<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.2
================================================================================

                     AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

                           dated as of May 24, 1999,

                                     among

                 PG&E GAS TRANSMISSION, NORTHWEST CORPORATION,
                                as the Company,

                   CERTAIN COMMERCIAL LENDING INSTITUTIONS,
                                as the Lenders,

                      THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO,
                    as Documentation Agent for the Lenders,

                        U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
                     as Syndication Agent for the Lenders,

                      THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO,
                      U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, and
                              BARCLAYS BANK PLC,
                         as Co-Agents for the Lenders,

                                      and

                      CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE,
                    as Administrative Agent for the Lenders
                              __________________

                           CIBC WORLD MARKETS CORP.,
                                  as Arranger

================================================================================

<PAGE>

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                               -----------------


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            Page
                                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                                         <C>
ARTICLE 1        DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING MATTERS.......................................     2
 Section 1.1     Certain Defined Terms....................................................     2
 Section 1.2     Other References.........................................................    16
 Section 1.3     Other Agreements.........................................................    16
 Section 1.4     Headings.................................................................    16
 Section 1.5     Accounting Terms.........................................................    16

ARTICLE 2        THE FACILITY.............................................................    16
 Section 2.1     Grant of Facility........................................................    16
 Section 2.2     Maximum Outstandings.....................................................    17
 Section 2.3     Term; Extension of Maturity Date and Commitments.........................    17
 Section 2.4     Nature of Lenders' Obligations...........................................    17
 Section 2.5     Changes in Commitments...................................................    18
 Section 2.6     Fees.....................................................................    18
 Section 2.7     Lending Offices..........................................................    19
 Section 2.8     Prepayments..............................................................    19
 Section 2.9     Notes....................................................................    19
 Section 2.10    Repayment................................................................    19

ARTICLE 3        LIBOR ADVANCES...........................................................    19
 Section 3.1     LIBOR Advance Requests...................................................    19
 Section 3.2     Making of LIBOR Advances.................................................    20
 Section 3.3     Interest on LIBOR Advances...............................................    20

ARTICLE 4        REFERENCE RATE ADVANCES..................................................    20
 Section 4.1     Reference Rate Advance Requests..........................................    20
 Section 4.2     Making of Reference Rate Advances........................................    21
 Section 4.3     Interest on Reference Rate Advances......................................    21
 Section 4.4     Reference Rate Communication.............................................    21

ARTICLE 5        [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]..................................................    22

ARTICLE 6        CURRENCY OF ACCOUNT AND PAYMENT..........................................    22
 Section 6.1     Claims in Dollars........................................................    22
 Section 6.2     Accounts for Payment.....................................................    22
 Section 6.3     Application of Payment...................................................    22
 Section 6.4     No Set-Off...............................................................    23
 Section 6.5     Actual Receipt...........................................................    23
 Section 6.6     Default Interest.........................................................    23
</TABLE>

                                       i
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                           <C>
ARTICLE 7        PRO RATA TREATMENT, COMPUTATIONS.........................................    23
 Section 7.1     Pro Rata Treatment.......................................................    23
 Section 7.2     Computations.............................................................    24

ARTICLE 8        TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY...................................    24
 Section 8.1     Withholding..............................................................    24
 Section 8.2     Tax Forms................................................................    25
 Section 8.3     Tax Receipts.............................................................    25
 Section 8.4     Change in Law............................................................    26
 Section 8.5     Capital Adequacy.........................................................    26
 Section 8.6     Regulation D.............................................................    27
 Section 8.7     Notice of Claim..........................................................    27
 Section 8.8     Illegality...............................................................    28
 Section 8.9     Reference Rate Advances pursuant to Section 8.8..........................    28
 Section 8.10    Market Disruption........................................................    28
 Section 8.11    Compensation.............................................................    29

ARTICLE 9        CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.....................................................    29
 Section 9.1     Closing..................................................................    29
 Section 9.2     Initial and Subsequent Advances..........................................    30

ARTICLE 10       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES...........................................    31
 Section 10.1    Corporate Existence......................................................    31
 Section 10.2    Financial Condition......................................................    31
 Section 10.3    Litigation...............................................................    31
 Section 10.4    No Breach................................................................    31
 Section 10.5    Corporate Action.........................................................    32
 Section 10.6    Approvals................................................................    32
 Section 10.7    Margin Stock.............................................................    32
 Section 10.8    ERISA....................................................................    32
 Section 10.9    Pari Passu Status........................................................    32
 Section 10.10   Environmental Matters....................................................    33
 Section 10.11   Year 2000 Matters........................................................    33

ARTICLE 11       COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.................................................    33
 Section 11.1    Financial Statements.....................................................    33
 Section 11.2    Corporate Existence, Etc.................................................    36
 Section 11.3    Use of Proceeds..........................................................    36
 Section 11.4    Mergers..................................................................    37
 Section 11.5    Debt to Capitalization...................................................    37
 Section 11.6    Pari Passu Status........................................................    37
 Section 11.7    Asset Dispositions, etc..................................................    37
 Section 11.8    Limitation on Debt Secured by Mortgages..................................    37
</TABLE>

                                      ii
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                           <C>
 Section 11.9    Limitation on Sale-Leaseback Transactions................................    39
 Section 11.10   Limitation on Advances...................................................    39

ARTICLE 12       EVENTS OF DEFAULT........................................................    40

ARTICLE 13       THE AGENTS...............................................................    42
 Section 13.1    Appointment, Powers and Immunities.......................................    42
 Section 13.2    Reliance by the Agents...................................................    42
 Section 13.3    Default..................................................................    43
 Section 13.4    Rights as a Lender.......................................................    43
 Section 13.5    Indemnification by Lenders...............................................    43
 Section 13.6    Non-Reliance on the Agents and other Lenders.............................    44
 Section 13.7    Failure to Act...........................................................    44
 Section 13.8    Resignation..............................................................    44
 Section 13.9    Funding Reliance, etc....................................................    45
 Section 13.10   Syndication Agent, Documentation Agent and Co-Agents.....................    45

ARTICLE 14       MISCELLANEOUS............................................................    45
 Section 14.1    Waiver...................................................................    45
 Section 14.2    Government Regulation....................................................    45
 Section 14.3    Taxes....................................................................    45
 Section 14.4    Notices..................................................................    45
 Section 14.5    Expenses, Etc............................................................    46
 Section 14.6    Amendments, Etc..........................................................    46
 Section 14.7    Sales and Transfers, etc. of Advances and Notes; Participation in
                 Advances and Notes.......................................................    47
 Section 14.8    Indemnification..........................................................    49
 Section 14.9    Set-off..................................................................    49
 Section 14.10   Sharing of Payments, Etc.................................................    50
 Section 14.11   Other Transactions.......................................................    50
 Section 14.12   Nonliability of Lenders..................................................    50
 Section 14.13   Severability.............................................................    50
 Section 14.14   Survival.................................................................    50
 Section 14.15   Captions and Headings....................................................    51
 Section 14.16   Counterparts.............................................................    51
 Section 14.18   Governing Law............................................................    51
 Section 14.19   Forum Selection and Consent to Jurisdiction..............................    51
 Section 14.20   Waiver of Jury Trial.....................................................    52
 Section 14.21   Entire Agreement.........................................................    52
 Section 14.22   Renewal, Extension and Rearrangement.....................................    52
 Section 14.23   No Oral Agreements.......................................................    53
</TABLE>

                                     iii
<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBITS
                                   --------

EXHIBIT A    -    Form of Note
EXHIBIT B    -    LIBOR Advance Request
EXHIBIT C    -    Reference Rate Advance Request
EXHIBIT D    -    Form of Tax Certificate
EXHIBIT E    -    Form of Opinion of Counsel to the Company and its Subsidiaries
EXHIBIT F    -    Form of Transfer Certificate

SCHEDULE I   -    Commitments

                                      iv
<PAGE>

                     AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

     THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of May 24, 1999 is
among PG&E GAS TRANSMISSION, NORTHWEST CORPORATION, a corporation duly organized
and validly existing under the laws of the State of California (the "Company"),
                                                                     -------
the various financial institutions as are or may become parties hereto
(collectively, the "Lenders"), THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO, as
                    -------
documentation agent for the Lenders (the "Documentation Agent"), U.S. BANK
                                          -------------------
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as syndication agent for the Lenders (the "Syndication
                                                                 -----------
Agent"), THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION and
-----
BARCLAYS BANK PLC, as co-agents for the Lenders (the "Co-Agents"), and CANADIAN
                                                      ---------
IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE ("CIBC"), acting through certain of its U.S. branches
                            ----
or agencies, as Administrative Agent (the "Agent") for the Lenders.
                                           -----

                                   RECITALS:

     A.  Reference is here made to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of
May 31, 1995 (the "Existing Credit Agreement"), by and among Pacific Gas
                   -------------------------
Transmission Company, predecessor-in-interest to the Company, the various
financial institutions as are or may become parties thereto, Barclays Bank PLC
and The First National Bank of Chicago, as co-agents for the Lenders, and
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, acting through certain of its U.S. branches
or agencies, as Agent for the Lenders, and all of the indebtedness, obligations
and liabilities of Company evidenced by and outstanding under the Existing
Credit Agreement and all related instruments and documents (all such
indebtedness, obligations and liabilities under the Existing Credit Agreement
and/or such instruments and documents collectively, the "Prior Indebtedness").
                                                         ------------------

     B.  The Company has voluntarily requested that Lenders, and Lenders have
agreed to, restructure, rearrange and renew the Prior Indebtedness and the
respective commitments of the Lenders and Agents party to the Existing Credit
Agreement into obligations and commitments hereunder.

     C.  As a part of the restructuring and rearranging of the Prior
Indebtedness, Lenders shall modify their respective commitments under this
Agreement such that on the Effective Date each Lender shall be obligated
hereunder, subject to the terms hereof, to the Commitments stated on Schedule I
                                                                     ----------
hereto for each Lender.

     D.  Any Advances outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement on the
Effective Date bearing interest at a LIBOR Rate shall be deemed continued as an
Advance under this Agreement at such LIBOR Rate and for the Interest Period with
respect thereto under the Existing Credit Agreement.

     E.  Any "Competitive Bid Advances" outstanding under the Existing Credit
Agreement on the Effective Date shall be deemed continued as a Reference Rate
Advance under
<PAGE>

this Agreement at the rate and for the term with respect thereto under the
Existing Credit Agreement.

     F.  Lenders and the Company intend and have agreed to amend and restate the
Existing Credit Agreement in its entirety as and pursuant to this Agreement.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the Recitals hereof and the mutual
covenants contained herein, the parties hereby agree to amend and restate the
Existing Credit Agreement in its entirety as follows:

                                   ARTICLE 1

                      DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING MATTERS

     Section 1.1  Certain Defined Terms.   The following terms (whether or not
                  ---------------------
underscored) when used in this Agreement, including its preamble, shall, except
where the context otherwise requires, have the following meanings (such meanings
to be equally applicable to the singular and the plural forms thereof):

     "Adjusted LIBOR Rate" shall mean, for any LIBOR Advances, a rate per annum
      -------------------
(rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of one percent) determined by
the Agent to be equal to the LIBOR Rate for such Advances for the Interest
Period for such Advances divided by the difference of 1 minus the Reserve
Requirement for such Advances for such Interest Period.

     "Advance" shall mean, except as otherwise provided herein, any LIBOR
      -------
Advance and/or Reference Rate Advance.

     "Advance Outstandings" shall mean at any time the aggregate principal
      --------------------
amount of all outstanding Advances at such time.

     "Advance Request" shall mean any LIBOR Advance Request or Reference Rate
      ---------------
Advance Request.

     "Affiliate" of any Person means 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 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.

     "Agent" shall mean CIBC in its capacity as administrative agent for the
      -----
Lenders hereunder or any successor administrative agent.

                                       2
<PAGE>

     "Agents" shall mean the Agent, the Syndication Agent, the Documentation
      ------
Agent and the Co-Agents, together with successors in any such capacities.

     "Agreement" means, on any date, this Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
      ---------
as originally in effect on the Effective Date and as thereafter from time to
time amended, supplemented, amended and restated, or otherwise modified and in
effect on such date.

     "Applicable Margin" shall mean, on any date and with respect to each LIBOR
      -----------------
Advance (subject to clause (iii) of the definition of "Applicable Rating
Level"), the applicable margin set forth below based on the Applicable Rating
Level on such date:

                ----------------------------------------------
                       Applicable             LIBOR
                      Rating Level           Advances
                      ------------           --------
                ----------------------------------------------

                     Level I                      0.5000%
                ----------------------------------------------

                     Level II                     0.6000%
                ----------------------------------------------

                     Level III                    0.7000%
                ----------------------------------------------

                     Level IV                     0.8000%
                ----------------------------------------------

                     Level V                      0.9000%
                ----------------------------------------------

     "Applicable Rating Level" shall mean the highest level set forth below that
      -----------------------
corresponds to a rating issued from time to time by S&P or Moody's as applicable
to the Company's senior unsecured long-term debt:

                   ------------------------------------------------
                                      Moody's         S&P
                                      -------         ---
                   ------------------------------------------------

                   Level I              *Baa1        *BBB+
                   ------------------------------------------------

                   Level II              Baa1         BBB+
                   ------------------------------------------------

                   Level III             Baa2         BBB
                   ------------------------------------------------

                   Level IV              Baa3         BBB-
                   ------------------------------------------------

                   Level V             **Baa3       **BBB-
                   ------------------------------------------------

For example, if the Moody's rating is Baa1 and the S&P rating is BBB, Level II
shall apply.

     For purposes of the foregoing, (i) "*" means a rating more favorable than;
"**" means a rating less favorable than; (ii) if ratings for the Company's
senior unsecured long-term debt shall not be available from S&P or Moody's,
Level V shall be deemed applicable; (iii) if determinative

*  greater than
** less than

                                       3
<PAGE>

ratings shall change (other than as a result of a change in the rating system
used by any applicable Rating Agency) such that a change in Applicable Rating
Level would result, such change shall effect a change in Applicable Rating Level
as of the day on which it is first announced by the applicable Rating Agency,
and any change in the Applicable Margin or percentage used in calculating fees
due hereunder shall apply commencing on the effective date of such change and
ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such
change; and (iv) if the rating system of any of the Rating Agencies shall change
prior to the date all obligations hereunder have been paid and the Commitments
canceled, the Company and the Lenders shall negotiate in good faith to amend the
references to specific ratings in this definition to reflect such changed rating
system, and pending such amendment, if no Applicable Rating Level is otherwise
determinable based upon the foregoing, the last Applicable Rating Level shall
apply.

     "Attributable Debt" shall mean, with respect to any Sale-Leaseback
      -----------------
Transaction as of any particular time, the present value discounted at the rate
of interest implicit (in the reasonable judgment of the Company) in the terms of
the lease of the obligations of the lessee under such lease for net rental
payments (net of insurance, taxes and indemnity and other similar charges)
during the remaining term of the lease (including any period for which such
lease has been extended).

     "Authorized Officer" means, relative to the Company, those of its officers
      ------------------
whose signatures and incumbency shall have been certified to the Agent and the
Lenders pursuant to subsection 9.1(b).
                    -----------------

     "Authorized Signatory" shall mean, in relation to any Person and any
      --------------------
communication to be made or document to be executed or certified by such Person
at any time, each other Person who is at such time duly appointed as its
authorized signatory by such Person in a manner acceptable to the Agent.

     "Available Facility Amount" shall mean at any time the Total Commitments
      -------------------------
less the Advance Outstandings at such time.

     "Base Rate" shall mean, at any time, the rate per annum then most recently
      ---------
announced by the Agent at New York, New York, as its base rate for Dollar loans
in the United States, which base rate may or may not be the lowest rate charged
by the Agent on loans to any of its customers.

     "Business Day" shall mean a day other than Saturday or Sunday on which
      ------------
commercial banks and foreign exchange markets are not required or permitted to
be closed for business in New York City, New York and (with respect to LIBOR
Advances only) London, England.

     "Capital Lease Obligations" shall mean all monetary obligations of the
      -------------------------
Company or any of its Subsidiaries under any leasing or similar arrangement
which, in accordance with GAAP, would be classified as capitalized leases, and,
for purposes of this Agreement and each other

                                       4
<PAGE>

Loan Document, the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount
thereof, determined in accordance with GAAP.

     "CERCLA" means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
      ------
Liability Act of 1980, as amended.

     "CIBC" is defined in the preamble.
      ----                    --------

     "Co-Agents" is defined in the preamble.
      ---------                    --------

     "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, reformed
      ----
or otherwise modified from time to time.

     "Commitment" shall mean, as to each Lender, the obligation of such Lender
      ----------
to make Advances in an aggregate amount at any one time outstanding equal to the
amount set opposite such Lender's name on Schedule I hereto under the caption
                                          ----------
"Commitment" (as the same may be reduced pursuant to Section 2.5 hereof or
                                                     -----------
increased pursuant to Section 14.7(b)(i) hereof).
                      ------------------

     "Commitment Proportion" shall mean, in relation to a Lender, at any time
      ---------------------
the proportion which its Commitment bears to the Total Commitments at such time.

     "Company" shall mean PG&E Gas Transmission, Northwest Corporation, a
      -------
corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of
California.

     "Debt" shall mean indebtedness for borrowed money.
      ----

     "Default" shall mean an Event of Default or any condition, occurrence or
      -------
event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of
Default.

     "Default Rate" shall mean, in respect of any principal of any Advance or
      ------------
any other amount payable by the Company under this Agreement which is not paid
when due (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), a rate per
annum during the period commencing on the due date until such amount is paid in
full equal to one percent plus the Reference Rate as in effect from time to
time; provided that, if such amount in default is principal of a LIBOR Advance
and the due date is a day other than the last day of the Interest Period
therefor, the "Default Rate" for such principal shall be, for the period
commencing on the due date and ending on the last day of the Interest Period
therefor, one percent above the interest rate for such Advance and, thereafter,
the rate provided for above in this definition.

     "Documentation Agent" is defined in the preamble.
      -------------------                    --------

     "Dollars" and "$" shall mean lawful money of the United States of America
      -------       -
which is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts in the United
States.

                                       5
<PAGE>

     "Drawdown Date" shall mean: (i) in relation to any LIBOR Advance, the
      -------------
Business Day for the making thereof as specified in the LIBOR Advance Request
relating thereto; and (ii) in relation to any Reference Rate Advance, the
Business Day for the making thereof as specified in the Reference Rate Advance
Request relating thereto.

     "Effective Date" shall mean the date on which (i) all conditions precedent
      --------------
set forth in Section 9.1 hereof are satisfied or waived by all Lenders, and (ii)
             -----------
this Agreement becomes effective pursuant to Section 14.16 hereof.
                                             -------------

     "Environmental Laws" shall mean any and all federal, state, local and
      ------------------
foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders,
decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or other
governmental restrictions relating to the environment or to emissions,
discharges or releases of pollutants, contaminants, petroleum or petroleum
products, chemicals or industrial, toxic or hazardous substances or wastes into
the environment including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water,
ground water, or land, or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing,
distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of
pollutants, contaminants, petroleum or petroleum products, chemicals or
industrial, toxic or hazardous substances or wastes or the clean-up or other
remediation thereof.

     "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.  Reference
to Sections of ERISA also refer to any successor sections.

     "Event of Default" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Article
      ----------------                                                  -------
12 hereof.
--

     "Existing Credit Agreement" has the meaning specified in Recital A hereof.
      -------------------------                               ---------

     "Facility" shall mean the committed advance facility which may be utilized
      --------
subject to the other terms and provisions hereof for Advances which shall be
evidenced by the Notes.

     "Facility Office" shall mean, in relation to a Lender, the office
      ---------------
designated on the signature page below or such other office as it may from time
to time designate by notice to the Agent.

     "Federal Funds Rate" shall mean, for any day, the rate per annum (rounded
      ------------------
upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100th of 1%) equal to the weighted
average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the
Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers on such day, as
published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next
succeeding such day, provided that (a) if the day for which such rate is to be
                     --------
determined is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be
such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so
published on the next succeeding Business Day, and (b) if such rate is not so
published for any day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day

                                       6
<PAGE>

shall be the average rate charged or chargeable to the Agent on such day on such
transactions as determined by the Agent.

     "GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the
      ----
opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of
the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other pronouncements by
regulatory authorities or such entities as may be recognized by a significant
segment of the United States accounting profession to define accepted accounting
practice, which are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of
determination.

     "Guarantee" by any Person shall mean any obligation, contingent or
      ---------
otherwise, of such Person directly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other
Person or providing for the payment of any Indebtedness of any other Person or
otherwise expressly protecting the holder of such Indebtedness against loss
(whether by virtue or partnership arrangements, by agreement to keep-well, to
purchase assets, goods, securities or services, or to take-or-pay or otherwise),
provided that the term "Guarantee" shall not include (i) endorsements of
negotiable instruments for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of
business, (ii) indemnities or hold-harmless agreements against personal injury
or property damage; or (iii) contractual obligations that are conditioned upon
performance.

