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 Commercial Paper Dealer Agreement
 

 4(a)(2) Program
 

 

 _________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Between:
 Northeast Utilities, as Issuer
 and
 [  •  ], as the Dealer
 Concerning Notes to be issued pursuant to an 
 Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement dated as of  July 18, 2012
 between the Issuer and 
 Citibank, N.A., as Issuing and Paying Agent
 Dated as of [  •  ]
 

 

 

 

 

 Commercial Paper Dealer Agreement
 4(a)(2) Program
 This agreement (the “Agreement”) sets forth the understandings between the Issuer and the Dealer, each named on the cover page hereof, in connection with the issuance and sale by the Issuer of its unsecured, short-term promissory notes (the “Notes”) through the Dealer. 
 Certain terms used in this Agreement are defined in Section 6 hereof. 
 The Addendum to this Agreement, and any Annexes or Exhibits described in this Agreement or such Addendum, are hereby incorporated into this Agreement and made fully a part hereof. 
 
 1.
 Offers, Sales and Resales of Notes.
 1.1
 While (i) the Issuer has and shall have no obligation to sell the Notes to the Dealer or to permit the Dealer to arrange any sale of the Notes for the account of the Issuer, and (ii) the Dealer has and shall have no obligation to purchase the Notes from the Issuer or to arrange any sale of the Notes for the account of the Issuer, the parties hereto agree that in any case where the Dealer purchases Notes from the Issuer, or arranges for the sale of Notes by the Issuer, such Notes will be purchased or sold by the Dealer in reliance on the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the Issuer contained herein or made pursuant hereto and on the terms and conditions and in the manner provided herein.
 1.2
 So long as this Agreement shall remain in effect, and in addition to the limitations contained in Section 1.7 hereof, the Issuer shall not, without the consent of the Dealer, offer, solicit or accept offers to purchase, or sell, any Notes except (a) in transactions with one or more dealers which may from time to time after the date hereof become dealers with respect to the Notes by executing with the Issuer one or more agreements which contain provisions substantially identical to those contained in Section 1 of this Agreement, of which the Issuer hereby undertakes to provide the Dealer prompt notice or (b) in transactions with the other dealers listed on the Addendum hereto, which are executing agreements with the Issuer which contain provisions substantially identical to Section 1 of this Agreement contemporaneously herewith.  In no event shall the Issuer offer, solicit or accept offers to purchase, or sell, any Notes directly on its own behalf in transactions with persons other than broker-dealers as specifically permitted in this Section 1.2.
 1.3
 The Notes shall be in a minimum denomination of $250,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, will bear such interest rates, if interest bearing, or will be sold at such discount from their face amounts, as shall be agreed upon by the Dealer and the Issuer, shall have a maturity not exceeding 364 days from the date of issuance and may have such terms as are specified in Exhibit C hereto or the Private Placement Memorandum.   The Notes shall not contain any provision for extension, renewal or automatic “rollover.”
 1.4
 The authentication and issuance of, and payment for, the Notes shall be effected in accordance with the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, and the Notes shall, as mutually agreed by Issuer and Dealer, be either individual physical certificates or book-entry notes evidenced by 
 

 

 

 one or more master notes (each, a “Master Note”) registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or its nominee, in the form or forms annexed hereto as Exhibit C. 
 1.5
 If the Issuer and the Dealer shall agree on the terms of the purchase of any Note by the Dealer or the sale of any Note arranged by the Dealer (including, but not limited to, agreement with respect to the date of issue, purchase price, principal amount, maturity and interest rate or interest rate index and margin (in the case of interest-bearing Notes) or discount thereof (in the case of Notes issued on a discount basis), and appropriate compensation for the Dealer’s services hereunder) pursuant to this Agreement, the Issuer shall cause such Note to be issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement and payment for such Note shall be made by the purchaser thereof, either directly or through the Dealer, to the Issuing and Paying Agent, for the account of the Issuer.  Except as otherwise agreed, in the event that the Dealer is acting as an agent and a purchaser shall either fail to accept delivery of or make payment for a Note on the date fixed for settlement, the Dealer shall promptly notify the Issuer, and if the Dealer has theretofore paid the Issuer for the Note, the Issuer will promptly return such funds to the Dealer against its return of the Note to the Issuer, in the case of a certificated Note, and upon notice of such failure in the case of a book-entry Note.  If such failure occurred for any reason other than default by the Dealer, the Issuer shall reimburse the Dealer on an equitable basis for the Dealer’s loss of the use of such funds for the period such funds were credited to the Issuer’s account.
 1.6
 The Dealer and the Issuer hereby establish and agree to observe the following procedures in connection with offers, sales and subsequent resales or other transfers of the Notes:
 
