Document:

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                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.1

               AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

         THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT ("Agreement")
is made as of this 2nd day of June, 2000, by and among ServiceWare Technologies,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), the persons or entities listed on
Schedule A attached hereto (the "Original Investors"), the purchasers of the
Company's Series F Convertible Preferred Stock listed on Schedule B hereto
pursuant to that certain Series F Convertible Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement
dated as of June 2, 2000 (the "Series F Investors" and together with the
Original Investors, the "Investors") and the Stockholders (as hereinafter
defined).

         WHEREAS, the Company (successor by merger to ServiceWare Technologies,
Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation), the Stockholders and the Original Investors
are parties to that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 13,
1999 (the "July 13, 1999 Registration Rights Agreement");

         WHEREAS, the Series F Investors are purchasing from the Company an
aggregate of 1,325,000 shares of the Company's Series F Convertible Preferred
Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Series F Preferred Stock");

         WHEREAS, Section 8(c) of the July 13, 1999 Registration Rights
Agreement provides that the July 13, 1999 Registration Rights Agreement may be
amended by the written consent of the Company and the holders of at least a
majority in interest of the Registrable Securities (as defined therein);

         WHEREAS, the Company and the Original Investors who are executing
counterpart signature pages hereto wish to amend and restate the July 13, 1999
Registration Rights Agreement as set forth herein, and such signatories
represent at least a majority in interest of the Registrable Securities (as
defined therein);

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained
herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of
which are hereby acknowledged and intending to be legally bound hereby, the
Company, the Stockholders and the Investors hereby agree as follows:

         1.       Certain Definitions.

                  As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings.

                  (a) "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission,
         or any other federal agency at the time administering the Securities
         Act and Exchange Act.

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                  (b) "Common Stock" means: (i) the Company's Common Stock, par
         value $0.01 per share, as authorized on the date of this Agreement; and
         (ii) any other securities into which or for which any of the securities
         described in (i) may be converted or exchanged pursuant to a plan of
         recapitalization, reorganization, merger, sale of assets or otherwise.

                  (c) "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
         as amended, or any similar federal statute, and the rules and
         regulations of the Commission thereunder, as shall be in effect at the
         time.

                  (d) "Person" means an individual, corporation, partnership,
         joint venture, trust, or unincorporated organization, or a government
         or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

                  (e) "Registrable Securities" means any shares of Common Stock
         owned by an Investor or its permitted successors and assigns, including
         but not limited to shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon
         conversion of any shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock,
         Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, Series C Convertible Preferred
         Stock, Series D Convertible Preferred Stock, Series E Convertible
         Preferred Stock, or Series F Convertible Preferred Stock or upon
         exercise of any warrants outstanding on the date hereof, or issued
         after the date hereof to a Series F Investor, to purchase Common Stock;
         provided that "Registrable Securities" shall not include shares of
         Common Stock that: (i) have at any time been sold by such parties other
         than to a permitted assignee, as defined in Section 5 hereof; or (ii)
         which have at any time been sold in a registered public offering or
         pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act. In addition,
         a holder's Registrable Securities shall cease to be "Registrable
         Securities," and all registration rights with respect thereto shall
         terminate, when all Registrable Securities held by such holder may be
         sold pursuant to Rule 144 without limitation as to volume in any two
         successive three month periods.

                  (f) "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as
         amended, or any similar federal statute, and the rules and regulations
         of the Commission thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the
         time.

                  (g) "Stockholders' Agreement" means that certain Amended and
         Restated Stockholders' Agreement dated as of the date hereof among the
         Company, the Investors and the Stockholders.

                  (h) "Stockholders" mean Jeff Pepper, Rajiv Enand, and Bruce
         Molloy.

                  (i) "Stockholders' Shares" shall mean all shares of Common
         Stock owned by the Stockholders now held or hereafter acquired, but
         excluding any such Common Stock that: (i) has been registered under the
         Securities Act pursuant to an effective registration statement filed
         thereunder and disposed of in
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         accordance with that registration statement; (ii) has been publicly
         sold pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act; or (iii) may be
         sold pursuant to Rule 144 without limitation as to volume in any two
         successive three month periods.

         2.       Registration Rights.

                  (a) Piggyback Registrations. If at any time or times after the
         date hereof, the Company shall determine to register any of its Common
         Stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock
         under the Securities Act, whether in connection with a public offering
         of securities by the Company (a "primary offering"), a public offering
         thereof by stockholders (a "secondary offering"), or both (but not in
         connection with a registration in connection with the Company's initial
         public offering or effected solely to register securities issuable
         pursuant to, or rights or interests under, an employee benefit plan or
         a transaction to which Rule 145 or any other similar rule of the
         Commission under the Securities Act is applicable), the Company will
         promptly give written notice thereof to the holders of Registrable
         Securities and Stockholders' Shares then outstanding (the "Holders"),
         and will use its best efforts to effect the registration under the
         Securities Act of all Registrable Securities and Stockholders' Shares
         which the Holders may request in a writing delivered to the Company
         within fifteen (15) days after the notice given by the Company;
         provided, however, that in the event that any registration pursuant to
         this Section 2(a) (including a registration requested under Section
         2(b) and subsequently converted into a piggyback registration at the
         election of the Company, as provided in Section 2(b)) shall be, in
         whole or in part, an underwritten public offering of Common Stock, the
         number of shares of Registrable Securities and Stockholders' Shares to
         be included in such an underwriting may be reduced (pro rata among the
         requesting Holders based upon the number of shares of Registrable
         Securities and Stockholders' Shares owned by such Holders) if and to
         the extent that the managing underwriter shall be of the opinion that
         such inclusion would adversely affect the marketing of the securities
         to be sold by the Company therein provided, further, that, prior to any
         such reduction, the Company shall first exclude from such registration,
         in the following order, all shares of Common Stock sought to be
         included therein by: (i) any holder thereof not having any such
         contractual, incidental registration rights; and (ii) any holder
         thereof having contractual, incidental registration rights subordinate
         and junior to the rights of the Holders of Registrable Securities. The
         Holders acknowledge that the rights of holders of Registrable
         Securities and Stockholders' Shares exercising their "piggyback rights"
         pursuant to this Section 2(a) shall be junior to the rights of holders
         of Registrable Securities who have exercised their demand rights under
         Section 2(b) in a situation in which the Company did not elect to make
         a primary offering, as provided in Section 2(b).

                  (b) Demand Registrations. If at any time following the date
         which is six months after the Company's initial public offering, one or
         more of the holders
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         of an aggregate of not less than 20% of the Registrable Securities then
         outstanding shall notify the Company in writing that it or they intend
         to offer or cause to be offered for public sale all or any portion of
         their Registrable Securities, the Company will notify all of the
         holders of Registrable Securities who would be entitled to notice of a
         proposed registration under the terms of this Agreement. Upon the
         written request of any such holder after receipt from the Company of
         such notification, the Company shall either: (A) elect to make a
         primary offering, in which case the rights of Holders shall be as set
         forth with respect to a primary offering in Section 2(a) and such
         registration shall be deemed to be a registration under Section 2(a)
         and not a registration hereunder (in which event the Company shall not
         be required to cause a registration statement requested pursuant to
         this Section 2(b) to become effective prior to 90 days following the
         effective date of the registration statement initiated by the Company
         under Section 2(a)); or (B) file as soon as practicable, and in any
         event within 60 days of the receipt of such written request, a
         registration statement, and use its best efforts to cause to become
         effective the registration of such Registrable Securities as may be
         requested by any holders (including the holder or holders giving the
         initial notice of intent to register hereunder) to be registered under
         the Securities Act in accordance with the terms of this Section 2(b).
         Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall be
         obligated to comply with this Section 2(b) on two occasions only.
         Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company shall furnish to holders
         requesting a registration statement pursuant to this Section 2(b) a
         certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board stating that in the
         good faith judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company, it would
         be seriously detrimental to the Company and its stockholders for such
         registration statement to be effected at such time, in which event the
         Company shall have the right to defer such filing for a period of not
         more than one hundred and twenty (120) days after receipt of the
         request of the holders; provided that such right to delay a request
         shall be exercised by the Company not more than once in any twelve (12)
         month period.

                           (c) Form S-3. If the Company becomes eligible to use
         Form S-3, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to
         continue to qualify at all times for registration of securities on Form
         S-3. If and when the Company becomes entitled to use Form S-3, the
         holders of an aggregate of such number of Registrable Securities that
         have an aggregate sales price of not less than $250,000 shall have the
         right to request and have effected not more than one registration per
         year of shares of Registrable Securities held by them on Form S-3. Such
         requests shall be in writing and shall state the number of shares of
         Registrable Securities to be disposed of and the intended method of
         disposition of such shares by such holder or holders. The Company shall
         not be required to cause a registration statement requested pursuant to
         this Section 2(c) to become effective prior to 90 days following the
         effective date of a registration statement initiated by the Company, if
         the request for registration has been received by the Company
         subsequent to the giving of written notice by the Company, made in good
         faith, to the holders or Registrable Securities to the effect that the
         Company
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         is commencing to prepare a Company-initiated registration statement
         (other than a registration effected solely to register securities
         issuable pursuant to, or rights or interests under, an employee benefit
         plan or a transaction to which Rule 145 or any other similar rule of
         the Commission under the Securities Act is applicable); provided,
         however, that the Company shall use its best efforts to achieve such
         effectiveness promptly following such 90-day period. The Company shall
         give notice to all holders of Registrable Securities of the receipt of
         a request for registration pursuant to this Section 2(c) and shall
         provide a reasonable opportunity for such holders to participate in the
         registration. Subject to the foregoing, the Company will use its best
         efforts to effect promptly the registration of all shares of Common
         Stock on Form S-3 to the extent requested by the holder or holders
         thereof for purposes of disposition. In connection with any Form S-3,
         the Stockholders agree: (i) to provide all such information and
         material and take all actions as may be reasonably required in order to
         enable the Company to comply with all applicable requirements of the
         Commission and to obtain acceleration of the effective dates of any
         Form S-3; (ii) that the distribution of shares of Common Stock included
         in the Form S-3 shall be made in accordance with the plan of
         distribution set forth in such registration statement and with all
         applicable rules and regulations of the Commission; (iii) not to
         deliver any form of prospectus in connection with the sale of any
         shares of Common Stock as to which the Company has advised the Holders
         in writing that it is preparing an amendment or supplement; and (iv) to
         notify the Company promptly in writing upon the sale by the Holder of
         any shares of Common Stock covered by the Form S-3. Notwithstanding the
         foregoing, if the Company shall furnish to holders requesting a
         registration statement pursuant to this Section 2(c) a certificate
         signed by the Chairman of the Board stating that in the good faith
         judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company, it would be
         seriously detrimental to the Company and its stockholders for such
         registration statement to be effected at such time, in which event the
         Company shall have the right to defer such filing for a period of not
         more than one hundred and twenty (120) days after receipt of the
         request of the holders; provided that such right to delay a request
         shall be exercised by the Company not more than once in any twelve (12)
         month period.

                  (d) Registration Expenses. In the event of a registration
         described in Section 2(a) or 2(b), all expenses of registration and
         offering of the Holders participating in the offering including,
         without limitation, printing expenses, fees and disbursements of
         counsel (including one counsel for the selling Holders of Registrable
         Securities or Stockholders' Shares), and independent public
         accountants, fees and expenses (including counsel fees incurred by the
         Company in connection with complying with state securities or "blue
         sky" laws), fees of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
         Inc. and fees of transfer agents and registrars), shall be borne by the
         Company, except that the Holders shall bear underwriting commissions
         and discounts attributable to their Registrable Securities or
         Stockholders' Shares, as the case may be, being registered. In the
         event of a registration described in Section 2(c), all expenses of
         registration and
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         offering of the Holders shall be paid for pro rata by the Holders whose
         Registrable Securities are included in the Form S-3.

                  (e) Further Obligations of the Company. Whenever under the
         preceding sections of this Agreement the Company is required hereunder
         to register Registrable Securities or Stockholders' Shares, it agrees
         that it shall also do the following:

                                    (i) use commercially reasonable efforts to
                  diligently prepare for filing with the Commission a
                  registration statement and such amendments and supplements to
                  said registration statement and the prospectus used in
                  connection therewith as may be necessary to keep said
                  registration statement effective and to comply with the
                  provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the sale of
                  securities covered by said registration statement for the
                  period necessary to complete the proposed public offering;

                                    (ii) furnish to each selling Holder such
                  copies of each preliminary and final prospectus and such other
                  documents as such Holder may reasonably request to facilitate
                  the public offering of his Registrable Securities or
                  Stockholders' Shares;

                                    (iii) enter into and perform its obligations
                  under any underwriting agreement with provisions reasonably
                  required by the proposed underwriter for the selling Holders,
                  if any;

                                    (iv) use its commercially reasonable efforts
                  to register or qualify the Registrable Securities and
                  Stockholders' Shares covered by said registration statement
                  under the securities or "blue-sky" laws of such jurisdictions
                  as any selling holder of Registrable Securities or
                  Stockholders' Shares may reasonably request, provided that the
                  Company shall not be required to register in any states which
                  shall require it to qualify to do business or subject itself
                  to general service of process as a condition of such
                  registration;

                                    (v) prepare and file with the Commission
                  such amendments and supplements to such registration statement
                  and the prospectus used in connection with such registration
                  statement as and to the extent necessary to comply with the
                  federal securities and any applicable state securities statute
                  or regulation;

                                    (vi) notify each holder of Registrable
                  Securities covered by such registration statement at any time
                  when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered
                  under the Securities Act, of the happening of any event as a
                  result of which the prospectus included in such registration
                  statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement
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                  of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required
                  to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
                  therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then
                  existing;

                                    (vii) cause all such Registrable Securities
                  registered pursuant hereto to be listed or quoted on each
                  securities exchange or tier of The Nasdaq Stock Market on
                  which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed
                  or quoted; and

                                    (viii) provide a transfer agent and
                  registrar for all Registrable Securities registered hereunder
                  not later than the effective date of such registration.

         3.       Indemnification.

                  (a) Incident to any registration referred to in this
         Agreement, and subject to applicable law, the Company will indemnify
         each underwriter, each Holder of Registrable Securities and
         Stockholders' Shares so registered, the officers and directors of each
         Holder of Registrable Securities and each person controlling any of
         them against all claims, losses, damages and liabilities, including
         legal and other expenses reasonably incurred in investigating or
         defending against the same, arising out of any untrue statement or
         alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any prospectus
         or other document (including any related registration statement) or any
         omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required
         to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
         misleading, or arising out of any violation or alleged violation by the
         Company of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any state securities
         or "blue-sky" laws or any rule or regulation thereunder in connection
         with such registration; provided, however, that the Company will not be
         liable in any case to the extent that any such claim, loss, damage or
         liability may have been caused by an untrue statement or omission based
         upon information furnished in writing to the Company by such
         underwriter or such Holder expressly for use therein. In the event of
         any registration of any of the Registrable Securities or Stockholders'
         Shares under the Securities Act pursuant to this Agreement, each seller
         of Registrable Securities or Stockholders' Shares, as the case may be,
         severally and not jointly, will indemnify and hold harmless the
         Company, each of its directors and officers and each underwriter (if
         any) and each person, if any, who controls the Company or any such
         underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange
         Act against any claim, losses, damages and liabilities, including legal
         and other expenses reasonably incurred in investigating, or defending
         it against the same, arising out of any untrue statement of a material
         fact contained in any prospectus or other document (including any
         related registration statement) or any omission to state therein a
         material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
         statement therein not misleading, if the statement or omission was made
         in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in
         writing to the Company by or on behalf of such selling
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         Holder, specifically for use in connection with the preparation of such
         registration statement, prospectus, amendment or supplement; provided,
         however, that the obligations of such selling Holders hereunder shall
         be limited to an amount equal to the proceeds to each Holder of
         Registrable Securities or Stockholders' Shares sold as contemplated
         herein.

                  (b) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this
         Section of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified
         party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against any
         indemnifying party under this subsection, notify the indemnifying party
         who shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent the
         indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying
         party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof with counsel
         mutually satisfactory to the parties; provided, however, that the
         indemnified parties in any such proceeding shall have the right to
         retain one counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party, if there
         is or could reasonably be expected to be a conflict of interest with
         respect to a third party between the position of the indemnified
         parties and the indemnifying party. The failure to notify an
         indemnifying party promptly of the commencement of any such action, if
         prejudicial to his ability to defend such action, shall relieve such
         indemnifying party of any liability to the indemnified party under this
         subsection, but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party will
         not relieve him of any liability that he may have to any indemnified
         party otherwise than under this Section.

                  (c) To the extent that the indemnification provided for in
         this Section 3 from the indemnifying party is held by a court of
         competent jurisdiction (by the entry of a final judgment or decree and
         the expiration of time to appeal or the denial of the last right of
         appeal) to be unavailable to an indemnified party hereunder in respect
         of any losses, claims, damages liabilities or expenses referred to
         therein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such
         indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by
         such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages,
         liabilities or expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect
         the relative fault of the indemnifying party and indemnified parties in
         connection with the actions which resulted in such losses, claims,
         damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant
         equitable considerations. The relative fault of such indemnifying party
         and indemnified parties shall be determined by reference to, among
         other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or
         alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged
         omission to state a material fact, has been made by, or relates to
         information supplied by, such indemnifying party or indemnified
         parties, and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to
         information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action. No
         person or entity guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the
         meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to
         contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
         misrepresentation.
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                  (d) The obligations of the Company and the Holders under this
         Section 3 shall survive the completion of any offering of Registrable
         Securities in a registration statement under Section 2.

         4. Rule 144 Requirements. If the Company becomes subject to the
reporting requirements of either Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange
Act, the Company will use its best efforts to file with the Commission such
information as the Commission may require under either of said Sections; and in
such event, the Company shall use its best efforts to take all action as may be
required as a condition to the availability of Rule 144 under the Securities Act
(or any successor exemptive rule hereinafter in effect). The Company shall
furnish to any Holder of Registrable Securities or Stockholders' Shares upon
request, a written statement executed by the Company as to the steps it has
taken to comply with the reporting requirements of Rule 144.

         5. Transfer of Registration Rights. The registration rights of the
Holders under this Agreement may be transferred to any transferee of any shares
of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, shares of Series B Convertible
Preferred Stock, shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, shares of
Series D Convertible Preferred Stock, shares of Series E Convertible Preferred
Stock, shares of Series F Preferred Stock, Registrable Securities or
Stockholders' Shares who: (i) is a Holder of shares of Series A Convertible
Preferred Stock, shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, shares of
Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, shares of Series D Convertible Preferred
Stock, shares of Series E Convertible Preferred Stock, shares of Series F
Preferred Stock, Registrable Securities or Stockholders' Shares as of the date
of this Agreement; (ii) is an affiliate, as that term is defined in the
Investment Company Act of 1940, of a Holder of Registrable Securities as of the
date of this Agreement (including a partner of such Holder); or (iii) is the
owner of an investment account which is managed or advised by an Investor, an
affiliate of an Investor, or any person or entity that acquires 76,000 shares of
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (as adjusted for stock splits, stock
dividends, reclassifications, recapitalizations or other similar events) (each a
"permitted assignee"). Each such transferee shall be deemed to be a "Holder" for
purposes of this Agreement; provided, that, no transfer of registration rights
by a Holder pursuant to this Section 5 shall create any additional rights in the
transferee beyond those rights granted to Holders in this Agreement.

         6. Granting of Registration Rights. The Company shall not, without the
prior written consent of the holders of at least a majority in interest of the
Registrable Securities, grant any rights to any Persons to register any shares
of capital stock or other securities of the Company if such rights could
reasonably be expected to be superior to or be on parity with, the rights of the
holders of Registrable Securities granted pursuant to this Agreement. The
Original Investors who execute counterpart signature pages to this Agreement who
hold a majority of the Registrable Securities under the July 13, 1999
Registration Rights Agreement hereby consent to the grant of the registration
rights set forth in this Agreement to the Series F Investors.
<PAGE>   10
         7. Prior Agreements. All parties to that certain Registration Rights
Agreement dated June 29, 1995 (the "June 29 Agreement") acknowledge and agree
that the June 29 Agreement which was superseded and replaced by the April 24
Agreement (defined below) has no effect whatsoever and is null and void. Poly
Ventures II, L.P. acknowledges and agrees that Section 11 ("Section 11") of that
certain Share Purchase Agreement with the Company dated as of July 25, 1994
which was superseded by the April 24 Agreement has no effect whatsoever and is
null and void. All parties to that certain Registration Rights Agreement dated
April 24, 1996 (the "April 24 Agreement") acknowledge and agree that the April
24 Agreement which was superseded by the July 13, 1999 Registration Rights
Agreement has no effect whatsoever and is null and void. This Agreement amends
and restates the July 13, 1999 Registration Rights Agreement. The Original
Investors who are executing counterpart signature pages to this Agreement hold a
majority of the Registrable Securities under the July 13, 1999 Registration
Rights Agreement and have the requisite power and authority to amend and restate
the July 13, 1999 Registration Rights Agreement. Each other holder of
Registrable Securities under the July 13, 1999 Registration Rights Agreement is
bound by the amendment and restatement of the July 13, 1999 Registration Rights
Agreement and the terms of this Agreement.

         8.       Miscellaneous.

                  (a) Damages. The Company recognizes and agrees that the
         holders of Registrable Securities will not have an adequate remedy if
         the Company fails to comply with this Agreement and that damages may
         not be readily ascertainable, and the Company expressly agrees that, in
         the event of such failure, it shall not oppose an application by a
         Holder of Registrable Securities requiring specific performance of any
         and all provisions hereof or enjoining the Company from continuing to
         commit any such breach of this Agreement.

                  (b) No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. No failure or delay on the
         part of any party to this Agreement in exercising any right, power or
         remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any
         single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy preclude
         any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other
         right, power or remedy hereunder. The remedies herein provided are
         cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.

                  (c) Amendments and Waivers. Except as hereinafter provided,
         amendments to this Agreement shall require and shall be effective upon
         receipt of the written consent of: (i) the Company; (ii) the holders of
         at least a majority in interest of the then Registrable Securities; and
         (iii) in the case of any amendment adversely affecting the rights of
         the Stockholders, the holders of at least a majority in interest of the
         Stockholders' Shares. Except as hereinafter provided, compliance with
         any covenant or provision set forth herein may be waived upon
         written consent by the party or parties whose rights are being waived;
         provided, that: (i) if the rights of holders of Registrable Securities
         are being waived, upon
<PAGE>   11
         the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in interest
         of the Registrable Securities; and (ii) if the rights of holders of
         Stockholders' Shares are being waived, upon the written consent of the
         holders of at least a majority in interest of the Stockholders' Shares.
         Notwithstanding the foregoing, no waivers or amendments shall be
         effective to reduce the percentage in interest of the Registrable
         Securities or Stockholders' Shares the consent of the holders of which
         is required under this Section. Any waiver or amendments may be given
         subject to satisfaction of conditions stated therein and any waiver or
         amendments shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the
         specific purpose for which given.

                  (d) Notices. As the terms "notice" or "notices" are used
         herein as between the parties, such term shall mean a written document,
         explaining the reason for the notice, and the same shall be mailed by
         United States Postal Service, via Certified Mail, Return Receipt
         Requested, addressed as follows:

         to the Company:

                           ServiceWare Technologies, Inc.
                           333 Allegheny Ave.
                           Oakmont, PA 15139
                           Attn: Mark Tapling

         with a copy by mail and fax (which shall not constitute notice) to:

                           Marlee S. Myers, Esquire
                           Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
                           One Oxford Centre
                           Pittsburgh, PA  15219-1417
                           Facsimile:  412-560-3399

         to the holders of Series B Preferred Stock:

                           at the addresses on Schedule A,

         with a copy by mail and fax (which shall not constitute notice) to:

                           William B. Asher, Jr., Esquire
                           Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault
                           53 State Street
                           Boston, MA  02109

         to the holders of Series C Preferred Stock:

                           at the addresses on Schedule A,
<PAGE>   12

         with a copy by mail and fax (which shall not constitute notice) to:

                           Steven E. Bochner, Esquire
                           Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
                           650 Page Mill Road
                           Palo Alto, CA  94304

         to the holders of Series D Preferred Stock:

                           at the addresses on Schedule A,

         with a copy by mail and fax (which shall not constitute notice) to:

                           Golenbock, Eiseman, Assor & Bell
                           437 Madison Avenue
                           New York, NY  10022-7302
                           Attn: Lawrence M. Bell, Esq.
                           Telephone: 212-907-7300
                           Facsimile: 212-754-0330

         to the holders of Series E Preferred Stock:

                           at the addresses on Schedule A,

         with a copy by mail and fax (which shall not constitute notice) to:

                           Golenbock, Eiseman, Assor & Bell
                           437 Madison Avenue
                           New York, NY  10022-7302
                           Attn: Lawrence M. Bell, Esq.
                           Telephone: 212-907-7300
                           Facsimile: 212-754-0330

                           and

         to the holders of Series F Preferred Stock:

                           at the addresses on Schedule B.

         Such notice shall be deemed to have been given on the date received by
         the addressee. The parties shall, as a matter of convenience and
         courtesy, send each party receiving notice a copy of said notice by
         facsimile or electronic means, or by courier, Federal Express, or
         similar service, but such notifications shall not be deemed lawful
         "notice" as required hereby. The parties may from time to time amend
         the above addresses and names by written notice given the other party.
<PAGE>   13

                  (e). Binding Effect; Assignment. This Agreement shall be
         binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their
         respective heirs, successors and permitted assigns, except that the
         Company shall not have the right to delegate its obligations hereunder
         or to assign its right hereunder or any interest herein without the
         prior written consent of the holders of at least a majority in interest
         of the Registrable Securities.

                  (f) Prior Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire
         agreement between the parties and supersedes any prior understandings
         or agreements concerning the subject matter hereof.

                  (g) Severability. The provisions of this Agreement are
         severable and, in the event that any court of competent jurisdiction
         shall determine that any one or more of the provisions or part of a
         provision contained in this Agreement, 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
         provision or part of a provision of this Agreement, but this Agreement
         shall be reformed and construed as if such invalid or illegal or
         unenforceable provision, or part of a provision, had never been
         contained herein, and such provisions or part reformed so that it would
         be valid, legal and enforceable to the maximum extent possible.

                  (h) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
         construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the Commonwealth
         of Pennsylvania, excluding its conflict of laws principles.

                  (i) Headings. Article, section and subsection headings in this
         Agreement are included herein for convenience of reference only and
         shall not constitute a part of this Agreement for any other purpose.

                  (j) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number
         of counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and
         the same instrument, and any of the parties hereto may execute this
         Agreement by signing any such counterpart.

                  (k) Further Assurances. From and after the date of this
         Agreement, upon the request of any party hereto, the other parties
         shall execute and deliver such Agreements, documents and other writings
         as may be reasonably necessary or desirable to confirm and carry out
         and to effectuate fully the intent and purposes of this Agreement.

<PAGE>   14
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Registration
Rights Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

                                        SERVICEWARE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

                                        By: /s/ Mark Tapling
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                Mark Tapling
                                                President and Chief Executive
                                                  Officer

                                        STOCKHOLDERS:

                                        /s/ Jeff Pepper
                                        ----------------------------------
                                            Jeff Pepper

                                        /s/ Rajiv Enand
                                        ----------------------------------
                                            Rajiv Enand

                                        ----------------------------------
                                            Bruce  Molloy

                                        SERIES A INVESTOR:

                                        POLY VENTURES II, L.P.

                                        By: /s/ Susanne Harrison
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                General Partner

                                        SERIES B INVESTORS:

                                        POLY VENTURES II, L.P.

                                        By: /s/ Susanne Harrison
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                General Partner
<PAGE>   15
                                        GEOCAPITAL III, L.P.

                                        By:  Geocapital Management, L.P.

                                        By: /s/ Richard Vines
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                General Partner

                                        -----------------------------------
                                        Paul Deninger

                                        -----------------------------------
                                        Charles Federman

                                        -----------------------------------
                                        Bernard Goldstein

                                        -----------------------------------
                                        Harvey Poppel

                                        -----------------------------------
                                        Stephen Smith

                                        SERIES C INVESTOR:

                                        NORWEST EQUITY PARTNERS V
                                        A Minnesota Limited Liability
                                        Partnership

                                        By:   ITASCA PARTNERS V, L.L.P.,
                                              General Partner

                                        By: /s/ Kevin Hall
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                Kevin G. Hall, Partner
<PAGE>   16
                                        SERIES D INVESTORS:

                                        POLY VENTURES II, L.P.

                                        By:    POLY VENTURES II L.P.
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:  /s/ Susanne Harrison
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Title: General Partner
                                               ---------------------------------

                                        GEOCAPITAL III, L.P.

                                        By: /s/ Richard Vines
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Title:
                                               ---------------------------------

                                        NORWEST EQUITY PARTNERS V
                                        A Minnesota limited liability
                                             partnership

                                        By:  Itasca Partners V, LLP, General
                                             Partner

                                        By: /s/ Kevin Hall
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                Kevin G. Hall
                                                Partner

                                        LOVETT MILLER VENTURE FUND II,
                                        Limited Partnership

                                        By: Lovett Miller Venture Partners II,
                                              LLC
                                            Its General Partner

                                        By: /s/ W. Scott Miller
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                W. Scott Miller
                                                Managing Director
<PAGE>   17
                                        CEO VENTURE FUND III

                                        By: /s/ Gary G. Glausser
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:   Gary G. Glausser
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Title:  General Partner and CFO
                                               ---------------------------------

                                        -----------------------------------
                                        Andrew Blum

                                        LANCASTER INVESTMENT PARTNERS

                                        By:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Title:
                                               ---------------------------------

                                        -----------------------------------
                                        Bruce Lewellyn

                                        -----------------------------------
                                        Burt Rubin

                                        J.F. SHEA CO., INC. AS NOMINEE 1999-47

                                        By:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Title:
                                               ---------------------------------

                                        -----------------------------------
                                        Alan Edelman

                                        EDELMAN INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP

                                        By:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Title:
                                               ---------------------------------
<PAGE>   18
                                        ------------------------------------
                                        Richard Edelman

                                        ------------------------------------
                                        Estelle Konviser

                                        ------------------------------------
                                        James Borner

                                        ------------------------------------
                                        Lizabeth Moses

                                        COMVEST CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC

                                        By:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Title:
                                               ---------------------------------

                                        LINDEN PARTNERS

                                        By:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Title:
                                               ---------------------------------

                                        HULL OVERSEAS, LTD.

                                        By:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Title:
                                               ---------------------------------

                                        F. BERDON & CO. L.P.

                                        By:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Title:
                                               ---------------------------------
<PAGE>   19
                                        ------------------------------------
                                        Stanley Cohen

                                        STANLEY COHEN 1994 IRREVOCABLE
                                        RETAINED ANNUITY TRUST

                                        By:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Title:
                                               ---------------------------------

                                        RADIX ASSOCIATES

                                        By:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Title:
                                               ---------------------------------

                                        TAMAR TECHNOLOGY INVESTORS (DELAWARE)
                                             L.P.

                                        By:    /s/ T. I. Unterberg
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:      Thomas I. Unterberg
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Title:     Member of the GP
                                               ---------------------------------

                                        SERIES E INVESTORS:

                                        ------------------------------------
                                        Jody Owen

                                        ------------------------------------
                                        Robert C. Harris, Jr.

