisable for such Indemnitee to be represented by separate counsel or (ii) there is a risk that such Indemnitee may be indicted or otherwise charged in a criminal complaint and such Indemnitee informs NRG that such Indemnitee desires to be represented by separate counsel, such Indemnitee shall have the right to control its own defense of such Claim and the reasonable fees and expenses of such defense (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and expenses of such separate counsel) shall be borne by NRG.  So long as no Lease Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, no Indemnitee shall enter into any settlement or other compromise with respect to any Claim without the prior written consent of NRG unless (i) the Indemnitee waives its rights to indemnification hereunder or (ii) NRG has not acknowledged its indemnity obligation with respect thereto and there is a significant risk that a default judgment will be entered against such Indemnitee.  Nothing contained in this Section 12.1(e) shall be deemed to require an Indemnitee to contest any Claim or to assume responsibility for or control of any judicial proceeding with respect thereto.

 

(f)                                   Subrogation.  To the extent that a Claim indemnified by NRG under this Section 12.1 is in fact paid in full by NRG or an insurer under an insurance policy maintained by NRG, NRG (so long as no Lease Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing) or such insurer shall be subrogated to the rights and remedies of the Indemnitee on whose behalf such Claim was paid to the extent of such payment (other than rights of such Indemnitee under insurance policies maintained at its own expense) with respect to the transaction or event giving rise to such Claim.  Should an Indemnitee receive any refund, in whole or in part, with respect to any Claim paid by NRG hereunder, it shall promptly pay over to

 

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NRG the lesser of (i) the amount refunded reduced by the amount of any Tax incurred by reason of the receipt or accrual of such refund and increased by the amount of any Tax (but not in excess of the amount of such reduction) saved as a result of such payment or (ii) the amount NRG or any of its insurers has paid in respect of such Claim; provided that so long as a Material Lease Default or Lease Event of Default shall have occurred and is continuing such amount may be held by the Owner Lessor as security for Midwest’s and NRG’s respective obligations under the Operative Documents.

 

Any Person seeking indemnity under this Section 12.1 who is not a party to this Agreement shall agree to the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 12.1 as a condition to making any such claim for indemnity under this Section 12.1.

 

Section 12.2.                         General Tax Indemnity.

 

(a)                                 Indemnity.  Except as provided in paragraph (b), NRG agrees to indemnify on an After-Tax Basis each of the Owner Participant, the OP Guarantor, the Equity Investor, the Owner Lessor, the Trust Company in its individual capacity, the Owner Trustee, the OP Member, the Noteholders, the Lease Indenture Trustee, the Lease Indenture Company in its individual capacity, the Pass Through Trustee and the Pass Through Company in its individual capacity, their respective successors and assigns, the past and present partners or members of or holders of the ownership interests in, as the case may be, the Owner Participant and the Affiliates of each of the foregoing (each a “Tax Indemnitee”) and to hold each Tax Indemnitee harmless from and to defend each Tax Indemnitee against all Taxes that are imposed upon any Tax Indemnitee, the Facility, the Facility Site, the Undivided Interest, the Ground Interest, or any portion or Component thereof or any interest therein, or upon any Operative Document or interest therein, arising out of, in connection with or relating to, any of the following:

 

(i)                                     the construction, financing, refinancing, acquisition, operation, warranty, ownership, use, possession, maintenance, repair, lease, condition, alteration, modification, restoration, refurbishing, return, purchase, sale or other disposition, insuring, sublease, or other use or non-use of the Facility, Undivided Interest, Ground Interest or the Facility Site, or any portion or Component thereof or any interest therein;

 

(ii)                                  the conduct of the business or affairs of Midwest at the Facility and the Facility Site;

 

(iii)                               the manufacture, design, purchase, acceptance, rejection, delivery or condition of, or improvement to, the Facility, the Undivided Interest, the Ground Interest, the Facility Site, or any portion or Component thereof, or any interest therein;

 

(iv)                              the Facility Lease, the Facility Site Lease, the Facility Site Sublease or any other Operative Document, the execution or delivery thereof, or the performance, enforcement or amendment of any terms thereof;

 

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(v)                                 the payment or receipt of Basic Lease Rent, Renewal Lease Rent, Supplemental Lease Rent or any other amount payable under the Facility Lease; or

 

(vi)                              otherwise relating to the transactions contemplated by the Operative Documents.

 

(b)                                 Excluded Taxes.  The indemnity provided for in paragraph (a) above shall not extend to any of the following Taxes (the “Excluded Taxes”):

 

(i)                                     Taxes imposed on, based on or measured by gross or net income or receipts or capital or net worth (other than sales, use, property, ad valorem, rental, stamp, transfer, excise, license and value added taxes, and other than franchise tax imposed by the State of Illinois upon the Owner Participant, the Owner Lessor or their respective Affiliates under the Business Corporation Act of 1983, as amended, or any successor legislation thereto);

 

(ii)                                  Taxes attributable to any period after expiration or other termination of the Facility Lease and, where required by the Facility Lease, return of the Facility to the Owner Lessor or its designee in accordance with the Facility Lease (or, in the case of the Lease Indenture Trustee, after the repayment of the Lessor Notes);

 

(iii)                               Taxes imposed on a Tax Indemnitee attributable to the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Tax Indemnitee or any Related Party of such Tax Indemnitee;

 

(iv)                              Taxes in the nature of capital gain, accumulated earnings, personal holding company, excess profits, succession or estate, minimum, alternative minimum, preference, franchise, conduct of business and other similar taxes (other than franchise tax imposed by the State of Illinois upon the Owner Participant, the Owner Lessor or their respective Affiliates under the Business Corporation Act of 1983, as amended, or any successor legislation thereto);

 

(v)                                 Taxes imposed on a Tax Indemnitee that arise out of, or are caused by, any act or omission of such Tax Indemnitee (or any Related Party thereof) that is expressly prohibited by any Operative Document or by a breach by such Tax Indemnitee (or any Related Party thereof) of any of its representations, warranties or covenants under any Operative Document;

 

(vi)                              Taxes arising out of, or caused by, any voluntary assignment, sale, transfer or other voluntary disposition, or any involuntary transfer or disposition resulting from a bankruptcy or similar proceeding for relief of debtors in which such Tax Indemnitee is a debtor, by (or a foreclosure by a creditor of) (A) the Owner Participant of any of its Beneficial Interest, (B) the Owner Lessor of all or any of its interest in the Facility or the Facility Site, or (C) the Lease Indenture Trustee of any interest in the Lessor Notes or the Indenture Estate unless (i) such transfer or disposition occurs during the

 

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continuance of a Lease Event of Default, or (ii) such transfer or disposition is required under, or occurs pursuant to, the Operative Documents and the price paid is other than Fair Market Sales Value;

 

(vii)                           Taxes arising in connection with Owner Participant’s Liens or Owner Lessor’s Liens;

 

(viii)                        Taxes imposed on any assignee or successor-in-interest to a Tax Indemnitee to the extent any such Taxes exceed the Taxes that would have been imposed had no assignment or transfer taken place determined under the law as in effect on the date of transfer; provided that this exclusion shall not apply to the computation of the gross-up amounts necessary to make a payment on an After-Tax Basis, nor to a transferee, assignee or successor in interest that acquires the interest of a Tax Indemnitee pursuant to a transfer or disposition in connection with the exercise of remedies during the continuance of a Lease Event of Default;

 

(ix)                              Taxes that are included as a part of Transaction Costs;

 

(x)                                 Taxes imposed on, based on, or measured by any compensation that any Owner Trustee or the Lease Indenture Trustee receives for its services;

 

(xi)                              any U.S. federal income taxes, including with respect to the Owner Participant, Taxes for which NRG is obligated to indemnify the Owner Participant under the Tax Indemnity Agreement (or which are expressly excluded from indemnification thereunder);

 

(xii)                           other than with respect to the Certificateholders, the Lease Indenture Trustee and the Pass Through Trustee or any Related Party in respect of any thereof (a “Lender Indemnitee”), Taxes resulting from the Owner Lessor not being treated as a grantor trust or a nonentity for federal, state or local income tax purposes;

 

(xiii)                        Taxes attributable to the failure of any Tax Indemnitee to comply with certification, information, documentation, reporting or other similar requirements concerning the nationality, residence, identity, connection with the jurisdiction imposing such Taxes or other similar matters; provided that the foregoing exclusion shall only apply if such Tax Indemnitee is eligible and obligated to comply with such requirement and shall have been given timely written notice of such requirement by NRG;

 

(xiv)                       Taxes imposed on a Tax Indemnitee where the Tax Indemnitee’s breach of its contest obligations under Section 12.2(g) effectively precludes NRG’s ability to contest the Taxes;

 

(xv)                          Taxes imposed on any Tax Indemnitee resulting from an amendment, modification, supplement or waiver to any Operative Document which was not requested by Midwest or NRG and as to which Midwest or NRG is

 

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not a party and the Tax Indemnitee (or, in the case of the Owner Participant, the Facility Lessor if acting at the express direction of the Owner Participant) is a party unless such amendment, modification, supplement or waiver (A) was required by applicable law or the Operative Documents, (B) may be necessary or appropriate to, and is in conformity with, any amendment, modification, supplement or waiver to any Operative Document agreed to by Midwest or NRG in writing, or (C) is made while a Lease Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

 

(xvi)                       Taxes imposed under Section 4975 of the Code, Section 406 of ERISA or any comparable laws of any governmental authority to the extent resulting from action by such Tax Indemnitee other than, in the case of the Owner Participant, the taking of any action at the request or direction of NRG;

 

(xvii)                    Taxes imposed to the extent such Taxes result from the Tax Indemnitee (and in the case of the Owner Lessor, only if acting at the written direction of the Owner Participant) being organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States or any State thereof (other than, in the case of a Lender Indemnitee, such Taxes which did not exist under law in effect on the date such Lender Indemnitee became a party to this transaction);

 

(xviii)                 Any Taxes imposed on a Tax Indemnitee to the extent that such taxes would not have been imposed but for the activities of such Tax Indemnitee unrelated to the transactions contemplated hereby;

 

(xix)                       Taxes imposed on a Tax Indemnitee in the nature of interest, penalties, fines and additions to tax (i) payable as a result of such Tax Indemnitee’s failure to file, in a procedurally proper manner and on a timely basis, any tax reports, returns or statements as to which NRG has timely notified such Tax Indemnitee in writing of the requirement to file, unless such failure is otherwise caused by the failure of NRG to fulfill its obligations, if any, with respect to such return (including provision of information sufficient to enable such Tax Indemnitee to file such report, return or statement), or (ii) to the extent not attributable to or resulting from Taxes for which an indemnity is provided hereunder; and

 

(xx)                          Taxes for as long as such Taxes are being contested pursuant to the contest provisions contained in Section 12.2(g).

 

(c)                                  Payment.  Each payment required to be made by NRG to a Tax Indemnitee pursuant to this Section 12.2 shall be paid either (i) when due directly to the applicable taxing authority by NRG if it is permitted to do so, or (ii) where direct payment is not permitted and with respect to gross up amounts in immediately available funds to such Tax Indemnitee by the latest of (A) fifteen (15) days following NRG’s receipt of the Tax Indemnitee’s written demand for the payment (which demand shall be accompanied by a statement of the Tax Indemnitee describing in reasonable detail the Taxes for which the Tax Indemnitee is demanding indemnity and the computation of such Taxes), (B) in the case of

 

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amounts which are being contested pursuant to such paragraph (g), fifteen (15) days following the time and in accordance with a final determination of such contest or (C) in the case of any indemnity demand for which NRG has requested review and determination pursuant to paragraph (d) below, the completion of such review and determination, but in no event later than the date which is three (3) Business Days prior to the date payment of such Taxes is due.  Any amount payable to NRG pursuant to paragraph (e) or (f) below shall be paid within fifteen (15) days after the Tax Indemnitee realizes a Tax Benefit giving rise to a payment under paragraph (e) or receives a refund or credit giving rise to a payment under paragraph (f), as the case may be, and shall be accompanied by a statement of the Tax Indemnitee computing in reasonable detail the amount of such payment.  Upon the final determination of any contest pursuant to paragraph (g) below in respect of any Taxes for which NRG has made a Tax Advance, the amount of NRG’s obligation under paragraph (a) above shall be determined as if such Tax Advance had not been made.  Any obligation of NRG under this Section 12.2 and the Tax Indemnitee’s obligation to repay the Tax Advance will be satisfied first by set off against each other, and any difference owing by either party will be paid within ten (10) days of such final determination.

 

(d)                                 Independent Examination.  Within fifteen (15) days after NRG receives any computation from the Tax Indemnitee, NRG may request in writing that an independent public accounting firm selected by the Tax Indemnitee and reasonably acceptable to NRG review and determine on a confidential basis the amount of any indemnity payment by NRG to the Tax Indemnitee pursuant to this Section 12.2 or any payment by a Tax Indemnitee to NRG pursuant to paragraph (e) or (f) below.  The Tax Indemnitee and NRG shall cooperate with such accounting firm and supply it with all information reasonably necessary for the accounting firm to conduct such review and determination, provided that such accounting firm shall agree in writing in a manner satisfactory to the Tax Indemnitee, or NRG, as the case may be, to maintain the confidentiality of such information, and provided further that neither any Tax Indemnitee nor NRG shall be required to disclose any of its tax returns or books that such Tax Indemnitee or NRG, as the case may be, reasonably deems to be confidential in connection with such verification, and the parties hereto agree that such Tax Indemnitee, or NRG, as the case may be, shall have sole control over the positions taken with respect to such party’s tax returns and filings.  The fees and disbursements of such accounting firm will be paid by NRG; provided that such fees and disbursements will be paid by the Tax Indemnitee if the accountants determine that the present value of the total payments as calculated by the Tax Indemnitee is more than 105 percent of the present value of the correct payments (such present values in each case to be determined by the Discount Rate).  In the event such accounting firm determines that such computations are incorrect, then such firm shall determine what it believes to be the correct computations.  The computations of the accounting firm shall be final, binding and conclusive upon NRG and the Tax Indemnitee.  The parties hereto agree that the independent public accounting firm’s sole responsibility shall be to verify the computation of any payment pursuant to this Section 12.2 and that matters of interpretation of this Participation Agreement or any other Operative Document are not within the scope of the independent accountant’s responsibility.  Such accounting firm shall be requested to make its determination within thirty (30) days.

 

(e)                                  Tax Benefit.  If, as the result of any Taxes paid or indemnified against by NRG under this Section 12.2, the aggregate Taxes actually paid by the Tax Indemnitee in connection with such payment for any taxable year and not subject to

 

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indemnification pursuant to this Section 12.2 are less (whether by reason of a deduction, credit, allocation or apportionment of income or otherwise) than the amount of such Taxes that otherwise would have been payable by such Tax Indemnitee (a “Tax Benefit”); then to the extent such Tax Benefit was not taken into account in determining the amount of indemnification payable by NRG under paragraph (a) above and provided no Lease Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (in which event the payment provided under this Section 12.2(e) shall be deferred until the Lease Event of Default has been cured), such Tax Indemnitee shall pay to NRG the lesser of (A) (y) the amount of such Tax Benefit, plus (z) an amount equal to any United States federal, state or local income tax benefit resulting to the Tax Indemnitee from the payment under clause (y) above and this clause (z) (determined using the same assumptions as set forth in the second sentence under the definition of After-Tax Basis) and (B) the amount of the indemnity paid pursuant to this Section 12.2 giving rise to such Tax Benefit, provided that any excess of the amount described in clause (A) over the amount described in clause (B) shall be carried forward and applied to reduce pro tanto any subsequent obligations of NRG to make payment to such Tax Indemnitee pursuant to this Section 12.2.  If it is subsequently determined that the Tax Indemnitee was not entitled to such Tax Benefit, the portion of such Tax Benefit that is required to be repaid or recaptured will be treated as Taxes for which NRG must indemnify the Tax Indemnitee pursuant to this Section 12.2 without regard to paragraph (b) hereof.

 

(f)                                   Refund.  If a Tax Indemnitee obtains a refund or credit or would have received such refund or credit but for a counterclaim or other claim not indemnified by NRG hereunder against which such refund or credit has not been applied (an “offset refund or credit”) of all or part of any Taxes paid, reimbursed or advanced by NRG pursuant to this Section 12.2, the Tax Indemnitee shall pay to NRG within fifteen (15) days of such receipt, or in the case of an offset refund or credit, within fifteen (15) days of the resolution of such contest (x) the amount of such refund or credit (net of any Tax payable by the Tax Indemnitee as a result of the receipt or accrual of such refund or credit) plus (y) an amount equal to any Tax Benefit realized by such Tax Indemnitee by reason of such payment to NRG (determined using the same assumptions as set forth in the second sentence under the definition of After-Tax Basis), provided that (A) if at the time such payment is due to NRG a Lease Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, such amount shall not be payable until such Lease Event of Default has been cured, and (B) the amount payable to NRG pursuant to this sentence shall not exceed the amount of the indemnity payment in respect of such refunded or credited Taxes that was made by NRG (and such excess shall be carried forward and applied to reduce pro tanto any subsequent obligations of NRG to make payments to such Tax Indemnitee pursuant to this Section 12.2).  If it is subsequently determined that the Tax Indemnitee was not entitled to such refund or credit, the portion of such refund or credit that is required to be repaid or recaptured will be treated as Taxes for which NRG must indemnify the Tax Indemnitee pursuant to this Section 12.2 without regard to paragraph (b) hereof.  If, in connection with a refund or credit of all or part of any Taxes paid, reimbursed or advanced by NRG pursuant to this Section 12.2, a Tax Indemnitee receives an amount representing interest on such refund or credit, the Tax Indemnitee shall pay to NRG within fifteen (15) days (1) the amount of such interest that shall be fairly attributable to such Taxes paid, reimbursed or advanced by NRG prior to the receipt of such refund or credit (net of Taxes payable in respect of the receipt or accrual of such interest) and (2) any Tax savings resulting from payments made by the Tax Indemnitee under this Section 12.2.

 

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(g)                                  Contest.

