Exhibit 10.SSS



 Exhibit 10.SSS 
  
 PROMISSORY NOTE 
  
 $2,000,000.00 
  
 March 22, 2004 
  
 Diversified Energy Company

 519 Kimball Avenue, NE 
 Roanoke, Virginia 24016 
 (Individually and collectively “Borrower”) 
  
 Wachovia Bank, National Association 
 201 S. Jefferson Street 
 Roanoke, Virginia 24011 
 (Hereinafter referred to as “Bank”)

  
 IMPORTANT NOTICE 
  
 THIS NOTE CONTAINS A CONFESSION OF JUDGMENT PROVISION WHICH CONSTITUTES A WAIVER OF
IMPORTANT RIGHTS YOU MAY HAVE AS A BORROWER AND ALLOWS BANK TO OBTAIN A JUDGMENT AGAINST YOU WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE. 
  
 Borrower promises to pay to the order of Bank, in lawful money of the United States of America, at its office indicated above or wherever else Bank may specify, the sum
of Two Million and No/100 Dollars ($2,000,000.00) or such sum as may be advanced and outstanding from time to time, with interest on the unpaid principal balance at the rate and on the terms provided in this Promissory Note (including all renewals,
extensions or modifications hereof, this “Note”). 
  
 RENEWAL/MODIFICATION. This Promissory Note renews, extends and/or modifies that certain Promissory Note dated April 21, 2003 (the “Original Promissory Note”), evidencing an original principal amount of $4,500,000.00. This
Promissory Note is not a novation. 
  
 LINE OF CREDIT. Borrower may borrow,
repay and reborrow, and, upon the request of Borrower, Bank shall advance and readvance under this Note from time to time until the maturity hereof (each an “Advance” and together the “Advances”), so long as the total principal
balance outstanding under this Note at any one time does not exceed (i) $1,000,000.00 from the date hereof through and including September 15, 2004; (ii) beginning September 16, 2004, the principal amount available for lending under this Note shall
be $2,000,000.00 through and including the Maturity Date, March 31, 2005. Bank’s obligation to make Advances under this Note shall terminate if Borrower is in Default. As of the date of each proposed Advance, Borrower shall be deemed to
represent that each representation made in the Loan Documents is true as of such date. 
  
 If Borrower subscribes to Bank’s cash management services and such services are applicable to this line of credit, the terms of such service shall control the manner in which funds are transferred between the applicable demand deposit
account and the line of credit for credit or debit to the line of credit. 
  
 USE OF PROCEEDS. Borrower shall use the proceeds of the loan(s) evidenced by this Note for the commercial purposes of Borrower, as follows: finance inventory and accounts receivable. 
  
 INTEREST RATE. Interest shall accrue on the unpaid principal balance of this Note from
the date hereof at the LIBOR Market Index Rate plus 0.80%, as that rate may change from day to day in accordance with changes in the LIBOR Market Index Rate (“Interest Rate”). “LIBOR Market Index Rate”, for any day, means the
rate for 1 month U.S. dollar deposits as reported on Telerate page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m., London time, on such day, or if such day is not a London business day, then the immediately preceding 

  









 
London business day (or if not so reported, then as determined by Bank from another recognized source or interbank quotation). 
  
 DEFAULT RATE. In addition to all other rights contained in this Note, if a Default (as
defined herein) occurs and as long as a Default continues, all outstanding Obligations, other than Obligations under any swap agreements (as defined in 11 U.S.C. § 101) between Borrower and Bank or its affiliates, shall bear interest at the
Interest Rate plus 3% (“Default Rate”). The Default Rate shall also apply from acceleration until the Obligations or any judgment thereon is paid in full. 
  
 INTEREST AND FEE(S) COMPUTATION (ACTUAL/360). Interest and fees, if any, shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year for
the actual number of days in the applicable period (“Actual/360 Computation”). The Actual/360 Computation determines the annual effective interest yield by taking the stated (nominal) rate for a year’s period and then dividing said
rate by 360 to determine the daily periodic rate to be applied for each day in the applicable period. Application of the Actual/360 Computation produces an annualized effective rate exceeding the nominal rate. 
  