                                        ------------------------------------
                                        John A. Dexheimer
<PAGE>   20
                                        /s/ T. I. Unterberg
                                        ------------------------------------
                                        Thomas I. Unterberg

                                        ------------------------------------
                                        A. Robert Towbin

                                        PARK CITY INVESTMENTS

                                        By:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Title:
                                               ---------------------------------

                                        UNTERBERG HARRIS PRIVATE EQUITY
                                        PARTNERS, LP

                                        By:    /s/ T. I. Unterberg
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:      Thomas I. Unterberg
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Title:     Member of the GP
                                               ---------------------------------

                                        UNTERBERG HARRIS PRIVATE EQUITY
                                        PARTNERS, CV

                                        By:    /s/ T. I. Unterberg
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:      Thomas I. Unterberg
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Title:     Member of the GP
                                               ---------------------------------

                                        C.E. UNTERBERG, TOWBIN 401K PROFIT
                                        SHARING PLAN FBO ANDREW ARNO

                                        By:    /s/ T. I. Unterberg
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:      Thomas I. Unterberg
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Title:     Trustee
                                               ---------------------------------

                                        ANDREW ARNO, ACF
                                        MATHEW ARNO, U/NY/UGMA

                                        By:     /s/ Andrew Arno
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:       Andrew Arno
                                               ---------------------------------
<PAGE>   21
                                        ANDREW ARNO, ACF
                                        JESSE ARNO, U/NY/UGMA

                                        By:     /s/ Andrew Arno
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:       Andrew Arno
                                               ---------------------------------

                                        ------------------------------------
                                        Steven Hellman

                                        PAINE WEBBER F/B/O MARTIN E. HELLMAN IRA

                                        By:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                               ---------------------------------

                                        MARTIN E. HELLMAN AND DOROTHIE L.
                                        HELLMAN TRUSTEES, FAMILY REVOCABLE TRUST
                                        UAD 7/6/88

                                        By:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                               ---------------------------------

                                        C. E. UNTERBERG, TOWBIN LLC

                                        By:    /s/ T. I. Unterberg
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:      Thomas I. Unterberg
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Title:     Member
                                               ---------------------------------

                                        UNTERBERG HARRIS INTERACTIVE
                                        MEDIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, CV

                                        By:    /s/ T. I. Unterberg
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:      Thomas I. Unterberg
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Title:     Member of the GP
                                               ---------------------------------
<PAGE>   22
                                        C. E. UNTERBERG, TOWBIN LP

                                        By:    /s/ T. I. Unterberg
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:      Thomas I. Unterberg
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Title:     Managing Director
                                               ---------------------------------

                                        VERNAT CO. C/O VERMONT NATIONAL BANK

                                        By:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Title:
                                               ---------------------------------

                                        GEORGE R. BEGLEY, ACF
                                        G. ROLLO BEGLEY, U/NY/UGMA

                                        By:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:  George R. Begley

                                        GEORGE R. BEGLEY, ACF
                                        TRACEY C. BEGLEY, U/NY/UGMA

                                        By:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:  George R. Begley

                                        ------------------------------------
                                        John R. Lakian

                                        ------------------------------------
                                        Martha Logan

                                        ------------------------------------
                                        Edward Swyer
<PAGE>   23
                                        ------------------------------------
                                        Carol H. Plum

                                        C.E. UNTERBERG, TOWBIN CAPITAL PARTNERS
                                        I, L.P.

                                        By:    /s/ T. I. Unterberg
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:      Thomas I. Unterberg
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Title:     Member of the GP
                                               ---------------------------------

                                        MARJORIE & CLARENCE E. UNTERBERG
                                        FOUNDATION, INC.

                                        By:    /s/ T. I. Unterberg
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:      Thomas I. Unterberg
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Title:     Officer
                                               ---------------------------------

                                        ANDREW G. CELLI & JAMES SATLOFF TTEE
                                        FBO: THEODORE JEAN SATLOFF

                                        By:    /s/ James Satloff
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Title:
                                               ---------------------------------

                                        ANDREW G. CELLI & JAMES SATLOFF TTEE
                                        FBO: ANDREW THOMAS CELLI

                                        By:    /s/ Andrew Celli
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Title:
                                               ---------------------------------

                                        ANDREW G. CELLI & JAMES SATLOFF TTEE
                                        FBO: HANNA ANDREA CELLI

                                        By:    /s/ Andrew Celli
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Title:
                                               ---------------------------------

                                        /s/ Louis Venezia
                                        ------------------------------------
                                            Louis Venezia
<PAGE>   24
                                        FTS CAPITAL MANAGEMENT AG

                                        By:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Title:
                                               ---------------------------------

                                        TIGAN CAPITAL HOLDINGS LTD.

                                        By:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Title:
                                               ---------------------------------

                                        SERIES F INVESTORS:
                                        CEO VENTURE FUND III

                                        By:    /s/ Gary G. Glausser
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:      Gary G. Glausser
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Title:     General Partner & CFO
                                               ---------------------------------

                                        BIRCHMERE VENTURES II L.P.

                                        By:    /s/ Gary G. Glausser
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:      Gary G. Glausser
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Title:     Partner & CFO
                                               ---------------------------------

                                        LOVETT MILLER VENTURE FUND II,
                                        Limited Partnership

                                        By: Lovett Miller Venture Partners II,
                                              LLC
                                            Its General Partner

                                        By: /s/ W. Scott Miller
                                               ---------------------------------
                                                W. Scott Miller
                                                Managing Director
<PAGE>   25
                                        NORWEST EQUITY PARTNERS V
                                        A Minnesota limited liability
                                        partnership

                                        By: Itasca Partners V, LLP, General
                                              Partner

                                        By: /s/ Kevin Hall
                                               ---------------------------------
                                                Kevin G. Hall
                                                Partner

                                        C.E. UNTERBERG, TOWBIN PRIVATE EQUITY
                                        PARTNERS II, L.P.

                                        By:    /s/ T. I. Unterberg
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:      Thomas I. Unterberg
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Title:     Member of the GP
                                               ---------------------------------

                                        C.E. UNTERBERG, TOWBIN CAPITAL PARTNERS
                                        I, L.P.

                                        By:    /s/ T. I. Unterberg
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:      Thomas I. Unterberg
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Title:     Member of the GP
                                               ---------------------------------

                                        ELECTRONIC DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATION

                                        By:    /s/ John W. McCain
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:      John W. McCain
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Title:     SVP
                                               ---------------------------------

                                        PNC INVESTMENT CORP.

                                        By:    /s/ Maria C. Schaffer
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:      Maria C. Schaffer
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Title:     Controller
                                               ---------------------------------

                                        GEOCAPITAL III, L.P.

                                        By:    /s/ Richard Vines
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Title:
                                               ---------------------------------<PAGE>   1
                                                                     Exhibit 4.1

                                                                  EXECUTION COPY

                           ORION POWER HOLDINGS, INC.

                            12% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2010

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

                                    INDENTURE

                           Dated as of April 27, 2000

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

                            WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY

                                     Trustee
<PAGE>   2
                             CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        Trust Indenture
        Act Section                                                                        Indenture Section
<S>                                                                                        <C>
        310(a)(1)...................................................................             7.10
           (a)(2)...................................................................             7.10
           (a)(3)...................................................................             N.A.
           (a)(4)...................................................................             N.A.
           (a)(5)...................................................................             7.10
           (b)......................................................................             7.10
           (c)......................................................................             N.A.
        311(a)......................................................................             7.11
           (b)......................................................................             7.11
           (c)......................................................................             N.A.
        312(a)......................................................................             2.05
           (b)......................................................................            11.03
           (c)......................................................................            11.03
        313(a)......................................................................             7.06
           (b)(1)...................................................................             N.A.
           (b)(2)...................................................................             7.07
           (c)......................................................................          7.06;11.02
           (d)......................................................................             7.06
        314(a)......................................................................          4.03;11.02
           (b)......................................................................             N.A.
           (c)(1)...................................................................            11.04
           (c)(2)...................................................................            11.04
           (c)(3)...................................................................             N.A.
           (d)......................................................................             N.A.
           (e)......................................................................            11.05
           (f)......................................................................             N.A.
        315(a)......................................................................             7.01
           (b)......................................................................          7.05;11.02
           (c)......................................................................             7.01
           (d)......................................................................             7.01
           (e)......................................................................             6.11
        316(a) (last sentence)......................................................             2.09
           (a)(1)(A)................................................................             6.05
           (a)(1)(B)................................................................             6.04
           (a)(2)...................................................................             N.A.
           (b)......................................................................             6.07
           (c)......................................................................             2.12
        317(a)(1)...................................................................             6.08
           (a)(2)...................................................................             6.09
           (b)......................................................................             2.04
        318(a)......................................................................            11.01
           (b)......................................................................             N.A.
           (c)......................................................................            11.01
</TABLE>

N.A. means not applicable.
*  This Cross Reference Table is not part of the Indenture.
<PAGE>   3
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                               Page

                                   ARTICLE 1.
                          DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION
                                  BY REFERENCE

<S>                                                                                                            <C>
   Section 1.01.   Definitions ..............................................................................     1
   Section 1.02.   Other Definitions ........................................................................    21
   Section 1.03.   Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act ........................................    22
   Section 1.04.   Rules of Construction ....................................................................    22

                                   ARTICLE 2.
                                    THE NOTES

   Section 2.01.   Form and Dating ..........................................................................    23
   Section 2.02.   Execution and Authentication .............................................................    24
   Section 2.03.   Registrar and Paying Agent ...............................................................    24
   Section 2.04.   Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust ......................................................    25
   Section 2.05.   Holder Lists .............................................................................    25
   Section 2.06.   Transfer and Exchange ....................................................................    25
   Section 2.07.   Replacement Notes ........................................................................    36
   Section 2.08.   Outstanding Notes ........................................................................    36
   Section 2.09.   Treasury Notes ...........................................................................    37
   Section 2.10.   Temporary Notes ..........................................................................    37
   Section 2.11.   Cancellation .............................................................................    37
   Section 2.12.   Defaulted Interest .......................................................................    37

                                   ARTICLE 3.
                            REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

   Section 3.01.   Notices to Trustee .......................................................................    38
   Section 3.02.   Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed ........................................................    38
   Section 3.03.   Notice of Redemption .....................................................................    38
   Section 3.04.   Effect of Notice of Redemption ...........................................................    39
   Section 3.05.   Deposit of Redemption Price ..............................................................    39
   Section 3.06.   Notes Redeemed in Part ...................................................................    39
   Section 3.07.   Optional Redemption ......................................................................    40
   Section 3.08.   Mandatory Redemption .....................................................................    40
   Section 3.09.   Special Mandatory Redemption .............................................................    40
   Section 3.10.   Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds ......................................    41

                                   ARTICLE 4.
                                    COVENANTS

   Section 4.01.   Payment of Notes .........................................................................    42
   Section 4.02.   Maintenance of Office or Agency ..........................................................    43
   Section 4.03.   Reports ..................................................................................    43
   Section 4.04.   Compliance Certificate ...................................................................    44
   Section 4.05.   Taxes ....................................................................................    44
   Section 4.06.   Stay, Extension and Usury Laws ...........................................................    45
   Section 4.07.   Restricted Payments ......................................................................    45
   Section 4.08.   Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries ...........................    48
</TABLE>

                                       i
<PAGE>   4
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                            <C>
   Section 4.09.   Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock ...............................    49
   Section 4.10.   Asset Sales ..............................................................................    54
   Section 4.11.   Transactions with Affiliates .............................................................    56
   Section 4.12.   Liens ....................................................................................    57
   Section 4.13.   Limitation on Line of Business ...........................................................    57
   Section 4.14.   Corporate Existence ......................................................................    58
   Section 4.15.   Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control ...............................................    58
   Section 4.16.   Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries ..................................    59
   Section 4.17.   Sale and Leaseback Transactions ..........................................................    60

                                   ARTICLE 5.
                                   SUCCESSORS

   Section 5.01.   Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets .................................................    60
   Section 5.02.   Successor Corporation Substituted ........................................................    62

                                   ARTICLE 6.
                              DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

   Section 6.01.   Events of Default ........................................................................    62
   Section 6.02.   Acceleration .............................................................................    63
   Section 6.03.   Other Remedies ...........................................................................    64
   Section 6.04.   Waiver of Past Defaults ..................................................................    64
   Section 6.05.   Control by Majority ......................................................................    64
   Section 6.06.   Limitation on Suits ......................................................................    64
   Section 6.07.   Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment ............................................    65
   Section 6.08.   Collection Suit by Trustee ...............................................................    65
   Section 6.09.   Trustee May File Proofs of Claim .........................................................    65
   Section 6.10.   Priorities ...............................................................................    65
   Section 6.11.   Undertaking for Costs ....................................................................    66

                                   ARTICLE 7.
                                     TRUSTEE

   Section 7.01.   Duties of Trustee ........................................................................    66
   Section 7.02.   Rights of Trustee ........................................................................    67
   Section 7.03.   Individual Rights of Trustee .............................................................    68
   Section 7.04.   Trustee's Disclaimer .....................................................................    68
   Section 7.05.   Notice of Defaults .......................................................................    68
   Section 7.06.   Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes ...............................................    68
   Section 7.07.   Compensation and Indemnity ...............................................................    69
   Section 7.08.   Replacement of Trustee ...................................................................    69
   Section 7.09.   Successor Trustee by Merger, etc .........................................................    70
   Section 7.10.   Eligibility; Disqualification ............................................................    70
   Section 7.11.   Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company ........................................    71
   Section 7.12.   Other Capacities .........................................................................    71

                                   ARTICLE 8.
                    LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

   Section 8.01.   Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance .................................    71
   Section 8.02.   Legal Defeasance and Discharge ...........................................................    71
   Section 8.03.   Covenant Defeasance ......................................................................    72
   Section 8.04.   Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance ...............................................    72
</TABLE>

                                       ii
<PAGE>   5
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                            <C>
   Section 8.05.   Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust;
                   Other Miscellaneous Provisions ...........................................................    73
   Section 8.06.   Repayment to Company .....................................................................    74
   Section 8.07.   Reinstatement ............................................................................    74

                                   ARTICLE 9.
                        AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

   Section 9.01.   Without Consent of Holders of Notes ......................................................    74
   Section 9.02.   With Consent of Holders of Notes .........................................................    75
   Section 9.03.   Compliance with Trust Indenture Act ......................................................    76
   Section 9.04.   Revocation and Effect of Consents ........................................................    76
   Section 9.05.   Notation on or Exchange of Notes .........................................................    77
   Section 9.06.   Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc ..........................................................    77

                                   ARTICLE 10.
                           SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

   Section 10.01.     Satisfaction and Discharge ............................................................    77
   Section 10.02.     Application of Trust Money ............................................................    78

                                   ARTICLE 11.
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

   Section 11.01.     Trust Indenture Act Controls ..........................................................    78
   Section 11.02.     Notices ...............................................................................    79
   Section 11.03.     Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes .........................    80
   Section 11.04.     Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent ....................................    80
   Section 11.05.     Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion .........................................    80
   Section 11.06.     Rules by Trustee and Agents ...........................................................    81
   Section 11.07.     No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders ..............    81
   Section 11.08.     Obligation of the Company; Creditor's Claims ..........................................    81
   Section 11.09.     Special Escrow and Pledge Agreement ...................................................    82
   Section 11.10.     Governing Law .........................................................................    82
   Section 11.11.     No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements .........................................    83
   Section 11.12.     Successors ............................................................................    83
   Section 11.13.     Severability ..........................................................................    83
   Section 11.14.     Counterpart Originals .................................................................    83
   Section 11.15.     Table of Contents, Headings, etc ......................................................    83

                                    EXHIBITS

Exhibit A1        FORM OF NOTE
Exhibit A2        FORM OF REGULATION S TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE
Exhibit B         FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
Exhibit C         FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE
Exhibit D         FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF ACQUIRING INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR
Exhibit E         FORM OF NOTE GUARANTEE
Exhibit F         FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE TO BE
                  DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT GUARANTORS
</TABLE>

                                      iii
<PAGE>   6
         INDENTURE dated as of April 27, 2000 between Orion Power Holdings,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Wilmington Trust Company, as
trustee (the "Trustee").

         The Company and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each
other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the 12% Senior
Notes due 2010 (the "Notes"):

                                   ARTICLE 1.
                          DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION
                                  BY REFERENCE

Section 1.01.     Definitions.

         "144A Global Note" means a global note substantially in the form of
Exhibit A1 hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement
Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the
Depositary or its nominee that will be issued in a denomination equal to the
outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A.

         "Acquired Debt" means, with respect to any specified Person:

(1)      Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person
         is merged with or into or became a Subsidiary of such specified Person,
         whether or not such Indebtedness is incurred in connection with, or in
         contemplation of, such other Person merging with or into, or becoming a
         Subsidiary of, such specified Person; and

(2)      Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such
         specified Person.

         "Additional Notes" means up to $50.0 million aggregate principal amount
of Notes (other than the Initial Notes) issued under this Indenture in
accordance with Sections 2.02 and 4.09 hereof, as part of the same series as the
Initial Notes.

         "Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, "control,"
as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or
indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or
policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by
agreement or otherwise; provided that beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the
Voting Stock of a Person shall be deemed to be control. For purposes of this
definition, the terms "controlling," "controlled by" and "under common control
with" shall have correlative meanings.

         "Agent" means any Registrar, Paying Agent or co-registrar.

         "Applicable Procedures" means, with respect to any transfer or exchange
of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of
the Depositary, Euroclear and Clearstream that apply to such transfer or
exchange.

                                       1
<PAGE>   7
         "Asset Sale" means any sale, transfer or other disposition (including
by way of merger, consolidation or Sale/Leaseback Transaction, but excluding
(except as provided for in Section 4.10 hereof) those permitted by Section 4.15
hereof and/or Section 5.01 hereof) in one or a series of transactions by the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to any Person other than the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, of:

(1)      all or any of the Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary of the
         Company;

(2)      all or substantially all of the assets of any operating unit, Facility,
         division or line of business of the Company or any Restricted
         Subsidiary; or

(3)      any other property or assets or rights to acquire property or assets of
         the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company outside of the
         ordinary course of business of the Company or such Restricted
         Subsidiary.

         Notwithstanding the preceding, the following items shall not be deemed
to be Asset Sales:

(1)      any single transaction or series of related transactions that involves
         assets having a fair market value of less than $5.0 million;

(2)      an issuance of Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary to the
         Company or to another Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(3)      any sale or lease of obsolete equipment or other assets that are no
         longer being used by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(4)      the sale or other disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents;

(5)      a Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment that is not prohibited by
         Section 4.07 hereof;

(6)      the transfer of property pursuant to condemnation proceedings in
         exchange for cash or other consideration; provided that the Net
         Proceeds therefrom are applied as if they were Net Proceeds from an
         Asset Sale in accordance with Section 4.10 hereof;

(7)      any disposition in connection with directors' qualifying shares or
         investments by foreign nationals mandated by foreign law;

(8)      the grant of a Lien by any Person in any assets or shares of Capital
         Stock securing a borrowing by, or contractual performance obligations
         of, such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person or any
         joint venture in which such Person has an interest, which Lien is not
         prohibited by Section 4.12 hereof;

(9)      any disposition of property or assets by a Restricted Subsidiary of the
         Company to the Company or by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of
         the Company to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; and

(10)     a Permitted IDA Transaction.

         "Asset Swap" means the exchange by the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company of all or a portion of its property, business or
assets, in the ordinary course of business, for property, businesses or assets
which, or Capital Stock of a Person all or substantially all of the assets of
which, are

                                       2
<PAGE>   8
of a type used in the business of the Company on the date of this Indenture or
in a Permitted Business, or a combination of any such property, business or
assets or Capital Stock of such a Person and cash or Cash Equivalents.

         "Attributable Debt" means, in respect of a Sale/Leaseback Transaction,
as of the time of determination, the present value discounted at the interest
rate assumed in making calculations in accordance with GAAP of the total
obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the
lease included in such Sale/Leaseback Transaction, including any period for
which such lease has been extended or may be extended at the option of the
lessor.

         "Bankruptcy Law" means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or
state law for the relief of debtors.

         "Beneficial Owner" has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3
and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act. The terms "Beneficially Owns" and
"Beneficially Owned" shall have a corresponding meaning.

         "Board of Directors" means:

(1)      with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the
         corporation or any duly authorized committee of such board of
         directors;

(2)      with respect to a partnership, the Board of Directors of the general
         partner of the partnership; and

(3)      with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person
         serving a similar function.

         "Broker-Dealer" has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights
Agreement.

         "Business Day" means any day other than a Legal Holiday.

         "Capital Lease Obligation" means, at the time any determination thereof
is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that
would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in
accordance with GAAP.

         "Capital Stock" of any Person means any and all shares, interests,
participations or other equivalents, however designated, of corporate stock or
other equity participations, including partnership interests, whether general or
limited, of the Person.

         "Cash Equivalents" means:

(1)      United States dollars;

(2)      securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the
         United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof
         (provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is
         pledged in support thereof) having maturities of not more than twelve
         months from the date of acquisition;

(3)      certificates of deposit and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of
         twelve months or less from the date of acquisition, bankers'
         acceptances with maturities not exceeding twelve months and overnight
         bank deposits (or, with respect to foreign banks, similar instruments),
         in each case, with

                                       3
<PAGE>   9
         any lender party to the Orion Power New York Credit Facility or the
         Orion Power MidWest Credit Facility or with any commercial bank having
         capital and surplus in excess of $500.0 million (or the foreign
         equivalent thereof) and a Thomson Bank Watch Rating of "B" or better or
         the foreign equivalent thereof;

(4)      repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for
         underlying securities of the types described in clauses (2) and (3)
         above entered into with any financial institution meeting the
         qualifications specified in clause (3) above;

(5)      commercial paper having the highest rating obtainable from Moody's or
         S&P (or in their absence an equivalent rating from another nationally
         recognized securities rating agency) and in each case maturing within
         twelve months after the date of acquisition; and

(6)      money market funds at least 95% of the assets of which constitute Cash
         Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (1) through (5) of this
         definition.

         "Change of Control" means the occurrence of any of the following:

(1)      the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition
         (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of
         related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or
         assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole
         to any "person" (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the
         Exchange Act) other than a Principal or a Related Party of a Principal;

(2)      the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of
         the Company other than in a transaction that complies with the
         provisions of Section 5.01 hereof;

(3)      the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any
         merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any "person" (as
         defined above), other than the Principals and their Related Parties or
         a Permitted Group, becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or
         indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the Company,
         measured by voting power rather than number of shares; or

(4)      the first day on which a majority of the members of the Board of
         Directors of the Company are not Continuing Directors.

         "Clearstream" means Clearstream Banking, societe anonyme.

         "Collateral" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the
Special Escrow and Pledge Agreement.

         "Company" means Orion Power Holdings, Inc., and any and all successors
thereto.

         "Commodity Price Protection Obligation" means any forward contract,
commodity swap, commodity option or other similar financial agreement or
arrangement relating to, or the value of which is dependent on, fluctuations in
commodity prices entered into in the ordinary course of business and not for
speculative purposes.

         "Consolidated Cash Flow" means, with respect to any specified Person
for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period plus:

                                       4
<PAGE>   10
(1)      provision for taxes based on income or profits of such Person and its
         Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such
         provision for taxes was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net
         Income; plus

(2)      consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted
         Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued and whether or
         not capitalized (including, without limitation, amortization of debt
         issuance costs (other than those in existence on or created on the date
         of this Indenture) and original issue discount, non-cash interest
         payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations,
         the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease
         Obligations, imputed interest with respect to Attributable Debt,
         commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect
         of letter of credit or bankers' acceptance financings, and net of the
         effect of all payments made or received pursuant to Hedging
         Obligations), to the extent that any such expense was deducted in
         computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(3)      depreciation, amortization (including amortization of goodwill and
         other intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses
         that were paid in a prior period) and other non-cash expenses
         (excluding any such non-cash expense to the extent that it represents
         an accrual of or reserve for cash expenses in any future period or
         amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior period)
         of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period to the
         extent that such depreciation, amortization and other non-cash expenses
         were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; minus

(4)      non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net Income for such period,
         other than the accrual of revenue in the ordinary course of business,
         in each case, on a consolidated basis and determined in accordance with
         GAAP.

         "Consolidated Net Income" means, with respect to any specified Person
for any period, the aggregate of the net income of such Person and its
Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in
accordance with GAAP; provided that:

(1)      the net income (but not loss) of any Person that is not a Restricted
         Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting
         shall be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or
         distributions paid in cash to the specified Person or a Wholly Owned
         Subsidiary thereof;

(2)      the net income of any Person acquired in a pooling of interests
         transaction for any period prior to the date of such acquisition shall
         be excluded;

(3)      the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles shall be
         excluded;

(4)      all extraordinary or nonrecurring gains and losses (including without
         limitation any one-time costs incurred in connection with acquisitions)
         shall be excluded;

(5)      any gain or loss realized upon the sale or other disposition of any
         property, plant or equipment of the Company or its Restricted
         Subsidiaries (including pursuant to any sale-and-leaseback arrangement)
         which is not sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of
         business and any gain or loss realized upon the sale or other
         disposition by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Capital
         Stock of any Person;

                                       5
<PAGE>   11
(6)      any gain or loss realized upon the termination of any employee pension
         benefit plan shall be excluded;

(7)      any non-cash compensation charge arising from the grant of or issuance
         of stock, stock options or other equity based awards shall be excluded;
         and

(8)      all deferred financing costs written off, and premiums paid, in
         connection with any early extinguishment of Indebtedness shall be
         excluded.

         "Consolidated Tangible Assets" means, as applied to the Company, the
total consolidated assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries less
the total intangible assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, all
calculated on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

         "Continuing Directors" means, as of any date of determination, any
member of the Board of Directors of the Company who:

(1)      was a member of such Board of Directors on the date of this Indenture;
         or

(2)      was nominated for election or elected to such Board of Directors with
         the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members
         of such Board at the time of such nomination or election; or

(3)      is a designee of a Principal or a Related Party of a Principal or was
         nominated by a Principal or a Related Party.

         "Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee" shall be at the address of the
Trustee specified in Section 11.02 hereof or such other address as to which the
Trustee may give notice to the Company.

         "Credit Facilities" means, one or more debt facilities (including,
without limitation, the Orion Power New York Credit Facility and the Orion Power
MidWest Credit Facility) or commercial paper facilities, in each case with banks
or other institutional lenders providing for revolving credit loans, term loans,
receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders
or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such
receivables) or letters of credit, in each case, as amended, restated, modified,
renewed, refunded, restructured, supplemented, replaced or refinanced in whole
or in part from time to time, including without limitation any amendment
increasing the amount of Indebtedness incurred or available to be borrowed
thereunder, extending the maturity of any Indebtedness incurred thereunder or
contemplated thereby or deleting, adding or substituting one or more parties
thereto (whether or not with banks or other institutional lenders).

         "Currency Hedging Obligations" means any foreign exchange contract,
currency swap agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to
protect against the fluctuations in currency values entered into in the ordinary
course of business and not for speculative purposes.

         "Custodian" means the Trustee, as custodian with respect to the Notes
in global form, or any successor entity thereto.

         "Debt Rating" shall mean the rating assigned to the Notes by Moody's or
S&P or another Rating Agency, as the case may be.

         "Default" means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the
giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.

                                       6
<PAGE>   12
         "Definitive Note" means a certificated Note registered in the name of
the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.06 hereof,
substantially in the form of Exhibit A1 hereto except that such Note shall not
bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the "Schedule of Exchanges of
Interests in the Global Note" attached thereto.

         "Depositary" means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in
whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.03 hereof as
the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto
appointed as depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the
applicable provision of this Indenture.

         "Disinterested Director" means, with respect to any transaction or
series of related transactions, a member of the Board of Directors of the
Company who does not have any material direct or indirect financial interest in
or with respect to such transaction or series of related transactions.

         "Disqualified Stock" means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by
the terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is
exchangeable, in each case at the option of the holder thereof), or upon the
happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a
sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder
thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date on which the Notes mature.
Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any Capital Stock that would constitute
Disqualified Stock solely because the holders thereof have the right to require
the Company to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of
control or an asset sale shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of
such Capital Stock provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any
such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or
redemption complies with Section 4.07 hereof.

         "Eligible Institution" means a commercial banking institution that has
combined capital and surplus of not less that $500.0 million or its equivalent
in foreign currency, whose debt is rated "A" or higher (or the equivalent rating
or higher), according to Moody's or S&P (or such similar equivalent rating by at
least one "nationally recognized statistical rating organization" (as defined in
Rule 436 under the Securities Act)), respectively, at the time as of which any
investment or rollover therein is made.

         "Equity Interests" means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or
other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is
convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).

         "Equity Offering" means a public or private sale for cash of Capital
Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company or any entity that owns all
of the Capital Stock of the Company; provided that such entity contributes the
proceeds of such offer or sale to the common equity capital of the Company.

         "Escrow Funds" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the
Special Escrow and Pledge Agreement.

         "Euroclear" means Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, Brussels
office, as operator of the Euroclear system.

         "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

         "Exchange Notes" means the Notes issued in the Exchange Offer pursuant
to Section 2.06(f) hereof.

         "Exchange Offer" has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights
Agreement.

                                       7
<PAGE>   13
         "Exchange Registration Statement" has the meaning set forth in the
Registration Rights Agreement.

         "Excluded Equity" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.09 hereof.

         "Existing Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of the Company and its
Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness under the Orion Power New York Credit
Facility) in existence on the date of this Indenture, until such amounts are
repaid.

         "Facility" means a power generation facility or any related utility
assets, including transmission facilities.

         "Fixed Charges" means, with respect to any specified Person for any
period, the sum, without duplication, of:

(1)      the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted
         Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued, including,
         without limitation, amortization of debt issuance costs (other than
         those in existence on or created on the date of this Indenture) and
         original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest
         component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component
         of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, imputed
         interest with respect to Attributable Debt, commissions, discounts and
         other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or
         bankers' acceptance financings, and net of the effect of all payments
         made or received pursuant to Hedging Obligations; plus

(2)      the consolidated interest of such Person and its Restricted
         Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period (excluding
         interest capitalized in connection with the construction of a new
         Facility or addition to a Facility, in each case, to the extent such
         interest is capitalized during the construction of such Facility); plus

(3)      any interest expense actually paid on Indebtedness of another Person
         that is Guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries
         or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its Restricted
         Subsidiaries, whether or not such Guarantee or Lien is called upon;
         plus

(4)      the product of (a) all dividends, whether paid or accrued and whether
         or not in cash, on any series of preferred stock of such Person or any
         of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than dividends on Equity
         Interests payable solely in Equity Interests of the Company (other than
         Disqualified Stock) or to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the
         Company, times (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the
         denominator of which is one minus the then current combined federal,
         state and local statutory tax rate of such Person, expressed as a
         decimal; in each case, calculated on a consolidated basis and in
         accordance with GAAP.

         "Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" means with respect to any specified
Person for any period, the ratio of the Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person
for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the
event that the specified Person or any of its Subsidiaries incurs, assumes,
Guarantees, repays, repurchases or redeems any Indebtedness (other than ordinary
working capital borrowings) or issues, repurchases or redeems preferred stock
subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage
Ratio is being calculated and on or prior to the date on which the event for
which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the
"Calculation Date"), including the incurrence of the Indebtedness giving rise to
the need to make such calculation, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be
calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, Guarantee,
repayment, repurchase or redemption of Indebtedness, or such issuance,

                                       8
<PAGE>   14
repurchase or redemption of preferred stock, and the use of the proceeds
therefrom including to refinance other Indebtedness as if the same had occurred
at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter reference period.