 

(i)                                     Notice of Contest.  If a written claim is made by any taxing authority against a Tax Indemnitee for any Taxes with respect to which NRG may be required to indemnify against hereunder (a “Tax Claim”), such Tax Indemnitee shall give NRG written notice of such Tax Claim promptly after its receipt, and shall furnish NRG with copies of such Tax Claim and all other writings received from the taxing authority to the extent relating to such claim, provided that failure so to notify NRG shall not relieve NRG of any obligation to indemnify the Tax Indemnitee hereunder except to the extent such failure effectively precludes NRG from contesting such Tax.  The Tax Indemnitee shall not pay such Tax Claim until at least thirty (30) days after providing NRG with such written notice, unless (a) the Tax Indemnitee is required to do so by law or regulation and (b) in the written notice described above, the Tax Indemnitee has notified NRG of such requirement.

 

(ii)                                  Control of Contest.  Subject to subsection (g)(iii) below, NRG will be entitled to contest (acting through counsel selected by NRG and reasonably satisfactory to the Tax Indemnitee), and control the contest of, any Tax Claim if (i) such Tax Claim may be segregated procedurally and contested independently from tax claims for which NRG is not obligated to indemnify the Tax Indemnitee, provided that if the Tax Indemnitee reasonably determines at any time that permitting NRG to conduct or continue to conduct such contest could have material adverse business or other consequences to such Tax Indemnitee, such Tax Indemnitee shall have the right to control or reassert control over such contest, or (ii) the Tax Indemnitee requests that NRG control such contest; provided that in the case of any such contest pursuant to (i) or (ii) NRG shall use all reasonable efforts to contest such Tax Claim in its own name, and provided further that such contest shall be at NRG’s sole cost and expense.  NRG shall consult in good faith with the Tax Indemnitee and its counsel and shall provide the Tax Indemnitee with copies of any reports or claims issued by the relevant auditing agent or taxing authority, but the decisions regarding what actions to be taken shall be made by NRG in its sole judgment.

 

(iii)                               In the case of all other Tax Claims, the Tax Indemnitee will contest the Tax Claim at NRG’s expense if NRG shall request that the Tax be contested (in accordance with subsection (g)(iii) below), and the following rules shall apply with respect to such contest:

 

(A)                               the Tax Indemnitee will control the contest of such Tax Claim in good faith (acting through counsel selected by the Tax Indemnitee and reasonably satisfactory to NRG),

 

(B)                               at NRG’s written request, if payment is made to the applicable taxing authority, the Tax Indemnitee shall use all reasonable efforts to obtain a refund thereof in appropriate administrative or judicial proceedings,

 

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(C)                               the Tax Indemnitee conducting such contest shall consult with and keep reasonably informed NRG and its designated counsel with respect to such Tax Claim and shall consider and consult in good faith with NRG regarding any request (a) to resist payment of Taxes if practical and (b) not to pay such Taxes except under protest if protest is necessary and proper, but the decision regarding what actions to be taken shall be made by the Tax Indemnitee in its sole judgment.

 

(D)                               Notwithstanding paragraph (3), above, the Tax Indemnitee shall not otherwise settle, compromise or abandon such contest without NRG’s prior written consent except as provided in paragraph (g)(iv) below.

 

(iv)                              Conditions of Contest.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no contest with respect to a Tax Claim will be required or permitted pursuant to this Section 12.2, and NRG shall be required to pay the applicable Taxes without contest, unless:

 

(A)                               within thirty (30) days after notice by the Tax Indemnitee to NRG of such Tax Claim, NRG shall request in writing to the Tax Indemnitee that such Tax Claim be contested, provided that if a shorter period is required for taking action with respect to such Tax Claim and the Tax Indemnitee notifies NRG of such requirement, NRG shall use reasonable best efforts to request such contest within such shorter period, and such Tax Indemnitee shall take no action for as long as it is legally able to do so,

 

(B)                               no Lease Event of Default has occurred and is continuing,

 

(C)                               there is no risk of sale, forfeiture or loss of, or the creation of a Lien (other than a Lease Permitted Lien) on the Facility, Owner Lessor’s or Owner Participant’s interest in the Facility, the Facility Site, the Undivided Interest, the Ground Interest or any portion or Component thereof or any interest therein as a result of such Tax Claim; provided that this clause (C) shall not apply if NRG shall have posted and maintained a bond or otherwise provided security for NRG’s obligations under Section 12.2 satisfactory to the Tax Indemnitee in its reasonable discretion, or the Tax is fully paid in either manner specified in clause (E) below,

 

(D)                               there is no risk of imposition of any criminal penalties,

 

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(E)                                if such contest involves payment of such Tax, NRG will either advance to the Tax Indemnitee on an interest-free basis and with no after-tax cost to such Tax Indemnitee (a “Tax Advance”) or pay such Tax Indemnitee the amount payable by NRG pursuant to Section 12.2(a) above with respect to such Tax, and such Tax Indemnitee shall promptly pay to NRG any net Tax Benefit recognized which results from any imputed interest deduction arising from such interest free Tax Advance plus any net Tax Benefit recognized which result from making any such payment.

 

(F)                                 NRG agrees to pay (and pays on demand) and with no after-tax cost to such Tax Indemnitee all reasonable costs, losses and expenses incurred by the Tax Indemnitee in connection with the contest of such claim (including, without limitation, all reasonable legal, accounting and investigatory fees and disbursements),

 

(G)                               the Tax Indemnitee has been provided at NRG’s sole expense with an opinion, reasonably acceptable to such Tax Indemnitee, of independent tax counsel of recognized standing selected by NRG and reasonably acceptable to the Tax Indemnitee to the effect that there is a Reasonable Basis for contesting such Tax Claim,

 

(H)                              in the case of a judicial appeal, no appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court shall be required of the Tax Indemnitee or shall be permitted by NRG.

 

(I)                                   In the case of a judicial contest, NRG shall have delivered to the Tax Indemnitee a written acknowledgment of its liability under this Section 12.2 for such Taxes, provided, however, that NRG shall not be bound by its acknowledgment of liability if the contest is resolved on the basis of a written decision of the adjudicator that clearly indicates the basis for the conclusion that NRG has no liability under this Section 12.2 with respect to such Tax, unless NRG’s conduct of the contest has materially prejudiced the Tax Indemnitee.

 

(v)                                 Waiver of Indemnification.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 12.2, the Tax Indemnitee at any time may elect to decline to take any action or any further action with respect to a Tax Claim and may in its sole discretion settle or compromise any contest with respect to such Tax Claim without NRG’s consent if the Tax Indemnitee:

 

(A)                               waives its right to any indemnity payment by NRG pursuant to this Section 12.2 in respect of such Tax Claim (and any

 

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other claim for Taxes with respect to any other taxable year the contest of which is effectively precluded by the Tax Indemnitee’s declination to take action with respect to the Tax Claim), and

 

(B)                               promptly repays to NRG any Tax Advance and any amount paid to such Tax Indemnitee under Section 12.2(a) above in respect of such Taxes.

 

Except as provided in the preceding sentence, any such waiver shall be without prejudice to the rights of the Tax Indemnitee with respect to any other Tax Claim.

 

(h)                                 Reports.

 

(i)                                     If any report, statement or return is required to be filed by a Tax Indemnitee with respect to any Tax that is subject to indemnification under this Section 12.2, NRG will (1) notify the Tax Indemnitee in writing of such requirement not later than thirty (30) days prior to the date such report, statement or return is required to be filed (determined without regard to extensions) and (2) either (y) if permitted by applicable law, prepare such report, statement or return for filing by NRG in such manner as will show the ownership of the Facility by the Owner Lessor for United States federal, state and local income tax purposes (if applicable), send a copy of such report, statement or return to the Tax Indemnitee and timely file such report, statement or return with the appropriate taxing authority, or (z) if so directed by the Tax Indemnitee or in any event if practicable and if the return to be filed reflects only information in respect of the transactions contemplated by the Operative Documents, prepare and furnish to such Tax Indemnitee not later than thirty (30) days prior to the date such report, statement or return is required to be filed (determined without regard to extensions) a proposed form of such report, statement or return for filing by the Tax Indemnitee.

 

(ii)                                  Each of the Tax Indemnitee or NRG, as the case may be, will timely provide the other, at NRG’s expense, with all information in its possession that the other party may reasonably require and request to satisfy its obligations under this paragraph (h), but only if and to the extent that such Tax Indemnitee is legally entitled to furnish such information.

 

(i)                                     Non-Parties.  If a Tax Indemnitee is not a party to this Agreement, NRG may require such Tax Indemnitee to agree in writing, in a form reasonably acceptable to Midwest, to the terms of this Section 12 (to the extent applicable to such Tax Indemnitee) prior to making any payment to such Tax Indemnitee under this Section.

 

SECTION XIII              MIDWEST’S RIGHT OF QUIET ENJOYMENT

 

Each party to this Agreement acknowledges notice of, and consents in all respects to, the terms of the Facility Lease, and the Facility Site Sublease and expressly, severally and as to its own actions only, agrees that, so long as no Lease Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, neither it nor any party acting by, through or under such party shall take or cause to

 

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be taken any action contrary to Midwest’s rights under the Facility Lease and the Facility Site Sublease, including the right to possession, use and quiet enjoyment of the Undivided Interest and the Ground Interest.

 

SECTION XIV                                       SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCING OF IMPROVEMENTS; OPTIONAL REFINANCINGS

 

Section 14.1.                         Financing Improvements.

 

Upon the written request of Midwest delivered at least ninety (90) days prior to any proposed financing of the cost of any Required or Non-Severable Improvement, the Owner Lessor, the Lease Indenture Trustee and the Pass Through Trustee agree to cooperate with Midwest to (a) issue Additional Lessor Notes under the Lease Indenture to finance such Improvement which will rank pari passu with the Lessor Notes then outstanding; and (b) execute and deliver an amendment to the Facility Lease to reflect the adjustments required by clause (v) below; provided, however, that the Owner Participant shall have been given the opportunity, but shall have no obligation, to provide all or part of the funds required to finance the Owner Lessor’s Percentage of any such Improvement by making an Additional Equity Investment in such amount, if any, as it may determine in its sole discretion.  Midwest shall have no obligation to accept and the Owner Participant shall not be obligated to provide such Additional Equity Investment.  The obligation to finance such Improvement through the issuance of Additional Lessor Notes (any financing of Improvements through the issuance of such Additional Lessor Notes being called a “Supplemental Financing”) is subject to the limitations on incurrence of additional Indebtedness set forth in the Operative Documents and the following additional conditions:

 

(i)                                     there shall be no more than one such financing in any calendar year;

 

(ii)                                  Improvements shall be made in compliance with the Operative Documents;

 

(iii)                               such Improvement is a Required Improvement;

 

(iv)                              the Additional Lessor Notes shall have a final maturity date no later than the expiration date of the Basic Lease Term or any Renewal Term then in effect or already elected by Midwest and will be fully repaid out of additional Basic Lease Rent or Renewal Rent and Termination Value as adjusted pursuant to the Operative Documents;

 

(v)                                 appropriate adjustments to Basic Lease Rent and Termination Value (determined without regard to any tax benefits associated with such Improvements, unless the Owner Participant is making an Additional Equity Investment) shall also be made to protect the Owner Participant’s Expected Return;

 

(vi)                              NRG shall have paid, on an After-Tax Basis, all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Lease Financing Parties, including the

 

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reasonable fees and expenses of counsel to the Owner Participant, the Owner Lessor, the Owner Trustee, the Lease Indenture Trustee, the Lease Indenture Company in its individual capacity, the Pass Through Trustee and the Pass Through Company in its individual capacity, in each case to the extent incurred in connection with any financing or refinancing pursuant to this Section 14;

 

(vii)                           no Lease Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing unless the Improvements to be constructed with the proceeds of the Additional Lessor Notes shall cure such Lease Event of Default, and any such Improvements shall be made in compliance with the Operative Documents;

 

(viii)                        the sum of (y) the principal amount of such Additional Lessor Notes and (z) the principal amount of all comparable additional lessor notes used to finance such Improvements pursuant to the Other Facility Lease, is not less than $20 million and not greater than 100% of the cost of the Improvements being financed; provided that the sum of (I) the outstanding balance of the Lessor Notes and (II) all comparable lessor notes issued and outstanding of the Other Owner Lessor under the lease indenture to which such Other Owner Lessor are party never exceeds (x) 90% of the lesser of (1) the fair market value of the Facility taking into account such Improvements, as determined pursuant to the Appraisal Procedure, and (2) the sum of (t) the Purchase Price, (u) the comparable purchase price for the Other Undivided Interest and (v) the cost of the Improvement being financed;

 

(ix)                              the Owner Participant shall have received a favorable opinion reasonably satisfactory to it from nationally recognized tax counsel selected by the Owner Participant and reasonably acceptable to NRG, to the effect that such financing would not result in any material indemnified, or any unindemnified, incremental tax risk to the Owner Participant;

 

(x)                                 the Owner Participant shall not suffer any material adverse accounting effects under GAAP as a result of providing such additional financing;

 

(xi)                              the cost of the Improvement, together with the cost of all previous Improvements financed with Additional Lessor Notes is not greater than 25% of the sum of (x) the Purchase Price and (y) the comparable purchase price for the Other Undivided Interest; unless the Facility Lessee shall have received confirmation that after giving effect to the financing in connection with such Improvement, the Lease Debt rating will not fall below BBB- or Baa3 from S&P and Moody’s, respectively;

 

(xii)                           Midwest and NRG shall have made or delivered such representations, warranties, covenants, opinions or certificates as the Owner Participant may reasonably request; and

 

(xiii)                        such Additional Lessor Notes are issued pursuant to and in accordance with Section 2.13 of the Lease Indenture and Midwest and NRG shall

 

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have delivered such certificates, reports and other documents and shall have taken all other actions which are required to be delivered or taken by them pursuant to Section 2.13 of the Lease Indenture.

 

Notwithstanding the prior provision dealing with the financing of Improvements through the Facility Lease, Midwest shall at all times have the right to finance Improvements to the Facility other than through the Facility Lease; provided that Improvements may only be financed other than through the Facility Lease if such financing would not result in any Lien on the Facility or the Facility Land and shall be subject to the limitations on incurrence of additional Indebtedness contained in the other Operative Documents; provided further, that Required Improvements and Non-Severable Improvements shall automatically, upon being affixed to the Facility, become the property of the Owner Lessor and subject to the Facility Lease.

 

Section 14.2.                         Optional Refinancing of Lessor Notes.  Midwest will have the right, exercisable on no more than three occasions, for as long as no Material Lease Default or Lease Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, to request the Owner Lessor, and the Owner Lessor shall reasonably consider and shall not unreasonably refuse, to refund or refinance the Lessor Notes, in the public or private market, in whole but not in part, through the issuance of new notes to the public (notes issued in such refinancing, the “New Lessor Notes”), to a pass through trust or to such other funding vehicles as may be used at that time or to any other party that is not the Facility Lessee or any Affiliate thereof; provided that any refinancing under this Section 14.2 shall also be subject to satisfaction of the following conditions:

 

(i)                                     the Owner Lessor shall be able to issue and sell the New Lessor Notes in an amount adequate to accomplish such refunding or refinancing;

 

(ii)                                  the Owner Participant shall receive an opinion reasonably satisfactory to it from nationally recognized tax counsel selected by the Owner Participant and reasonably acceptable to the Facility Lessee and NRG, to the effect that such refinancing (as opposed to the right to request such refinancing) would not result in any material indemnified or any unindemnified incremental tax risk to the Owner Participant (including tax risks relating to the classification of the Lessor Notes as qualified nonrecourse indebtedness; provided, however, that absent a change in law or judicial, administrative or legislative interpretation thereof after the Plan Effective Date, there would not be incremental tax risk with respect to the allocation of interest expense for foreign tax credit purposes from a refinancing consummated in accordance with the provisions set forth below);

 

(iii)                               all documentation in connection with such refinancing shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Owner Lessor, the Owner Trustee, and the Owner Participant and conditions set forth therein shall be met;

 

(iv)                              the Owner Participant shall be entitled to a consent fee of $25,000 in connection therewith;

 

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(v)                                 the refinancing shall not result in any other material adverse effect on the rights or interests of the Owner Lessor or the Owner Participant;

 

(vi)                              New Lessor Notes shall be issued in compliance with Section 467 of the Code and any proposed, temporary, or final regulation thereunder, in each case as modified and in effect on the date of such issuance.

 

(vii)                           all necessary authorizations, approvals and consents in connection with such refinancing shall have been obtained from each Person whose authorization, approval or consent is necessary to consummate such refinancing with respect to the Facility Lessee, the Owner Lessor, the Lease Indenture Trustee and the Pass Through Trustee, and such authorizations, approvals and consents shall be in full force and effect on the closing date of such refinancing;

 

(viii)                        the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the refinancing shall not cause the Owner Participant to account for the transactions contemplated by the Operative Documents as other than a “leveraged lease” under FAS 13;

 

(ix)                              all payment dates for principal and interest payments on the New Lessor Notes shall become Rent Payment Dates;

 

(x)                                 on the closing date of such refinancing, each of the Facility Lessee, the Owner Lessor and the Lease Indenture Trustee shall have executed and delivered all appropriate supplements to the Operative Documents that are necessary to consummate such refinancing, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Owner Lessor and the Lease Indenture Trustee;

 

(xi)                              each of the Owner Lessor, the Owner Participant, the Lease Indenture Trustee and the Pass Through Trustee shall have received an opinion of counsel for the Facility Lessee on such matters as they may reasonably request and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Owner Participant and the Lease Indenture Trustee;

 

(xii)                           Midwest and NRG shall have delivered such certificates, reports and other documents and shall have taken all other actions which are required to be delivered or taken by them pursuant to Section 2.13 of the Lease Indenture;

 

(xiii)                        each of the Owner Lessor, the Owner Participant and the Lease Indenture Trustee shall have received from the Facility Lessee a certificate dated the date of the issuance of the New Lessor Notes executed on behalf of the Facility Lessee by an Authorized Officer thereof stating that all conditions precedent to the issuance of such New Lessor Notes have been satisfied or waived;

 

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(xiv)                       the consummation of any transaction contemplated by such refinancing shall not violate any Requirements of Law except to the extent that such non-compliance with the Requirements of Law would not have a material adverse effect on the Owner Lessor.

