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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.23

                              ELEMENT K CORPORATION
                                     FORM OF
                            INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

      This Indemnification Agreement ("Agreement") is effective as of _______,
2000 by and between Element K Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), and [NAME] ("Indemnitee").

      WHEREAS, the Company desires to attract and retain the services of highly
qualified individuals, such as Indemnitee, to serve the Company and its related
entities;

      WHEREAS, in order to induce Indemnitee to continue to provide services to
the Company, the Company wishes to provide for the indemnification of, and the
advancement of expenses to, Indemnitee to the maximum extent permitted by law;

      WHEREAS, the Company and Indemnitee recognize the continued difficulty in
obtaining liability insurance for the Company's directors, officers, employees,
agents and fiduciaries, the significant increases in the cost of such insurance
and the general reductions in the coverage of such insurance;

      WHEREAS, the Company and Indemnitee further recognize the substantial
increase in corporate litigation in general, subjecting directors, officers,
employees, agents and fiduciaries to expensive litigation risks at the same time
as the availability and coverage of liability insurance has been severely
limited; and

      WHEREAS, the Company and Indemnitee desire to provide indemnification and
advancement of expenses to the Indemnitee to the maximum extent permitted by
Delaware law;

      WHEREAS, in view of the considerations set forth above, the Company
desires that Indemnitee shall be indemnified and advanced expenses by the
Company as set forth herein;

      NOW, THEREFORE, the Company and Indemnitee hereby agree as set forth
below.

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             1.     Certain Definitions.

                    (a)    "Change in Control" shall mean, and shall be deemed
to have occurred if, on or after the date of this Agreement, (i) any "person"
(as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended), other than a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities
under an employee benefit plan of the Company acting in such capacity or a
corporation owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in
substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company,
becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under said Act),
directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 50%
of the total voting power represented by the Company's then outstanding Voting
Securities, (ii) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at
the beginning of such period constitute the Board of Directors of the Company
and any new director whose election by the Board of Directors or nomination for
election by the Company's stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two
thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors at
the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was
previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof,
(iii) the stockholders of the Company approve a merger or consolidation of the
Company with any other corporation other than a merger or consolidation which
would result in the Voting Securities of the Company outstanding immediately
prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by
being converted into Voting Securities of the surviving entity) at least 80% of
the total voting power represented by the Voting Securities of the Company or
such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or
consolidation, or (iv) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of
complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition
by the Company of (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) all
or substantially all of the Company's assets.

                    (b)    "Claim" shall mean with respect to a Covered Event:
any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, proceeding or alternative
dispute resolution mechanism, or any hearing, inquiry or investigation that
Indemnitee in good faith believes might lead to the institution of any such
action, suit, proceeding or alternative dispute resolution mechanism, whether
civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other.

                    (c)    References to the "Company" shall include, in
addition to Element K Corporation, any constituent corporation (including any
constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger to which
Element K Corporation
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(or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries) is a party which, if its separate
existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its
directors, officers, employees, agents or fiduciaries, so that if Indemnitee is
or was a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of such constituent
corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation
as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, employee benefit plan, trust or other enterprise,
Indemnitee shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this
Agreement with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as Indemnitee
would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate
existence had continued.

                    (d)    "Covered Event" shall mean any event or occurrence
related to the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee,
agent or fiduciary of the Company, or any subsidiary of the Company, or is or
was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee,
agent or fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise, or by reason of any action or inaction on the part of
Indemnitee while serving in such capacity.

                    (e)    "Expenses" shall mean any and all expenses (including
attorneys' fees and all other costs, expenses and obligations incurred in
connection with investigating, defending, being a witness in or participating in
(including on appeal), or preparing to defend, to be a witness in or to
participate in, any action, suit, proceeding, alternative dispute resolution
mechanism, hearing, inquiry or investigation), judgments, fines, penalties and
amounts paid in settlement (if such settlement is approved in advance by the
Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) of any Claim and any
federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on the Indemnitee as a result of
the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement.

                    (f)    "Expense Advance" shall mean a payment to Indemnitee
pursuant to Section 3 of Expenses in advance of the settlement of or final
judgement in any action, suit, proceeding or alternative dispute resolution
mechanism, hearing, inquiry or investigation which constitutes a Claim.

                    (g)    "Independent Legal Counsel" shall mean an attorney or
firm of attorneys, selected in accordance with the provisions of Section 2(d)
hereof, who shall not have otherwise performed services for the Company or
Indemnitee within the last three years (other than with respect to matters
concerning the rights of

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Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other Indemnitees under similar indemnity
agreements).

                    (h)    References to "other enterprises" shall include
employee benefit plans; references to "fines" shall include any excise taxes
assessed on Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references
to "serving at the request of the Company" shall include any service as a
director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company which imposes
duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, agent or
fiduciary with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or its
beneficiaries; and if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee
reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries
of an employee benefit plan, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in a
manner "not opposed to the best interests of the Company" as referred to in this
Agreement.

                    (i)    "Reviewing Party" shall mean, subject to the
provisions of Section 2(d), any person or body appointed by the Board of
Directors in accordance with applicable law to review the Company's obligations
hereunder and under applicable law, which may include a member or members of the
Company's Board of Directors, Independent Legal Counsel or any other person or
body not a party to the particular Claim for which Indemnitee is seeking
indemnification.

                    (j)    "Section" refers to a section of this Agreement
unless otherwise indicated.

                    (k)    "Voting Securities" shall mean any securities of the
Company that vote generally in the election of directors.

             2.     Indemnification.

                    (a)    Indemnification of Expenses. Subject to the
provisions of Section 2(b) below, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee for
Expenses to the fullest extent permitted by law if Indemnitee was or is or
becomes a party to or witness or other participant in, or is threatened to be
made a party to or witness or other participant in, any Claim (whether by reason
of or arising in part out of a Covered Event), including all interest,
assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect
of such Expenses.

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                    (b)    Review of Indemnification Obligations.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event any Reviewing Party shall have
determined (in a written opinion, in any case in which Independent Legal Counsel
is the Reviewing Party) that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified
hereunder under applicable law, (i) the Company shall have no further obligation
under Section 2(a) to make any payments to Indemnitee not made prior to such
determination by such Reviewing Party, and (ii) the Company shall be entitled to
be reimbursed by Indemnitee (who hereby agrees to reimburse the Company) for all
Expenses theretofore paid to Indemnitee to which Indemnitee is not entitled
hereunder under applicable law; provided, however, that if Indemnitee has
commenced or thereafter commences legal proceedings in a court of competent
jurisdiction to secure a determination that Indemnitee is entitled to be
indemnified hereunder under applicable law, any determination made by any
Reviewing Party that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified hereunder
under applicable law shall not be binding and Indemnitee shall not be required
to reimburse the Company for any Expenses theretofore paid in indemnifying
Indemnitee until a final judicial determination is made with respect thereto (as
to which all rights of appeal therefrom have been exhausted or lapsed).
Indemnitee's obligation to reimburse the Company for any Expenses shall be
unsecured and no interest shall be charged thereon.

                    (c)    Indemnitee Rights on Unfavorable Determination;
Binding Effect. If any Reviewing Party determines that Indemnitee substantively
is not entitled to be indemnified hereunder in whole or in part under applicable
law, Indemnitee shall have the right to commence litigation seeking an initial
determination by the court or challenging any such determination by such
Reviewing Party or any aspect thereof, including the legal or factual bases
therefor, and, subject to the provisions of Section 15, the Company hereby
consents to service of process and to appear in any such proceeding. Absent such
litigation, any determination by any Reviewing Party shall be conclusive and
binding on the Company and Indemnitee.

                    (d)    Selection of Reviewing Party; Change in Control. If
there has not been a Change in Control, any Reviewing Party shall be selected by
the Board of Directors, and if there has been such a Change in Control (other
than a Change in Control which has been approved by a majority of the Company's
Board of Directors who were directors immediately prior to such Change in
Control), any Reviewing Party with respect to all matters thereafter arising
concerning the rights of Indemnitee to indemnification of Expenses under this
Agreement or any other agreement or under the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation or Bylaws as now or hereafter in effect, or under any other
applicable law, if desired by Indemnitee, shall

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be Independent Legal Counsel selected by Indemnitee and approved by the Company
(which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld). Such counsel, among other
things, shall render its written opinion to the Company and Indemnitee as to
whether and to what extent Indemnitee would be entitled to be indemnified
hereunder under applicable law and the Company agrees to abide by such opinion.
The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees of the Independent Legal Counsel
referred to above and to indemnify fully such counsel against any and all
expenses (including attorneys' fees), claims, liabilities and damages arising
out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company shall not be
required to pay Expenses of more than one Independent Legal Counsel in
connection with all matters concerning a single Indemnitee, and such Independent
Legal Counsel shall be the Independent Legal Counsel for any or all other
Indemnitees unless (i) the employment of separate counsel by one or more
Indemnitees has been previously authorized by the Company in writing, or (ii) an
Indemnitee shall have provided to the Company a written statement that such
Indemnitee has reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict of interest
between such Indemnitee and the other Indemnitees with respect to the matters
arising under this Agreement.