         In addition, for purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage
Ratio:

(1)      acquisitions that have been made by the specified Person or any of its
         Subsidiaries, including through mergers or consolidations and including
         any related financing transactions, during the four-quarter reference
         period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to the
         Calculation Date shall be given pro forma effect as if they had
         occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period and
         Consolidated Cash Flow for such reference period shall be calculated on
         a pro forma basis (calculated in good faith by the Company's chief
         financial officer), but without giving effect to clause (2) of the
         proviso set forth in the definition of Consolidated Net Income;

(2)      for purposes of determining the pro forma effects of any acquisition
         referred to in (1) above, Consolidated Cash Flow shall be increased to
         reflect the annualized amount of any cost savings expected by the
         Company to be realized in connection with such acquisition (from steps
         to be taken within twelve months of such acquisition and without
         reduction for any non-recurring charges expected to be incurred in
         connection with such acquisition), as set forth in an Officer's
         Certificate signed by two of the Company's executive officers;

(3)      the Consolidated Cash Flow attributable to discontinued operations, as
         determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses
         disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, shall be excluded;

(4)      the Fixed Charges attributable to discontinued operations, as
         determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses
         disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, shall be excluded, but only
         to the extent that the obligations giving rise to such Fixed Charges
         will not be obligations of the specified Person or any of its
         Subsidiaries following the Calculation Date;

(5)      the consolidated interest expense attributable to interest on any
         Indebtedness computed on a pro forma basis and (a) bearing a floating
         interest rate shall be computed as if the rate in effect on the date of
         computation had been the applicable rate for the entire period and (b)
         that was not outstanding during the period for which the computation is
         being made but which bears, at the option of such Person, a fixed or
         floating rate of interest, shall be computed by applying at the option
         of such Person either the fixed or floating rate;

(6)      the consolidated interest expense attributable to interest on any
         working capital borrowings under a revolving credit facility computed
         on a pro forma basis shall be computed based upon the average daily
         balance of such working capital borrowings during the applicable
         period; and

(7)      acquisitions and dispositions that have been made by any Person that
         has become a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or been merged with
         or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company during
         the four-quarter reference period, or subsequent to the four-quarter
         reference period but prior to the Calculation Date, shall be calculated
         on a pro forma basis, including all of the calculations referred to
         above, assuming that such acquisitions and dispositions had occurred on
         the first day of the reference period.

         "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the
opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American
Institute of Certified Public

                                       9
<PAGE>   15
Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting
Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been
approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in
effect (i) with respect to periodic reporting requirements, from time to time,
and (ii) otherwise on the date of this Indenture.

         "Global Notes" means, individually and collectively, each of the
Restricted Global Notes and the Unrestricted Global Notes, substantially in the
form of Exhibit A1 hereto issued in accordance with Section 2.01, 2.06(b)(iv),
2.06(d)(ii) or 2.06(f) hereof.

         "Global Note Legend" means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(ii),
which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.

         "Government Securities" means securities issued directly and fully
guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or
instrumentality thereof (provided that the full faith and credit of the United
States is pledged in support thereof).

         "Guarantee" means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable
instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or
indirect, in any manner including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of
assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect
thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness.

         "Guarantor" means any Subsidiary that executes a Note Guarantee and/or
a Supplemental Indenture to this Indenture in accordance with the provisions of
this Indenture, and its respective successors and assigns.

         "Hedging Obligations" means, with respect to any specified Person, the
obligations of such Person under:

(1)      interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements and
         interest rate collar agreements; and

(2)      other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person
         against fluctuations in interest rates.

         "Holder" means a Person in whose name a Note is registered.

         "IAI Global Note" means the Globe Note substantially in the form of
Exhibit A1 hereto being the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend
and deposited with or behalf of and registered in the name of the Depository or
its nominee that will be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding
principal amount of Notes sold to Institutional Accredited Investors.

         "Indebtedness" means, with respect to any specified Person, any
indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent:

(1)      in respect of borrowed money;

(2)      evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters
         of credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof);

(3)      representing banker's acceptances;

                                       10
<PAGE>   16
(4)      representing Capital Lease Obligations;

(5)      representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of
         any property, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued
         expense or trade payable; or

(6)      representing any Hedging Obligations,

if and to the extent any of the preceding items (other than letters of credit
and Hedging Obligations) appears as a liability upon a balance sheet of the
specified Person prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the term
"Indebtedness" includes all Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any
asset of the specified Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by
the specified Person) and, to the extent not otherwise included, the Guarantee
by the specified Person of any indebtedness of any other Person.

         The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date shall be:

(1)      the accreted value thereof, in the case of any Indebtedness issued with
         original issue discount; and

(2)      the principal amount thereof, together with any interest thereon that
         is more than 30 days past due, in the case of any other Indebtedness;
         provided that for purposes of determining the amount of any
         Indebtedness, if recourse with respect to such Indebtedness is limited
         to such asset, the amount of such Indebtedness shall be limited to the
         lesser of the fair market value of such asset or the amount of such
         Indebtedness.

         "Indenture" means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time
to time.

         "Independent Investment Banker" means the Reference Treasury Dealers
appointed by the Trustee after consultation with the Company.

         "Indirect Participant" means a Person who holds a beneficial interest
in a Global Note through a Participant.

         "Initial Notes" means the first $375.0 million aggregate principal
amount of Notes issued under this Indenture on the date hereof.

         "Institutional Accredited Investor" means an institution that is an
"accredited investor" as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the
Securities Act, who are not also QIBs.

         "Investments" means, with respect to any Person, all direct or indirect
investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms
of loans (including Guarantees of Indebtedness or other obligations), advances
or capital contributions (excluding commission, travel, entertainment, moving
and similar advances or loans to officers, directors, consultants and employees
made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for
consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities, together
with all items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet
prepared in accordance with GAAP. The term "Investment" shall exclude extensions
of trade credit on commercially reasonable terms in accordance with normal trade
terms. If the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company sells or otherwise
disposes of any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the
Company such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such
Person is no longer a Subsidiary of the Company, the Company shall be deemed to
have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to the
fair market value of the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary not sold or
disposed of in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of
Section 4.07 hereof. The acquisition by the Company or any Subsidiary of the
Company of

                                       11
<PAGE>   17
a Person that holds an Investment in a third Person shall be deemed to be an
Investment by the Company or such Subsidiary in such third Person in an amount
equal to the fair market value of the Investment held by the acquired Person in
such third Person in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of
Section 4.07 hereof.

         "Legal Holiday" means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking
institutions in the City of New York or at a place of payment are authorized by
law, regulation or executive order to remain closed. If a payment date is a
Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the
next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue on
such payment for the intervening period.

         "Letter of Transmittal" means the letter of transmittal to be prepared
by the Company and sent to all Holders of the Notes for use by such Holders in
connection with the Exchange Offer.

         "Lien" means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge,
charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset,
whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law,
including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in
the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security
interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under
the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction.

         "Marketable U.S. Securities" means: (i) any time deposit account, money
market deposit and certificate of deposit maturing not more that 365 days after
the date of acquisition issued by, or time deposit of, an Eligible Institution;
(ii) commercial paper maturing not more than 365 days after the date of
acquisition issued by a corporation (other than an Affiliate of the Company)
with a rating, at the time as of which any investment therein is made, of "P-1"
or higher according to Moody's or "A-1" or higher according to S&P (or such
similar equivalent rating by at least one "nationally recognized statistical
rating organization" (as defined in Rule 436 under the Securities Act)); (iii)
any banker's acceptances or money market deposit accounts issued or offered by
an Eligible Institution; (iv) repurchase obligations with a term of not more
than 7 days for Government Securities entered into with an Eligible Institution;
and (v) any fund investing exclusively in investments of the types described in
clauses (i) through (iv) above and or Government Securities.

         "Market Making Shelf Registration Statement" has the meaning set forth
in the Registration Rights Agreement.

         "Midwest Assets" means the six operating facilities and one retired
generating facility, all located in Pennsylvania and Ohio and a provider of last
resort contract from Duquesne Light Company that the Company has agreed to
purchase pursuant to the (i) Asset Purchase Agreement between Duquesne Light
Company, the Company, The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, Ohio Edison
Company and Pennsylvania Power Company dated September 24, 1999, (ii) POLR
Agreement between the Company and Duquesne Light Company dated as of September
24, 1999, (iii) Connection and Site Agreement relating to The Cheswick
Generating Unit by and between Duquesne Light Company and the Company, dated as
of September 24, 1999, (iv) Connection and Site Agreement relating to the Avon
Lake Generating Units by and between American Transmissions Systems, Inc., Ohio
Edison Company, Pennsylvania Power Company, The Cleveland Electric Illuminating
Company, The Toledo

                                       12
<PAGE>   18
Edison Company and the Company, dated as of September 24, 1999, (v) Cheswick
Must-Run Agreement by and between Duquesne Light Company and the Company, dated
as of September 24, 1999, and (vi) Avon Lake Must-Run Agreement by and between
American Transmissions Systems, Inc., Ohio Edison Company, Pennsylvania Power
Company, The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, The Toledo Edison Company
and the Company, dated as of September 24, 1999, in each case as amended,
modified and supplemented to the date hereof.

         "Moody's" mean Moody's Investors Service, Inc., and its successors.

         "Net Proceeds" means the aggregate cash proceeds and Cash Equivalents
received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any
Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash received upon the sale or
other disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net
of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale, including, without limitation,
legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and sales commissions, and any
relocation expenses incurred as a result thereof, taxes paid or payable as a
result thereof, in each case, after taking into account any available tax
credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements, and amounts required to
be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness, other than Senior Debt under a
Credit Facility, secured by a Lien on the asset or assets that were the subject
of such Asset Sale and any reserve for adjustment in respect of the sale price
of such asset or assets established in accordance with GAAP.

         "Non-Recourse Debt" means Indebtedness:

(1)      as to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
         (a) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking,
         agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness but
         excluding any agreement to provide managerial support), (b) is directly
         or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise, or (c) constitutes
         the lender; and

(2)      no default with respect to which (including any rights that the holders
         thereof may have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted
         Subsidiary) would permit upon notice, lapse of time or both any holder
         of any other Indebtedness (other than the Notes) of the Company or any
         of its Restricted Subsidiaries to declare a default on such other
         Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable
         prior to its stated maturity.

         "Non-U.S. Person" means a Person who is not a U.S. Person.

         "Note Guarantee" means the Guarantee by each Guarantor of the Company's
payment obligations under this Indenture and on the Notes, executed pursuant to
the provisions of a Supplemental Indenture.

         "Notes" has the meaning assigned to it in the preamble to this
Indenture. The Initial Notes and the Additional Notes shall be treated as a
single class for all purposes under this Indenture.

         "Obligations" means any principal, interest, penalties, fees,
indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under
the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

         "Offering" means the offering of the Notes by the Company.

         "Officer" means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board,
any Vice-Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief
Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Legal Officer, the
Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or any
Vice-President of such Person and, if a partnership, any General Partner, and,
if a limited liability company, any Managing Member.

         "Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed on behalf of the
Company by two Officers of the Company, one of whom must be the principal
executive officer, the principal financial officer, the

                                       13
<PAGE>   19
treasurer or the principal accounting officer of the Company, that meets the
requirements of Section 11.05 hereof.

         "Opinion of Counsel" means an opinion from legal counsel who is
reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, that meets the requirements of Section
11.05 hereof. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, any
Subsidiary of the Company or the Trustee.

         "Orion Power MidWest Credit Facility" means the Credit Facility to be
entered into among Orion Power MidWest, L.P. and the lenders and other parties
thereto, including any related notes, guarantees, collateral documents,
instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and in each case as
amended, modified, renewed, refunded, restructured, supplemented, replaced or
refinanced from time to time, including without limitation any amendment,
replacement or restatement increasing the amount of Indebtedness incurred or
available to be borrowed thereunder, extending the maturity of any Indebtedness
incurred thereunder or contemplated thereby or deleting, adding or substituting
one or more parties thereto, including changing the borrower thereunder (whether
or not with banks or other institutional lenders).

         "Orion Power New York Credit Facility" means that certain Orion Power
New York Credit Facility, dated as of July 28, 1999, by and among Orion Power
New York, L.P. and Banc of America Securities LLC and Paribas, providing for up
to $730.0 million of credit borrowings, including any related notes, guarantees,
collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection
therewith, and in each case as amended, modified, renewed, refunded,
restructured, supplemented, replaced or refinanced from time to time, including
without limitation any amendment, replacement or restatement increasing the
amount of Indebtedness incurred or available to be borrowed thereunder,
extending the maturity of any Indebtedness incurred thereunder or contemplated
thereby or deleting, adding or substituting one or more parties thereto,
including changing the borrower thereunder (whether or not with banks or other
institutional lenders).

         "Participant" means, with respect to the Depositary, Euroclear or
Clearstream, a Person who has an account with the Depositary, Euroclear or
Clearstream, respectively (and, with respect to DTC, shall include Euroclear and
Clearstream).

         "Permitted Business" means the business of acquiring, developing,
constructing, expanding, managing, improving, owning and operating Facilities,
as well as any other activities reasonably related, complimentary or ancillary
to the foregoing activities (including acquiring and holding reserves),
including but not limited to investing in Persons engaged in one or more
Permitted Businesses.

         "Permitted Group" means any group of investors that is deemed to be a
"person" (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) by
virtue of the Stockholders Agreement, as the same may be amended, modified or
supplemented from time to time, provided that no single Person (other than a
Principal and its Related Parties) Beneficially Owns (together with its
Affiliates) more of the Voting Stock of the Company than is Beneficially Owned
by such group of investors than is then collectively Beneficially Owned by the
Principal and their Related Parties in the aggregate.

         "Permitted IDA Transaction" means any transfer of assets by Erie
Boulevard Hydropower, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, to a New York State
(or political subdivision thereof) industrial development authority and the
subsequent lease back by Erie Boulevard Hydropower, L.P. of such assets for the
procurement of beneficial tax treatment in respect of such assets, provided that
(i) any Net Proceeds received by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries as a result of such transfer of assets are treated as Net Proceeds
from an Asset Sale and are applied in accordance with the second paragraph of
Section 4.10 hereof and (ii) in no event shall any Permitted IDA Transaction
include terms

                                       14
<PAGE>   20
or conditions pursuant to which the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries incurs Indebtedness or supports the payment of Indebtedness of any
other Person.

         "Permitted Investments" means:

(1)      any Investment in the Company or in a Restricted Subsidiary of the
         Company;

(2)      any Investment in cash or Cash Equivalents or Marketable U.S.
         Securities;

(3)      any Investment by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company in a
         Person, if as a result of such Investment:

         (a)      such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; or

         (b)      such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or
         into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is
         liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(4)      any Investment made as a result of the receipt of non-cash
         consideration from an Asset Sale that was made pursuant to and in
         compliance with Section 4.10 hereof;

(5)      any Investment in exchange for the issuance of Equity Interests other
         than Disqualified Stock of the Company;

(6)      Hedging Obligations;

(7)      other Investments in any Person having an aggregate fair market value
         (measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving
         effect to subsequent changes in value) at any one time outstanding,
         when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this
         clause (7) since the date of this Indenture, not to exceed 5% of the
         Company's Consolidated Tangible Assets;

(8)      Investments in any of the Notes;

(9)      Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company
         described under clause (5) of the definition of Permitted Debt;

(10)     Investments in existence on the date of this Indenture or made pursuant
         to a legally binding written commitment in existence on the date of
         this Indenture;

(11)     Guarantees of Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company
         given by the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary of the Company,
         in each case, in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;

(12)     Investments in prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for
         collection and lease, utility and worker's compensation, performance
         and other similar deposits provided to third parties in the ordinary
         course of business;

(13)     Hedging Obligations, Currency Hedging Obligations and Commodity Price
         Protection Obligations permitted by this Indenture that are entered
         into in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative
         purposes;

                                       15
<PAGE>   21
(14)     Investments representing Capital Stock or obligations issued to the
         Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in settlement of
         claims against any other Person by reason of a composition or
         readjustment of debt or a reorganization of any debtor (including
         customers and suppliers) of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary;

(15)     Investments that are permitted to be made by any Restricted Subsidiary
         pursuant to the Orion Power New York Credit Facility as in effect on
         the date of this Indenture; and

(16)     loans or advances to customers or suppliers in the ordinary course of
         business.

         "Permitted Liens" means:

(1)      Liens securing Indebtedness and other Obligations of the Company and
         its Restricted Subsidiaries under (a) the Orion Power New York Credit
         Facility and the Orion Power MidWest Credit Facility and (b) any other
         Credit Facilities (to the extent that such Indebtedness and Obligations
         under the Orion Power New York Credit Facility, the Orion Power MidWest
         Credit Facility and such other Credit Facilities were permitted by the
         terms of this Indenture to be incurred);

(2)      (a) Liens that are permitted under the Orion Power New York Credit
         Facility and the Orion Power MidWest Credit Facility, and (b) Liens
         securing Indebtedness and other Obligations of Restricted Subsidiaries
         of the Company, in each case, that were permitted by the terms of this
         Indenture to be incurred;

(3)      Liens in favor of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the
         Company;

(4)      Liens on assets or Equity Interests of a Person existing at the time
         such Person is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or
         any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Liens were
         in existence prior to the contemplation of such merger or consolidation
         and do not extend to any assets other than those of the Person merged
         into or consolidated with the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary;

(5)      Liens on assets existing at the time of acquisition thereof by the
         Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, provided that such
         Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such acquisition;

(6)      Liens to secure the performance of statutory obligations, surety or
         appeal bonds, performance bonds, performance bids, tenders or
         contracts, statutory and common law landlord's liens or other
         obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of
         business;

(7)      Liens existing on the date of this Indenture;

(8)      Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims that are
         not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by
         appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted,
         provided that any reserve or other appropriate provision as shall be
         required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made therefor;

(9)      Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations of a Restricted
         Subsidiary owing to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary of the
         Company;

(10)     Liens to secure any refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or
         replacement (or successive refinancings, refundings, extensions,
         renewals or replacements) as a whole, or in part, of any

                                       16
<PAGE>   22
         Indebtedness secured by any Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses
         (3), (4), (5), (7), (9), (11) and (12), provided, however, that (x)
         such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same assets that
         secured the original Lien (plus improvements on such property) and (y)
         the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased
         (other than by an amount necessary to pay fees and expenses, including
         premiums, related to the refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or
         replacement of such Indebtedness);

(11)     any Lien securing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under Hedging
         Obligations or otherwise incurred to hedge interest rate risk or risks
         of commodity price fluctuations;

(12)     any Lien securing Capital Lease Obligations or purchase money
         obligations incurred in accordance with this Indenture; and

(13)     any Lien securing the interest of the Trustee in the Escrow Funds for
         the ratable benefit of the Holders under the Special Escrow and Pledge
         Agreement.

         "Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness" means any Indebtedness of the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net
proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, restructure,
supplement, defease or refund other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries (other than intercompany Indebtedness); provided that:

(1)      the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such
         Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount
         (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness so extended,
         refinanced, renewed, replaced, restructured, supplemented, defeased or
         refunded (plus all accrued interest thereon and the amount of all
         expenses and premiums incurred in connection therewith);

(2)      if the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced,
         defeased or refunded is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes,
         such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated in right of
         payment to, the Notes on terms at least as favorable to the Holders of
         Notes as those contained in the documentation governing the
         Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or
         refunded; and

(3)      Indebtedness is incurred by the Company if the Indebtedness being
         extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded was
         Indebtedness of the Company.

         "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture,
association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited
liability company, government, governmental subdivision or other entity.

         "Principal" means Goldman, Sachs & Co. or any of its affiliates,
Constellation Energy Group Inc. or any of its affiliates, Mitsubishi Corporation
or any of its affiliates or Tokyo Electric Power Company International B.V. or
any of its affiliates or each member of the Company's management as of the date
of this Indenture.

         "Private Placement Legend" means the legend set forth in Section
2.06(g)(i) to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture except where
otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.

         "PUHCA" means the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as
amended.

         "QIB" means a "qualified institutional buyer" as defined in Rule 144A.

                                       17
<PAGE>   23
         "Registration Rights Agreement" means the Registration Rights
Agreement, dated as of April 27, 2000, by and among the Company and the other
parties named on the signature pages thereof, as such agreement may be amended,
modified or supplemented from time to time and, with respect to any Additional
Notes, one or more registration rights agreements between the Company and the
other parties thereto, as such agreement(s) may be amended, modified or
supplemented from time to time, relating to rights given by the Company to the
purchasers of Additional Notes to register such Additional Notes under the
Securities Act.

         "Regulation S" means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.

         "Regulation S Global Note" means a Regulation S Temporary Global Note
or Regulation S Permanent Global Note, as appropriate.

         "Regulation S Permanent Global Note" means a permanent global Note in
the form of Exhibit A1 hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private
Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name
of the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the
outstanding principal amount of the Regulation S Temporary Global Note upon
expiration of the Restricted Period.

         "Regulation S Temporary Global Note" means a temporary global Note in
the form of Exhibit A2 hereto bearing the Private Placement Legend and deposited
with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its
nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of
the Notes initially sold in reliance on Rule 903 of Regulation S.

         "Related Party" means:

(1)      any controlling stockholder, 80% (or more) owned Subsidiary, or
         immediate family member (in the case of an individual) of any
         Principal; or

(2)      any trust, corporation, partnership or other entity, the beneficiaries,
         stockholders, partners, owners or Persons beneficially holding an 80%
         or more controlling interest of which consist of any one or more
         Principals and/or such other Persons referred to in the immediately
         preceding clause (1).

         "Responsible Officer," when used with respect to the Trustee, means any
officer within the Corporate Trust Administration of the Trustee (or any
successor group of the Trustee) or any other officer of the Trustee customarily
performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated
officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter,
any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of
and familiarity with the particular subject.

         "Restricted Definitive Note" means a Definitive Note bearing the
Private Placement Legend.

         "Restricted Global Note" means a Global Note bearing the Private
Placement Legend.

         "Restricted Investment" means an Investment other than a Permitted
Investment.

         "Restricted Period" means the 40-day restricted period as defined in
Regulation S.

         "Restricted Subsidiary" of a Person means Orion Power New York, L.P.,
Orion Power MidWest, L.P. and any Subsidiary of the referent Person that is not
an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

                                       18
<PAGE>   24
         "Revolving Credit Facility" means the Credit Facility to be entered
into among the Company and the lenders and other parties thereto, providing for
up to $80.0 million of credit borrowings, including any related notes,
guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in
connection therewith, and in each case as amended, modified, renewed, refunded,
restructured, supplemented, replaced or refinanced from time to time, including
without limitation any amendment, replacement or restatement increasing the
amount of Indebtedness incurred or available to be borrowed thereunder,
extending the maturity of any Indebtedness incurred thereunder or contemplated
thereby or deleting, adding or substituting one or more parties thereto,
including changing the borrower thereunder (whether or not with banks or other
institutional lenders).

         "Rule 144" means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.

         "Rule 144A" means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.

         "Rule 903" means Rule 903 promulgated under the Securities Act.

         "Rule 904" means Rule 904 promulgated the Securities Act.

         "Sale/Leaseback Transaction" means an arrangement relating to property
owned as of the date of this Indenture or thereafter acquired whereby the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary transfers such property to a Person and
leases it back from such Person, other than (1) leases for a term of not more
than 36 months or between the Company and a Restricted Subsidiary or between
Restricted Subsidiaries and (2) a Permitted IDA Transaction.

         "S&P" means Standard & Poor's, and its successors.

         "SEC" or "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

         "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

         "Shelf Registration Statement" means the Shelf Registration Statement
as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement.

         "Significant Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary that would be a
"significant subsidiary" as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X,
promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Regulation is in effect on
the date hereof.

         "Special Escrow Account" shall have the meaning assigned to such term
in the Special Escrow and Pledge Agreement.

         "Special Escrow Agent" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
the Special Escrow and Pledge Agreement.

         "Special Escrow and Pledge Agreement" means that certain Senior Note
Pledge, Escrow and Assignment Agreement, dated as of April 27, 2000, by and
among the Company, the Trustee, and the Special Escrow Agent.

         "Special Interest" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the
Registration Rights Agreement.

                                       19
<PAGE>   25
         "Stated Maturity" means, with respect to any installment of interest or
principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which such payment of
interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the original documentation
governing such Indebtedness, and shall not include any contingent obligations to
repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date
originally scheduled for the payment thereof.

         "Stockholders Agreement" means the Amended and Restated Stockholders'
Agreement, dated as of November 5, 1999, by and among Orion Power Holdings,
Inc., GS Capital Partners II, L.P. (and Certain Affiliates), Constellation Power
Source, Inc., Mitsubishi Corporation and affiliates and Tokyo Electric Power
Company International B.V., as such agreement may be amended from time to time.

         "Subsidiary" means, with respect to any specified Person:

(1)      any corporation, association or other business entity of which more
         than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled
         (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the
         election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time
         owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or
         more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination
         thereof); and

(2)      any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing general
         partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (b)
         the only general partners of which are such Person or one or more
         Subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination thereof).

         "TIA" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Sections
77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date on which this Indenture is qualified
under the TIA.

         "Trustee" means the party named as such above until a successor
replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and
thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.

         "Unrestricted Definitive Note" means one or more Definitive Notes that
do not bear and are not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

         "Unrestricted Global Note" means a permanent global Note substantially
in the form of Exhibit A1 attached hereto that bears the Global Note Legend and
that has the "Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note" attached
thereto, and that is deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name
of the Depositary, representing a series of Notes that do not bear the Private
Placement Legend.

         "Unrestricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Company that is
designated by the Board of Directors as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a
Board Resolution, but only to the extent that such Subsidiary:

         (1)      has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt;

         (2)      is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or
understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company
unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding
are no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those
that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the
Company;

         (3)      is a Person with respect to which neither the Company nor any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation (a) to
subscribe for additional Equity Interests or (b) to

                                       20
<PAGE>   26
maintain or preserve such Person's financial condition or to cause such Person
to achieve any specified levels of operating results; and

         (4)      has not guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly
provided credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries.

         Any designation of a Subsidiary of the Company as an Unrestricted
Subsidiary shall be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a
certified copy of the Board Resolution giving effect to such designation and an
Officers' Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the
preceding conditions and was permitted by Section 4.07 hereof. If, at any time,
any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an
Unrestricted Subsidiary, it shall thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted
Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture and any Indebtedness of such
Subsidiary shall be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be
incurred as of such date under Section 4.09 hereof, the Company shall be in
default of such Section 4.09. The Board of Directors of the Company may at any
time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary;
provided that such designation shall be deemed to be an incurrence of
Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of any outstanding
Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary and such designation shall only be
permitted if (1) such Indebtedness is permitted under the covenant described
under Section 4.09 hereof, calculated on a pro forma basis as if such
designation had occurred at the beginning of the four-quarter reference period;
and (2) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such
designation.

         "U.S. Person" means a U.S. person as defined in Rule 902(o) under the
Securities Act.

         "Voting Stock" of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of
such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of
Directors of such Person.

         "Wholly Owned Subsidiary" of any specified Person means a Subsidiary of
such Person all of the outstanding capital stock or other ownership interests of
which (other than directors' qualifying shares) will at the time be owned by
such Person or by one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person and one
or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

Section 1.02.     Other Definitions.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Defined in
        Term                                                       Section
        ----                                                       -------
<S>                                                              <C>
        "Additional Escrow Amount"                                  3.09
        "Affiliate Transaction"                                     4.11
        "Applicable Premium"                                        3.09
        "Asset Sale Offer"                                          3.10
        "Authentication Order"                                      2.02
        "Change of Control Offer"                                   4.15
        "Change of Control Payment"                                 4.15
        "Change of Control Payment Date"                            4.15
        "Covenant Defeasance"                                       8.03
        "Event of Default"                                          6.01
        "Excess Proceeds"                                           4.10
        "Excluded Equity"                                           4.09
        "incur"                                                     4.09
        "Legal Defeasance"                                          8.02
        "Offer Amount"                                              3.10
</TABLE>

                                       21
<PAGE>   27
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Defined in
        Term                                                       Section
        ----                                                       -------
<S>                                                              <C>
        "Offer Period"                                              3.10
        "Paying Agent"                                              2.03
        "Permitted Debt"                                            4.09
        "Purchase Date"                                             3.10
        "Redemption Date"                                           3.09
        "Registrar"                                                 2.03
        "Restricted Payments"                                       4.07
</TABLE>

Section 1.03      Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

         Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision
is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.

         The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following
meanings:

         "indenture securities" means the Notes;

         "indenture security Holder" means a Holder of a Note;

         "indenture to be qualified" means this Indenture;

         "indenture trustee" or "institutional trustee" means the Trustee; and

         "obligor" on the Notes and the Note Guarantees, if any, means the
Company and the Guarantors, respectively, and any successor obligor upon the
Notes and the Note Guarantees, respectively.

         All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA,
defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA
have the meanings so assigned to them.

Section 1.04.     Rules of Construction.

         Unless the context otherwise requires:

         (a)      a term has the meaning assigned to it;

         (b)      an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning
assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

         (c)      "or" is not exclusive;

         (d)      words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural
include the singular;

         (e)      provisions apply to successive events and transactions;

         (f)      references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act
shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement of successor sections or
rules adopted by the SEC from time to time;

         (g)      the words "herein," "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words
of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular
Article, Section or other subdivision; and

                                       22
<PAGE>   28
         (h) all references to $, US$, dollars or United States dollars shall
refer to the lawful currency of the United States.

ARTICLE 2.
                                    THE NOTES

Section 2.01.     Form and Dating.

         (a) General. The Notes and the Trustee's certificate of authentication
shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. The Notes may have
notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or
usage. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall
be in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof.

         The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and
are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Company, the
Guarantors, if any, and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this
Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby.
However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express
provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and
be controlling.

         (b) Global Notes. Notes issued in global form shall be substantially in
the form of Exhibits A1 or A2 attached hereto (including the Global Note Legend
thereon and the "Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note" attached
thereto). Notes issued in definitive form shall be substantially in the form of
Exhibit A1 attached hereto (but without the Global Note Legend thereon and
without the "Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note" attached
thereto). Each Global Note shall represent such of the outstanding Notes as
shall be specified therein and each shall provide that it shall represent the
aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed
thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented
thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to
reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect
the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of
outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the
Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions
given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06 hereof. The aggregate
principal amount of the Global Notes may from time to time be increased or
decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee and the Depositary
or its nominee, as the case may be, in connection with transfers of interest as
hereinafter provided.

         (c) Temporary Global Notes. Notes offered and sold in reliance on
Regulation S shall be issued initially in the form of the Regulation S Temporary
Global Note, which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes
represented thereby with the Trustee, at its New York office, as custodian for
the Depositary, and registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of
the Depositary for the accounts of designated agents holding on behalf of
Euroclear or Clearstream, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the
Trustee as hereinafter provided. The Restricted Period shall be terminated upon
the receipt by the Trustee of (i) a written certificate from the Depositary,
together with copies of certificates from Euroclear and Clearstream certifying
that they have received certification of non-United States beneficial ownership
of 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Regulation S Temporary Global
Note (except to the extent of any beneficial owners thereof who acquired an
interest therein during the Restricted Period pursuant to another exemption from
registration under the Securities Act and who will take delivery of a beneficial
ownership interest in a 144A Global Note or an IAI Global Note bearing a Private
Placement Legend, all as contemplated by Section 2.06(a)(ii) hereof), and (ii)
an Officers' Certificate from the Company. Following the termination of the
Restricted Period, beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global
Note shall be exchanged for beneficial interests in Regulation S Permanent
Global Notes pursuant to the Applicable Procedures. Simultaneously with the

                                       23
<PAGE>   29
authentication of Regulation S Permanent Global Notes, the Trustee shall cancel
the Regulation S Temporary Global Note. The aggregate principal amount of the
Regulation S Temporary Global Note and the Regulation S Permanent Global Notes
may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the
records of the Trustee and the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, in
connection with transfers of interest as hereinafter provided.