 (a)
 Offers and sales of the Notes shall be made only to: (i) investors reasonably believed by the Dealer to be Qualified Institutional Buyers, Institutional Accredited Investors or Sophisticated Individual Accredited Investors and (ii) non-bank fiduciaries or agents that will be purchasing Notes for one or more accounts, each of which is reasonably believed by the Dealer to be an Institutional Accredited Investor or Sophisticated Individual Accredited Investor.
 
 (b)
 Resales and other transfers of the Notes by the holders thereof shall be made only in accordance with the restrictions in the legend described in clause (e) below.
 (c)
 No general solicitation or general advertising shall be used in connection with the offering of the Notes. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except as required by applicable law, rule or regulation, without the prior written approval of the Dealer, the Issuer shall not issue any press release, make any other statement to any member of the press making reference to the Notes, the offer or sale of the Notes or this Agreement or place or publish any “tombstone” or other advertisement relating to the Notes or the offer or sale thereof. 
 
 (d)
 No sale of Notes to any one purchaser shall be for less than $250,000 principal or face amount, and no Note shall be issued in a smaller principal or face amount.  If the purchaser is a non-bank fiduciary acting on behalf of others, each person for whom such purchaser is acting must purchase at least $250,000 principal or face amount of Notes.
 

 

 

  

 (e)
 Offers and sales of the Notes by the Issuer through the Dealer acting as agent for the Issuer shall be made in accordance with Rule 506 under the Securities Act, and shall be subject to the restrictions described in the legend appearing on Exhibit A hereto.  A legend substantially to the effect of such Exhibit A shall appear as part of the Private Placement Memorandum used in connection with offers and sales of Notes hereunder, as well as on each individual certificate representing a Note and each Master Note representing book-entry Notes offered and sold pursuant to this Agreement. 
 
 (f)
 The Dealer shall furnish or shall have furnished to each purchaser of Notes for which it has acted as the Dealer a copy of the then-current Private Placement Memorandum unless such purchaser has previously received a copy of the Private Placement Memorandum as then in effect.  The Private Placement Memorandum shall expressly state that any person to whom Notes are offered shall have an opportunity to ask questions of, and receive information from, the Issuer and the Dealer and shall provide the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the persons from whom information regarding the Issuer may be obtained.
 
 (g)
 The Issuer agrees, for the benefit of the Dealer and each of the holders and prospective purchasers from time to time of the Notes that, if at any time the Issuer shall not be subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Issuer will furnish, upon request and at its expense, to the Dealer and to holders and prospective purchasers of Notes information required by Rule 144A(d)(4)(i) in compliance with Rule 144A(d).
 
 (h)
 In the event that any Note offered or to be offered by the Dealer would be ineligible for resale under Rule 144A, the Issuer shall immediately notify the Dealer (by telephone, confirmed in writing) of such fact and shall promptly prepare and deliver to the Dealer an amendment or supplement to the Private Placement Memorandum describing the Notes that are ineligible, the reason for such ineligibility and any other relevant information relating thereto.
 
 (i)
 The Issuer represents that it is not currently issuing commercial paper in the United States market in reliance upon the exemption provided by Section 3(a)(3) of the Securities Act.  The Issuer agrees that, if it shall issue commercial paper after the date hereof in reliance upon such exemption (a) the proceeds from the sale of the Notes will be segregated from the proceeds of the sale of any such commercial paper by being placed in a separate account; (b) the Issuer will institute appropriate corporate procedures to ensure that the offers and sales of notes issued by the Issuer pursuant to the Section 3(a)(3) exemption are not integrated with offerings and sales of Notes hereunder; and (c) the Issuer will comply with each of the requirements of Section 3(a)(3) of the Securities Act in selling commercial paper or other short-term debt securities other than the Notes in the United States.
 