     "Hazardous Material" means
      ------------------

          (a) any "hazardous substance", as defined by CERCLA;

          (b) any "hazardous waste", as defined by the Resource Conservation and
     Recovery Act, as amended;

          (c) any petroleum, crude oil or any fraction thereof;

          (d) any hazardous, dangerous or toxic chemical, material, waste or
     substance within the meaning of any Environmental Law;

          (e) any radioactive material, including any naturally occurring
     radioactive material, and any source, special or by-product material as
     defined in 42 U.S.C. (S) 2011 et. seq., and any amendments or
     reauthorizations thereof;

          (f) asbestos-containing materials in any form or condition; or

          (g) polychlorinated biphenyls in any form or condition.

     "herein", "hereof", "hereto", "hereunder" and similar terms contained in
      ------    ------    ------    ---------
this Agreement or any other Loan Document refer to this Agreement or such other
Loan Document, as the case may

                                       7
<PAGE>

be, as a whole and not to any particular Section, paragraph or provision of this
Agreement or such other Loan Document.

     "including" means including without limiting the generality of any
      ---------
description preceding such term, and, for purposes of this Agreement and each
other Loan Document, the parties hereto agree that the rule of ejusdem generis
                                                               ------- -------
shall not be applicable to limit a general statement, which is followed by or
referable to an enumeration of specific matters, to matters similar to the
matters specifically mentioned.

     "Indebtedness" of any Person means, without duplication, at any date:
      ------------

          (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money and all
     obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other
     similar instruments;

          (b) all obligations relative to the face amount of all letters of
     credit and banker's acceptances issued for the account of such Person;

          (c) all obligations of such Person as lessee under leases which have
     been or should be, in accordance with GAAP, recorded as Capital Lease
     Obligations;

          (d) all obligations of such Person pursuant to a Sale-Leaseback
     Transaction which have been or should be, in accordance with GAAP, recorded
     as Capital Lease Obligations;

          (e) all obligations of such Person pursuant to a Guarantee except any
     such Guarantee which the Company is contesting in good faith in appropriate
     proceedings; and

          (f) whether or not so included as liabilities in accordance with GAAP,
     all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of
     property or services, and indebtedness (excluding prepaid interest thereon)
     secured by a Lien on property owned or being purchased by such Person
     (including indebtedness arising under conditional sales or other title
     retention agreements), whether or not such indebtedness shall have been
     assumed by such Person or is limited in recourse.

provided, Indebtedness shall not include sales of Permitted Receivables sold
--------
pursuant to Permitted Receivables Purchase Facilities and indemnification,
recourse or repurchase obligations thereunder.  For all purposes of this
Agreement, the Indebtedness of any Person shall include all recourse
Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture or limited liability company in
which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer or a member.

     "Indemnified Liabilities" is defined in Section 14.8.
      -----------------------                ------------

     "Indemnified Parties" is defined in Section 14.8.
      -------------------                ------------

                                       8
<PAGE>

     "Interest Period" shall mean:
      ---------------

          (a)  With respect to any LIBOR Advances, the period commencing on the
               date such Advances are made and ending on the numerically
               corresponding day in the first, second, third or sixth calendar
               month thereafter, as the Company may select as provided in
               Section 3.1 hereof, except that each such Interest Period which
               -----------
               commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on any
               day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the
               appropriate subsequent calendar month) shall end on the last
               Business Day of the appropriate subsequent calendar month; and

          (b)  With respect to any Reference Rate Advances, the period
               commencing on the date such Advances are made and ending on such
               date not more than 90 days thereafter, as the Company may select
               as provided in Section 4.1 hereof.
                              -----------

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) each Interest Period which would otherwise
end on a day which is not a Business Day shall end on the next succeeding
Business Day (or, in the case of an Interest Period for LIBOR Advances, if such
next succeeding Business Day falls in the next succeeding calendar month, on the
next preceding Business Day) and such extension or adjustment shall be reflected
in the computation of interest; (ii) the Company shall not be permitted to
select Interest Periods to be in effect at any one time which have expiration
dates occurring on more than ten different dates; and (iii) no Interest Period
may end later than the Maturity Date.

     "Lenders" is defined in the preamble.
      -------                    --------

     "LIBOR" or the "LIBOR Rate" shall mean, on any day and in relation to the
      -----          ----------
Term for any LIBOR Advance, the rate per annum equal to the average of the
offered quotations appearing on Telerate Page 3750 (or if such Telerate Page
shall not be available, any successor or similar service as may be selected by
the Agent and the Company) as of 11:00 a.m., London time (or as soon thereafter
as practicable), on the second Business Day before (and for value on) the
proposed Drawdown Date for such Advance.  If none of such Telerate Page 3750 nor
any successor or similar service is available, then "LIBOR" or the "LIBOR Rate"
                                                     -----          ----------
shall mean, on any day and in relation to the Term for any LIBOR Advance, the
rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next multiple of 1/16th of
one percent per annum) determined by the Agent to be equal to the average of the
respective rates quoted to the Agent by each of the Reference Lenders as the
rate at which it would offer deposits in Dollars for a period equal to the Term
of, and in a principal amount comparable to, such proposed Advance to prime
banks in the London interbank market of Dollar deposits at or about 11:00 a.m.
London time (or as soon thereafter as practicable) on the second Business Day
before (and for value on) the proposed Drawdown Date for such Advance.  If any
Reference Lender fails to (or notifies the Agent that it is or will be

                                       9
<PAGE>

unable to) advise the Agent of any rate referred to above, or is not
participating in such LIBOR Advance to be made hereunder, then the relevant
LIBOR Rate shall be determined by the Agent on the basis of the rate or rates
quoted to it by the other Reference Lenders, provided that if the Advance is a
LIBOR Advance and only one Reference Lender provides a rate quote, the Advance
shall be governed by Section 8.10 hereof. Each determination of the LIBOR Rate
                     ------------
shall be conclusive and binding, absent manifest error.

     "LIBOR Advance Request" shall mean a request for a LIBOR Advance made in
      ---------------------
accordance with Article 3 and substantially in the form of Exhibit B.
                ---------                                  ---------

     "LIBOR Advances" shall mean an advance in Dollars made available to the
      --------------
Company pursuant to Article 3 with interest rates determined on the basis of the
                    ---------
LIBOR Rate.

     "Lien" shall mean, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge,
      ----
charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset.
For the purposes of this Agreement, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall
be deemed to own subject to a Lien any asset which it has acquired or holds
subject to the interest of a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale
agreement, capital lease or other title retention agreement relating to such
asset.

     "Loan Document" means this Agreement, the Notes, each Advance Request, and
      -------------
any other agreement, document or instrument from time to time executed and
delivered pursuant to and in connection with any of the foregoing.

     "Majority Lenders" shall mean, at any time while Commitments are in effect,
      ----------------
Lenders having at least 51% of the aggregate amount of the Commitments and, at
any time while no Commitments are in effect, Lenders holding at least 51% of the
outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Advances.

     "Material Adverse Effect" means with respect to any matter that such matter
      -----------------------
would reasonably be expected to have a material and adverse effect on the
assets, business, properties or condition (financial or otherwise) of the
Company or the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or on the ability
of the Company to perform its obligations under any of the Loan Documents.

     "Maturity Date" shall mean the earlier of (i) the Original Maturity Date,
      -------------
or such other later date as may result from any extension requested by Company
and consented to by the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.3 and (ii) the date of
                                            -----------
termination of the obligations and Commitments under this Agreement by
prepayment, cancellation, acceleration or otherwise.

     "Moody's" shall mean Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and any successor
      -------
thereto that is a nationally-recognized rating agency.

                                      10
<PAGE>

     "Multiemployer Plan" shall mean a Plan defined as such in Section 3(37) of
      ------------------
ERISA with respect to which the Company or a Significant Subsidiary may have
liability and which is covered by Title IV of ERISA.

     "1934 Act Reports" shall mean the Company's Form 10K, dated December 31,
      ----------------
1998, and all subsequent documents filed with the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission (or any governmental agency substituted therefor) pursuant
to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (or any other reports
substituted therefor that contain substantially the information required to be
contained in such reports on the date hereof), copies of all of which 1934 Act
Reports through the date of this Agreement have been delivered by the Company to
the Agent.

     "Net Tangible Assets" shall mean the aggregate amount of assets (less
      -------------------
applicable reserves and other properly deductible items) after deducting
therefrom (i) all current liabilities (other than the current portion of funded
indebtedness) and (ii) all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents,
unamortized debt discount and expense (to the extent included in such aggregate
amount of assets) and other like intangibles (except regulatory assets recorded
on the balance sheet in accordance with GAAP).

     "Note" shall mean a promissory note in substantially the form of Exhibit A
      ----                                                            ---------
hereto (as such promissory note may be amended, endorsed or otherwise modified
from time to time), duly executed and delivered to the Agent by the Company for
the account of a Lender and payable to the order of such Lender in the amount of
its Commitment, including any amendment, modification, renewal or replacement of
such promissory note.

     "Obligations" means all obligations (monetary or otherwise) of the Company
      -----------
arising under or in connection with this Agreement, the Notes and each other
Loan Document.

     "Original Maturity Date" shall mean May 30, 2002.
      ----------------------

     "Overnight Funds Period" shall mean a period of one or more consecutive
      ----------------------
days during which the Overnight Funds Rate exceeds the rates described in
clauses (a)(i) and (a)(ii) of the definition "Reference Rate."  Upon the making,
--------------     -------                    --------------
continuing, or converting of any applicable Advance during any such period, the
Agent shall give prompt notice to the Company and the Lenders of the
commencement and termination of such Overnight Funds Period and the Overnight
Funds Rate for such period.

     "Overnight Funds Rate" shall mean, for any Overnight Funds Period, a
      --------------------
fluctuating interest rate per annum equal for each day during such period to the
rate of interest offered in the interbank market to the Agent as the overnight
Federal Funds Rate as of, at or about 10:00 a.m., New York, New York time on
such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, for the next preceding Business
Day) plus 1/2% per annum.

                                      11
<PAGE>

     "Payment Office" shall mean the office of Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of
      --------------
New York located at 60 Wall Street, New York, New York  10260, or such other
office or branch of a financial institution located in New York City, New York
as the Agent may from time to time designate by notice to the Company and the
Lenders.

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

     "Permitted Receivables" shall mean all obligations of any obligor (whether
      ---------------------
now existing or hereafter arising) under a contract for sale or transportation
of natural gas or other goods or services by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, which shall include any obligation of such obligor (whether now
existing or hereafter arising) to pay demand charges based on actual or
estimated peak usage of natural gas by such obligor and any obligation of such
obligor (whether now existing or hereafter arising) to pay interest, finance
charges or amounts with respect thereto, and, with respect to any of the
foregoing receivables or obligations, (i) all of the interest of the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries in the goods (including returned goods and goods
constituting natural gas) the sale of which gave rise to such receivable or
obligation after the passage of title thereto to any obligor, (ii) all other
Liens and property subject thereto from time to time purporting to secure
payment of such receivables or obligations, and (iii) all guarantees, insurance,
letters of credit and other agreements or arrangements of whatever character
from time to time supporting or securing payment of any such receivables or
obligations.

     "Permitted Receivables Purchase Facility" shall mean any agreement of the
      ---------------------------------------
Company or any of its Subsidiaries providing for sales, transfers or conveyances
of Permitted Receivables purporting to be sales (and considered sales under
GAAP) that do not provide, directly or indirectly, for recourse against the
seller of such Permitted Receivables (or against any of such seller's
Affiliates) by way of a guaranty or any other support arrangement, with respect
to the amount of such Permitted Receivables (based on the financial condition or
circumstances of the obligor thereunder), other than such limited recourse as is
reasonable given market standards for transactions of a similar type, taking
into account such factors as historical bad debt loss experience and obligor
concentration levels.

     "Person" shall mean an individual, a corporation, a company, a voluntary
      ------
association, a partnership, a trust, an unincorporated organization, a
government or any agency, instrumentality or political subdivision thereof, or
other entity.

     "Plan" shall mean an employee benefit or other plan established or
      ----
maintained by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to which the
Company or any Subsidiary may have any liability and which is covered by Title
IV of ERISA, other than a Multiemployer Plan.

     "Principal Office" shall mean the office of the Agent, as set forth on the
      ----------------
signature pages hereof, or such substitute office of which it may from time to
time notify the Company and the Lenders.

                                      12
<PAGE>

     "Principal Property" shall mean any natural gas pipeline, natural gas
      ------------------
gathering system or gas storage facilities located in the United States,
including any fixed, tangible natural gas facilities directly related to the
transportation, storage or distribution of natural gas, except any such property
that in the opinion of the Board of Directors of the Company is not of material
importance to the business conducted by the Company and its consolidated
Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

     "Principal Subsidiary" shall mean any Subsidiary which owns a Principal
      --------------------
Property.

     "Prior Indebtedness" has the meaning specified in Recital A hereof.
      ------------------                               ---------

     "Quarterly Dates" shall mean the last day of each March, June, September
      ---------------
and December, the first of which shall be the first such day after the date of
this Agreement, provided that, if any such date is not a Business Day, the
relevant Quarterly Date shall be the next succeeding Business Day.

     "Rating Agency" shall mean either of S&P or Moody's.
      -------------

     "Reference Lenders" shall mean the Agents.
      -----------------

     "Reference Rate" shall mean (a) on any date and with respect to all
      --------------
Reference Rate Advances other than those dates and Advances described in clause
                                                                         ------
(b) of this definition, a fluctuating rate of interest per annum equal to the
---
higher of (i) the Base Rate and (ii) the Federal Funds Rate most recently
determined by the Agent plus 1/2% per annum; or (b) on any date occurring during
                        ----
any Overnight Funds Period, but with respect only to Reference Rate Advances
made, the Overnight Funds Rate.  The Reference Rate is not necessarily intended
to be the lowest rate of interest determined by the Agent in connection with
extensions of credit.  Changes in the rate of interest on that portion of any
Advances maintained as Reference Rate Advances shall take effect simultaneously
with each change in the Reference Rate.  The Agent shall give notice promptly to
the Company and the Lenders of changes in the Reference Rate.

     "Reference Rate Advance" shall mean an advance in Dollars made available to
      ----------------------
the Company pursuant to Article 4.
                        ---------

     "Reference Rate Advance Request" shall mean a request for a Reference Rate
      ------------------------------
Advance made in accordance with Article 4 and substantially in the form of
                                ---------
Exhibit C.
---------

     "Regulation D" means Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal
      ------------
Reserve System from time to time in effect and shall include any successor or
other regulation or official interpretation of said Board of Governors or any
successor Person relating to reserve requirements imposed by the Federal Reserve
System or any successor Person.

                                      13
<PAGE>

     "Regulation U" means Regulations G, U or X of the Board of Governors of the
      ------------
Federal Reserve System from time to time in effect and shall include any
successor or other regulations or official interpretation of said Board of
Governors or any successor Person relating to the extension of credit for the
purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stocks imposed by the Federal Reserve
System or any successor Person.

     "Regulatory Change" shall mean, with respect to any Lender, any change
      -----------------
after the date of this Agreement in United States federal, state or foreign laws
or regulations (including Regulation D) or the adoption or making after such
date of any interpretations, directives or requests applying to a class of banks
including such Lender of or under any United States federal or state, or any
foreign, laws or regulations (whether or not having the force of law but
compliance with which is expected) by any court or governmental or monetary
authority charged with the interpretation or administration thereof.

     "Repayment Date" shall mean, in relation to any LIBOR Advance, the last day
      --------------
of the Term thereof specified in the applicable LIBOR Advance Request, and in
relation to any Reference Rate Advance, the Maturity Date.

     "Reserve Requirement" shall mean, for any LIBOR Advances, on the date of
      -------------------
such determination, the average maximum reserve percentage (expressed as a
decimal, rounded upward to the nearest 1/100th of 1%) at which reserves
(including any marginal, supplemental or emergency reserves) are required to be
maintained during the Interest Period thereof under Regulation D by member banks
of the Federal Reserve System in New York City with deposits exceeding one
billion Dollars against "Eurocurrency liabilities" (as such term is used in
Regulation D).  Without limiting the effect of the foregoing, the Reserve
Requirement as to any Lender shall reflect any other reserves required to be
maintained by such Lender by reason of any Regulatory Change against (i) any
category of liabilities which includes deposits by reference to which the LIBOR
Rate is to be determined or (ii) any category of extensions of credit or other
assets which include either type of LIBOR Advance.

     "Resource Conservation and Recovery Act" means the Resource Conservation
      --------------------------------------
and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 690, et seq., as in effect from time to
                                         -- ---
time.

     "S&P" shall mean Standard & Poor's Ratings Group and any successor thereto
      ---
that is a nationally-recognized rating agency.

     "Sale-Leaseback Transaction" means an arrangement pursuant to which the
      --------------------------
Company or a Principal Subsidiary now owns or hereafter acquires a Principal
Property, sells or transfers it to a Person, and rents or leases it back from
the Person.

     "Stockholders' Equity" shall mean, as of the time any determination thereof
      --------------------
is to be made, the sum of the Company's capital stock (which shall exclude
treasury stock and any capital stock subject to mandatory redemption by the
holder thereof) and additional paid-in capital plus
                                               ----

                                      14
<PAGE>

retained earnings (minus accumulated deficit), all as shown on the consolidated
                   -----
balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries and based on GAAP as in effect
on the date of such determination.

     "Subsidiary" shall mean any corporation of which at least a majority of the
      ----------
outstanding shares of stock having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to
elect a majority of the board of directors of such corporation (irrespective of
whether or not at the time stock of any other class or classes of such
corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of
any contingency) is at the time directly or indirectly owned by the Company
and/or one or more of its Subsidiaries; "Wholly-Owned Subsidiary" shall mean any
                                         -----------------------
such corporation of which all of such shares, other than directors' qualifying
shares, are so owned.

     "Syndication Agent" is defined in the preamble.
      -----------------                    --------

     "Tax Certificate" shall mean a certificate substantially in the form set
      ---------------
out in Exhibit D and duly signed by a Lender.
       ---------

     "Term" shall mean: (i) in relation to any LIBOR Advance, the period from
      ----
its Drawdown Date until its Repayment Date as specified in the LIBOR Advance
Request relating thereto; and (ii) in relation to any Reference Rate Advance,
the period from its Drawdown Date until its Repayment Date; provided, however,
                                                            --------  -------
that if any Term would otherwise end on a day which is not a Business Day, such
Term shall be extended to the next succeeding day which is a Business Day
unless, in the case of a LIBOR Advance, the result of such extension would be to
carry such Term over into the next calendar month, in which case such Term shall
end on the immediately preceding Business Day.

     "364-Day Credit Agreement" shall mean that certain 364-Day Credit Agreement
      ------------------------
dated as of May 24, 1999, by and among the Company, the various financial
institutions as are or may become parties thereto, The First National Bank of
Chicago, as documentation agent for the lenders, U.S. Bank National Association,
as syndication agent for the lenders, The First National Bank of Chicago, U.S.
Bank National Association and Barclays Bank PLC, as co-agents for the lenders,
and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, as administrative agent for the lenders,
as thereafter from time to time amended, supplemented, amended and restated, or
otherwise modified.

     "Total Capitalization" shall mean the sum, at the time outstanding and
      --------------------
without duplication, of (i) Total Debt, plus (ii) Stockholders' Equity.

     "Total Commitments" shall mean the aggregate from time to time of the
      -----------------
Lenders' Commitments.

     "Total Debt" shall mean on a consolidated basis for the Company and its
      ----------
Subsidiaries at any time a determination thereof is to be made, the sum without
duplication of: (a) indebtedness

                                      15
<PAGE>

for borrowed money, all obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or
other similar investments, and purchase money obligations which in accordance
with GAAP would be shown on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company and
its Subsidiaries as a liability, and (b) all obligations of such Person as
lessee under leases which have been or should be, in accordance with GAAP,
recorded as Capital Lease Obligations.

     "Transfer Certificate" shall mean a certificate substantially in the form
      --------------------
set out in Exhibit F and duly signed by a Lender and a transferee.
           ---------

     "United States" or "U.S." means the United States of America, its fifty
      -------------      ----
States and the District of Columbia.

     "Voting Stock" shall mean, in respect of a business entity, stock of any
      ------------
class or classes, or equivalent interest, if the holders of the stock of such
class or classes or equivalent interests, are ordinarily, in the absence of
contingencies, entitled to vote for the election of the directors (or persons
performing similar functions) of such business entity, even though the right so
to vote has been suspended by the happening of such contingency, but does not
include stock of any class or classes the holders of which are entitled so to
vote only upon the happening of a contingency.