         (d) Euroclear and Clearstream Procedures Applicable. The provisions of
the "Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System" and "Terms and Conditions
Governing Use of Euroclear" and the "General Terms and Conditions of
Clearstream" and "Customer Handbook" of Clearstream shall be applicable to
transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note and
the Regulation S Permanent Global Notes that are held by Participants through
Euroclear or Clearstream.

Section 2.02. Execution and Authentication.

         Two Officers shall sign the Notes for the Company by manual or
facsimile signature.

         If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office
at the time a Note is authenticated, or does not hold such office on the date of
the Notes, the Note shall nevertheless be valid.

         A Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature
of an authorized signatory of the Trustee. The signature shall be conclusive
evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.

         The Trustee shall, upon a written order of the Company signed by two
Officers (an "Authentication Order"), authenticate Notes for original issue up
to the aggregate principal amount stated in paragraph 4 of the Notes. The
aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding at any time may not exceed such
amount except as provided in Section 2.07 hereof.

         The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the
Company to authenticate Notes. An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes
whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to
authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An
authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an
Affiliate of the Company.

Section 2.03. Registrar and Paying Agent.

         The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Notes may be
presented for registration of transfer or for exchange ("Registrar") and an
office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment ("Paying Agent"). The
Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange.
The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional
paying agents. The term "Registrar" includes any co-registrar and the term
"Paying Agent" includes any additional paying agent. The Company may change any
Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company shall notify
the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this
Indenture. If the Company fails to appoint or maintain another entity as
Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company or any of
its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

         The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") to
act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.

                                       24
<PAGE>   30
         The Company initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Registrar and
Paying Agent and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes.

Section 2.04.     Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

         The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to
agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of
Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of
principal, premium or Special Interest, if any, or interest on the Notes, and
will notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such
payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying
Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may
require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment
over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a
Subsidiary) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a
Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust
fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon
any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Company, the
Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

Section 2.05.     Holder Lists.

         The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably
practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of
all Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a). If the Trustee
is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least seven
Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the
Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the
Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of
Notes which may be conclusively relied on by the Trustee and the Company shall
otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a); provided that as long as the Trustee
is the Registrar, no list need be furnished.

Section 2.06.     Transfer and Exchange.

         (a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. A Global Note may not be
transferred as a whole except by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary,
by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the
Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary
or a nominee of such successor Depositary. All Global Notes will be exchanged by
the Company for Definitive Notes if (i) the Company delivers to the Trustee
notice from the Depositary that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as
Depositary or that it is no longer a clearing agency registered under the
Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the
Company within 120 days after the date of such notice from the Depositary or
(ii) the Company in its sole discretion determines that the Global Notes (in
whole but not in part) should be exchanged for Definitive Notes and delivers a
written notice to such effect to the Trustee; provided that in no event shall
the Regulation S Temporary Global Note be exchanged by the Company for
Definitive Notes prior to (x) the expiration of the Restricted Period and (y)
the receipt by the Registrar of any certificates required pursuant to Rule
903(c)(3)(ii)(B) under the Securities Act. Upon the occurrence of either of the
preceding events in (i) or (ii) above, Definitive Notes shall be issued in such
names as the Depositary shall instruct the Trustee. Global Notes also may be
exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.07 and
2.10 hereof. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu
of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.06 or
Section 2.07 or 2.10 hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form
of, and shall be, a Global Note. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another
Note other than as provided in this Section 2.06(a), however, beneficial
interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in
Section 2.06(b), (c) or (f) hereof.

                                       25
<PAGE>   31
         (b) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes.
The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes shall be
effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions of this
Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted
Global Notes shall be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those
set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Transfers of
beneficial interests in the Global Notes also shall require compliance with
either subparagraph (i) or (ii) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of
the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:

                  (i) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note.
         Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred
         to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial
         interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the
         transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend;
         provided, however, that prior to the expiration of the Restricted
         Period, transfers of beneficial interests in the Temporary Regulation S
         Global Note may not be made to a U.S. Person or for the account or
         benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Beneficial
         interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons
         who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an
         Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be
         required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers
         described in this Section 2.06(b)(i).

                  (ii) All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests
         in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of
         beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.06(b)(i) above,
         the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the
         Registrar either (A) (1) a written order from a Participant or an
         Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the
         Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be
         credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount
         equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2)
         instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures
         containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited
         with such increase or (B) (1) a written order from a Participant or an
         Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the
         Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a
         Definitive Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be
         transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given by the Depositary
         to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose
         name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or
         exchange referred to in (1) above; provided that in no event shall
         Definitive Notes be issued upon the transfer or exchange of beneficial
         interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note prior to (x) the
         expiration of the Restricted Period and (y) the receipt by the
         Registrar of any certificates required pursuant to Rule 903 under the
         Securities Act. Upon consummation of an Exchange Offer by the Company
         in accordance with Section 2.06(f) hereof, the requirements of this
         Section 2.06(b)(ii) shall be deemed to have been satisfied upon receipt
         by the Registrar of the instructions contained in the Letter of
         Transmittal delivered by the Holder of such beneficial interests in the
         Restricted Global Notes. Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements
         for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes
         contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under
         the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of
         the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof.

                  (iii) Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted
         Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be
         transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a
         beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer
         complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(ii) above and the
         Registrar receives the following:

                                       26
<PAGE>   32
                           (A) if the transferee will take delivery in the form
                  of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note, then the
                  transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B
                  hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

                           (B) if the transferee will take delivery in the form
                  of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Temporary Global
                  Note or the Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must
                  deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto,
                  including the certifications in item (2) thereof; and

                           (C) if the transferee will take delivery in the form
                  of a beneficial interest in the IAI Global Note, then the
                  transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B
                  hereto, including the certifications and certificates and
                  Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if
                  applicable.

                  (iv) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a
         Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in the Unrestricted
         Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be
         exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an
         Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery
         thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global
         Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of
         Section 2.06(b)(ii) above and:

                           (A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to
                  the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights
                  Agreement and the holder of the beneficial interest to be
                  transferred, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in
                  the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of
                  Transmittal that it is not (1) a broker-dealer, (2) a Person
                  participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (3)
                  a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the
                  Company;

                           (B) such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf
                  Registration Statement or the Market Making Shelf Registration
                  Statement, in each case, in accordance with the Registration
                  Rights Agreement;

                           (C) such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer
                  pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in
                  accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

                           (D) the Registrar receives the following:

                                    (1) if the holder of such beneficial
                           interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to
                           exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial
                           interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a
                           certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C
                           hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(a)
                           thereof; or

                                    (2) if the holder of such beneficial
                           interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to
                           transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who
                           shall take delivery thereof in the form of a
                           beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a
                           certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B
                           hereto, including the certifications in item (4)
                           thereof;

                  and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if
                  the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so
                  require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable
                  to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer
                  is in compliance

                                       27
<PAGE>   33
                  with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer
                  contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no
                  longer required in order to maintain compliance with the
                  Securities Act.

         If any such transfer is effected pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (D)
above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the
Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance
with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more
Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the
aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to
subparagraph (B) or (D) above.

         Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged
for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a
beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.

         (c) Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes.

                  (i) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to
         Restricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in
         a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest
         for a Restricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial
         interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a
         Restricted Definitive Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the
         following documentation:

                           (A) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a
                  Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial
                  interest for a Restricted Definitive Note, a certificate from
                  such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the
                  certifications in item (2)(a) thereof;

                           (B) if such beneficial interest is being transferred
                  to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities
                  Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B
                  hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

                           (C) if such beneficial interest is being transferred
                  to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance
                  with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, a
                  certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto,
                  including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

                           (D) if such beneficial interest is being transferred
                  pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of
                  the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the
                  Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in
                  Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a)
                  thereof;

                           (E) if such beneficial interest is being transferred
                  to an Institutional Accredited Investor in reliance on an
                  exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities
                  Act other than those listed in subparagraphs (B) through (D)
                  above, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B
                  hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion
                  of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable;

                           (F) if such beneficial interest is being transferred
                  to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to
                  the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the
                  certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

                                       28
<PAGE>   34
                           (G) if such beneficial interest is being transferred
                  pursuant to an effective registration statement under the
                  Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in
                  Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c)
                  thereof,

         the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the
         applicable Restricted Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to
         Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee
         shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the
         instructions a Restricted Definitive Note in the appropriate principal
         amount. Any Restricted Definitive Note issued in exchange for a
         beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this
         Section 2.06(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such
         authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such
         beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions
         from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The
         Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose
         names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in
         exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant
         to this Section 2.06(c)(i) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and
         shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.

                  (ii) Beneficial Interests in Regulation S Temporary Global
         Note to Definitive Notes. Notwithstanding Sections 2.06(c)(i)(A) and
         (C) hereof, a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Temporary Global
         Note may not be exchanged for a Definitive Note or transferred to a
         Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note
         prior to (x) the expiration of the Restricted Period and (y) the
         receipt by the Registrar of any certificates required pursuant to Rule
         903(c)(3)(ii)(B) under the Securities Act, except in the case of a
         transfer pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of
         the Securities Act other than Rule 903 or Rule 904.

                  (iii) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to
         Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A holder of a beneficial interest in a
         Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an
         Unrestricted Definitive Note or may transfer such beneficial interest
         to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted
         Definitive Note only if:

                           (A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to
                  the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights
                  Agreement and the holder of such beneficial interest, in the
                  case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a
                  transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal
                  that it is not (1) a broker-dealer, (2) a Person participating
                  in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who
                  is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

                           (B) such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf
                  Registration Statement or the Market Making Shelf Registration
                  Statement, in each case, in accordance with the Registration
                  Rights Agreement;

                           (C) such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer
                  pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in
                  accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

                           (D) the Registrar receives the following:

                                    (1) if the holder of such beneficial
                           interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to
                           exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive
                           Note that does not bear the Private Placement Legend,
                           a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit
                           C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(b)
                           thereof; or

                                       29
<PAGE>   35
                                    (2) if the holder of such beneficial
                           interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to
                           transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who
                           shall take delivery thereof in the form of a
                           Definitive Note that does not bear the Private
                           Placement Legend, a certificate from such holder in
                           the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the
                           certifications in item (4) thereof;

                  and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if
                  the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so
                  require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable
                  to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer
                  is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the
                  restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private
                  Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain
                  compliance with the Securities Act.

                  (iv) Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to
         Unrestricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest
         in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial
         interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest
         to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive
         Note, then, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section
         2.06(b)(ii) hereof, the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal
         amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant
         to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Company shall execute and the
         Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the
         instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any
         Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant
         to this Section 2.06(c)(iii) shall be registered in such name or names
         and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of
         such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through
         instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect
         Participant. The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the
         Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive
         Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this
         Section 2.06(c)(iii) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.

         (d) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests.

                  (i) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in
         Restricted Global Notes. If any Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note
         proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a
         Restricted Global Note or to transfer such Restricted Definitive Notes
         to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial
         interest in a Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the
         Registrar of the following documentation:

                           (A) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note
                  proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a
                  Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the
                  form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item
                  (2)(b) thereof;

                           (B) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being
                  transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A under the
                  Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in
                  Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1)
                  thereof;

                           (C) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being
                  transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in
                  accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act,
                  a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto,
                  including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

                                       30
<PAGE>   36
                           (D) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being
                  transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration
                  requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144
                  under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set
                  forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in
                  item (3)(a) thereof;

                           (E) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being
                  transferred to an Institutional Accredited Investor in
                  reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of
                  the Securities Act other than those listed in subparagraphs
                  (B) through (D) above, a certificate to the effect set forth
                  in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications,
                  certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3)
                  thereof, if applicable;

                           (F) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being
                  transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a
                  certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto,
                  including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

                           (G) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being
                  transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement
                  under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set
                  forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in
                  item (3)(c) thereof,

         the Trustee shall cancel the Restricted Definitive Note, increase or
         cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in the case of
         clause (A) above, the appropriate Restricted Global Note, in the case
         of clause (B) above, the 144A Global Note, in the case of clause (C)
         above, the Regulation S Global Note, and in all other cases, the IAI
         Global Note.

                  (ii) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in
         Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note may
         exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global
         Note or transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes
         delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an
         Unrestricted Global Note only if:

                           (A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to
                  the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights
                  Agreement and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the
                  transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the
                  applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (1) a
                  broker-dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution
                  of the Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as
                  defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

                           (B) such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf
                  Registration Statement or the Market Making Shelf Registration
                  Statement, in each case, in accordance with the Registration
                  Rights Agreement;

                           (C) such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer
                  pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in
                  accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

                           (D) the Registrar receives the following:

                                    (1) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes
                           proposes to exchange such Notes for a beneficial
                           interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a
                           certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C
                           hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(c)
                           thereof; or

                                       31
<PAGE>   37
                                    (2) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes
                           proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall
                           take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial
                           interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a
                           certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B
                           hereto, including the certifications in item (4)
                           thereof;

                  and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if
                  the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so
                  require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable
                  to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer
                  is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the
                  restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private
                  Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain
                  compliance with the Securities Act.

                  Upon satisfaction of the conditions of any of the
         subparagraphs in this Section 2.06(d)(ii), the Trustee shall cancel the
         Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate
         principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.

                  (iii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in
         Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note
         may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted
         Global Note or transfer such Definitive Notes to a Person who takes
         delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an
         Unrestricted Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request for
         such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee shall cancel the applicable
         Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the
         aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes.

         If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a beneficial
interest is effected pursuant to subparagraphs (ii)(B), (ii)(D) or (iii) above
at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company
shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with
Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted
Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of
Definitive Notes so transferred.

         (e) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes.
Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder's compliance with
the provisions of this Section 2.06(e), the Registrar shall register the
transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer
or exchange, the requesting Holder shall present or surrender to the Registrar
the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of
transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or
by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder
shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as
applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section
2.06(e).

                  (i) Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive
         Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be transferred to and
         registered in the name of Persons who take delivery thereof in the form
         of a Restricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the
         following:

                           (A) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule
                  144A under the Securities Act, then the transferor must
                  deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto,
                  including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

                           (B) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 903
                  or Rule 904, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in
                  the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in
                  item (2) thereof; and

                                       32
<PAGE>   38
                           (C) if the transfer will be made pursuant to any
                  other exemption from the registration requirements of the
                  Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate
                  in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications,
                  certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3)
                  thereof, if applicable.

                  (ii) Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive
         Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder
         thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person
         or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted
         Definitive Note if:

                           (A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to
                  the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights
                  Agreement and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the
                  transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the
                  applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (1) a
                  broker-dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution
                  of the Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as
                  defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

                           (B) any such transfer is effected pursuant to the
                  Shelf Registration Statement or the Market Making Shelf
                  Registration Statement, in each case, in accordance with the
                  Registration Rights Agreement;

                           (C) any such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer
                  pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in
                  accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

                           (D) the Registrar receives the following:

                                    (1) if the Holder of such Restricted
                           Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for
                           an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from
                           such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto,
                           including the certifications in item (1)(d) thereof;
                           or

                                    (2) if the Holder of such Restricted
                           Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a
                           Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of
                           an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from
                           such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto,
                           including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

                  and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if
                  the Registrar so requests, an Opinion of Counsel in form
                  reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such
                  exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act
                  and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in
                  the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order
                  to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

                  (iii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive
         Notes. A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such
         Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an
         Unrestricted Definitive Note. Upon receipt of a request to register
         such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted
         Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.

         (f) Exchange Offer. Upon the occurrence of the Exchange Offer in
accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company shall issue and,
upon receipt of an Authentication Order in

                                       33
<PAGE>   39
accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate (i) one or
more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the
principal amount of the beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes
tendered for acceptance by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of
Transmittal that (x) they are not broker-dealers, (y) they are not participating
in a distribution of the Exchange Notes and (z) they are not affiliates (as
defined in Rule 144) of the Company, and accepted for exchange in the Exchange
Offer and (ii) Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the
principal amount of the Restricted Definitive Notes accepted for exchange in the
Exchange Offer. Concurrently with the issuance of such Notes, the Trustee shall
cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Restricted Global Notes
to be reduced accordingly, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver to the Persons designated by the Holders of Definitive
Notes so accepted Definitive Notes in the appropriate principal amount.

         (g) Legends. The following legends shall appear on the face of all
Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Indenture unless
specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

                  (i) Private Placement Legend.

                           (A) Except as permitted by subparagraph (B) below,
                  each Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes
                  issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall
                  bear the legend in substantially the following form:

"THE NOTES EVIDENCED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE "SECURITIES ACT") AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD,
PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT (1) TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER
REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER WITHIN THE MEANING OF
RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE
ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE
REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (2) IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION COMPLYING WITH RULE
903 OR RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (3) PURSUANT TO AN
EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144
THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE) AND (4) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR IN A
TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, IN
EACH CASE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF THE STATES OF
THE UNITED STATES."

                           (B) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or
                  Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraphs (b)(iv),
                  (c)(iii), (c)(iv), (d)(ii), (d)(iii), (e)(ii), (e)(iii) or (f)
                  to this Section 2.06 (and all Notes issued in exchange
                  therefor or substitution thereof) shall not bear the Private
                  Placement Legend.

                  (ii) Global Note Legend. Each Global Note shall bear a legend
         in substantially the following form:

"THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE
GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL
OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES
EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.07 OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE
EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO

                                       34
<PAGE>   40
SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE
TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS
GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN
CONSENT OF THE COMPANY."

                  (iii) Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend. The
         Regulation S Temporary Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially
         the following form:

"THE RIGHTS ATTACHING TO THIS REGULATION S TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE, AND THE
CONDITIONS AND PROCEDURES GOVERNING ITS EXCHANGE FOR CERTIFICATED NOTES, ARE AS
SPECIFIED IN THE INDENTURE (AS DEFINED HEREIN). NEITHER THE HOLDER NOR THE
BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF THIS REGULATION S TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE ENTITLED
TO RECEIVE PAYMENT OF INTEREST HEREON."

         (h) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all
beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for
Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or
canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or
retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof. At
any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note
is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in
the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive
Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be
reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the
Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such
reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred
to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest
in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly
and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the
Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

         (i) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.

                  (i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the
         Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes
         and Definitive Notes upon the Company's order or at the Registrar's
         request.

                  (ii) No service charge shall be made to a holder of a
         beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a Holder of a Definitive
         Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may
         require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or
         similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than
         any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon
         exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.10, 3.06, 3.10, 4.10, 4.15
         and 9.05 hereof).

                  (iii) The Registrar shall not be required to register the
         transfer of or exchange any Note selected for redemption in whole or in
         part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.

                  (iv) All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any
         registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive
         Notes shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the
         same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as
         the Global Notes or Definitive Notes surrendered upon such registration
         of transfer or exchange.

                  (v) The Company shall not be required (A) to issue, to
         register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes during a period
         beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day

                                       35
<PAGE>   41
         of any selection of Notes for redemption under Section 3.02 hereof and
         ending at the close of business on the day of selection, (B) to
         register the transfer of or to exchange any Note so selected for
         redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any
         Note being redeemed in part or (C) to register the transfer of or to
         exchange a Note between a record date and the next succeeding Interest
         Payment Date.

                  (vi) Prior to due presentment for the registration of a
         transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Company may deem
         and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the
         absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of
         principal of and interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and
         none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Company shall be affected by
         notice to the contrary.

                  (vii) The Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and
         Definitive Notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02
         hereof.

                  (viii) All certifications, certificates and Opinions of
         Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this
         Section 2.06 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be
         submitted by facsimile.

Section 2.07. Replacement Notes.

         If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company and
the Company and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the
destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Company shall issue and the Trustee,
upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate a replacement Note
if the Trustee's requirements are met. If required by the Trustee or the
Company, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in
the judgment of the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee,
any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer
if a Note is replaced. The Company may charge for its expenses in replacing a
Note.

         Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Company and
shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and
proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.

Section 2.08. Outstanding Notes.

         The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by
the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for
cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the
Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this
Section 2.08 as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.09 hereof, a
Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the
Company holds the Note; however, Notes held by the Company or a Subsidiary of
the Company shall not be deemed to be outstanding for purposes of Section
3.07(b) hereof.

         If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 hereof, it ceases to be
outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the
replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser.

         If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section
4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

         If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary or an
Affiliate of any thereof) holds, on a redemption date or maturity date, money
sufficient to pay all principal and interest payable on that

                                       36
<PAGE>   42
redemption or maturity date with respect to the Notes (or portions thereof),
then on and after that date such Notes shall be deemed to be no longer
outstanding and shall cease to accrue interest.

Section 2.09. Treasury Notes.

         In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of
Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the
Company, or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or
under direct or indirect common control with the Company, shall be considered as
though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the
Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent,
only Notes that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee knows are so owned shall be
so disregarded.

Section 2.10. Temporary Notes.

         Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the
Company may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order,
shall authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in
the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Company
considers appropriate for temporary Notes and as shall be reasonably acceptable
to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the
Trustee shall authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.

         Holders of temporary Notes shall be entitled to all of the benefits of
this Indenture.

Section 2.11. Cancellation.

         The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for
cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any
Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The
Trustee and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of
transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall destroy
canceled Notes (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange
Act). Certification of the destruction of all canceled Notes shall be delivered
to the Company. The Trustee shall provide the Company with a list of all Notes
that have been cancelled from time to time as requested by the Company. The
Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have
been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

Section 2.12. Defaulted Interest.

         If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it shall
pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful,
interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders on a
subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes
and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of
the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date
of the proposed payment. The Company shall fix or cause to be fixed each such
special record date and payment date, provided that no such special record date
shall be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted
interest. At least 15 days before the special record date, the Company (or, upon
the written request of the Company, the Trustee in the name and at the expense
of the Company) shall mail or cause to be mailed to Holders a notice that states
the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such
interest to be paid.

                                       37
<PAGE>   43
                                   ARTICLE 3.
                            REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

Section 3.01. Notices to Trustee.

         If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional
redemption provisions of Section 3.07 hereof, it shall furnish to the Trustee,
at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, an
Officers' Certificate setting forth (i) the clause of this Indenture pursuant to
which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the redemption date, (iii) the principal
amount of Notes to be redeemed and (iv) the redemption price; provided, however,
that in the event of a partial redemption by lot, the Company shall furnish to
the Trustee, at least 45 days but no more than 60 days before a redemption date,
an Officer's Certificate setting forth the information in clauses (i) through
(iv) above.

Section 3.02. Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed.

         If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed or purchased in an
offer to purchase at any time, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed
or purchased among the Holders of the Notes in compliance with the requirements
of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the Notes are
listed or, if the Notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, by lot or in
accordance with any other method the Trustee considers fair and appropriate. In
the event of partial redemption by lot, the particular Notes to be redeemed
shall be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 30 nor more
than 60 days prior to the redemption date by the Trustee from the outstanding
Notes not previously called for redemption.

         The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Notes
selected for redemption and, in the case of any Note selected for partial
redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. Notes and portions of
Notes selected shall be in amounts of $1,000 or whole multiples of $1,000;
except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed, the entire
outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder, even if not a multiple of
$1,000, shall be redeemed. Except as provided in the preceding sentence,
provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also
apply to portions of Notes called for redemption.

Section 3.03. Notice of Redemption.

         (i) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.09 hereof, at least seven
days but no more than 20 days prior to the Redemption Date, the Company shall
mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, a notice of redemption to each
Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address.

         (ii) Subject to the provisions of Sections 3.07 and 3.10 hereof, at
least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company
shall mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, a notice of redemption to
each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address.

         The notices in clauses (i) and (ii) above shall identify the Notes to
be redeemed and shall state:

         (a) the redemption date;

         (b) the redemption price;

         (c) if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal
amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date upon
surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the
unredeemed portion shall be issued upon cancellation of the original Note;

                                       38
<PAGE>   44
         (d) the name and address of the Paying Agent;

         (e) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying
Agent to collect the redemption price;

         (f) that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption
payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after
the redemption date;

         (g) the paragraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture
pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed; and

         (h) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of
the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes.

         At the Company's request, the Trustee shall give the notice of
redemption in the Company's name and at its expense; provided, however, that the
Company shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least 45 days prior to the
redemption date, an Officers' Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such
notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided
in the preceding paragraph.

Section 3.04. Effect of Notice of Redemption.

         Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.03
hereof, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the
redemption date at the redemption price. A notice of redemption may not be
conditional. Such notice if mailed in the manner herein provided shall be
conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives
such notice.

Section 3.05. Deposit of Redemption Price.

         Prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the redemption date, the
Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient
to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on all Notes or portions
thereof to be redeemed on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall
promptly return to the Company any money deposited with the Trustee or the
Paying Agent by the Company in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the
redemption price of, and accrued interest on, all Notes to be redeemed.

         If the Company complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph,
on and after the redemption date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or
the portions of Notes called for redemption. If a Note is redeemed on or after
an interest record date but on or prior to the related interest payment date,
then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name
such Note was registered at the close of business on such record date. If any
Note called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption
because of the failure of the Company to comply with the preceding paragraph,
interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption date until
such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on
such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in
Section 4.01 hereof.

Section 3.06. Notes Redeemed in Part.

         Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Company shall
issue and, upon the Company's written request, the Trustee shall authenticate
for the Holder at the expense of the Company a new Note equal in principal
amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered.

                                       39
<PAGE>   45
Section 3.07. Optional Redemption.

         (a) Except as set forth in this clause (a) of this Section 3.07, the
Company shall not have the option to redeem the Notes prior to maturity. At any
time prior to May 1, 2003, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem
up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture
at a redemption price of 112% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed,
plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, to the redemption
date, with the net cash proceeds of an Equity Offering (except to the extent
such net cash proceeds constitute Excluded Equity); provided that:

(1)      at least 65% of the Notes issued under this Indenture remain
         outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption
         (excluding Notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries); and

(2)      the redemption occurs within 60 days of the date of the closing of such
         Equity Offering.

         (b) Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant
to the provisions of Section 3.01 through 3.06 hereof.

Section 3.08. Mandatory Redemption.

         Except as provided in Section 3.09 hereof, the Company shall not be
required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect
to the Notes.

Section 3.09. Special Mandatory Redemption

         (a) The Escrow Funds, in the amount of the net proceeds of the
Offering, together with an additional amount of approximately $34.6875 million
in cash or pursuant to a letter of credit (the "Additional Escrow Amount"),
shall be held by the Trustee (in its capacity as special escrow agent) in the
Special Escrow Account pursuant to the Special Escrow and Pledge Agreement. The
Escrow Funds shall be invested in Cash Equivalents, as directed from time to
time by the Company.

         (b) In addition to any payments required by Sections 4.10 and 4.15
hereof, upon the earlier to occur of (1) termination or expiration of the
acquisition agreements related to the Midwest Assets and (2) four months after
the issuance of the Notes (and any additional periods pursuant to Section
3.09(c) hereof, if any), if the Escrow Funds have not been released pursuant to
the terms of the Special Escrow and Pledge Agreement at that time, the Company
shall redeem all of the outstanding Notes with the funds in the Special Escrow
Account plus any additional amounts necessary to redeem the Notes at a
redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of Notes redeemed plus
the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest to, the date of
redemption (the "Redemption Date") delivered to the Paying Agent pursuant to the
terms of the Special Escrow and Pledge Agreement.

         (c) Pursuant to the terms of the Special Escrow and Pledge Agreement,
the four-month period described in clause (b)(2) above may be extended at any
time and more than once at the Company's option on or prior to the 120th day
after the date of issue of the Notes for up to an aggregate of up to 60
additional days if (based solely on a certificate of the Company's chief
financial officer that such conditions have been satisfied):

(1)      the Company shall have increased the amount of cash held in escrow by
         an additional amount (reasonably determined by the chief financial
         officer of the Company on the same basis as the determination of the
         Additional Escrow Amount);

                                       40
<PAGE>   46
(2)      the lenders under the Orion Power MidWest Credit Facility shall, in
         their discretion, have extended their commitment to lend to the Company
         to at least the date to which the escrow has been extended;

(3)      there shall be no default or event of default under the Orion Power New
         York Credit Facility; and

(4)      the Company shall have promptly issued a press release in a
         commercially reasonable manner and notified the Trustee with respect to
         such extension of the escrow period.

         (c) "Applicable Premium" means, with respect to any Note on any
Redemption Date occurring on or before the four month anniversary of the
issuance of the Notes, 1.0% of the principal amount of the Note and with respect
to any Note on any Redemption Date occurring after the four month anniversary of
the issuance of the Notes 1.5% of the principal amount of the Note.

         (d) Other than as specifically provided in this Section 3.09, any
redemption pursuant to this Section 3.09 shall be made pursuant to the
provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof.

Section 3.10. Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds.

         In the event that, pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof, the Company shall
be required to commence an offer to all Holders to purchase Notes (an "Asset
Sale Offer"), it shall follow the procedures specified below.

         The Asset Sale Offer shall remain open for a period of 20 Business Days
following its commencement and no longer, except to the extent that a longer
period is required by applicable law (the "Offer Period"). No later than five
Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the "Purchase Date"),
the Company shall purchase the principal amount of Notes required to be
purchased pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof (the "Offer Amount") or, if less than
the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered in response to the Asset
Sale Offer. Payment for any Notes so purchased shall be made in the same manner
as interest payments are made.

         If the Purchase Date is on or after an interest record date and on or
before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest shall
be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of
business on such record date, and no additional interest shall be payable to
Holders who tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer.

         Upon the commencement of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company shall send,
by first class mail, a notice to the Trustee and each of the Holders, with a
copy to the Trustee. The notice shall contain all instructions and materials
necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale
Offer. The Asset Sale Offer shall be made to all Holders. The notice, which
shall govern the terms of the Asset Sale Offer, shall state:

         (a) that the Asset Sale Offer is being made pursuant to this Section
3.10 and Section 4.10 hereof and the length of time the Asset Sale Offer shall
remain open;

         (b) the Offer Amount, the purchase price and the Purchase Date;

         (c) that any Note not tendered or accepted for payment shall continue
to accrete or accrue interest;

                                       41
<PAGE>   47
         (d) that, unless the Company defaults in making such payment, any Note
accepted for payment pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer shall cease to accrete or
accrue interest after the Purchase Date;

         (e) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to an Asset
Sale Offer may elect to have Notes purchased in integral multiples of $1,000
only;

         (f) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to any
Asset Sale Offer shall be required to surrender the Note, with the form entitled
"Option of Holder to Elect Purchase" on the reverse of the Note completed, or
transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Company, a depositary, if appointed by
the Company, or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice at least
three days before the Purchase Date;

         (g) that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the
Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not
later than the expiration of the Offer Period, a telegram, telex, facsimile
transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal
amount of the Note the Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such
Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased;

         (h) that, if the aggregate principal amount of Notes surrendered by
Holders exceeds the Offer Amount, the Company shall select the Notes to be
purchased on a pro rata basis (with such adjustments as may be deemed
appropriate by the Company so that only Notes in denominations of $1,000, or
integral multiples thereof, shall be purchased); and

         (i) that Holders whose Notes were purchased only in part shall be
issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the
Notes surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer).