 1.7
 The Issuer hereby represents and warrants to the Dealer, in connection with offers, sales and resales of Notes, as follows:
 
 (a)
 The Issuer hereby confirms to the Dealer that (except as permitted by Section 1.6(i) or as otherwise in accordance with Rule 506 under the Securities Act) within the preceding six months neither the Issuer nor any person other than the Dealer or the other dealers referred to 
 

 

 

 in Section 1.2 hereof acting on behalf of the Issuer has offered or sold any Notes, or any substantially similar security of the Issuer (including, without limitation, medium-term notes issued by the Issuer), to, or solicited offers to buy any such security from, any person other than the Dealer or the other dealers referred to in Section 1.2 hereof.  The Issuer also agrees that (except as permitted by Section 1.6(i)), as long as the Notes are being offered for sale by the Dealer and the other dealers referred to in Section 1.2 hereof as contemplated hereby and until at least six months after the offer of Notes hereunder has been terminated, neither the Issuer nor any person other than the Dealer or the other dealers referred to in Section 1.2 hereof (except as contemplated by Section 1.2 hereof) will offer the Notes or any substantially similar security of the Issuer for sale to, or solicit offers to buy any such security from, any person other than the Dealer or the other dealers referred to in Section 1.2 hereof, it being understood that such agreement is made with a view to bringing the offer and sale of the Notes within the exemption provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506 thereunder and shall survive any termination of this Agreement.  The Issuer hereby represents and warrants that it has not taken or omitted to take, and will not take or omit to take, any action that would cause the offering and sale of Notes hereunder to be integrated with any other offering of securities, whether such offering is made by the Issuer or some other party or parties.
 
 (b)
 The Issuer represents and agrees that the proceeds of the sale of the Notes are not currently contemplated to be used for the purpose of buying, carrying or trading securities within the meaning of Regulation T and the interpretations thereunder by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.  In the event that the Issuer determines to use such proceeds for the purpose of buying, carrying or trading securities, whether in connection with an acquisition of another company or otherwise, the Issuer shall give the Dealer at least five business days’ prior written notice to that effect.  The Issuer shall also give the Dealer prompt notice of the actual date that it commences to purchase securities with the proceeds of the Notes.  Thereafter, in the event that the Dealer purchases Notes as principal and does not resell such Notes on the day of such purchase, to the extent necessary to comply with Regulation T and the interpretations thereunder, the Dealer will sell such Notes either (i) only to offerees it reasonably believes to be Qualified Institutional Buyers or to Qualified Institutional Buyers it reasonably believes are acting for other Qualified Institutional Buyers, in each case in accordance with Rule 144A or (ii) in a manner which would not cause a violation of Regulation T and the interpretations thereunder.
 
 2.
 Representations and Warranties of Issuer.
 The Issuer represents and warrants that:
 
 2.1
 The Issuer is a voluntary association validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and has all the requisite power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Notes, this Agreement and the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement.
 
 2.2
 This Agreement and the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Issuer and constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Issuer enforceable against the Issuer in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable 
 

 

 

 bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law).
 
 2.3
 The Notes have been duly authorized, and when issued and delivered as provided in the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, will be duly and validly issued and will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Issuer enforceable against the Issuer in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law).
 
 2.4
 The offer and sale of the Notes in the manner contemplated hereby do not require registration of the Notes under the Securities Act, pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) thereof, and no indenture in respect of the Notes is required to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. 
 
 2.5
 The Notes will rank at least pari passu with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Issuer.
 
 2.6
 No consent or action of, or filing or registration with, any governmental or public regulatory body or authority, including the SEC, is required to authorize, or is otherwise required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance of, this Agreement, the Notes or the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, except as may be required by the securities or Blue Sky laws of the various states in connection with the offer and sale of the Notes.
 