 REPAYMENT TERMS. This Note shall be due and payable in consecutive monthly payments of
accrued interest only, commencing on April 1, 2004, and continuing on the same day of each month thereafter until fully paid. In any event, all principal and accrued interest shall be due and payable on March 31, 2005. 
  
 APPLICATION OF PAYMENTS. Monies received by Bank from any source for application
toward payment of the Obligations shall be applied to accrued interest and then to principal. If a Default occurs, monies may be applied to the Obligations in any manner or order deemed appropriate by Bank. 
  
 If any payment received by Bank under this Note or other Loan Documents is rescinded, avoided
or for any reason returned by Bank because of any adverse claim or threatened action, the returned payment shall remain payable as an obligation of all persons liable under this Note or other Loan Documents as though such payment had not been made.

  
 DEFINITIONS. Loan Documents. The term “Loan Documents”, as
used in this Note and the other Loan Documents, refers to all documents executed in connection with or related to the loan evidenced by this Note and any prior notes which evidence all or any portion of the loan evidenced by this Note, and any
letters of credit issued pursuant to any loan agreement to which this Note is subject, any applications for such letters of credit and any other documents executed in connection therewith or related thereto, and may include, without limitation, a
commitment letter that survives closing, a loan agreement, this Note, guaranty agreements, security agreements, security instruments, financing statements, mortgage instruments, any renewals or modifications, whenever any of the foregoing are
executed, but does not include swap agreements (as defined in 11 U.S.C. § 101). Obligations. The term “Obligations”, as used in this Note and the other Loan Documents, refers to any and all indebtedness and other obligations
under this Note, all other obligations under any other Loan Document(s), and all obligations under any swap agreements (as defined in 11 U.S.C. § 101) between Borrower and Bank, or its affiliates, whenever executed. Certain Other Terms.
All terms that are used but not otherwise defined in any of the Loan Documents shall have the definitions provided in the Uniform Commercial Code. 
  
 LATE CHARGE. If any payments are not timely made, Borrower shall also pay to Bank a late charge equal to 5% of each payment past due for 8 or more days.

  
 Acceptance by Bank of any late payment without an accompanying late charge
shall not be deemed a waiver of Bank’s right to collect such late charge or to collect a late charge for any subsequent late payment received. 
  
 ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND OTHER COLLECTION COSTS. Borrower shall pay all of Bank’s reasonable expenses incurred to enforce or collect any of the Obligations
including, without limitation, reasonable arbitration, paralegals’, attorneys’ and experts’ fees and expenses, whether incurred without the 

  

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commencement of a suit, in any trial, arbitration, or administrative proceeding, or in any appellate or bankruptcy proceeding. 
  
 USURY. If at any time the effective interest rate under this Note would, but for this
paragraph, exceed the maximum lawful rate, the effective interest rate under this Note shall be the maximum lawful rate, and any amount received by Bank in excess of such rate shall be applied to principal and then to fees and expenses, or, if no
such amounts are owing, returned to Borrower. 
  