         On or before the Purchase Date, the Company shall, to the extent
lawful, accept for payment, on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary, the
Offer Amount of Notes or portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Asset Sale
Offer, or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered,
and shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that such
Notes or portions thereof were accepted for payment by the Company in accordance
with the terms of this Section 3.10. The Company, the Depositary or the Paying
Agent, as the case may be, shall promptly (but in any case not later than five
days after the Purchase Date) mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount
equal to the purchase price of the Notes tendered by such Holder and accepted by
the Company for purchase, and the Company shall promptly issue a new Note, and
the Trustee, upon written request from the Company shall authenticate and mail
or deliver such new Note to such Holder, in a principal amount equal to any
unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered. Any Note not so accepted shall be
promptly mailed or delivered by the Company to the Holder thereof. The Company
shall publicly announce the results of the Asset Sale Offer on the Purchase
Date.

         Other than as specifically provided in this Section 3.10, any purchase
pursuant to this Section 3.10 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of
Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof.

                                   ARTICLE 4.
                                    COVENANTS

Section 4.01. Payment of Notes.

         The Company shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if
any, and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the
Notes. Principal, premium, if any, and interest shall

                                       42
<PAGE>   48
be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the
Company or a Subsidiary thereof, holds as of 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the due
date money deposited by the Company in immediately available funds and
designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and
interest then due. The Company shall pay all Special Interest, if any, in the
same manner on the dates and in the amounts set forth in the Registration Rights
Agreement.

         The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any
proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at the rate equal to
1% per annum in excess of the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the
extent lawful; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any
proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and
Special Interest (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same
rate to the extent lawful.

Section 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency.

         The Company shall maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New
York or the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, an office or agency (which
may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee, Registrar or
co-registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for
exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the
Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Company shall give prompt written
notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such
office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such
required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address
thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or
served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

         The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other
offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or
all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided,
however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the
Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the Borough of
Manhattan, the City of New York or the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee for
such purposes. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of
any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such
other office or agency.

         The Company hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee
as one such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.03
hereof.

Section 4.03. Reports.

         (a) Whether or not required by the Commission, so long as any Notes are
outstanding, the Company shall furnish to the Holders of Notes, within the time
periods specified in the Commission's rules and regulations:

(1)      all quarterly and annual financial information that would be required
         to be contained in a filing with the Commission on Forms 10-Q and 10-K
         if the Company were required to file such Forms, including a
         "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
         Results of Operations" and, with respect to the annual information
         only, a report on the annual financial statements by the Company's
         certified independent accountants; and

(2)      all current reports that would be required to be filed with the
         Commission on Form 8-K if the Company were required to file such
         reports.

         (b) The Company shall at all times comply with TIA Section 314(a).

                                       43
<PAGE>   49
         (c) In addition, following the consummation of the Exchange Offer
contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement whether or not required by the
Commission, the Company shall file a copy of all of the information and reports
referred to in clauses (a)(1) and (a)(2) above with the Commission for public
availability within the time periods specified in the Commission's rules and
regulations (unless the Commission will not accept such a filing) and make such
information available to securities analysts and prospective investors upon
request. The Company has also agreed that, for so long as any Notes remain
outstanding, it will furnish to the Holders and to securities analysts and
prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be
delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act, until such time
as the Company has either exchanged the Notes for securities identical in all
material respects which have been registered under the Securities Act or until
such time as all Holders of Notes have disposed of their Notes pursuant to an
effective registration statement under the Securities Act.

Section 4.04. Compliance Certificate.

         (a) The Company and each Guarantor, if any, (to the extent that such
Guarantor is so required under the TIA) shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90
days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officers' Certificate stating that a
review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the
preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing
Officers with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed,
performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further
stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of
his or her knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled
each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the
performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this
Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing
all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and
what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto) and
that to the best of his or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in
existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of or
interest, if any, on the Notes is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a
description of the event and what action the Company is taking or proposes to
take with respect thereto.

         (b) So long as not contrary to the then current recommendations of the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the year-end financial
statements delivered pursuant to Section 4.03(a) hereof shall be accompanied by
a written statement of the Company's independent public accountants (who shall
be a firm of established national reputation) that in making the examination
necessary for certification of such financial statements, nothing has come to
their attention that would lead them to believe that the Company has violated
any provisions of Article 4 or Article 5 hereof or, if any such violation has
occurred, specifying the nature and period of existence thereof, it being
understood that such accountants shall not be liable directly or indirectly to
any Person for any failure to obtain knowledge of any such violation.

         (c) The Company shall, so long as any of the Notes are outstanding,
deliver to the Trustee, forthwith upon any Officer becoming aware of any Default
or Event of Default, an Officers' Certificate specifying such Default or Event
of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with
respect thereto.

Section 4.05. Taxes.

         The Company shall pay, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay,
prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments, and governmental levies
except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or
where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect
to the Holders of the Notes.

                                       44
<PAGE>   50
Section 4.06. Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.

         Each of the Company and the Guarantors, if any, covenants (to the
extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist upon,
plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of,
any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter
in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture;
and each of the Company and the Guarantors, if any, (to the extent that it may
lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such
law, and covenants that it shall not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay
or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall
suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has
been enacted.

Section 4.07. Restricted Payments.

         The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

(1)      declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution
         on account of the Company's Equity Interests (including, without
         limitation, any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation
         involving the Company) (other than dividends or distributions payable
         in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company);

(2)      purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including,
         without limitation, in connection with any merger or consolidation
         involving the Company) any Equity Interests of the Company or any
         Person that beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, a majority of
         the Capital Stock of the Company;

(3)      make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem, defease or
         otherwise acquire or retire for value any Indebtedness that is
         subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, except a payment of
         interest or principal at the Stated Maturity thereof or a refinancing
         thereof within one year of the final maturity date thereof; or

(4)      make any Restricted Investment (all such payments and other actions set
         forth in these clauses (1) through (4) being collectively referred to
         as "Restricted Payments"),

unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment:

(1)      no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would
         occur as a consequence thereof; and

(2)      the Company would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and after
         giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been
         made at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, have been
         permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant
         to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first
         paragraph of Section 4.09 hereof ; and

(3)      such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all
         other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Subsidiaries
         after the date of this Indenture (excluding Restricted Payments
         permitted by clauses (2) through (11) of the next succeeding
         paragraph), is less than the sum, without duplication, of:

                  (a) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Company for the
         period (taken as one accounting period) from the beginning of the first
         fiscal quarter commencing prior to the date

                                       45
<PAGE>   51
         of this Indenture to the end of the Company's most recently ended
         fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at
         the time of such Restricted Payment (or, if such Consolidated Net
         Income for such period is a deficit, less 100% of such deficit), plus

                  (b) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds received by the
         Company since the date of this Indenture as a contribution to its
         common equity capital or from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of
         the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or upon the exercise of any
         options, warrants or other rights to purchase Capital Stock (other than
         Disqualified Capital Stock) of the Company or from the issuance or sale
         of convertible or exchangeable Disqualified Stock or convertible or
         exchangeable debt securities of the Company that have been converted
         into or exchanged for such Equity Interests (other than (i) Excluded
         Equity and (ii) Equity Interests (or Disqualified Stock or debt
         securities) sold to a Subsidiary of the Company), plus

                  (c) the net reduction in any Restricted Investment that was
         made after the date of this Indenture resulting from payments of
         interest on Indebtedness, dividends, repayment of loans or advances, or
         other transfers of assets, in each case to the Company or any
         Restricted Subsidiary, and the cash return of capital with respect to
         any Restricted Investment (less the cost of disposition, if any), plus

                  (d) to the extent that any Unrestricted Subsidiary of the
         Company is redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary after the date of
         this Indenture, the fair market value of the Company's Investment in
         such Subsidiary as of the date of such redesignation, plus

                  (e) any amount which previously qualified as a Restricted
         Payment on account of any Guarantee entered into by the Company or any
         Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such Guarantee has not been called
         upon and the obligation arising under such Guarantee no longer exists.

         So long as (with respect to clauses (3), (4), (6), (7) and (11)) no
Default has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby, the preceding
provisions will not prohibit:

(1)      the payment of any dividend within 60 days after the date of
         declaration thereof, if at said date of declaration such payment would
         have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;

(2)      the redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition
         of any subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or of any Equity
         Interests of the Company in exchange for, or out of the net cash
         proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a
         Subsidiary of the Company) of, Equity Interests of the Company (other
         than Disqualified Stock); provided that the amount of any such net cash
         proceeds that are utilized for any such redemption, repurchase,
         retirement, defeasance or other acquisition will be excluded from
         clause (3)(b) of the preceding paragraph;

(3)      the defeasance, redemption, repurchase or other acquisition of
         subordinated Indebtedness of the Company with the net cash proceeds
         from an incurrence of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;

(4)      the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value
         of any Equity Interests of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company
         held by any of the Company's (or any of its Subsidiaries') employees,
         former employees, directors, former directors, consultants or former
         consultants (or any of their respective permitted transferees) pursuant
         to any plan, agreement or stock option agreement or similar agreement
         in effect from time to time; provided that the aggregate price paid for
         all such repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired Equity Interests
         may

                                       46
<PAGE>   52
         not exceed $2.5 million in any twelve-month period plus the net
         proceeds of key person life insurance policies received after the date
         of this Indenture (with amounts not used in any twelve-month period
         carried forward to the next twelve-month period);

(5)      the repurchase, redemption, retirement, refinancing, acquisition for
         value or payment of any Disqualified Stock in exchange for, or out of
         the net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent issuance of new
         Disqualified Stock of the Company; provided that any such new
         Disqualified Stock:

                  (a) shall have an aggregate liquidation preference that does
         not exceed the aggregate liquidation preference of the amount so
         refinanced;

                  (b) has a Weighted Average Life to Stated Maturity greater
         than the remaining Average Life to Maturity of the Disqualified Capital
         Stock being refinanced; and

                  (c) has a Stated Maturity later than the Stated Maturity of
         the Disqualified Stock being refinanced;

(6)      the repurchase of any subordinated Indebtedness of the Company at a
         purchase price not greater than 101% of the principal amount of such
         subordinated Indebtedness in the event of a Change of Control pursuant
         to a provision similar to Section 4.15 hereof; provided that prior to
         consummating any such repurchase, the Company has made the Change of
         Control Offer required by this Indenture and has repurchased all Notes
         validly tendered for payment in connection with such Change of Control
         Offer;

(7)      the repurchase of any subordinated Indebtedness of the Company at a
         purchase price not greater than 100% of the principal amount of such
         Indebtedness in the event of an Asset Sale pursuant to a provision
         similar to Sections 3.10 and 4.10 hereof; provided that prior to
         consummating any such repurchase, the Company has made the Asset Sale
         Offer required by this Indenture and has repurchased all Notes validly
         tendered for payment in connection with such Asset Sale Offer;

(8)      repurchases of Capital Stock (or warrants or options convertible into
         or exchangeable for such Capital Stock) deemed to occur upon exercise
         of stock options to the extent that shares of such Capital Stock (or
         warrants or options convertible into or exchangeable for such Capital
         Stock) represent a portion of the exercise price of such options;

(9)      the declaration and payment of dividends or distributions to holders of
         any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Company or preferred
         stock of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued or incurred in accordance
         with Section 4.09 hereof;

(10)     repurchases of the shares of common stock issued to Constellation
         Operating Services, Inc. (and any shares of common stock acquired upon
         any stock split, stock dividend or recapitalization with respect to
         such shares) in connection with the acquisition of the four
         subsidiaries of Constellation Operating Services, Inc., all in
         accordance with the letter of intent governing the proposed acquisition
         dated March 7, 2000; and

(11)     other Restricted Payments by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
         in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10.0 million since the date of
         this Indenture.

         The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) shall be the
fair market value on the date of the Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or
securities proposed to be transferred or issued to or by the

                                       47
<PAGE>   53
Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted
Payment. The fair market value of any assets or securities that are required to
be valued by this Section 4.07 shall be determined by the Board of Directors
whose resolution with respect thereto shall be delivered to the Trustee.

Section 4.08. Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries.

         The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or permit to exist or become
effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any
Restricted Subsidiary to:

(1)      pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock to
         the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or with respect to
         any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, or
         pay any indebtedness owed to the Company or any of its Restricted
         Subsidiaries;

(2)      make loans or advances to the Company or any of its Restricted
         Subsidiaries; or

(3)      transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or any of its
         Restricted Subsidiaries.

         However, the preceding restrictions shall not apply to encumbrances or
restrictions existing under or by reason of:

(1)      Existing Indebtedness and Indebtedness under Credit Facilities
         (including without limitation the Orion Power New York Credit Facility
         as in effect on the date of this Indenture), in each case, as in effect
         on the date of this Indenture and any amendments, modifications,
         restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings,
         restructuring (including rate increases), replacements or refinancings
         thereof, provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements,
         renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, restructurings,
         replacement or refinancings are not materially more restrictive, taken
         as a whole, with respect to such dividend and other payment
         restrictions than those contained in such Indebtedness, as in effect on
         the date of this Indenture except during the continuance of a payment
         default or financial maintenance covenant default under any Credit
         Facility, including, without limitation, the Orion Power New York
         Credit Facility;

(2)      this Indenture, the Notes and Exchange Notes;

(3)      applicable law or any requirement of any regulatory body;

(4)      any instrument governing Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person
         acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as in
         effect at the time of such acquisition (except to the extent such
         Indebtedness was incurred in connection with or in contemplation of
         such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable
         to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than
         the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired,
         provided that, in the case of Indebtedness, such Indebtedness was
         permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be incurred;

(5)      customary non-assignment provisions of (a) any leases governing a
         leasehold interest, (b) any supply, license or other agreement entered
         into in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any of its
         Restricted Subsidiaries or (c) any security agreement relating to a
         Lien incurred pursuant to clause (12) of the definition of Permitted
         Liens;

                                       48
<PAGE>   54
(6)      purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course
         of business that impose restrictions on the property so acquired of the
         nature described in clause (3) of the preceding paragraph;

(7)      any agreement for the sale or other disposition of a Restricted
         Subsidiary or assets that restricts distributions by that Subsidiary or
         of such assets pending its sale or other disposition;

(8)      Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, provided that the restrictions
         contained in the agreements governing such Permitted Refinancing
         Indebtedness are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole,
         than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being
         refinanced;

(9)      Liens securing Indebtedness that limit the right of the debtor to
         dispose of the assets subject to such Lien;

(10)     provisions with respect to the disposition or distribution of assets or
         property in joint venture agreements, assets sale agreements, stock
         sale agreements and other similar agreements entered into in the
         ordinary course of business;

(11)     restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by
         customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of
         business;

(12)     restrictions imposed pursuant to the terms of Indebtedness of a
         Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or the Company that was permitted
         by this Indenture to be incurred; provided that such restrictions, in
         the written view of the Board of Directors of the Company or an
         executive officer of the Company:

                  (a) are required in order to obtain such financing;

                  (b) are customary for such financings or, in the absence of
         industry customs, reasonable in the view of the Board of Directors or
         such executive officer; and

                  (c) will not materially impair the Company's ability to make
         interest and principal payments as required under the Notes; and

(13)     customary provisions restricting dispositions of real property
         interests set forth in any reciprocal easement agreements of the
         Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

Section 4.09. Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock.

                  The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue,
assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable,
contingently or otherwise, with respect to (collectively, "incur") any
Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt), and the Company shall not issue any
Disqualified Stock and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to
issue any shares of preferred stock; provided, however, that the Company may
incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) or issue Disqualified Stock, and
the Company's Restricted Subsidiaries may incur Indebtedness or issue preferred
stock, if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company's most recently ended
four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available
immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred
or such Disqualified Stock or preferred stock is issued would have been at least
2.0 to 1, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of
the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional

                                       49
<PAGE>   55
Indebtedness had been incurred or the preferred stock or Disqualified Stock had
been issued, as the case may be, at the beginning of such four-quarter period.

         This Section 4.09 shall not prohibit the incurrence of any of the
following items of Indebtedness (collectively, "Permitted Debt"):

         (1) (a) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted
         Subsidiaries of Indebtedness and letters of credit under one or more
         Credit Facilities in an aggregate principal amount at any one time
         outstanding under this clause (1)(a) (with letters of credit being
         deemed to have a principal amount equal to the maximum potential
         liability of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries thereunder)
         equal to $80.0 million, plus the aggregate amount of all repayments,
         optional or mandatory, of the principal of any term Indebtedness under
         the Orion Power New York Credit Facility and the Orion Power MidWest
         Credit Facility (other then repayments under either such Credit
         Facility that are concurrently reborrowed) that have been made by the
         Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries since the date of this
         Indenture plus the aggregate amount of all commitment reductions with
         respect to any revolving credit borrowings under the Orion Power New
         York Credit Facility or the Orion Power MidWest Credit Facility that
         have been made by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
         since the date of this Indenture, less the aggregate amount of all
         repayments of the principal of any term Indebtedness under the Orion
         Power New York Credit Facility or the Orion Power MidWest Credit
         Facility that have been made by the Company or any of its Restricted
         Subsidiaries since the date of this Indenture with the Net Proceeds of
         an Asset Sale; and less the aggregate amount of all commitment
         reductions with respect to any revolving credit borrowings under the
         Orion Power New York Credit Facility or the Orion Power MidWest Credit
         Facility that have been made by the Company or any of its Restricted
         Subsidiaries since the date of this Indenture as a result of the
         application of the Net Proceeds of an Asset Sale; and plus $73.0
         million in the event that all outstanding obligations under the Orion
         Power New York Credit Facility have been repaid in full; and plus
         $120.0 million in the event that all outstanding obligations under the
         Orion Power MidWest Credit Facility have been repaid in full;

                  (b) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted
         Subsidiaries of Indebtedness and letters of credit under the Orion
         Power New York Credit Facility in an aggregate principal amount at any
         one time outstanding under this clause (1)(b) (with letters of credit
         being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the maximum potential
         liability of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries thereunder)
         not to exceed 110% of the initial borrowings available under the Orion
         Power New York Credit Facility, less the aggregate amount of all
         repayments, optional or mandatory, of the principal of any term
         Indebtedness under the Orion Power New York Credit Facility (other than
         repayments that are concurrently reborrowed) that have been made by the
         Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries since the date of this
         Indenture and less the aggregate amount of all commitment reductions
         with respect to any revolving credit borrowings that have been made by
         the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries since the date of
         this Indenture; provided that if all of the outstanding obligations
         under the Orion Power New York Credit Facility have been repaid in
         full, no further borrowings shall be permitted by the Company or any of
         its Restricted Subsidiaries under this clause (1)(b); and

                  (c) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted
         Subsidiaries of Indebtedness and letters of credit under the Orion
         Power MidWest Credit Facility in an aggregate principal amount at any
         one time outstanding under this clause (1)(c) (with letters of credit
         being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the maximum potential
         liability of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries thereunder)
         not to exceed 110% of the initial borrowings available under the Orion
         Power MidWest Credit Facility, less the aggregate amount of all
         repayments, optional

                                       50
<PAGE>   56
         or mandatory, of the principal of any term Indebtedness under the Orion
         Power MidWest Credit Facility (other than repayments that are
         concurrently reborrowed) that have been made by the Company or any of
         its Restricted Subsidiaries since the date of this Indenture and less
         the aggregate amount of all commitment reductions with respect to any
         revolving credit borrowings that have been made by the Company or any
         of its Restricted Subsidiaries since the date of this Indenture;
         provided that if all of the outstanding obligations under the Orion
         Power MidWest Credit Facility have been repaid in full, no further
         borrowings shall be permitted by the Company or any of its Restricted
         Subsidiaries under this clause (1)(c);

(2)      the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of
         the Existing Indebtedness;

(3)      the incurrence by the Company of Indebtedness represented by the Notes
         to be issued on the date of this Indenture and the issuance of $25.0
         million in aggregate principal amount of Additional Notes after the
         date of this Indenture plus, in each case, the Exchange Notes to be
         issued in exchange for those Notes pursuant to the Registration Rights
         Agreement;

(4)      the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of
         Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net proceeds
         of which are used to refund, refinance or replace, Indebtedness (other
         than intercompany Indebtedness) that was permitted by this Indenture to
         be incurred under the first paragraph of this Section 4.09 or clauses
         (2), (3), (4), (8), (9), (11), (12) or (13) of this paragraph;

(5)      the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of
         intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its
         Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that:

                  (a) if the Company is the obligor on such Indebtedness, such
         Indebtedness must be expressly subordinated to the prior payment in
         full in cash of all Obligations with respect to the Notes; and

                  (b) (i) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity
         Interests that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person
         other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof and (ii) any
         sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person that is not
         either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof, shall be deemed,
         in each case, to constitute an incurrence of such Indebtedness by the
         Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, that was not
         permitted by this clause (5);

(6)      the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of:

                  (a) Hedging Obligations that are incurred for the purpose of
         fixing or hedging interest rate risk with respect to any floating rate
         Indebtedness that is permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be
         outstanding;

                  (b) Currency Hedging Obligations relating to Indebtedness of
         the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and/or to obligations to
         purchase or sell assets or properties; provided that such Currency
         Hedging Obligations do not increase the Indebtedness or other
         obligations of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary other than as a
         result of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates or by reason
         of fees, indemnities and compensation payable thereunder;

                  (c) Commodity Price Protection Obligations; provided that such
         Commodity Price Protection Obligations do not increase the amount of
         Indebtedness or other obligations of the

                                       51
<PAGE>   57
         Company or any Restricted Subsidiary other than as a result of
         fluctuations in commodity prices or by reason of fees, indemnities and
         compensation payable thereunder; and

                  (d) the Guarantee by any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company
         of Indebtedness of the Company if such Restricted Subsidiary guarantees
         the Notes by executing a guarantee and supplemental indenture in the
         forms of Exhibit E and F, respectively, to this Indenture;

(7)      the Guarantee by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company of
         Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that was
         permitted to be incurred by another provision of this Section 4.09;

(8)      Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company
         represented by Capital Lease Obligations or Indebtedness incurred or
         assumed (i) to finance capital expenditures or (ii) in connection with
         the acquisition or development of real property, plant or equipment or
         the Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary that owns such property,
         plant or equipment in each case incurred for the purpose of financing
         all or any part of the purchase price of such property, plant or
         equipment or Capital Stock, in each case, in an aggregate principal
         amount (or accreted value, as applicable) at any time outstanding
         pursuant to this clause (8), including all Permitted Refinancing
         Indebtedness incurred to refund, refinance or replace any Indebtedness
         incurred pursuant to this clause (8), not to exceed 7.5% of the
         Company's Consolidated Tangible Assets as of the date of incurrence;

(9)      Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
         pursuant to (a) letters of credit, bankers' acceptances or other
         similar instruments or obligations securing obligations incurred in the
         ordinary course of business (including those issued to government
         entities in connection with self-insurance under applicable workers'
         compensation statutes) or (b) other letters of credit, bankers'
         acceptances or other similar instruments or obligations in an aggregate
         principal amount (with letters of credit being deemed to have a
         principal amount equal to the maximum potential liability of the
         Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries thereunder) not to exceed $10.0
         million in the aggregate outstanding at any one time; provided that, in
         each case contemplated by this clause (9), if any such letter of credit
         or other obligations is drawn upon, the account balance is repaid
         within 30 days of such draw;

(10)     Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
         arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a
         check, draft or similar instrument inadvertently (except in the case of
         daylight overdrafts) drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary
         course of business; provided however, that such Indebtedness is
         extinguished within five Business Days of incurrence;

(11)     in the event that the Company's Chief Financial Officer certifies that:

                  (a) the Company is acquiring a Facility or all or
         substantially all of the assets of, or a majority of the Voting Stock
         of, a Permitted Business that does not have sufficient financial
         history to permit a pro forma calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage
         Ratio of the Company after giving effect to such acquisition; and

                  (b) additional common equity capital will be contributed to
         the Company in cash upon consummation of such acquisition, or after the
         announcement of such acquisition and prior to the consummation of such
         acquisition, in order to finance at least 25% of the purchase price of
         such Facility or Permitted Business (such additional common equity
         being referred to as "Excluded Equity"); and

                                       52
<PAGE>   58
                  (c) such acquisition will be consummated on or prior to
         December 31, 2003,

         then the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be
         permitted to incur additional Indebtedness under this clause (11) on or
         prior to December 31, 2003 to finance the remainder of the purchase
         price of such acquisition;

(12)     shares of preferred stock of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company
         issued to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;
         provided that any subsequent transfer of any Capital Stock or any other
         event that results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a
         Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such
         shares of preferred stock (except to the Company or another Restricted
         Subsidiary of the Company) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an
         issuance of preferred stock that was not permitted by this clause (12);
         and

(13)     the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of
         additional Indebtedness (including under a Credit Facility) in an
         aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) at any
         time outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness
         incurred to refund, refinance or replace any Indebtedness incurred
         pursuant to this clause (13), not to exceed $25.0 million.

         In addition, the Company shall not incur any Indebtedness (including
Permitted Debt) that is contractually subordinated in right of payment to any
other Indebtedness of the Company unless such Indebtedness is also contractually
subordinated in right of payment to the Notes pursuant to terms no less
favorable to the Holders of the Notes; provided, however, that no Indebtedness
of the Company shall be deemed to be contractually subordinated in right of
payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company solely by virtue of being
unsecured.

         For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.09:

(1)      in the event that an item of proposed Indebtedness meets the criteria
         of more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt described in
         clauses (1) through (13) above, or is entitled to be incurred pursuant
         to the first paragraph of this Section 4.09, the Company shall be
         permitted to classify such item of Indebtedness on the date of its
         incurrence, or later reclassify all or a portion of such item of
         Indebtedness, in any manner that complies with this Section 4.09;

(2)      Indebtedness under Credit Facilities outstanding on the date on which
         the Notes are first issued and authenticated under this Indenture and
         Indebtedness incurred pursuant to the Orion Power MidWest Credit
         Facility to consummate the acquisition of the Midwest Assets from
         Duquesne Light Company shall be deemed to have been incurred on the
         date of this Indenture in reliance on the exception provided by clause
         (1) of the definition of Permitted Debt;

(3)      the accrual of interest, the accretion or amortization of original
         issue discount, the payment of interest on any Indebtedness in the form
         of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, and the payment of
         dividends on Disqualified Stock in the form of additional shares of the
         same class of Disqualified Stock will not be deemed to be an incurrence
         of Indebtedness or an issuance of Disqualified Stock for purposes of
         this Section 4.09; provided, in each such case, that the amount thereof
         is included in Fixed Charges of the Company as accrued; and

(4)      for purposes of determining compliance with any dollar-denominated
         restriction on the incurrence of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign
         currency, the dollar-equivalent principal amount of such Indebtedness
         incurred pursuant thereto shall be calculated based on the relevant
         currency exchange rate in effect on the date that such Indebtedness was
         incurred.

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<PAGE>   59
         Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not incur or suffer to
exist, or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or Unrestricted Subsidiaries
to incur or suffer to exist, any Obligations with respect to an Unrestricted
Subsidiary that would violate the provisions set forth in the definition of
Unrestricted Subsidiary. Specifically, without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, if an Unrestricted Subsidiary incurs Indebtedness that is not
Non-Recourse Debt or any Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary ceases to be
Non-Recourse Debt, such Unrestricted Subsidiary shall then cease to be an
Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture and any Indebtedness of
such Subsidiary shall be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company as of such date.

Section 4.10. Asset Sales.

         The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless:

(1)      except in the case of any foreclosure on assets (including capital
         stock) or foreclosure sale by the secured creditors under the Orion
         Power New York Credit Facility or the Orion Power MidWest Credit
         Facility, the Company (or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may
         be) receives consideration at the time of the Asset Sale at least equal
         to the fair market value of the assets or Equity Interests issued or
         sold or otherwise disposed of;

(2)      except in the case of a foreclosure on assets (including capital stock)
         or foreclosure sale by the secured creditors under the Orion Power New
         York Credit Facility or the Orion Power MidWest Credit Facility, to the
         extent such Asset Sale involves consideration in excess of $15.0
         million, the fair market value is determined by the Company's Board of
         Directors and evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors set
         forth in an Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee; and

(3)      except in the case of an Asset Swap or a foreclosure on assets
         (including capital stock) or foreclosure sale by the secured creditors
         under the Orion New York Credit Facility or the Orion Power MidWest
         Credit Facility, at least 60% of the consideration received in such
         Asset Sale by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form
         of cash or Cash Equivalents. For purposes of this provision, each of
         the following shall be deemed to be cash:

                  (a) any liabilities (as shown on the Company's or such
         Restricted Subsidiary's most recent balance sheet), of the Company or
         any Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities and
         liabilities that are by their terms subordinated in right of payment to
         the Notes) that are assumed by the transferee or purchaser of any such
         assets or a third party on behalf of the transferee or purchaser
         pursuant to an agreement that releases the Company or such Restricted
         Subsidiary from further liability; and

                  (b) any securities, notes or other obligations received by the
         Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are
         promptly (subject to ordinary settlement periods) converted, sold or
         exchanged by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash (to
         the extent of the cash received in that conversion, sale or exchange).

         Within 365 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset
Sale, the Company may apply those Net Proceeds:

(1)      to repay Indebtedness under a Credit Facility and to correspondingly
         reduce commitments if such Indebtedness constitutes revolving credit
         borrowings;

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<PAGE>   60
(2)      to repay Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness) of a
         Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and to correspondingly reduce
         commitments if such Indebtedness constitutes revolving credit
         borrowings;

(3)      to:

                  (a) acquire a Facility or all or substantially all of the
         assets of, or a majority of the Voting Stock of, another Permitted
         Business; or

                  (b) enter into a legally binding agreement to acquire a
         Facility or all or substantially all of the assets of, or a majority of
         the Voting Stock of, another Permitted Business, provided that the
         transaction contemplated by such agreement must be consummated no later
         than 90 days after the end of such 365-day period;

(4)      to make a capital expenditure;

(5)      to acquire other assets that are used or useful in a Permitted
         Business; or

(6)      to acquire Capital Stock constituting a minority interest in any Person
         that at such time is a Restricted Subsidiary.

         Pending the final application of any Net Proceeds, the Company may
temporarily reduce revolving credit borrowings or otherwise invest Net Proceeds
in any manner that is not prohibited by this Indenture.

         Any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or invested as
provided above in the preceding paragraph shall constitute "Excess Proceeds."
When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $25.0 million, the Company
shall make an Asset Sale Offer to all Holders of Notes and all holders of other
Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes containing provisions similar to
those set forth in this Indenture relating to the Notes with respect to offers
to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets to purchase the
maximum principal amount of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness that
may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds. The offer price in any Asset Sale
Offer will be equal to 100% of principal amount (or 100% of the accreted value
thereof, in the case of Indebtedness sold at a discount) plus accrued and unpaid
interest to the date of purchase, and will be payable in cash. If any Excess
Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company may use
those Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this
Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and other Indebtedness
tendered into such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the
Trustee shall select the Notes and such other Indebtedness to be purchased on a
pro rata basis based on the principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable)
of Notes and such other Indebtedness tendered. Upon completion of each Asset
Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset at zero.