 2.7
 Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, nor the issuance of the Notes in accordance with the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, nor the fulfillment of or compliance with the terms and provisions hereof or thereof by the Issuer, will (i) result in the creation or imposition of any mortgage, lien, charge or encumbrance of any nature whatsoever upon any of the properties or assets of the Issuer, or (ii) violate or result in a breach or a default under any of the terms of the Issuer’s charter documents or by-laws, any contract or instrument to which the Issuer is a party or by which it or its property is bound, or any law or regulation, or any order, writ, injunction or decree of any court or government instrumentality, to which the Issuer is subject or by which it or its property is bound, which breach or default might have a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), operations or business prospects of the Issuer or the ability of the Issuer to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Notes or the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement.
 
 2.8
 There is no litigation or governmental proceeding pending, or to the knowledge of the Issuer threatened, against or affecting the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries which might result in a material adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise), operations or business prospects of the Issuer or the ability of the Issuer to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Notes or the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement.
 

 

 

  

 2.9
 The Issuer is not an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. 
 
 2.10
 Neither the Private Placement Memorandum nor the Company Information contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
 
 2.11
 Each (a) issuance of Notes by the Issuer hereunder and (b) amendment or supplement of the Private Placement Memorandum shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Issuer to the Dealer, as of the date thereof, that, both before and after giving effect to such issuance and after giving effect to such amendment or supplement, (i) the representations and warranties given by the Issuer set forth in this Section 2 remain true and correct on and as of such date as if made on and as of such date, (ii) in the case of an issuance of Notes, the Notes being issued on such date have been duly and validly issued and constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Issuer, enforceable against the Issuer in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (iii) in the case of an issuance of Notes, since the date of the most recent Private Placement Memorandum, there has been no material adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise), operations or business prospects of the Issuer which has not been disclosed to the Dealer in writing.
 
 3.
 Covenants and Agreements of Issuer.
 The Issuer covenants and agrees that:
 
 3.1
 The Issuer will give the Dealer prompt notice (but in any event prior to any subsequent issuance of Notes hereunder) of any amendment to, modification of or waiver with respect to, the Notes or the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, including a complete copy of any such amendment, modification or waiver. 
 
 3.2
 The Issuer shall, whenever there shall occur any change in the Issuer’s condition (financial or otherwise), operations or business prospects or any development or occurrence in relation to the Issuer that would be material to holders of the Notes or potential holders of the Notes (including any downgrading or receipt of any notice of intended or potential downgrading or any review for potential change in the rating accorded any of the Issuer’s securities by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization which has published a rating of the Notes), promptly, and in any event prior to any subsequent issuance of Notes hereunder, notify the Dealer (by telephone, confirmed in writing) of such change, development or occurrence.
 
 3.3
 The Issuer shall from time to time furnish to the Dealer such information as the Dealer may reasonably request, including, without limitation, any press releases or material provided by the Issuer to any national securities exchange or rating agency, regarding (i) the Issuer’s operations and financial condition, (ii) the due authorization and execution of the Notes and (iii) the Issuer’s ability to pay the Notes as they mature. 
 

 

 

  

 3.4
 The Issuer will take all such action as the Dealer may reasonably request to ensure that each offer and each sale of the Notes will comply with any applicable state Blue Sky laws; provided, however, that the Issuer shall not be obligated to file any general consent to service of process or to qualify as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject. 
 
 3.5
 The Issuer will not be in default of any of its obligations hereunder, under the Notes or under the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, at any time that any of the Notes are outstanding.
 
 3.6
 The Issuer shall not issue Notes hereunder until the Dealer shall have received (a) an opinion of counsel to the Issuer, addressed to the Dealer, satisfactory in form and substance to the Dealer, (b) a copy of the executed Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement as then in effect, (c) a copy of resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of the Issuer, satisfactory in form and substance to the Dealer and certified by the Secretary or similar officer of the Issuer, authorizing execution and delivery by the Issuer of this Agreement, the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement and the Notes and consummation by the Issuer of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, (d) prior to the issuance of any book-entry Notes represented by a master note registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, a copy of the executed Letter of Representations among the Issuer, the Issuing and Paying Agent and DTC and of the executed master note, (e) prior to the issuance of any Notes in physical form, a copy of such form (unless attached to this Agreement or the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement) and (f) such other certificates, opinions, letters and documents as the Dealer shall have reasonably requested.
 