 

(xv)                          the New Lessor Notes shall have a final maturity date no later than six months after the stated maturity date of the Initial Lessor Notes as set forth in Section 2.4 of the Lease Indenture and the weighted average life to maturity of the New Lessor Notes shall not vary from the remaining weighted average life-to-maturity of the Lessor Notes (immediately prior to such refinancing) by more than six months;

 

(xvi)                       the principal amount of the New Lessor Notes shall not exceed by more than 5 percent the remaining principal amount of the Lessor Notes (immediately prior to such refinancing); and

 

(xvii)                    the New Lessor Notes shall satisfy the requirements of Temp.  Treas. Reg. § 1.861 - 10T(b)(2)(iii), (iv) and (v) and not be excluded by reason of Temp.  Treas. Reg. § 1.861 - 10T(b)(4).

 

Section 14.3.                         Cooperation.  The Owner Participant will cooperate with and reasonably assist Midwest in connection with any refinancing and/or assumption of the Lessor Notes, so long as such refinancing is in accordance with the terms of the Operative Documents.  The Owner Participant will execute such agreements and documents as may be necessary with respect to any such refinancing and will instruct the Owner Lessor to act accordingly.  Nothing contained in this Section 14 shall limit Midwest’s right to request a refinancing in accordance with Section 14.2, above, refinance the Lessor Notes and to make corresponding changes to Basic Lease Rent and the Termination Value in accordance with the rent adjustment provisions set forth in Section 3 of the Facility Lease.

 

SECTION XV                                            [RESERVED]

 

SECTION XVI                                       RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL; RIGHT OF FIRST OFFER

 

Section 16.1.                         Right of First Offer.  In the event the Owner Participant desires to sell, lease, convey or otherwise transfer some or all of its Beneficial Interest other than to an Affiliate of the Owner Participant (other than in connection with the exercise of remedies following a Lease Event of Default) prior to the expiration of the Facility Lease Term, the Owner Participant must first offer to sell such Beneficial Interest to the Facility Lessee on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 16.1.  Such offer shall be made to the Facility Lessee in the form of a proposed term sheet, which proposed term sheet shall include an outline of the price and of the terms, conditions and provisions upon which the Owner Participant would be willing to transfer such Beneficial Interest or any part thereof.  The Facility Lessee will thereafter have the right within a period of forty-five (45) days from and after the receipt by the Facility Lessee of such proposed term sheet to notify the Owner Participant of its intent to exercise its right to purchase hereunder.  If the Facility Lessee elects to exercise the right provided in the preceding sentence, it shall within sixty (60) days of such notice purchase, and the Owner Participant shall

 

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sell, the Beneficial Interest on the same terms and conditions as the offer giving rise to such right.  If the Facility Lessee does not give such notice to the Owner Participant within the forty-five (45) day period or does not purchase the Beneficial Interest within sixty (60) days of such notice, the Owner Participant will be free to so sell, lease, convey or otherwise transfer such Beneficial Interest, or a portion thereof, at a price no less than the price set forth in the proposed term sheet and on terms and conditions, taken as a whole, that, other than in an immaterial respect, are no less favorable to the Owner Participant than the terms and conditions set forth in the proposed term sheet, unless the failure to purchase the Beneficial Interest within sixty (60) days is attributable to the Owner Participant.  In the event that the terms or conditions are revised in any way that the price is reduced or any of the other terms and conditions thereof, taken as a whole change the agreement for sale, lease, conveyance or transfer such that the terms and conditions of any such subsequent transaction are less favorable, other than in an immaterial respect, to the Owner Participant, the Owner Participant must again comply with the notice and acceptance provisions of this Section 16.1.  It is understood and agreed among the parties hereto that the transaction contemplated by this Section 16.1 shall not effect a merger of the Facility Lessee’s ownership interest in the Facility and the Facility Site with the Owner Lessor’s Interest.

 

Section 16.2.                         Right of First Refusal.  In the event the Owner Participant desires to sell, lease, convey or otherwise transfer some or all of its Beneficial Interest or cause the Owner Lessor to sell, lease, convey or otherwise transfer its Owner Lessor’s Interest at any time within three years after expiration or termination of the Facility Lease (other than pursuant to Sections 13 and 14 of the Facility Lease) to any Person other than an Affiliate of the Owner Participant, the Facility Lessee or an Affiliate thereof, the Facility Lessee shall have the right, unless such sale, lease, conveyance or transfer is in connection with the exercise of remedies upon a Lease Event of Default, to purchase, lease or otherwise acquire such interest on the terms and conditions set forth in the bid that the Owner Participant intends to accept.  The Owner Participant shall give the Facility Lessee prompt written notice of all bona fide offers that have been received from any other Person to purchase or acquire the Owner Lessor’s Interest or Owner Participant’s Beneficial Interest or any part of either during such three-year period following the expiration or termination of the Facility Lease, and which offers it wishes to accept, together with a full and complete statement of the price and all of the material terms, conditions and provisions contained in such offers.  The Facility Lessee shall thereafter have the right within a period of forty-five (45) days from and after the receipt by the Facility Lessee of such notice to notify the Owner Participant of its intent to exercise its rights of first refusal.  If the Facility Lessee elects to exercise the right provided in the preceding sentence, it shall within sixty (60) days of such notice purchase, and the Owner Participant shall sell, the Beneficial Interest on the same terms and conditions as the offer giving rise to such right.  If the Facility Lessee does not give such notice to the Owner Participant within the forty-five (45) day period or does not purchase the Beneficial Interest within sixty (60) days of such notice, the Owner Participant shall be free to proceed under the terms and conditions as set forth in its irrevocable notice to the Facility Lessee, unless the failure to purchase the Beneficial Interest within sixty (60) days is attributable to the Owner Participant.  In the event that the terms or conditions are revised in any way that changes the agreement for sale, lease, conveyance or transfer such that the terms and conditions thereof, other than in immaterial respects, are less favorable to the Owner Participant (including any reduction in price or a change in the terms of payment thereof in a manner that is beneficial to the potential purchaser), the Owner Participant must again comply with the notice and acceptance provisions of this Section 16.2.  In connection with the

 

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Facility Lessee’s exercise of the right of first refusal pursuant to this Section 16.2 with respect to the Owner Lessor’s Interest, the Ground Interest shall be conveyed to the Facility Lessee.

 

SECTION XVII                                  SPECIAL LESSEE TRANSFER

 

In the case of a Regulatory Event of Loss or Burdensome Buyout Event under the Facility Lease, the Facility Lessee (or its designee), so long as the Facility Lessee shall remain liable under the Facility Lease to pay Basic Lease Rent and all other payments under the Facility Lease, upon not less than thirty (30) days’ written notice to the Owner Participant and the Lease Indenture Trustee, on the applicable Termination Date, may purchase the Owner Participant’s Beneficial Interest, or, in the case of a Burdensome Buyout Event, the membership interest in the Owner Participant, and keep the Facility Lease in place; provided that (i) the Owner Participant shall not suffer any detriment (including tax or book consequences) from such purchase (as compared to that which would have resulted had the Facility Lessee terminated the Facility Lease and purchased the Owner Lessor’s Interest), (ii) the Facility Lessee satisfies the transferee requirements contained in Section 12.1 hereof applicable to transfers by the Owner Participant, if applicable and (iii) NRG pays all expenses incurred by the other Lease Financing Parties in connection therewith.  If the Facility Lessee chooses to purchase the Owner Participant’s Beneficial Interest or the membership interest in the Owner Participant, as the case may be, pursuant to the preceding sentence, on the applicable Termination Date, NRG (or its designee) shall pay to the Owner Participant or to the Equity Investor, as the case may be, the Special Lessee Transfer Amount determined as of such date, plus all amounts due and payable to the Owner Participant or Equity Investor, as the case may be, on such date under the Operative Documents.

 

Concurrently with the payment of all sums required to be paid pursuant to this Section 17 (or on such later date of transfer of the Owner Participant’s Beneficial Interest or membership interest in the Owner Participant, as the case may be, in accordance with clause (ii) below) (i) the Facility Lessee shall cease to have any liability to the Owner Participant with respect to the Operative Documents, except for obligations surviving pursuant to the express terms of any Operative Document or which have otherwise accrued but not been paid as of such date and (ii) the Owner Participant or the Equity Investor, as the case may be, will transfer (by an appropriate instrument of transfer in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Owner Lessor and prepared and recorded at NRG’s expense) the Owner Participant’s Beneficial Interest or membership interest in the Owner Participant, as the case may be, to the Facility Lessee (or its designee); provided, however, that if the Lien of the Lease Indenture has not been terminated or discharged, such transfer shall not be made to the Facility Lessee, but shall be made to the Facility Lessee’s designee promptly upon the Facility Lessee’s designation of such designee and such designee will agree not to transfer the Owner Participant’s Beneficial Interest or the membership interest in the Owner Participant, as the case may be, to the Facility Lessee until such Lien is discharged.  The Owner Participant or Equity Investor, as the case may be, shall make any transfer under this Section 17 on an “as is,” “where is” basis, without warranty other than as to the absence of Owner Lessor’s Liens and Owner Participant’s Liens on the Owner Participant’s Beneficial Interest or the membership interest in the Owner Participant, as the case may be.  It is understood and agreed among the parties hereto that the transaction contemplated by this Section 17 shall not effect a merger of the Facility Lessee’s leasehold interest in the Facility and subleasehold interest in the Facility Site with the Owner Lessor’s Interest.  NRG will

 

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pay all reasonable costs and expenses of the Lease Financing Parties in connection with any transfer pursuant to this Section 17.  Subsequent to such transfer, the Facility Lessee and the Owner Lessor may, without the consent of the Lease Indenture Trustee or the Pass Through Trustee, waive the Regulatory Event of Loss or Burdensome Buyout Event that gave rise to the right to purchase the Owner Participant’s Beneficial Interest or the membership interest in the Owner Participant, as the case may be, and the Facility Lease shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with its terms.

 

SECTION XVIII                             MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 18.1.                         Consents.  The Owner Participant covenants and agrees that it shall not unreasonably withhold its consent to any consent requested of the Owner Lessor under the terms of the Operative Documents that by its terms is not to be unreasonably withheld by the Owner Lessor.

 

Section 18.2.                         Successor Owner Lessor.  The parties hereto agree that the transfer or assignment pursuant to the terms of the Trust Agreement by the Owner Lessor to a successor Owner Lessor, pursuant to the trust created thereunder, will not violate the terms of any Operative Document.

 

Section 18.3.                         Bankruptcy of Trust Estate.  If (a) all or any part of the Trust Estate becomes the property of a debtor subject to the reorganization provisions of Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended from time to time, (b) pursuant to such reorganization provisions the Owner Participant is required, by reason of the Owner Participant being held to have recourse liability to the debtor or the trustee of the debtor directly or indirectly, to make payment on account of any amount payable as principal or interest on the Lessor Notes, and (c) the Lease Indenture Trustee actually receives any Excess Amount, as defined below, which reflects any payment by the Owner Participant on account of Section 18.3(b), the Lease Indenture Trustee shall promptly refund to the Owner Participant such Excess Amount.  For purposes of this Section 18.3, “Excess Amount” means the amount by which such payment exceeds the amount which would have been received by the Lease Indenture Trustee if the Owner Participant had not become subject to the recourse liability referred to in Section 18.3(b).  Nothing contained in this Section 18.3 shall prevent the Lease Indenture Trustee from enforcing any personal recourse obligations (and retaining the proceeds thereof) of the Owner Participant as contemplated by this Agreement (other than referred to Section 18.3(b)).

 

Section 18.4.                         Amendments and Waivers.  No term, covenant, agreement or condition of this Agreement may be terminated, amended or compliance therewith waived (either generally or in a particular instance, retroactively or prospectively) except by an instrument or instruments in writing, executed by each party hereto.

 

Section 18.5.                         Notices.  Unless otherwise expressly specified or permitted by the terms hereof, all communications and notices provided for herein shall be in writing or by a telecommunications device capable of creating a written record, and any such notice shall become effective (a) upon personal delivery thereof, including, without limitation, by overnight mail or courier service, (b) in the case of notice by United States mail, certified or registered, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, upon receipt thereof, or (c) in the case of notice by

 

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such a telecommunications device, upon transmission thereof, provided such transmission is promptly confirmed by either of the methods set forth in Sections 18.5(a) or (b) above, in each case addressed to each party hereto at its address set forth below or, in the case of any such party hereto, at such other address as such party may from time to time designate by written notice to the other parties hereto:

 

If to Midwest or NRG:

 

NRG Energy, Inc.
 211 Carnegie Center
 Princeton, NJ 08540-6213
 Attn.:  General Counsel — East Region
 With a copy to the General Counsel at the same address
 Fax:  (609) 524-4501

 

With a copy to:

 

Baker Botts L.L.P.
 1299 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
 Washington, DC 20004-2400
 Attn.:  Elaine M. Walsh
 Fax:  (202) 585-1042

 

If to the Owner Lessor, the Owner Trustee or the Trust Company:

 

Nesbitt Asset Recovery Series P-1
 c/o U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Owner Trustee
 U.S. Bank Corporate Trust Services
 Mail Code:  EXDE-WDAW
 300 Delaware Avenue, 9th Floor
 Wilmington, Delaware 19801
 Attn.:  Mildred Smith
 Fax:  (302) 576-3717

 

With a copy to:

 

Jenner & Block LLP
 353 North Clark Street
 Chicago, Illinois 60654
 Attn.:  Daniel R. Murray, Melissa M. Root & Andrew J. Olejnik
 Fax:  (312) 527-0484

 

If to the Owner Participant:

 

Nesbitt Asset Recovery Series LLC, P-1
 80 Park Plaza, T-20
 Newark, New Jersey 07102



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Attn.:  Scott Jennings, President
 Fax:  (973) 643-3918

 

With a copy to:

 

Jenner & Block LLP
 353 N. Clark Street
 Chicago, Illinois 60654
 Attn.:  Daniel R. Murray, Melissa M. Root & Andrew J. Olejnik
 Fax:  (312) 527-0484

 

If to the Lease Indenture Trustee or the Lease Indenture Company:

 

The Bank of New York Mellon — Public Finance
 385 Rifle Camp Road
 Woodland Park, New Jersey 07424
 Attn.:  Rosemary Melendez, Vice President
 Fax:  (973) 357-7840

 

With a copy to:

 

O’Melveny & Myers, LLP
 7 Times Square
 New York, New York 10036-6524
 Attn.:  George Davis
 Fax:  (212) 326-2061

 

-and-

 

Emmet, Marvin & Martin, LLP
 120 Broadway 32nd Floor
 New York, New York 10271
 Attn:  Edward P. Zujkowski & Thomas A. Pitta
 Fax:  (212) 238-3100

 

If to Pass Through Trustee or the Pass Through Company:

 

The Bank of New York Mellon — Public Finance
 385 Rifle Camp Road
 Woodland Park, New Jersey 07424
 Attn.:  Rosemary Melendez, Vice President
 Fax:  (973) 357-7840

 

With a copy to:

 

O’Melveny & Myers, LLP
 7 Times Square
 New York, New York 10036-6524



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Attn.:  George Davis
 Fax:  (212) 326-2061

 

-and-

 

Emmet, Marvin & Martin, LLP
 120 Broadway 32nd Floor
 New York, New York 10271
 Attn:  Edward P. Zujkowski & Thomas A. Pitta
 Fax:  (212) 238-3100

 

A copy of all notices provided for herein shall be sent by the party giving such notice to each of the other parties hereto.  In addition, Midwest and NRG, without duplication, shall (unless otherwise directed by the applicable Rating Agency) provide to each Rating Agency a copy of any information, report or notice it gives to the Lease Indenture Trustee hereunder or any other Operative Documents.

 

Section 18.6.                         Survival.  All warranties, representations, indemnities and covenants made by any party hereto, herein or in any certificate or other instrument delivered by any such party or on the behalf of any such party under this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by each other party hereto and shall survive the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and in the other Operative Documents regardless of any investigation made by any such party or on behalf of any such party.  In addition, the indemnifications by NRG under Sections 12.1 and 12.2 of this Agreement shall, subject to Sections 12.1(b) and 12.2(b) of this Agreement, respectively, expressly survive the expiration or early termination (in either case, for whatever reason) of the Facility Lease or the transfer or other disposition (including by resignation and removal) of the respective interests of the Owner Participant, the Owner Lessor, the Trust Company, the Owner Trustee and the Lease Indenture Company, the Lease Indenture Trustee, the Pass Through Trustee and the Pass Through Company in, to and under this Agreement and other Operative Documents.

 

Section 18.7.                         Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns as permitted by and in accordance with the terms hereof, including each successive holder of the Owner Participant’s Beneficial Interest permitted under Section 10.1 of this Agreement. Except as expressly provided herein or in the other Operative Documents, no party hereto may assign its interests herein without the consent of the other parties hereto.

 

Section 18.8.                         Governing Law.  This Agreement has been delivered in the State of New York and shall be in all respects governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York including all matters of construction, validity and performance without giving effect to the conflicts of laws provisions thereof except New York General Obligations Law Section 5-1401.

 

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Section 18.9.                         Severability.  If any provision hereof shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable under Requirement of Law, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof shall not be affected or impaired thereby.

 

Section 18.10.                  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each executed counterpart constituting an original but all together only one agreement.

 

Section 18.11.                  Headings and Table of Contents.  The headings of the sections of this Agreement and the Table of Contents are inserted for purposes of convenience only and shall not be construed to affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.

 

Section 18.12.                  Limitation of Liability.

 

(a)                                 None of the Owner Participant, the Owner Lessor, the Owner Trustee, the Trust Company, the Lease Indenture Company, the Lease Indenture Trustee, the Pass Through Trustee or the Pass Through Company shall have any obligation or duty to Midwest, NRG or to others with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, except those obligations or duties expressly set forth in this Agreement and the Operative Documents, and neither the Owner Lessor, the Owner Participant, the Owner Trustee, the Trust Company, the Lease Indenture Company, the Lease Indenture Trustee, the Pass Through Trustee or the Pass Through Company shall be liable for performance by any other party hereto of such other party’s obligations or duties hereunder.  Without limitation of the generality of the foregoing, under no circumstances whatsoever shall the Owner Participant be liable to Midwest, NRG, the Lease Indenture Trustee, the Pass Through Trustee or the Pass Through Company for any action or inaction on the part of the Owner Lessor or the Owner Trustee in connection with the transactions contemplated herein, whether or not such action or inaction is caused by willful misconduct or gross negligence of the Owner Lessor, unless such action or inaction is at the written direction of the Owner Participant.