                    (e)    Mandatory Payment of Expenses. Notwithstanding any
other provision of this Agreement other than Section 10 hereof, to the extent
that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise, including,
without limitation, the dismissal of an action without prejudice, in defense of
any Claim, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses incurred by
Indemnitee in connection therewith.

             3.     Expense Advances.

                    (a)    Obligation to Make Expense Advances. Upon receipt of
a written undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay such amounts if
it shall ultimately be determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be
indemnified therefore by the Company hereunder under applicable law, the Company
shall make Expense Advances to Indemnitee.

                    (b)    Form of Undertaking. Any obligation to repay any
Expense Advances hereunder pursuant to a written undertaking by the Indemnitee
shall be unsecured and no interest shall be charged thereon.

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                    (c)    Determination of Reasonable Expense Advances. The
parties agree that for the purposes of any Expense Advance for which Indemnitee
has made written demand to the Company in accordance with this Agreement, all
Expenses included in such Expense Advance that are certified by affidavit of
Indemnitee's counsel as being reasonable shall be presumed conclusively to be
reasonable.

             4.     Procedures for Indemnification and Expense Advances.

                    (a)    Timing of Payments. All payments of Expenses
(including without limitation Expense Advances) by the Company to the Indemnitee
pursuant to this Agreement shall be made to the fullest extent permitted by law
as soon as practicable after written demand by Indemnitee therefor is presented
to the Company, but in no event later than thirty (30) business days after such
written demand by Indemnitee is presented to the Company, except in the case of
Expense Advances, which shall be made no later than ten (10) business days after
such written demand by Indemnitee is presented to the Company.

                    (b)    Notice/Cooperation by Indemnitee. Indemnitee shall,
as a condition precedent to Indemnitee's right to be indemnified or Indemnitee's
right to receive Expense Advances under this Agreement, give the Company notice
in writing as soon as practicable of any Claim made against Indemnitee for which
indemnification will or could be sought under this Agreement. Notice to the
Company shall be directed to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company at the
address shown on the signature page of this Agreement (or such other address as
the Company shall designate in writing to Indemnitee). In addition, Indemnitee
shall give the Company such information and cooperation as it may reasonably
require and as shall be within Indemnitee's power.

                    (c)    No Presumptions; Burden of Proof. For purposes of
this Agreement, the termination of any Claim by judgment, order, settlement
(whether with or without court approval) or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo
contendere, or its equivalent, shall not create a presumption that Indemnitee
did not meet any particular standard of conduct or have any particular belief or
that a court has determined that indemnification is not permitted by this
Agreement or applicable law. In addition, neither the failure of any Reviewing
Party to have made a determination as to whether Indemnitee has met any
particular standard of conduct or had any particular belief, nor an actual
determination by any Reviewing Party that Indemnitee has not met such standard
of conduct or did not have such belief, prior to

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the commencement of legal proceedings by Indemnitee to secure a judicial
determination that Indemnitee should be indemnified under this Agreement under
applicable law, shall be a defense to Indemnitee's claim or create a presumption
that Indemnitee has not met any particular standard of conduct or did not have
any particular belief. In connection with any determination by any Reviewing
Party or otherwise as to whether the Indemnitee is entitled to be indemnified
hereunder under applicable law, the burden of proof shall be on the Company to
establish that Indemnitee is not so entitled.

                    (d)    Notice to Insurers. If, at the time of the receipt by
the Company of a notice of a Claim pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof, the Company
has liability insurance in effect which may cover such Claim, the Company shall
give prompt notice of the commencement of such Claim to the insurers in
accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company
shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers
to pay, on behalf of the Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such
Claim in accordance with the terms of such policies.

                    (e)    Selection of Counsel. In the event the Company shall
be obligated hereunder to provide indemnification for or make any Expense
Advances with respect to the Expenses of any Claim, the Company, if appropriate,
shall be entitled to assume the defense of such Claim with counsel approved by
Indemnitee (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) upon the delivery
to Indemnitee of written notice of the Company's election to do so. After
delivery of such notice, approval of such counsel by Indemnitee and the
retention of such counsel by the Company, the Company will not be liable to
Indemnitee under this Agreement for any fees or expenses of separate counsel
subsequently retained by or on behalf of Indemnitee with respect to the same
Claim; provided that, (i) Indemnitee shall have the right to employ Indemnitee's
separate counsel in any such Claim at Indemnitee's expense and (ii) if (A) the
employment of separate counsel by Indemnitee has been previously authorized by
the Company, (B) Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded that there may be a
conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee in the conduct of any
such defense, or (C) the Company shall not continue to retain such counsel to
defend such Claim, then the fees and expenses of Indemnitee's separate counsel
shall be Expenses for which Indemnitee may receive indemnification or Expense
Advances hereunder.

             5.     Additional Indemnification Rights; Nonexclusivity.

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                    (a)    Scope. The Company hereby agrees to indemnify the
Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law, notwithstanding that such
indemnification is not specifically authorized by the other provisions of this
Agreement, the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, the Company's Bylaws or
by statute. In the event of any change after the date of this Agreement in any
applicable law, statute or rule which expands the right of a Delaware
corporation to indemnify a member of its board of directors or an officer,
employee, agent or fiduciary, it is the intent of the parties hereto that
Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits afforded by such
change. In the event of any change in any applicable law, statute or rule which
narrows the right of a Delaware corporation to indemnify a member of its board
of directors or an officer, employee, agent or fiduciary, such change, to the
extent not otherwise required by such law, statute or rule to be applied to this
Agreement, shall have no effect on this Agreement or the parties' rights and
obligations hereunder except as set forth in Section 10(a) hereof.

                    (b)    Nonexclusivity. The indemnification and the payment
of Expense Advances provided by this Agreement shall be in addition to any
rights to which Indemnitee may be entitled under the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation, its Bylaws, any other agreement, any vote of stockholders or
disinterested directors, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware,
or otherwise. The indemnification and the payment of Expense Advances provided
under this Agreement shall continue as to Indemnitee for any action taken or not
taken while serving in an indemnified capacity even though subsequent thereto
Indemnitee may have ceased to serve in such capacity.

             6.     No Duplication of Payments. The Company shall not be liable
under this Agreement to make any payment in connection with any Claim made
against Indemnitee to the extent Indemnitee has otherwise actually received
payment (under any insurance policy, provision of the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation, Bylaws or otherwise) of the amounts otherwise payable hereunder.

             7.     Partial Indemnification. If Indemnitee is entitled under any
provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a
portion of Expenses incurred in connection with any Claim, but not, however, for
all of the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify
Indemnitee for the portion of such Expenses to which Indemnitee is entitled.

             8.     Mutual Acknowledgment. Both the Company and Indemnitee
acknowledge that in certain instances, federal law or applicable public policy
may

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prohibit the Company from indemnifying its directors, officers, employees,
agents or fiduciaries under this Agreement or otherwise. Indemnitee understands
and acknowledges that the Company has undertaken or may be required in the
future to undertake with the Securities and Exchange Commission to submit the
question of indemnification to a court in certain circumstances for a
determination of the Company's right under public policy to indemnify
Indemnitee.

             9.     Liability Insurance. To the extent the Company maintains
liability insurance applicable to directors, officers, employees, agents or
fiduciaries, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policies in such a manner as to
provide Indemnitee the same rights and benefits as are provided to the most
favorably insured of the Company's directors, if Indemnitee is a director; or of
the Company's officers, if Indemnitee is not a director of the Company but is an
officer; or of the Company's key employees, agents or fiduciaries, if Indemnitee
is not an officer or director but is a key employee, agent or fiduciary.

             10.    Exceptions. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement:

                    (a)    Excluded Actions or Omissions. To indemnify or make
Expense Advances to Indemnitee with respect to Claims arising out of acts,
omissions or transactions for which Indemnitee is prohibited from receiving
indemnification under applicable law.

                    (b)    Claims Initiated by Indemnitee. To indemnify or make
Expense Advances to Indemnitee with respect to Claims initiated or brought
voluntarily by Indemnitee and not by way of defense, counterclaim or crossclaim,
except (i) with respect to actions or proceedings brought to establish or
enforce a right to indemnification under this Agreement or any other agreement
or insurance policy or under the Company's Certificate of Incorporation or
Bylaws now or hereafter in effect relating to Claims for Covered Events, (ii) in
specific cases if the Board of Directors has approved the initiation or bringing
of such Claim, or (iii) as otherwise required under Section 145 of the Delaware
General Corporation Law, regardless of whether Indemnitee ultimately is
determined to be entitled to such indemnification, Expense Advances, or
insurance recovery, as the case may be.

                    (c)    Lack of Good Faith. To indemnify Indemnitee for any
Expenses incurred by the Indemnitee with respect to any action instituted (i) by

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Indemnitee to enforce or interpret this Agreement, if a court having
jurisdiction over such action determines as provided in Section 13 that each of
the material assertions made by the Indemnitee as a basis for such action was
not made in good faith or was frivolous, or (ii) by or in the name of the
Company to enforce or interpret this Agreement, if a court having jurisdiction
over such action determines as provided in Section 13 that each of the material
defenses asserted by Indemnitee in such action was made in bad faith or was
frivolous.