     Section 1.2  Other References. Any reference in this Agreement to:
                  ----------------

     (i)    any of the "Company," the "Agent", the "Agents", the "Syndication
            Agent", the "Documentation Agent", the "Co-Agents" or the "Lenders"
            shall be construed so as to include their respective successors,
            permitted assigns and, in the case of the Lenders, transferees;

     (ii)   a "Section" or "Exhibit" is a reference to a Section hereof or an
            Exhibit hereto;

     (iii)  a "law" shall be construed to mean any law, including common or
            customary law and any constitution, decree, judgment, legislation,
            order, ordinance, regulation, rule, statute, treaty or other
            legislative or regulatory measure, in each case of any jurisdiction
            whatever;

     (iv)   a statute shall be construed as a reference to such statute as
            amended or reenacted from time to time;

     (v)    "tax" shall be construed so as to include any tax, levy, impost,
            duty or other charge of a similar nature (including, without
            limitation, any penalty or interest payable in connection with any
            failure to pay or any delay in paying any of the same); and

     (vi)   a time of day is, unless otherwise stated, a reference to New York,
            New York time.

                                      16
<PAGE>

     Section 1.3  Other Agreements. Unless otherwise specified, any reference in
                  ----------------
                  this Agreement to another agreement shall be construed as a
                  reference to that other agreement as the same may have been,
                  or may from time to time be, amended or supplemented.

     Section 1.4  Headings. Section and Exhibit headings are for ease of
                  --------
                  reference only.

     Section 1.5  Accounting Terms. All accounting terms not specifically
                  ----------------
                  defined herein shall be construed in accordance with GAAP.

                                   ARTICLE 2

                                 THE FACILITY

     Section 2.1 Grant of Facility. The Lenders hereby grant to the Company an
                 -----------------
                 advance pursuant to which, and upon the terms and subject to
                 the conditions herein set out.

     (i)  the Lenders agree to make LIBOR Advances to the Company under the
          Facility in accordance with Article 3; and
                                      ---------

     (ii) the Lenders agree to make Reference Rate Advances to the Company under
          the Facility in accordance with Article 4.
                                          ---------

     Section 2.2 Maximum Outstandings. Subject to cancellation and reduction in
                 --------------------
accordance with the terms hereof, the maximum aggregate principal amount of the
Facility which may be utilized at any time for Advances is $100,000,000. In no
event shall the aggregate Advance Outstandings for all Lenders at any time
exceed the principal amount of $100,000,000 or such lesser amount as from time
to time may result from any reduction pursuant to Section 2.5 hereof, or for
                                                  -----------
each Lender at any time exceed such Lender's Commitment Proportion as in effect
from time to time.

     Section 2.3 Term; Extension of Maturity Commitments.

             (a) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof and provided that no
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the total Commitments shall be
available for a period commencing on the Effective Date and continuing through
the Maturity Date; provided that the Maturity Date, and concomitantly the total
                   --------
Commitments, may be extended for successive one year periods expiring on the
date which is one (1) year from the then scheduled Maturity Date.  If the
Company shall request in a certificate of extension delivered to the Agent, in
form and substance acceptable to the Agent, at least 30 days, but no more than
45 days, prior to any anniversary of the Effective Date that the Maturity Date
be extended for one year from the then scheduled Maturity Date, then the Agent
shall promptly notify each Lender of such request and each Lender shall notify
the Agent, at least 15 days, but not more than 30 days, after Lender's

                                      17
<PAGE>

receipt of Agent's notice, whether such Lender, in the exercise of its sole
discretion, will extend the Maturity Date for such one year period. Any Lender
which shall not timely notify the Agent whether it will extend the Maturity Date
shall be deemed to not have agreed to extend the Maturity Date. No Lender shall
have any obligation whatsoever to agree to extend the Maturity Date. Any
agreement to extend the Maturity Date by any Lender shall be irrevocable.

          (b)    If all Lenders notify the Agent pursuant to clause (a) of this
                                                             ---------
Section of their agreement to extend the Maturity Date, then the Agent shall so
notify each Lender and the Company, and such extension shall be effective
without other or further action by any party hereto for such additional one year
period. If any Lender fails to approve the extension of the Maturity Date, the
Company acknowledges that on the then scheduled Maturity Date the Company shall
repay in full all Obligations under the Loan Documents.

    Section 2.4 Nature of Lenders' Obligations. The obligations of the
                ------------------------------
Lenders hereunder are several and not joint and no Lender shall be responsible
for the obligation or Commitment of any other Lender hereunder. Nothing herein
constitutes a partnership, joint venture or other common purpose enterprise with
respect to the relationship between the Lenders (except to the extent to which
the Agent is authorized to act as such). The failure of any Lender to perform
its obligations hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender from its
obligations hereunder, nor shall the Agent or any other Lender be liable for the
failure by such Lender to perform its obligations hereunder. This Agreement is
not intended to, and shall not be construed so as to, confer any right or
benefit upon any Person other than the parties to this Agreement and their
respective successors and assigns.

    Section 2.5 Changes in Commitments. The Company shall have the right in
                ----------------------
accordance with Section 7.1 hereof to terminate or reduce the amount of the
                -----------
Commitments at any time or from time to time to an amount not less than the
Advance Outstandings, if any, at the effective date of such termination or
reduction, upon not less than three (3) Business Days' prior notice to the Agent
(which shall promptly notify the Lenders) of each such termination or reduction,
which shall specify the effective date thereof and the amount of any such
reduction (which shall not be less than $5,000,000 and, if more than $5,000,000,
in integral multiples of $1,000,000) and shall be irrevocable and effective only
upon receipt by the Agent. The Commitments once terminated or reduced may not be
reinstated.

    Section 2.6 Fees. The Company agrees to pay the fees set forth in this
                ----
Section 2.6. All such fees shall be non-refundable.

          (a)   Facility Fee. The Company shall pay to the Agent, for the
                ------------
account of each Lender, a facility fee on such Lender's Commitment, without
regard to usage, for the period from and including the Effective Date to and
excluding the date such Commitment is terminated, at a rate per annum equal to
that set forth below opposite the Applicable Rating Level times such Lender's
Commitment.

                                      18
<PAGE>

               ----------------------------------------------
                  Applicable
                  Rating Level              Facility Fee
                  ------------              ------------
               ----------------------------------------------
                     Level I                        0.1000%
               ----------------------------------------------
                     Level II                       0.1250%
               ----------------------------------------------
                     Level III                      0.1500%
               ----------------------------------------------
                     Level IV                       0.1750%
               ----------------------------------------------
                     Level V                        0.2000%
               ----------------------------------------------

The accrued facility fee shall be payable in arrears on the Quarterly Dates and
on the Maturity Date based on the average total Commitments during such period.

          (b)  Administrative Agency Fees. The Company shall pay to the Agent,
               --------------------------
for the Agent's own account, an administrative agency fee or such other fees as
previously agreed to by the Company and the Agent in writing (as such writing
may hereafter be amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise be modified or in
effect).

    Section 2.7 Lending Offices. The Advances of each type made by each Lender
                ---------------
 shall be made and maintained at such Lender's Facility Office for Advances of
 such type.

    Section 2.8 Prepayments. The Company may prepay Advances, provided that it
                -----------
shall give notice to the Agent (which shall promptly notify the Lenders) of such
intended prepayment on or before 11:00 a.m. of the proposed date of prepayment
in the case of Reference Rate Advances, or upon three Business Days' prior
notice, in the case of LIBOR Advances, to the Agent (which shall promptly notify
the Lenders), which notice shall specify the prepayment date (which shall be a
Business Day) and the amount of the prepayment (which shall be not less than
$5,000,000 and, if more than $5,000,000, in integral multiples of $1,000,000)
and shall be irrevocable and effective only upon receipt by the Agent, provided
that interest on the principal prepaid, accrued to the prepayment date, and any
amounts payable pursuant to Section 8.11 hereof in connection therewith, shall
be paid on the prepayment date.

    Section 2.9 Notes. The Advances made by a Lender hereunder shall be
                -----
evidenced by Notes payable to the order of such Lender. The Company hereby
irrevocably authorizes each Lender to make (or cause to be made) appropriate
notations on the grid attached to such Lender's Notes (or on any continuation of
such grid), which notations, if made, shall evidence, inter alia, the date of,
the outstanding principal of, and the interest rate and Interest Period
applicable to the Advances evidenced thereby. Such notations shall be conclusive
and binding on the Company absent manifest error; provided, however, that the
                                                  --------  -------
failure of any Lender to make any such notations shall not limit or otherwise
affect any Obligations of any Company. Upon the written request of the Company,
a Lender shall provide a written summary to the Company of the notations made on
such Notes with respect to the Advances, if any, of such Lender.

                                      19
<PAGE>

     Section 2.10 Repayment. With respect to Advances, the Company shall repay
                  ---------
the principal amount of (a) each Reference Rate Advance, on the Maturity Date
and (b) each LIBOR Advance, on the earlier of (i) the last day of the Term for
such Advance or (ii) the Maturity Date.

                                   ARTICLE 3

                                LIBOR ADVANCES

     Section 3.1  LIBOR Advance Requests. Except as otherwise provided herein,
                  ----------------------
the Company may request the making of a LIBOR Advance in Dollars under the
Facility prior to the Maturity Date by the delivery to the Agent (which shall
promptly notify the Lenders) no later than 11:00 a.m. on the third Business Day
before the proposed Drawdown Date for such LIBOR Advance of a duly completed
LIBOR Advance Request. Each LIBOR Advance Request delivered to the Agent
pursuant to this Section 3.1 shall be irrevocable and shall specify:
                 -----------

          (i)     the proposed Drawdown Date;

          (ii)    the principal amount of the proposed LIBOR Advance, which
                  shall be (a) a minimum amount of $5,000,000 and, if more than
                  $5,000,000, in additional integral multiples of $1,000,000;
                  and (b) in any event not more than the Adjusted Available
                  Facility Amount; and

          (iii)   the Term of the proposed LIBOR Advance, which shall be a
                  period of one, two, three or six months and shall have a
                  Repayment Date occurring on or before the Maturity Date.

     Section 3.2  Making of LIBOR Advances. If the Company requests a LIBOR
                  ------------------------
Advance in accordance with Section 3.1 hereof, then, on the proposed Drawdown
                           -----------
Date for such LIBOR Advance, and subject to Sections 8.8 and 8.10 hereof, each
                                            ------------     ----
Lender shall, no later than 1:00 p.m. on such Drawdown Date, make available to
the Company in accordance with Section 6.2 hereof the amount of such Lender's
                               -----------
participation in such LIBOR Advance. The amount which each Lender shall be
required to contribute to a LIBOR Advance shall be an amount equal to such
Lender's Commitment Proportion of such LIBOR Advance; provided, however, that if
                                                      --------  -------
the amount of a Lender's Commitment is reduced in accordance with the terms
hereof after the Agent has received the LIBOR Advance Request for such LIBOR
Advance, then such Lender's participation in such LIBOR Advance, and the amount
of such LIBOR Advance, shall be reduced accordingly.

     Section 3.3  Interest on LIBOR Advances. Each LIBOR Advance shall accrue
                  --------------------------
interest during its Term from and including the Drawdown Date to but not
including the Repayment Date for such LIBOR Advance at the rate per annum equal
to the sum of the Adjusted LIBOR Rate plus the Applicable Margin. The Company
shall pay interest on the principal amount of each LIBOR Advance in arrears on
the Repayment Date for such LIBOR Advance; provided,
                                           --------

                                      20
<PAGE>

however, that if the Term of a LIBOR Advance is more than three months or 90
-------
days, as the case may be, the Company shall pay interest on such LIBOR Advance
quarterly in arrears, each such interest payment (except the last) payable on
the last day of each three calendar month interval during the Term thereof and
the last on the Repayment Date for such LIBOR Advance. The Agent shall notify
the Company and the Lenders of its determination of the LIBOR Rate for each
LIBOR Advance and the amount of interest due on the Repayment Date and on any
quarterly payment date, if applicable, promptly after such determination has
been made as herein set forth; provided, however, that the failure to give such
                               --------  -------
notices shall in no way affect the obligation of the Company to pay the amounts
specified in this Section 3.3.
                  -----------

                                   ARTICLE 4

                            REFERENCE RATE ADVANCES

     Section 4.1  Reference Rate Advance. Except as otherwise provided the
                  ----------------------
Company may request the making of Reference Rate Advances in Dollars prior to
the Maturity Date under the Facility by the delivery to the Agent (which shall
promptly notify the Lenders) no later than 11:00 a.m. on such Business Day, of a
duly completed Reference Rate Advance Request. Each Reference Rate Advance
Request delivered to the Agent pursuant to this Section 4.1 shall be irrevocable
                                                -----------
and shall specify:

          (i)     the proposed Drawdown Date; and

          (ii)    the principal amount of the proposed Reference Rate Advance,
                  which shall be: (a) a minimum amount of $5,000,000 and, if
                  more than $5,000,000, in additional integral multiples of
                  $1,000,000; and (b) in any event not more than the Adjusted
                  Available Facility Amount.

Any Reference Rate Advance Request received after the deadline specified in this
Section 4.1 shall be deemed to have been received by the Agent as of 11:00 a.m.
-----------
on the following Business Day.

     Section 4.2  Making of Reference Rate Advances. If the Company requests a
                  ---------------------------------
Reference Rate Advance in accordance with Section 4.1 hereof, then, on the
                                          -----------
proposed Drawdown Date for such Reference Rate Advance, each Lender shall, no
later than 1:00 p.m. on such Drawdown Date, make available to the Company in
accordance with Section 6.2 hereof the principal amount of such Lender's
                -----------
participation in such Reference Rate Advance and advise the Agent by telephone
and telex or telefacsimile of the Federal Reserve Bank and the wire number
effecting the transfer of such amount. The amount which each Lender shall be
required to contribute to a Reference Rate Advance shall be an amount equal to
such Lender's Commitment Proportion of such Reference Rate Advance; provided,
                                                                    --------
however, that if the amount of a Lender's Commitment is reduced in accordance
-------
with the terms hereof after the Agent has received a

                                      21
<PAGE>

Reference Rate Advance Request, then such Lender's participation in such
Reference Rate Advance, and the amount of such Reference Rate Advance, shall be
reduced accordingly.

     Section 4.3  Interest on Reference Rate Advances. Each Reference Rate
                  -----------------------------------
Advance shall accrue interest during its Term from and including the Drawdown
Date to but not including the Repayment Date for such Reference Rate Advance at
the rate per annum equal to the Reference Rate, as determined by the Agent on a
daily basis during the Term of such Reference Rate Advance. The Company shall
pay interest on the principal amount of each Reference Rate Advance in arrears
on the Repayment Date for such Reference Rate Advance. The Agent shall notify
the Company and the Lenders of the initial determination of the Reference Rate
and of any changes thereto promptly after such determination has been made as
provided herein.

     Section 4.4  Reference Rate Communication. Each communication to be made by
                  ----------------------------
one Person to another pursuant to this Article 4 shall be made to that other
Person at the telex or telefacsimile number and, as the case may be, telephone
number identified with its signature below (or other such telephone or telex or
telefacsimile number as such other Person shall by not less than five Business
Days' notice to the Agent have specified for this purpose).

                                   ARTICLE 5

                            [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

                                   ARTICLE 6

                         CURRENCY OF ACCOUNT AND PAYMENT

     Section 6.1  Claims in Dollars. Each Lender agrees that, except as
                  -----------------
prohibited by the laws of the applicable jurisdiction, it shall express its
claim in any action or suit against the Company or any judgment or order
resulting therefrom in Dollars.

     Section 6.2  Accounts for Payment. Unless otherwise expressly provided, all
                  --------------------
payments by the Company or any Lender to the Agent under this Agreement, the
Notes or any other Loan Document shall be made, without setoff, deduction or
counterclaim, in immediately available funds by the Company or such Lender to
the Agent at the Payment Office.

    Section 6.3   Application of Payment. Subject to Section 6.5 hereof, each
                  ----------------------             -----------
payment received by the Agent for the account of another Person pursuant to
Section 6.2 hereof shall:
-----------

          (i)     in the case of a payment received for the account of the
                  Company, be made available by the Agent to the Company by
                  application on the date of receipt:

                                      22
<PAGE>

                  (a)  first, in or toward payment of any amount due from the
                       Company hereunder (including without limitation, fees and
                       amounts payable under Article 8) other than the amounts
                                             ---------
                       referred to in clause (b) to the Person for which such
                       amount is due; and

                  (b)  second, in or toward payment to the Lenders of such
                       amount as is required to repay the Advances, including
                       accrued interest thereon, which have fallen due, and if
                       insufficient to pay all principal and interest then due
                       thereon shall be applied first to payment of interest and
                       then to principal; and

                  (c)  third, in payment to the Company's account number 064254
                       with Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Company at Boston,
                       Massachusetts or such other account with such bank as the
                       Company shall have previously notified in writing to the
                       Agent for this purpose; and

          (ii)    in the case of any other payment, promptly be made available
                  by the Agent to the Person for whose account such payment was
                  received (in the case of a Lender, for the account of its
                  Facility Office) by transfer in like funds as received to such
                  account of such Person with such bank, as such Person shall
                  have previously notified in writing to the Agent for this
                  purpose.

     Section 6.4  No Set-Off. All payments made by the Company shall be made
                  ----------
free and clear of and without any deduction for or on account of any set-off or
counterclaim or, except as otherwise provided in Section 8.1 hereof, any other
matter.

     Section 6.5  Actual Receipt. Where a sum is to be paid hereunder to the
                  --------------
Agent for the account of another party hereto, the Agent shall not be obligated
to make the same available to that other party hereto until it has been able to
establish that it has actually received such sum, but if it does make the
payment available and it proves to be the case that it had not actually received
the sum it paid out, then, the party hereto to whom such sum was so made
available shall on request ensure that the amount so made available is refunded
to the Agent, and shall on demand indemnify the Agent against any cost or loss
it may have suffered or incurred by reason of its having paid out such sum prior
to its having received such sum at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds
Rate (or if the Person receiving such payment is the Company and such payment is
an Advance, at the rate of interest to be borne by such Advance), and, with
respect to any sums covered by a payment made pursuant to subsection 6.3(i)(a),
                                                          -------------------
this Section 6.5 shall apply as though the Company were the party hereto to whom
     -----------
such sum was so made available. In addition, if any party hereto shall in error
receive any sum which should have been paid to any other party hereto, the
receiving party shall immediately arrange through the Agent to remit such amount
to the party entitled thereto with interest thereon at a rate per annum equal to
the Federal Funds Rate if not remitted by the receiving party on the date
received.

                                      23
<PAGE>

     Section 6.6  Default Interest. The Company will pay to the Agent for the
                  ----------------
account of each Lender interest at the applicable Default Rate on any principal
of any Advance made by such Lender, and (to the fullest extent permitted by law)
on any other amount payable by the Company hereunder to such Lender, which shall
not be paid in full when due (whether at its stated maturity, by acceleration or
otherwise), for the period commencing on the due date thereof until the same is
paid in full. Such interest shall be payable from time to time on demand of the
Agent.

                                   ARTICLE 7

                       PRO RATA TREATMENT, COMPUTATIONS

     Section 7.1  Pro Rata Treatment. Except to the extent otherwise provided
                  ------------------
herein and as set forth in Section 8.7 hereof:  (a) each borrowing from the
                           -----------
Lenders under Article 3 or 4 hereof shall be made from the Lenders, each payment
of facility fee under Section 2.6 hereof shall be made for the account of the
Lenders, and each termination or reduction of the amount of the Commitments
under Section 2.5 hereof shall be applied to the Commitments of the Lenders, pro
      -----------
rata according to the amounts of their respective Commitments; (b) each payment
or prepayment of principal of Advances by the Company shall be made for the
account of the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the respective unpaid
principal amounts of the Advances held by the Lenders and then due and payable
or then being partially repaid; and (c) each payment of interest on Advances by
the Company shall be made for the account of the Lenders pro rata in accordance
with the amounts of interest due and payable to the respective Lenders.

     Section 7.2  Computations. Interest on LIBOR Advances shall be computed on
                  ------------
the basis of a year of 360 days and actual days elapsed (including the first day
but excluding the last day) occurring in the period for which payable and
interest on Reference Rate Advances and the facility fee shall be computed on
the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days
elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day) occurring in the
period for which payable.

                              ARTICLE 8

                    TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY

     Section 8.1  Withholding. Each payment to be made by the Company hereunder
                  -----------
or in connection herewith to any other party hereto shall be made free and clear
of and without deduction or withholding for or on account of any tax, reserve,
levy or duty of, or imposed by, any governmental or taxing authority of or in
the United States or any political subdivision thereof, excluding, in the case
of each Lender and the Agents, taxes imposed on its income, and franchise taxes
imposed on it, by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such Lender or such
Agent (as the case may be) is organized or any political subdivision thereof
and, in the case of each Lender, taxes imposed on its income, and franchise
taxes imposed on it, by the jurisdiction

                                      24
<PAGE>

of such Lender's Facility Office or any political subdivision thereof; unless
the Company is required by law to make such a payment subject to the deduction
or withholding of such tax, in which case the amount payable by the Company in
respect of which such deduction or withholding is required to be made shall be
increased to the extent necessary to ensure that, after the making of such
deduction or withholding, such other party receives and retains (free from any
liability in respect of any such deduction or withholding) a net amount equal to
the amount which it would have received and so retained had no such deduction or
withholding been made or required to be made; provided, however, that the
                                              --------  -------
Company shall not be required to pay any additional amount on account of any tax
of, or imposed by, the federal government of the United States pursuant to this
Section to any Lender which (i) is not entitled, on the date this Agreement is
signed (or, in the case of a transferee, on the date on which it signed the
relevant Transfer Certificate, in the case of an assignee of a Lender, on the
date on which the assignment became effective), to submit (a) a valid United
States Internal Revenue Service Form 1001 or any successor form thereto ("Form
1001") relating to such Lender and entitling it to a complete exemption from
deduction or withholding on all amounts to be received by such Lender, including
fees, pursuant to this Agreement, or (b) a valid United States Internal Revenue
Service Form 4224 or any successor form thereto ("Form 4224") relating to such
Lender and entitling it to receive all amounts, including fees, pursuant to this
Agreement without deduction or withholding, or (c) a certification substantially
in the form of the Tax Certificate, so as to meet its obligation to submit such
form or other certification pursuant to Section 8.2 hereof, or (ii) shall have
                                        -----------
failed to submit such form or other certification which it is required to
deliver pursuant to Section 8.2 hereof and entitled to file under applicable
                    -----------
law. Any such additional amounts payable by the Company shall be deemed an
obligation of the Company hereunder.