 

(b)                                 The Trust Company is executing the Operative Documents to which it is a party solely as trustee under the Trust Agreement and not in its individual capacity, except as expressly provided herein or therein, and in no case whatsoever shall the Trust Company be personally liable for, or for any loss in respect of, any of the statements, representations, warranties, agreements or obligations of the Owner Lessor or the Owner Trustee hereunder or under any other Operative Document, as to all of which the other parties hereto agree to look solely to the Trust Estate; provided, however, that the Trust Company shall be liable hereunder for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct or for a breach of its representations, warranties and covenants made in its individual capacity.

 

(c)                                  The Lease Indenture Company and the Pass Through Company are each entering into the Operative Documents to which they are parties solely as trustees under the Lease Indenture and the Pass Through Trust Agreement, respectively, and not in their individual capacities, except as expressly provided herein or therein, and in no case whatsoever shall the Lease Indenture Company or the Pass Through Company be personally liable for, or for any loss in respect of, any of the statements, representations, warranties, agreements or obligations of the Owner Lessor hereunder or under any other Operative Document, as to all of which the other

 

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parties hereto agree to look solely to the Trust Estate and the Indenture Estate; provided, however, that such party shall be liable hereunder for its own gross negligence, willful misconduct, bad faith or a breach of its representations, warranties and covenants made in its individual capacity.

 

(d)                                 The right of the Lease Indenture Company or the Pass Through Company to perform any discretionary act enumerated herein or in any other Operative Document (including, without limitation, the right to consent to any action which requires its consent and the right to waive any provision of, or consent to any change or amendment to, any of the Operative Documents) shall not be construed as a duty, and neither the Lease Indenture Company nor the Pass Through Company shall be accountable or liable for other than its gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith in the performance or non-performance of such acts.  In connection with any such discretionary acts, the Lease Indenture Trustee may in its own judgment (but shall not, except as otherwise provided in the Lease Indenture or as otherwise required by Requirement of Law, have any obligation to) request in writing the approval of the Pass Through Trustee as holders of Lessor Notes and each Pass Through Trustee may in its sole discretion (but shall not, except as otherwise provided for in the Operative Documents or as otherwise required by Requirement of Law, have any obligation to) request the approval of the holders of the Certificates.

 

(e)                                  The Owner Participant will give Midwest and NRG at least fifteen (15) days’ prior notice of any proposed amendment or supplement to the Trust Agreement (other than amendments solely effecting a transfer of the Owner Participant’s interest in the Trust Estate or with respect to administrative matters) and deliver true, complete and fully executed copies to Midwest and NRG of any amendment or supplement to the Trust Agreement.  No amendment or supplement to the Trust Agreement that could materially adversely affect the interests of the Lease Indenture Trustee or the Pass Through Trustee shall become effective without the prior written consent of the Lease Indenture Trustee or the Pass Through Trustee, as applicable.

 

(f)                                   Nothing in this Participation Agreement modifies the release or exculpation provisions in the Chapter 11 Plan.

 

Section 18.13.                  Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Trial by Jury, Process Agent.

 

(a)                                 Each of the parties hereto (i) hereby irrevocably submits to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County (without prejudice to the right of any party to remove to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York) and to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York for the purposes of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of this Agreement, the other Operative Documents, or the subject matter hereof or thereof or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby brought by any of the parties hereto or their successors or assigns; (ii) hereby irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State court, or in such federal court; and (iii) to the extent permitted by Requirement of Law, hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense, or otherwise, in any such suit, action or proceeding any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the

 

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above-named courts, that the suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the suit, action or proceeding is improper or that this Agreement, the other Operative Documents, or the subject matter hereof or thereof may not be enforced in or by such court.

 

(b)                                 TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY REQUIREMENT OF LAW, EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO DEMAND A TRIAL BY JURY, IN ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR OTHER PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER OPERATIVE DOCUMENTS, OR THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF OR THEREOF OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY BROUGHT BY ANY OF THE PARTIES HERETO OR THEIR SUCCESSORS OR ASSIGNS.

 

(c)                                  By the execution and delivery of this Agreement, Midwest and NRG designate, appoint and empower CT Corporation System as their authorized agent to receive for and on their behalf service of any summons, complaint or other legal process in any such action, suit or proceeding in the State of New York for so long as any obligation of Midwest and NRG shall remain outstanding hereunder or under any of the other Operative Documents.  Midwest and NRG shall grant an irrevocable power of attorney to CT Corporation System in respect of such appointment and shall maintain such power of attorney in full force and effect for so long as any obligation of Midwest and NRG shall remain outstanding hereunder or under any of the Operative Documents.

 

Section 18.14.                  Further Assurances.  Each party hereto will promptly and duly execute and deliver such further documents to make such further assurances for and take such further action reasonably requested by any party to whom such first party is obligated, all as may be reasonably necessary to carry out more effectively the intent and purpose of this Agreement and the other Operative Documents.

 

Section 18.15.                  Effectiveness.  This Agreement has been dated as of the date first above written for convenience only.  This Agreement shall be effective on the date of execution and delivery by each of the parties hereto.

 

Section 18.16.                  Measuring Life.  If and to the extent that any of the options, rights and privileges granted under this Agreement, would, in the absence of the limitation imposed by this sentence, be invalid or unenforceable as being in violation of the rule against perpetuities or any other rule or law relating to the vesting of interests in property or the suspension of the power of alienation of property, then it is agreed that notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, such options, rights and privileges, subject to the respective conditions hereof governing the exercise of such options, rights and privileges, will be exercisable only during (a) the longer of (i) a period which will end twenty-one (21) years after the death of the last survivor of the descendants living on the date of the execution of this Agreement of the following Presidents of the United States:  Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard M. Nixon, Gerald R. Ford, James E. Carter, Ronald W. Reagan, George H.W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama, or (ii) the period provided under the Uniform Statutory Rule Against Perpetuities or

 

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(b) the specific applicable period of time expressed in this Agreement, whichever of (a) and (b) is shorter.

 

Section 18.17.                  No Partnership, Etc.  The parties hereto intend that nothing contained in this Agreement or any other Operative Document shall be deemed or construed to create a partnership, joint venture or other co-ownership arrangement by and among any of them.

 

Section 18.18.                  Restrictions on Transfer of Membership Interest.

 

(a)                                 No OP Member shall, during the Facility Lease Term, assign, convey or transfer any of its right, title or interest in the Membership Interest or cause the Owner Participant to issue additional membership interests without the prior written consent of Midwest and NRG and, for so long as the Lien of the Lease Indenture has not been terminated or discharged, the Lease Indenture Trustee and the Pass Through Trustee; provided, however, that an OP Member may assign, convey or transfer all or any part of its interest in the Membership Interest without such consent to a Person (the “Member Transferee”), if the Owner Participant Guaranty shall remain outstanding and in full force and effect or each of the following conditions shall have been satisfied:

 

(b)                                 the Member Transferee shall be either (A) an Affiliate of the Owner Participant which does not otherwise qualify under clause (B) below provided the Owner Participant Guaranty shall remain in full force and effect, or (B) a Person which guarantees all of the Owner Participant’s obligations under the Operative Documents pursuant to a guaranty substantially in the form of Exhibit Y to the Original Participation Agreement and meets the following criteria:  (1) the tangible net worth of the Member Transferee is at least equal to $75 million calculated in accordance with GAAP; and (2) unless waived by Midwest and NRG, and so long as no Material Lease Default or Lease Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, such Member Transferee is not a Competitor (as defined in Section 10.1(e)) of, or in material litigation with, Midwest or any Affiliate of Midwest;

 

(c)                                  the total number of Unrelated Members, after giving effect to such transactions shall not exceed three; and

 

(d)                                 the Member Transferee agrees in the guaranty or in another written instrument reasonably acceptable to Midwest and, for so long as the Lien of the Lease Indenture has not been terminated or discharged, the Lease Indenture Trustee and the Pass Through Trustee to be bound by this Section 18.18 and by provisions of Section 18.19 of this Agreement.

 

(e)                                  Neither the Facility Lessee nor NRG shall not be responsible for any adverse tax consequence to the Owner Lessor, the Owner Participant or the Guarantor resulting from any transfer pursuant to this Section 18.18 and the Pricing Assumptions shall not be changed as a result of any such transfer.

 

(f)                                   The OP Member shall give the Owner Lessor, the Owner Trustee, the Lease Indenture Trustee, the Pass Through Trustee, Midwest and NRG thirty (30) days prior written notice of such transfer, or ten (10) days in the case of a transfer to an Affiliate of the Owner Participant, specifying the name and address of any proposed Member Transferee and such additional information as shall be necessary to determine whether the proposed transfer

 

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satisfies the requirements of this Section 18.18.  If requested by the OP Member, the Owner Participant, the Lease Indenture Trustee or the Pass Through Trustee, Midwest or NRG shall acknowledge qualifying transfers.  All reasonable fees, expenses and charges of the Lease Indenture Trustee, the Pass Through Trustee, Midwest and NRG (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses in connection with any such transfer or proposed transfer), including any of the foregoing relating to any amendments to the Operative Documents required in connection therewith, shall be paid by the OP Member, without any right of indemnification from Midwest, NRG, the Lease Indenture Trustee, the Pass Through Trustee or any other Person; provided, however, that the OP Member shall have no obligation to pay fees, expenses or charges of Midwest and NRG as a result of any transfer while a Material Lease Default or a Lease Event of Default is continuing, in which case Midwest or NRG shall be obligated to pay such costs.

 

(g)                                  Upon any transfer to a Member Transferee specified in clause (a)(i)(B) of this Section 18.18 and compliance with all of the other provisions of this Section 18.18, (i) the Member Transferee shall, to the extent of the Membership Interest conveyed to the Member Transferee, be deemed an “OP Member” for purposes of this Section 18.18 and the Person executing the guaranty pursuant to such clause (a)(i)(B) shall be deemed a “OP Guarantor” for all purposes and each reference in this Agreement and each other Operative Document to the “OP Guarantor” shall thereafter be deemed to include such Member Transferee or the Person executing such guaranty, as the case may be, to the extent of the obligations expressly transferred to the Member Transferee and guaranteed by such Person, for all purposes and (ii) the existing OP Guarantor shall be released from all obligations under its Owner Participant Guaranty to the extent such obligations are expressly guaranteed by the Member Transferee or such Affiliate; provided, however, that in no event shall any such transfer waive or release the existing OP Guarantor from any liability existing immediately prior to or occurring simultaneously with such transfer.  Except as expressly provided in the immediately preceding sentence, no transfer of any Membership Interest shall effect the obligations of the existing OP Guarantor under the Owner Participant Guaranty or any other OP Guarantor under its Owner Participant Guaranty.

 

(h)                                 Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any transfer of Membership Interest pursuant to this Section 18.18 shall be subject to Midwest’s right of first offer and right of first refusal set forth in Sections 16.1 and 16.2 of this Agreement, respectfully, to the same extent as if such transfer were a transfer by the Owner Participant of its Beneficial Interest.

 

Section 18.19.                  [RESERVED].

 

Section 18.20.                  Guaranteed TV Amount.  Each party to this Agreement acknowledges notice of, and consents in all respects to, the terms of the NRG Guarantee, including Section 2.03 of the NRG Guarantee which limits obligations of NRG under the NRG Guarantee in certain specific instances to the Guaranteed TV Amount.

 

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized.

 

	
 
    	
NESBITT   ASSET RECOVERY SERIES P-1
   (f/k/a POWERTON TRUST I)
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:    U.S. Bank Trust National   Association as successor trustee to Wilmington Trust Company, not in its   individual capacity but solely as Owner Trustee
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Diana Jacobs
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
Diana   Jacobs
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Vice   President
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
U.S. BANK   TRUST NATIONAL
   ASSOCIATION,
    
	
 
    	
not   in its individual capacity, except as expressly provided herein, but solely   as Owner Trustee
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Diana Jacobs
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
Diana   Jacobs
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Vice   President
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
NESBITT   ASSET RECOVERY LLC, SERIES
   P-1 (as successor to POWERTON
   GENERATION I, LLC)
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Scott Jennings
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
Scott   Jennings
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Authorized   Signatory
    


 











 

	
 
    	
NRG   ENERGY, INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Kirkland B. Andrews
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
Kirkland   B. Andrews
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Executive   Vice President
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
MIDWEST   GENERATION, LLC
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   William Lee Davis
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
William   Lee Davis
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
President
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
THE   BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON,
    
	
 
    	
not   in its individual capacity, except to the extent provided herein, but solely   as Successor Lease Indenture Trustee under the Lease Indenture
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   B.M. Schessler
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
B.M.   Schessler
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Vice   President
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
THE   BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON,
    
	
 
    	
not   in its individual capacity, except to the extent provided herein, but as   Successor Pass Through Trustee under the Pass Through Trust Agreement
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   B.M. Schessler
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
B.M.   Schessler
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Vice   President
    


 












 

APPENDICES

 

	
Appendix A
    	
 
    	
Definitions
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
EXHIBITS
    
	
 
    
	
Exhibit A
    	
 
    	
[RESERVED]
    
	
Exhibit B
    	
 
    	
Facility   Deed
    
	
Exhibit C
    	
 
    	
Facility   Lease
    
	
Exhibit C1
    	
 
    	
First   Amendment to Facility Lease
    
	
Exhibit D
    	
 
    	
Facility   Site Lease
    
	
Exhibit E
    	
 
    	
Facility   Site Sublease
    
	
Exhibit F
    	
 
    	
Lease   Indenture
    
	
Exhibit F1
    	
 
    	
First   Amendment to Lease Indenture
    
	
Exhibit G
    	
 
    	
Tax   Indemnity Agreement
    
	
Exhibit H
    	
 
    	
NRG   Guarantee
    
	
Exhibit I
    	
 
    	
NRG   OP Guarantee
    
	
Exhibit J
    	
 
    	
Form of   Assignment and Assumption Agreement
    
	
Exhibit K
    	
 
    	
List   of Competitors
    
	
Exhibit L
    	
 
    	
FERC   Section 203 Order
    
	
Exhibit M
    	
 
    	
Engineering   Report
    
	
Exhibit N
    	
 
    	
Closing   Date Appraisal
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SCHEDULES
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Schedule 3.1(c)
    	
 
    	
Midwest   Governmental Approvals
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Part B   - Non-final Approvals
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Part C   - Threatened Approvals
    
	
Schedule 3.2(c)
    	
 
    	
NRG   Governmental Approvals
    


 











 

APPENDICES

 











 

Appendix A

 

Definitions

 











 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED APPENDIX A:
 DEFINITIONS

 

(T1)

 

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

In this Appendix A and each Operative Document (as hereinafter defined), unless, otherwise provided herein or therein:

 

i.              the terms set forth in this Appendix A or in any such Operative Document shall have the meanings herein provided for and any term used in an Operative Document and not defined therein or in this Appendix A but in another Operative Document shall have the meaning herein or therein provided for in such other Operative Document;

 

ii.             any term defined in this Appendix A by reference to another document, instrument or agreement shall continue to have the meaning ascribed thereto whether or not such other document, instrument or agreement remains in effect;

 

iii.            any term used in an Operative Document and not defined therein or in this Appendix A shall have the meaning specified in Appendix A to the Original Participation Agreement;

 

iv.            words importing the singular include the plural and vice versa;

 

v.             words importing a gender include any gender;

 

vi.            a reference to a part, clause, section, paragraph, article, party, annex, appendix, exhibit, schedule or other attachment to or in respect of an Operative Document is a reference to a part, clause, section, paragraph, or article of, or a party, annex, appendix, exhibit, schedule or other attachment to, such Operative Document unless, in any such case, otherwise expressly provided in any such Operative Document;

 

vii.           a reference to any statute, regulation, proclamation, ordinance or law includes all statutes, regulations, proclamations, ordinances or laws varying, consolidating or replacing the same from time to time, and a reference to a statute includes all regulations, policies, protocols, codes, proclamations and ordinances issued or otherwise applicable under that statute unless, in any such case, otherwise expressly provided in any such statute or in such Operative Document;

 

viii.          a definition of or reference to any document, instrument or agreement includes an amendment or supplement to, or restatement, replacement, modification or novation of, any such document, instrument or agreement unless otherwise specified in such definition or in the context in which such reference is used;

 











 

ix.            a reference to a particular section, paragraph or other part of a particular statute shall be deemed to be a reference to any other section, paragraph or other part substituted therefor from time to time;

 

x.             if a capitalized term describes, or shall be defined by reference to, a document, instrument or agreement that has not as of any particular date been executed and delivered and such document, instrument or agreement is attached as an exhibit to the Participation Agreement (as hereinafter defined), such reference shall be deemed to be to such form and, following such execution and delivery and subject to paragraph (vii) above, to the document, instrument or agreement as so executed and delivered;

 

xi.            a reference to any Person (as hereinafter defined) includes such Person’s successors and permitted assigns;

 

xii.           any reference to “days” shall mean calendar days unless “Business Days” (as hereinafter defined) are expressly specified;

 

xiii.          if the date as of which any right, option or election is exercisable, or the date upon which any amount is due and payable, is stated to be on a day that is not a Business Day, such right, option or election may be exercised, and such amount shall be deemed due and payable, on the next succeeding Business Day with the same effect as if the same was exercised or made on such date or day and interest shall accrue and be payable with respect to such payment;

 

xiv.         words such as “hereunder,” “hereto,” “hereof” and “herein” and other words of similar import shall, unless the context requires otherwise, refer to the whole of the applicable document and not to any particular article, section, subsection, paragraph or clause thereof; and

 

xv.          a reference to “including” means including without limiting the generality of any description preceding such term, and for purposes hereof and of each Operative Document the rule of ejusdem generis shall not be applicable to limit a general statement, followed by or referable to an enumeration of specific matters, to matters similar to those specifically mentioned.