                    (d)    Claims Under Section 16(b). To indemnify Indemnitee
for Expenses and the payment of profits arising from the purchase and sale by
Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 16(b) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any similar successor statute.

             11.    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original.

             12.    Binding Effect; Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall
be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties
hereto and their respective successors, assigns (including any direct or
indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or
substantially all of the business or assets of the Company), spouses, heirs and
personal and legal representatives. The Company shall require and cause any
successor (whether direct or indirect, and whether by purchase, merger,
consolidation or otherwise) to all, substantially all, or a substantial part, of
the business or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and
substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform
this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would
be required to perform if no such succession had taken place. This Agreement
shall continue in effect regardless of whether Indemnitee continues to serve as
a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary (as applicable) of the Company
or of any other enterprise at the Company's request.

             13.    Expenses Incurred in Action Relating to Enforcement or
Interpretation. In the event that any action is instituted by Indemnitee under
this Agreement or under any liability insurance policies maintained by the
Company to enforce or interpret any of the terms hereof or thereof, Indemnitee
shall be entitled to be indemnified for all Expenses incurred by Indemnitee with
respect to such action (including without limitation attorneys' fees),
regardless of whether Indemnitee is ultimately successful in such action, unless
as a part of such action a court having jurisdiction over such action makes a
final judicial determination (as to which all

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rights of appeal therefrom have been exhausted or lapsed) that each of the
material assertions made by Indemnitee as a basis for such action was not made
in good faith or was frivolous; provided, however, that until such final
judicial determination is made, Indemnitee shall be entitled under Section 3 to
receive payment of Expense Advances hereunder with respect to such action. In
the event of an action instituted by or in the name of the Company under this
Agreement to enforce or interpret any of the terms of this Agreement, Indemnitee
shall be entitled to be indemnified for all Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in
defense of such action (including without limitation costs and expenses incurred
with respect to Indemnitee's counterclaims and cross-claims made in such
action), unless as a part of such action a court having jurisdiction over such
action makes a final judicial determination (as to which all rights of appeal
therefrom have been exhausted or lapsed) that each of the material defenses
asserted by Indemnitee in such action was made in bad faith or was frivolous;
provided, however, that until such final judicial determination is made,
Indemnitee shall be entitled under Section 3 to receive payment of Expense
Advances hereunder with respect to such action.

             14.    Period of Limitations. No legal action shall be brought and
no cause of action shall be asserted by or in the right of the Company against
Indemnitee, Indemnitee's estate, spouse, heirs, executors or personal or legal
representatives after the expiration of two years from the date of accrual of
such cause of action, and any claim or cause of action of the Company shall be
extinguished and deemed released unless asserted by the timely filing of a legal
action within such two year period; provided, however, that if any shorter
period of limitations is otherwise applicable to any such cause of action, such
shorter period shall govern.

             15.    Notice. All notices, requests, demands and other
communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly
given (i) if delivered by hand and signed for by the party addressed, on the
date of such delivery, or (ii) if mailed by domestic certified or registered
mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day after the date postmarked.
Addresses for notice to either party are as shown on the signature page of this
Agreement, or as subsequently modified by written notice.

             16.    Consent to Jurisdiction. The Company and Indemnitee each
hereby irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of
Delaware for all purposes in connection with any action or proceeding which
arises out of or relates to this Agreement and agree that any action instituted
under this Agreement shall be commenced, prosecuted and continued only in the
Court of Chancery of the

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State of Delaware in and for New Castle County, which shall be the exclusive and
only proper forum for adjudicating such a claim.

             17.    Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be
severable in the event that any of the provisions hereof (including any
provision within a single section, paragraph or sentence) are held by a court of
competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or otherwise unenforceable, and the
remaining provisions shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by
law. Furthermore, to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this
Agreement (including without limitation each portion of this Agreement
containing any provision held to be invalid, void or otherwise unenforceable,
that is not itself invalid, void or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to
give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or
unenforceable.

             18.    Choice of Law. This Agreement, and all rights, remedies,
liabilities, powers and duties of the parties to this Agreement, shall be
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware
as applied to contracts between Delaware residents entered into and to be
performed entirely in the State of Delaware without regard to principles of
conflicts of laws.

             19.    Subrogation. In the event of payment under this Agreement,
the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the
rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all documents required and
shall do all acts that may be necessary to secure such rights and to enable the
Company effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.

             20.    Amendment and Termination. No amendment, modification,
termination or cancellation of this Agreement shall be effective unless it is in
writing signed by both the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of
this Agreement shall be deemed to be or shall constitute a waiver of any other
provisions hereof (whether or not similar), nor shall such waiver constitute a
continuing waiver.

             21.    Integration and Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth
the entire understanding between the parties hereto and supersedes and merges
all previous written and oral negotiations, commitments, understandings and
agreements relating to the subject matter hereof between the parties hereto.

             22.    No Construction as Employment Agreement. Nothing contained
in this Agreement shall be construed as giving Indemnitee any right to be

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retained in the employ of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliated
entities.

             IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this
Indemnification Agreement as of the date first above written.

ELEMENT K CORPORATION

By:
   -----------------------------

Name:
     ---------------------------

Title:
      --------------------------
Address: 500 Canal View Boulevard
         Rochester, New York 10036-6522

                             AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED
                                   INDEMNITEE:

                                   -------------------------------
                                   (Signature)

                                   [NAME]
                                   -------------------------------
                                   Name

                                   -------------------------------
                                   Address

                                       14<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 4(a)

                          FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

                            Dated as of June 16, 2000

                                     between

                               SEMCO Energy, Inc.,

                                    AS ISSUER

                                       and

                  BANK ONE TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

                                   AS TRUSTEE

<PAGE>   2

                                Table of Contents
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                          Page

                                    ARTICLE I
                                   DEFINITIONS

<S>                                                                                                       <C>
SECTION 1.1.               Definition of Terms..............................................................2

                                   ARTICLE II
           GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE SENIOR DEFERRABLE NOTES

SECTION 2.1.               Designation, Principal Amount and Authorized Denomination........................4
SECTION 2.2.               Maturity.........................................................................5
SECTION 2.3.               Form and Payment.................................................................5
SECTION 2.4.               Global Senior Deferrable Note....................................................5
SECTION 2.5.               Interest.........................................................................6
SECTION 2.6.               Events of Default................................................................8
SECTION 2.7.               Paying Agent; Security Registrar.................................................8
SECTION 2.8.               Extension of Interest Payment Period.............................................8
SECTION 2.9.               Nature of Extension..............................................................9

                                   ARTICLE III
                    REDEMPTION OF THE SENIOR DEFERRABLE NOTES

SECTION 3.1.               Tax Event Redemption.............................................................9
SECTION 3.2.               Redemption Procedure for Senior Deferrable Notes................................10
SECTION 3.3                No Sinking Fund.................................................................10
SECTION 3.4.               Option to Put Senior Deferrable Notes...........................................10
SECTION 3.5.               Repurchase Procedure for Senior Deferrable Notes................................11

                                   ARTICLE IV
                                    EXPENSES

SECTION 4.1.               Payment of Expenses.............................................................11
SECTION 4.2.               Payment Upon Resignation or Removal.............................................12

                                    ARTICLE V
                         FORM OF SENIOR DEFERRABLE NOTES

SECTION 5.1.               Form of Senior Deferrable Note..................................................12
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   3

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                        <C>

                                   ARTICLE VI
                    ORIGINAL ISSUE OF SENIOR DEFERRABLE NOTES

SECTION 6.1.               Original Issue of Senior Deferrable Notes.......................................19
SECTION 6.2.               Calculation of Original Issue Discount..........................................19

                                   ARTICLE VII
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 7.1.               Ratification of Indenture.......................................................20
SECTION 7.2.               Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals............................................21
SECTION 7.3.               Governing Law...................................................................21
SECTION 7.4.               Separability....................................................................21
SECTION 7.5.               Counterparts....................................................................22
</TABLE>

                                       ii
<PAGE>   4

         FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of June 16, 2000 (the "First
Supplemental Indenture"), between SEMCO Energy, Inc., a corporation duly
organized and existing under the laws of the State of Michigan, (the "Company"),
and Bank One Trust Company, National Association, a national banking
association, as trustee (the "Trustee")

         WHEREAS, the Company executed and delivered the indenture, dated as of
October 23, 1998 (the "Base Indenture"), to the Trustee to provide for the
future issuance of the Company's debentures, notes, bonds or other evidences of
indebtedness (the "Securities"), to be issued from time to time in one or more
series as might be determined by the Company under the Base Indenture;

         WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Base Indenture, the Company
desires to provide for the establishment of a new series of its Securities to be
known as its 9% Senior Deferrable Notes due 2005 (the "Senior Deferrable
Notes"), the form and substance of such Senior Deferrable Notes and the terms,
provisions and conditions thereof to be set forth as provided in the Base
Indenture and this First Supplemental Indenture (together, the "Indenture");

         WHEREAS, SEMCO Capital Trust II, a Delaware statutory business trust
(the "Trust", has offered to the public its Trust Preferred Securities (the
"Trust Preferred Securities"), representing preferred, undivided beneficial
interests in the assets of the Trust, and proposes to invest the proceeds from
such offering, together with the proceeds of the issuance and sale by the Trust
to the Company its Common Securities (the "Common Securities" and together with
the Trust Preferred Securities, the "Trust Securities"), in the Senior
Deferrable Notes; and

         WHEREAS, the Company has requested that the Trustee execute and deliver
this First Supplemental Indenture and all requirements necessary to make this
First Supplemental Indenture a valid instrument in accordance with its terms,
and to make the Senior Deferrable Notes, when executed by the Company and
authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, the valid obligations of the Company
and all acts and things necessary have been done and performed to make this
First Supplemental Indenture enforceable in accordance with its terms, and the
execution and delivery of this First Supplemental Indenture has been duly
authorized in all respects.

         NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase and acceptance of the
Senior Deferrable Notes by the Holders thereof, and for the purpose of setting
forth, as provided in the Indenture, the form and substance of the Senior
Deferrable Notes and the terms, provisions and conditions thereof, the Company
covenants and agrees with the Trustee as follows:

<PAGE>   5

                                   ARTICLE I.
                                   DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.1. Definition of Terms.

         Unless the context otherwise requires:

         (a)     a term defined in the Indenture has the same meaning when used
in this First Supplemental Indenture;

         (b)     a term defined anywhere in this First Supplemental Indenture
has the same meaning throughout;

         (c)     the singular includes the plural and vice versa;

         (d)     headings are for convenience of reference only and do not
affect interpretation;

         (e)     the following terms have the meanings given to them in the
Declaration: Administrative Trustees; Authorized Newspaper; Senior Deferrable
Note Certificate; Clearing Agency; Common Securities Guarantee; Delaware
Trustee; Distributions; DTC; FELINE PRIDES; Growth PRIDES; Guarantee; Income
PRIDES; Investment Company Event; Pricing Agreement; Property Trustee; Purchase
Contract Agreement; Reset Agent; Reset Announcement Date; Reset Spread; Treasury
Securities; Two-Year Benchmark,: Treasury; and underwriting Agreement.

         (f)     the following terms have the meanings given to them in this
Section 1.1(f);

                 "Applicable Principal Amount" means either (i) if the Tax Event
Redemption Date occurs prior to August 16, 2003, the aggregate principal amount
of the Senior Deferrable Notes corresponding to the aggregate stated liquidation
amount of the Trust Preferred Securities which are components of Income PRIDES
on the Tax Event Redemption Date or (ii) if the Tax Event Redemption occurs on
or after August 16, 2003, the aggregate principal amount of the Senior
Deferrable Notes corresponding to the aggregate stated liquidation amount of the
Trust Preferred Securities outstanding on such Tax Event Redemption Date.

                 "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or
any other day on which banking institutions and trust companies in The City of
New York are permitted or required by any applicable law to close.

                 "Collateral Agent" has the meaning set forth in the Purchase
Contract Agreement.

                 "Coupon Rate" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.5.

                 "Senior Deferrable Note Repayment Price" shall have the meaning
set forth in Section .4.

                                       2
<PAGE>   6

                 "Declaration" means the Amended and Restated Declaration of
Trust of SEMCO Capital Trust II, a Delaware statutory business trust, dated as
of June 16, 2000.

                 "Dissolution Event" means that, as a result of the occurrence
and continuation of a Tax Event, an Investment Company Event or otherwise, the
Trust is to be dissolved in accordance with the Declaration, and, except in the
case of a Tax Event Redemption, the Senior Deferrable Notes held by the Property
Trustee are to be distributed to the holders of the Trust Securities issued by
the Trust pro rata in accordance with the Declaration.

                 "Failed Remarketing" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 5.4(b) of the Purchase Contract Agreement.

                 "Global Senior Deferrable Notes" shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 2.4.

                 "Non Book-Entry Trust Preferred Securities" shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 2.4.

                 "Over-Allotment Option" shall mean the option granted to the
underwriters pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement to purchase up to an
additional 1,350,000 FELINE PRIDES, in order to satisfy over-allotments.

                 "Purchase Contract" shall have the meaning set forth in the
Purchase Contract Agreement.

                 "Purchase Contract Agreement" shall mean that certain agreement
dated as of June 16, 2000 between the Company and Bank One Trust Company,
National Association, as purchase contract agent.

                 "Purchase Contract Settlement Date" means August 16, 2003.

                 "Put Option" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.4.

                 "Quotation Agent" means (i) Merrill Lynch Government
Securities, Inc. and its respective successors, provided, however, that if the
foregoing shall case to be a Primary Treasury Dealer, the Company shall
substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer, and (ii) any other Primary
Treasury Dealer selected by the Company.

                 "Redemption Amount" means for each Senior Deferrable Note, the
product of (i) the principal amount of such Senior Deferrable Note and (ii) a
fraction whose numerator is the Treasury Portfolio Purchase Price and whose
denominator is the Applicable Principal Amount of the Treasury Portfolio.

                 "Tax Event" means the receipt by the Trust of an opinion of a
nationally recognized independent tax counsel experienced in such matters to the
effect that, as a result of (a) any amendment to, or change (including any
announced prospective change) in, the laws (or any regulations thereunder) of
the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority

                                       3
<PAGE>   7

thereof or therein affecting taxation, (b) any amendment to or change in an
interpretation or application of such laws or regulations by any legislative
body, court, governmental agency or regulatory authority or (c) any
interpretation or pronouncement that provides for a position with respect to
such laws or regulations that differs from the generally accepted position on
the date the Trust Securities are issued, which amendment or change is effective
or which interpretation or pronouncement is announced on or after the date of
issuance of the Trust Securities under the Declaration, there is more than an
insubstantial risk that (i) interest payable by the Company on the Senior
Deferrable Notes would not be deductible, in whole or in part, by the Company
for federal income tax purposes (ii) the Trust would be subject to more than a
de minimis amount of other taxes, duties or other governmental charges.

                 "Tax Event Redemption Date" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3.l hereof.
                 "Treasury Portfolio" means with respect to the Applicable
Principal Amount of Senior Deferrable Notes (a) if the Tax Event Redemption Date
occurs prior to August 16, 2003, a portfolio of zero-coupon U.S. Treasury
Securities consisting of (i) interest or principal strips of U.S. Treasury
Securities which mature on or prior to August 15, 2003 in an aggregate amount
equal to the Applicable Principal Amount and (ii) with respect to each scheduled
interest payment date on the Senior Deferrable Notes that occurs after the Tax
Event Redemption Date, principal or interest strips of U.S. Treasury Securities
which mature on or prior to such date in an aggregate amount equal to the
aggregate interest payment that would he due on the Applicable Principal Amount
of the Senior Deferrable Notes on such date, and (b) if the Tax Event Redemption
Date occurs after August 16, 2003, a portfolio of zero-coupon U.S. Treasury
Securities consisting of (i) principal or interest strips of U.S. Treasury
Securities which mature on or prior to August 15, 2005 in an aggregate amount
equal to the Applicable Principal Amount and (ii) with respect to each scheduled
interest payment date on the Senior Deferrable Notes that occurs after the Tax
Event Redemption Date, interest or principal strips of such U.S. Treasury
Securities which mature on or prior to such date in an aggregate amount equal to
the aggregate interest payment that would be due on the Applicable Principal
Amount of the Senior Deferrable Notes on such date.

                 "Treasury Portfolio Purchase Price" means the lowest aggregate
price quoted by a primary U.S. government securities dealer in New York City (a
"Primary Treasury Dealer") to the Quotation Agent on the third Business Day
immediately preceding the Tax Event Redemption Date for the purchase of the
Treasury Portfolio for settlement on the Tax Event Redemption Date.

                                   ARTICLE II
           GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE SENIOR DEFERRABLE NOTES

SECTION 2.1. Designation, Principal Amount and Authorized Denomination.

         There is hereby authorized a series of Securities designated the 9%
Senior Deferrable Notes due 2005 (the "Senior Deferrable Notes"), limited in
aggregate principal amount to $92,783,510 (or up to $106,701,030, if the
Over-Allotment Option is exercised in full), which amount to be issued shall be
as set forth in any written order of the Company for the authentication and
delivery of Senior Deferrable Notes pursuant to the Base Indenture. The
denominations in which Senior Deferrable Notes shall be issuable is $10 and
integral multiples thereof.

                                       4
<PAGE>   8

SECTION 2.2 Maturity.

         The Maturity Date will be August 16, 2005.

SECTION 2.3 Form and Payment.

         Except as provided in Section 2.4, the Senior Deferrable Notes shall be
issued in fully registered certificated form without interest coupons bearing
identical terms. Principal and interest on the Senior Deferrable Notes issued in
certificated form will be payable, the transfer of such Senior Deferrable Notes
will be registrable and such Senior Deferrable Notes will be exchangeable for
Senior Deferrable Notes bearing identical terms and provisions at the office or
agency of the Trustee; provided, however, that payment of interest may be made
at the option of the Company by check mailed to the Holder at such address as
shall appear in the Debt Security Register. Notwithstanding the foregoing, so
long as the Holder of any Senior Deferrable Notes is the Property Trustee, the
payment of the principal of and interest (including expenses and taxes of the
Trust set forth in Section 4.1 hereof, if any) on such Senior Deferrable Notes
held by the Property Trustee will be made at such place and to such account as
may be designated by the Property Trustee.

