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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.18

                COMMONWEALTH V. BLOOM SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT TERMS

               The following is a summary of the terms of settlement reached
between the parties identified below. A final Settlement Agreement document
shall be drafted and circulated for comments by McDermott, Will & Emery. The
Settlement Agreement will be the final integrated agreement between the parties
and shall reflect the terms herein.

               Frederick Bloom, Lucinda Bloom and the Bloom Family Trust (along
with each of their past and present partners, partnerships, employees, agents,
representatives, insurers. attorneys, heirs, predecessors, successors, assignors
and assignees, and all persons and entities acting or claiming by, through,
under, or in concert with them or any of them, hereinafter collectively "Bloom")
on one hand, and Commonwealth Energy Corporation, ElectricAmerica, Inc., Ian B.
Carter, Bradley L. Gates, Robert C. Perkins, Vivian L. Anderson and Junona Jonas
(along with each of their shareholders, officers, directors, employees,
predecessors, successors, subsidiaries, divisions, affiliated companies, parent
companies, holding companies, partners, partnerships, officers, directors,
agents, representatives, insurers, attorneys, heirs, assignors and assignees,
bankers, investment bankers, and all persons and entities acting or claiming by,
through, under, or in concert with them or any of them, hereinafter collectively
"Commonwealth"), on the other hand, in order to resolve the action known as
Commonwealth Energy Corporation, et al. v. Bloom,, et al., Orange County
Superior Court Case 00CC15507 and all related and/or consolidated actions hereby
agree as follows:

               Collectively, Bloom and Commonwealth shall be referred to as the
Parties.

1.             Bloom will surrender all 5,895,160 shares and any options in
               Commonwealth to Commonwealth. To the extent that Bloom possesses
               or controls, directly or indirectly, any other shares or options
               of any kind in Commonwealth, he shall forfeit such shares to
               Commonwealth. To the extent that Bloom has optioned or
               transferred shares to any third parties, those shares must be
               forfeited to Commonwealth.

2.             Mutual release of all claims plus provide a section 1542 waiver.

3.             The Parties agree to obtain a Court order signed by a judge of
               the Orange County Superior Court approving the settlement.

4.             Payment from Commonwealth to Bloom is to be made within 24 hours
               of court approval of settlement. Additional time will be allowed
               to make payment if the 24 hour period includes a weekend or bank
               holiday.

5.             Bloom will not disparage, directly or indirectly, Commonwealth.
               Commonwealth will not disparage, directly or indirectly, Bloom
               but Bloom recognizes that Commonwealth may have to cooperate with
               governmental agencies, including but not limited to the
               California Public Utilities Commission, California Department of
               Corporations or other state and/or federal enforcement agencies
               in investigations against Bloom. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
               Commonwealth will not affirmatively request any action against
               Bloom that is not otherwise consistent with the fiduciary duties
               and legal obligations of Commonwealth's

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               Board of Directors. Commonwealth's counsel will write a letter to
               any regulatory agencies that Commonwealth has communicated with
               concerning Bloom, including the Department of Corporations, the
               District Attorney's office, and the Orange County Sheriff's
               Department, notifying them of the settlement this matter and
               confirming that Commonwealth has no interest in pursuing claims
               against Bloom. CEC will not send any additional unsolicited
               letters to any local, state or federal agencies concerning Bloom.

6.             Commonwealth will indemnify Bloom for expenses, including
               attorneys fees, incurred in the Julian and Wykydal litigation.
               All such outstanding fees will be paid by August 30, 2001.
               Commonwealth will have no additional future indemnification
               obligations to Bloom, however, to the extent there is insurance
               coverage for future cases involving Bloom, Commonwealth will not
               object to Bloom seeking coverage under the policies.

7.             Bloom cannot approach Commonwealth's shareholders, banking
               institutions, employees, officers or board members either
               directly or indirectly for the purpose of discussing anything
               with respect to Commonwealth. Bloom can take no direct or
               indirect action that interferes with Commonwealth's operations.
               Bloom will make no attempt to solicit current Commonwealth
               employees for a period of two (2) years.

8.             Bloom can never own any interest, directly or indirectly in
               Commonwealth. This includes proxies or third parties that Bloom
               may choose to work through.

9.             Both Commonwealth and Bloom will place $100,000 each into a
               designated escrow account (with Bloom's portion to be placed
               directly into such account by Commonwealth out of the proceeds of
               the settlement funds) for the purpose of liquidated damages in
               the event that any party is found to have breached the terms of
               this Agreement. Whether a Parry is in breach of this Agreement is
               to be decided by a single neutral arbitrator to be agreed to by
               the parties. The funds will be held for a two year period and
               liquidated damages will be $20,000 per occurrence. In the event
               either party pays a sanction they are required to replenish the
               account back to $100,000.