 

DEFINED TERMS

 

“467 Fixed Rent” shall mean the amount specified as 467 Fixed Rent as set forth in Schedule 1-3 to the Facility Lease.

 

“Access Routes” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to the Facility Site Lease.

 

“Additional Certificates” shall mean any additional certificates issued by any Pass Through Trust in connection with the issuance of Additional Lessor Notes relating thereto.

 

“Additional Equity Investment” shall mean the amount, if any, the Owner Participant shall provide (in its sole and absolute discretion) to finance all or a portion of the Owner Lessor’s

 

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Percentage of the cost of any Required Improvement or Non-Severable Improvement financed pursuant to Section 14.1 of the Participation Agreement.

 

“Additional Insureds” shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.3 of the Facility Lease.

 

“Additional Lessor Notes” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.13 of the Lease Indenture.

 

“Affiliate” of any particular Person shall mean any other Person which, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such Person (excluding any trustee under, or any committee with responsibility for administering, any Pension Plan or Welfare Plan).  A Person shall be deemed to be “controlled by” any other Person if such other Person possesses, directly or indirectly, power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person whether by contract or otherwise; provided, however, that under no circumstances shall the Trust Company be considered to be an Affiliate of any of the Owner Lessor, the Owner Trustee, or the Owner Participant, nor shall any of the Owner Lessor, the Owner Trustee, or the Owner Participant be considered to be an Affiliate of the Trust Company and that neither Owner Lessor nor Owner Trustee shall be treated as an Affiliate of the Owner Participant except that the Owner Lessor will be treated as an Affiliate of the Owner Participant to the extent that the Owner Lessor acts on the express written direction or with the express written consent of the Owner Participant.

 

“After-Tax Basis” shall mean, in the context of determining the amount of a payment to be made on such basis, the payment of an amount which, after reduction by the net increase in Taxes of the recipient (actual or constructive) of such payment, which net increase shall be calculated by taking into account any reduction in such Taxes resulting from any tax benefits realized or to be realized by the recipient as a result of such payment, shall be equal to the amount required to be paid.  In calculating the amount payable by reason of this provision in the case of any person that is a U.S. Person, all income taxes payable and tax benefits realized or to be realized shall be determined on the assumptions that (i) the recipient is subject to (a) U.S. Federal income taxes at the highest marginal rate then applicable to corporations for the relevant period or periods, and (b) state and local income taxes at the highest marginal rates then applicable to corporations for the relevant period or periods, and (ii) all related tax benefits are utilized (a) with regard to U.S. Federal income taxes, at the highest marginal rates then applicable to corporations for the relevant period or periods, and (b) with regard to state and local income taxes, at the highest marginal rate then applicable to corporations for the relevant period or periods.

 

“Agreed PoJo Cure Amount” shall have the meaning specified in the Chapter 11 Plan.

 

“Applicable Rate” shall mean (i) in respect of any amount due under any Lessor Note or any amount of Basic Rent attributable to the principal and interest on any Lessor Note (including Make-Whole Premium, if any), the per annum fixed rate of interest (including, without limitation, additional interest resulting from an Illiquidity Event or a Reporting Cessation (as each such term is defined in the Lessor Notes), if any) then borne by the relevant Lessor Note

 

3











 

and (ii) in respect of any other amount due under the Operative Documents, 8.45% per annum (in each case, computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months).

 

“Appraisal Procedure” shall mean (except with respect to the Closing Date Appraisal), an appraisal conducted by an appraiser or appraisers in accordance with the following procedures.  The Owner Participant and the Facility Lessee will consult with the intent of selecting a mutually acceptable Independent Appraiser.  If a mutually acceptable Independent Appraiser is selected, the Fair Market Sales Value, the Fair Market Rental Value, the remaining useful life or other determination that is the subject of the appraisal shall be determined by such Independent Appraiser.  If the Facility Lessee and the Owner Participant are unable to agree upon a single Independent Appraiser within a 15-day period, one shall be appointed by the Owner Participant, and one shall be appointed by the Facility Lessee (or its designee), which Independent Appraisers shall attempt to agree upon the value, period, amount or other determination that is the subject of the appraisal.  If either the Owner Participant or the Facility Lessee or its designee does not appoint its Independent Appraiser, the determination of the other Independent Appraiser shall be conclusive and binding on the Owner Participant and the Facility Lessee.  If the Independent Appraisers appointed by the Owner Participant and the Facility Lessee are unable to agree upon the value, period, amount or other determination that is the subject of the appraisal, such Independent Appraisers shall jointly appoint a third Independent Appraiser or, if such Independent Appraisers do not appoint a third Independent Appraiser, the Owner Participant and the Facility Lessee shall jointly appoint the third Independent Appraiser.  In such case, the average of the determinations of the three Independent Appraisers shall be conclusive and binding on the Owner Participant and the Facility Lessee, unless the determination of one such Independent Appraiser is disparate from the middle determination by more than twice the amount by which the third determination is disparate from the middle determination, in which case the determination of the most disparate Independent Appraiser shall be excluded, and the average of the remaining two determinations shall be conclusive and binding on the Owner Participant and the Facility Lessee.

 

“Appraiser” shall mean Deloitte and Touche LLP Valuation Group.

 

“ASA” shall mean the Asset Sale Agreement, dated as of March 22, 1999, by and between ComEd and EME.

 

“Asset Purchase Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the Chapter 11 Plan.

 

“Assignment and Assumption Agreement” shall mean an assignment and assumption agreement in form and substance substantially in the form of Exhibit J to the Participation Agreement, which form may be amended from time to time.

 

“Associates” shall mean Associates Capital Investments, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company.

 

“Authorized Officer” shall mean, with respect to any Person, (i) its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer,  its President, any Senior Vice President, its Chief Financial Officer, any Vice President, the Treasurer or any other person authorized by or pursuant to the Organic Documents or any resolution of the board of directors or managers (or managing

 

4











 

members) of such Person, and (ii) with respect to the Owner Trustee, an officer in its corporate trust department.

 

“Bankruptcy Code” shall mean the United States Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as amended from time to time, 11 U.S.C. § 101 et seq.

 

“Bankruptcy Court” shall mean the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois having jurisdiction over the Chapter 11 Cases.

 

“Basic Lease Rent” shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.2 of the Facility Lease.

 

“Basic Lease Term” shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.1 of the Facility Lease.

 

“Beneficial Interest” shall mean the interest of the Owner Participant in the Owner Lessor.

 

“Bill of Sale” shall mean the Bill of Sale (I), dated as of August 17, 2000, executed by Midwest in favor of the Owner Lessor, as the same may from time to time be amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified in accordance with the terms thereof.

 

“Burdensome Buyout Event” shall mean any event giving rise to the Facility Lessee’s Burdensome Buyout Option under the Facility Lease.

 

“Burdensome Buyout Option” shall have the meaning specified in Section 13.3 of the Facility Lease.

 

“Burdensome Buyout Period” shall have the meaning specified in Section 13.3 of the Facility Lease.

 

“Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday, or a day on which commercial banking institutions are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to be closed in New York, New York or the city and the state in which the Corporate Trust Office of the Lease Indenture Trustee, the Owner Trustee or either Pass Through Trustee is located.

 

“Capital Lease” shall mean, with respect to any Person, a lease of (or other Indebtedness arrangements conveying the right to use) real or personal property of such Person which is required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease or a liability set forth on the balance sheet of such Person or such Person’s Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Capitalized Lease Liabilities” of any Person shall mean all monetary obligations of such Person under any Capital Lease, and, for purposes of each Operative Document, the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof, determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Cash Equivalent Investments” shall mean, at any time:

 

5











 

(i)                                     any evidence of Indebtedness, maturing not more than one year after such time, issued or guaranteed by the United States government or an agency thereof;

 

(ii)                                  other investments in securities or bank instruments rated at least “A” by S&P and “A2” by Moody’s or “A-1” by S&P and “P-1” by Moody’s and with maturities of less than 366 days; or

 

(iii)                               other securities as to which the Person incurring such Indebtedness has demonstrated adequate liquidity through secondary markets or deposit agreements.

 

“CERCLIS” shall mean the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Information System list.

 

“Certificate Purchase Agreement” shall mean the Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 17, 2000 between Midwest, EME and Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation and Lehman Brothers Inc., as representatives of the Initial Purchasers, as amended from time to time.

 

“Certificateholders” shall mean each of the holders of Certificates, and each of such holder’s successors and permitted assigns.

 

“Certificates” shall mean the pass through certificates issued pursuant to the Pass Through Trust Agreements.

 

“Chapter 11 Cases” shall mean the jointly administered chapter 11 cases commenced by the Debtors in the Bankruptcy Court and styled In re Edison Mission Energy, et al., No. 12-49219 (JPC).

 

“Chapter 11 Plan” means the Debtors’ Third Amended Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization (with Technical Modifications), confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court on March 11, 2014, together with all supplements, schedules and  appendices annexed thereto.

 

“Claim” shall mean any liability (including, without limitation, in respect of negligence (whether passive or active or other torts), strict or absolute liability in tort or otherwise, warranty, latent or other defects (regardless of whether or not discoverable), statutory liability, property damage, bodily injury or death), obligation, loss, settlement, damage, penalty, claim, Environmental Claim, action, suit, proceeding (whether civil or criminal), judgment, penalty, fine and other legal or administrative sanction, judicial or administrative proceeding, cost, expense or disbursement, including reasonable legal, investigation and expert fees, expenses and related charges, of whatsoever kind and nature.

 

“Closing Date” shall mean August 17, 2000.

 

“Closing Date Appraisal” shall mean the appraisal, dated the Closing Date, addressed to the Equity Investor prepared by the Appraiser with respect to the Facility.

 

“Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

6











 

“Combined Leverage Lease Liabilities” shall mean Leveraged Lease Liabilities, Other Leveraged Lease Liabilities and Joliet Leveraged Lease Liabilities.

 

“ComEd” shall mean the Commonwealth Edison Company, an Illinois corporation or its successors or assigns.

 

“ComEd Consent” shall mean the Consent to the Sale of Assets, dated as of August 17, 2000 among ComEd, Midwest and the Owner Lessor, as amended from time to time.

 

“Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal agency at the time administering the Securities Act.

 

“Competitor” shall have the meaning specified in Section 10.1(e) of the Participation Agreement.

 

“Component” shall mean any appliance, part, instrument, appurtenance, accessory, furnishing, equipment or other property of whatever nature that may from time to time be incorporated in the Facility, except to the extent constituting Improvements.

 

“Consolidated Subsidiary” shall mean, at any date, any Subsidiary or other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of NRG in its consolidated financial statements if its consolidated financial statements were prepared as of such date.

 

“Consolidated Tangible Net Assets” shall mean, with respect to any Person, as of the date of any determination thereof, the total amount of all assets of such Person and its Subsidiaries (determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP), less the sum of (a) the consolidated liabilities of such Person and its Subsidiaries (determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP) and (b) assets properly classified as “intangible assets” in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Contingent Liability” shall mean any agreement, undertaking or arrangement by which any Person guarantees, endorses or otherwise becomes or is contingently liable upon (by direct or indirect agreement, contingent or otherwise, to provide funds for payment, to supply funds to, or otherwise to invest in, a debtor, or otherwise to assure a creditor against loss) the indebtedness, obligation or any other liability of any other Person (other than by endorsements of instruments in the course of collection), or guarantees the payment of dividends or other distributions upon the shares of any other Person.  The amount of any Person’s obligation under any Contingent Liability shall (subject to any limitation set forth therein) be deemed to be the outstanding principal amount of the debt, obligation or other liability guaranteed thereby; provided, however, that if the maximum amount of the debt, obligation or other liability guaranteed thereby has not been established, the amount of such Contingent Liability shall be the maximum reasonably anticipated amount of the debt, obligation or other liability; provided further however, that any agreement to limit the maximum amount of such Person’s obligation under such Contingent Liability shall not, of and by itself, be deemed to establish the maximum reasonably anticipated amount of such debt, obligation or other liability.

 

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“Contractual Obligation” shall mean, 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.

 

“Controlled Group” shall mean all corporations which are members of a controlled group of corporations within the meaning of Section 1563(a) of the Code determined without regard to Sections 1563(a)(4) and 1563(e)(3)(C) and all trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated) under common control which, together with NRG and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, are treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or 414(c) of the Code or Section 4001 of ERISA.

 

“Corporate Trust Office” shall mean with respect to each of the Pass Through Trustee, the Owner Trustee and the Lease Indenture Trustee, the office of such trustee in the city in which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be principally administered.

 

“Crawford Generating Station” shall mean that certain generating station located at  3501 S. Pulaski Road in Chicago, Illinois, having ceased operations in 2012.

 

“Debt Rating” shall mean, as to any Person, a rating by each of Moody’s and S&P of such Person’s long-term debt which is not secured or supported by a guarantee, letter of credit or other form of credit enhancement.  If Moody’s or S&P shall have changed its system of classification after the date of the Participation Agreement, a Person’s Debt Rating shall be considered to be at or above a specified level if it is at or above the new rating which most closely corresponds to the specified level under the old rating system.

 

“Discount Rate” shall mean 9.0% per annum.

 

“Dollars” and the sign “$” shall mean lawful money of the United States.

 

“Edison Mission Energy” or “EME” shall mean Edison Mission Energy, a Delaware corporation.

 

“EME Guarantee” shall mean the guaranty agreement dated as of July 31, 2002 entered into between EME and the Owner Lessor, which replaced a substantially similar guaranty agreement dated as of August 17, 2000.

 

“EME OP Guarantee” shall mean the guaranty agreement dated as of July 31, 2002 entered into between EME, the Owner Participant and the Equity Investor, which replaced a substantially similar guaranty agreement dated as of August 17, 2000.

 

“Engineering Consultant” shall mean Stone & Webster Management Consultants, Inc.

 

“Engineering Report” shall mean the report of the Engineering Consultant, dated August 17, 2000.

 

“Environmental Actions” shall have the meaning specified in the Chapter 11 Plan.

 

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“Environmental Claim” shall mean any administrative, regulatory or judicial action, fee, cause of action, obligation, suit, liability, loss, damage, proceeding, decree, judgment, penalty, fine, demand, demand letter, order, directive, claim (including any claim involving liability in tort, strict, absolute or otherwise), lien, sanction, notice of noncompliance or violation, legal or consultant fee or expense, or cost of investigation or proceeding, relating in any way to any Environmental Law, or arising from the actual or alleged presence or Release of any Hazardous Material (hereinafter “Liabilities”) including, without limitation, and regardless of the merit of such Liability, any and all Liabilities for (i) investigation, assessment, abatement, correction, enforcement, mitigation, cleanup, removal, response, remediation or other activities related to the actual or alleged presence or Release of Hazardous Materials, (ii) damages, contribution, indemnification, cost recovery, compensation or injunctive or declaratory relief related to violations of Environmental Law or the actual or alleged presence or Release of Hazardous Materials, or (iii) any alleged or actual injury or threat of injury to human health, safety, natural resources or the environment in connection with a violation of Environmental Law or the actual or alleged presence or Release of Hazardous Materials.

 

“Environmental Condition” shall mean the presence or Release of any Hazardous Material at, into, on or under any land, water, air or otherwise into the environment, which does or reasonably could (i) require assessment, investigation, abatement, correction, clean-up, mitigation, removal, remediation or any other response action, (ii) give rise to an Environmental Claim or any obligation or liability of any nature (whether civil or criminal, arising under a theory of negligence or strict liability, or otherwise) under any Environmental Law, (iii) create or constitute a public or private nuisance or trespass, (iv) constitute a violation of or non-compliance with any Environmental Law or (v) result in or contribute to the actual or threatened loss of or damage to any property, natural resource or environmental media, or the death of or injury to any Person.

 

“Environmental Law” shall mean any federal, state and local statute, law, ordinance, code, rule, regulation, consent decree, administrative order, administrative directive, injunction, deed restriction, applicable judgment and any other legally enforceable requirement of any Governmental Authority relating to, regulating or imposing liability or standards of conduct concerning Hazardous Materials, public health, safety or the environment or natural resources, as has been, are now, or may at any time hereafter be in effect.

 

“Equity Commitment Letter” shall mean the written commitment by the Equity Investor to participate in the lease financing.

 

“Equity Investor” shall mean, as the case may be, Nesbitt Asset Recovery LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and PSEGR Midwest LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

“Equity Portion of Basic Lease Rent” shall mean the amounts set forth as Component A of Basic Lease Rent (Column A) as set forth on Schedule 1-1 to the Facility Lease.

 

“Equity Portion of Termination Value” shall mean the amounts under the column titled “Equity Portion of Termination Value” in Schedule 2 to the Facility Lease.

 

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“ERISA” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and any successor statute of similar import, together with the regulations thereunder, in each case as in effect from time to time.  References to sections of ERISA also refer to any successor sections.