         The Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the
Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the
extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with each
repurchase of Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the
provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Asset Sales
provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall comply with the applicable
securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its
obligations under the Asset Sale provisions of this Indenture by virtue of such
conflict.

                                       55
<PAGE>   61
Section 4.11. Transactions with Affiliates.

         The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise
dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or
assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract,
agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit
of, any Affiliate (each, an "Affiliate Transaction"), unless:

(1)      the terms of such Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate
         Transactions are no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted
         Subsidiary, as the case may be, than those that would be obtainable in
         a comparable transaction or series of related transactions in
         arm's-length dealings with an unrelated third party; and

(2)      with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related
         Affiliate Transactions involving the sale, purchase, lease or exchange
         of property or assets having a value in excess of $10.0 million, such
         transaction or series of related transactions has been approved by a
         majority of the Disinterested Directors (or, if there is only one
         Disinterested Director on the Company's Board of Directors, such
         Disinterested Director) or the Board of Directors of the Company shall
         have received a written opinion of a nationally recognized investment
         banking, accounting or appraisal firm stating that such transaction or
         series of transactions is fair to the Holders from a financial point of
         view.

         The following items shall not be deemed to be Affiliate Transactions
and, therefore, shall not be subject to the provisions of the prior paragraph:

(1)      any employment, compensation or indemnification arrangement entered
         into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the
         ordinary course of business with employees, directors, officers or
         consultants;

(2)      loans or advances to officers, directors, consultants and employees in
         the ordinary course of business or guarantees in respect thereof or
         otherwise made on their behalf (including any payments on such
         guarantees);

(3)      any redemption of Capital Stock held by employees upon, death,
         disability or termination of employment at a price not in excess of the
         fair market value thereof;

(4)      the grant of stock options or similar rights to employees and directors
         of the Company;

(5)      payment of reasonable directors fees;

(6)      transactions between or among the Company and/or its Restricted
         Subsidiaries;

(7)      transactions with a Person that is an Affiliate of the Company solely
         because the Company owns an Equity Interest in such Person;

(8)      any sale or other issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified
         Stock) to Affiliates of the Company;

(9)      Restricted Payments and Permitted Investments that are permitted by the
         provisions of Section 4.07 hereof;

                                       56
<PAGE>   62
(10)     payments by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to
         Goldman, Sachs & Co. or any of its affiliates in connection with any
         financial advisory, financing, underwriting or placement services or
         any other investment banking, banking or similar services, including
         without limitation, in connection with acquisitions or divestitures,
         which payments are approved by a majority of the Board of Directors in
         good faith;

(11)     transactions between the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
         and Constellation Energy Group, Inc. or any of its affiliates in the
         ordinary course of business;

(12)     transactions between the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries,
         on the one hand, and Mitsubishi Corporation, Tokyo Electric Power
         Company International B.V. or any of their respective affiliates, on
         the other hand, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

(13)     transactions pursuant to the Stockholder Agreement by and among Orion
         Power Holdings, Inc., GS Capital Partners II, L.P. and affiliates,
         Constellation Power Source, Inc., Mitsubishi Corporation and affiliates
         and Tokyo Electric Power Company International B.V. as in effect on the
         date of this Indenture as the same may be amended from time to time in
         any manner not materially less favorable to the Holders of the Notes;

(14)     transactions pursuant to any agreement in effect on the date of this
         Indenture as the same may be amended from time to time in any manner
         not materially less favorable to the Holders of the Notes; and

(15)     transactions permitted pursuant to the Orion Power New York Credit
         Facility as in effect on the date of this Indenture.

Section 4.12. Liens.

         The Company shall not and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or
become effective any consensual Lien of any kind securing Indebtedness or trade
payables (other than Permitted Liens) upon any of their property or assets, now
owned or hereafter acquired, unless all payments due under this Indenture and
the Notes are secured on an equal and ratable basis with the obligations so
secured until such time as such obligations are no longer secured by a Lien;
provided, however, that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may incur
other Liens to secure Indebtedness as long as the sum of (x) the amount of
outstanding Indebtedness and trade payables secured by Liens incurred pursuant
to this proviso plus (y) the Attributable Debt with respect to all outstanding
leases in connection with Sale/Leaseback Transactions entered into pursuant to
the second paragraph of Section 4.18 hereof, does not exceed 10% of Consolidated
Tangible Assets of the Company as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter
for which financial statements are available.

Section 4.13.     Limitation on Line of Business.

         The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to, engage
in any business other than Permitted Businesses, except to such extent as would
not be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole. In
addition, the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, conduct their
respective businesses in a manner so as to maintain the exemption from treatment
as a public utility holding company under PUHCA, provided, however, that to the
extent that any such law is amended following the date of this Indenture in such
a manner that would (absent application of this proviso) make compliance with
this Section 4.13 result in a material adverse effect on the Company's results
of operations or financial condition, then the Company shall not be required to
comply with this Section

                                       57
<PAGE>   63
4.13, but only to the extent of actions or failures to act that would (absent
application of this proviso) constitute violations of this Section 4.13 solely
as a result of such amendment.

Section 4.14. Corporate Existence.

         Subject to Article 5 hereof, the Company shall do or cause to be done
all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect (i) its
corporate existence, and the corporate, partnership or other existence of each
of its Subsidiaries, in accordance with the respective organizational documents
(as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Company or any such
Subsidiary and (ii) the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises
of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the Company shall
not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the
corporate, partnership or other existence of any of its Subsidiaries, if the
Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer
desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole, and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material
respect to the Holders of the Notes.

Section 4.15. Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control.

         (a) In the event of a Change of Control, the Company shall make an
offer (a "Change of Control Offer") to each Holder to repurchase all or any part
(equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000) of that Holder's Notes at a
purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes
repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest thereon, if
any, to the date of purchase (the "Change of Control Payment"). Within 30 days
following any Change of Control or, at the Company's option, prior to such
Change of Control but after the public announcement thereof, the Company shall
mail a notice to each Holder stating: (1) that the Change of Control Offer is
being made pursuant to this Section 4.15 and that all Notes tendered will be
accepted for payment; (2) the purchase price and the purchase date, which shall
be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice
is mailed (the "Change of Control Payment Date"); (3) that any Note not tendered
will continue to accrue interest; (4) that, unless the Company defaults in the
payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment
pursuant to the Change of Control Offer shall cease to accrue interest after the
Change of Control Payment Date; (5) that Holders electing to have any Notes
purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender
the Notes, with the form entitled "Option of Holder to Elect Purchase" on the
reverse of the Notes completed, to the Paying Agent at the address specified in
the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding
the Change of Control Payment Date; (6) that Holders will be entitled to
withdraw their election if the Paying Agent receives, not later than the close
of business on the second Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment
Date, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name
of the Holder, the certificate number of the Note in respect of which such
notice of withdrawal is being submitted, the principal amount of Notes delivered
for purchase by the Holder as to which such notice of withdrawal is being
submitted, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have
the Notes purchased; and (7) that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only
in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased
portion of the Notes surrendered, which unpurchased portion must be equal to
$1,000 in principal amount or an integral multiple thereof. The Company shall
comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other
securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and
regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a
result of a Change of Control. To the extent that the provisions of any
securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control provisions of
this Indenture, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and
regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this
Section 4.15, Section 3.10 hereof and all other provisions of this Indenture
applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company by virtue of such
conflict.

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<PAGE>   64
         (b) On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company shall, to the
extent lawful:

(1)      accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered
         pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

(2)      deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control
         Payment in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered;
         and

(3)      deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes so accepted
         together with an Officers' Certificate stating the aggregate principal
         amount of Notes or portions of Notes being purchased by the Company.

         The Paying Agent shall promptly mail to each Holder of Notes properly
tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Notes, and the Trustee shall
promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to
each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of
the Notes surrendered by such Holder, if any; provided that each new Note shall
be in a principal amount of $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000. The
Company shall publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or
as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date.

         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.15, the
Company shall not be obligated to repurchase Notes pursuant to a Change of
Control Offer in the event it has exercised its right to redeem all of the Notes
pursuant to this Indenture on or prior to the date on which the Change of
Control Offer is required to be consummated.

         In addition, the Company shall not be required to make a Change of
Control Offer upon a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of
Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the
requirements set forth in this Section 4.15 and Section 3.10 hereof and all
other provisions of this Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made
by the Company and purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under
such Change of Control Offer.

Section 4.16. Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

         The Board of Directors may designate any Restricted Subsidiary to be an
Unrestricted Subsidiary if that designation would not cause a Default; provided
that in no event shall the business currently operated by Orion Power New York,
L.P. or the business to be operated by Orion Power MidWest, L.P. be transferred
to or held by an Unrestricted Subsidiary. If a Restricted Subsidiary is
designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the aggregate fair market value of all
outstanding Investments owned by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in
the Subsidiary so designated shall be deemed to be an Investment made as of the
time of such designation and shall either reduce the amount available for
Restricted Payments under the first paragraph of Section 4.07 hereof or reduce
the amount available for future Investments under one or more clauses of the
definition of Permitted Investments, or both, as the Company shall determine.
That designation shall be permitted only if such Investment would be permitted
at that time and if such Restricted Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of
an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors may redesignate any
Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary if the redesignation would
not cause a Default.

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<PAGE>   65
Section 4.17. Sale and Leaseback Transactions.

         The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, enter into any Sale/Leaseback Transaction with respect to any
property owned on the date of this Indenture or thereafter acquired unless:

(1)      the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled to create a
         Lien on such property securing Indebtedness in an amount at least equal
         to the Attributable Debt with respect to such transaction without
         equally and ratably securing the Notes pursuant to Section 4.12 hereof;

(2)      the net proceeds of the sale are at least equal to the fair value (as
         determined by the Board of Directors) of the property sold and the
         Company or such Restricted Subsidiary applies an amount in cash equal
         to the net proceeds of such sale to the retirement, within 60 days of
         the effective date of any such arrangement, of Indebtedness of the
         Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or purchases other property having a
         fair market value at least equal to the fair value of the assets or
         property sold in such transactions; or

(3)      such Sale/Leaseback Transaction is between the Company and any of its
         Restricted Subsidiaries or between any Restricted Subsidiaries of the
         Company.

                  In addition to the transactions permitted pursuant to the
preceding paragraph, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may enter into a
Sale/Leaseback Transaction as long as the sum of:

                  (a) the Attributable Debt with respect to such Sale/Leaseback
         Transaction and all other Sale/Leaseback Transactions entered into
         pursuant to this proviso, plus

                  (b) the amount of outstanding Indebtedness secured by Liens
         incurred pursuant to the final proviso to Section 4.12 hereof,

does not exceed 10% of Consolidated Tangible Assets as determined based on the
consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of the end of the most recent
fiscal quarter for which financial statements are available.

                                   ARTICLE 5.
                                   SUCCESSORS

Section 5.01. Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets.

         The Company shall not, directly or indirectly: (1) consolidate or merge
with or into another Person (whether or not the Company is the surviving
corporation); or (2) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all
or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions,
to another Person; unless:

(1)      either

         (a) the Company is the surviving corporation; or

         (b) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger
         (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, assignment,
         transfer, conveyance or other disposition shall have

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<PAGE>   66
         been made is either (i) a corporation organized or existing under the
         laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of
         Columbia or (ii) is a partnership or limited liability company
         organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state
         thereof or the District of Columbia that has at least one Restricted
         Subsidiary that is a corporation organized or existing under the laws
         of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia
         which corporation becomes a co-issuer of the Notes pursuant to a
         supplemental indenture duly and validly executed by the Trustee;

(2)      the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if
         other than the Company) or the Person to which such sale, assignment,
         transfer, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made assumes
         all the obligations of the Company under the Notes, this Indenture and
         the Registration Rights Agreement pursuant to agreements reasonably
         satisfactory to the Trustee;

(3)      immediately after such transaction no Default or Event of Default
         exists;

(4)      either:

                  (a) the Company or the Person formed by or surviving any such
         consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such
         sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition shall have
         been made will, on the date of such transaction after giving pro forma
         effect thereto and any related financing transactions as if the same
         had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, be
         permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant
         to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first
         paragraph of Section 4.09 hereof; or

                  (b) on the date of such transaction after giving pro forma
         effect thereto and any related financing transactions, as if the same
         had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period,
         the pro forma Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company will exceed
         the actual Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company as of such date;
         and

(5)      the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate (attaching
         the arithmetic computations to demonstrate compliance with clause (4))
         and Opinion of Counsel, in each case stating that such consolidation,
         merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture complies with this
         provision and that all conditions precedent provided for herein
         relating to such transaction have not been complied with. Such Opinion
         of Counsel shall not be an expense of the Trustee.

         Notwithstanding the foregoing clauses (3) and (4):

                  (a) any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate with, merge into
         or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to the Company or
         to any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; and

                  (b) the Company may merge with an Affiliate incorporated in
         the United States solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Company
         in another jurisdiction;

so long as the requirements of clauses (1) and (2) are satisfied.

         In addition, the Company shall not, directly or indirectly, lease all
or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related
transactions, to any other Person.

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Section 5.02. Successor Corporation Substituted.

         Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer,
lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets
of the Company in accordance with Section 5.01 hereof, the successor corporation
formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to
which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is
made shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date
of such consolidation, merger, sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the
provisions of this Indenture referring to the "Company" shall refer instead to
the successor corporation and not to the Company), and may exercise every right
and power of the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such
successor Person had been named as the Company herein; provided, however, that
the predecessor Company shall not be relieved from the obligation to pay the
principal of and interest on the Notes except in the case of a sale, assignment,
transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all of the Company's assets that
meets the requirements of Section 5.01 hereof.

                                   ARTICLE 6.
                              DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.01. Events of Default.

         An "Event of Default" occurs if:

         (a) the Company defaults in the payment when due of interest on, or
Special Interest with respect to, the Notes and such default continues for a
period of 30 days;

         (b) the Company defaults in the payment when due of principal of, or
premium, if any, on the Notes when the same becomes due and payable at maturity,
upon redemption (including in connection with an offer to purchase) or
otherwise;

         (c) the Company fails to observe or perform any other covenant,
representation, warranty or other agreement in this Indenture or the Notes for
60 days after written notice to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and
the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) then outstanding voting as a single
class;

         (d) either (i) a default by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
occurs under any instrument or instruments under which there may be issued or by
which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed of
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than the Notes) having
an outstanding principal amount of $25.0 million or more individually or $25.0
million or more in the aggregate that has caused the holders thereof to declare
such Indebtedness to be due and payable prior to its maturity or (ii) a default
by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in the payment at maturity of the
principal amount under any such instrument, and such unpaid portion exceeds
$25.0 million individually or $25.0 million in the aggregate and is not paid, or
such default is not cured or waived, within any grace period applicable thereto,
unless such Indebtedness is discharged within 20 days of the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary becoming aware of such default provided, however, that
this clause (d) shall not apply to any default on Non-Recourse Debt;

         (e) a final judgment or order (not covered by insurance) for the
payment of money is rendered by a court or courts of competent jurisdiction
against the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is a
Significant Subsidiary in an amount in excess of $25.0 million individually or
$25.0 million in the aggregate for all such final judgments or orders against
all such Persons (treating any deductibles, self-insurance or retention as not
so covered) and such judgment or judgments remain

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<PAGE>   68
undischarged, and there is any period of 30 consecutive days following entry of
the final judgment or order in excess of $25.0 million individually or that
causes the aggregate amount for all such final judgments or orders outstanding
against all such Persons to exceed $25.0 million during which a stay of
enforcement of such final judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or
otherwise, is not in effect;

         (f) the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is a
Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of Bankruptcy Law:

                  (i) commences a voluntary case,

                  (ii) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it
         in an involuntary case,

                  (iii) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for
         all or substantially all of its property,

                  (iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its
         creditors, or

                  (v) generally is not paying its debts as they become due; or

         (g) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under
any Bankruptcy Law that:

                  (i) is for relief against the Company or any Restricted
         Subsidiary of the Company that is a Significant Subsidiary in an
         involuntary case;

                  (ii) appoints a custodian of the Company or any Restricted
         Subsidiary of the Company that is a Significant Subsidiary or for all
         or substantially all of the property of the Company or any Restricted
         Subsidiary of the Company that is a Significant Subsidiary; or

                  (iii) orders the liquidation of the Company or any Restricted
         Subsidiary of the Company that is a Significant Subsidiary;

and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days;
or

         (h) except as permitted by this Indenture, any Note Guarantee is held
in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or shall cease for any
reason to be in full force and effect or any Guarantor, or any Person acting on
behalf of any Guarantor, shall deny or disaffirm its obligations under such
Guarantor's Note Guarantee.

Section 6.02. Acceleration.

         If any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in
clause (f) or (g) of Section 6.01 hereof with respect to the Company, any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is a Significant Subsidiary) occurs
and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate
principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be
due and payable immediately. Upon any such declaration, the Notes shall become
due and payable immediately. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of
Default specified in clause (f) or (g) of Section 6.01 hereof occurs with
respect to the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is a
Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes shall be due and payable
immediately without further action or notice. The Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by written notice to
the Trustee may on behalf of all of the Holders rescind an acceleration and its
consequences if the rescission would

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<PAGE>   69
not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default
(except nonpayment of principal, interest, Special Interest or premium that has
become due solely because of the acceleration) have been cured or waived.

Section 6.03. Other Remedies.

         If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue
any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium and Special
Interest, if any, and accrued interest on the Notes or to enforce the
performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

         The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any
of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or
omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or
remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or
constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are
cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

Section 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults.

         Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders
of all of the Notes waive an existing Default or Event of Default and its
consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the
payment of the principal of, premium and Special Interest, if any, or interest
on, the Notes (including in connection with an offer to purchase) (provided,
however, that the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
then outstanding Notes may rescind an acceleration and its consequences,
including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration).
Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of
Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose
of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other
Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 6.05. Control by Majority.

         Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes
may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for
exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power
conferred on it. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that
conflicts with law or this Indenture that the Trustee determines may be unduly
prejudicial to the rights of other Holders of Notes or that may involve the
Trustee in personal liability.

Section 6.06. Limitation on Suits.

         A Holder of a Note may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture
or the Notes only if:

         (a) the Holder of a Note gives to the Trustee written notice of a
continuing Event of Default;

         (b) the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then
outstanding Notes make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

         (c) such Holder of a Note or Holders of Notes offer and, if requested,
provide to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss,
liability or expense;

         (d) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after
receipt of the request and the offer and, if requested, the provision of
indemnity; and

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         (e) during such 60-day period the Holders of a majority in principal
amount of the then outstanding Notes do not give the Trustee a direction
inconsistent with the request.

         A Holder of a Note may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights
of another Holder of a Note or to obtain a preference or priority over another
Holder of a Note.

Section 6.07. Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment.

         Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any
Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal, premium and Special Interest,
if any, and interest on the Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed
in the Note (including in connection with an offer to purchase), or to bring
suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates,
shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

Section 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee.

         If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a) or (b) hereof
occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its
own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole
amount of principal of, premium and Special Interest, if any, and interest
remaining unpaid on the Notes and interest on overdue principal and, to the
extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover
the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation,
expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

Section 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

         The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers
or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the
Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the
Holders of the Notes allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company
(or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall
be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other
property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such
judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to
the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of
such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to
it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the
Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under
Section 7.07 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation,
expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and
any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in
any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall
be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions,
dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be
entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan
of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be
deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on
behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or
composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the
Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

Section 6.10. Priorities.

         If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article 6, it shall
pay out the money in the following order, subject to applicable law:

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                  First: to the Trustee, its agents and attorneys for amounts
         due under Section 7.07 hereof, including payment of all compensation,
         expense and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee
         and the costs and expenses of collection;

                  Second: to Holders of Notes for amounts due and unpaid on the
         Notes for principal, premium and Special Interest, if any, and
         interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind,
         according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal,
         premium and Special Interest, if any, and interest, respectively; and

                  Third: to the Company or to such party as a court of competent
         jurisdiction shall direct.

         The Trustee, upon prior written notice to the Company, may fix a record
date and payment date for any payment to Holders of Notes pursuant to this
Section 6.10.

Section 6.11. Undertaking for Costs.

         In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this
Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by
it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party
litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the
court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable
attorneys' fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to
the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant.
This Section does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a
Note pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in
principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.

         If any Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce
any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been
discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to
the Trustee or such Holder, then, and in every case, subject to any
determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall
be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and
thereafter all rights and remedies of the Company, Trustee and the Holders shall
continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

                                   ARTICLE 7.
                                     TRUSTEE

Section 7.01. Duties of Trustee.

         (a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee
shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and
use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would
exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person's own
affairs.

         (b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

                  (i) the duties of the Trustee shall be determined solely by
         the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform
         only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and
         no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into
         this Indenture against the Trustee; and

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                  (ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may
         conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the
         correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or
         opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of
         this Indenture. However, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and
         opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements
         of this Indenture.

         (c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own
negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful
misconduct, except that:

                  (i) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b)
         of this Section 7.01;

                  (ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment
         made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that
         the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

                  (iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any
         action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a
         direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof.

         (d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of
this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs
(a), (b), and (c) of this Section 7.01.

         (e) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend
or risk its own funds or incur any liability. The Trustee shall be under no
obligation to exercise any of its rights and powers under this Indenture at the
request of any Holders, unless such Holder shall have offered to the Trustee
security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or
expense.

         (f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received
by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in
trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the
extent required by law.

Section 7.02. Rights of Trustee.

         (a) The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any document believed by it
to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The
Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

         (b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an
Officers' Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be
liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on
such Officers' Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with
counsel and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall
be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of
any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in
reliance thereon.

         (c) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not
be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due
care.

         (d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to
take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or
powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

         (e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any
demand, request, direction or notice from the Company shall be sufficient if
signed by an Officer of the Company.

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         (f) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the
rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of
any of the Holders unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee
reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities
that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

Section 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee.

         The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the
owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company or any
Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not
Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting
interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for
permission to continue as trustee or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like
rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.

Section 7.04. Trustee's Disclaimer.

         The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as
to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture, the Notes, the Special Escrow and
Pledge Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement or the Offering, it shall
not be accountable for the Company's use of the proceeds from the Notes or any
money paid to the Company or upon the Company's direction under any provision of
this Indenture, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any
money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be
responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or
any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this
Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.

Section 7.05. Notice of Defaults.

         If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if it is
actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail
to Holders of Notes a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days
after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment
of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note, the Trustee may
withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in
good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the
Holders of the Notes.

Section 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes.

         Within 60 days after each May 15 beginning with the May 15 following
the date of this Indenture, and for so long as Notes remain outstanding, the
Trustee shall mail to the Holders of the Notes a brief report dated as of such
reporting date that complies with TIA Section 313(a) (but if no event described
in TIA Section 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the
reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also shall comply
with TIA Section 313(b)(2). The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports
as required by TIA Section 313(c).

         A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders of
Notes shall be mailed to the Company and filed with the SEC and each stock
exchange on which the Notes are listed in accordance with TIA Section 313(d).
The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee when the Notes are listed on any
stock exchange.

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Section 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity.

         The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable
compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder. The
Trustee's compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a
trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee promptly
upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or
made by it in addition to the reasonable compensation for its services, except
any such expense, disbursement or advance as may arise from its gross
negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith. Such expenses shall include the
reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee's agents and
counsel. The Trustee shall provide the Company reasonable notice of any
expenditure not in the ordinary course of business so long as there is no
default by the Company or Event or Default under this Indenture; provided that
prior approval by the Company of any such expenditure shall not be a requirement
for the making of such expenditure nor for reimbursement by the Company thereof.

         The Company shall indemnify the Trustee against any and all losses,
liabilities or expenses (other than taxes applicable to the Trustee's
compensation hereunder) incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the
acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, including the
costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company (including
this Section 7.07) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by
the Company or any Holder or any other person) or liability in connection with
the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, or in
connection herewith, and the validity and adequacy of the this Indenture, the
Notes, the Special Escrow and Pledge Agreement, the Registration Rights
Agreement or the Offering, except to the extent any such loss, liability or
expense may be attributable to its negligence or bad faith. The Trustee shall
notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity.
Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of
its obligations hereunder. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee
shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the
Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company
need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall
not be unreasonably withheld.

         The obligations of the Company under this Section 7.07 shall survive
the resignation or removal of the Trustee, the satisfaction and discharge of
this Indenture and any rejection or termination under any Bankruptcy Law.

         To secure the Company's payment obligations in this Section, the
Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or
collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal and
interest on particular Notes.
Such Lien shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

         When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of
Default specified in Section 6.01(g) or (h) hereof occurs, the expenses and the
compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and
counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any
Bankruptcy Law.

         The Trustee shall comply with the provisions of TIA Section 313(b)(2)
to the extent applicable.

Section 7.08. Replacement of Trustee.

         A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor
Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee's acceptance of
appointment as provided in this Section.

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<PAGE>   75
         The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from
the trust hereby created by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority
in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so
notifying the Trustee and the Company in writing. The Company may remove the
Trustee if:

         (a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;

         (b) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for
relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

         (c) a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its
property; or

         (d) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

         If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the
office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor
Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders
of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a
successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

         If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the
retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company, or
the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes
may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a
successor Trustee.

         If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a
Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof, such
Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the
Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

         A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its
appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon, the
resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the
successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee
under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its
succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property
held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, provided all sums owing to the
Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section
7.07 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section
7.08, the Company's obligations under Section 7.07 hereof shall continue for the
benefit of the retiring Trustee.

Section 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

         If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all
or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation,
the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor
Trustee; provided that such corporation shall be eligible under TIA Section
310(a) and this Article 7.

Section 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification.

         There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation
organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or
of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate
trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state
authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $100 million
as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

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         This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the
requirements of TIASection310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to
TIASection310(b).

Section 7.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.

         The Trustee is subject to TIA Section 311(a), excluding any creditor
relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been
removed shall be subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

Section 7.12. Other Capacities.

         All references in this Indenture to the Trustee shall be deemed to
refer to the Trustee in its capacity as Trustee and in its capacities as Agent,
to the extent acting under such capacities, and every provision of this
Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability or offering
protection, immunity or indemnity to the Trustee shall be deemed to apply with
the same force and effect to the Trustee acting in its capacities as any Agent.

                                   ARTICLE 8.
                    LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 8.01. Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

         The Company may, at the option of its Board of Directors evidenced by a
resolution set forth in an Officers' Certificate, at any time, elect to have
either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof be applied to all outstanding Notes upon
compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8.

Section 8.02. Legal Defeasance and Discharge.

         Upon the Company's exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option
applicable to this Section 8.02, the Company shall, subject to the satisfaction
of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been
discharged from its obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes on the
date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, "Legal
Defeasance"). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company shall be
deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the
outstanding Notes, which shall thereafter be deemed to be "outstanding" only for
the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture
referred to in (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all its other
obligations under such Notes and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of
and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments
acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which shall survive
until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (a) the rights of Holders of
outstanding Notes to receive solely from the trust fund described in Section
8.04 hereof, and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of
the principal of, premium and Special Interest, if any, and interest on such
Notes when such payments are due, (b) the Company's obligations with respect to
such Notes under Article 2 and Section 4.02 hereof, (c) the rights, powers,
trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Company's
obligations in connection therewith and (d) this Article Eight. Subject to
compliance with this Article Eight, the Company may exercise its option under
this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section
8.03 hereof.

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<PAGE>   77
Section 8.03. Covenant Defeasance.

         Upon the Company's exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option
applicable to this Section 8.03, the Company shall, subject to the satisfaction
of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from its
obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10,
4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.15, 4.16 and 4.17 hereof and clause (4) of Section 5.01
hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the
conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof are satisfied (hereinafter,
"Covenant Defeasance"), and the Notes shall thereafter be deemed not
"outstanding" for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration
or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such
covenants, but shall continue to be deemed "outstanding" for all other purposes
hereunder (it being understood that such Notes shall not be deemed outstanding
for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with
respect to the outstanding Notes, the Company may omit to comply with and shall
have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in
any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference
elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such
covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such
omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under
Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this
Indenture and such Notes shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the
Company's exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this
Section 8.03, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section
8.04 hereof, Sections 6.01(c) through 6.01(f) hereof shall not constitute Events
of Default.

Section 8.04. Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.

         The following shall be the conditions to the application of either
Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof to the outstanding Notes:

         In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance:

         (a) the Company must irrevocably deposit or cause to be deposited with
the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, cash in United States
dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such
amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of
independent public accountants, investment bank, appraisal firm or other similar
entity with experience in similar or related matters to pay the principal of,
premium and Special Interest, if any, and interest on the outstanding Notes on
the stated maturity or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be,
and the Company must specify whether the Notes are being defeased to maturity or
to a particular redemption date;

         (b) in the case of an election under Section 8.02 hereof, the Company
shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States
reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that (A) the Company has
received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a
ruling or (B) since the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the
applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based
thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the
outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax
purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal
income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as
would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

         (c) in the case of an election under Section 8.03 hereof, the Company
shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States
reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the Holders of the
outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax
purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal
income tax on the same

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amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if
such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

         (d) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default
resulting from the incurrence of Indebtedness all or a portion of the proceeds
of which will be used to defease the Notes pursuant to this Article 8
concurrently with such incurrence) or insofar as Sections 6.01(f) or 6.01(g)
hereof is concerned, at any time in the period ending on the 91st day after the
date of deposit;

         (e) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent
of preferring the Holders over any other creditors of the Company or with the
intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of
the Company; and

         (f) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions
precedent provided for or relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant
Defeasance have been complied with.

         Opinions of Counsel required to be delivered under this Section 8.04
may have qualifications customary for opinions of the type required and counsel
delivering such Opinions of Counsel may rely on certificates of the Company or
government or other officials customary for opinions of the type required,
including certificates certifying as to matters of fact, including that various
financial covenants have been complied with.

Section 8.05. Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust;
              Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

         Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and non-callable Government
Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other
qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the
"Trustee") pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes
shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the
provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or
through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the
Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to
become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, but
such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required
by law.

         The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or
other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable Government
Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and
interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other
charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

         Anything in this Article 8 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee
shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the request of the
Company any money or non-callable Government Securities held by it as provided
in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of
independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof
delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section
8.04(a) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required
to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

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Section 8.06. Repayment to Company.

         Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held
by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any,
or interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such
principal, and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be
paid to the Company on its request or (if then held by the Company) shall be
discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter look
only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or
such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the
Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the
Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment,
may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in the New York
Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money
remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be
less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any
unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

Section 8.07. Reinstatement.

         If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any United States
dollars or non-callable Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or
8.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court
or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such
application, then the Company's obligations under this Indenture and the Notes
shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to
Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is
permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03
hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Company makes any
payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note following the
reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights
of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the
Trustee or Paying Agent.

                                   ARTICLE 9.
                        AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

Section 9.01. Without Consent of Holders of Notes.