9a.            The Parties agree that if this matter is disputed, such disputes
               will be arbitrated before JAMS.

10.            Bloom will assign the rights to his CEC.investors.com website and
               will agree physically to turn that website over to Commonwealth
               as well as the domaine authority for the site. Bloom will also
               agree not to start or participate in any other website related in
               any way to Commonwealth.

11.            Bloom will turn back to the company his shareholder list and any
               copies that he has made and will not use or request copies of the
               shareholder list in the future. He will identify any third
               parties to whom he has provided a copy of the list and will
               request the return of the copies in writing.

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12.            Bloom agrees to reasonably cooperate in any lawsuits brought by
               or against the company to include, but not limited to Gary
               Wykidal, David James, etc.

13.            To the extent Bloom can accomplish an assignment of lease of
               Commonwealth's offices at no cost to Commonwealth, Commonwealth
               will assume liability on the lease.

14.            Bloom agrees to withdraw support from Joseph Saline and ask him
               to resign both orally and in writing prior to the final approval
               of this settlement. The Agreement is not contingent upon Saline's
               resignation.

15.            Bloom agrees not to compete with Commonwealth in any of the
               listed activities for at least two (2) years in any capacity.
               Bloom will relinquish his right to be a 1% investor, or a
               principal, employee, officer in any company that is engaged
               wholly or in part in the listed activities, including but not
               limited to any entity funded by John Kuhns or Kuhns Brothers
               Securities. The listed activities are:

               1.     Retail or wholesale sale of electric energy or distributed
                      electrical power;

               2.     Alternative electrical generation sources;

               3.     Development and design of electrical fuel cells;

               4.     Manufacture or distribution of electric energy
                      conservation devices;

               5.     Energy management or consulting services;

               6.     Electrical service call centers; and

               7.     Electrical energy billing and backroom software.

17.            Bloom agrees not to participate or help in any way in any
               shareholder action adverse to Commonwealth, including but not
               limited to a hostile takeover or proxy contest or merger.

18.            Bloom agrees to the terms of the Accommodation Agreement and he
               makes no claims now or in the future to the shares encompassed in
               that Accommodation Agreement and he agrees to release the 1.2
               million shares that have been transferred to Commonwealth per the
               terms of the Accommodation Agreement.

19.            Bloom agrees that all agreements under this Settlement Agreement,
               including but not limited to the Severance Agreement and
               Employment Agreement, are terminated.

20.            Bloom will agree not to disclose any intellectual property
               belonging to or developed by Commonwealth, including but not
               limited to Triumph software and agrees not to use any
               confidential information learned from Commonwealth in connection
               with any competing entity.

21.            All pending motions, depositions, etc. shall be taken off
               calendar and a stay agreed to until such time as the court
               approves or disapproves the settlement agreement.

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22.            Mutual return of all subpoenaed documents and documents exchanged
               in discovery.

23.            Commonwealth will pay $7,190,000 in full settlement of this
               matter as designated by Bloom. Of that amount, Commonwealth is
               paying $4,790,000 in damages. The remaining $2,400,000 is paid by
               Commonwealth to purchase 1,175,160 shares of Bloom's stock. The
               parties agree that the remaining shares held by Bloom - 4,720,000
               shares - are void.

24.            The parties agree to file dismissals of their respective
               complaints with prejudice after the settlement funds are in
               Bloom's account.

25.            In the event of any disputes under this agreement the prevailing
               party will be entitled to the payment of its attorney's fees.

26.            The Settlement Agreement terms are subject to a final vote of the
               Board of Directors of Commonwealth Energy, which is scheduled for
               Monday, August 13, 2001. The Directors signing this agreement
               will recommend approval and a vote in favor. By entering into
               this agreement neither party admits any wrongdoing or liability.

27.            The parties intend to seek court approval of the settlement
               agreement within one week of today's date. If the parties cannot
               agree or any subsequent settlement agreement, either party may
               enforce the terms of this agreement.

Dated:  August 10, 2001                     /s/    Fred Bloom
                                     -------------------------------------------
                                     Fredrick Bloom
                                     Individually and for Bloom Family Trust

Dated:  August 10, 2001                     /s/    Lucinda Bloom
                                     -------------------------------------------
                                     Lucinda Bloom
                                     Individually and for Bloom Family Trust

Dated:  August 10, 2001                     /s/    Bradley L. Gates
                                     -------------------------------------------
                                     Bradley Gates
                                     for Commonwealth Energy Corporation, et al.