 3.7
 The Issuer shall reimburse the Dealer for all of the Dealer’s out-of-pocket expenses related to this Agreement, including expenses incurred in connection with its preparation and negotiation, and the transactions contemplated hereby (including, but not limited to, the printing and distribution of the Private Placement Memorandum), and, if applicable, for the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of the Dealer’s counsel.
 
 4.
 Disclosure.
 4.1
 The Private Placement Memorandum and its contents (other than the Dealer Information) shall be the sole responsibility of the Issuer.  The Private Placement Memorandum shall contain a statement expressly offering an opportunity for each prospective purchaser to ask questions of, and receive answers from, the Issuer concerning the offering of Notes and to obtain relevant publically available additional information which the Issuer possesses or can acquire without unreasonable effort or expense.
 
 4.2
 The Issuer agrees to promptly furnish the Dealer the Company Information as it becomes available. 
 
 4.3
 (a)  The Issuer further agrees to notify the Dealer promptly upon the occurrence of any event relating to or affecting the Issuer that would cause the Company Information then in existence to include an untrue statement of a material fact or to omit to state a material fact necessary in 
 

 

 

 order to make the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.  
 (b)
 In the event that the Issuer gives the Dealer notice pursuant to Section 4.3(a) and the Dealer notifies the Issuer that it then has Notes it is holding in inventory, the Issuer agrees promptly to supplement or amend the Private Placement Memorandum so that the Private Placement Memorandum, as amended or supplemented, shall not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and the Issuer shall make such supplement or amendment available to the Dealer.
 (c)
 In the event that (i) the Issuer gives the Dealer notice pursuant to Section 4.3(a), (ii) the Dealer does not notify the Issuer that it is then holding Notes in inventory and (iii) the Issuer chooses not to promptly amend or supplement the Private Placement Memorandum in the manner described in clause (b) above, then all solicitations and sales of Notes shall be suspended until such time as the Issuer has so amended or supplemented the Private Placement Memorandum, and made such amendment or supplement available to the Dealer.
 
 5.
 Indemnification and Contribution.
 

 5.1
 The Issuer will indemnify and hold harmless the Dealer, each individual, corporation, partnership, trust, association or other entity controlling the Dealer, any affiliate of the Dealer or any such controlling entity and their respective directors, officers, employees, partners, incorporators, shareholders, servants, trustees and agents (hereinafter the “Indemnitees”) against any and all liabilities, penalties, suits, causes of action, losses, damages, claims, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel) or judgments of whatever kind or nature (each a “Claim”), imposed upon, incurred by or asserted against the Indemnitees arising out of or based upon (i) any allegation that the Private Placement Memorandum, the Company Information or any information provided by the Issuer to the Dealer included (as of any relevant time) or includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted (as of any relevant time) or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or (ii) arising out of or based upon the breach by the Issuer of any agreement, covenant or representation made in or pursuant to this Agreement.  This indemnification shall not apply to the extent that the Claim arises out of or is based upon Dealer Information. 
 
 5.2
 Provisions relating to claims made for indemnification under this Section 5 are set forth on Exhibit B to this Agreement.
 
 5.3
 In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in circumstances in which the indemnification provided for in this Section 5 is held to be unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless the Indemnitees, although applicable in accordance with the terms of this Section 5, the Issuer shall contribute to the aggregate costs incurred by the Dealer in connection with any Claim in the proportion of the respective economic interests of the Issuer and the Dealer; provided, however, that such contribution by the Issuer shall be in an amount such that the aggregate costs incurred by the Dealer do not exceed the aggregate of the commissions and fees 
 

 

 

 earned by the Dealer hereunder with respect to the issue or issues of Notes to which such Claim relates.  The respective economic interests shall be calculated by reference to the aggregate proceeds to the Issuer of the Notes issued hereunder and the aggregate commissions and fees earned by the Dealer hereunder.
 
 6.
 Definitions.
 6.1
 “Business Day” shall mean each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in New York are generally authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
 6.2
 “Claim” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.
 