     Section 8.2  Tax Forms. Each of the Lenders hereby agrees, upon
                  ---------
request of the Company:

          (i)     within 30 days of the date hereof or, if later, by the date
                  upon which the first utilization of the Facility is made, to
                  deliver to the Company, the Agent and any other Person
                  specified by the Company as a Person making a payment of any
                  amount due hereunder (a "Withholding Agent"), one or more of
                  the following, as is applicable:

                  (a)  two accurate and complete original signed copies of Form
                       4224; or

                  (b)  two accurate and complete original signed copies of Form
                       1001; or

                  (c)  a signed certificate substantially in the form of the Tax
                       Certificate; and

          (ii)    thereafter and from time to time (and, in particular, but
                  without limitation, not later than the date of the transfer or
                  assignment to it becoming effective, each transferee and each
                  assignee or successor of a Lender

                                      25
<PAGE>

                  agrees) to the extent entitled, to submit to the Company, the
                  Agent and any other Withholding Agent such additional duly
                  completed and signed copies of one or the other of Form 4224
                  or Form 1001 (or such successor forms as shall be adopted from
                  time to time by the relevant United States taxing authorities)
                  or, to the extent entitled, of such a certification as may be
                  notified by the Company to such Lender and required under then
                  current United States law or regulations to avoid United
                  States Federal withholding taxes on payments in respect of all
                  amounts to be paid by the Company and received by such Lender
                  pursuant to this Agreement.

     Section 8.3  Tax Receipts. If at any time the Company is required by law to
                  ------------
make any deduction or withholding from any amount payable by it hereunder or in
connection herewith (or if thereafter there is any change in the rates at which
or the manner in which such deductions or withholdings are calculated), the
Company shall promptly notify the Agent and each affected Lender thereof. If the
Company makes any payment hereunder or in connection herewith in respect of
which it is required by law to make any deduction or withholding, it shall pay
the full amount to be deducted or withheld to the relevant taxation or other
authority within the time allowed for such payment under applicable law and
shall promptly deliver to the Agent a receipt issued by such authority (or other
evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Agent) evidencing the payment to such
authority of all amounts so required to be deducted or withheld from such
payment.

     Section 8.4  Change in Law. If as a result of (a) any change in law, or in
                  -------------
its interpretation or administration by any authority charged with the
interpretation or administration thereof, occurring after the date hereof or (b)
compliance with any request from or requirement of any governmental authority,
central bank or other fiscal, monetary or other comparable regulatory authority
(including, without limitation, any reserve or special deposit requirements
imposed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any other
authority referred to above), which request or requirement is first made or
imposed after the date hereof:

          (i)     any Lender incurs a cost or increase in cost as a result of
                  its having entered into or performing its obligations under
                  this Agreement, including its making, funding or maintaining
                  all or any part of its Commitment or any Advance; or

          (ii)    any Lender becomes liable to make any payment (other than a
                  tax which is a capital or franchise tax or is imposed on the
                  net income of such Lender) on or calculated by reference to
                  the amount of Advances made or to be made by it and/or any sum
                  receivable by it hereunder; or

          (iii)   there is a reduction in the amount of any sum received or
                  receivable by any Lender in connection with its making any
                  Advances hereunder,

                                      26
<PAGE>

then the Company shall from time to time upon demand by the Agent at the request
of any Lender in accordance with Section 8.7 hereof pay to the Agent for the
                                 -----------
account of such Lender amounts sufficient to indemnify such Lender against, as
the case may be, (i) such cost or increased cost (or such proportion of such
cost or increased cost as is in the reasonable opinion of that Lender
attributable to its making, funding or maintaining its Commitment or any
Advance), (ii) such liability or (iii) such reduction.  Such amounts may be
determined by using any reasonable averaging and attribution methods.

     Section 8.5  Capital Adequacy. If after the date hereof, any Lender shall
                  ----------------
have determined that (i) the adoption or implementation of any applicable law,
rule, regulation or guideline regarding capital adequacy, or any change therein,
or any change in the interpretation or administration thereof, by any
governmental authority, central bank or comparable agency charged with the
interpretation or administration thereof, or (ii) compliance by any Lender (or
its Facility Office) with any direction, requirement or request regarding
capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) of any such authority,
central bank or comparable agency, affects or would affect the amount of capital
required or expected to be maintained by such Lender or any corporation
controlling such Lender and such Lender (taking into consideration such Lender's
policies with respect to capital adequacy and such Lender's desired return on
capital) determines (which determination, absent manifest error, shall be
binding and conclusive on all parties) that the amount of such capital is
increased, or its rate of return on capital is reduced to a level below that
which such Lender could have achieved but for such adoption, implementation or
compliance, as a consequence of such Lender's obligations under this Agreement,
then, upon demand by such Lender through the Agent and in accordance with
Section 8.7 hereof, the Company shall immediately pay to the Agent for the
-----------
account of such Lender, from time to time as specified by such Lender,
additional amounts sufficient to compensate such Lender for such increase or
reduction.

     Section 8.6  Regulation D. If as a result of Regulation D of the Board of
                  ------------
Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as in effect from time to time on and
after the date of this Agreement, or in the application, interpretation or
administration thereof by such Board of Governors, there shall be any increased
cost to any Lender in connection with maintaining all or any part of its
obligations and Commitment hereunder or of making, funding or maintaining all or
part of any Advance made or to be made, then the Company shall, from time to
time, upon demand by such Lender (through the Agent) in accordance with Section
                                                                        -------
8.7 hereof, pay to the Agent for the account of such Lender additional amounts
---
sufficient to indemnify such Lender against such cost. The amounts of any such
costs shall be determined by such Lender in good faith on a basis that allocates
the cost incurred by such Lender in connection with the making, funding or
maintaining of advances made by such Lender to any borrowers, and resulting from
such Lender's compliance with such Regulation D, ratably among such borrowers.

     Section 8.7  Notice of Claim. A Lender intending to make a claim pursuant
                  ---------------
to Sections 8.4, 8.5 or 8.6 hereof shall deliver to the Company through the
   ------------  ---    ---
Agent, promptly after becoming aware of the circumstances giving or which shall
give rise to the claim, notice of the

                                      27
<PAGE>

Lender's intention to make a claim, specifying the event by which it is or shall
be entitled to make such claim and setting out in reasonable detail the expected
basis and computation of such claim. In the case of a cost, increased cost,
liability or reduction in amounts received or receivable incurred as described
in Section 8.4 or 8.5 hereof, such Lender may make a claim on the Company
   -----------    ---
through the Agent for such cost, increased cost, liability or reduction, which
claim shall include a certificate setting forth in reasonable detail the basis
and computation of the claim and such evidence substantiating the claim as may
be reasonably available to such Lender. In the case of a cost, increased cost or
liability incurred as described in Section 8.6 hereof, such Lender may make a
                                   -----------
claim on the Company through the Agent for such cost, increased cost or
liability, which claim shall be determined in accordance with the last sentence
of Section 8.6 hereof; and the Company shall promptly indemnify such Lender
   -----------
through the Agent for the amount claimed from and as the date such cost,
increased cost or liability is incurred. If any Lender is owed increased costs
under Section 8.4, 8.5 or 8.6 above, the Company may, at its sole expense and
      -----------  ---    ---
effort (unless such Lender withdraws its request for additional compensation),
if no Default then exists, (a) replace such Lender with another commercial bank
reasonably acceptable to the Agent provided that (i) the obligations of the
Company owing to the Lender being replaced (including such increased costs)
shall be paid in full to such Lender concurrently with such replacement, (ii)
the replacement commercial bank shall execute a document satisfactory to the
Agent pursuant to which it becomes a party hereto with a Commitment equal to
that of the Lender being replaced and shall make Advances in the aggregate
principal amount equal to the aggregate outstanding amount of the Advances of
the Lender being replaced, and (iii) upon such execution of such documents
referred to in clause (ii) and the payment of amounts referred to in clause (i),
the replacement commercial bank shall constitute a "Lender" hereunder with a
Commitment as so specified and the Lender being so replaced shall no longer
constitute a "Lender" hereunder except with respect to such provisions hereunder
which by their terms survive the termination of the Agreement, or (b) terminate
the Commitment of such Lender provided that (i) the obligations of the Company
owing to the Lender being terminated (including such increased costs) shall be
paid in full to such Lender concurrently with such termination, (ii) the Total
Commitments shall be reduced by the Commitment of the terminated Lender, (iii)
the Commitment Proportion of each Lender shall be recalculated in accordance
with the reduced Total Commitments, and (iv) the Lender being so terminated
shall no longer constitute a "Lender" hereunder except for purposes of the
provision which by their terms survive the termination of this Agreement.

    Section 8.8   Illegality. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
                  ----------
Agreement, if any Lender shall determine (which determination shall, upon notice
thereof to the Company and the other Lenders, be conclusive and binding on the
Company) that the introduction of or any change in or in the interpretation of
any law makes it unlawful or any central bank or other governmental authority
asserts that it is unlawful for such Lender or its Facility Office to honor its
obligation to make or maintain LIBOR Advances hereunder, then such Lender shall
promptly notify the Company thereof (with a copy to the Agent) and such Lender's
obligation to make LIBOR Advances shall be suspended until such time as such
Lender may again make and maintain such type of LIBOR Advances (in which case
the provisions of Section 8.9 hereof shall be applicable).
                  -----------

                                      28
<PAGE>

     Section 8.9  Reference Rate Advances pursuant to Section 8.8. If the
                  ------------------------------------------------
obligation of any Lender to make LIBOR Advances shall be suspended pursuant to
Section 8.8 hereof (Advances of such type being herein called "Affected
                                                               --------
Advances"), all Advances which would otherwise be made by such Lender shall be
--------
made instead as Reference Rate Advances (and, if an event referred to in
Section 8.8 hereof has occurred and such Lender so requests by notice to the
-----------
Company with a copy to the Agent, all Advances of such Lender then outstanding
shall be automatically converted into Reference Rate Advances on the date
specified by such Lender in such notice) and, to the extent that Affected
Advances are so made as (or converted into) Reference Rate Advances, all
payments of principal which would otherwise be applied to such Lender's Affected
Advances shall be applied instead to its Reference Rate Advances.

     Section 8.10 Market Disruption. If, in relation to any LIBOR Advance, the
                  -----------------
Agent is unable to make the determination of the LIBOR Rate applicable thereto
required to be made by it as provided herein because (i) none of Telerate Page
3750 or any successor or similar service is available or the failure or
inability of at least two of the Reference Lenders to supply the quotation
necessary to make such determination, or (ii) if the Majority Lenders determine
(which determination, absent manifest error, shall be binding and conclusive on
all parties) that LIBOR for any Interest Period for a requested Advance will not
adequately reflect the cost to the Lenders of making, funding or maintaining an
Advance with interest based on such rates for such Interest Period, then the
Agent shall notify the Company and the Lenders that the Agent is unable to make
such determination and the reasons therefor by telephone or in writing no later
than 11:30 a.m. on the Drawdown Date therefor. If a LIBOR Advance was requested,
the Reference Rate shall be applicable to such LIBOR Advance, commencing on the
Drawdown Date therefor, unless the Company, no later than 10:00 a.m. on such
date, shall revoke such Advance Request.

     Section 8.11 Compensation. The Company shall pay to the Agent for the
     -------------------------
account of each Lender, upon the written request of such Lender through the
Agent, such amount or amounts as shall be sufficient (in the reasonable opinion
of such Lender) to compensate it for any loss, cost or expense which such Lender
reasonably determines is attributable to:


          (a)     any payment or conversion of a LIBOR Advance made by such
     Lender on a date other than the last day of the Interest Period for such
     LIBOR Advance; or

          (b)     any failure by the Company to borrow a LIBOR Advance from such
     Lender on the date for such borrowing specified in the relevant LIBOR
     Advance Request given pursuant to Section 3.2 hereof.
                                       -----------

Without limiting the effect of the preceding sentence, with respect to LIBOR
Advances, such compensation shall include an amount equal to the excess, if any,
of (i) the amount of interest which otherwise would have accrued on the
principal amount so paid or converted or not borrowed for the period from the
date of such payment, conversion or failure to borrow to the last day of the
Interest Period for such Advance (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, the
Interest Period for such Advance which would have commenced on the date
specified for such borrowing) at the applicable rate of interest for such
Advance provided for herein over (ii) the

                                      29
<PAGE>

interest component of the amount such Lender would have bid in the London
interbank market for Dollar deposits of leading banks in amounts comparable to
such principal amount and with maturities comparable to such period (as
reasonably determined by such Lender). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the amount
payable to any Lender under this Section shall exclude, in the case of any
prepayment or conversion pursuant to Section 8.8 or 8.9 hereof, the Applicable
                                     -----------    ---
Margin.


                                   ARTICLE 9

                             CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

     Section 9.1  Closing. The first Advance Request may not be given unless
                  -------
the Agent has received all of the following documents (with copies for the
Lenders of all items except articles of incorporation and bylaws), each of which
shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent and its counsel and
shall be delivered to the Agent on or prior to the date of the execution of this
Agreement:

          (a   Certified copies of the articles of incorporation and bylaws of
the Company and all corporate action taken by the Company approving this
Agreement and borrowings by the Company hereunder (including, without
limitation, a certificate setting forth the resolutions of the board of
directors of the Company adopted in respect of the transactions contemplated
hereby).

          (b   A certificate of the Company in respect of each of the officers
(with specimen signatures) (i) who is authorized to sign this Agreement, the
Notes, the other Loan Documents,  or the Advance Request on behalf of the
Company and (ii) who shall, until replaced by another officer or officers duly
authorized for that purpose, act as its representative for the purposes of
signing documents and giving notices and other communications in connection with
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.  The Agents and each
Lender may conclusively rely on such certificates until they receive notice in
writing from the Company to the contrary.

          (c   A certificate of a senior officer of the Company to the effect
that (i) the representations and warranties made by the Company in Article 10
                                                                   ----------
hereof are true on and as of the date of this Agreement, (ii) the Company is not
in default in performance of any of its covenants in Article 11 to the extent
                                                     ----------
they are to have been performed as of such date, (iii) no Material Adverse
Effect has occurred since December 31, 1998 and is continuing, and (iv) no
Default has occurred and is continuing as of the date of this Agreement.

          (d  Written opinions of the Counsel for the Company acceptable to the
Agent, addressed to the Agents and the Lenders in substantially the form of
Exhibit E hereto, with such modifications, additions, alterations, exceptions,
---------
assumptions and provisions as shall be acceptable to the Agent.

                                      30
<PAGE>

          (e   The Notes, duly executed by the Company, payable to the order of
each of the Lenders.

          (f   Certificates of good standing for the Company from California,
Oregon, Washington and Idaho.

          (g   A copy of the 364-Day Credit Agreement, duly executed by all
parties thereto.

          (h   The Agent shall have received for its own account, or for the
account of each Lender, as the case may be, all fees, costs and expenses due and
payable pursuant to Sections 2.6 and 14.5.
                    ------------     ----

          (i   Such other instruments and documents as any of the Agent or its
counsel may have reasonably requested.

     Section 9.2  Initial and Subsequent Advances. The obligation of each
                  -------------------------------
Lender to make Advances to the Company upon the occasion of each borrowing
hereunder is subject to the further conditions precedent that, as of the date of
such Advances and after giving effect thereto:  (a) the principal amount of the
proposed Advances is not more than the Available Facility Amount at such time;
(b) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; (c) the representations
and warranties contained in Sections 10.1, 10.4, 10.5, 10.6, 10.7, 10.9 and
                            -------------  ----  ----  ----  ----  ----
10.11 are true and correct as of the date of such borrowing except for changes
-----
reflecting transactions permitted by this Agreement; (d) no authorizations,
approvals or consents of, and no filings or renegotiations with, any
governmental or regulatory authority or agency are necessary for the incurring
of obligations in connection with such Advances, other than approvals which have
been duly obtained and are in full force and effect; and (e) the incurring of
obligations in connection with such Advances does not conflict with or result in
a breach of any applicable law or regulation, or any order, writ, injunction or
decree of any court or regulatory authority.

                                  ARTICLE 10

                        REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     The Company represents and warrants to the Agents and the Lenders that:

     Section 10.1  Corporate Existence. Each of the Company and its active
                   -------------------
Subsidiaries: (a) is a corporation duly organized and validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation; (b) has
all requisite corporate power, and has all governmental licenses,
authorizations, consents and approvals necessary to own its assets and carry on
its business as now being or as proposed to be conducted except where failure to
have such governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals would
not have a Material

                                      31
<PAGE>

Adverse Effect and; (c) is qualified to do business in all jurisdictions in
which the nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification
necessary and where failure so to qualify would have a Material Adverse Effect.

     Section 10.2  Financial Condition. As of the Effective Date, the
                   -------------------
consolidated balance sheet and statement of consolidated capitalization of the
Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at December 31, 1998 and the
related statements of consolidated income, cash flows and common stock equity,
with the opinion thereon of Arthur Andersen, L.L.P., heretofore furnished to
each of the Lenders, present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated
financial position of the Company and the consolidated Subsidiaries as at said
date and the consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the
fiscal year ended on said date, in conformity with GAAP.  Neither the Company
nor any of its Subsidiaries had on said date any material contingent
liabilities, liabilities for taxes, unusual forward or long-term commitments or
unrealized or anticipated losses from any unfavorable commitments, except as
referred to or reflected or provided for in said financial statements as at said
date.  There has been no Material Adverse Effect since December 31, 1998 except
as disclosed in the 1934 Act Reports.

     Section 10.3  Litigation. As of the Effective Date and except as
                   ----------
disclosed in the 1934 Act Reports or in writing to the Agents and the Lenders,
there are no legal or arbitral proceedings or investigations, or any proceedings
by or before any governmental or regulatory authority or agency, now pending or
(to the knowledge of the Company) threatened against the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries which (i) the Company would be required to disclose in any 1934 Act
Report or (ii) would have a Material Adverse Effect.

     Section 10.4  No Breach. None of the execution and delivery of this
                   ---------
Agreement, the Notes, and the other Loan Documents, the consummation of the
transactions herein contemplated or compliance with the terms and provisions
hereof conflict with or result in a breach of, or require any consent under, the
articles of incorporation or bylaws of the Company, or any applicable law or
regulation, or any order, writ, injunction or decree of any court or
governmental authority or agency, or any agreement or instrument to which the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which it is bound or to
which it is subject that is material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken
as a whole, or constitute a default under any such agreement or instrument, or
result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any of the revenues or
assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of any
such agreement or instrument.

     Section 10.5  Corporate Action. The Company has all necessary corporate
                   ----------------
power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the
Agreement, the Notes and the other Loan Documents; and the execution, delivery
and performance by the Company of this Agreement, the Notes and the other Loan
Documents have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on its
part; and this Agreement, the Notes and the other Loan Documents have been duly
and validly executed and delivered by the Company and constitute its legal,
valid and binding obligation, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except
(a) as may be limited by

                                      32
<PAGE>

bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws
affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights in general, and (b) as
enforceability thereof may be subject to general principles of equity,
regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law
or in equity.

     Section 10.6  Approvals. No authorizations, approvals or consents of,
                   ---------
and no filings or registrations with, any governmental or regulatory authority
or agency are necessary for the execution, delivery or performance by the
Company of this Agreement, the Notes or the other Loan Documents or for the
validity or enforceability thereof other than any filings which may hereafter be
required to be made in the future, the failure to make which shall not render
this Agreement invalid.

     Section 10.7  Margin Stock. Neither the Company nor any of its
                   ------------
Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in
the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying
margin stock or margin securities (within the meaning of Regulation U of the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) and no part of the proceeds of
any Advance hereunder shall be used to acquire or carry any margin stock or
margin securities or extend credit to others for such purpose.

     Section 10.8  ERISA. As of the Effective Date, the Company and each of
                   -----
its Subsidiaries have fulfilled their obligations under the minimum funding
standards of ERISA and the Code with respect to each Plan and are in compliance
in all material respect with the presently applicable provisions of ERISA and
the Code, and have not incurred any liability to the PBGC or any Plan or
Multiemployer Plan.