Dated:  August 10, 2001                     /s/    Robert Perkins
                                     -------------------------------------------
                                     Robert C. Perkins
                                     for Commonwealth Energy Corporation, et al.

                                       4<PAGE>
                                                                    Exhibit 10.1

                     CONSULTING AND NONCOMPETITION AGREEMENT

         This Agreement is made as of the 4th day of February, 2001 by and
between The Bon-Ton Department Stores, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation (the
"Company"), and LEON D. STARR ("Starr").

                                   BACKGROUND

         The Company desires to retain Starr as a consultant and Starr desires
to provide consulting services to the Company, and the Company desires to secure
Starr's agreement not to engage in competition with the Company, all in
accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

         NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound,
hereby agree as follows:

                  1. Services. The Company hereby engages Starr as a consultant
         and Starr hereby agrees to provide such consulting services for the
         Company when and as requested by the Board of Directors, the Chairman
         of the Board or another executive officer of the Company. Starr shall
         be entitled to render such consulting services by telephone, telecopy
         or other practical means. Through the term of this Agreement, Starr
         will devote his energy, skill and best efforts to the performance of
         his duties in a manner which will faithfully and diligently further the
         business interests of the Company. However, the Company acknowledges
         that Starr may provide consulting services to others, provided that
         Starr makes himself reasonably available to fulfill his obligations
         hereunder and does not violate the provisions of Section 7 of this
         Agreement.

                  2. Term. Starr shall perform consulting services hereunder for
         a term commencing February 4, 2001 and shall continue until the earlier
         of (a) termination by either party on written notice to the other, or
         (b) Starr's death.

                  3. Payment for Services. As full and complete compensation for
         any and all consulting services that Starr renders to the Company, the
         Company shall pay Starr $65,000.00 per year, payable in equal monthly
         installments on the first day of each month,

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         which payments shall commence on February 4, 2001 and continue to and
         until the termination of the consulting services to be provided by
         Starr under this Agreement, provided, however, that if Starr shall be
         in breach of his obligations under Section 7 of this Agreement, such
         payments shall immediately cease. Thereafter, so long as Starr is not
         in breach of his obligations under Section 7 and in consideration of
         Starr's agreement contained in Section 7(a), the Company will pay Starr
         $65,000 per year, payable in equal monthly installments on the first
         day of each month, commencing on termination of Starr's consulting
         services and continuing for 37 months. Such payments shall be made to
         Starr or, in the event of his death, to his estate.

                  4. Business Expenses. Starr will be entitled to be reimbursed
         for reasonable out-of-pocket business expenses he incurs while
         performing services on behalf of the Company pursuant to this
         Agreement, provided that such business expenses have been authorized in
         advance by the Chairman of the Board. The Company will not provide any
         fringe benefits of any type to Starr.

                  5. Independent Contractor. The parties acknowledge that it is
         their intention that Starr is and shall be an independent contractor
         and not an employee of the Company. Starr agrees that he will not
         represent himself to be an employee of the Company or an authorized
         agent of the Company.

                  6. Company Property. All advertising, sales, manufacturer's
         and other materials or articles of information, including without
         limitation data processing reports, customer sales analyses, invoices,
         price lists or information, samples, or any other materials or data of
         any kind furnished to Starr by the Company or developed by Starr on
         behalf of the Company or at the Company's direction or for the
         Company's use or otherwise in connection with Starr's services
         hereunder, are and shall remain the sole and confidential property of
         the Company; if the Company requests the return of such materials at
         any time during or at or after the termination of this Agreement, Starr
         shall immediately deliver the same to Company.

                  7. Non-Competition, Trade Secrets, Etc.

                  a) Starr agrees that, at any time during or within three years
         after the end of Starr's performance of consulting services under this
         Agreement, Starr shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit,
         induce, encourage or attempt to influence any client, customer,

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         employee, consultant, independent contractor, salesman or supplier of
         the Company to cease to do business or terminate his or her employment
         with the Company or (ii) engage in (as a principal, agent, consultant,
         partner, director, officer, employee, stockholder, investor, owner,
         independent contractor or otherwise), alone or in association with any
         person or entity, or be financially interested in or otherwise be
         connected with, any business operating within 50 miles of any of the
         department stores currently operated by the Company (the "Department
         Stores"), the primary business of which would be in competition with
         the business of any of such Department Stores. However, nothing
         contained in this Section 7(a) shall prevent Starr from holding for
         investment no more than 5% of any class of equity securities of a
         company whose securities are publicly traded.