SECTION 2.4 Global Senior Deferrable Note.

         (a)     In connection with a Dissolution Event,

                 (i)  the Senior Deferrable Notes in certificated form may be
presented to the Trustee by the Property Trustee in exchange for a global Senior
Deferrable Note in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate
principal amount of all outstanding Senior Deferrable Notes (a "Global Senior
Deferrable Note"), to be registered in the name of the Clearing Agency, or its
nominee, and delivered by the Property Trustee to the Clearing Agency for
crediting to the accounts of its participants pursuant to the instructions of
the Administrative Trustees. The Company upon any such presentation shall
execute a Global Senior Deferrable Note in such aggregate principal amount and
deliver the same to the Trustee for authentication and delivery in accordance
with the Indenture. The Trustee, upon receipt of such Global Senior Deferrable
Note, together with an Officers' Certificate requesting authentication, will
authenticate such Global Senior Deferrable Note. Payments on the Senior
Deferrable Notes issued as a Global Senior Deferrable Note will be made to the
Clearing Agency; and

                 (ii) if any Trust Preferred Securities are held in non
book-entry certificated form, the Senior Deferrable Notes in certificated form
may be presented to the Trustee by the Property Trustee and any Senior
Deferrable Note Certificate which represents Trust Preferred Securities other
than Trust Preferred Securities held by the Clearing Agency or its nominee ("Non
Book-Entry Trust Preferred Securities") will be deemed to represent beneficial
interests in the Senior Deferrable Notes presented to the Trustee by the
Property

                                       5
<PAGE>   9

Trustee having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation
amount of the Non Book-Entry Trust Preferred Securities until such Senior
Deferrable Note Certificates are presented to the Property Trustee for transfer
or reissuance at which time such Senior Deferrable Note Certificates will be
cancelled and a Senior Deferrable Note, registered in the name of the Holder of
the Senior Deferrable Note Certificate or the transferee of the Holder of such
Senior Deferrable Note Certificate, as the case may be, with an aggregate
principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Senior
Deferrable Note Certificate cancelled, will be executed by the Company and
delivered to the Trustee for authentication and delivery in accordance with the
Indenture to such Holder. The Trustee, upon receipt of such Senior Deferrable
Note together with an Officers' Certificate requesting authentication, shall
authenticate such Senior Deferrable Note. On issue of such Senior Deferrable
Notes, Senior Deferrable Notes with an equivalent aggregate principal amount
that were presented by the Property Trustee to the Trustee will be deemed to
have been cancelled.

         (b)     Unless and until it is exchanged for the Senior Deferrable
Notes in registered form, a Global Senior Deferrable Note may be transferred, in
whole but not in part, only to another nominee of the Clearing Agency, or to a
successor Clearing Agency selected or approved by the Company or to a nominee of
such successor Clearing Agency.

         (c)     If at any time the Clearing Agency notifies the Company that
it is unwilling or unable to continue as a Clearing Agency or if at any time the
Clearing Agency for such series shall no longer be registered or in good
standing under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or other
applicable statute or regulation, and a successor Clearing Agency for such
series is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives
such notice or becomes aware of such condition, as the case may be, the Company
will execute, and, subject to Article Two of the Indenture, the Trustee, upon
written notice from the Company, will authenticate and deliver the Senior
Deferrable Notes in certificated registered form without coupons, in authorized
denominations, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal
amount of the Global Senior Deferrable Note in exchange for such Global Senior
Deferrable Note. In addition, the Company may at any time determine that the
Senior Deferrable Notes shall no longer be represented by a Global Senior
Deferrable Note. In such event the Company will execute, and subject to Section
203 of the Base Indenture, the Trustee, upon receipt of an Officers' Certificate
evidencing such determination by the Company, will authenticate and deliver the
Senior Deferrable Notes in certificated registered form without coupons, in
authorized denominations, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the
principal amount of the Global Senior Deferrable Note in exchange for such
Global Senior Deferrable Note. Upon the exchange of the Global Senior Deferrable
Note for such Senior Deferrable Notes in certificated registered form without
coupons, in authorized denominations, the Global Senior Deferrable Note shall be
cancelled by the Trustee. Such Senior Deferrable Notes in certificated
registered form issued in exchange for the Global Senior Deferrable Note shall
be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Clearing
Agency, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or
otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee. The Trustee shall deliver such Securities
to the Clearing Agency for delivery to the Persons in whose names such
Securities are so registered.

                                       6
<PAGE>   10

SECTION 2.5. Interest.

         (a)      Each Senior Deferrable Note will bear interest initially at
the rate of 9% per annum (the "Coupon Rate") from the original date of issuance
until August 16, 2003 and thereafter at the rate determined by the Reset Agent
and notified to the Trustee by the Company (the "Reset Rate") until the
principal thereof becomes due and payable, and on any overdue principal and (to
the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) on
any overdue installment of interest at the rate of 9% until August 16, 2003 and
at the Reset Rate thereafter, compounded quarterly, payable (subject to the
provisions of Article I, herein) quarterly in arrears on February 16, May 16,
August 16 and November 16 of each year (each, an "Interest Payment Date")
commencing on August 16, 2000, to the Person in whose name such Senior
Deferrable Note or any predecessor Senior Deferrable Note is registered, at the
close of business on the regular record date for such interest installment,
which, in respect of (i) Senior Deferrable Notes of which the Property Trustee
is the Holder and the Trust Preferred Securities are in book-entry only form or
(ii) a Global Senior Deferrable Note, shall be the close of business on the
Business Day next preceding that Interest Payment Date. Notwithstanding the
foregoing sentence, if (i) the Senior Deferrable Notes are held by the Property
Trustee and the Trust Preferred Securities are no longer in book-entry only form
or (ii) the Senior Deferrable Notes are not represented by a Global Senior
Deferrable Note, the Company may select a regular record date for such interest
installment which shall be more than 15 Business Days but less than 60 Business
Days prior to an Interest Payment Date.

         (b)      The Coupon Rate on the Senior Deferrable Notes will be reset
on the third Business Day immediately preceding the Purchase Contract Settlement
Date to the Reset Rate (which Reset Rate will become effective on and after the
Purchase Contract Settlement Date). On the tenth (10) Business Day immediately
preceding the Purchase Contract Settlement Date, the Reset Announcement Date,
the Reset Spread and the relevant Two-Year Benchmark Treasury will be announced
by the Company and the Company shall deliver an Officers' Certificate to the
Trustee containing such information. On the Business Day immediately following
such Reset Announcement Date, the Holders of Senior Deferrable Notes will be
notified of such Reset Spread and Two-Year Benchmark Treasury by the Company.
Such notice shall be sufficiently given to such Holders of Senior Deferrable
Notes if published in an Authorized Newspaper.

         (c)      Not later than 10 calendar days nor more than 15 calendar days
immediately preceding the Reset Announcement Date the Company will request that
the Clearing Agency or its nominee (or any successor Clearing Agency or its
nominee or the Property Trustee, notify the Holders of Senior Deferrable Notes
of such Reset Announcement Date and the procedures to be followed by such
holders of Senior Deferrable Notes wishing to settle the related Purchase
Contract with separate cash on the Business Day immediately preceding the
Purchase Contract Settlement Date. The amount of interest payable for any period
will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day
months. Except as provided in the following sentence, the amount of interest
payable for any period shorter than a full quarterly period for which interest
is computed, will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed
in such a 90-day period. In the event that any date on which interest is payable
on the Senior

                                       7
<PAGE>   11

Deferrable Notes is not a Business Day, then payment of interest payable on such
date will be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day (and
without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay), except
that, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such payment
shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day, in each case with the
same force and effect as if made on such date.

SECTION 2.6. Events of Default.

         So long as the Senior Deferrable Notes are held by the Trust, it shall
be an Event of Default with respect to the Senior Deferrable Notes if the Trust
shall have voluntarily or involuntarily dissolved, wound up its business or
otherwise terminated its existence except in connection with (i) the
distribution of the Senior Deferrable Notes held by the Trust to the holders of
the Trust Preferred Securities and Common Securities in liquidation of their
interests in the Trust, (ii) the redemption of all of the outstanding Trust
Preferred Securities and Common Securities or (iii) a consolidation, conversion,
amalgamation, merger or other transaction involving the Trust that is permitted
under Section 3.15 of the Declaration.

SECTION 2.7. Paying Agent; Security Registrar.

         If the Senior Deferrable Notes are issued in certificated form, the
Paying Agent and the Security Registrar for the Senior Deferrable Notes shall be
the Corporate Trust Office.

SECTION 2.8. Extension of Interest Payment Period.