         Notwithstanding Section 9.02 hereof, the Company, the Guarantors, if
any, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may amend or supplement
this Indenture, the Note Guarantees, if any, or the Notes without the consent of
any Holder of a Note:

         (a) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

         (b) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of
certificated Notes or to alter the provisions of Article 2 hereof (including the
related definitions) in a manner that does not materially adversely affect any
Holder;

         (c) (i) to provide for the assumption of the Company's or any
Guarantor's obligations to the Holders of the Notes by a successor to the
Company pursuant to Article 5 hereof or (ii) to provide for the assumption of a
Guarantor's obligations to the Holders of the Notes by a Successor to such
Guarantor pursuant to the terms of the Supplemental Indenture executed by such
Guarantor;

         (d) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or
benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal
rights hereunder of any Holder of the Note;

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<PAGE>   80
         (e) to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or
maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;

         (f) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with
the limitations set forth in this Indenture as of the date hereof;

         (g) to allow any Guarantor to execute a supplemental indenture and/or a
Note Guarantee with respect to the Notes; or

         (h) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of the appointment of a
successor trustee under this Indenture.

         Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its
Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental
Indenture, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section
7.02 hereof, the Trustee shall join with the Company and the Guarantors, if any,
in the execution of any amended or supplemental Indenture authorized or
permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate
agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall
not be obligated to enter into such amended or supplemental Indenture that
affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Section 9.02. With Consent of Holders of Notes.

         Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, the Company and the
Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture (including Sections 3.10, 4.10
and 4.15 hereof), the Note Guarantees, if any, and the Notes with the consent of
the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes (including
Additional Notes, if any) then outstanding voting as a single class (including
consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or
purchase of, the Notes), and, subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, any
existing Default or Event of Default (other than a Default or Event of Default
in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes,
except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded)
or compliance with any provision of this Indenture, the Note Guarantees or the
Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal
amount of the then outstanding Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) voting
as a single class (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer
or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the Notes). Section 2.08 hereof shall
determine which Notes are considered to be "outstanding" for purposes of this
Section 9.02.

         Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its
Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental
Indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the
Trustee of the consent of the Holders of Notes as aforesaid, and upon receipt by
the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof, the Trustee shall
join with the Company in the execution of such amended or supplemental Indenture
unless such amended or supplemental Indenture directly affects the Trustee's own
rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case
the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into
such amended or supplemental Indenture.

         It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Notes under
this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or
waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance
thereof.

         After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section becomes
effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders of Notes affected thereby a
notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement

                                       75
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or waiver. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect
therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any
such amended or supplemental Indenture or waiver. Subject to Sections 6.04 and
6.07 hereof, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) then outstanding voting as a single
class may waive compliance in a particular instance by the Company with any
provision of this Indenture or the Notes. However, without the consent of each
Holder affected, an amendment or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not (with
respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder):

         (a) reduce the principal amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to
an amendment, supplement or waiver;

         (b) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Note or
alter or waive any of the provisions with respect to the redemption of the Notes
except as provided above with respect to Sections 3.10, 4.10 and 4.15 hereof;

         (c) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest,
including default interest, on any Note;

         (d) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of
or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes (except a rescission of
acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including Additional Notes, if
any) and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

         (e) make any Note payable in money other than that stated in the Notes;

         (f) make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to
waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders of Notes to receive payments
of principal of or interest on the Notes;

         (g) waive a redemption payment with respect to any Note other than a
payment required under Section 4.10 or Section 4.15 hereof;

         (h) make any change in Section 6.04 or 6.07 hereof or in the foregoing
amendment and waiver provisions; or

         (i) release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Note
Guarantee or this Indenture, except in accordance with the terms of this
Indenture.

Section 9.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.

         Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes shall be
set forth in a amended or supplemental Indenture that complies with the TIA as
then in effect.

Section 9.04. Revocation and Effect of Consents.

         Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent
to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and
every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same
debt as the consenting Holder's Note, even if notation of the consent is not
made on any Note. However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a
Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written
notice of revocation before the date the waiver, supplement or amendment becomes
effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance
with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

                                       76
<PAGE>   82
Section 9.05. Notation on or Exchange of Notes.

         The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment,
supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Company in
exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an
Authentication Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment,
supplement or waiver.

         Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not
affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

Section 9.06. Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

         The Trustee shall sign any amended or supplemental Indenture authorized
pursuant to this Article Nine if the amendment or supplement does not adversely
affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. The Company
may not sign an amendment or supplemental Indenture until the Board of Directors
approves it. In executing any amended or supplemental indenture, the Trustee
shall be entitled to receive and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) shall be fully
protected in relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section
11.04 hereof, an Officer's Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that
the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or
permitted by this Indenture. Such Opinion of Counsel shall not be an expense of
the Trustee.

                                  ARTICLE 10.
                           SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 10.01. Satisfaction and Discharge.

         This Indenture shall be discharged and shall cease to be of further
effect as to all Notes issued hereunder, when:

(1)      either:

         (a)      all Notes that have been authenticated (except lost, stolen or
                  destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and Notes for
                  whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust
                  and thereafter repaid to the Company) have been delivered to
                  the Trustee for cancellation; or

         (b)      all Notes that have not been delivered to the Trustee for
                  cancellation have become due and payable or will become due
                  and payable within one year and the Company has irrevocably
                  deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust
                  funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in
                  U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a
                  combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient
                  without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay
                  and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Notes not
                  delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal,
                  premium and Special Interest, if any, and accrued interest to
                  the date of maturity or redemption;

(2)      no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on
         the date of the deposit referred to in clause (1)(b) above or shall
         occur as a result of such deposit and such deposit will not result in a
         breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other
         material instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the
         Company is bound;

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<PAGE>   83
(3)      the Company has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under
         this Indenture; and

(4)      the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee under
         this Indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the
         Notes at the maturity date of the Notes.

In addition, the Company must deliver an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of
Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and
discharge have been satisfied.

         Opinions of Counsel required to be delivered under this Section 10.01
may have qualifications customary for opinions of the type required and counsel
delivering such Opinions of Counsel may rely on certificates of the Company or
government or other officials customary for opinions of the type required,
including certificates certifying as to matters of fact, including that various
financial covenants have been complied with.

         Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if
money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to sub-clause (b) of
clause (1) of this Section 10.01, the provisions of Section 10.02 and Section
8.06 hereof shall survive.

Section 10.02. Application of Trust Money.

         Subject to the provisions of Section 8.06 hereof, all money deposited
with the Trustee pursuant to Section 10.01 hereof shall be held in trust and
applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this
Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent
(including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may
determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if
any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the
Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the
extent required by law.

         If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or
Government Securities in accordance with Section 10.01 hereof by reason of any
legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or
governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such
application, the Company's and any Guarantor's obligations under this Indenture
and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred
pursuant to Section 10.01 hereof; provided that (a) if the Company has made any
payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Notes following the
reinstatement of its obligations, the Trustee or Paying Agent shall promptly pay
any such amount to the Holder of such Notes, and the Company shall be subrogated
to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the
money or Government Securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent and (b) the
Trustee or Paying Agent shall return all such money and U.S. Government
Securities to the Company promptly after receiving a request therefore at any
time, if such reinstatement of the Company's obligations has occurred and
continues to be in effect.

                                   ARTICLE 11.
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

Section 11.01. Trust Indenture Act Controls.

         If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with
the duties imposed by TIA Section 318(c), the imposed duties shall control.

                                       78
<PAGE>   84
Section 11.02.    Notices.

         Any notice or communication by the Company, any Guarantor or the
Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in Person or
mailed by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested),
telex, telecopier or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to
the others' address:

         If to the Company and/or any Guarantor:

         Orion Power Holdings, Inc.
         7 East Redwood Street
         10th Floor
         Baltimore, Maryland 21202
         Telecopier No.:  (410) 234-0994
         Attention:  Scott Helm, Chief Financial Officer

         With a copy to:
         Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson
         One New York Plaza
         New York, New York 10004
         Telecopier No.:  (212) 859-4000
         Attention:  Valerie Ford Jacob and Edward S. Rosenthal, Esq.

         If to the Trustee:
         Wilmington Trust Company
         1100 North Market Street
         Wilmington, Delaware 19890
         Telecopier No.:  (302) 427-4749
         Attention:  David Vanaskey

         The Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee, by notice to the others may
designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or
communications.

         All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) shall
be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally
delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage
prepaid, if mailed; when answered back, if telexed; when receipt acknowledged,
if telecopied; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier,
if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery (except that a
notice of change of address and a Notice to the Trustee shall not be deemed to
have been given until actually received by the addressee).

         Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be mailed by first class
mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air
courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the register kept
by the Registrar. Any notice or communication shall also be so mailed to any
Person described in TIA Section 313(c), to the extent required by the TIA.
Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall
not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

         If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above
within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee
receives it.

         If the Company mails a notice or communication to Holders, it shall
mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

                                       79
<PAGE>   85
         Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may
be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either
before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such
notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such
filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in
reliance upon such waiver.

         In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by
reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail,
then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall
constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.

         Where this Indenture provides for notice of any event to a Holder of a
Global Note, such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary
for such Note (or its designee), pursuant to its applicable procedures, not
later than the latest date (if any), and not earlier than the earliest date (if
any), prescribed for the giving of such notice.

Section 11.03. Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes.

         Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other
Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The
Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of
TIA Section 312(c).

Section 11.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

         Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take
any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

         (a) an Officers' Certificate in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in
Section 11.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all
conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture
relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and

         (b) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory
to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05
hereof; except that in the case of any such application or request as to which
the furnishing of such documents, certificates and/or opinions is specifically
required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular request,
no additional certificates or opinions shall be required) stating that, in the
opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been
satisfied.

         Opinions of Counsel required to be delivered under this Section 11.04
may have qualifications customary for opinions of the type required and counsel
delivering such Opinions of Counsel may rely on certificates of the Company or
government or other officials customary for opinions of the type required,
including certificates certifying as to matters of fact, including that various
financial covenants have been complied with.

Section 11.05. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

         Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition
or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided
pursuant to TIA Section 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA
Section 314(e) and shall include:

         (c) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has
read such covenant or condition;

                                       80
<PAGE>   86
         (d) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or
investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such
certificate or opinion are based;

         (e) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made
such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an
informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been
satisfied; and

         (f) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person,
such condition or covenant has been satisfied and such other opinions as the
Trustee may reasonably require.

Section 11.06. Rules by Trustee and Agents.

         The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of
Holders, subject to the consent of the Company. The Registrar or Paying Agent
may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

Section 11.07. No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and
               Stockholders.

         No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator or
stockholder of the Company or any Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability
for any obligations of the Company or such Guarantor under the Notes, the Note
Guarantees, if any, this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or
by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a
Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of
the consideration for issuance of the Notes. Upon an Event of Default, Holders
of the Notes shall have recourse only to the assets of the Company and
Guarantors, if any.

Section 11.08. Obligation of the Company; Creditor's Claims.

         The Company and the Trustee on behalf of the Holders acknowledge and
agree that (A) the Notes are obligations of the Company only, without recourse
to any of its officers or directors or to holders of its capital stock or any of
their Affiliates other than the Company, and that, in the event of

                  (i) a bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation, dissolution,
         reorganization, marshalling or similar case or proceeding of the
         Company or in which the Subsidiaries of the Company are debtors; and

                  (ii) a substantive consolidation of the Company and its
         Subsidiaries, or any of them the Holders (or the Trustee on behalf of
         the Holders) will have no rights in or to the assets of the
         Subsidiaries of the Company or in any distribution therefrom that was
         made in violation of the provisions of either the Orion Power MidWest
         Credit Facility or the Orion Power New York Credit Facility, in each
         case, until such time as the indebtedness created and evidenced thereby
         has been irrevocably paid in full in cash,

(B) the holders of indebtedness under the Orion Power MidWest Credit Facility
are relying, and, have been deemed to rely, on the acknowledgement and agreement
set forth in clause (A) preceding in extending indebtedness under the Orion
Power MidWest Credit Facility and (C) the holders of indebtedness under the
Orion Power New York Credit Facility are relying, and have been deemed to rely,
on the acknowledgement and agreement set forth in clause (A) preceding in giving
consent to the issuance of the Notes by the Company as contemplated under the
terms of the Orion Power New York Credit Facility.

                                       81
<PAGE>   87
Section 11.09.          Special Escrow and Pledge Agreement.

      (a) Each Holder of each Note, by its acceptance thereof, consents and
agrees to the terms of the Special Escrow and Pledge Agreement (including,
without limitation, the provisions providing for foreclosure and disbursement of
the Collateral) as the same may be in effect or may be amended from time to time
in accordance with its terms and authorizes and directs the Special Escrow Agent
and the Trustee to enter into the Special Escrow and Pledge Agreement and to
perform its obligations and exercise its rights thereunder in accordance
therewith. The Company shall deliver to the Trustee copies of the Special Escrow
and Pledge Agreement, and shall do or cause to be done all such acts and things
as may be necessary or proper, or as may be required by the provisions of the
Special Escrow and Pledge Agreement, to assure and confirm to the Trustee
(acting on behalf of the Holders of the Notes) the security interest in the
Collateral with respect to the Notes contemplated by the Special Escrow and
Pledge Agreement or any part thereof, as from time to time constituted, so as to
render the same available for the security and benefit of this Indenture with
respect to, and of, such Notes, according to the intent and purposes expressed
in the Special Escrow and Pledge Agreement. The Company shall take any and all
actions reasonably required to cause the Special Escrow and Pledge Agreement to
create and maintain (to the extent possible under applicable law), as security
for the obligations of the Company hereunder, a valid and enforceable perfected
first security Lien in and on all the Collateral with respect to the Notes, in
favor of the Trustee (acting in behalf of the Holders of the Notes) for the
benefit of the Holders of such Notes, superior to and prior to the rights of all
third Persons and subject to no other Liens.

      (b) The Company shall furnish to the Trustee, prior to any proposed
release of the Collateral other than pursuant to the express terms of the
Special Escrow and Pledge Agreement, (i) all documents required by Section
314(d) of the TIA and (ii) an Opinion of Counsel, which may be rendered by
internal counsel to the Company, to the effect that such accompanying documents
constitute all documents required by Section 314(d) of the TIA. The Trustee may
accept as conclusive evidence of compliance with the foregoing provisions the
appropriate statements contained in such documents and such Opinion of Counsel.

      (c) The Trustee may in the name and on behalf of the Holders of such
Notes, without the consent of the Holders of the Notes, take all actions it
deems necessary or appropriate in order to (a) enforce any of the terms of the
Special Escrow and Pledge Agreement and (b) collect and receive any and all
amounts payable in respect of the obligations of the Company hereunder. The
Trustee shall have the power to institute and maintain such suits and
proceedings as it may deem expedient to prevent any impairment of the Collateral
by any acts that may be unlawful or in violation of the Special Escrow and
Pledge Agreement or this Indenture, and such suits and proceedings as the
Trustee may deem expedient to preserve or protect its interests and the
interests of the Holders of the Notes in the Collateral with respect to such
Notes (including power to institute and maintain suits or proceedings to
restrain the enforcement of or compliance with any legislative or other
governmental enactment, rule or order that may be unconstitutional or otherwise
invalid if the enforcement of, or compliance with, such enactment, rule or order
would impair the security interest hereunder or be prejudicial to the interests
of the Holders of such Notes or of the Trustee).

      (d) The Trustee is authorized to receive any funds for the benefit of the
Holders of the Notes disbursed under the Special Escrow and Pledge Agreement,
and to make further distributions of such funds to the Holders of Notes
according to the provisions of this Indenture.

Section 11.10. Governing Law.

      THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO
CONSTRUE THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES WITHOUT

                                       82
<PAGE>   88
GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT
THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

Section 11.11. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

      This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or
debt agreement of the Company or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any
such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this
Indenture.

Section 11.12. Successors.

      All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind
its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its
successors. All agreements of each Guarantor, if any, in this Indenture shall
bind its successors, except as otherwise provided in Paragraph 5 of the
supplemental indenture executed by such Guarantor.

Section 11.13. Severability.

      In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the
remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 11.14. Counterpart Originals.

      The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed
copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same
agreement.

Section 11.15. Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

      The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and Headings of the Articles
and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference
only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and shall in no way
modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

                                       83
<PAGE>   89
                               SIGNATURES

Dated as of April 27, 2000
                                    Orion Power Holdings, Inc.

                                    By:_____________________________________
                                        Name:
                                        Title:

Attest:

________________________________
Name:
Title:

                                    Wilmington Trust Company

                                    By:_____________________________________
                                        Name:
                                        Title:

Attest:

________________________________
Authorized Signatory
Date:

                                       84
<PAGE>   90
                                                                      EXHIBIT A1

                             [Face of Note]

                                                      CUSIP/CINS______________

                            12% Senior Notes due 2010

No. ___                                                      $________________

                           ORION POWER HOLDINGS, INC.

promises to pay to CEDE & CO. or registered assigns,

the principal sum of __________________________________________

Dollars on May 1, 2010.

Interest Payment Dates:  May 1 and November 1, commencing on November
1, 2000.

Record Dates:  April 15 and October 15.

Dated:  April 27, 2000.

                           ORION POWER HOLDINGS, INC.

                                    By:_____________________________________
                                        Name:
                                        Title:

                                    By:_____________________________________
                                        Name:
                                        Title:

                                                      (SEAL)

This is one of the Notes referred to
in the within-mentioned Indenture:

WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
  as Trustee

By:________________________________
        Authorized Signatory

                                      A1-1
<PAGE>   91
                                 [Back of Note]
                            12% Senior Notes due 2010

[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable]

[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable]

      Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in
the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

      1. INTEREST. Orion Power Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 12%
per annum from April 27, 2000 until maturity and shall pay the Special Interest
payable pursuant to Section 5 of the Registration Rights Agreement referred to
below. The Company will pay interest and Special Interest semi-annually in
arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year, or if any such day is not a
Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each an "Interest Payment
Date"). Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which
interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of
issuance; provided that if there is no existing Default in the payment of
interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on
the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall
accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date; provided, further, that
the first Interest Payment Date shall be November 1, 2000. The Company shall pay
interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any
Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on
demand at a rate that is 1% per annum in excess of the rate then in effect; it
shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any
Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Special Interest
(without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at
the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest will be computed on the basis of a
360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

      2. METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Company will pay interest on the Notes (except
defaulted interest) and Special Interest to the Persons who are registered
Holders of Notes at the close of business on the April 15th or October 15th next
preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such
record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in
Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. The Notes will
be payable as to principal, premium, and Special Interest, if any, and interest
at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose within or
without the City and State of New York, or, at the option of the Company,
payment of interest and Special Interest may be made by check mailed to the
Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders, and provided
that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required
with respect to principal of and interest, premium and Special Interest on, all
Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which shall have provided wire
transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent. Such payment shall be
in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of
payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

      3. PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, Wilmington Trust Company, the
Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company
may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The
Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

      4. INDENTURE. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of
April 27, 2000 ("Indenture") between the Company and the Trustee. The terms of
the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the
Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as

                                      A1-2
<PAGE>   92
amended (15 U.S. Code Sections 77aaa-77bbbb). The Notes are subject to all
such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a
statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with
the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall
govern and be controlling. The Notes are obligations of the Company limited to
$425.0 million in aggregate principal amount, of which $375.0 million are
Initial Notes and up to $50.0 million may be issued as Additional Notes.

      5. OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.

      (a) Except as set forth in this paragraph (a) of this Paragraph 5, the
Company shall not have the option to redeem the Notes prior to maturity. At any
time prior to May 1, 2003, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem
up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under the Indenture
at a redemption price of 112% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed,
plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, to the redemption
date, with the net proceeds of an Equity Offering (except to the extent such net
cash proceeds constitute Excluded Equity); provided that:

(1)   at least 65% of the Notes issued under the Indenture remain outstanding
      immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (excluding Notes held
      by the Company and its Subsidiaries); and

(2)   the redemption occurs within 60 days of the date of the closing
      of such Equity Offering.

      (b) Any redemption pursuant to this Paragraph 5 shall be made pursuant to
the provisions of Section 3.01 through 3.06 of the Indenture.

      6. MANDATORY REDEMPTION.

      Except as set forth in Paragraph 7 below, the Company shall not be
required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect
to the Notes.

      7.  SPECIAL MANDATORY REDEMPTION.

      Upon the earlier to occur of (1) termination of the acquisition agreements
related to the Midwest Assets and (2) four months after the issuance of the
Notes, if the Escrow Funds have not been released pursuant to the terms of the
Special Escrow and Pledge Agreement at that time, all of the outstanding Notes
shall be subject to a special mandatory redemption upon no less seven days' and
no more than 20 days' notice written notice to the Holders with the funds in the
Special Escrow Account plus any additional amounts necessary to redeem the Notes
at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of Notes redeemed
plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest to, the date
of redemption (the "Redemption Date"). The four month period described in clause
(2) above may be extended at any time and more than once at the Company's option
for up to an aggregate of 60 additional days upon the satisfaction of certain
conditions pursuant to the terms of the Special Escrow and Pledge Agreement.
"Applicable Premium" means, with respect to any Note on any Redemption Date
occurring on or before the four month anniversary of the issuance of the Notes,
1.0% of the principal amount of the Note and with respect to any Note on any
Redemption Date occurring after the four month anniversary of the issuance of
the Notes 1.5% of the principal amount of the Note.

      8. REPURCHASE AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS.

      (a) In the event of a Change of Control, the Company shall be required to
make an offer (a "Change of Control Offer") to each Holder to repurchase all or
any part (equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000) of that Holder's
Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate

                                      A1-3
<PAGE>   93
principal amount of Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest
thereon, if any, to the date of purchase (the "Change of Control Payment").
Within 30 days following any Change of Control or, at the Company's option,
prior to such Change of Control but after the public announcement thereof, the
Company shall mail a notice to each Holder setting forth the procedures
governing the Change of Control Offer as required by the Indenture.

      (b) If the Company or a Subsidiary consummates any Asset Sales, within
five days of each date on which the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds
$25.0 million, the Company shall commence an offer to all Holders of Notes (as
"Asset Sale Offer") pursuant to Section 3.10 of the Indenture to purchase the
maximum principal amount of Notes (including any Additional Notes) and such
other pari passu Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds
at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount (or
100% of the accreted value thereof, in the case of Indebtedness sold at a
discount) plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest thereon, if any,
to the date fixed for the closing of such offer, in accordance with the
procedures set forth in the Indenture. To the extent that the aggregate amount
of Notes including any Additional Notes and other Indebtedness tendered pursuant
to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, the Company (or such
Subsidiary) may use such remaining Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise
prohibited by the Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes
(including any Additional Notes) and other Indebtedness tendered pursuant to an
Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee shall select
the Notes and such other Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis based
upon the principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) of Notes and such
other Indebtedness tendered. Holders of Notes that are the subject of an offer
to purchase will receive an Asset Sale Offer from the Company prior to any
related purchase date and may elect to have such Notes purchased by completing
the form entitled "Option of Holder to Elect Purchase" on the reverse of the
Notes.

      9. NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30
days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder whose
Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address. Notes in denominations
larger than $1,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of
$1,000, unless all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed. On and
after the redemption date interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions thereof
called for redemption.

      10. DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form
without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. The
transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in
the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other
things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the
Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or
permitted by the Indenture. The Company need not exchange or register the
transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for
the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Company
need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days
before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record
date and the corresponding Interest Payment Date.

      11. PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated
as its owner for all purposes.

      12. AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. Subject to certain exceptions, the
Indenture, the Note Guarantees, if any, or the Notes may be amended or
supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including, without limitation,

                                      A1-4
<PAGE>   94
consents obtained in connection with a purchase or, or tender offer or exchange
offer for, Notes) and Additional Notes, if any, voting as a single class, and
any existing default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture, the Note
Guarantees or the Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including, without
limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer
or exchange offer for, Notes) and Additional Notes, if any, voting as a single
class. Without the consent of any Holder of a Note, the Indenture, the Note
Guarantees, if any, or the Notes may be amended or supplemented to cure any
ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, to provide for uncertificated Notes in
addition to or in place of certificated Notes, to provide for the assumption of
the Company's or Guarantor's obligations to Holders of the Notes in case of a
merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the Company's
assets, to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits
to the Holders of the Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights
under the Indenture of any such Holder, to comply with the requirements of the
SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the
Trust Indenture Act, to provide for the Issuance of Additional Notes in
accordance with the limitations set forth in the Indenture, to evidence and
provide the acceptance of the appointment of a successor trustee under the
Indenture, or to allow any Guarantor to execute a supplemental indenture to the
Indenture and/or a Note Guarantee with respect to the Notes.

      13. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. Events of Default include: (i) default for 30
days in the payment when due of interest on, or Special Interest with respect,
to the Notes; (ii) default in payment when due of principal of, or premium, if
any, on the Notes when the same becomes due and payable at maturity, upon
redemption (including in connection with an offer to purchase) or otherwise,
(iii) default in performance of any other covenants in the Indenture or in the
Notes for 60 days after written notice to the Company by the Trustee or to the
Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount on
the Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) then outstanding; (iv) there
shall have occurred either (a) a default by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary under any instrument or instruments under which there is or may be
secured or evidenced any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary (other than the Notes) having an outstanding principal amount of
$25.0 million or more individually of $25.0 million or more in the aggregate
that has caused the holders thereof to declare such Indebtedness to be due and
payable prior to its maturity or (b) a default by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary in the payment at maturity of the principal under any such
instrument, and such unpaid portion exceeds $25.0 million individually or $25.0
million in the aggregate and is not paid, or such default is not cured or
waived, within any grace period applicable thereto, unless such Indebtedness is
discharged within 20 days of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary becoming
aware of such default provided, however, that this clause (iv) shall not apply
to any default on Non-Recourse Debt; (v) any final judgment or order (not
covered by insurance) for the payment of money shall be rendered against the
Company, or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary, in an
amount in excess of $25.0 million individually or $25.0 million in the aggregate
for all such final judgments or orders against all such Persons (treating any
deductibles, self-insurance or retention as not so covered) and shall not be
discharged, and there shall be any period of 30 consecutive days following entry
of the final judgment or order in excess of $25.0 million individually or that
causes the aggregate amount for all such final judgments or orders outstanding
against all such persons to exceed $25.0 million during which a stay of
enforcement of such final judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or
otherwise, shall not be in effect; (vi) certain events of bankruptcy or
insolvency with respect to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a
Significant Subsidiary; and (vii) except as permitted by the Indenture, any
guarantee of the Notes is held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or
invalid or shall cease for any reason to be in full force and effect of any
Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any Guarantor, shall deny or
disaffirm its obligations under such Guarantor's guarantee of the Notes. If any
Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at
least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all the
Notes to be due and payable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an
Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, all
outstanding Notes will become due and payable without further action or notice.
Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the
Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal
amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of
any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of
any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a

                                      A1-5
<PAGE>   95
Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal or interest) if
it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The Holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice
to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any
existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the Indenture
except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest on,
or the principal of, the Notes. The Company is required to deliver to the
Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture. Upon
becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, the Company is required to
deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default.

      14. TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH COMPANY. The Trustee, in its individual or any
other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services
for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or
its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.

      15. NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. A director, officer, employee,
incorporator or stockholder, of the Company, as such, shall not have any
liability for any obligations of the Company under the Notes or the Indenture or
for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or
their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such
liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance
of the Notes. Upon an Event of Default, Holders of the Notes shall have recourse
only to the assets of the Company and the Guarantors, if any.

      16. AUTHENTICATION. This Note shall not be valid until authenticated by
the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

      17. ABBREVIATIONS. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a
Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (=
tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship
and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts
to Minors Act).

      18. ADDITIONAL RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES AND RESTRICTED
DEFINITIVE NOTES. In addition to the rights provided to Holders of Notes under
the Indenture, Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive
Notes shall have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement
dated as of April 27, 2000, between the Company and the parties named on the
signature pages thereof (the "Registration Rights Agreement") or, in the case of
Additional Notes, Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive
Notes shall have the rights set forth in one or more registration rights
agreements, if any, between the Company and the other parties thereto, relating
to rights given by the Company to the purchasers of any Additional Notes
collectively, the "Registration Rights Agreement").

      19. CUSIP NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the
Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused
CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers
in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made
as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as
contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the
other identification numbers placed thereon.

      The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without
charge a copy of the Indenture and/or the Registration Rights Agreement.
Requests may be made to:

Orion Power Holdings, Inc.
7 East Redwood Street, 10th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21202

                                      A1-6
<PAGE>   96
Attention:  Scott Helm, Chief Financial Officer

                                      A1-7
<PAGE>   97
                                 ASSIGNMENT FORM

      To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to: _________________________________
                                               (Insert assignee's legal name)

_______________________________________________________________________________
             (Insert assignee's soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________
         (Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code)

and irrevocably appoint________________________________________________________
to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute
another to act for him.

Date:  _______________

                                    Your Signature:____________________________
                                      (Sign exactly as your name appears on the
                                      face of this Note)

Signature Guarantee*:  _________________________

*     Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or
other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

                                      A1-8
<PAGE>   98
                   OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

      If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant
to Section 4.10 or 4.15 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

                 -- Section 4.10    -- Section 4.15

      If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the
Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.15 of the Indenture, state the
amount you elect to have purchased:

                            $______________

Date:  _______________

                                    Your Signature:_____________________________
                                      (Sign exactly as your name appears on the
                                      face of this Note)

                                    Tax Identification No.:_____________________

Signature Guarantee*:  _________________________

*     Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or
other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

                                      A1-9
<PAGE>   99
                                                                      EXHIBIT A2

              [Face of Regulation S Temporary Global Note]
================================================================================

                                                       CUSIP/CINS ______________

                       12% Senior Notes due 2010

No. ___                                                        $________________

                           ORION POWER HOLDINGS, INC.

promises to pay to CEDE & CO. or registered assigns,

the principal sum of _______________________________________________

Dollars on May 1, 2010.

Interest Payment Dates:  May 1 and November 1, commencing on November
1, 2000.

Record Dates:  April 15 and October 15.

Dated:  April 27, 2000.

                                    ORION POWER HOLDINGS, INC.

                                    By:________________________________________
                                        Name:
                                        Title:

                                    By:________________________________________
                                        Name:
                                        Title:

                                                      (SEAL)

This is one of the Notes referred to
in the within-mentioned Indenture:

WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
  as Trustee

By:________________________________
        Authorized Signatory

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

                                      A2-1
<PAGE>   100
                  [Back of Regulation S Temporary Global Note]
                            12% Senior Notes due 2010

THE RIGHTS ATTACHING TO THIS REGULATION S TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE, AND THE
CONDITIONS AND PROCEDURES GOVERNING ITS EXCHANGE FOR CERTIFICATED NOTES, ARE AS
SPECIFIED IN THE INDENTURE (AS DEFINED HEREIN). NEITHER THE HOLDER NOR THE
BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF THIS REGULATION S TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE ENTITLED
TO RECEIVE PAYMENT OF INTEREST HEREON.

UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE
FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A
NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR
ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A
SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS
CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST
COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) ("DTC"), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS
AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE
ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE
REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO
CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER
HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

THE NOTES EVIDENCED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE "SECURITIES ACT") AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD,
PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT (1) TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER
REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER WITHIN THE MEANING OF
RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE
ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE
REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (2) IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION COMPLYING WITH RULE
903 OR RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (3) PURSUANT TO AN
EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144
THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE) AND (4) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR IN A
TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, IN
EACH CASE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF THE STATES OF
THE UNITED STATES.

                                      A2-2
<PAGE>   101
      Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in
the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

      1. INTEREST. Orion Power Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 12%
per annum from April 27, 2000 until maturity and shall pay the Special Interest
payable pursuant to Section 5 of the Registration Rights Agreement referred to
below. The Company will pay interest and Special Interest semi-annually on May 1
and November 1 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the
next succeeding Business Day (each an "Interest Payment Date"). Interest on the
Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or,
if no interest has been paid, from the date of issuance; provided that if there
is no existing Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is
authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next
succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next
succeeding Interest Payment Date; provided, further, that the first Interest
Payment Date shall be November 1, 2000. The Company shall pay interest
(including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on
overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at a rate
that is 1% per annum in excess of the rate then in effect; it shall pay interest
(including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on
overdue installments of interest and Special Interest (without regard to any
applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the same rate to the
extent lawful. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of
twelve 30-day months.