     Section 10.9  Pari Passu Status. Under applicable laws in force at the
                   -----------------
date hereof, the claims and rights of the Lenders against the Company under this
Agreement, the Notes or the other Loan Documents shall not be subordinate to,
and shall rank at least pari passu in all respects with, the claims and rights
                        ---- -----
of any other holders of unsecured indebtedness of the Company.

     Section 10.10  Environmental Matters. As of the Effective Date and
                    ---------------------
except as disclosed in the 1934 Act Reports, the Company is in compliance with
applicable Environment Laws except for such non-compliance as could not have a
Material Adverse Effect.

     Section 10.11  Year 2000 Matters. Any reprogramming required to permit
                    -----------------
the proper functioning (but only to the extent that such proper functioning
would otherwise be impaired by the occurrence of the year 2000) in and following
the year 2000 of computer systems and other equipment containing embedded
microchips, in either case owned or operated by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or used or relied upon in the conduct of their business (including
any such systems and other equipment supplied to the Company by others), and the
testing of all such systems and other equipment as so reprogrammed, will be
completed as specified in the Company's Year 2000 Readiness Disclosure. The
costs to the Company and its Subsidiaries that

                                      33
<PAGE>

have not been incurred as of the date hereof for such reprogramming and testing
and for the other reasonably foreseeable consequences to them of any improper
functioning of other computer systems and equipment containing embedded
microchips due to the occurrence of the year 2000 could not reasonably be
expected to result in a Default or Event of Default or to have a Material
Adverse Effect. Except for any reprogramming referred to above, the computer
systems of the Company and its Subsidiaries are and, with ordinary course
upgrading and maintenance, will continue for the term of this Agreement to be,
sufficient for the conduct of their business as currently conducted.

                                  ARTICLE 11

                           COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

     The Company agrees with the Agents and each Lender that so long as any of
the Commitments are in effect and until payment in full of all Advances
hereunder (other than pursuant to any continuing indemnification obligations
under this Agreement), all interest thereon and all other amounts payable by the
Company hereunder, the Company will perform the obligations set forth in this
Article 11:
----------

     Section 11.1  Financial Statements. The Company shall deliver to the
                   --------------------
Agent, with sufficient copies for each Lender:

          (a  as soon as available and in any event within 90 days after the
end of each of the first three fiscal quarterly periods of each fiscal year of
the Company, the consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its consolidated
Subsidiaries as of the end of such quarterly period and the related consolidated
statements of income and cash flows, for the respective three, six or nine
months then ended, set forth in the Company's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q (or
any other report substituted therefor that contains substantially the
information required to be contained in such reports on the date hereof): any
report other than a report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
shall be accompanied by a certificate of a financial or accounting officer of
the Company, which certificate shall state that said financial statements
present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position,
results of operations and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated
Subsidiaries in conformity with GAAP, as at the end of, and for, such period
(subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and provided that certain footnote
disclosure and other details required to be included in financial statements
prepared in conformity with GAAP but not normally included in interim, unaudited
financial statements need not be included in such interim financial statements);

          (b  as soon as available and in any event within 120 days after the
end of each fiscal year of the Company, statements of consolidated income, cash
flows and common stock equity and preferred stock, if any, of the Company and
the consolidated Subsidiaries for such year and the related consolidated balance
sheet as at the end of such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form
the corresponding figures for the preceding fiscal year, and

                                      34
<PAGE>

accompanied by an opinion thereon of independent certified public accountants of
recognized national standing, and a certificate of such accountants stating
that, in making the examination necessary for their opinion, they obtained no
knowledge, except as specifically stated, of any Default;

          (c  promptly upon their becoming available, and in any event within
fifteen (15) days after the filing thereof with any securities exchange or the
Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor agency, one copy of each
financial statement, report, notice or proxy statement sent by the Company, any
Subsidiary or any other Affiliate controlled by the Company to its public
shareholders, and of each regular or periodic report and any registration
statement (other than such reports and registration statements pertaining solely
to employee benefits, dividends, reinvestment and corporate plans), prospectus
or written communication in respect thereof filed by the Company, any Subsidiary
or any other Affiliate controlled by the Company with any such securities
exchange or the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor agency;

          (d  as soon as practicable, and in any event within thirty (30) days
after any of the events or conditions specified below with respect to any Plan
or Multiemployer Plan shall have occurred or exist with respect to any Plans, a
statement signed by a senior financial officer of the Company setting forth
details respecting such event or condition and the action, if any, which the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries proposes to take with respect thereto (and a
copy of any report or notice required to be filed with or given to PBGC by the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to such event or condition):

            (i     any reportable event, as defined in Section 4043(b) of ERISA
                   and the regulations issued thereunder, with respect to a
                   Plan, as to which PBGC has not by regulation waived the
                   requirement of Section 4043(a) of ERISA that it be notified
                   within 30 days of the occurrence of such event (provided
                   that a failure to meet the minimum funding standard of
                   Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA shall be a
                   reportable event regardless of the issuance of any waivers
                   in accordance with Section 412(d) of the Code);

            (ii    a contribution failure sufficient to give rise to a lien
                   under Section 302(f) of ERISA;

            (iii   the filing under Section 4041 of ERISA of a notice of
                   intent to terminate any Plan or the termination of any Plan;

            (iv    the institution by PBGC of proceedings under Section 4042
                   of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a
                   trustee to administer, any Plan, or the receipt by the
                   Company or any of its

                                      35
<PAGE>

                   Subsidiaries of a notice from a Multiemployer Plan that such
                   action has been taken by PBGC with respect to such
                   Multiemployer Plan;

            (v     the complete or partial withdrawal by the Company or any of
                   its Subsidiaries under Section 4201 or 4204 of ERISA from a
                   Multiemployer Plan, or the receipt by the Company or any of
                   its Subsidiaries of notice from a Multiemployer Plan that it
                   is in reorganization or insolvency pursuant to Section 4241
                   or 4245 of ERISA or that it intends to terminate or has
                   terminated under Section 4041A of ERISA; and

            (vi    the institution of a proceeding by a fiduciary of any
                   Multiemployer Plan against the Company or any of its
                   Subsidiaries to enforce Section 515 of ERISA, which
                   proceeding is not dismissed within 30 days;

      (e  promptly after a vice president, the President or the Chairman of
the Board of the Company knows that any Default has occurred, a notice of such
Default, describing the same in reasonable detail;

     (f   no later than ten (10) Business Days after the date of promulgation
thereof by such Rating Agency, notice of any change in rating by any Rating
Agency in respect of the Company's unsecured long-term debt, together with the
details thereof, and of any announcement by any Rating Agency that its rating in
respect of such unsecured long-term debt is "under review" or that any such debt
rating has been placed on a "CreditWatch List"(R) or "watch list" or that any
similar action has been taken by such Rating Agency; and

     (g   from time to time such other information regarding the business,
affairs or financial condition of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
(including, without limitation, any Plan and any reports or other information
required to be filed under ERISA) as any Lender or the Agents may reasonably
request.

The Company shall furnish to the Agent, with sufficient copies for each Lender,
at the time it furnishes each set of financial statements pursuant to paragraph
(a) or (b) above, a certificate of a financial or accounting officer of the
Company (i) to the effect that no Default has occurred and is continuing (or, if
any Default has occurred and is continuing, describing the same in reasonable
detail), and (ii) setting forth in reasonable detail the computations necessary
to determine whether the Company is in compliance with Section 11.5 hereof as of
                                                       ------------
the end of the respective fiscal quarter or fiscal year.

     Section 11.2  Corporate Existence, Etc. (a) The Company shall, except as
                   ------------------------
otherwise permitted under Section 11.4, preserve and maintain its corporate
                          ------------
existence, and (b) the Company shall, and shall cause each of its active
Subsidiaries to:  (i) preserve and maintain all of

                                      36
<PAGE>

its material rights, privileges and franchises, except to the extent that in the
opinion of the Company preservation and maintenance of any such material right,
privilege or franchise are not necessary for the operation of the Company's
business; (ii) comply with the requirements of all applicable laws (including,
without limitation, Environmental Laws), rules, regulations and orders of
governmental or regulatory authorities if failure to comply with such
requirements would materially and adversely affect the ability of the Company to
perform its obligations under this Agreement, except for any failure to comply
with the requirements of any such applicable law, rule, regulation or order
which is being contested in good faith and by proper actions or proceedings and
against which adequate reserves are being maintained to the extent required
under GAAP; (iii) pay and discharge all taxes, assessments and governmental
charges or levies imposed on it or on its income or profits or on any of its
property prior to the date on which penalties attach thereto, except for any
such tax, assessment, charge or levy the payment of which is being contested in
good faith and by proper actions or proceedings and against which adequate
reserves are being maintained to the extent required under GAAP; (iv) maintain
all of its material properties used or useful in its business in good working
order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, except to the extent that
in the opinion of the Company any such property is not necessary for the
operation of the Company's business; (v) permit representatives of any Lender or
the Agent, during normal business hours and on reasonable advance notice, to
examine its books and records and to make copies and extracts therefrom, to
inspect its properties (subject to reasonable safety and security procedures of
the Company), and to discuss its business and affairs with its officers (subject
to any reasonable proprietary and confidentiality agreements of or binding upon
the Company and its Subsidiaries), all to the extent reasonably requested by
such Lender or the Agent (as the case may be); and (vi) maintain, with
financially sound and reputable insurers, insurance with respect to all property
and business of a character usually insured by corporations engaged in the same
or similar business similarly situated against such liabilities, casualties,
risks and contingencies and in such types and amounts as customary in the case
of corporations engaged in the same or similar business similarly situated.

     Section 11.3  Use of Proceeds. The Company shall use (i) the initial
                   ---------------
Advance to discharge all outstanding obligations under the Existing Credit
Agreement, if any, and (ii) the proceeds of all other Advances hereunder solely
for its general corporate purposes, including liquidity support for commercial
paper of the Company, in compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory
requirements. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall engage
principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending
credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the
meaning of Regulation U) and no part of the proceeds of any Advance hereunder
shall be used to acquire or carry any margin stock.

     Section 11.4  Mergers. The Company will not, and will not permit any of
                   -------
its Subsidiaries to, consolidate with or merge into or with any Person, except
that: (i) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries may consolidate or merge with
the Company or another of the Company's Subsidiaries (provided that, in any such
merger or consolidation to which the Company is a party, the Company shall be
the surviving entity) and (ii) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries may
consolidate or merge with any other Person if the Company, or one of its

                                      37
<PAGE>

Subsidiaries is the surviving entity and such survivor shall continue to own and
operate the Company's business and, after giving effect to a consolidation or
merger pursuant to clause (i) or (ii), no Default shall have occurred and be
continuing.

     Section 11.5  Debt to Capitalization. The Company shall not permit the
                   ----------------------
ratio of Total Debt of the Company and the consolidated Subsidiaries to Total
Capitalization to exceed 70% at any time throughout the term hereof.

     Section 11.6  Pari Passu Status. The Company will ensure that the claims
                   -----------------
and rights of the Lenders against it under this Agreement will not be
subordinate to, and will rank at all times at least pari passu with, the claims
                                                    ---- -----
and rights of all other holders of its unsecured indebtedness.

     Section 11.7  Asset Dispositions, etc. The Company and its Subsidiaries,
                   -----------------------
taken as a whole, will not sell, transfer, lease, contribute or otherwise
convey, or grant options, warrants or other rights with respect to, all or
substantially all of its assets (including accounts receivable and capital stock
of Subsidiaries) to any Person, unless such sale, transfer, lease, contribution
or conveyance is (a) in the ordinary course of its business or is permitted by
Section 11.4; or (b) a sale, transfer or conveyance of Permitted Receivables
------------
pursuant to a Permitted Receivables Purchase Facility.

     Section 11.8  Limitation on Debt Secured by Mortgages.
                   ---------------------------------------

          (a  The Company will not, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to,
issue, assume or guarantee any Debt if such Debt is secured by a mortgage,
pledge, security interest or lien (any mortgage, pledge, security interest or
lien being hereinafter in this Section 11.8 referred to as a "mortgage" or
                               ------------                   --------
"mortgages") upon any Principal Property of the Company or of any Principal
----------
Subsidiary or upon any shares of stock or indebtedness of any Principal
Subsidiary (whether such Principal Property, shares of stock or indebtedness are
now owned or hereinafter acquired), without in any such case effectively
providing, concurrently with the issuance, assumption or guarantee of such Debt,
that the Notes (together with, if the Company shall so determine, any other
indebtedness of or guaranteed by the Company or such Principal Subsidiary
ranking equally with the Notes then outstanding and existing or thereafter
created) shall be secured equally and ratably with (or prior to) such Debt;
provided, however, that the foregoing restriction shall not apply to Debt
--------  -------
secured by:

               (i  mortgages on property acquired, constructed or improved by
     the Company or any Principal Subsidiary after the Effective Date which are
     created or assumed contemporaneously with, or within 270 days after such
     acquisition (or, in the case of property constructed or improved, within
     270 days after the completion or commencement of commercial operation of
     such property, whichever is later) to secure or provide for the payment of
     any part of the purchase price of such property or cost of such
     construction or improvement; provided, that if a commitment to so finance
                                  --------
     such a payment is obtained prior to or within such 270-day period and the
     related mortgage is

                                      38
<PAGE>

     created within 90 days after the expiration of such 270-day period, the
     applicable mortgage shall be deemed to be included in this clause (i),
     provided, further, that in the case of any such construction or improvement
     --------  -------
     the mortgage shall not apply to any property theretofore owned by the
     Company or any Subsidiary, other than any theretofore unimproved real
     property on which the property so constructed, or the improvement, is
     located;

               (ii   mortgages on any property existing at the time of
     acquisition thereof (including mortgages on property acquired from a person
     which is consolidated with or merged with or into the Company or a
     Subsidiary) and mortgages outstanding at the time any Person becomes a
     Subsidiary;

               (iii  mortgages in favor of the Company or any Principal
     Subsidiary;

               (iv   mortgages in favor of the United States, any State or the
     District of Columbia, any foreign country or any department, agency or
     instrumentality or political subdivision of any such jurisdiction, to
     secure partial, progress, advance or other payments pursuant to any
     contract or statute or to secure any Debt incurred for the purpose of
     financing all or any part of the purchase price or the cost of constructing
     or improving the property subject to such mortgages, including mortgages to
     secure Debt of the pollution control or industrial revenue bond type; and

               (v   any extension, renewal or replacement (or successive
     extensions, renewals or replacements, in whole or in part, of any mortgage
     referred to in the foregoing clauses (i) to (iv), inclusive; provided,
                                                                  --------
     however, that the principal amount of Debt secured thereby shall not exceed
     -------
     the principal amount of Debt so secured at the time of such extension,
     renewal or replacement, and that such extension, renewal or replacement
     shall be limited to all or a part of the property which secured the
     mortgage so extended, renewed or replaced (plus improvements on such
     property).

          (b  In addition to Debt secured by mortgages permitted under
subsection (a) of this Section 11.8, the Company or any Principal Subsidiary may
                       ------------
issue, assume or guarantee Debt secured by mortgages which would otherwise be
subject to the foregoing restriction, without equally and ratably securing the
Notes, in an aggregate amount which, together with all other such Debt under
this subsection (b) and the Attributable Debt in respect of Sale-Leaseback
Transactions under subsection (d) of Section 11.9, but excluding Debt incurred
                                     ------------
pursuant to a sale, transfer or conveyance of Permitted Receivables pursuant to
a Permitted Receivables Purchase Facility, does not exceed 15% of Net Tangible
Assets, as shown on or derived from a consolidated balance sheet, as of a date
not more than 90 days prior to the proposed transaction, prepared by the Company
in accordance with GAAP.

     Section 11.9  Limitation on Sale-Leaseback Transactions. The Company
                   -----------------------------------------
shall not, and shall not permit any Principal Subsidiary to, enter into a Sale-
Leaseback Transaction unless:

                                      39
<PAGE>

          (a   the lease has a term, calculated by including lessee renewal
rights, of three (3) years or less;

          (b   the lease is between the Company and a Principal Subsidiary or
between Principal Subsidiaries;

          (c   the Company or a Principal Subsidiary under Section 11.8(a) could
                                                           ---------------
issue, assume or guarantee secured Debt;

          (d   the Company or a Principal Subsidiary under Section 11.8(b) could
                                                           ---------------
issue, assume or guarantee secured Debt in an amount at least equal to the
amount of the Attributable Debt for the lease without equally and ratably
securing the Notes;

          (e   the Company or a Principal Subsidiary within 180 days of the
effective date of the Sale-Leaseback Transaction retires Debt of the Company or
a Principal Subsidiary (other than such Debt owed to any Principal Subsidiary)
at least equal in amount to the Attributable Debt for the lease or purchases
property that will constitute Principal Property for an amount at least equal to
the Attributable Debt for the lease.  The Company or a Principal Subsidiary may
not receive credit for retirement of Debt that is subordinated to the Notes or
that is effected by payment at maturity; or

          (f   the Majority Lenders shall have consented to such Sale-Leaseback
Transaction (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld).

     Section 11.10  Limitation on Advances.  Notwithstanding the amount of the
                    ----------------------
Commitments, the Company shall not permit, at any time throughout the term
hereof, outstanding Advances plus outstanding commercial paper to exceed the
amount authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company from time to time.

                                  ARTICLE 12

                               EVENTS OF DEFAULT

     If one or more of the following events (herein called "Events of Default")
                                                            -----------------
shall occur and be continuing:

          (a   The Company shall default in the payment when due (i) of any
principal of any Advance (and such default shall continue unremedied for a
period of two (2) Business Days), or (ii) of any interest on any Advance or any
fees payable by the Company hereunder or in connection herewith, or of any other
monetary Obligation (and such default shall continue unremedied for five (5)
Business Days); or

                                      40
<PAGE>

          (b   A default or event of default shall occur under the 364-Day
Credit Agreement; or

          (c   Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall not
be paid when due or is accelerated by the holders thereof, the total amount of
such unpaid or accelerated Indebtedness exceeds $50,000,000, and such default is
continuing; or

          (d   Any material representation or warranty made or deemed made
herein by the Company under this Agreement, or any certificate furnished by the
Company to any Lender or the Agent pursuant to the provisions hereof, shall
prove to have been incorrect in any material respect as of the time made or
furnished if such material representation or warranty or such certificate (i)
results in a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) could result in a Material Adverse
Effect; provided, however, that no incorrectness in any such representation or
        --------  -------
warranty or certificate to the extent pertaining to litigation or ERISA matters
shall result in a Default; or

          (e   The Company shall default in the performance of any of its
obligations under Section 11.1(e) hereof (to the extent such default relates to
                  ---------------
a Default arising from a breach of clause (a) or (b)(vi) of Section 11.2 or
                                                            ------------
Sections 11.3 through 11.10 hereof, or from a breach of clause (b)(ii) of
-------------         -----
Section 11.2, which breach in all cases has come to the attention of a vice
------------
president, the President or the Chairman of the Board of the Company), or
Sections 11.4 or 11.10 hereof; or the Company shall default in the performance
----------------------
of any of its obligations under Sections 11.6 through 11.9 hereof and such
                                -------------         ----
default shall continue unremedied to the satisfaction of the Majority Lenders
for a period of ten (10) days after notice thereof to the Company by either the
Agent or any Lender (through the Agent); or the Company shall default in the
performance of any of its other obligations in this Agreement and such default
shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after notice thereof to the
Company by the Agent or any Lender (through the Agent); or

          (f   The Company shall (i) apply for or consent to the appointment of,
or the taking of possession by, a receiver, custodian, trustee or liquidator of
itself or of all or a substantial part of its property under any bankruptcy,
insolvency or similar laws, (ii) admit in writing its inability to, or be
generally unable to, pay its debts as such debts become due, (iii) make a
general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, (iv) commence a voluntary
case under the Federal Bankruptcy Code (as now or hereafter in effect), (v) file
a petition seeking to take advantage of any other law relating to bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, or composition or readjustment of debts, (vi) fail
to controvert in a timely and appropriate manner, or acquiesce in writing to,
any petition filed against it in an involuntary case under such Bankruptcy Code,
or (vii) take any corporate action for the purpose of effecting any of the
foregoing; or

          (g   A case or other proceeding shall be commenced (including
commencement of such case or proceeding by way of service of process on the
Company or a Subsidiary), without the application or consent of the Company, in
any court of competent jurisdiction, seeking (i) its bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, or the composition or

                                      41
<PAGE>

readjustment of its debts, (ii) the appointment of a trustee, receiver,
custodian, liquidator or the like of the Company or of all or any substantial
part of its assets under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws, or (iii)
similar relief in respect of the Company or one of its Subsidiaries under any
law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, or composition or
readjustment of debts, and such case shall continue undismissed and unstayed and
in effect for a period of 45 days, or an order, judgment or decree approving or
ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered and continue unstayed and in
effect for a period of 45 days; or an order for relief against the Company shall
be entered in an involuntary case under such Bankruptcy Code; or

          (h   A judgment or judgments for the payment of money in excess of
$50,000,000 in the aggregate shall be entered by a court or courts against the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries and the same shall not be discharged (or
provision shall not be made for such discharge), or a stay of execution thereof
shall not be procured, within 60 days from the date of entry thereof and in any
event not later than the date of any proposed sale or levy thereunder and the
Company or the relevant Subsidiaries shall not, within such period of 60 days,
or such longer period during which execution of the same shall have been stayed,
appeal therefrom and cause the execution thereof to be stayed during such
appeal; or

          (i   An event or condition specified in Section 11.1(d) hereof shall
                                                  ---------------
occur or exist with respect to any Plan or Multiemployer Plan and, as a result
of such event or condition, together with all other such events or conditions,
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall incur a liability to a Plan, a
Multiemployer Plan or PBGC (or any combination of the foregoing) in an aggregate
amount exceeding $30,000,000, which amount is payable while this Agreement is in
effect;

THEREUPON, (i) in the case of an Event of Default other than one referred to in
clause (f) or (g) of this Article 12, the Agent shall, upon request of the
                          ----------
Majority Lenders, by notice in writing to the Company, cancel the Commitments
and/or declare the principal amount then outstanding of and the accrued interest
on the Advances and all other amounts payable by the Company hereunder to be
immediately due and payable, whereupon such amounts shall be immediately due and
payable without presentment, demand, protest or other formalities of any kind,
all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Company; and (ii) in the case of
the occurrence of an Event of Default referred to in clause (f) or (g) of this
Article 12, the Commitments shall be automatically canceled and the principal
----------
amount then outstanding of, and the accrued interest on, the Advances and all
other amounts payable by the Company hereunder shall become automatically
immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other
formalities of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the
Company.  The rights of the Agents and the Lenders provided for herein are
cumulative and are not exclusive of any other rights, powers, privileges or
remedies provided by law or in equity.