         The Company shall have the right at any time, and from time to time,
during the term of the Senior Deferrable Notes, to defer payments of interest by
extending the interest payment period of such Senior Deferrable Notes for a
period not extending, in the aggregate, beyond the Maturity Date of the Senior
Deferrable Notes (the "Extension Period"), during which Extension Period no
interest shall be due and payable. To the extent permitted by applicable law,
interest, the payment of which has been deferred because of the extension of the
interest payment period pursuant to this Section 2.8, will bear interest thereon
at the rate of 9% until August 16, 2003, and at the Reset Rate thereafter
compounded quarterly for each quarter of the Extension Period ("Compounded
Interest"). At the end of the Extension Period, the Company shall pay all
interest accrued and unpaid on the Senior Deferrable Notes and Compounded
Interest (together, "Deferred Interest") that shall be payable to the Holders of
the Senior Deferrable Notes in whose names the Senior Deferrable Notes are
registered in the Security Register on the first Record Date after the end of
the Extension Period. During any such Extension Period or an Event of Default,
however, the Company shall not (a) make any payment of principal, interest or
premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities that rank
junior to the Senior Deferrable Notes in the right of payment issued by the
Company, or (b) make any guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee by the
Company of any securities of any of its subsidiaries if such guarantee ranks
junior to the Senior Deferrable Notes in right of payment or (c) declare or pay
any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a
liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company's capital stock, except
for or as a result of dividends or distributions in, or options, warrants or
rights to subscribe for or purchase, the Company's common stock; any declaration
of a dividend in connection with the implementation

                                       8
<PAGE>   12

of a shareholder's rights plan, or the issuance of shares under any such plan in
the future, or the redemption or repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto;
a reclassification of the Company's capital stock solely into shares of one or
more classes or series of the Company's capital stock; or the exchange or
conversion of one class or series of the Company's capital stock for or into
another class or series of the Company's capital stock; the purchase of
fractional interests in shares of the Company's capital stock pursuant to the
conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being
converted or exchanged; and the purchase of the Company's common stock in
connection with the Company's normal course issuer bid-purchases for the
satisfaction by the Company of its obligations under any benefit plans for the
Company and the Company's subsidiaries' directors, officers or employees of the
Company's dividend reinvestment plans. Prior to the expiration of any Extension
Period, the Company may further extend such period, provided that such period
together with all such previous and further extensions thereof shall not extend
beyond the Maturity Date of the Senior Deferrable Notes. Upon termination of any
Extension Period and the payment of all Deferred Interest then due, the Company
may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the foregoing requirements. No
interest shall be due and payable during an Extension Period except at the end
thereof, but the Company, at its option, may prepay on any Interest Payment Date
all or any portion of the interest accrued during the then elapsed portion of an
Extension Period.

SECTION 2.9. Notice of Extension.

         The Company shall give written notice to the Indenture Trustee of its
election of any Extension Period (or any further extension thereof) at least
five Business Days before the earlier of (i) the date the interest on the Senior
Deferrable Notes would have been payable except for the election to begin or
extend the Extension Period; (ii) the date the Indenture Trustee is required to
give notice to any securities exchange or to Holders of Senior Deferrable Notes
of the Record Date or the Interest Payment Date, and (iii) the Record Date.

                                   ARTICLE III
                    REDEMPTION OF THE SENIOR DEFERRABLE NOTES

SECTION 3.1. Tax Event Redemption.

         If a Tax Event shall occur and be continuing, the Company may, at its
option, redeem the Senior Deferrable Notes in whole (but not in part) at any
time at a Redemption Price per Senior Deferrable Note equal to the Redemption
Amount plus accrued and unpaid interest (including compound interest) thereon,
together with the expenses and taxes of the Trust set forth in Section 4.1
hereof, if any, to the date of such redemption (the "Tax Event Redemption
Date"). If, following the occurrence of a Tax Event, the Company exercises its
option to redeem the Senior Deferrable Notes, then the proceeds of such
redemption, if distributed to the Property Trustee as the sole Holder of such
Senior Deferrable Notes, will be applied by the Property Trustee to redeem Trust
Securities having an aggregate liquidation amount equal to the aggregate
principal amount of the Senior Deferrable Notes so redeemed, at the Redemption
Price. If, following the occurrence of a Tax Event, the Company exercises its
option to redeem the Senior Deferrable Notes, the Company shall appoint the
Quotation Agent to assemble the Treasury Portfolio in

                                       9
<PAGE>   13

consultation with the Company. Upon exercise of its option to redeem the Senior
Deferrable Notes, the Company shall in the notice to the Trustee pursuant to
Section 1102 of the Base Indenture specify the Redemption Price and the
Redemption Amount. The Trustee shall have no duty or liability to determine or
verify such amount. Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but
not more than 60 days before the Tax Event Redemption Date to each registered
Holder of the Senior Deferrable Notes to be prepaid at its registered address.
Unless the Company defaults in payment of the Redemption Price, on and after the
redemption date interest shall cease to accrue on such Senior Deferrable Notes.

SECTION 3.2. Redemption Procedure for Senior Deferrable Notes.

         Payment of the Redemption Price to each Holder of Senior Deferrable
Notes shall be made by the Trustee (subject to its receipt of funds), no later
than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the Tax Event Redemption Date, by check
or wire transfer in immediately available funds (provided the necessary wire
instructions have been provided to the Trustee at least 15 days prior to the Tax
Event Redemption Date) at such place and to such account as may be designated by
each such Holder of Senior Deferrable Notes, including the Property Trustee or
the Collateral Agent, as the case may be. If the Trustee holds immediately
available funds sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of the Senior Deferrable
Notes (or, if the Company is acting as paying agent (or the Property Trustee (if
other than the Trustee) has received the Redemption Price), then, on such Tax
Event Redemption Date, such Senior Deferrable Notes will cease to be outstanding
and interest thereon will cease to accrue, whether or not such Senior Deferrable
Notes have been received by the Company, and all other rights of the Holder in
respect of the Senior Deferrable Notes shall terminate and lapse (other than the
right to receive the Redemption Price upon delivery of such Senior Deferrable
Notes but without interest on such Redemption Price).

SECTION 3.3. No Sinking Fund.

         The Senior Deferrable Notes are not entitled to the benefit of any
sinking fund.

SECTION 3.4. Option to Put Senior Deferrable Notes.

         If a Failed Remarketing has occurred, the Company shall immediately
notify the Trustee in writing thereof and each Holder of Senior Deferrable Notes
who holds such Senior Deferrable Notes on the day immediately following the
Purchase Contract Settlement Date shall have the right (the "Put Option") on or
after the Business Day immediately following the Purchase Contract Settlement
Date, upon at least three Business Days, prior notice, to require the Company to
repurchase such Holder's Senior Deferrable Notes on September 1, 2003 (the "Put
Option Exercise Date"), either in whole or in part, at a repayment price per
Senior Deferrable Note equal to $10, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any,
thereon to the date of payment (the Senior Deferrable Note Repayment Price").

                                       10
<PAGE>   14

SECTION 3.5. Repurchase Procedure for Senior Deferrable Notes.

         (a)      in order for the Senior Deferrable Notes to be repurchased on
the Put Option Exercise Date, the Company must receive on or prior to 5:00 p.m.
New York City time on the third Business Day immediately preceding the Put
Option Exercise Date, at the principal executive offices of SEMCO Energy, Inc.
in Michigan, the Senior Deferrable Notes to be repurchased with the form
entitled "Option to Elect Repayment" on the reverse of or otherwise accompanying
such Senior Deferrable Notes duly completed. Any such notice received by the
Company shall be irrevocable. All questions as to the validity, eligibility
(including time of receipt) and acceptance of the Senior Deferrable Notes for
repayment shall be determined by the Company, whose determination shall be final
and binding. All such Senior Deferrable Notes repurchased by the Company shall
be presented by the Company to the Trustee for cancellation thereof.

         (b)      Payment of the Senior Deferrable Note Repayment Price to
Holders of Senior Deferrable Notes shall be made either through the Trustee,
subject to the Trustee's receipt of payment from the Company in accordance with
the terms of the Indenture or through the Trustee or the Company acting as
paying agent, no later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the Put Option
Exercise Date, and to such account as may be designated by such Holders. If the
Trustee holds immediately available funds sufficient to pay the Senior
Deferrable Note Repayment Price of the Senior Deferrable Notes presented for
repayment (or, if the Company is acting as paying agent and the Property Trustee
(if other than the Trustee) has received the Senior Deferrable Note Repayment
Price), then, immediately prior to the close of business on the Business Day
immediately preceding the Put Option Exercise Date, such Senior Deferrable Notes
will cease to be outstanding and interest thereon will cease to accrue, whether
or not such Senior Deferrable Notes have been received by the Company, and all
other rights of the Holder in respect of the Senior Deferrable Notes, including
the Holder's right to require the Company to repay such Senior Deferrable Notes,
shall terminate and lapse (other than the right to receive the Senior Deferrable
Note Repayment Price upon delivery of such Senior Deferrable Notes but without
interest on such Senior Deferrable Note Repayment Notice). Neither the Trustee
nor the Company will be required to register or cause to be registered the
transfer of any Senior Deferrable Notes for which repayment has been elected.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                                    EXPENSES

SECTION 4.1. Payment of Expenses.