 6.3
 “Company Information” at any given time shall mean the Private Placement Memorandum together with, to the extent applicable, (i) the Issuer’s most recent report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC and each report on Form 10-Q or 8-K filed by the Issuer with the SEC since the most recent Form 10-K, (ii) the Issuer’s most recent annual audited financial statements and each interim financial statement or report prepared subsequent thereto, if not included in item (i) above, (iii) the Issuer’s and its affiliates’ other publicly available recent reports, including, but not limited to, any publicly available filings or reports provided to their respective shareholders, (iv) any other information or disclosure prepared pursuant to Section 4.3 hereof and (v) any information prepared or approved by the Issuer for dissemination to investors or potential investors in the Notes.
 
 6.4
 “Dealer Information” shall mean material concerning the Dealer provided by the Dealer in writing expressly for inclusion in the Private Placement Memorandum.
 
 6.5
 “DTC” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.4.
 
 6.6
 “Exchange Act” shall mean the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
 6.7
 “Indemnitee” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.
 
 6.8
 “Institutional Accredited Investor” shall mean an institutional investor that is an accredited investor within the meaning of Rule 501 under the Securities Act and that has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of evaluating and bearing the economic risk of an investment in the Notes, including, but not limited to, a bank, as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act, or a savings and loan association or other institution, as defined in Section 3(a)(5)(A) of the Securities Act, whether acting in its individual or fiduciary capacity.
 
 6.9
 “Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement” shall mean the issuing and paying agency agreement described on the cover page of this Agreement, as such agreement may be amended or supplemented from time to time.
 

 

 

  

 6.10
 “Issuing and Paying Agent” shall mean the party designated as such on the cover page of this Agreement, as issuing and paying agent under the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, or any successor thereto in accordance with the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement.
 
 6.11
 “Non-bank fiduciary or agent” shall mean a fiduciary or agent other than (a) a bank, as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act, or (b) a savings and loan association, as defined in Section 3(a)(5)(A) of the Securities Act.
 
 6.12
 “Private Placement Memorandum” shall mean offering materials prepared in accordance with Section 4 (including materials referred to therein or incorporated by reference therein, if any) provided to purchasers and prospective purchasers of the Notes, and shall include amendments and supplements thereto which may be prepared from time to time in accordance with this Agreement (other than any amendment or supplement that has been completely superseded by a later amendment or supplement).
 
 6.13
 “Qualified Institutional Buyer” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Rule 144A under the Securities Act.
 
 6.14
 “Rule 144A” shall mean Rule 144A under the Securities Act.
 
 6.15
 “SEC” shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
 6.16
 “Securities Act” shall mean the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
 
 6.17
 “Sophisticated Individual Accredited Investor” shall mean an individual who (a) is an accredited investor within the meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act and (b) based on his or her pre-existing relationship with the Dealer, is reasonably believed by the Dealer to be a sophisticated investor (i) possessing such knowledge and experience (or represented by a fiduciary or agent possessing such knowledge and experience) in financial and business matters that he or she is capable of evaluating and bearing the economic risk of an investment in the Notes and (ii) having not less than $5 million in investments (as defined, for purposes of this section, in Rule 2a51-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended).
 
 7.
 General 
 7.1
 Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, all notices under this Agreement to parties hereto shall be in writing and shall be effective when received at the address of the respective party set forth in the Addendum to this Agreement.
 
 7.2
 This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its conflict of laws provisions.
 
 7.3
 The Issuer agrees that any suit, action or proceeding brought by the Issuer against the Dealer in connection with or arising out of this Agreement or the Notes or the offer and sale of the Notes shall be brought solely in the United States federal courts located in the Borough of Manhattan or the courts of the State of New York located in the Borough of Manhattan.  EACH OF THE 
 

 

 

 DEALER AND THE ISSUER WAIVES ITS RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
 
 7.4
 This Agreement may be terminated, at any time, by the Issuer, upon one business day’s prior notice to such effect to the Dealer, or by the Dealer upon one business day’s prior notice to such effect to the Issuer.  Any such termination, however, shall not affect the obligations of the Issuer under Sections 3.7, 5 and 7.3 hereof or the respective representations, warranties, agreements, covenants, rights or responsibilities of the parties made or arising prior to the termination of this Agreement. 
 