                                  ARTICLE 13

                                  THE AGENTS

                                      42
<PAGE>

     Section 13.1  Appointment, Powers and Immunities.  Each Lender hereby
                   ----------------------------------
irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Agent to act as its administrative
agent, the Syndication Agent to act as syndication agent, the Documentation
Agent to act as documentation agent, and the Co-Agents to act as co-agents,
under and for purposes of this Agreement, the Notes and the other Loan Documents
with such powers as are specifically delegated to the Agents by the terms of
this Agreement, the Notes and the other Loan Documents, together with such other
powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.  The Agents (which term as used in
this sentence and in Section 13.5 hereof and the first sentence of Section 13.6
                     ------------                                  ------------
hereof shall include reference to its affiliates and its own and its affiliates=
officers, directors, employees and agents):  (a) shall have no duties or
responsibilities except those expressly set forth in this Agreement, the Notes
and the other Loan Documents, and shall not by reason of this Agreement, the
Notes and the other Loan Documents be a trustee for any Lender; (b) shall not be
responsible to the Lenders for any recitals, statements, representations or
warranties contained in this Agreement, the Notes and the other Loan Documents,
or in any certificate or other document referred to or provided for in, or
received by any of them under, this Agreement, the Notes and the other Loan
Documents, or for the value, execution, validity, effectiveness, genuineness,
enforceability, collectibility, or sufficiency of this Agreement, the Notes and
the other Loan Documents or any other document referred to or provided for
herein or for any failure by the Company or any other Person to perform any of
its obligations hereunder or thereunder; (c) shall not be required to initiate
or conduct any litigation or collection proceedings pursuant to this Agreement,
the Notes and the other Loan Documents except to the extent requested by the
Majority Lenders; and (d) shall not be responsible for any action taken or
omitted to be taken by them pursuant to this Agreement, the Notes and the other
Loan Documents or under any other document or instrument referred to or provided
for herein or therein or in connection herewith or therewith, except for their
own gross negligence or willful misconduct.  The Agents may employ agents and
attorneys-in-fact and shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct
of any such agents or attorneys-in-fact selected by them.

     Section 13.2  Reliance by the Agents.  The Agents shall be entitled to
                   ----------------------
rely upon any certification, notice or other communication (including any
thereof by telephone, telex or telefacsimile) believed by any of them to be
genuine and correct and to have been signed or sent by or on behalf of the
proper Person or Persons, and upon advice and statements of legal counsel,
independent accountants and other experts selected by the Agents.  As to any
matters not expressly provided for by this Agreement, the Notes and the other
Loan Documents, the Agents shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or
in refraining from acting, hereunder or thereunder in accordance with
instructions signed by the Majority Lenders or such larger percentage of the
Lenders as may be required by any provision of this Agreement, and such
instructions of the Majority Lenders or such larger percentage of the Lenders
and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding on all
of the Lenders.

     Section 13.3  Default.  The Agent shall be deemed to have no knowledge of
                   -------
the occurrence of a Default (other than the non-payment of principal of or
interest on Advances or of

                                      43
<PAGE>

fees hereunder) unless the Agent has received notice from a Lender or the
Company specifying such Default and stating that such notice is a "Notice of
Default." In the event that the Agent receive such a notice of the occurrence of
a Default, the Agent shall give prompt notice thereof to the Lenders (and shall
give each Lender prompt notice of each such non-payment). The Agent shall
(subject to Section 13.7 hereof) take such action with respect to such Default
            ------------
as shall be directed by the Majority Lenders or such larger percentage of the
Lenders as may be required by any provision of this Agreement, provided that,
unless and until the Agent shall have received such directions, the Agent may
(but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such
action, with respect to such Default as it shall deem advisable in the best
interest of the Lenders.

     Section 13.4  Rights as a Lender.  With respect to its respective
                   ------------------
Commitments and the Advances made by it, the Agent, the Syndication Agent, the
Documentation Agent and the Co-Agents in their capacity as Lenders hereunder
shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement, the Notes and the
other Loan Documents as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it
were not acting as the Agent, the Syndication Agent, the Documentation Agent and
the Co-Agents, respectively, and the term "Lender" or "Lenders" shall, unless
the context otherwise indicates, include each of the Agents in its individual
capacity.  The Agents and their Affiliates may (without having to account
therefor to any Lender), accept deposits from, lend money to and generally
engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory or other business with
the Company (and any of its affiliates) as if it were not acting as an Agent,
and without notice to or consent of the Lenders, the Agents may accept fees and
other consideration from the Company for services in connection with this
Agreement, the Notes, the other Loan Documents or otherwise without having to
account for the same to the Lenders.

     Section 13.5  Indemnification by Lenders.  The Lenders agree to indemnify
                   --------------------------
the Agent and its officers, directors, employees and agents (to the extent not
reimbursed under Section 14.5 hereof, but without limiting the obligations of
                 ------------
the Company under said Section 14.5), ratably in accordance with the aggregate
                       ------------
principal amount of the outstanding Advances made by the Lenders (or, if no
Advances are at the time outstanding, ratably in accordance with their
respective Commitments), for any and all liabilities, obligations, losses,
damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements
of any kind and nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by or
asserted against the Agent in any way relating to or arising out of this
Agreement, the Notes, the other Loan Documents or any other documents
contemplated by or referred to herein or the transactions contemplated hereby
(including, without limitation, the costs and expenses which the Company is
obligated to pay under Section 14.3 hereof) or the enforcement of any of the
                       ------------
terms of this Agreement, the Notes, the other Loan Documents or of any such
other documents, provided that no Lender shall be liable for any of the
foregoing to the extent they arise from the gross negligence or willful
misconduct of the party to be indemnified.  The obligation of the Lenders in
this Section shall survive the payment of the Advances and of any other sums due
from Company hereunder and the termination of the Commitments.

                                      44
<PAGE>

     Section 13.6  Non-Reliance on the Agents and other Lenders.  Each Lender
                   --------------------------------------------
agrees that it has, independently and without reliance on the Agents or any
other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed
appropriate, made its own credit analysis of the Company and the Subsidiaries
and decision to enter into this Agreement and that it shall, independently and
without reliance upon the Agents or any other Lender, and based on such
documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to
make its own analysis and decisions in taking or not taking action under this
Agreement.  The Agents shall not be required to keep itself informed as to the
performance or observance by the Company of this Agreement or any other document
referred to or provided for herein or to inspect the properties or books of the
Company or any Subsidiary.  Except for notices, reports and other documents and
information expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Agent
hereunder, the Agents shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any
Lender with any credit or other information concerning the affairs, financial
condition or business of the Company or any Subsidiary (or any of their
affiliates) which may come into the possession of the Agents or any of their
Affiliates.  Each Lender further acknowledges that (i) the Agents have responded
satisfactorily to any request by such Lender for information regarding such
credit facilities; and (ii) the Agents and their Affiliates may manage their
relationships with the Company under such facilities as it sees fit as though it
were not an Agent hereunder.

     Section 13.7  Failure to Act.  Except for action expressly required of
                   --------------
the Agent hereunder, the Agents shall in all cases be fully justified in failing
or refusing to act hereunder unless it shall be indemnified to its satisfaction
by the Lenders against any and all liability and expense which may be incurred
by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action.

     Section 13.8  Resignation.  Any of the Agents may resign as such at any
                   -----------
time upon at least 30 days prior notice to the Company and the Lenders.  In the
event of any such resignation of the Agent, the Company shall as promptly as
practicable appoint a successor Agent who must be or immediately become a
Lender.  In the event no such successor is appointed, the Majority Lenders shall
as promptly as practicable appoint a successor agent to such resigning Agent.
In the event no such successor is so appointed within 30 days of any such
notice, any Lender may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for the
appointment of a successor agent hereunder to such resigning Agent.  After any
retiring Agent's resignation hereunder as an Agent, the provisions of (i) this
Article 13 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be
----------
taken by it while it was an Agent, as the case may be, under this Agreement and
(ii) Section 14.8 shall continue to inure to its benefit.
     ------------

     Section 13.9  Funding Reliance, etc.  Unless the Agent shall have been
                   ---------------------
notified by telephone, confirmed in writing, by any Lender by 5:00 p.m., New
York, New York time, on the day of any Reference Rate Advance or the day prior
to any other Advance, that such Lender will not make available the amount which
would constitute its percentage of such Advance on the date specified therefor,
the Agent may assume that such Lender has made such amount available to the
Agent and, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Company a
corresponding amount.  If and to the extent that such Lender shall not have made
such amount

                                      45
<PAGE>

available to the Agent, such Lender and the Company severally agree to repay
such Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount together with interest
thereon, for each day from the date the Agent made such amount available to the
Company to the date such amount is repaid to the Agent, at the Federal Funds
Rate.

     Section 13.10 Syndication Agent, Documentation Agent and Co-Agents.
                   ----------------------------------------------------
None of the Lenders identified on the facing page or signature pages of this
Agreement as either Syndication Agent, Documentation Agent or Co-Agents shall
have any right, power, obligation, liability, responsibility or duty under this
Agreement other than those applicable to all Lenders as such.  Each Lender
acknowledges that it has not relied, and will not rely, on any of the Lenders so
identified in deciding to enter into this Agreement or in taking or not taking
action hereunder.

                                  ARTICLE 14

                                 MISCELLANEOUS

     Section 14.1  Waiver.  No failure on the part of the Agents or any Lender
                   ------
to exercise and no delay in exercising, and no course of dealing with respect
to, any right, power or privilege under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver
thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or
privilege under this Agreement preclude any other or further exercise thereof or
the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.  The remedies provided
herein are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.

     Section 14.2  Government Regulation.  Anything contained in this
                   ---------------------
Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, no Lender shall be obligated to
extend credit to the Company in violation of any limitation or prohibition
provided by any applicable statute or regulation.

     Section 14.3  Taxes.  Any taxes (excluding income taxes payable by the
                   -----
Agents or the Lenders, other than as provided in Article 8) or other similar
                                                 ---------
assessments or charges payable or ruled payable by any government authority in
respect of this Agreement or any other Loan Documents shall be paid by the
Company, together with interest and penalties, if any.

     Section 14.4  Notices.  All notices and other communications provided for
                   -------
herein (including, without limitation, any modifications of, or waivers or
consents under, this Agreement) shall be given or made by telex, legible
telefacsimile transmission or in writing and telexed, telecopied, mailed or
delivered to the intended recipient at the "Address for Notices@ specified below
its name on the signature pages hereof; or, as to any party, at such other
address as shall be designated by such party in a notice to each other party.
Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all such communications shall be
deemed to have been duly given when transmitted by telex (answerback confirmed
in the case of Telexes) or telecopier, or personally delivered or, in the case
of a mailed notice, upon receipt, in each case given or addressed as aforesaid,
except that notices to the Agent pursuant to Articles 2, 3, 4, 5, 12 or 13 shall
                                             ----------  -  -  -  --    --
not be effective until actually received by the Agent.  The Agents and the
Lenders shall not have any

                                      46
<PAGE>

liability on account of any action taken or not taken by the Agents or the
Lenders in reliance upon telephonic notice (where expressly authorized by this
Agreement) or telex or telefacsimile notice.

     Section 14.5  Expenses, Etc.    The Company agrees to pay or reimburse each
                   --------------
of the Lenders and the Agents for paying:  (a) the fees and out-of-pocket
expenses in connection with (i) the negotiation, preparation, execution and
delivery of this Agreement, the Notes and every other Loan Document, including
schedules and exhibits, and (ii) any amendment, modification or waiver of any of
the terms of this Agreement, the Notes or any other Loan Document as from time
to time hereafter may be required; (b) all reasonable costs and expenses of the
Lenders and the Agents (including reasonable attorneys= fees and expenses,
including the allocated cost of internal counsel) in connection with the
enforcement of this Agreement, the Notes and any other Loan Documents; and (c)
all transfer, stamp, documentary or other similar taxes, assessments or charges,
including the allocated cost of internal counsel, levied by any governmental or
revenue authority in respect of this Agreement or any other document referred to
herein.

     Section 14.6  Amendments, Etc.    No amendment or waiver of any provision
                   ----------------
of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any party therefrom, shall in
any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the
Company and the Majority Lenders, and then such waiver or consent shall be
effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which
given; provided, however, that no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in
       --------
writing and signed by all the Lenders, do any of the following:  (a) waive any
of the conditions specified in Article 9, (b) increase the Commitments of the
                               ---------
Lenders or of any Lender or subject the Lenders to any additional obligations,
(c) reduce the principal of, or interest on, the Advances or any fees or other
amounts payable hereunder, (d) postpone any date fixed for any payment of
principal of, or interest on, the Advances or any fees or other amounts payable
hereunder, (e) change the percentage of the Commitments or of the aggregate
unpaid principal amount of the Advances, or the number of Lenders, which shall
be required for the Lenders or any of them to take any action hereunder, or (f)
amend this Section 14.6; and provided, further, that no amendment, waiver or
           ------------      --------  -------
consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Agent affected in addition to
the Lenders required above to take such action, affect the rights or duties of
the Agents under this Agreement.  No notice to or demand on the Company in any
case shall entitle the Company to any other or further notice or demand in
similar or other circumstances.  Any amendment, modification, termination,
waiver or consent effected in accordance with this Section 14.6 shall be binding
                                                   ------------
upon each holder of any indebtedness resulting from the making of Advances
hereunder at the time outstanding, each future holder of any such indebtedness,
and if signed by the Company, on the Company.

     Section 14.7  Sales and Transfers, etc. of Advances and Notes;
                   ------------------------------------------------
Participation in Advances and Notes.
-----------------------------------

          (a) Any Lender may at any time sell to one or more banks or other
entities ("Participants") participating interests in any Advance owing to such
           ------------
Lender, any Note held by such Lender, the Commitment of such Lender or any other
interest of such Lender hereunder,

                                      47
<PAGE>

provided that no Lender may sell any participating interests in any such
--------
Advance, Note, Commitment or other interest hereunder without also selling to
such Participant the appropriate share of its Advances, Note, Commitments and
other interests hereunder related thereto, and provided further that no Lender
                                               -------- -------
shall transfer, grant or assign any participation under which the Participant
shall have rights to approve any amendment to or waiver of this Agreement except
to the extent such amendment or waiver would (i) increase the amount of such
Lender's Commitment, (ii) reduce the principal of, or interest on, any of such
Lender's Advances, or any fees or other amounts payable to such Lender
hereunder, (iii) postpone any date fixed for any scheduled payment of principal
of, or interest on, any of such Lender's Advances, or any fees or other amounts
payable to such Lender hereunder or (iv) release all or substantially all
collateral security, if any, for any Obligation, except as otherwise
specifically provided in any Loan Document. In the event of any such sale by a
Lender of participating interests to a Participant, such Lender's obligations
under this Agreement to the other parties to this Agreement shall remain
unchanged, such Lender shall remain solely responsible for the performance
thereof, such Lender shall remain the holder of any such Note for all purposes
under this Agreement and the Company and the Agent shall continue to deal solely
and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender's rights and
obligations under this Agreement. The Company agrees that if amounts outstanding
under this Agreement and the Notes are due and unpaid, or shall have been
declared or shall have become due and payable upon the occurrence of an Event of
Default, each Participant shall be deemed to have the right of setoff in respect
of its participating interest in amounts owing under this Agreement and any Note
to the same extent as if the amount of its participating interest were owing
directly to it as a Lender under this Agreement or any Note; provided that such
                                                             --------
right of setoff shall be subject to the obligation of such Participant to share
with the Lenders, and the Lenders agree to share with such Participant, as
provided in Section 14.10. The Company also agrees that each Participant shall
            -------------
be entitled to the benefits of Article 8 with respect to its participation in
                               ---------
the Commitments and the Advances outstanding from time to time; provided that no
                                                                --------
Participant shall be entitled to receive any greater amount pursuant to such
provisions than the transferor Lender would have been entitled to receive in
respect of the amount of the participation transferred by such transferor Lender
to such Participant had no such transfer occurred; and provided, further, that
                                                       --------  -------
each Participant shall have complied with the provisions of Section 14.7(e).
                                                            ---------------

          (b)  (i) Any Lender may at any time sell to any Lender or any
affiliate thereof, and, with the consent of the Agent and the Company (which
shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), to one or more banks or
financial institutions ("Purchasing Lenders") all or any part of its rights and
                         ------------------
obligations under this Agreement and the Notes, pursuant to a Transfer
Certificate in the form attached as Exhibit I hereto, executed by such
                                    ---------
Purchasing Lender and such transferor Lender (and, in the case of a Purchasing
Lender which is not then a Lender or an affiliate thereof, by the Company) and
the Agent and delivered to the Agent; provided that each such sale to a
                                      --------
Purchasing Lender shall be in an amount of $5,000,000 or more; and provided,
                                                                   --------
further, that no Lender may sell any Commitment to a Purchasing Lender without
-------
also selling to such Purchasing Lender the appropriate pro rata share of its
                                                       --- ----
Notes and Advances thereunder.

                                      48
<PAGE>

               (ii)  Upon such execution, delivery and acceptance as set forth
above, from and after the Transfer Effective Date determined pursuant to such
Transfer Certificate (x) the Purchasing Lender thereunder shall be a party
hereto and, to the extent provided in such Transfer Certificate, have the rights
and obligations of a Lender hereunder with a Commitment as set forth therein and
(y) the transferor Lender thereunder shall, to the extent provided in such
Transfer Certificate be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and,
in the case of an Transfer Certificate covering all or the remaining portion of
a transferor Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement, such
transferor Lender shall cease to be a party hereto). Such Transfer Certificate
shall be deemed to amend this Agreement to the extent, and only to the extent,
necessary to reflect the addition of such Purchasing Lender and the resulting
adjustment of Commitments arising from the purchase by such Purchasing Lender of
all or a portion of the rights and obligations of such transferor Lender under
this Agreement and the Notes. On or prior to the Transfer Effective Date
determined pursuant to such Transfer Certificate, the Company, at its own
expense, shall execute and deliver to the Agent in exchange for any surrendered
Notes, a new Note payable to the order of such Purchasing Lender in an amount
equal to the Commitments assumed by it pursuant to such Transfer Certificate,
and, if the transferor Lender has retained a Commitment or Advance hereunder, a
new Note to the order of the transferor Lender in an amount equal to the
Commitment retained by it hereunder. The new Notes to be held by the Purchasing
Lender shall be dated the Effective Date and the new Notes to be held by the
transferor Lender shall be dated the date of the Notes being surrendered and all
such Notes shall otherwise be in the form of the Notes replaced thereby. The
Notes surrendered by the transferor Lender shall be returned by the Agent to the
Company marked "replaced."

          (c)  Upon its receipt of a Transfer Certificate executed by a
transferor Lender and a Purchasing Lender (and, in the case of a Purchasing
Lender that is not then a Lender or an affiliate thereof, by the Company (if the
consent of the Company is required)) and the Agent together with payment to the
Agent hereunder of a registration and processing fee of $2,500, the Agent shall
(i) promptly accept such Transfer Certificate and (ii) on the Transfer Effective
Date determined pursuant thereto give notice of such acceptance and recordation
to the Lenders and the Company.