 DEFAULT. If any of the
following occurs, a default (“Default”) under this Note shall exist: Nonpayment; Nonperformance. The failure of timely payment or performance of the Obligations or Default under this Note or any other Loan Documents. False
Warranty. A warranty or representation made or deemed made in the Loan Documents or furnished Bank in connection with the loan evidenced by this Note proves materially false, or if of a continuing nature, becomes materially false. Cross
Default. At Bank’s option, any default in payment or performance of any obligation under any other loans, contracts or agreements of Borrower, any Subsidiary or Affiliate of Borrower, any general partner of or the holder(s) of the majority
ownership interests of Borrower with Bank or its affiliates (“Affiliate” shall have the meaning as defined in 11 U.S.C. § 101, except that the term “Borrower” shall be substituted for the term “Debtor” therein;
“Subsidiary” shall mean any business in which Borrower holds, directly or indirectly, a controlling interest). Cessation; Bankruptcy. The death of, appointment of a guardian for, dissolution of, termination of existence of, loss of
good standing status by, appointment of a receiver for, assignment for the benefit of creditors of, or commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding by or against Borrower, its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, if any, or any general partner of
or the holder(s) of the majority ownership interests of Borrower, or any party to the Loan Documents. Material Business Alteration. Without prior written consent of Bank, a material alteration in the kind or type of Borrower’s business.
Material Capital Structure or Business Alteration. Without prior written consent of Bank, (i) a material alteration in the kind or type of Borrower’s business or that of Borrower’s Subsidiaries or Affiliates, if any; (ii) the sale
of substantially all of the business or assets of Borrower, any of Borrower’s Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any guarantor, or a material portion (10% or more) of such business or assets if such a sale is outside the ordinary course of business
of Borrower, or any of Borrower’s Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any guarantor, or more than 50% of the outstanding stock or voting power of or in any such entity in a single transaction or a series of transactions; (iii) the acquisition of
substantially all of the business or assets or more than 50% of the outstanding stock or voting power of any other entity; or (iv) should any Borrower or any of Borrower’s Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any guarantor enter into any merger or
consolidation. Material Adverse Change. Bank determines in good faith, in its sole discretion, that the prospects for payment or performance of the Obligations are impaired or there has occurred a material adverse change in the business or
prospects of Borrower, financial or otherwise. 
  
 REMEDIES UPON DEFAULT.
If a Default occurs under this Note or any Loan Documents, Bank may at any time thereafter, take the following actions: Bank Lien. Foreclose its security interest or lien against Borrower’s accounts without notice. Acceleration
Upon Default. Accelerate the maturity of this Note and, at Bank’s option, any or all other Obligations, other than Obligations under any swap agreements (as defined in 11 U.S.C. § 101) between Borrower and Bank, or its affiliates,
which shall be due in accordance with and governed by the provisions of said swap agreements; whereupon this Note and the accelerated Obligations shall be immediately due and payable; provided, however, if the Default is based upon a bankruptcy or
insolvency proceeding commenced by or against Borrower or any guarantor or endorser of this Note, all Obligations (other than Obligations under any swap agreement as referenced above) shall automatically and immediately be due and payable.
Cumulative. Exercise any rights and remedies as provided under the Note and other Loan Documents, or as provided by law or equity. 
  
 ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Borrower shall deliver to Bank, within 90 days after the close of each fiscal year, unaudited management-prepared financial statements
reflecting its operations during such fiscal year, including, without limitation, a balance sheet, profit and loss statement and statement of cash flows, with supporting schedules and in reasonable detail, prepared in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles, applied on a basis consistent with that of the preceding year. If unaudited statements are required, such statements shall be certified as to their correctness by a principal financial officer of Borrower. 

 

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 FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION. Borrower shall deliver to Bank such information as Bank may reasonably request
from time to time, including without limitation, financial statements and information pertaining to Borrower’s financial condition. Such information shall be true, complete, and accurate. 
  
 CONFESSION OF JUDGMENT. Each Borrower hereby constitutes and appoints John G. Fox,
Gregory A. Baugher (each of whom is an officer of Bank), and Bank through an officer duly authorized by Bank (any of the foregoing may act), as the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact for them, in any or all of their names, place and stead, and upon
the occurrence of a Default in the payment of the Obligations due under this Note, at maturity, or upon acceleration, to confess judgment against them or any of them, in favor of Bank, before the Clerk of the Circuit Court for City of Richmond,
Virginia, in accordance with 1950 Code of Virginia, Section 8.01-431 et seq., and any successor statute, for all amounts owed with respect to the Obligations under and pursuant to this Note including, without limitation, actual legal fees and
expenses up to 15% of the Obligations then outstanding (which shall be deemed reasonable attorneys’ fees for the purposes of this paragraph), and court costs, hereby ratifying and confirming the acts of said attorney-in-fact as if done by
themselves. Upon request of Bank, each Borrower will execute an amendment or other agreement substituting attorneys-in-fact appointed to act for each Borrower hereunder. 
  