         In connection with the offering, sale and issuance of the Senior
Deferrable Notes to the Property Trustee and in connection with the sale of the
Trust Securities by the Trust, the Company, in its capacity as borrower with
respect to the Senior Deferrable Notes, shall pay all costs and expenses
relating to the offering, sale and issuance of the Senior Deferrable Notes,
including commissions to the underwriters payable pursuant to the Underwriting
Agreement and the Pricing Agreement and compensation and expenses of the Trustee
and its counsel under the Indenture in accordance with the provisions of the
Base Indenture.

                                       11
<PAGE>   15

SECTION 4.2. Payment Upon Resignation or Removal.

         Upon termination of this First Supplemental Indenture or the Base
Indenture or the removal or resignation of the Trustee, the Company shall pay to
the Trustee all amounts then owing to the Trustee under Section 606 of the Base
Indenture. Upon termination of the Trust Agreement or the removal or resignation
of the Delaware Trustee or the Property Trustee, as the case may be, pursuant to
Section 5.6 of the Declaration, the Company shall pay to the Delaware Trustee or
the Property Trustee, as the case may be, all amounts accrued to the date of
such termination, removal or resignation.

                                    ARTICLE V
                         FORM OF SENIOR DEFERRABLE NOTE

SECTION 5.1. Form of Senior Deferrable Note.

         The Senior Deferrable Notes and the Trustee's Certificate of
Authentication to be endorsed thereon are to be substantially in the following
forms:

         [IF THE SENIOR DEFERRABLE NOTE IS TO BE A GLOBAL SENIOR DEFERRABLE
NOTE, INSERT - This Senior Deferrable Note is a Global Senior Deferrable Note
within the meaning of the Indenture hereinafter referred to and is registered in
the name of the Clearing Agency or a nominee of the Clearing Agency. This Senior
Deferrable Note is exchangeable for Senior Deferrable Notes registered in the
name of a person other than the Clearing Agency or its nominee only in the
limited circumstances described in the Indenture, and no transfer of this Senior
Deferrable Note (other than a transfer of this Senior Deferrable Note as a whole
by the Clearing Agency to a nominee of the Clearing Agency or by a nominee of
the Clearing Agency to the Clearing Agency or another nominee of the Clearing
Agency) may be registered except in limited circumstances.

         Unless this Senior Deferrable Note is presented by an authorized
representative of The Depository Trust Company (55 Water Street, New York, New
York) to the issuer or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or
payment, and any Senior Deferrable Note issued is registered in the name of Cede
& Co. or such other name as requested by an authorized representative of The
Depository Trust Company and any payment hereon is made to Cede & Co., ANY
TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY A PERSON IS
WRONGFUL since the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.]

No.
    --------------------------------

CUSIP No. 78412D AC 3                                 $
                                                       -------------------------

                                       12
<PAGE>   16

                               SEMCO Energy, Inc.
                       9% SENIOR DEFERRABLE NOTE DUE 2005

         SEMCO Energy, Inc., a Michigan corporation (the "Company", which term
includes any successor corporation under the Indenture hereinafter referred to),
for value received, hereby promises to pay to                               the
principal amount of ($              ) on August 16, 2005 (such date is
hereinafter referred to as the "Maturity Date"), and to pay interest on said
principal sum from June   , 2000, or from the most recent interest payment date
(each such date, an "Interest Payment Date") to which interest has been paid or
duly provided for, quarterly in arrears on February 16, May 16, August 16, and
November 16 of each year, commencing on August 16, 2000 initially at the rate of
9% per annum until August 16, 2003, and at the Reset Rate thereafter until the
principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and on any overdue principal
and premium, if any, and (without duplication and to the extent that payment of
such interest is enforceable under applicable law) on any overdue installment of
interest at the rate of 9% until August 16, 2003 and at the Reset Rate
thereafter compounded quarterly. The interest rate will be reset on the third
business day preceding August 16, 2003 to the Reset Rate (as determined by the
Reset Agent). The amount of interest payable on any Interest Payment Date shall
be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.
In the event that any date on which interest is payable on this Senior
Deferrable Note is not a Business Day, then payment of interest payable on such
date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without
any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay), except that, if
such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be
made on the immediately preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force
and effect as if made on such date. The interest installment so payable, and
punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as
provided in the Indenture, be paid to the person in whose name this Senior
Deferrable Note is registered at the close of business on the regular record
date for such interest installment, which in the case of a Global Senior
Deferrable Note shall be the close of business on the Business Day next
preceding such Interest Payment Date; provided, however, if pursuant to the
terms of the Indenture the Senior Deferrable Notes are no longer represented by
a Global Senior Deferrable Note, the Company may select such regular record date
for such interest installment which shall be more than one Business Day but less
than 60 Business Days prior to an Interest Payment Date. Any such interest
installment not punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be
payable to the registered Holders on such regular record date and may be paid to
the Person in whose name this Senior Deferrable Note is registered at the close
of business on a special record date to be fixed by the Trustee for the payment
of such defaulted interest, notice whereof shall be given to the registered
Holders of this series of Senior Deferrable Notes not less than 10 days prior to
such special record date, or may be paid at any time in any other lawful manner
not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the
Senior Deferrable Notes may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required
by such exchange all as more fully provided in the Indenture. The principal of
(and premium, if any) and the interest on this Senior Deferrable Note shall be
payable at the office or agency of the Trustee maintained for that purpose in
any coin or currency of the United States of America that at the time of payment
is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that
payment of interest may be made at the option of the Company by check mailed to
the registered Holder at such address as shall appear in the Debt Security
Register or

                                       13
<PAGE>   17

by wire transfer to an account appropriately designated by the Holder entitled
thereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as the Holder of this Senior
Deferrable Note is the Property Trustee or the Collateral Agent, the payment of
the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Senior Deferrable
Note will be made at such place and to such account as may be designated in
writing by the Property Trustee or the Collateral Agent.

         Interest on the Senior Deferrable Note is deferrable in accordance with
the terms of the Indenture.

         The indebtedness evidenced by this Senior Deferrable Note is, to the
extent provided in the Indenture, senior and Deferrable and will rank in right
of payment on parity with all other senior Deferrable obligations of the
Company.

         This Senior Deferrable Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under
the Indenture hereinafter referred to, be valid or become obligatory for any
purpose until the Certificate of Authentication hereon shall have been signed by
or on behalf of the Trustee.

         The provisions of this Senior Deferrable Note are continued on the
reverse side hereof and such continued provisions shall for all purposes have
the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be
executed.

         Dated:

                                     SEMCO Energy, Inc.

                                     By:
                                        ----------------------------------------

                                     Name:

                                     Title:

Attest:

By:
   --------------------------------

Name:

Title:

                                       14
<PAGE>   18

                          CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

         This is one of the Senior Deferrable Notes of the series designated
therein referred to in the within mentioned Indenture.

Dated:

                                               BANK ONE TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL
                                               ASSOCIATION, as Trustee

                                               By
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                 Authorized Signatory

                                       15
<PAGE>   19

                   (FORM OF REVERSE OF SENIOR DEFERRABLE NOTE)

         This Senior Deferrable Note is one of a duly authorized series of
Securities of the Company (herein sometimes referred to as the "Securities"),
specified in the Indenture, all issued or to be issued in one or more series
under and pursuant to an Indenture dated as of October 23, 1998 (the "Base
Indenture"), duly executed and delivered between the Company and Bank One Trust
Company, National Association, as Trustee (the "Trustee") (as supplemented by
the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 16, 2000, the "Indenture"),
to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby
made for a description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties
and immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and the Holders of the
Securities. By the terms of the Indenture, the Securities are issuable in series
that may vary as to amount, date of maturity, rate of interest and in other
respects as provided in the Indenture. This series of Securities is limited in
aggregate principal amount as specified in said First Supplemental Indenture.

         If a Tax Event shall occur and be continuing, the Company may, at its
option, redeem Senior Deferrable Notes in whole (but not in part) at any time at
a Redemption Price per Senior Deferrable Note equal to the Redemption Amount
plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, together with expenses and taxes of
the Trust, if any, to the Tax Event Redemption Date. The Redemption Price shall
be paid to each Holder of the Senior Deferrable Note by the Company, no later
than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the Tax Event Redemption Date, by check
or wire transfer in immediately available funds, at such place and to such
account as may be designated by each such Holder.

         The Senior Deferrable Notes are not entitled to the benefit of any
sinking fund.

         If a Failed Remarketing has occurred, each Holder of this Senior
Deferrable Note who holds this Senior Deferrable Note on the day immediately
following the Purchase Contract Settlement Date shall have the right (the "Put
Option") on or after the Business Day immediately following the Purchase
Contract Settlement Date, upon at least three Business Days' prior notice, to
require the Company to repurchase such Holder's Senior Deferrable Notes on
September 1, 2003 (the "Put Option Exercise Date"), either in whole or in part,
at a repayment price per Senior Deferrable Note equal to $50, plus accrued and
unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the date of payment (the Senior Deferrable
Note Repayment Price"). In order for the Senior Deferrable Notes to be so
repurchased, the Company must receive, on or prior to 5:00 p.m. New York City
Time on the third Business Day immediately preceding the Put Option Exercise
Date, at the principal executive offices of SEMCO Energy, Inc. in Michigan, the
Senior Deferrable Notes to be repurchased with the form entitled "Option to
Elect Repayment" on the reverse of or otherwise accompanying such Senior
Deferrable Notes duly completed. Any such notice received by the Company shall
be irrevocable. All questions as to the validity, eligibility (including time of
receipt) and acceptance of the Senior Deferrable Notes for repayment shall be
determined by the Company, whose determination shall be final and binding. The
payment of the Senior Deferrable Note Repayment Price in respect of such Senior
Deferrable Notes shall be made, either through the Trustee or the Company acting
as paying agent, no later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the Put Option
Exercise Date.