          (d)  The provisions of the foregoing clauses (b) and (c) shall not
                                               -----------     ---
apply to or restrict, or require the consent of or any notice to any Person to
effectuate, the pledge or assignment by any Lender of its rights under this
Agreement and its Notes to any Federal Reserve Lender.

          (e)  If, pursuant to this Section 14.7 any interest in this Agreement
                                    ------------
or any Note is transferred to any transferee (a "Transferee") which is organized
                                                 ----------
under the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States, the transferor
Lender shall cause such Transferee, concurrently with the effectiveness of such
transfer, (i) to represent to the transferor Lender (for the benefit of the
transferor Lender, Agents and the Company) that under applicable law and
treaties no taxes will be required to be withheld by the Agent, the Company or
the transferor Lender with respect to any payments to be made to such Transferee
in respect of the Advances,

                                      49
<PAGE>

(ii) to furnish to the transferor Lender (and, in the case of any Purchasing
Lender, the Agents and the Company) either U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form
4224 or U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form 1001 (wherein such Transferee claims
entitlement to complete exemption from U.S. federal withholding tax on all
interest payments hereunder) and (iii) to agree (for the benefit of the
transferor Lender, the Agents and the Company) to provide the transferor Lender
(and, in the case of any Purchasing Lender, the Agents and the Company) a new
Form 4224 or Form 1001 upon the expiration or obsolescence of any previously
delivered form and comparable statements in accordance with applicable U.S. laws
and regulations and amendments duly executed and completed by such Transferee,
and to comply from time to time with all applicable U.S. laws and regulations
with regard to such withholding tax exemption.

     Section 14.8  Indemnification.  In consideration of the execution and
                   ---------------
delivery of this Agreement by each Lender and the extension of the Commitments,
the Company hereby agrees to indemnify and hold the Agents and each Lender and
each of their respective directors, officers, employees, affiliates and agents
(collectively, the "Indemnified Parties") harmless from and against any and all
                    -------------------
losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including, without
limitation, reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel amounts paid in
settlement and court costs) (collectively, the "Indemnified Liabilities"), which
                                                -----------------------
may be incurred by or asserted against the Indemnified Parties or any of them,
in connection with or arising out of or resulting from the action or inaction of
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with: (a) any transaction
financed or to be financed in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, with the
proceeds of any Advance; and (b) the entering into and performance of this
Agreement and any other Loan Document by any of the Indemnified Parties.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be liable
or responsible for Indemnified Liabilities to the extent a court of competent
jurisdiction has found such Indemnified Liabilities resulted from such
Indemnified Person's own negligence or willful misconduct.

     Section 14.9  Set-off.  Upon (i) the occurrence and during the
                   -------
continuance of any Default, (ii) the making of the request by the Majority
Lenders (or any greater percentage of the Lenders) specified in Article 12 to
                                                                ----------
the Agent to declare the Advances and other amounts due hereunder to be
immediately due and payable, or (iii) obtaining the consent of the Majority
Lenders, each Lender hereby is authorized at any time and from time to time,
without prior notice to the Company (any such notice being expressly waived by
the Company), to set-off and apply any and all deposits (general or special,
time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other indebtedness at
any time owing by such Lender (or any bank controlling such Lender) to or for
the credit or the account of the Company against any and all obligations of the
Company now or hereafter existing under this Agreement, irrespective of whether
or not such Lenders shall have made any demand under this Agreement and although
such obligations may be unmatured.  Each Lender agrees promptly to notify the
Company (through the Agent) after any such set-off and application made by such
Lender, provided, however, that the failure to give such notice shall not affect
        --------  -------
the validity of such set-off and application.  The rights of each Lender under
this Section 14.9 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other
     ------------
rights of set-off) which such Lender may have.

                                      50
<PAGE>

     Section 14.10  Sharing of Payments, Etc.  If any Lender shall obtain any
                    -------------------------
payment (whether voluntary, involuntary, through the exercise of any right of
set-off, or otherwise) on account of the Advances made by it in excess of its
ratable share of payments on account of the Advances obtained by all of the
Lenders, such Lender shall forthwith advise the Agent of the receipt of such
payment, and within one Business Day of such receipt shall purchase from the
other Lenders (through the Agent) such participation in the Advances made by
them as shall be necessary to cause such purchasing Lender to share the excess
payment ratably with each of them; provided, however, that if all or any portion
                                   --------  -------
of such excess payment is thereafter recovered by or on behalf of the Company
from such purchasing Lender, the purchase shall be rescinded and the purchase
price restored to the extent of such recovery, but without interest.  The
Company agrees that any Lender so purchasing a participation from another Lender
pursuant to this Section 14.10 may exercise all of its rights of payment
                 -------------
(including the right of set-off) with respect to such participation as fully as
if such Lender were the direct creditor of the Company in the amount of such
participation.  No documentation other than notices and the like referred to in
this Section 14.10 shall be required to implement the terms of this Article.
     -------------                                                  -------
The Agent shall keep records (which shall be conclusive absent manifest error)
of participation pursuant to this Section 14.10 and shall in each case notify
                                  -------------
the Lenders following any such purchases.

     Section 14.11  Other Transactions.  Nothing contained herein shall
                    ------------------
preclude the Agents or any Lender from engaging in any transaction, in addition
to those contemplated by this Agreement or any other Loan Document, with the
Company or any of its Affiliates in which the Company or such Affiliate is not
restricted hereby from engaging with any other Person.

     Section 14.12  Nonliability of Lenders.  The relationship between the
                    -----------------------
Company on the one hand and the Lenders and the Agents on the other hand shall
be solely that of borrower and lender.  None of the Agents nor any Lenders shall
have any fiduciary responsibilities to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or
Affiliates.  None of the Agents nor any of the Lenders undertakes any
responsibility to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates to review
or inform the Company of any matter in connection with any phase of the
Company's or such Subsidiary's or Affiliate's business or operations.

     Section 14.13  Severability.  In case any provision in or obligation
                    ------------
under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any
jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions or obligations, or of such provision or obligation in any other
jurisdiction, shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

     Section 14.14  Survival.  All agreements, representations and warranties
                    --------
made herein are made as of the respective dates stated herein and shall survive
the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of the Advances
hereunder.  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or implied by law to the
contrary, the obligations of the Company under Sections 8.1 through 8.4, 8.11,
                                               ------------         ---  ----
14.3, 14.5 and 14.8 hereof shall survive any termination of this Agreement, the
----  ----     ----
other Loan Documents, the repayment of the Advances and the termination of the
Commitments.

                                      51
<PAGE>

     Section 14.15  Captions and Headings.  Captions and section headings
                    ---------------------
appearing herein are included solely for convenience of reference and are not
intended to affect the interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.

     Section 14.16  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any
                    ------------
number of counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the
same instrument and any of the parties hereto may execute this Agreement by
signing any such counterpart.  This Agreement shall become effective when
counterparts hereof executed on behalf of the Company and each Lender (or notice
thereof satisfactory to the Agent) shall have been received by the Agent and
notice thereof shall have been given by the Agent to the Company and each
Lender.

     Section 14.17  Numbers of Documents.  All statements, notices, closing
                    --------------------
documents, and requests hereunder shall be furnished to the Agent with
sufficient counterparts so that the Agent may furnish one to each of the Lenders
and each of the Agents.

     Section 14.18  Governing Law.  THIS AGREEMENT, THE NOTES, AND EACH OTHER
                    -------------
LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL EACH BE DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACT MADE UNDER AND GOVERNED BY
THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

     Section 14.19  Forum Selection and Consent to Jurisdiction.  ANY
                    -------------------------------------------
LITIGATION BASED HEREON, OR ARISING OUT OF, UNDER, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THIS
AGREEMENT, THE NOTES OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT,
COURSE OF DEALING, STATEMENTS (WHETHER VERBAL OR WRITTEN) OR ACTIONS OF THE
AGENTS, THE LENDERS OR THE COMPANY SHALL BE BROUGHT AND MAINTAINED EXCLUSIVELY
IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK OR IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK.  THE COMPANY HEREBY EXPRESSLY AND
IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANY SUCH LITIGATION AS SET FORTH ABOVE AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES
TO BE BOUND BY ANY JUDGMENT RENDERED THEREBY IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH LITIGATION.
THE COMPANY FURTHER IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS BY REGISTERED
MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, OR BY PERSONAL SERVICE WITHIN OR WITHOUT THE STATE OF NEW
YORK.  THE COMPANY HEREBY EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST
EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY HAVE OR HEREAFTER MAY HAVE
TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUCH LITIGATION BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT REFERRED
TO ABOVE AND ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH LITIGATION HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN
INCONVENIENT FORUM.  TO THE

                                      52
<PAGE>

EXTENT THAT THE COMPANY HAS OR HEREAFTER MAY ACQUIRE ANY IMMUNITY FROM
JURISDICTION OF ANY COURT OF FROM ANY LEGAL PROCESS (WHETHER THROUGH SERVICE OR
NOTICE, ATTACHMENT PRIOR TO JUDGMENT, ATTACHMENT IN AID OF EXECUTION OR
OTHERWISE) WITH RESPECT TO ITSELF OR ITS PROPERTY, THE COMPANY HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY WAIVES SUCH IMMUNITY IN RESPECT OF ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS
AGREEMENT, THE NOTES AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS.

     Section 14.20  Waiver of Jury Trial. THE COMPANY, THE AGENTS AND THE
                    --------------------
LENDERS HEREBY AGREE TO WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM
OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE NOTES, THE
OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, OR ANY DEALINGS BETWEEN THEM RELATING TO THE SUBJECT
MATTER OF THIS CREDIT TRANSACTION AND THE LENDER/COMPANY RELATIONSHIP THAT IS
BEING ESTABLISHED. The scope of this waiver is intended to be all-encompassing
of any and all disputes that may be filed in any court and that relate to the
subject matter of this transaction, including, without limitation, contract
claims, tort claims, breach of duty claims, and all other common law and
statutory claims. The Agents, the Lenders and the Company each acknowledge that
this waiver is a material inducement to enter into a business relationship, that
each has already relied on the waiver in entering into this Agreement, the Notes
and the other Loan Documents and that each will continue to rely on the waiver
in their related future dealings. The Agents, the Lenders and the Company
further warrant and represent that each has reviewed this waiver with its legal
counsel, and that each knowingly and voluntarily waives its jury trial rights
following consultation with legal counsel. THIS WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE, MEANING
THAT IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER ORALLY OR IN WRITING, AND THE WAIVER SHALL
APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO
THIS AGREEMENT, THE NOTES, THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR TO ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS OR
AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE ADVANCES. In the event of litigation, this Agreement
may be filed as a written consent to a trial by the court.

     Section 14.21  Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Notes and the other
                    ----------------
Loan Documents embody the entire agreement and understanding among the Company,
the Lenders and the Agents, and supersede all prior or contemporaneous
agreements and understandings of such Persons, verbal or written, relating to
the subject matter hereof and thereof, except for the fee letter referenced in
Section 2.6(b) hereof, and any prior arrangements made with respect to the
--------------
payment by the Company of (or any indemnification for) any fees, costs or
expenses payable to or incurred (or to be incurred) by or on behalf of the
Agents or the Lenders.

     Section 14.22  Renewal, Extension and Rearrangement. All provisions of
                    ------------------------------------
this Agreement and any other Loan Document relating to the Notes or the other
Obligations shall apply with equal force and effect to each and all promissory
notes or other agreements or instruments hereafter

                                      53
<PAGE>

executed which in whole or in part represent a renewal, extension, increase or
rearrangement of any part of the original Notes or Obligations.

     Section 14.23  No Oral Agreements. THIS WRITTEN AGREEMENT, THE NOTES,
                    ------------------
AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES
AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT
ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES.

     THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS AMONG THE PARTIES.

                     [SIGNATURES BEGIN ON FOLLOWING PAGE]

                                      54
<PAGE>

     The parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their
respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the day and year first above
written.

                                    PG&E GAS TRANSMISSION,
                                    NORTHWEST CORPORATION


                                    By________________________________________
                                    Name:  Jeffrey J. McParland
                                    Title: Senior Vice President, Chief
                                           Financial Officer and Treasurer


                                    Address:

                                    2100 Southwest River Parkway
                                    Portland, OR 97201
                                    Telephone No.:      (503) 833-4142
                                    Telefacsimile No.:  (503) 833-4907
                                    Attention:          Deanne M. Franks
                                                        Assistant Treasurer








           [SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT]

                                      S-1
<PAGE>

                                    CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE, as Agent
                                    for the Lenders


                                    By____________________________________
                                    Name:
                                    Title:

                                    Address for Notices:

                                    425 Lexington Avenue, 7th Floor
                                    New York, New York  10017
                                    Telephone No.:       (212) 856-3691
                                    Telefacsimile No.:   (212) 856-3763
                                    Telex No.:     6716450 (Answerback: CIBC
                                                   SYN)
                                    Attention:     MaryBeth Ross

                                    with copies to:

                                    425 Lexington Avenue, 7th Floor
                                    New York, New York  10017
                                    Telephone No.:       (212) 856-3758
                                    Telefacsimile No.:   (212) 885-4911
                                    Attention:     Denis P. O'Meara

                                    Address for payments:

                                    MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST
                                    COMPANY OF NEW YORK
                                    60 Wall Street
                                    New York, New York  10260
                                    ABA No.:             021000238
                                    For Account of:      Canadian Imperial
                                                         Bank of Commerce,
                                                         New York Agency
                                    Account No.:         63000480
                                    For further credit to Agented Loans
                                    Account No.: 0709611
                                    Reference:   PG&E Gas Transmission,
                                                 Northwest Corporation

                                     S-2
<PAGE>

                                    CIBC INC., as a Lender


                                    By___________________________________
                                    Name:
                                    Title:

                                    Lending Office for Advances:

                                    425 Lexington Avenue, 7th Floor
                                    New York, New York  10017

                                    Telex No.:     6716450 (Answerback:
                                                   CIBC SYN)
                                    Telephone No.:        (212) 856-3691
                                    Telefacsimile No.:    (212) 856-3763
                                    Attention:     MaryBeth Ross

                                    Address for Notices:

                                    425 Lexington Avenue, 7th Floor
                                    New York, New York  10017
                                    Telephone No.:        (212) 856-3691
                                    Telefacsimile No.:    (212) 856-3763
                                    Telex No.:     6716450 (Answerback: CIBC
                                                   SYN)
                                    Attention:     MaryBeth Ross

                                    with copies to:

                                    425 Lexington Avenue, 7th Floor
                                    New York, New York  10017
                                    Telephone No.:        (212) 856-3758
                                    Telefacsimile No.:    (212) 885-4911
                                    Attention:     Denis P. O'Meara

                                      S-3
<PAGE>

                                    BARCLAYS BANK PLC, as a Co-Agent
                                    for the Lenders and as a Lender


                                    By______________________________________
                                    Name:
                                    Title:

                                    Lending Office for Advances:

                                    Barclays Group Inc.
                                    222 Broadway, 12th Floor
                                    New York, New York  10038
                                    Attention:  Client Services Unit
                                    Telephone No.:         (212) 412-1352
                                    Telefacsimile No.:     (212) 412-4090
                                    Telex No.:             12-6195

                                    Address for Notices:

                                    222 Broadway, 11th Floor
                                    New York, New York  10038
                                    Attention:             Jonathan Berman
                                    Telephone No.:         (212) 412-7525
                                    Telefacsimile No.:     (212) 412-6709

                                      S-4
<PAGE>

                                    THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO, as
                                    Documentation Agent for the Lenders, as a
                                    Co-Agent for the Lenders, and as a Lender


                                    By_______________________________________
                                    Name:
                                    Title:

                                    Lending Office for Advances:


                                    One First National Plaza
                                    Chicago, Illinois  60670
                                    Telephone No.:           (312) 732-8105
                                    Telefacsimile No.:       (312) 732-4840

                                    Address for Notices:

                                    One First National Plaza, Suite 0363
                                    Chicago, Illinois  60670
                                    Attention:      Jane Bek
                                    Telephone No.:           (312) 732-3422
                                    Telefacsimile No.:       (312) 732-3055

                                    With a copy to:

                                    One First National Plaza, Suite 0634
                                    Chicago, Illinois  60670
                                    Attention:      Lynn Pozsgay
                                    Telephone No.:           (312) 732-8705
                                    Telefacsimile No.:       (312) 732-4840

                                      S-5
<PAGE>

                                    BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST AND SAVINGS
                                    ASSOCIATION, as a Lender


                                    By_______________________________________
                                    Name:
                                    Title:

                                    Lending Office for Advances:

                                    1850 Gateway Blvd.
                                    Concord, California  94521
                                    Telephone No.:           (510) 675-7148
                                    Telefacsimile No.:       (510) 675-7531
                                    Telex No.:               34346 (Answerback:
                                                             BANKAMER SFO)

                                    Address for Notices:

                                    555 California Street, 41st Floor
                                    San Francisco, California  94104
                                    Attention:               Gary Tsuyuki
                                    Telephone No.:           (415) 622-8322
                                    Telefacsimile No.:       (415) 622-0632
                                    Telex No.:               34346 (Answerback:
                                                             BANKAMER SFO)

                                    With a copy to:

                                    1050 Gateway Blvd., 4th Floor
                                    Concord, California  94521
                                    Attention:    Sandy Schwartzkopf
                                    Telephone No.:           (510) 675-7342
                                    Telefacsimile No.:       (510) 675-7531
                                    Telex No.:               34346 (Answerback:
                                                             BANKAMER SFO)

                                      S-6
<PAGE>

                                    CITICORP USA, INC., as a Lender


                                    By_______________________________________
                                    Name:
                                    Title:

                                    Lending Office for Advances:

                                    2 Penns Way, Suite 200
                                    New Castle, DE 19720
                                    Attention:             Mark Waldron
                                    Telephone No.:         (302) 894-6084
                                    Telefacsimile No.:     (302) 894-6120

                                    Address for Notices:

                                    399 Park Avenue, 4th Floor
                                    New York, New York  10043
                                    Attention:             Sandip Sen
                                    Telephone No.:         (212) 559-1275
                                    Telefacsimile No.:     (212) 793-6130

                                    With a copy to:

                                    2 Penns Way, Suite 200
                                    New Castle, DE 19720
                                    Attention:             Mark Waldron
                                    Telephone No.:         (302) 894-6084
                                    Telefacsimile No.:     (302) 894-6120

                                      S-7
<PAGE>

                                    THE FUJI BANK, LIMITED, Los Angeles
                                    Agency, as a Lender


                                    By______________________________________
                                    Name:
                                    Title:

                                    Lending Office for Advances:

                                    Los Angeles Agency
                                    333 South Hope Street, 39th Floor
                                    Los Angeles, California  90071
                                    Attention:          Jonathan Bigelow
                                    Telephone No.:      (213) 253-4144
                                    Telefacsimile No.:  (213) 253-4178

                                    Address for Notices:

                                    Los Angeles Agency
                                    333 South Hope Street, 39th Floor
                                    Los Angeles, California  90071
                                    Attention:           Jonathan Bigelow
                                    Telephone No.:       (213) 253-4144
                                    Telefacsimile No.:   (213) 253-4178

                                      S-8
<PAGE>

                                    UBS, AG, Stamford Branch, as a Lender


                                    By______________________________________
                                    Name:
                                    Title:



                                    By_____________________________________
                                    Name:
                                    Title:

                                    Lending Office for Advances:

                                    10 East 50th Street
                                    New York, New York  10022
                                    Telephone No.:       (212) 574-3000
                                    Telefacsimile No.:   (212) 574-3180
                                    Telex No.:           420520

                                    Address for Notices:

                                    222 Broadway
                                    New York, New York  10038
                                    Attention:   Darryl Monasebian
                                    Telephone No.:       (212) 574-3103
                                    Telefacsimile No.:   (212) 574-4395

                                    With a copy to:

                                    222 Broadway
                                    New York, New York  10038
                                    Attention:    Laura M. Paradiso
                                    Telephone No.:       (212) 574-4119
                                    Telefacsimile No.:   (212) 574-3180
                                    Telex No.:           420520

                                      S-9
<PAGE>

                                    U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as
                                    Syndication Agent for the Lenders, as a
                                    Co-Agent for the Lenders and as a Lender


                                    By_______________________________________
                                    Name:
                                    Title:

                                    Lending Office for Advances:

                                    National Corporate Banking
                                    555 S.W. Oak Street, Suite 400
                                    Portland, Oregon  97204
                                    Telephone No.:       (503) 275-6738
                                    Telefacsimile No.:   (503) 275-5428

                                    Address for Notices:

                                    National Corporate Banking
                                    555 S.W. Oak Street, Suite 400
                                    Portland, Oregon  97204
                                    Attention:           Aaron Gordon
                                    Telephone No.:       (503) 275-6738
                                    Telefacsimile No.:   (503) 275-5428

                                    With a copy to:

                                    Corporate Loan Servicing
                                    555 S.W. Oak Street, PL-7
                                    Portland, Oregon  97204
                                    Attention:           Jan Knox
                                    Telephone No.:       (503) 275-6561
                                    Telefacsimile No.:   (503) 275-4600

                                     S-10
<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT A

                                   [Form of]

                                     NOTE


$ ____________________                                           MAY 24, 1999


     PG&E GAS TRANSMISSION, NORTHWEST CORPORATION, a California Company (the
"Company"), FOR VALUE RECEIVED, promises to pay to the order of ______________
 --------
_____ (the "Lender") on each Repayment Date and on or before the Maturity Date
            ------
the lesser of the principal sum of _____________ DOLLARS ($________) and the
aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Advances made by the Lender to the
Company pursuant to Sections 3.1 and 4.1 of the Agreement (as hereinafter
                    ------------     ---
defined) in immediately available funds at the main office of Canadian Imperial
Bank of Commerce, as Agent, together with interest (whether by acceleration or
otherwise) on the unpaid principal amount hereof at the rates and on the dates
set forth in the Agreement.