 WAIVERS AND AMENDMENTS. No waivers, amendments or modifications of this Note and other Loan Documents shall be valid unless in
writing and signed by an officer of Bank. No waiver by Bank of any Default shall operate as a waiver of any other Default or the same Default on a future occasion. Neither the failure nor any delay on the part of Bank in exercising any right, power,
or remedy under this Note and other Loan Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. 
  
 Except to the extent otherwise provided by the Loan Documents or prohibited by law, each
Borrower and each other person liable under this Note waives presentment, protest, notice of dishonor, demand for payment, notice of intention to accelerate maturity, notice of acceleration of maturity, notice of sale and all other notices of any
kind. Further, each agrees that Bank may (i) extend, modify or renew this Note or make a novation of the loan evidenced by this Note, and/or (ii) grant releases, compromises or indulgences with respect to any collateral securing this Note, or with
respect to any Borrower or other person liable under this Note or any other Loan Documents, all without notice to or consent of each Borrower and other such person, and without affecting the liability of each Borrower and other such person;
provided, Bank may not extend, modify or renew this Note or make a novation of the loan evidenced by this Note without the consent of the Borrower, or if there is more than one Borrower, without the consent of at least one Borrower; and further
provided, if there is more than one Borrower, Bank may not enter into a modification of this Note which increases the burdens of a Borrower without the consent of that Borrower. 
  
 MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS. Assignment. This Note and the other Loan Documents shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the
parties and their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns. Bank’s interests in and rights under this Note and the other Loan Documents are freely assignable, in whole or in part, by Bank. In addition, nothing in this
Note or any of the other Loan Documents shall prohibit Bank from pledging or assigning this Note or any of the other Loan Documents or any interest therein to any Federal Reserve Bank. Borrower shall not assign its rights and interest hereunder
without the prior written consent of Bank, and any attempt by Borrower to assign without Bank’s prior written consent is null and void. Any assignment shall not release Borrower from the Obligations. Organization; Powers. Borrower
represents that Borrower (i) is (a) an adult individual and is sui juris, or (b) a corporation, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company or other legal entity, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of its state of organization, and is authorized to do business in each other jurisdiction wherein its ownership of property or conduct of business legally requires such organization (ii) has the power and authority to own its
properties and assets and to carry on its business as now being conducted and as now contemplated; and (iii) has the power and authority to execute, deliver and perform, and by all necessary action has authorized the execution, delivery and
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Loan Document to which it is a party. Applicable Law; Conflict Between Documents. This Note and, unless otherwise provided in any other Loan Document,
the other Loan Documents shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the state named in Bank’s address on the first page hereof without regard to that state’s conflict of laws principles. If the terms of this Note should conflict
with the terms of any loan agreement or any commitment letter that survives closing, the terms of this Note shall control. Borrower’s Accounts. Except as prohibited by law, Borrower grants Bank a security interest in all of
Borrower’s accounts with Bank and any of its affiliates. Swap Agreements. All swap agreements (as defined in 11 U.S.C. § 101), if any, between Borrower and Bank or its affiliates are independent agreements governed by the written
provisions of said swap agreements, which will remain in full force and effect, unaffected by any repayment, prepayment, acceleration, reduction, increase or change in the terms of this Note, except as otherwise expressly provided in said written
swap agreements, and any payoff statement from Bank relating to this Note shall not apply to said swap agreements unless expressly referred to in such payoff statement. Jurisdiction. Borrower irrevocably agrees to non-exclusive personal
jurisdiction in the state named in Bank’s address on the first page hereof. Severability. If any provision of this Note or of the other Loan Documents shall be prohibited or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be
ineffective but only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Note or other such document. Notices. Any notices to Borrower shall be sufficiently
given, if in writing and mailed or delivered to the Borrower’s address shown above or such other address as provided hereunder, and to Bank, if in writing and mailed or delivered to Wachovia Bank, National Association, Mail Code VA7391, P. O.
Box 13327, Roanoke, VA 24040 or Wachovia Bank, National Association, Mail Code VA7391, 10 South Jefferson Street, Roanoke, VA 24011 or such other address as Bank may specify in writing from time to time. Notices to Bank must include the mail code.
In the event that Borrower changes Borrower’s address at any time prior to the date the Obligations are paid in full, Borrower agrees to promptly give written notice of said change of address by registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested, all charges prepaid. Plural; Captions. All references in the Loan Documents to Borrower, guarantor, person, document or other nouns of reference mean both the singular and plural form, as the case may be, and the term
“person” shall mean any individual, person or entity. The captions contained in the Loan Documents are inserted for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of the Loan Documents. Advances. Bank may, in
its sole discretion, make other advances which shall be deemed to be advances under this Note, even though the stated principal amount of this Note may be exceeded as a result thereof. Posting of Payments. All payments received during normal
banking hours after 2:00 p.m. local time at the office of Bank first shown above shall be deemed received at the opening of the next banking day. Joint and Several Obligations. If there is more than one Borrower, each is jointly and severally
obligated. Fees and Taxes. Borrower shall promptly pay all documentary, intangible recordation and/or similar taxes on this transaction whether assessed at closing or arising from time to time. LIMITATION ON LIABILITY; WAIVER OF PUNITIVE
DAMAGES. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO, INCLUDING BANK BY ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES THAT IN ANY JUDICIAL, MEDIATION OR ARBITRATION PROCEEDING OR ANY CLAIM OR CONTROVERSY BETWEEN OR AMONG THEM THAT MAY ARISE OUT OF OR BE IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH
THIS AGREEMENT, THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY OTHER AGREEMENT OR DOCUMENT BETWEEN OR AMONG THEM OR THE OBLIGATIONS EVIDENCED HEREBY OR RELATED HERETO, IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY PARTY HAVE A REMEDY OF, OR BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER FOR, (1) INDIRECT, SPECIAL OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR (2) PUNITIVE OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES. EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT OR CLAIM TO PUNITIVE OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES THEY MAY HAVE OR WHICH MAY ARISE IN THE FUTURE IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUCH PROCEEDING, CLAIM
OR CONTROVERSY, WHETHER THE SAME IS RESOLVED BY ARBITRATION, MEDIATION, JUDICIALLY OR OTHERWISE. Patriot Act Notice. To help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions to
obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. For purposes of this section, account shall be understood to include loan accounts. 
  