                                       16
<PAGE>   20

         In case an Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, shall have
occurred and be continuing, the principal of all of the Senior Deferrable Notes
may be declared, and upon such declaration shall become, due and payable, in the
manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.

         The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the
Trustee, with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Senior Deferrable Notes of each series
affected at the time outstanding, as defined in the Indenture, to execute
supplemental indentures for the purpose of, among other things, adding any
provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of
the Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the
rights of the Holders of the Senior Deferrable Notes; provided, however, that,
among other things, no such supplemental indenture shall (i) reduce the
principal amount thereof, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of
interest thereon, or reduce any premium payable upon the redemption thereof,
without the consent of the Holder of each Senior Deferrable Note so affected, or
(ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Senior Deferrable Notes, the Holders of
which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture, without the
consent of the Holders of each Senior Deferrable Note then outstanding and
affected thereby. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders
of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any series at
the time outstanding affected thereby, on behalf of all of the Holders of the
Senior Deferrable Notes of such series, to waive a Default or Event of Default
with respect to such series, and its consequences, except a Default or Event of
Default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on
any of the Securities of such series or a Default in respect of a provision that
under Section 902 of the Indenture cannot be amended without the consent of each
holder affected thereby. Any such consent or waiver by the registered Holder of
this Senior Deferrable Note (unless revoked as provided in the Indenture) shall
be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders and
owners of this Senior Deferrable Note and of any Senior Deferrable Note issued
in exchange for or in place hereof (whether by registration of transfer or
otherwise), irrespective of whether or not any notation of such consent or
waiver is made upon this Senior Deferrable Note.

         No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Senior
Deferrable Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the
Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and
premium, if any, and interest on this Senior Deferrable Note at the time and
place and at the rate and in the money herein prescribed.

         As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein
set forth, this Senior Deferrable Note is transferable by the registered Holder
hereof on the Debt Security Register of the Company, upon surrender of this
Senior Deferrable Note for registration of transfer at the office or agency of
the Trustee in the City of New York and State of New York accompanied by a
written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Company or the Trustee duly executed by the registered Holder hereof or his
attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Senior
Deferrable Notes of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate
principal amount and series will be issued to the designated transferee or
transferees. No service charge will be made for any such transfer, but the
Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other
governmental charge payable in relation thereto.

                                       17
<PAGE>   21

         Prior to the presentment for registration of transfer of this Senior
Deferrable Note, the Company, the Trustee, any paying agent and the Registrar
may deem and treat the registered holder hereof as the absolute owner hereof
(whether or not this Senior Deferrable Note shall be overdue and notwithstanding
any notice of ownership or writing hereon made by anyone other than the
Registrar) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the
principal hereof and premium, if any, and interest due hereon and for all other
purposes, and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any paying agent nor any
Registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

         No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of or the
interest on this Senior Deferrable Note, or for any claim based hereon, or
otherwise in respect hereof, or based on or in respect of the Indenture, against
any incorporator, shareholder, officer or director, past, present or future, as
such, of the Company or of any predecessor or successor corporation, whether by
virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any
assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such liability being, by the acceptance
hereof and as part of the consideration for the issuance hereof, expressly
waived and released.

         The Indenture imposes certain limitations on the ability of the Company
to, among other things, merge or consolidate with any other Person or sell,
assign, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its properties or assets.
All such covenants and limitations are subject to a number of important
qualifications and exceptions. The Company must report periodically to the
Trustee on compliance with the covenants in the Indenture.

         The Senior Deferrable Notes of this series are issuable only in
registered form without coupons in denominations of $10 and any integral
multiple thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain
limitations therein set forth, Senior Deferrable Notes of this series so issued
are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Senior Deferrable
Notes of this series of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the
Holder surrendering the same.

         All terms used in this Senior Deferrable Note that are defined in the
Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

         This Senior Deferrable Note shall be deemed to be a contract made under
the internal laws of the State of New York, and for all purposes shall be
construed in accordance with the laws of said State, without regard to conflicts
of laws principles.

                            OPTION TO ELECT REPAYMENT

         The undersigned hereby irrevocably requests and instructs the Company
to repay $      principal amount of the within Senior Deferrable Note, pursuant
to its terms, on the "Put Option Exercise Date," together with any interest
thereon accrued but unpaid to the date of repayment, to the undersigned at:

                                       18
<PAGE>   22

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

           (Please print: or type Name and Address of the Undersigned)

and to issue to the undersigned, pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, a new
Senior Deferrable Note or Senior Deferrable Notes representing the remaining
aggregate principal amount of this Senior Deferrable Note.

         For this Option to Elect Repayment to be effective, this Senior
Deferrable Note with the Option to Elect Repayment duly completed must be
received by the Company at SEMCO Energy, Inc., Attn: Treasurer, 405 Water
Street, P. O. Box 5026, Port Huron, Michigan 48061, no later than 5:00 p.m. on
the third Business Day immediately preceding September 1, 2003.

Dated:                            Signature:
                                            ------------------------------------

                                  Signature Guarantee:
                                                      --------------------------

Note: The signature to this Option to Elect Repayment must correspond with the
name as written upon the face of the within Senior Deferrable Note in every
particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.

                                   ASSIGNMENT

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers this Senior Deferrable
Note to

-------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------

        (Insert assignee's social security or tax identification number)

                                       19
<PAGE>   23

-------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------
                    (Insert address and zip code of assignee)
agent to transfer this Senior Deferrable Note on the books of the Trust. The
agent may substitute another to act for him or her.

Date:
     -------------------

                               Signature:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                               Signature Guarantee:
                                                   -----------------------------

 (Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Senior Deferrable
                                     Note)

         Signatures must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution"
meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership
or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program ("STAMP") or
such other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Debt
Security Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in
accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                    ORIGINAL ISSUE OF SENIOR DEFERRABLE NOTES

SECTION 6.1. Original Issue of Senior Deferrable Notes.

         Senior Deferrable Notes in the aggregate principal amount of
$92,783,510 (or, $106,701,030, if the Over-Allotment Option is exercised) may,
upon execution of this First Supplemental Indenture, be executed by the Company
and delivered to the Trustee for authentication, and the Trustee shall thereupon
authenticate and deliver said Senior Deferrable Notes to or upon the written
order of the Company, signed by is Chairman, its President, or any Vice
President and its Secretary or Assistant Secretary, a Treasurer or an Assistant
Treasurer, without any further action by the Company.

SECTION 6.2. Calculation of Original Issue Discount.

         The Company shall file with the Trustee promptly at the end of each
calendar year (i) a written notice specifying the amount of original issue
discount (including daily rates and accrual periods) accrued on Outstanding
Securities as of the end of such year and (ii) such other specific information
relating to such original issue discount as may then be relevant under the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

                                       20
<PAGE>   24

                                   ARTICLE VII
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 7.1. Ratification of Indenture.

         The Indenture as supplemented by this First Supplemental Indenture, is
in all respects ratified and confirmed, and this First Supplemental Indenture
shall be deemed part of the Indenture in the manner and to the extent herein and
therein provided.

SECTION 7.2. Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals.

         The recitals herein contained are made by the Company and not by the
Trustee, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness thereof.
The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this
First Supplemental Indenture.

SECTION 7.3. Governing Law.

         This First Supplemental Indenture and each Senior Deferrable Note shall
be deemed to be a contract made under the internal laws of the State of New
York, and for all purposes shall be construed in accordance with the laws of
said State, without regard to conflicts of laws principles.

SECTION 7.4. Separability.

         In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this First
Supplemental Indenture or in the Senior Deferrable Notes shall for any reason be
held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity,
illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this
First Supplemental Indenture or of the Senior Deferrable Notes, but this First
Supplemental Indenture and the Senior Deferrable Notes shall be construed as if
such invalid or illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained
herein or therein.

SECTION 7.5. Counterparts.

         This First Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of
counterparts each of which shall be an original; but such counterparts shall
together constitute but one and the same instrument.

                                       21
<PAGE>   25

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this First
Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed by their respective officers
thereunto duly authorized, on the date or dates indicated in the acknowledgments
and as of the day and year first above written.

                                    SEMCO Energy, Inc.
                                    as Issuer

                                    By:
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                    Name:    William L. Johnson
                                    Title:   Chairman of the Board
                                             and Chief Executive Officer

                                    BANK ONE TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL
                                    ASSOCIATION, as Trustee

                                    By:
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                    Name:    Ernest J. Peck
                                    Title:   Vice President

                                       22

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