     The Lender shall, and is hereby authorized to, record on the schedule
attached hereto, or to otherwise record in accordance with its usual practice,
the date and amount of each Advance and the date and amount of each principal
payment hereunder.

     This Note is one of the Notes issued pursuant to, and is entitled to the
benefits of, the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 24, 1999
(the "Agreement"), among the Company, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, as
      ---------
Agent for the Lenders, The First National Bank of Chicago, as Documentation
Agent for the Lenders, U.S. Bank National Association, as Syndication Agent for
the Lenders, The First National Bank of Chicago, U.S. Bank National Association
and Barclays Bank PLC, as Co-Agents for the Lenders, and the Lenders named
therein, to which Agreement, as it may be amended from time to time, reference
is hereby made for a statement of the terms and conditions under which this Note
may be prepaid or its maturity date accelerated.  Capitalized terms used herein
and not otherwise defined herein are used with the meanings attributed to them
in the Agreement.

     Notwithstanding all other provisions of the Agreement and this Note, none
of the terms and provisions of the Agreement or this Note shall ever be
construed to create a contract to pay the Lender for the use, forbearance or
detention of money, interest in excess of the maximum amount of interest
permitted to be charged by the Lender to the Company under applicable state or
federal law from time to time in effect, and the Company shall never be required
to pay interest in excess of such maximum amount.  If for any reason interest is
paid in excess of such maximum amount (whether as a result of the payment of
this Note prior to its maturity or otherwise), then promptly upon any
determination that such excess has been paid, the Lender will, at its option,
either refund

                              Exhibit A - Page 1
<PAGE>

such excess to the Company or apply such excess to the principal owing under the
Agreement or this Note.

     All parties hereto, whether as makers, endorsers, or otherwise, severally
waive presentment for payment, demand, protest and notice of dishonor.

     THIS NOTE SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS (AND NOT
THE LAW OF CONFLICTS) OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, BUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE
FEDERAL LAWS.

     THE WRITTEN LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE
PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS OR
SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES.  THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL
AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.

                                         PG&E      GAS     TRANSMISSION,
                                         NORTHWEST CORPORATION


                                         By ___________________________________
                                         Name:  Jeffery J. McParland
                                         Title: Senior Vice President, Chief
                                                Financial Officer and Treasurer


                                         By ___________________________________
                                         Name:  Deanne M. Franks
                                         Title: Assistant Treasurer

                              Exhibit A - Page 2
<PAGE>

              SCHEDULE OF ADVANCES AND PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL
                                    TO
             NOTE OF PG&E GAS TRANSMISSION, NORTHWEST CORPORATION
                              DATED MAY 24, 1999


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           Amount of                              Amount of              Unpaid Principal
           Advance Made                           Principal Repaid       Balance
           -------------                          ----------------       ----------------
                                    Interest                                                          Notation
           Reference    LIBOR      Period (if     Reference    LIBOR     Reference    LIBOR             Made
                                                                                                        ----
 Date        Rate        Rate      Applicable)      Rate        Rate       Rate        Rate   Total      By
-------  ------------  ------      ------------   ---------    -----     ---------    -----   -----   --------
<S>      <C>           <C>         <C>            <C>          <C>       <C>          <C>     <C>     <C>
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
</TABLE>

                              Exhibit A - Page 3
<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT B



                             LIBOR Advance Request
                             ---------------------


To:  Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, as Agent
     425 Lexington Avenue, 7th Floor
     New York, New York  10017
     Attention: MaryBeth Ross

Date:  __________, _______

     Re:  LIBOR Advance Request - Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated
          as of May 24, 1999 (together with all amendments, if any, from time to
          time made thereto, the "Credit Agreement") among PG&E Gas
                                  ----------------
          Transmission, Northwest Corporation, the various financial
          institutions as are and may become parties thereto, The First National
          Bank of Chicago, as Documentation Agent for the Lenders, U.S. Bank
          National Association, as Syndication Agent for the Lenders, The First
          National Bank of Chicago, U.S. Bank National Association and Barclays
          Bank PLC, as Co-Agents for the Lenders, and Canadian Imperial Bank of
          Commerce, as Agent for the Lenders

Ladies and Gentlemen:

1.   This LIBOR Advance Request is delivered to you pursuant to Section 3.1 of
                                                                -----------
     the Credit Agreement.  Unless otherwise defined herein or the context
     otherwise requires, terms used herein have the meanings provided in the
     Credit Agreement.

2.   We request LIBOR Advances pursuant to the Credit Agreement as follows:

     (i)    Drawdown Date:  __________, ________

     (ii)   Principal amount:  $______________

     (iii)  Length of Interest Period and/or Repayment Date:

3.   The undersigned hereby certifies that the following statements are true on
     the date hereof, and will be true on the date of the proposed LIBOR
     Advance, before and after giving effect thereto and to the application of
     the proceeds therefrom:

     (i)    the principal amount of the proposed Advance is not more than the
            Available Facility Amount;

                              Exhibit B - Page 1
<PAGE>

     (ii)   no Default has occurred and is continuing;

     (iii)  the representations and warranties contained in Sections 10.1,
                                                            -------------
            10.4, 10.5, 10.6, 10.7 and 10.9 of the Credit Agreement are true
            ----  ----  ----  ----     ----
            and correct as of the date of such Advance except for changes
            reflecting transactions permitted by the Credit Agreement;

     (iv)   no authorizations, approvals or consents of, and no filings or
            renegotiations with, any governmental or regulatory authority or
            agency are necessary for the incurring of obligations in connection
            with such Advance, other than approvals which have been duly
            obtained and are in full force and effect; and

     (v)    the incurring of obligations in connection with such Advance does
            not conflict with or result in a breach of any applicable law or
            regulation, or any other, writ, injunction or decree of any court or
            regulatory authority.

4.   The Company agrees that if prior to the time of the Advance requested
     hereby any matter certified to herein by it will not be true and correct at
     such time as if then made, it will immediately so notify the Agent. Except
     to the extent, if any, that prior to the time of the Advance requested
     hereby the Agent shall receive written notice to the contrary from the
     Company, each matter certified to herein shall be deemed once again to be
     certified as true and correct at the date of such Advance as if then made.

5.   Please wire transfer the proceeds of the Advance to the accounts of the
     following persons at the final institutions indicated respectively:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Amount to be              Person to be Paid
                        ---------------------                                 Name, Address, etc. of
    Transferred         Name      Account No.                                 Transferee Lender
-------------------     ----      -----------                                 ----------------------
<S>                     <C>                        <C>                        <C>
$ _________________     _____________________      ___________________        ______________________
                                                                              ______________________
                                                                              Attention: ___________

$ _________________    _____________________       ___________________        _______________________
                                                                              _______________________
                                                                              Attention: ____________

$ _________________     _____________________      ___________________        _______________________
                                                                              _______________________
                                                                              Attention: ____________

Balance of such         The Company                ___________________        _______________________
proceeds                                                                      _______________________
                                                                              Attention: ____________
</TABLE>

                              Exhibit B - Page 2
<PAGE>

     The Company has caused this LIBOR Advance Request to be executed and
delivered, and the certification and warranties contained herein to be made, by
its duly Authorized Officer this ______ day of ___________________, _______.

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    PG&E GAS TRANSMISSION,
                                    NORTHWEST CORPORATION

                                    By______________________________
                                    Name:
                                    Title:

                                    By______________________________
                                    Name:
                                    Title:

                              Exhibit B - Page 3
<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT C



                        Reference Rate Advance Request
                        ------------------------------


To:       Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, as Agent
          425 Lexington Avenue, 7th Floor
          New York, New York  10017
          Attention:  MaryBeth Ross


Date:     ______________, _________

          Re:  Reference Rate Advance Request - Amended and Restated Credit
               Agreement, dated as of May 24, 1999 (together with all
               amendments, if any, from time to time made thereto, the "Credit
                                                                        ------
               Agreement") among PG&E Gas Transmission, Northwest Corporation,
               ---------
               the various financial institutions as are and may become parties
               thereto, The First National Bank of Chicago, as Documentation
               Agent for the Lenders, U.S. Bank National Association, as
               Syndication Agent for the Lenders, The First National Bank of
               Chicago, U.S. Bank National Association and Barclays Bank PLC, as
               Co-Agents for the Lenders, and Canadian Imperial Bank of
               Commerce, as Agent for the Lenders

Ladies and Gentlemen:

1.        This Reference Rate Advance Request is delivered to you pursuant to
          Section 4.1 of the Credit Agreement. Unless otherwise defined herein
          -----------
          or the context otherwise requires, terms used herein have the meanings
          provided in the Credit Agreement.

2.        We request Reference Rate Advances pursuant to the Credit Agreement as
          follows:

          (i)    Drawdown Date: _________________,________

          (ii)   Principal amount:  $__________

3.        The undersigned hereby certifies that the following statements are
          true on the date hereof, and will be true on the date of the proposed
          Reference Rate Advance, before and after giving effect thereto and to
          the application of the proceeds therefrom:

          (i)    the principal amount of the proposed Advance is not more than
                 the Available Facility Amount;
<PAGE>

          (ii)   no Default has occurred and is continuing;

          (iii)  the representations and warranties contained in Sections 10.1,
                                                                 -------------
                 10.4, 10.5, 10.6, 10.7 and 10.9 of the Credit Agreement are
                 ----  ----  ----  ----     ----
                 true and correct as of the date of such Advance except for
                 changes reflecting transactions permitted by the Credit
                 Agreement;

          (iv)   no authorizations, approvals or consents of, and no filings or
                 renegotiations with, any governmental or regulatory authority
                 or agency are necessary for the incurring of obligations in
                 connection with such Advance, other than approvals which have
                 been duly obtained and are of full force and effect; and

          (v)    the incurring of obligations in connection with such Advance
                 does not conflict with or result in a breach of any applicable
                 law or regulation, or any other, writ, injunction or decree of
                 any court or regulatory authority.

4.        The Company agrees that if prior to the time of the Advance requested
          hereby any matter certified to herein by it will not be true and
          correct at such time as if then made, it will immediately so notify
          the Agent. Except to the extent, if any, that prior to the time of the
          Advance requested hereby the Agent shall receive written notice to the
          contrary from the Company, each matter certified to herein shall be
          deemed once again to be certified as true and correct at the date of
          such Advance as if then made.

5.        Please wire transfer the proceeds of the Advance to the accounts of
          the following persons at the final institutions indicated
          respectively:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Amount to be           Person to be Paid
                        ---------------------                             Name, Address, etc. of
    Transferred         Name      Account No.                             Transferee Lender
-------------------     ----      -----------                             ----------------------
<S>                     <C>                        <C>                    <C>
$ _________________     _____________________      ___________________    ______________________
                                                                          ______________________
                                                                          Attention: ___________

$ _________________    _____________________       ___________________    _______________________
                                                                          _______________________
                                                                          Attention: ____________

$ _________________     _____________________      ___________________    _______________________
                                                                          _______________________
                                                                          Attention: ____________

Balance of such         The Company                ___________________    _______________________
proceeds                                                                  _______________________
                                                                          Attention: ____________
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

     The Company has caused this Reference Rate Advance Request to be executed
and delivered, and the certification and warranties contained herein to be made,
by its duly Authorized Officer this ______ day of ___________________, _______.

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    PG&E GAS TRANSMISSION,
                                    NORTHWEST CORPORATION


                                    By_________________________
                                    Name:
                                    Title:

                                    By__________________________
                                    Name:
                                    Title:

<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT D


                            Form of Tax Certificate
                            -----------------------


To:       PG&E Gas Transmission, Northwest Corporation

From:     [Name of Lender and Facility Office]

Date:     ________________, _____

          Re:  Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 24, 1999
               (together with all amendments, if any, from time to time made
               thereto, the "Credit Agreement") among PG&E Gas Transmission,
                             ----------------
               Northwest Corporation, the various financial institutions as are
               and may become parties thereto, The First National Bank of
               Chicago, as Documentation Agent for the Lenders, U.S. Bank
               National Association, as Syndication Agent for the Lenders, The
               First National Bank of Chicago, U.S. Bank National Association
               and Barclays Bank PLC, as Co-Agents for the Lenders, and Canadian
               Imperial Bank of Commerce, as Agent for the Lenders

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     In connection with the Credit Agreement, we hereby certify, under penalty
of perjury, that the undersigned is a ____________________ duly organized in
or under the laws of the United States of America or a jurisdiction thereof.

     Our Internal Revenue Service taxpayer identification number is __________.

     Unless otherwise defined herein or the context otherwise requires, terms
used herein have the meanings provided in the Credit Agreement.

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    [NAME OF Lender]


                                    By_____________________________
                                    Name:
                                    Title:
<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT E


                  [Form of Opinion of Counsel to the Company]
<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT F


                         Form of Transfer Certificate
                         ----------------------------

To:       [Name and address of Transferee]
                       and
          Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, as Agent

From:     [Name of Transferor Lender and Facility Office]

Date:     _______________, ____

          Re:  Transfer Certificate - Amended and Restated Credit Agreement,
               dated as of May 24, 1999 (together with all amendments, if any,
               from time to time made thereto, the "Credit Agreement") among
                                                    ----------------
               PG&E Gas Transmission, Northwest Corporation, the various
               financial institutions as are and may become parties thereto, The
               First National Bank of Chicago, as Documentation Agent for the
               Lenders, U.S. Bank National Association, as Syndication Agent for
               the Lenders, The First National Bank of Chicago, U.S. Bank
               National Association and Barclays Bank PLC, as Co-Agents for the
               Lenders, and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, as Agent for the
               Lenders

Ladies and Gentlemen:

1.   [Name of Transferor Lender] (the "Transferor") confirms the accuracy of the
      -------------------------
     summary of its participation in the Credit Agreement set out in the
     schedule attached hereto (the "Schedule") before and after giving effect to
     the assignment and transfer herein made.  Transferor hereby assigns and
     transfers, without recourse, to [Name of Transferee Lender] (the
                                      -------------------------
     "Transferee") the rights and obligations of Transferor under the Credit
     Agreement specified in the Schedule.  Transferee accepts such assignment
     and transfer by countersigning and delivering this Transfer Certificate to
     Transferor.  This assignment is effective as of the date set forth in the
     Schedule (the "Transfer Effective Date").  The principal amount of any
     outstanding Advances under the Credit Agreement as of the Transfer
     Effective Date shall be apportioned between Transferor and Transferee in
     accordance with the Schedule and Transferee shall pay Transferor in
     immediately available funds on the Transfer Effective Date or such other
     date as is agreed to between the Transferor and the Transferee an amount
     equal to the principal amount of any outstanding Advance being assigned and
     transferred hereunder.  All interest and fees payable under the Credit
     Agreement shall be apportioned between Transferor and Transferee
     proportionately to the periods before and after the Transfer Effective Date
     as to which payable.
<PAGE>

2.   Transferee is also delivering signed counterpart copies hereof to the Agent
     at its address for the service of notices specified in the Credit
     Agreement.  The Agent is requested to make appropriate entries on its
     records to reflect the assignment and transfer effected hereby.

3.   The Transferee hereby undertakes with the Transferor and each of the other
     parties to the Credit Agreement that it will perform in accordance with
     their terms all those obligations which by the terms of the Credit
     Agreement it will assume upon delivery of this Transfer Certificate by it.
     Transferee agrees promptly to deliver to the Company, the Agent and any
     other withholding agent specified by the Company, two copies of a valid
     Form 1001, a valid Form 4224 or a certificate substantially in the form of
     Exhibit F to the Credit Agreement (in accordance with Sections 8.2 and
     ---------                                             ------------
     14.7(e) of the Credit Agreement).  Transferee agrees promptly to pay to the
     -------
     Agent a transfer registration fee in the amount of $2,500.  By its consent
     hereto the Company consents to the transfer herein provided, agrees that
     Transferee shall be a Lender under the Credit Agreement and releases the
     Transferor pro tanto as to the obligations of Transferor transferred to
     Transferee hereunder.

4.   The Transferee confirms that it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement
     together with such other documents and information as it has required in
     connection with this transaction.  Transferee hereby confirms that it has
     entered into this assignment and transfer on the basis of its own
     independent commercial relationship with the Company and its own
     independent investigation and that it has not relied and will not hereafter
     rely on the Transferor, the other Lenders, the Agent or the Co-Agents with
     respect to the due execution, legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy,
     accuracy or enforceability of the Credit Agreement or any other documents
     and information or with respect to the collectibility of any Advance or
     other amount due under the Credit Agreement.  Transferee further agrees
     that it has not relied and will not rely on the Transferor, the other
     Lenders, the Agent or the Co-Agents to assess or keep under review on its
     behalf or provide Transferee, except as expressly required under the terms
     of the Credit Agreement, with any information as to the financial
     condition, creditworthiness, condition, affairs, status or nature of the
     Company or the Subsidiaries or of any other party to the Credit Agreement
     or the observance by the Company of any of its obligations under the Credit
     Agreement or any document relating thereto.

5.   The Transferor makes no representation or warranty and assumes no
     responsibility with respect to the legality, validity, effectiveness,
     adequacy or enforceability of the Credit Agreement or any document relating
     thereto or the collectibility of any Advance or other amount due under the
     Credit Agreement and assumes no responsibility for the financial condition
     of the Company or any other party to the Credit Agreement or for the
     performance and observance by the Company or any other party of any of its
     obligations under the Credit Agreement or any document relating thereto and
     any and all such conditions and warranties, whether express or implied by
     law or otherwise, are hereby excluded.

6.   The Transferee confirms the appointment of the Agent in accordance with the
     terms of Article 13 of the Credit Agreement.
              ----------
<PAGE>

7.   This Transfer Certificate shall be governed by and construed in accordance
     with the laws of the State of New York.  Unless otherwise defined herein or
     the context otherwise requires, terms used herein have the meanings
     provided in the Credit Agreement.
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Transfer
Certificate to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above
written.

                                    [TRANSFEROR]


                                    By______________________________
                                    Name:
                                    Title:
                                         "Transferor"


                                    [TRANSFEREE]


                                    By______________________________
                                    Name:
                                    Title:
                                         "Transferee"

Consented to as of the above date by:

PG&E GAS TRANSMISSION, NORTHWEST CORPORATION

By___________________________
Name:
Title:

Receipt acknowledged and Consented to as of the above date:

CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE, as
 Agent


By___________________________
Name:
Title:
<PAGE>

                   THE SCHEDULE TO THE TRANSFER CERTIFICATE
                   ----------------------------------------

                              Details of Transfer
                              -------------------


1.   Details of Commitments
     ----------------------

     (a)  Transferor's Commitment before this Transfer:

     (b)  Amount of Commitment Transferred:

     (c)  Transferor's remaining Commitment:

     (d)  Transferee's Commitment:

     (e)  Transfer Effective Date:

2.   Details of Advances
     -------------------

     (a)  Outstanding Advance(s) of Transferor to Company prior to Transfer
          Effective Date:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     Type of             Principal           Drawdown            Repayment           Interest
     Advance              Amount               Date                Date                Rate
     ------               ------              ------              ------              ------
     <S>                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>
</TABLE>

     (b)  Principal Amount of Outstanding Advance(s) Transferred to Transferee:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     Type of             Principal           Drawdown           Repayment            Interest
     Advance              Amount               Date                Date                Rate
     -------              ------              ------              -----               ------
     <S>                 <C>                 <C>                <C>                  <C>
</TABLE>

3.   Administrative Details Respecting Transferee
     --------------------------------------------

     Facility Office for Advances:

          Attn:

     Address for Notices:
<PAGE>

          Attn:

     Account for Payments:


     Telephone:

     Telefacsimile:

     Telex:
<PAGE>

                                                                      SCHEDULE I


                            Commitments of Lenders
                            ----------------------

            Name of Lender                         Commitments
            --------------                         -----------

CIBC Inc.                                          $  17,218,543.05

Barclays Bank PLC                                  $  14,569,536.42

The First National Bank of Chicago                 $  17,218,543.05

Bank of America National Trust and Savings         $   8,940,397.35
Association

Citicorp USA, Inc.                                 $  11,920,529.80

The Fuji Bank, Limited, Los Angeles Agency         $   6,622,516.56

UBS, AG, Stamford Branch                           $   8,940,397.35

U.S. Bank National Association                     $  14,569,536.42

Totals:                                            $ 100,000,000.00