 

“Event of Loss” shall mean any of the following events:

 

(i)                                     the loss of the Facility or use thereof, due to destruction or damage to the Facility or the Facility Site that renders repair uneconomic or that renders the Facility permanently unfit for normal use; or

 

(ii)                                  any damage to the Facility that results in an insurance settlement with respect thereto on the basis of a total loss or an agreed constructive or a compromised total loss of the Facility; or

 

(iii)                               seizure, condemnation, confiscation or taking of, or requisition of title to or use of, the Facility or the Facility Site by any Governmental Authority (a “Requisition”) that shall have resulted in loss by the Owner Lessor of title to or use of the Undivided Interest or the Ground Interest following exhaustion of all permitted appeals or an election by the Facility Lessee not to pursue such appeals; provided that (a) no such contest may be conducted if a Material Lease Default or a Lease Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (b) no such contest shall extend beyond the earlier of (x) the date which is one year after the loss of such title, or (y) the date which is 36 months prior to the end of the Basic Lease Term or any Renewal Term then in effect or already elected by the Facility Lessee; provided further that in any case involving Requisition of use of the Facility or the Facility Site, but not of the Owner Lessor’s title to the Undivided Interest or interest in the Facility Lease, such event shall be an Event of Loss only if such Requisition of use continues beyond the Basic Lease Term or any Renewal Lease Term then in effect or already elected by the Facility Lessee; or

 

(iv)                              if elected by the Owner Participant, and only in circumstances where the termination of the Facility Lease and transfer of the Facility to the Facility Lessee (or its designee) shall remove the basis of the regulation described below, the Owner Participant’s interest in the Facility, the Facility Lease or the Trust Estate shall become subject to any rate of return regulation by any Governmental Authority, or the Owner Participant or the Owner Lessor shall become subject to any public utility regulation of any Governmental Authority (other than Requirements of Law in effect on the Closing Date) or law which in the reasonable opinion of the Owner Participant is burdensome, in either case by reason of the participation of the Owner Lessor or the Owner Participant in the transactions contemplated by the Operative Documents but, in any event, not if the Owner Participant or the Owner Lessor shall have become subject thereto as a result of (a) investments, loans or other business activities of the Owner Participant or any of its Affiliates in respect of equipment or facilities similar in nature to the Facility or any part thereof or in any other electrical, steam, cogeneration or other energy or utility related equipment or facilities or the general business or other activities of the Owner Participant or any of its Affiliates or the nature of any of the properties or assets from time to time owned, leased, operated, managed or otherwise used or made available for use by the

 

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Owner Participant or any of its Affiliates or (b) a failure of the Owner Participant, the Owner Lessor or any of their respective Affiliates to perform routine, administrative or ministerial actions the performance of which would not subject the Owner Participant, the Owner Lessor or such Affiliate to any adverse consequence (in the reasonable opinion of the Owner Participant or the Owner Lessor, as the case may be, acting in good faith), provided that the Facility Lessee, the Owner Lessor and the Owner Participant agree to cooperate and to take reasonable measures to alleviate the source or consequence of any regulation constituting an Event of Loss under this paragraph (iv), at the cost and expense of the party requesting such cooperation and so long as there shall be no adverse consequences to the Owner Lessor or Owner Participant as a result of such cooperation or the taking of such reasonable measures.

 

“Event of Loss Payment” shall have the meaning specified in Section 10.2(a) of the Facility Lease.

 

“EWG” shall mean an “exempt wholesale generator” as such term is defined in section 1262(6) of PUHCA and FERC’s implementing regulations at 18 C.F.R. § 366.1.

 

“Excepted Payments” shall mean and include (i)(A) any indemnity (whether or not constituting Supplemental Lease Rent and whether or not a Lease Event of Default exists) payable to either the Trust Company, the Owner Trustee or the Owner Participant or to their respective Indemnitees and successors and permitted assigns (other than the Lease Indenture Trustee) pursuant to Section 12.1, 12.2, 14.1 or 14.2 of the Participation Agreement or Section 5.03, 7.01 or 7.05 of the Trust Agreement and any payments under the Tax Indemnity Agreement or (B) any amount payable to the Owner Lessor or the Owner Participant to reimburse any such Person for its costs and expenses in exercising its rights or complying with its obligations under the Operative Documents, (ii)(A) insurance proceeds, if any, payable to the Owner Lessor or the Owner Participant under insurance separately maintained by the Owner Lessor, the Equity Investor or the Owner Participant with respect to the Facility as permitted by Section 11.5 of the Facility Lease or (B) proceeds of personal injury, property damage liability or other liability insurance maintained under any Operative Document for the benefit of the Owner Lessor, the Equity Investor or the Owner Participant, (iii) any amount payable to the Owner Participant as the purchase price for the Beneficial Interest or to any OP Member as the purchase price for such OP Member’s membership interest in the Owner Participant, (iv) any amounts payable to the Owner Participant upon exercise by the Facility Lessee (or its designee) of the rights pursuant to Section 16 or 17 of the Participation Agreement, (v) all other fees expressly payable to the Owner Participant, the Owner Trustee or the Trust Company under the Operative Documents, (vi) any payments in respect of interest, or any payments made on an After-Tax Basis, to the extent attributable to payments referred to in clause (i) through (vi) above that constitute Excepted Payments, and (vii) any amount payable in respect of the foregoing by any Person on behalf of the Facility Lessee.

 

“Excess Amount” shall have the meaning specified in Section 18.3 of the Participation Agreement.

 

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“Facility” shall mean the Powerton Station, a 1,538 megawatt coal fired electric generating plant located in Tazewell County, Illinois and more fully described in Exhibit B to the Facility Lease.

 

“Facility Deed” shall mean the Facility Deed, dated as of August 17, 2000, between Midwest and the Owner Lessor pursuant to which Midwest transferred the Undivided Interest to the Owner Lessor.

 

“Facility Land” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to the Facility Site Lease.

 

“Facility Lease” shall mean the Facility Lease Agreement (T1), dated as of August 17, 2000, between the Owner Lessor and the Facility Lessee, as amended by that certain First Amendment to Facility Lease dated as of April 1, 2014, and as may be further amended from time to time.

 

“Facility Lease Term” shall mean the term of the Facility Lease, including the Basic Lease Term and all Renewal Lease Terms.

 

“Facility Lessee” shall mean Midwest, as lessee of the Undivided Interest under the Facility Lease.

 

“Facility Lessee’s Interest” shall mean the Facility Lessee’s right, title and interest in and to the Undivided Interest under the Facility Lease and the Ground Interest under the Facility Site Sublease.

 

“Facility Lessor” shall mean the Owner Lessor, as lessor of the Undivided Interest under the Facility Lease.

 

“Facility Site” shall have the meaning specified in the Recitals to the Facility Site Lease.

 

“Facility Site Lease” shall mean the Facility Site Lease Agreement (T1), dated as of August 17, 2000, between Midwest as Ground Lessor and the Owner Lessor as Ground Lessee, as amended from time to time.

 

“Facility Site Sublease” shall mean the Facility Site Sublease Agreement (T1), dated as of August 17, 2000, between the Owner Lessor as Ground Sublessor and Midwest as Ground Sublessee, as amended from time to time.

 

“Facility Sublessee” shall mean any Person which shall have become a sublessee of the Facility from the Facility Lessee in accordance with the Facility Lease.

 

“Fair Market Rental Value” or “Fair Market Sales Value” shall mean with respect to any property or service as of any date, the cash rent or cash price obtainable in an arm’s length lease, sale or supply, respectively, between an informed and willing lessee or purchaser under no compulsion to lease or purchase and an informed and willing lessor or seller or supplier under no compulsion to lease or sell or supply the property or service in question, and shall, in the case of the Undivided Interest or the Owner Lessor’s Interest, be determined (except pursuant to Section 17 of the Facility Lease or as otherwise provided below or in the Operative Documents)

 

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on the basis that (i) the conditions contained in Sections 7 and 8 of the Facility Lease shall have been complied with in all respects, (ii) the lessee or buyer shall have rights in, or an assignment of, the Operative Documents to which the Owner Lessor is a party and the obligations relating thereto, (iii) the Undivided Interest or the Owner Lessor’s Interest, as the case may be, is free and clear of all Liens (other than Owner Lessor’s Liens, Owner Participant’s Liens and Indenture Trustee Liens), (iv) taking into account the remaining term of the Facility Site Lease, and (v) in the case the Fair Market Rental Value, taking into account the terms of the Facility Lease and the other Operative Documents.  If the Fair Market Sales Value of the Owner Lessor’s Interest is to be determined during the continuance of a Lease Event of Default or in connection with the exercise of remedies by the Owner Lessor pursuant to Section 17 of the Facility Lease, such value shall be determined by an appraiser appointed solely by the Owner Lessor on an “as-is,” “where-is” and “with all faults” basis and shall take into account all Liens (other than Owner Lessor’s Liens, Owner Participant’s Liens and Indenture Trustee Liens); provided, however, in any such case where the Owner Lessor shall be unable to obtain constructive possession sufficient to realize the economic benefit of the Owner Lessor’s Interest, Fair Market Sales Value of the Owner Lessor’s Interest shall be deemed equal to $0.  If in any case other than in the preceding sentence the parties are unable to agree upon a Fair Market Sales Value of the Owner Lessor’s Interest within 30 days after a request therefor has been made, the Fair Market Sales Value of the Owner Lessor’s Interest shall be determined by appraisal pursuant to the Appraisal Procedure.  Any fair market value determination of a Severable Improvement shall take into consideration any liens or encumbrances to which the Severable Improvement being appraised is subject and which are being assumed by the transferee.

 

“FAS 13” shall mean Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 13, as amended and interpreted from time to time.

 

“FERC” shall mean the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and any successor or predecessor agency thereto.

 

“FERC Section 203 Order” shall mean the order issued by FERC on March 18, 2014, in Docket No. EC14-14, granting approval under Section 203 of the FPA for the acquisition of EME and its subsidiaries which are “public utilities” under the FPA, including Midwest, by NRG or an affiliate.

 

“Final Determination” shall have the meaning specified in Section 1 of the Tax Indemnity Agreement.

 

“First Wintergreen Renewal Lease Term” shall have the meaning specified in Section 15.1(a) of the Facility Lease.

 

“Fiscal Quarter” shall mean any quarter of a Fiscal Year.

 

“Fiscal Year” shall mean any period of twelve consecutive calendar months ending on December 31; references to a Fiscal Year with a number corresponding to any calendar year (e.g., the “2013 Fiscal Year”) shall refer to the Fiscal Year ending on December 31 occurring during such calendar year.

 

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“Fisk Generating Station” shall mean that certain generating station located at  1111 W. Cermak Road in Chicago, Illinois, having ceased operations in 2012.

 

“FMV Renewal Lease Term” shall have the meaning specified in Section 15.2 of the Facility Lease.

 

“FPA” shall mean the Federal Power Act, as amended.

 

“Good Faith Contest” shall mean the contest of an item if (i) the item is diligently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings timely instituted, (ii) adequate reserves are established in accordance with GAAP with respect to the contested item, if the contested item individually or when taken together with all other contested items for which reserves are not at the time being held could reasonably be expected to result in liability of NRG in excess of $1,000,000, (iii) during the period of such contest, the enforcement of any contested item is effectively stayed, unless such enforcement would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect with respect to NRG, (iv) any lien filed in connection therewith shall have been removed from the record by bonding arrangements by a reputable surety company, or title insurance or cash deposits or otherwise provided to assure the discharge of NRG’S obligation in connection therewith, provided that such cash deposits, in the aggregate, shall not exceed $2,000,000, (v) such payment shall have been made as is necessary to prevent the recordation of a tax deed or other similar instrument conveying the property of NRG or any portion thereof, (vi) the failure to pay or comply with the contested item during the period of such Good Faith Contest would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect with respect to NRG and (vii) NRG has no knowledge of any actual or proposed deficiency or additional assessment in connection therewith not otherwise satisfying the requirements of clauses (i) through (vi).

 

“Governmental Approval” shall mean any authorization, consent, approval, license, permit, order, certificate, waiver, variance, filing or registration with or issued by any Governmental Authority, or acting under delegated authority from any government entity.

 

“Governmental Authority” shall mean any nation or government, any state, provincial or other political subdivision thereof and any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government.

 

“Ground Interest” shall have the meaning specified in the Recitals to the Facility Site Lease.

 

“Ground Lessee” shall mean the Owner Lessor as lessee of the Ground Interest under the Facility Site Lease.

 

“Ground Lessor” shall mean Midwest as lessor of the Ground Interest under the Facility Site Lease.

 

“Ground Sublessee” shall mean Midwest as sublessee of the Ground Interest under the Facility Site Sublease.

 

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“Ground Sublessor” shall mean the Owner Lessor as sublessor of the Ground Interest under the Facility Site Sublease.

 

“Guaranteed TV Amount” shall mean for any Termination Date the Guaranteed TV Amount set forth in Section 2.03 of the NRG Guarantee for such Termination Date.

 

“Guarantor” shall mean NRG, as issuer of the NRG Guarantees.

 

“Hazardous Material” shall mean:

 

(i)                                     any “hazardous substance,” as defined by any Environmental Law;

 

(ii)                                  any “hazardous waste,” as defined by any Environmental Law;

 

(iii)                               any petroleum product (including crude oil or any fraction thereof); or

 

(iv)                              any pollutant or contaminant or hazardous, dangerous or toxic chemical, material, force or substance (including polychlorinated biphenyls, urea formaldehyde insulation, asbestos or radioactivity) that is regulated, prohibited or restricted pursuant to any Environmental Laws or that could give rise to an Environmental Claim.

 

“Improvement” shall mean a modification, alteration, addition or improvement to the Facility.

 

“Indebtedness” of any Person shall mean, without duplication:

 

(i)                                     all indebtedness for borrowed money;

 

(ii)                                  all obligations issued, undertaken or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services which purchase price is due more than six months from the date of incurrence of the obligation in respect thereof or is evidenced by a note or other instrument, except trade accounts arising in the ordinary course of business;

 

(iii)                               all reimbursement obligations with respect to surety bonds, letters of credit (to the extent not collateralized with cash or Cash Equivalent Investments), bankers’ acceptances and similar instruments (in each case, whether or not matured);

 

(iv)                              all obligations evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments including obligations so evidenced incurred in connection with the acquisition of property, assets or businesses;

 

(v)                                 all indebtedness created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, or incurred as financing, in either case with respect to property acquired by the Person (even though the rights and remedies of the seller or bank under such agreement in the event of default are limited to repossession or sale of such property);

 

(vi)                              all Capitalized Lease Liabilities and Operating Lease Liabilities;

 

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(vii)                           all net obligations with respect to interest rate cap agreements, interest rate swap agreements, sales of foreign exchange options and other hedging agreements or arrangements;

 

(viii)                        all indebtedness referred to in clauses (i) through (vii) above secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien upon or in property (including accounts and contracts rights) owned by such Person, even though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such Indebtedness; and

 

(ix)                              all Contingent Liabilities.

 

The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer.

 

“Indemnitee” shall have the meaning specified in Section 12.1(a) of the Participation Agreement.

 

“Indenture Estate” shall have the meaning specified in the Granting Clause of the Lease Indenture.

 

“Indenture Trustee Liens” shall mean any Lien on the Trust Estate or any part thereof arising as a result of (i) Taxes against or affecting the Lease Indenture Company or the Lease Indenture Trustee, or any Affiliate thereof that is not related to, or that is in violation of, any Operative Document or the transactions contemplated thereby, (ii) Claims against or any act or omission of the Lease Indenture Company or the Lease Indenture Trustee, or Affiliate thereof that is not related to, or that is in violation of, any Operative Document or the transactions contemplated thereby or that is in breach of any covenant or agreement of the Lease Indenture Company or the Lease Indenture Trustee specified therein, (iii) Taxes imposed upon the Lease Indenture Company or the Lease Indenture Trustee, or any Affiliate thereof that are not indemnified against by NRG pursuant to any Operative Document or (iv) Claims against or affecting the Lease Indenture Company or the Lease Indenture Trustee, or any Affiliate thereof arising out of the voluntary or involuntary transfer by the Lease Indenture Company or the Lease Indenture Trustee of any portion of the interest of the Lease Indenture Company or the Lease Indenture Trustee in the Trust Estate, other than pursuant to the Operative Documents.

 

“Independent Appraiser” shall mean a disinterested, licensed professional appraiser of industrial property who (a) meets the personal property qualifications criteria established by the Appraisal Foundation; (b) is a member of the Appraisal Institute or holds the senior accreditation of the American Society of Appraisers; (c) is in the regular employ, or is a principal of, a nationally recognized appraisal firm; and (d) has substantial experience in the business of appraising facilities similar to the Facility.

 

“Initial Lessor Notes” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.2 of the Lease Indenture.

 

“Insolvency” shall mean, with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the condition that such plan is insolvent within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA.

 

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“Insurance Consultant” shall mean McGriff, Seibels & Williams.

 

“Interconnection Agreement” shall mean the Facilities, Interconnection and Easement Agreement (Powerton Generating Station), dated as of December 15, 1999, between Midwest and ComEd, as the same may from time to time be amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified in accordance with the terms thereof.

 

“Interest on 467 Fixed Rent” shall mean the amount set forth on Schedule 1-3 to the Facility Lease.

 

“Investment” shall mean, relative to any person:  (i) any loan or advance made by such Person to any other Person (excluding commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees made in the ordinary course of business); (ii) any Contingent Liability of such Person; and (iii) any ownership or similar interest held by such person in any other Person.

 

“Joliet Facility” shall mean the Joliet Station, a 1,044 megawatt coal fired electric generating plant located in Will County, Illinois and more fully described in Exhibit B to the Facility Lease.

 

“Joliet Facility Leases” shall mean the Facility Lease Agreement (T1), dated as of August 17, 2000, between Midwest and Nesbitt Asset Recovery Series J-1 (f/k/a Joliet Trust I) and the Facility Lease Agreement (T2), dated as of August 17, 2000, between Midwest and Joliet Trust II, each as amended by that certain First Amendment to Facility Lease dated as of April 1, 2014, and as may be further amended from time to time.

 

“Joliet Lease Operative Documents (T1)” shall mean, collectively, the Operative Documents as defined in the Joliet Lease Participation Agreement (T1).

 

“Joliet Lease Operative Documents (T2)” shall mean, collectively, the Operative Documents as defined in the Joliet Lease Participation Agreement (T2).

 

“Joliet Lease Participation Agreement (T1)” shall mean the Amended and Restated Participation Agreement (T1), dated as of April 1, 2014 by and among Midwest, NRG, Nesbitt Asset Recovery Series J-1 (f/k/a Joliet Trust I), U.S. Bank Trust National Association, Nesbitt Asset Recovery LLC, Series J-1 (as successor to Joliet Generation I, LLC), the Lease Indenture Trustee named therein and the Pass Through Trustee named therein, as may be further amended from time to time.

 

“Joliet Lease Participation Agreement (T2)” shall mean the Amended and Restated Participation Agreement (T2), dated as of April 1, 2014 by and among Midwest, NRG, Joliet Trust II, Wilmington Trust Company, Joliet Generation II, LLC, the Lease Indenture Trustee named therein and the Pass Through Trustee named therein, as may be further amended from time to time.

 

“Joliet Lease Transaction (T1)” shall mean the transactions consummated pursuant to the Joliet Lease Participation Agreement (T1) and the Joliet Lease Operative Documents (T1).