 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EACH OF BORROWER BY EXECUTION HEREOF AND BANK BY ACCEPTANCE HEREOF,
KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT EACH MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION BASED ON, OR ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION 

  

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WITH THIS NOTE, THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY AGREEMENT CONTEMPLATED TO BE EXECUTED IN CONNECTION WITH THIS NOTE, OR ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT, COURSE OF DEALING,
STATEMENTS (WHETHER VERBAL OR WRITTEN) OR ACTIONS OF ANY PARTY WITH RESPECT HERETO. THIS PROVISION IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT TO BANK TO ACCEPT THIS NOTE. EACH OF THE PARTIES AGREES THAT THE TERMS HEREOF SHALL SUPERSEDE AND REPLACE ANY PRIOR
AGREEMENT RELATED TO ARBITRATION OF DISPUTES BETWEEN THE PARTIES CONTAINED IN ANY LOAN DOCUMENT OR ANY OTHER DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT HERETOFORE EXECUTED IN CONNECTION WITH, RELATED TO OR BEING REPLACED, SUPPLEMENTED, EXTENDED OR MODIFIED BY, THIS
NOTE. 
  
 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Borrower, on the day and year first above
written, has caused this Note to be executed under seal. 
  
 PLACE OF EXECUTION
AND DELIVERY. Borrower hereby certifies that this Note and the Loan Documents were executed in the Commonwealth of Virginia and delivered to Bank in the Commonwealth of Virginia. 
  

					
	Diversified Energy Company	 	 
			
	By:	 	 /s/    John B. Williamson, III
	 	(SEAL)
	 	 	
	 	 
	 	 	 John B. Williamson, III, Chairman/CEO
	 	 
			
	By:	 	 /s/    Howard T. Lyon
	 	(SEAL)
	 	 	
	 	 
	 	 	 Howard T. Lyon, Controller/Treasurer
	 	 


  
 Tracking #: 83129rke 

CAT - Deal # 247479 Facility ID 231926 
  

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