                  b) Starr shall not, at any time during or following the term
         of this Agreement, use for his personal benefit, or disclose,
         communicate or divulge to or use for the direct or indirect benefit of
         any person, firm, association or company, any confidential information
         regarding the business methods, business policies, procedures,
         techniques, research or development projects or results, trade secrets
         or other confidential knowledge or processes of or developed by the
         Company or any names and addresses of customers or clients or any data
         on or relating to past, present or prospective customers or clients or
         any other confidential information relating to or dealing with the
         business operations or activities of the Company. The confidentiality
         obligations of this Section 7(b) shall not apply to information: (i)
         which Starr is compelled to disclose by judicial or administrative
         process, or other mandatory requirements of law; (ii) which can be
         shown to have been generally available to the public other than as a
         result of a breach of this Section; or (iii) which can be shown to have
         been provided to Starr by a third party who obtained such information
         other than as a result of breaching an obligation of confidentiality.

                  c) Starr acknowledges and agrees that (i) the covenants set
         forth herein are reasonable and necessary in order to protect the
         legitimate interests of the Company; (ii) the Company will not have any
         adequate remedy at law if Starr violates the terms hereof or fails to
         perform any of his obligations hereunder; and (iii) the Company shall
         have the right, in addition to any other rights it may have, to obtain
         from any court of competent jurisdiction preliminary and permanent
         injunctive relief to restrain any breach or threatened breach of or
         otherwise to specifically enforce any such covenant or any other
         obligations of Starr under

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         this Agreement, as well as to obtain damages and an equitable
         accounting of all earnings, profits and other benefits arising from
         such violation, which rights shall be cumulative and in addition to any
         other rights or remedies to which the Company may be entitled.

                  d) If the period of time or territory of any restriction set
         forth in Section 7(a) or 7(b) should be adjudged unreasonable in any
         proceeding, then the period of time shall be reduced by such number of
         months or the territory shall be reduced by the elimination of such
         unreasonable portion thereof or both so that such restrictions may be
         enforceable for such time and in the manner adjudged to be reasonable.

                  8. Miscellaneous.

                  a) Neither the failure nor any delay on the part of either
         party to exercise any right, remedy, power or privilege under this
         Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or
         partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege preclude any
         other or further exercise of the same or of any other right, remedy,
         power or privilege, nor shall any waiver of any right, remedy, power or
         privilege with respect to any occurrence be construed as a waiver of
         such right, remedy, power or privilege with respect to any other
         occurrence.

                  b) This Agreement and all questions relating to its validity,
         interpretation, performance and enforcement (including, without
         limitation, provisions concerning limitations of actions), shall be
         governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the
         Commonwealth of Pennsylvania without the aid of any canon, custom or
         rule of law requiring construction against the draftsman.

                  c) All notices, requests, demands and other communications
         required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and
         shall be deemed to have been duly given, made and received only when
         delivered (personally, by courier service such as Federal Express, or
         by other messenger) or two days after deposit in the United States
         mails, registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt
         requested, addressed as set forth below:

                  (i)      If to the Company:
                           The Bon-Ton Department Stores, Inc.
                           2801 East Market Street
                           York, Pennsylvania  17402
                           Attention:  Chairman of the Board

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                  (ii)     If to Starr:

                           Mr. Leon D. Starr
                           705 Walton Avenue
                           Mamaroneck, NY   10543

                  Either party may alter the address to which communications are
         to be sent by giving notice of such change of address in conformity
         with the provisions of this Section for the giving of notice.

                  d) This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
         benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, personal
         representatives, successors and assigns, except that neither party may
         assign or transfer its rights or obligations under this Agreement
         without the prior written consent of the other party hereto.

                  e) This Agreement contains the entire understanding between
         the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, and
         supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings,
         inducements or conditions, express or implied, oral or written, except
         as herein contained. The express terms hereof control and supersede any
         course of performance and/or usage of the trade inconsistent with any
         of the terms hereof. This Agreement may not be modified or amended
         other than by an agreement in writing.

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

                                             THE BON-TON DEPARTMENT STORES, INC.

                                             By:       /s/ Tim Grumbacher
                                                --------------------------------
                                                           Tim Grumbacher
                                                           Chairman of the Board

                                                       /s/ Leon D. Starr
                                                --------------------------------

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