 

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“Joliet Lease Transaction (T2)” shall mean the transactions consummated pursuant to the Joliet Lease Participation Agreement (T2) and the Joliet Lease Operative Documents (T2).

 

“Joliet Lease Transactions” shall mean, collectively, the Joliet Lease Transaction (T1) and the Joliet Lease Transaction (T2).

 

“Joliet Leveraged Lease Liabilities” shall mean the basic rent, supplemental rent, termination value or any other amount, liability or obligation that Midwest is obligated to pay under the Joliet Facility Leases or the operative documents for the Joliet Lease Transactions.

 

“Knowledge” shall mean the actual knowledge of any of the following individuals :

 

(i)                                     Christopher Sotos;

 

(ii)                                  Michael Current;

 

(iii)                               David Neal;

 

(iv)                              William Lee Davis; and

 

(v)                                 Jonathan Baylor.

 

“Lease Debt” shall mean the debt evidenced by the Lessor Notes and (without duplication) the Certificates.

 

“Lease Event of Default” shall have the meaning set forth in the Facility Lease.

 

“Lease Financing Documents” shall mean the Lease Indenture, the Lessor Notes, the NRG Guarantees, the Pass Through Trust Agreements, the Certificates and the other agreements, documents and instruments delivered in connection with the Lease Indenture and the Lessor Notes.

 

“Lease Financing Party” shall mean, individually or collectively, as the context shall require, all or any of the parties to the Operative Documents, including the Trust Company and excluding ComEd.

 

“Lease Indenture” shall mean the Indenture of Trust, Mortgage and Security Agreement (T2) dated as of August 17, 2000, between the Owner Lessor and the Lease Indenture Trustee, as amended by that certain Amendment of Indenture of Trust, Mortgage and Security Agreement dated as of April 1, 2014, and as may be further amended from time to time.

 

“Lease Indenture Company” shall mean, as the case may be, the United States Trust Company of New York, in its individual capacity under the Operative Documents, and The Bank of New York Mellon in its individual capacity under the Operative Documents.

 

“Lease Indenture Default” shall mean any event or occurrence which, with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both, would become a Lease Indenture Event of Default.

 

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“Lease Indenture Event of Default” shall have the meaning specified in Section 4.2 of the Lease Indenture.

 

“Lease Indenture Trustee” shall mean, as the case may be, the United States Trust Company of New York, not in its individual capacity, but solely as original Lease Indenture Trustee under the Lease Indenture, and The Bank of New York Mellon, not in its individual capacity, but solely as successor Lease Indenture Trustee under the Lease Indenture.

 

“Lease Indenture Trustee’s Account” shall mean the account No. 655421 at the The Bank of New York Mellon, for the account of Nesbitt Asset Recovery Series P-1 (f/k/a Powerton Trust I), Attention:  Rosemary Melendez, Vice President, or such other account of the Lease Indenture Trustee, as the Lease Indenture Trustee may from time to time specify in a notice to the other parties to the Participation Agreement.

 

“Lease Permitted Liens” shall mean (i) any Lien created by any Operative Document; (ii) the Owner Lessor’s Liens and the Owner Participant’s Liens; (iii) Liens for Taxes, water, sewage, license, permit or inspection fees either not yet due and payable or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings so long as such proceedings do not involve a material danger of the sale, forfeiture or loss of the Facility; (iv) construction materialmen’s, mechanics’, workers’, repairmen’s, employees’ or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business for amounts either not overdue for a period of not more than 45 days or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings so long as such proceedings do not involve a material danger of the sale, forfeiture or loss of the Facility or are bonded for the amount required under Requirements of Law to release any such Lien; (v) Liens arising out of judgments or awards against the Facility Lessee which at the time are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings so long as such proceedings do not involve a material danger of the sale, forfeiture or loss of the Facility but in any event not to exceed $1,000,000 in the aggregate at any one time unless the full amount in dispute is bonded in a manner reasonably acceptable to the Owner Lessor; (vi) applicable zoning and building regulations and ordinances from time to time in effect which do not affect the use or operation of the Facility (or the Undivided Interest therein) except to an insignificant extent; (vii) the interest of a sublessee in the Undivided Interest in the Facility under a permitted sublease; and (viii) Liens, easements, encumbrances, restrictions, defects or irregularity of title which in the aggregate are not substantial in amount, do not materially detract from the value of the Facility or the Facility Site (or the Undivided Interest therein) and do not materially impair the use of the Facility or the Facility Site (or the Undivided Interest therein) in the ordinary course of business.

 

“Leases” shall mean, collectively, the Facility Lease and the Other Facility Lease.

 

“Lessor Notes” shall mean any Initial Lessor Notes, Additional Lessor Notes, or New Lessor Notes issued pursuant to the Lease Indenture.

 

“Leveraged Lease Liabilities” means the basic rent, the supplemental rent, termination value or any other amount, liability or obligation that Midwest is obligated to pay under the Facility Lease or the other Operative Documents.

 

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“Lien” shall mean any security interest, mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or otherwise), charge against or interest in property, in each case of any kind, to secure payment of a debt or performance of an obligation.

 

“List of Competitors” shall mean the list attached to the Participation Agreement as Exhibit K, as amended from time to time pursuant to Section 10.1(e) of the Participation Agreement, which list shall not exceed six unaffiliated entities at any one time.

 

“Make-Whole Premium” shall have the meaning set forth in Annex A to the Lease Indenture.

 

“Material Adverse Effect” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any event, development or circumstance that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on (i) the business, assets, property, financial condition or operations of such Person and its Subsidiaries, (ii) the ability of such Person to perform or comply with its obligations under any of the Operative Documents, or (iii) the validity and enforceability of the Operative Documents, the liens granted thereunder or the rights and remedies thereto.

 

“Material Lease Default” shall mean any event which, with notice, lapse of time or both notice and lapse of time, would become a Lease Event of Default described in clause (a), (b), (f) or (g) of the definition thereof set forth in Section 16 of the Facility Lease.

 

“MBR Authority” shall mean authorization by FERC pursuant to Section 205 of the FPA to make wholesale sales of electric energy, capacity and specified ancillary services at market-based or negotiated rates, acceptance by FERC of a tariff providing for such sales, and granting by FERC such regulatory waivers and blanket authorizations as are customarily granted by FERC to persons authorized to sell electric energy, capacity and specified ancillary services at market-based rates, including blanket authorization for future issuances of securities and assumptions of liabilities and obligations pursuant to Section 204 of the FPA.

 

“Membership Interest” shall mean the membership interest in the Owner Participant.

 

“Member Transferee” shall have the meaning specified in Section 18.18(a) of the Participation Agreement.

 

“Memorandum of the Facility Lease” shall mean the Memorandum of the Facility Lease (T1), dated as of August 17, 2000, between the Owner Lessor and the Facility Lessee and filed with the Registries of Deeds, Tazewell County, Illinois, as amended from time to time.

 

“Memorandum of the Facility Site Lease” shall mean the Memorandum of the Facility Site Lease (T1), dated as of August 17, 2000, between the Ground Lessor and the Ground Lessee and filed with the Registries of Deeds, Tazewell County, Illinois, as amended from time to time.

 

“Memorandum of the Facility Site Sublease” shall mean the Memorandum of the Facility Site Sublease (T1), dated as of August 17, 2000, between the Ground Sublessor and the Ground Sublessee and filed with the Registries of Deeds, Tazewell County, Illinois, as amended from time to time.

 

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“MGE” shall mean Midwest Generation EME LLC, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

“Midwest” shall mean Midwest Generation LLC, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

“Moody’s” shall mean Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., a division of Moody’s Corporation, and its successors and assigns.

 

“Multiemployer Plan” shall mean a “multiemployer plan” as such term is defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

 

“National Priorities List” shall have the meaning set forth in 40 C.F.R. Section 300.5.

 

“Net Tangible Assets” shall mean, as of the date of any determination thereof, the total amount of all assets of NRG and its Subsidiaries (determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP), less the sum of (i) the consolidated current liabilities of NRG and its Subsidiaries (determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP) and (ii) assets properly classified as “intangible assets” in accordance with GAAP.

 

“New Lessor Notes” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.13(a) of the Lease Indenture.

 

“Non-Recourse Debt” shall mean, with respect to any Person, Indebtedness which such Person is not directly or indirectly obligated to repay.

 

“Non-Severable Improvement” shall mean any Improvement to the Facility that is not a Severable Improvement.

 

“Noteholders” shall mean each of the holders of the Lessor Notes, and each of such holder’s successors and permitted assigns.

 

“NRG” shall mean NRG Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

“NRG Guarantee” shall mean the guaranty agreement, dated as of April 1, 2014, entered into between NRG and the Owner Lessor, as may be amended from time to time.

 

“NRG Guarantees” shall mean the NRG Guarantee and the NRG OP Guarantee.

 

“NRG Holdings” shall mean NRG Energy Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

“NRG OP Guarantee” shall mean the guaranty agreement, dated as of April 1, 2014, entered into between NRG, the Owner Participant and the Equity Investor, as may be amended from time to time.

 

“Obsolescence Termination Date” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.1 of the Facility Lease.

 

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“Offering Circular” shall mean the Offering Circular, dated August 17, 2000, with respect to the Certificates.

 

“Officer’s Certificate” shall mean with respect to any Person, a certificate signed by any Authorized Officer of such Person.

 

“Omnibus Consent” shall have the meaning specified in the Recitals to the Participation Agreement.

 

“Operation Agreement” shall mean the Operation Agreement, dated as of August 17, 2000, among Midwest, the Owner Lessor and the Other Owner Lessor, as amended from time to time.

 

“Operative Documents” shall mean, as the case may be, the Participation Agreement, the Facility Deed, the Facility Lease, the Memorandum of the Facility Lease, the Facility Site Lease, the Memorandum of the Facility Site Lease, the Facility Site Sublease, the Memorandum of the Facility Site Sublease, the Lease Indenture, the Lessor Notes, the Trust Agreement, the Pass Through Trust Agreements, the Certificates, the Certificate Purchase Agreement, the NRG Guarantee, the OP LLC Agreement, the Tax Indemnity Agreement, the Purchase Agreement, the Assignment and Assumption Agreement, the Owner Participant Guaranty, the ComEd Consent, the NRG OP Guarantee, the Bill of Sale, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Operation Agreement, the Reimbursement Agreement and, when executed and delivered, any agreement with respect to Support Arrangements contemplated by, and defined in, Section 5.2(e) of the Facility Lease.

 

“OP Guarantor” shall mean Nesbitt Asset Recovery LLC or any other Person that shall guarantee the obligations of the Owner Participant or a Member Transferee under the Operative Documents pursuant to the Owner Participant Guaranty.

 

“OP LLC Agreement” shall mean the Agreement of Limited Liability Company of Nesbitt Asset Recovery LLC, dated as of September 29, 2003, as amended from time to time.

 

“OP Member” shall mean any Person holding a membership interest in the Owner Participant pursuant to the OP LLC Agreement.

 

“Optional Improvement” shall have the meaning specified in Section 8.2 of the Facility Lease.

 

“Organic Document” shall mean, with respect to any Person that is a corporation, its certificate of incorporation, its by-laws and all shareholder agreements, voting trusts and similar arrangements applicable to any of its authorized shares of capital stock; with respect to any Person that is a limited partnership, its certificate of limited partnership and partnership agreement; and with respect to any Person that is a limited liability company, its certificate of formation and its limited liability company agreement, in each case, as from time to time amended, supplemented, amended and restated, or otherwise modified and in effect.

 

“Original Closing” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.1(a) of the Participation Agreement.

 

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“Original Participation Agreement” shall mean the Participation Agreement (T1), dated as of August 17, 2000, among Powerton Trust I, Wilmington Trust Company, Powerton Generation I, LLC, EME, Midwest, the United States Trust Company of New York (in its capacity as Lease Indenture Trustee), and the United States Trust Company of New York (in its capacity as Pass Through Trustee).

 

“Other Facility Lease” shall mean the other Facility Lease Agreement, dated as of August 17, 2000, by and between Midwest and the Other Owner Lessor relating to the Other Powerton Lease Transaction, as amended by that certain First Amendment to Facility Lease dated as of April 1, 2014, and as may be further amended from time to time.

 

“Other Facility Lessee” shall mean the Facility Lessee under the Other Facility Lease.

 

“Other Facility Site Lease” shall mean the other Facility Site Lease, dated as of August 17, 2000, by and between Midwest and the Other Owner Lessor, pursuant to which Midwest leases the Other Ground Interest to the Other Owner Lessor, as amended from time to time.

 

“Other Facility Site Sublease” shall mean the other Facility Site Sublease, dated as of August 17, 2000, by and between the Other Owner Lessor and Midwest, pursuant to which the Other Owner Lessor subleases the Other Ground Interest to Midwest, as amended from time to time.

 

“Other Ground Interest” shall mean the undivided leasehold interest in the Facility Site not conveyed to the Owner Lessor under the Facility Site Lease.

 

“Other Leveraged Lease Liabilities” shall mean the basic rent, supplemental rent, termination value or any other amount, liability or obligation that Midwest is obligated to pay under the Other Facility Lease or the operative documents for the Other Powerton Lease Transaction.

 

“Other Owner Lessor” shall mean Powerton Trust II, a Delaware statutory trust.

 

“Other Owner Participant” shall mean Powerton Generation II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

“Other Powerton Lease Transaction” shall mean the transaction involving the transfer of the Other Undivided Interest and the lease of the Other Ground Interest to the Other Owner Lessor, and the simultaneous lease of the Other Undivided Interest to Midwest and the simultaneous sublease of the Other Ground Interest to Midwest on substantially the same terms and conditions as under, and dated the same date as, the Overall Transaction.

 

“Other Undivided Interest” shall mean the undivided ownership interest in the Facility not conveyed to the Owner Lessor under the Facility Deed and the Land Deed.

 

“Overall Transaction” shall mean the transactions described in Section 2.1 of the Participation Agreement and consummated as of the Closing Date.

 

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“Overdue Rate” shall mean the Applicable Rate plus 2% per annum.

 

“Owner Lessor” shall mean Nesbitt Asset Recovery Series P-1 (f/k/a Powerton Trust I), a Delaware statutory trust created for the benefit of the Owner Participant.

 

“Owner Lessor’s Interest” shall mean the Owner Lessor’s right, title and interest in and to (i) the Undivided Interest and (ii) the Ground Interest under the Facility Site Lease.

 

“Owner Lessor’s Leasehold Title Policy” shall mean that certain Leasehold Owner’s policy, No. 121914-1, issued by Chicago Title Insurance Company to the Owner Lessor, insuring the Owner Lessor’s (i) 63.6% undivided leasehold interest in the Facility Site as lessee under the Facility Site Lease, and (ii) 63.6% undivided fee interest in the Facility.

 

“Owner Lessor’s Lien” shall mean any Lien on the Trust Estate or any part thereof arising as a result of (i) Claims against or any act or omission of the Trust Company or the Owner Trustee, or Affiliate thereof that is not related to, or that is in violation of, any Operative Document or the transactions contemplated thereby or that is in breach of any covenant or agreement of the Trust Company or the Owner Trustee specified therein, (ii) Taxes imposed upon the Trust Company or the Owner Trustee, or any Affiliate thereof that are not indemnified against by NRG or the Facility Lessee pursuant to any Operative Document or are not related to, or that are in violation of any Operative Document or the transactions contemplated thereby, or (iii) Claims against or affecting, the Trust Company or the Owner Trustee, or any Affiliate thereof arising out of the voluntary or involuntary transfer by the Trust Company or the Owner Trustee of any portion of the interest of the Trust Company or the Owner Trustee in the Owner Lessor’s Interest, other than as contemplated or permitted by the Operative Documents.

 

“Owner Lessor’s Percentage” shall mean 63.6%.

 

“Owner Participant” shall mean Nesbitt Asset Recovery LLC, Series P-1 (as successor to Powerton Generation I, LLC), a duly constituted series of Nesbitt Asset Recovery LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

“Owner Participant Guaranty” shall mean the guaranty provided by the OP Guarantor pursuant to Section 4.20 of the Original Participation Agreement, as amended from time to time.

 

“Owner Participant’s Beneficial Interest” shall mean the Owner Participant’s interest in the Owner Lessor.

 

“Owner Participant’s Commitment” shall mean the Owner Participant’s initial investment in the Owner Lessor made pursuant to Section 2.1 of the Original Participation Agreement.

 

“Owner Participant’s Expected Return” with respect to the Owner Participant’s Commitment shall mean the Owner Participant’s anticipated (i) net after-tax yield, calculated according to the multiple investment sinking fund method of analysis (as described in FAS 13) and (ii) aggregate GAAP income, general pattern of after-tax earnings and after-tax cash flow.

 

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“Owner Participant’s Lien” shall mean any Lien on the Trust Estate or any part thereof arising as a result of (i) Claims against or any act or omission of the Owner Participant that is not related to, or that is in violation of, any Operative Document or the transactions contemplated thereby or that is in breach of any covenant or agreement of the Owner Participant set forth therein, (ii) Taxes against the Owner Participant that are not indemnified against by NRG pursuant to the Operative Documents or (iii) Claims against or affecting the Owner Participant arising out of the voluntary or involuntary transfer by the Owner Participant (except as contemplated or permitted by the Operative Documents) of any portion of the interest of the Owner Participant in the Beneficial Interest.

 

“Owner Trust” shall mean the Owner Lessor.

 

“Owner Trustee” shall mean U.S. Bank Trust National Association, a national banking association with its principal place of business in the State of Delaware, as successor trustee to Wilmington Trust Company, not in its individual capacity, but solely as Owner Trustee under the Trust Agreement and each other Person that may from time to time be acting as Owner Trustee in accordance with the provisions of the Trust Agreement.

 

“Parent” shall mean any Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity which, directly or indirectly, owns more than 50% of the outstanding capital stock, partnership interests or other equity interests having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors of any corporation (irrespective of whether at the time capital stock of any other class or classes of such corporation shall or might have voting power upon the occurrence of any contingency) or controls the management of any partnership, limited liability company or other entity.

 

“Participation Agreement” shall mean the Amended and Restated Participation Agreement (T1), dated as of April 1, 2014, among the Owner Lessor, the Owner Trustee, the Owner Participant, NRG, Midwest, the Lease Indenture Trustee and the Pass Through Trustee, as may be further amended from time to time.