      Until this Regulation S Temporary Global Note is exchanged for one or more
Regulation S Permanent Global Notes, the Holder hereof shall not be entitled to
receive payments of interest hereon; until so exchanged in full, this Regulation
S Temporary Global Note shall in all other respects be entitled to the same
benefits as other Notes under the Indenture.

      2. METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Company will pay interest on the Notes (except
defaulted interest) and Special Interest to the Persons who are registered
Holders of Notes at the close of business on the April 15th or October 15th next
preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such
record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in
Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. The Notes will
be payable as to principal, premium, interest and Special Interest at the office
or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose within or without the City
and State of New York, or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest and
Special Interest may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses
set forth in the register of Holders, and provided that payment by wire transfer
of immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of and
interest, premium and Special Interest on, all Global Notes and all other Notes
the Holders of which shall have provided wire transfer instructions to the
Company or the Paying Agent. Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of
the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for
payment of public and private debts.

      3. PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, Wilmington Trust Company, the
Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company
may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The
Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

      4. INDENTURE. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of
April 27, 2000 ("Indenture") between the Company and the Trustee. The terms of
the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the
Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S.
Code Sections 77aaa-77bbbb). The Notes are subject to all such terms, and
Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such
terms. The Notes are obligations of the Company limited to $425.0 million in
aggregate principal amount, of which $375.0 million are Initial Notes and up to
$50.0 million may be issued as Additional Notes.

                                      A2-3
<PAGE>   102
      5.  OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.

      (a) Except as set forth in this paragraph (a) of this Paragraph 5, the
Company shall not have the option to redeem the Notes prior to maturity. At any
time prior to May 1, 2003, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem
up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under the Indenture
at a redemption price of 112% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed,
plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, to the redemption
date, with the net cash proceeds of an Equity Offering (except to the extent
such net cash proceeds constitute Excluded Equity); provided that:

(1)   at least 65% of the Notes issued under the Indenture remain outstanding
      immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (excluding notes held
      by the Company and its Subsidiaries); and

(2)   the redemption occurs within 60 days of the date of the closing
      of such Equity Offering.

      (b) Any redemption pursuant to this Paragraph 5 shall be made pursuant to
the provisions of Section 3.01 through 3.06 of the Indenture.

      6. MANDATORY REDEMPTION.

      Except as set forth in Paragraph 7 below, the Company shall not be
required to make any mandatory redemption payments with respect to the Notes.

      7. SPECIAL MANDATORY REDEMPTION.

      Upon the earlier to occur of (1) termination of the acquisition agreements
related to the Midwest Assets and (2) four months after the issuance of the
Notes, if the Escrow Funds have not been released pursuant to the terms of the
Special Escrow and Pledge Agreement at that time, all of the outstanding Notes
shall be subject to a special mandatory redemption upon no less seven days' and
no more than 20 days' notice written notice to the Holders with the funds in the
Special Escrow Account plus any additional amounts necessary to redeem the Notes
at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of Notes redeemed
plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest to, the date
of redemption (the "Redemption Date"). The four month period described in clause
(2) above may be extended at any time and more than once at the Company's option
for up to an aggregate of 60 additional days upon the satisfaction of certain
conditions pursuant to the terms of the Special Escrow and Pledge Agreement.
"Applicable Premium" means, with respect to any Note on any Redemption Date
occurring on or before the four month anniversary of the issuance of the Notes,
1.0% of the principal amount of the Note and with respect to any Note on any
Redemption Date occurring after the four month anniversary of the issuance of
the Notes 1.5% of the principal amount of the Note.

      8. REPURCHASE AT OPTION OF HOLDER.

      (a) In the event of a Change of Control, the Company shall be required to
make an offer (a "Change of Control Offer") to each Holder to repurchase all or
any part (equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000) of that Holder's
Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal
amount of Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest thereon,
if any, to the date of purchase (the "Change of Control Payment"). Within 30
days following any Change of Control or, at the Company's option, prior to such
Change of Control but after the public announcement thereof, the Company shall
mail a notice to each Holder setting forth the procedures governing the Change
of Control Offer as required by the Indenture.

                                      A2-4
<PAGE>   103
     (b) If the Company or a Subsidiary consummates any Asset Sales, within five
days of each date on which the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $25.0
million, the Company shall commence an offer to all Holders of Notes (as "Asset
Sale Offer") pursuant to Section 3.10 of the Indenture to purchase the maximum
principal amount of Notes (including any Additional Notes) and such other pari
passu Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer
price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount (or 100% of the
accreted value thereof, in the case of Indebtedness sold at a discount) plus
accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages thereon, if any, to the date
fixed for the closing of such offer, in accordance with the procedures set forth
in the Indenture. To the extent that the aggregate amount of Notes including any
Additional Notes and other Indebtedness tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer
is less than the Excess Proceeds, the Company (or such Subsidiary) may use such
remaining Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by the
Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes (including any Additional
Notes) and other Indebtedness tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer exceeds
the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee shall select the Notes and such other
Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis based upon the principal amount
(or accreted value, as applicable) of Notes and such other indebtedness
tendered. Holders of Notes that are the subject of an offer to purchase will
receive an Asset Sale Offer from the Company prior to any related purchase date
and may elect to have such Notes purchased by completing the form entitled
"Option of Holder to Elect Purchase" on the reverse of the Notes.

      9. NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30
days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder whose
Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address. Notes in denominations
larger than $1,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of
$1,000, unless all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed. On and
after the redemption date interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions thereof
called for redemption.

      10. DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form
without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. The
transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in
the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other
things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the
Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or
permitted by the Indenture. The Company need not exchange or register the
transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for
the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, it need not
exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a
selection of Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record date and
the corresponding Interest Payment Date.

      This Regulation S Temporary Global Note is exchangeable in whole or in
part for one or more Global Notes only (i) on or after the termination of the
40-day restricted period (as defined in Regulation S) and (ii) upon presentation
of certificates (accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel, if applicable) required
by Article 2 of the Indenture. Upon exchange of this Regulation S Temporary
Global Note for one or more Global Notes, the Trustee shall cancel this
Regulation S Temporary Global Note.

      11.  PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS.  The registered Holder of a Note may
be treated as its owner for all purposes.

      12. AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. Subject to certain exceptions, the
Indenture, the Note Guarantees, if any, or the Notes may be amended or
supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including, without limitation,
consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange
offer for, Notes) and Additional Notes, if any, voting as a single class, and
any existing default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture, the Note
Guarantees or the Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including, without
limitation,

                                      A2-5
<PAGE>   104
consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange
offer for, Notes) and Additional Notes, if any, voting as a single class.
Without the consent of any Holder of a Note, the Indenture, the Note Guarantees,
if any, or the Notes may be amended or supplemented to cure any ambiguity,
defect or inconsistency, to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or
in place of certificated Notes, to provide for the assumption of the Company's
or Guarantor's obligations to Holders of the Notes in case of a merger or
consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the Company's assets, to
make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the
Holders of the Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under
the Indenture of any such Holder, to comply with the requirements of the SEC in
order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust
Indenture Act, to provide for the Issuance of Additional Notes in accordance
with the limitations set forth in the Indenture, to evidence and provide the
acceptance of the appointment of a Successor Trustee under the Indenture, or to
allow any Guarantor to execute a supplemental indenture to the Indenture and/or
a Note Guarantee with respect to the Notes.

      13. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. Events of Default include: (i) default for 30
days in the payment when due of interest on, or Special Interest with respect
to, the Notes; (ii) default in payment when due of principal of or premium, if
any, on the Notes when the same becomes due and payable at maturity, upon
redemption (including in connection with an offer to purchase) or otherwise,
(iii) (iii) default in performance of any other covenants in the Indenture or in
the Notes for 60 days after written notice to the Company by the Trustee or to
the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount
on the Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) then outstanding; (iv) there
shall have occurred either (a) a default by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary under any instrument or instruments under which there is or may be
secured or evidenced any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary (other than the Notes) having an outstanding principal amount of
$25.0 million or more individually of $25.0 million or more in the aggregate
that has caused the holders thereof to declare such Indebtedness to be due and
payable prior to its maturity or (b) a default by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary in the payment at maturity of the principal under any such
instrument, and such unpaid portion exceeds $25.0 million individually or $25.0
million in the aggregate and is not paid, or such default is not cured or
waived, within any grace period applicable thereto, unless such Indebtedness is
discharged within 20 days of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary becoming
aware of such default provided, however, that this clause (iv) shall not apply
to any default on Non-Recourse Debt; (v) any final judgment or order (not
covered by insurance) for the payment of money shall be rendered against the
Company, or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary, in an
amount in excess of $25.0 million individually or $25.0 million in the aggregate
for all such final judgments or orders against all such Persons (treating any
deductibles, self-insurance or retention as not so covered) and shall not be
discharged, and there shall be any period of 30 consecutive days following entry
of the final judgment or order in excess of $25.0 million individually or that
causes the aggregate amount for all such final judgments or orders outstanding
against all such persons to exceed $25.0 million during which a stay of
enforcement of such final judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or
otherwise, shall not be in effect; (vi) certain events of bankruptcy or
insolvency with respect to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a
Significant Subsidiary; and (vii) except as permitted by the Indenture, any
guarantee of the Notes is held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or
invalid or shall cease for any reason to be in full force and effect of any
Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any Guarantor, shall deny or
disaffirm its obligations under such Guarantor's guarantee of the Notes. If any
Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at
least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all the
Notes to be due and payable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an
Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, all
outstanding Notes will become due and payable without further action or notice.
Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the
Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal
amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of
any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of
any continuing Default or Event of

                                      A2-6
<PAGE>   105
Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of
principal or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their
interest. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes
then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of
the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences
under the Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the
payment of interest on, or the principal of, the Notes. The Company is required
to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the
Indenture Upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, the Company is
required to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default or Event
of Default.

      14. TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH COMPANY. The Trustee, in its individual or any
other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services
for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or
its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.

      15. NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. A director, officer, employee,
incorporator or stockholder, of the Company or any of the Guarantors, as such,
shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company or such
Guarantor under the Notes, the Note Guarantees or the Indenture or for any claim
based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation.
Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The
waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes.
Upon an Event of Default, Holders of the Notes shall have recourse only to the
assets of the Company and the Guarantors, if any.

      16. AUTHENTICATION. This Note shall not be valid until authenticated by
the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

      17. ABBREVIATIONS. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a
Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (=
tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship
and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts
to Minors Act).

      18. ADDITIONAL RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES AND RESTRICTED
DEFINITIVE NOTES. In addition to the rights provided to Holders of Notes under
the Indenture, Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive
Notes shall have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement
dated as of April 27, 2000, between the Company and the parties named on the
signature pages thereof or, in the case of Additional Notes, Holders of
Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes shall have the rights
set forth in one or more registration rights agreements, if any, between the
Company and the other parties thereto, relating to rights given by the Company
to the purchasers of any Additional Notes collectively, the "Registration Rights
Agreement").

      19. CUSIP NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the
Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused
CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers
in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made
as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as
contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the
other identification numbers placed thereon.

      The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without
charge a copy of the Indenture and/or the Registration Rights Agreement.
Requests may be made to:

Orion Power Holdings, Inc.
7 East Redwood Street, 10th Floor
Baltimore, Maryland 21202

                                      A2-7
<PAGE>   106
Attention:  Scott Helm, Chief Financial Officer

                                      A2-8
<PAGE>   107
                                 ASSIGNMENT FORM

      To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to: _________________________________
                                                (Insert assignee's legal name)

________________________________________________________________________________
             (Insert assignee's soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________
         (Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code)

and irrevocably appoint
to transfer this Note on the books of the Company.  The agent may
substitute another to act for him.

Date:  _______________

                                    Your Signature:____________________________
                                      (Sign exactly as your name appears on the
                                      face of this Note)

Signature Guarantee*:  _________________________

*     Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or
other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

                                      A2-9
<PAGE>   108
                       OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

      If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant
to Section 4.10 or 4.15 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

                 -- Section 4.10      -- Section 4.15

      If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the
Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.15 of the Indenture, state the
amount you elect to have purchased:

                            $______________

Date:  _______________

                                    Your Signature:____________________________
                                      (Sign exactly as your name appears on the
                                      face of this Note)

                                    Tax Identification No.:____________________

Signature Guarantee*:  _________________________

*     Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or
other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

                                     A2-10
<PAGE>   109
                                                                     EXHIBIT B

                         FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

Orion Power Holdings, Inc.
7 East Redwood Street
10th Floor
Baltimore, Maryland 21202

Wilmington Trust Company
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890

      Re:  12% Senior Notes due 2010

      Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of April 27, 2000 (the
"Indenture"), between Orion Power Holdings, Inc., as issuer (the "Company"), and
Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined
herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

      ___________________, (the "Transferor") owns and proposes to transfer the
Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the
principal amount of $___________ in such Note[s] or interests (the "Transfer"),
to ___________________________ (the "Transferee"), as further specified in Annex
A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:

                         [CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]

      1. [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN
THE 144A GLOBAL NOTE OR A DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A. The Transfer is
being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the United
States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and,
accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial
interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor
reasonably believed and believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or
Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to
which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each
such account is a "qualified institutional buyer" within the meaning of Rule
144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and such Transfer is
in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the
United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the
terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note
will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private
Placement Legend printed on the 144A Global Note and/or the Definitive Note and
in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

      2. [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN
THE TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE, THE REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE OR A
DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO REGULATION S. The Transfer is being effected
pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act
and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer
is not being made to a person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy
order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such
Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes
that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was
executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities
market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows
that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no
directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of
Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (iii) the
transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration
requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed

                                      B-1
<PAGE>   110
transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, the
transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a
U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Upon consummation of the proposed
transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred
beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on
Transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Regulation S
Global Note, the Temporary Regulation S Global Note] and/or the Definitive Note
and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

      3. [ ] CHECK AND COMPLETE IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL
INTEREST IN THE IAI GLOBAL NOTE OR A DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO ANY PROVISION
OF THE SECURITIES ACT OTHER THAN RULE 144A OR REGULATION S. The Transfer is
being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to
beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes
and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable
blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the
Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):

             (a) [ ] such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in
      accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act;

                                   or

             (b) [ ] such Transfer is being effected to the Company or a
        subsidiary thereof;

                                   or

             (c) [ ] such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective
        registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with
        the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act;

                                   or

             (d) [ ] such Transfer is being effected to an Institutional
      Accredited Investor and pursuant to an exemption from the registration
      requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A, Rule 144 or Rule
      904, and the Transferor hereby further certifies that it has not engaged
      in any general solicitation within the meaning of Regulation D under the
      Securities Act and the Transfer complies with the transfer restrictions
      applicable to beneficial interests in a Restricted Global Note or
      Restricted Definitive Notes and the requirements of the exemption claimed,
      which certification is supported by (1) a certificate executed by the
      Transferee in the form of Exhibit D to the Indenture and (2) an Opinion of
      Counsel provided by the Transferor or the Transferee (a copy of which the
      Transferor has attached to this certification), to the effect that such
      Transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of
      the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the
      transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the
      restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend
      printed on the IAI Global Note and/or the Definitive Notes and in the
      Indenture and the Securities Act.

      4. [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN
AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE OR OF AN UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE.

      (a) [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO RULE 144. (i) The Transfer is
being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities
Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture
and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States
and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private
Placement

                                      B-2
<PAGE>   111
Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the
Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer
be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement
Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes
and in the Indenture.

      (b) [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO REGULATION S. (i) The Transfer is
being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the
Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the
Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United
States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the
Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with
the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance
with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or
Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer
enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global
Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

      (c) [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO OTHER EXEMPTION. (i) The
Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from
the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule
903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in
the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the
United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture
and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain
compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer
in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial
interest or Definitive Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer
enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global
Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

      This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for the
benefit of the Trustee and the Registrar and the benefit of the Company.

                                    ___________________________________________
                                             [Insert Name of Transferor]

                                    By:________________________________________
                                        Name:
                                        Title:

Dated:  _______________________

                                      B-3
<PAGE>   112
                                                                       EXHIBIT C

                         FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

Orion Power Holdings, Inc.
7 East Redwood Street
10th Floor
Baltimore, Maryland 21202

Wilmington Trust Company
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890

      Re:  12% Senior Notes due 2010

                          (CUSIP ____________)

      Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of April 27, 2000 (the
"Indenture"), between Orion Power Holdings, Inc., as issuer (the "Company"), and
Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined
herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

      __________________________, (the "Owner") owns and proposes to exchange
the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal
amount of $____________ in such Note[s] or interests (the "Exchange"). In
connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:

      1. EXCHANGE OF RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN A
RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE FOR UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS
IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE

      (a) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED
GLOBAL NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection
with the Exchange of the Owner's beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note
for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal
amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired
for the Owner's own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been
effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global
Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the United States Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), (iii) the restrictions on transfer
contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in
order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial
interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any
applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

      (b) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED
GLOBAL NOTE TO UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of
the Owner's beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted
Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being
acquired for the Owner's own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has
been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the
Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities
Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the
Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with
the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance
with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

      (c) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO BENEFICIAL
INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Owner's Exchange
of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted
Global Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is

                                      C-1
<PAGE>   113
being acquired for the Owner's own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange
has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to
Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the
Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture
and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain
compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being
acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state
of the United States.

      (d) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO
UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Owner's Exchange of a
Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby
certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner's
own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance
with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and
pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on
transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not
required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the
Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable
blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

      2. EXCHANGE OF RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN
RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES FOR RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS
IN RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES

      (a) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED
GLOBAL NOTE TO RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of
the Owner's beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted
Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that
the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner's own account
without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with
the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue
to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private
Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture
and the Securities Act.

      (b) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO BENEFICIAL
INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the
Owner's Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the [CHECK ONE]
144A Global Note, Regulation S Global Note, IAI Global Note with an equal
principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is
being acquired for the Owner's own account without transfer and (ii) such
Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions
applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with
the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities
laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed
Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest
issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private
Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the
Indenture and the Securities Act.

      This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for the
benefit of the Trustee and the Registrar and the benefit of the Company.

                                       ________________________________________
                                               [Insert Name of Transferor]

                                    By:________________________________________
                                      Name:
                                      Title:

                                      C-2
<PAGE>   114
Dated:  ______________________

                                      C-3
<PAGE>   115
                                                                       EXHIBIT D

                            FORM OF CERTIFICATE FROM
                   ACQUIRING INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR

Orion Power Holdings, Inc.
7 East Redwood Street
10th Floor
Baltimore, Maryland 21202

Wilmington Trust Company
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890

      Re:  12% Senior Notes due 2010

      Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of April 27, 2000 (the
"Indenture"), between Orion Power Holdings, Inc., as issuer (the "Company"), and
Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined
herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

      In connection with our proposed purchase of $____________ aggregate
principal amount of:

      (a) [ ]   a beneficial interest in a Global Note, or

      (b) [ ]   a Definitive Note,

      we confirm that:

      1. We understand that any subsequent transfer of the Notes or any interest
therein is subject to certain restrictions and conditions set forth in the
Indenture and the undersigned agrees to be bound by, and not to resell, pledge
or otherwise transfer the Notes or any interest therein except in compliance
with, such restrictions and conditions and the United States Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").

      2. We understand that the offer and sale of the Notes have not been
registered under the Securities Act, and that the Notes and any interest therein
may not be offered or sold except as permitted in the following sentence. We
agree, on our own behalf and on behalf of any accounts for which we are acting
as hereinafter stated, that if we should sell the Notes or any interest therein,
we will do so only (A) to the Company or any subsidiary thereof, (B) in
accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act to a "qualified institutional
buyer" (as defined therein), (C) to an institutional "accredited investor" (as
defined below) that, prior to such transfer, furnishes (or has furnished on its
behalf by a U.S. broker-dealer) to you and to the Company a signed letter
substantially in the form of this letter and, if such transfer is in respect of
a principal amount of Notes, at the time of transfer of less than $250,000, an
Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect
that such transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act, (D) outside the
United States in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Securities
Act, (E) pursuant to the provisions of Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act or
(F) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act,
and we further agree to provide to any person purchasing the Definitive Note or
beneficial interest in a Global Note from us in a transaction meeting the
requirements of clauses (A) through (E) of this paragraph a notice advising such
purchaser that resales thereof are restricted as stated herein.

                                      D-1
<PAGE>   116
                                                                       EXHIBIT D

      3. We understand that, on any proposed resale of the Notes or beneficial
interest therein, we will be required to furnish to you and the Company such
certifications, legal opinions and other information as you and the Company may
reasonably require to confirm that the proposed sale complies with the foregoing
restrictions. We further understand that the Notes purchased by us will bear a
legend to the foregoing effect.

      4. We are an institutional "accredited investor" (as defined in Rule
501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act) and have
such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable
of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the Notes, and we and
any accounts for which we are acting are each able to bear the economic risk of
our or its investment.

      5. We are acquiring the Notes or beneficial interest therein purchased by
us for our own account or for one or more accounts (each of which is an
institutional "accredited investor") as to each of which we exercise sole
investment discretion.

      The Registrar, the Trustee and the Company are entitled to rely upon this
letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to
any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official
inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.

                                    ____________________________________________
                                       [Insert Name of Accredited Investor]

                                    By:_________________________________________
                                      Name:
                                      Title:

Dated:  _______________________

                                      D-2
<PAGE>   117
                                                                       EXHIBIT E

                     FORM OF NOTATION OF GUARANTEE

      For value received, each Guarantor (which term includes any successor
Person under the Supplemental Indenture, dated as ______________, among the
Guarantor, the Company and the Trustee (the "Supplemental Indenture")) has,
jointly and severally, unconditionally guaranteed, to the extent set forth in
the Indenture and subject to the provisions in the Indenture, dated as of April
27, 2000 (the "Indenture"), between Orion Power Holdings, Inc. (the "Company")
and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee (the "Trustee"), (a) the due and
punctual payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes
(as defined in the Indenture), whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption
or otherwise, the due and punctual payment of interest on overdue principal and
premium, and, to the extent permitted by law, interest, and the due and punctual
performance of all other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the
Trustee all in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and (b) in case of any
extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other
obligations, that the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed
in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated
maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. The obligations of the Guarantors to the
Holders of Notes and to the Trustee pursuant to the Note Guarantee and the
Indenture are expressly set forth in the Supplemental Indenture and reference is
hereby made to the Supplemental Indenture for the precise terms of the Note
Guarantee. Each Holder of a Note, by accepting the same, (a) agrees to and shall
be bound by such provisions, (b) authorizes and directs the Trustee, on behalf
of such Holder, to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to
effectuate the subordination as provided in the Indenture and (c) appoints the
Trustee attorney-in-fact of such Holder for such purpose; provided, however,
that the Indebtedness evidenced by this Note Guarantee shall cease to be so
subordinated and subject in right of payment upon any defeasance of this Note in
accordance with the provisions of the Indenture.

                                    [NAME OF GUARANTOR(S)]

                                    By:__________________________________
                                    Name:
                                    Title:

                                      E-1
<PAGE>   118
                                                                       EXHIBIT G

                 FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE TO BE DELIVERED
                            BY SUBSEQUENT GUARANTORS

      SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this "Supplemental Indenture"), dated as of
__________, 2000, among __________________ (the "Guaranteeing Subsidiary"), a
subsidiary of Orion Power Holdings, Inc. (or its permitted successor), a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), the Company, the other Guarantors (as
defined in the Indenture referred to herein) and Wilmington Trust Company, as
trustee under the indenture referred to below (the "Trustee").

                          W I T N E S S E T H

      WHEREAS, the Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee
an indenture (the "Indenture"), dated as of April 27, 2000 providing for the
issuance of an aggregate principal amount of up to $425.0 million of 12% Senior
Notes due 2010 (the "Notes") of which $375.0 million are Initial Notes and up to
$50.0 million may be issued as Additional Notes;

      WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the
Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental
indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall unconditionally
guarantee all of the Company's Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on
the terms and conditions set forth herein (the "Note Guarantee"); and

      WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is
authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.

      NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the
Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the
equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:

      CAPITALIZED TERMS.  Capitalized terms used herein without
definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

      1.    AGREEMENT TO GUARANTEE.  The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby
agrees as follows:

            (a) Along with all Guarantors named in this or other Supplemental
      Indentures, to jointly and severally, and unconditionally Guarantee to
      each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to
      the Trustee and its successors and assigns, the Notes or the obligations
      of the Company hereunder or thereunder, that:

                  (i) the principal of and interest on the Notes will be
            promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by
            acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue
            principal of and interest on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and all
            other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee
            hereunder or thereunder will be promptly paid in full or performed,
            all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and

                  (ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of
            any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same will be
            promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the
            terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by
            acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so
            guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the
            Guarantors shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same
            immediately.

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                                                                       EXHIBIT G

            (b) The obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective
      of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or the
      Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or
      consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to any provisions hereof
      or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action
      to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise
      constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor.

            (c) The following is hereby waived: diligence, presentment, demand
      of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or
      bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against
      the Company, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever.

            (d) This Note Guarantee shall not be discharged except by complete
      performance of the obligations contained in the Notes and the Indenture,
      and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary accepts all obligations of a Guarantor
      under the Indenture.

            (e) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or
      otherwise to return to the Company, the Guarantors, or any Custodian,
      Trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either
      the Company or the Guarantors, any amount paid by either to the Trustee or
      such Holder, this Note Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged,
      shall be reinstated in full force and effect.

            (f) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall not be entitled to any right
      of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations
      guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed
      hereby.

            (g) As between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and
      the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations
      guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 of the
      Indenture for the purposes of this Note Guarantee, notwithstanding any
      stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in
      respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any
      declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6
      of the Indenture, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall
      forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this
      Note Guarantee.

            (h) The Guarantors shall have the right to seek contribution from
      any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not
      impair the rights of the Holders under the Guarantee.

      2. LIMITATION ON GUARANTOR LIABILITY. Each Guaranteeing Subsidiary, and by
its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention
of all such parties that the Note Guarantees of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary not
constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law,
the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or
any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Note Guarantee.
To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the
Guaranteeing Subsidiaries irrevocably agree that the obligations of such
Guaranteeing Subsidiary will, after giving effect to any maximum amount and any
other contingent and fixed liabilities that are relevant under any applicable
Bankruptcy or fraudulent conveyance laws, and after giving effect to any
collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on
behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other
Guarantor the Indenture, this new Note Guarantee shall be limited to the maximum
amount permissible such that the obligations of such Guarantor under this Note
Guarantee will not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

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                                                                       EXHIBIT G

      3. EXECUTION AND DELIVERY. Each Guaranteeing Subsidiary agrees that the
Note Guarantees shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any
failure to endorse on each Note a notation of such Note Guarantee.

      4. GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARY MAY CONSOLIDATE, eTC. ON CERTAIN TERMS.

            (a) Except as otherwise provided in Paragraph 5, no Guaranteeing
      Subsidiary may consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not such
      Guarantor is the surviving Person) another Person whether or not
      affiliated with such Guarantor unless:

                  (i) subject to Paragraph 5, the Person formed by or surviving
            any such consolidation or merger (if other than a Guarantor or the
            Company) unconditionally assumes all the obligations of such
            Guarantor, pursuant to a supplemental indenture in form and
            substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, under the Notes,
            the Indenture and the Note Guarantee on the terms set forth herein
            or therein; and

                  (ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no
            Default or Event of Default exists.

            (b) In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance
      and upon the assumption by the successor Person, by supplemental
      indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form
      to the Trustee, of the Note Guarantee endorsed upon the Notes and the due
      and punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of the
      Indenture to be performed by the Guarantor, such successor corporation
      shall succeed to and be substituted for the Guarantor with the same effect
      as if it had been named herein as a Guarantor. Such successor Person
      thereupon may cause to be signed any or all of the Note Guarantees to be
      endorsed upon all of the Notes issuable hereunder which theretofore shall
      not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee. All the
      Note Guarantees so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank
      and benefit under the Indenture as the Note Guarantees theretofore and
      thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of the Indenture as though
      all of such Note Guarantees had been issued at the date of the execution
      hereof.

            (c) Except as set forth in Articles 4 and 5 of the Indenture and
      Paragraph 5, and notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, nothing
      contained in the Indenture or in any of the Notes shall prevent any
      consolidation or merger of a Guarantor with or into the Company or another
      Guarantor, or shall prevent any sale or conveyance of the property of a
      Guarantor as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Company or
      another Guarantor.

      5. RELEASES.

            (a) In the event of a sale or other disposition of all of the assets
      of any Guarantor, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, or a sale
      or other disposition of all to the capital stock of any Guarantor, in each
      case to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such
      transaction) a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, then such Guarantor
      (in the event of a sale or other disposition, by way of merger,
      consolidation or otherwise, of all of the capital stock of such Guarantor)
      or the corporation acquiring the property (in the event of a sale or other
      disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of such Guarantor)
      will be released and relieved of any obligations under its Note Guarantee;
      provided that the Net Proceeds of such sale or other disposition are
      applied in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Indenture,
      including without limitation Section 4.10 of the Indenture. Upon delivery
      by the Company to the Trustee of an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion
      of Counsel to the effect that such sale or other disposition

                                      G-3
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                                                                       EXHIBIT G

      was made by the Company in accordance with the provisions of the
      Indenture, including without limitation Section 4.10 of the Indenture, the
      Trustee shall execute any documents reasonably required in order to
      evidence the release of any Guarantor from its obligations under its Note
      Guarantee.

            (b) Any Guarantor not released from its obligations under its Note
      Guarantee shall remain liable for the full amount of principal of and
      interest on the Notes and for the other obligations of any Guarantor under
      the Indenture as provided therein and in this Supplemental Indenture.

      6. NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. No past, present or future director,
officer, employee, incorporator, stockholder or agent of the Guaranteeing
Subsidiary, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company
or any Guaranteeing Subsidiary under the Notes, any Note Guarantees, the
Indenture or this Supplemental Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect
of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of the
Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and
release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. Upon an Event
of Default, Holders of the Notes shall have recourse only to the assets of the
Company and any Guaranteeing Subsidiary.

      7. NEW YORK LAW TO GOVERN. THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL
GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE BUT WITHOUT GIVING
EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE
APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

      8. COUNTERPARTS. The parties may sign any number of copies of this
Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them
together represent the same agreement.

      9. EFFECT OF HEADINGS. The Section headings herein are for convenience
only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

      10. THE TRUSTEE. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner
whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental
Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which
recitals are made solely by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Company.

                                      G-4
<PAGE>   122
                                                                       EXHIBIT G

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental
Indenture to be duly executed and attested, all as of the date first above
written.

      Dated:  _______________, ____

                                    [GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARY]

                                    By:  _______________________________
                                    Name:
                                    Title:

                                    ORION POWER HOLDINGS, INC.

                                    By:  _______________________________
                                    Name:
                                    Title:

                                    [EXISTING GUARANTORS]

                                    By:  _______________________________
                                    Name:
                                    Title:

                                    WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
                                      as Trustee

                                    By:  _______________________________
                                         Authorized Signatory

                                      G-5

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