 

“Pass Through Company” shall mean The Bank of New York Mellon.

 

“Pass Through Trust” shall mean the through trust created pursuant to the Pass Through Trust Agreement.

 

“Pass Through Trust Agreement” shall mean the Pass Through Trust Agreement B, dated as of August 17, 2000, between Midwest and the Pass Through Trustee, as amended from time to time.

 

“Pass Through Trustee” shall mean, as the case may be, the United States Trust Company of New York, not in its individual capacity, but solely as original Pass Through Trustee under the Pass Through Trust Agreement, and The Bank of New York Mellon, not in its individual capacity, but solely as successor trustee under the Pass Through Trust Agreement.

 

“PBGC” shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and any entity succeeding to any or all of its functions under ERISA.

 

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“Pension Plan” shall mean a “pension plan,” as such term is defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA (other than a Multiemployer Plan), and to which any member of the Controlled Group has any liability, including any liability by reason of having been a substantial employer within the meaning of Section 4063 of ERISA at any time during the preceding five years, or by reason of being deemed to be a contributing sponsor under the preceding five years, or by reason of being deemed to be a contributing sponsor under Section 4069 of ERISA or having an obligation to contribute under Section 4212 of ERISA.

 

“Permitted Encumbrances” shall mean all matters shown as exceptions on Schedule B to the Owner Lessor’s Leasehold Title Policy as in effect on the Closing Date, together with (to the extent it affects the Facility Site) that certain unrecorded permit dated January 5, 1971 and unrecorded permit supplement dated September 18, 1973 made by and between Chicago & Illinois Midland Railway Company and ComEd, whereby Chicago & Illinois Midland Railway grants to ComEd permission to construct, maintain, repair and utilize a vehicular turnaround over a portion of the railway’s main tract located in the Southwest quarter of Section 9, Township 24 North, Range 5 West of the Third Principal Meridian, on the terms and conditions contained therein.

 

“Permitted Investments” shall mean:

 

(i)            direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States of America (or by any agency thereof to the extent such obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America), in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof;

 

(ii)           investments in commercial paper maturing within 270 days from the date of acquisition thereof and having, at such date of acquisition, the highest credit rating obtainable from S&P or from Moody’s;

 

(iii)          investments in certificates of deposit, banker’s acceptances and time deposits maturing within 180 days from the date of acquisition thereof issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and money market deposit accounts issued or offered by, any domestic office of any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof which has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000; and

 

(iv)          fully collateralized repurchase agreements with a term of not more than 30 days for securities described in clause (i) above and entered into with a financial institution satisfying the criteria described in clause (iii) above.

 

“Person” shall mean any natural person, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm, association, trust, government, governmental agency or any other entity, whether acting in an individual, fiduciary or other capacity.

 

“Phase I Environmental Survey” shall mean a study, conducted in accordance with standards promulgated by the American Society for Testing and Materials or an equivalent environmental site assessment conducted pursuant to current good customary and commercial

 

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practice, that (i) evaluates the potential for Environmental Conditions to exist at the property that is the subject of the study as a result of historical or current operations or activities at said property and (ii) evaluates whether the subject property is in substantial compliance with applicable Environmental Laws.

 

“PJM Interconnection” shall mean the regional transmission organization that is regulated by FERC and coordinates the movement of wholesale electricity.

 

“Phase II Environmental Survey” shall mean a study, conducted pursuant to current good customary and commercial practice, to evaluate potential Environmental Conditions identified as a result of a Phase I Environmental Survey through the collection and analysis of samples of environmental media (including, in the reasonable judgment of the consultant performing the study, samples of soils, subsurface soils, groundwater, surface water, sediments, air or other environmental media) at the site which is the subject of the study.  Such study shall be designed to confirm the existence (or nonexistence) of Environmental Conditions at the subject property that may require further investigation, abatement, removal, monitoring, clean-up, remediation or other response actions in accordance with applicable Environmental Laws and, consistent with customary and commercial practice, determine the nature, scope and extent of such Environmental Conditions.

 

“Plan” shall mean any “employee benefit plan” (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) that is subject to ERISA, any “plan” (as defined in Section 4975(e)(1) of the Code) that is subject to Section 4975 of the Code, any trust created under any such plan or any “governmental plan” (as defined in Section 3(32) of ERISA or Section 414(d) of the Code) that is organized in a jurisdiction having prohibitions on transactions with government plans similar to those contained in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.

 

“Plan Confirmation Order” shall mean the order entered by the Bankruptcy Court confirming the Chapter 11 Plan.

 

“Plan Effective Date” shall mean the “Effective Date” as such term is defined in the Chapter 11 Plan.

 

“Plan Sponsor Agreement” shall have the meaning specified in the Chapter 11 Plan.

 

“PoJo Facilities” shall mean the Facility and the Joliet Facility, together.

 

“PoJo Lease Modifications” shall have the meaning specified in the Chapter 11 Plan.

 

“PoJo Parties” shall have the meaning specified in the Chapter 11 Plan.

 

“Post-Modification Capability” shall have the meaning specified in the Facility Lease and the Participation Agreement.

 

“Power Purchase Agreement” shall mean the Power Purchase Agreement (Coal Fired Stations) dated as of December 15, 1999 between Midwest and ComEd, as the same may from time to time be amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified in accordance with the terms thereof.

 

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“PoJo Restructuring Fees” shall have the meaning specified in the Chapter 11 Plan.

 

“Powerton Station Site” shall mean the Facility Site and the Retained Facilities Site, as more fully described in Exhibit A attached to the Facility Site Lease.

 

“Pricing Assumptions” shall mean the “Pricing Assumptions” attached as Schedule 10.1(c) to the Original Participation Agreement.

 

“Proceeds” shall mean the proceeds from the sale of the Certificates by the Pass Through Trusts to the Certificateholders on the Closing Date.

 

“Prudent Industry Practice” shall mean, at a particular time, (i) any of the practices, methods and acts engaged in or approved by a significant portion of the competitive electric generating industry operating in the United States at such time, or (ii) with respect to any matter to which clause (i) does not apply, any of the practices, methods and acts which, in the exercise of reasonable judgment at the time the decision was made, could have been expected to accomplish the desired result at a reasonable cost consistent with good business practices, reliability, safety and expedition.  Prudent Industry Practice is not intended to be limited to the optimum practice, method or act to the exclusion of all others, but rather to be a spectrum of possible practices, methods or acts having due regard for, among other things, manufacturers’ warranties and the requirements of any Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction.

 

“PSEGR” shall mean PSEG Resources, Inc., a New Jersey corporation.

 

“PUHCA” shall mean the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005.

 

“Purchase Agreement” shall mean the Purchase and Sale Agreement (T1), dated as of August 17, 2000 between Midwest and the Equity Investor.

 

“Purchase Price” shall mean the Owner Lessor’s Percentage of $785,300,000.

 

“Rating Agencies” shall mean S&P and Moody’s.

 

“Reasonable Basis” for a position shall exist if tax counsel may properly advise reporting such position on a tax return in accordance with Formal Opinion 85-352 issued by the Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility of the American Bar Association (or any successor to such opinion).

 

“Rebuilding Closing Date” shall have the meaning specified in of Section 10.4(f) of the Facility Lease.

 

“Registration Rights Agreement” shall mean the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of August 17, 2000 among EME, Midwest and Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation and Lehman Brothers Inc., as representatives of the Initial Purchasers.

 

“Regulatory Event of Loss” shall mean an Event of Loss specified in clause (iv) of the definition of “Event of Loss.”

 

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“Regulatory Violation” shall mean (i) Midwest (A) becoming subject to regulation under PUHCA other than regulation under Section 1265 of PUHCA and regulation relating to maintaining status as a EWG or (B) becoming subject to public utility regulation under the laws of the State of Illinois or (ii) the failure of Midwest to (A) maintain EWG status, (B) be interconnected with the high voltage network or to have access to transmission services and ancillary services necessary to sell wholesale electric energy, capacity or ancillary services markets administered by PJM Interconnection, or (C) maintain its MBR Authority and, in the case of clause (i)(B) or (ii)(A), such circumstance could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect on Midwest.

 

“Related Party” shall mean, with respect to any Person or its successors and assigns, an Affiliate of such Person or its successors and assigns and any director, officer, servant, employee or agent of that Person or any such Affiliate or their respective successors and assigns; provided that the Trust Company shall not be treated as a Related Party to any other party, the Owner Trustee and the Owner Lessor shall not be treated as Related Parties to each other and neither Owner Lessor nor Owner Trustee shall be treated as a Related Party to any Owner Participant except that, for purposes of Section 14.1 of the Participation Agreement, the Owner Lessor will be treated as a Related Party to an Owner Participant to the extent that the Owner Lessor acts on the express written direction or with the express written consent of an Owner Participant.

 

“Release” shall mean the actual or threatened release, deposit, disposal or leakage of any Hazardous Material at, into, upon or under any land, water or air, or otherwise into the environment, including, without limitation, by means of burial, disposal, discharge, emission, injection, spillage, leakage, seepage, leaching, dumping, pumping, pouring, escaping, emptying and placement, except as expressly authorized by a Governmental Approval.

 

“Renewal Lease Rent” shall mean the scheduled Rent payable on each Rent Payment Date during any First Wintergreen Renewal Lease Term, Second Wintergreen Renewal Lease Term or FMV Renewal Lease Term, in each case as determined in accordance with Section 15.3 of the Facility Lease.

 

“Renewal Lease Term” shall mean the First Wintergreen Renewal Lease Term, the Second Wintergreen Renewal Lease Term or any FMV Renewal Lease Term.

 

“Rent” shall mean Basic Lease Rent, Renewal Lease Rent, if any, and Supplemental Lease Rent.

 

“Rent Payment Date” shall mean the January 2 and July 2 of each year during the Facility Lease Term.

 

“Reorganization Trust” shall have the meaning set forth in the Chapter 11 Plan.

 

“Replacement Component” shall have the meaning specified in Section 7.2 of the Facility Lease.

 

“Reportable Event” shall mean any of the events set forth in Section 4043(b) of ERISA, other than those events as to which the thirty-day notice period is waived under subsections .13, .14, .16, .18, .19 or .20 of PBGC Reg. Section 2615.

 

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“Required Improvement” shall have the meaning specified in Section 8.1 of the Facility Lease.

 

“Requirement of Law” shall mean, as to any person, the Organic Documents of such Person, and any law (including any Environmental 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.

 

“Requisition” shall have the meaning specified in clause (iii) of the definition of “Event of Loss.”

 

“Retained Facilities Site” shall mean all the land comprising the Powerton Station Site, excluding the Facility Site.

 

“Return Acceptance Tests” shall mean the testing procedures set forth in PJM Manual 21, “Rules and Procedures for Determination of Generating Capability,” effective as of March 5, 2014, as from time to time amended or succeeded.

 

“Revenue Procedures” shall mean any revenue procedure issued by the Department of Treasury.

 

“Revenue Rulings” shall mean any revenue ruling issued by the Department of Treasury.

 

“S&P” shall mean Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of McGraw Hill Financial, Inc., and its successors and assigns.

 

“Second Wintergreen Renewal Lease Term” shall have the meaning specified in Section 15.1(b) of the Facility Lease.

 

“Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, or any similar federal statute, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time.

 

“Severable Improvement” shall mean any Improvement that is removable without, other than in an immaterial respect, causing irreparable damage to the Facility.

 

“Special Lessee Transfer Amount” shall mean for any date the Equity Portion of Termination Value on such date, plus (i) any unpaid Basic Lease Rent or Renewal Lease Rent, as the case may be, due on or before the date of such determination, plus (ii) if the determination date is a Rent Payment Date or an Additional Rent Payment Date, the Basic Lease Rent or Renewal Lease Rent due on such Rent Payment Date, plus (iii) any other Rent payment under the Facility Lease or the Other Operative Documents due and unpaid on such date.

 

“Sublease Ground Interest” shall mean Ground Interest as such term is incorporated by reference into the Facility Site Sublease pursuant to Section 3 of the Facility Site Sublease.

 

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“Subsidiary” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which more than 50% of the outstanding capital stock, partnership interests or other equity interests having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether at the time capital stock of any other class or classes of such corporation shall or might have voting power upon the occurrence of any contingency) or to control the management of such partnership, limited liability company or other entity is at the time directly or indirectly owned by such Person, by such Person and one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person, or by one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person.

 

“Supplemental Financing” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.1 of the Participation Agreement.

 

“Supplemental Lease Rent” shall mean any and all amounts, liabilities, indemnities and obligations (other than Basic Lease Rent) of Midwest which arise out of, or which Midwest assumes or agrees to pay under, the Operative Documents (whether or not identified as “Supplemental Lease Rent”) to the Owner Lessor or any other Person, including, but not limited to, Termination Value, Make-Whole Premium, and Transaction Costs (other than costs, fees and expenses associated with or resulting from a Lease Indenture Event of Default which is not a Lease Event of Default).

 

“Support Services” shall mean all services and rights necessary for the Facility Lessor (or any of its successors or permitted assigns) to own, operate, use and maintain (and to transmit the power generated from) the Facility during and after expiration or termination of the Facility Lease in addition to and together with those services or rights provided pursuant to the conveyance of the Ground Interest by the Ground Lessor to the Ground Lessee under the Facility Site Lease.

 

“Tangible Net Worth” shall mean the net worth of NRG and its Subsidiaries (determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP) after subtracting therefrom the aggregate amount of any intangible assets of NRG and its Subsidiaries (determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP), including goodwill, franchises, licenses, patents, trademarks, trade names, copyrights, service marks and brand names.

 

“Tax” or “Taxes” shall mean all fees (including, without limitation, license, documentation and registration fees), taxes (including, without limitation, income, gross receipt, franchise, rental, turn over, excise, sales taxes, use taxes, stamp taxes, value-added taxes, ad valorem taxes and property taxes (personal and real, tangible and intangible), license, levies, exports, duties, recording charges or fees, assessments, withholdings and other charges and impositions of any nature, plus all related interest, penalties, fines and additions to tax, now or hereafter imposed by any federal, state, local or foreign government or other taxing authority.

 

“Tax Indemnity Agreement” shall mean the Tax Indemnity Agreement (T1), dated as of August 17, 2000, between EME and the Owner Participant, as assumed by EME and assigned to NRG pursuant to the Chapter 11 Plan, and as may be amended from time to time.

 

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“Termination Date” shall mean each of the monthly dates during the Facility Lease Term identified as a “Termination Date” on Schedule 2 of the Facility Lease, which dates shall be the same days on which Basic Lease Rent and Renewal Lease Rent, if any, are payable under the Facility Lease.

 

“Termination Value” shall mean, for any Termination Date, the Termination Values set forth in Column D on Schedule 2 of the Facility Lease for such Termination Date.

 

“Title Policies” shall mean the following title policies, issued by Chicago Title Insurance Company:  (a) that certain Leasehold Owner’s policy, No. 121914-1, issued to the Owner Lessor, insuring the Owner Lessor’s (i) 63.6% undivided leasehold interest in the Facility Site as lessee under the Facility Site Lease, and (ii) 63.6% undivided fee interest in the Facility and (b) that certain Leasehold Loan policy No. 121914-1, issued to United States Trust Company of New York, as Lease Indenture Trustee, insuring the Lease Indenture Trustee’s security interest in the Owner Lessor’s (i) leasehold interests in the Facility Site Lease and (ii) fee interest in the Facility.

 

“Transaction Costs” shall have the meaning specified in the Original Participation Agreement.

 

“Transferee” shall have the meaning specified in Section 10.1 of the Participation Agreement.

 

“Treasury Regulations” shall mean regulations, including temporary regulations, promulgated under the Code.

 

“Trust Agreement” shall mean the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement (T1), dated as of August 17, 2000, between the Owner Participant and the Trust Company relating to Powerton Trust I, as amended from time to time.

 

“Trust Company” shall mean U.S. Bank Trust National Association, a national banking association with its principal place of business in the State of Delaware.

 

“Trust Estate” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.03 of the Trust Agreement.

 

“Undivided Interest” shall have the meaning specified in the Recitals to the Facility Lease.

 

“Undivided Interest Percentage” shall mean 63.6%.

 

“Uniform Commercial Code” or “UCC” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the applicable jurisdiction.

 

“United States” or “U.S.” shall mean the United States of America.

 

“Unrelated Members” shall mean any members of the Owner Participant or the Other Owner Participant which are not Affiliates of the other members of either the Owner Participant or the Other Owner Participant; provided, however, that for purposes of this definition, if any

 

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two or more members are Affiliates, such members, together, shall be considered as one Unrelated Member.

 

“Verifier” shall mean Warren & Selbert, Inc. or a nationally recognized firm of accountants or lease advisors chosen by the Owner Participant and reasonably acceptable to the Facility Lessee.

 

“Welfare Plan” shall mean a “welfare plan,” as such term is defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA.

 

“Wilmington Trust Company” shall mean Wilmington Trust Company, a Delaware trust company.

 

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EXHIBITS

 











 

Exhibit A

 

[RESERVED]

 











 

Exhibit B

 

Facility Deed

 











 

Exhibit C

 

Facility Lease

 











 

Exhibit C1

 

First Amendment to Facility Lease

 











 

Exhibit D

 

Facility Site Lease

 











 

Exhibit E

 

Facility Site Sublease

 












 

Exhibit F

 

Lease Indenture

 











 

Exhibit F1

 

First Amendment to Lease Indenture

 











 

Exhibit G

 

Tax Indemnity Agreement

 











 

Exhibit H

 

NRG Guarantee

 











 

Exhibit I

 

NRG OP Guarantee

 











 

Exhibit J

 

Form of Assignment and Assumption Agreement

 











 

Exhibit K

 

List of Competitors

 











 

Exhibit L

 

FERC Section 203 Order

 











 

Exhibit M

 

Engineering Report

 











 

Exhibit N

 

Closing Date Appraisal

 











 

Exhibit O

 

[RESERVED]

 











 

SCHEDULES

 











 

Schedule 3.1(c)

 

Midwest Governmental Approvals

 











 

Schedule 3.2(c)

 

NRG Governmental Approvals