 7.5
 This Agreement is not assignable by either party hereto without the written consent of the other party; provided, however, that the Dealer may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any affiliate of the Dealer, provided that the Dealer has given the Issuer at least two Business Day’s prior notice.
 
 7.6
 This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.
 
 7.7
 This Agreement is for the exclusive benefit of the parties hereto, and their respective permitted successors and assigns hereunder, and shall not be deemed to give any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim to any other person whatsoever.
 7.8
 The Issuer acknowledges and agrees that (i) the purchase and sale of the Notes pursuant to this Agreement is an arm's-length commercial transaction between the Issuer, on the one hand, and the Dealer, on the other, (ii) in connection therewith and with the process leading to such transaction the Dealer is acting solely as a principal and not the agent or fiduciary of the Issuer, (iii) the Dealer has not assumed an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Issuer with respect to the offering contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether the Dealer has advised or is currently advising the Issuer on other matters) or any other obligation to the Issuer except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement and (iv) the Issuer has consulted its own legal and financial advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate.  The Issuer agrees that it will not claim that the Dealer has rendered advisory services of any nature or respect, or owes a fiduciary or similar duty to the Issuer, in connection with such transaction or the process leading thereto. 
 

 7.9.  No shareholder or trustee of the Company shall be held to any liability whatever for the payment of any sum of money or for damages or otherwise under this Agreement, and such Agreement shall not be enforceable against any such trustee in their or his or her individual capacities or capacity and such Agreement shall be enforceable against the trustees of the Company only as such, and every person, firm, association, trust or corporation having any claim or demand arising under such Agreement and relating to the Company, its shareholders or trustees shall look solely to the trust estate of the Company for the payment or satisfaction thereof.
 

 

 

 

 

 This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings (whether written or oral) between the Issuer and the Dealer, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof.
 

  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date and year first above written.
  

 	 	
	 Northeast Utilities, as Issuer
	 [  •  ], as Dealer
  

	 By:                                                      
  
	 By:                                                          

	 Name:                                                 
  
	 Name:                                                     

	 Title:                                                   
	 Title:                                                        

  

 

 

 

 Addendum
 The following additional clauses shall apply to the Agreement and be deemed a part thereof.
 
 1.
 The other dealers referred to in clause (b) of Section 1.2 of the Agreement are [  •   ]and [  •   ]
 
 2.
 The addresses of the respective parties for purposes of notices under Section 7.1 are as follows:
 For the Issuer:
 Address:  One NSTAR Way, Westwood, MA 02090
 Attention: Director of Corporate Finance and Cash Management
 Telephone number: (781) 441-8127
 Fax number: (781) 441-8013
 

 For the Dealer:
 [  •  ]
 Address:
 [  •   ]
 Attention:
 [  •   ]
     
 Telephone number:
     [  •   ]
 Fax number:
    [  •   ]
 

 

 

 

 Exhibit A
 Form of Legend for Private Placement Memorandum and Notes
 THE NOTES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW, AND OFFERS AND SALES THEREOF MAY BE MADE ONLY IN COMPLIANCE WITH AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.  BY ITS ACCEPTANCE OF A NOTE, THE PURCHASER WILL BE DEEMED TO REPRESENT THAT (I) IT HAS BEEN AFFORDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO INVESTIGATE MATTERS RELATING TO THE ISSUER AND THE NOTES, (II) IT IS NOT ACQUIRING SUCH NOTE WITH A VIEW TO ANY DISTRIBUTION THEREOF AND (III) IT IS EITHER (A)(1) AN INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR OR SOPHISTICATED INDIVIDUAL INVESTOR THAT IS AN ACCREDITED INVESTOR WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(a) UNDER THE ACT AND WHICH, IN THE CASE OF AN INDIVIDUAL, (i) POSSESSES SUCH KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE IN FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS MATTERS THAT HE OR SHE IS CAPABLE OF EVALUATING AND BEARING THE ECONOMIC RISK OF AN INVESTMENT IN THE NOTES AND (ii) HAS NOT LESS THAN $5 MILLION IN INVESTMENTS (AN “INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR” OR “SOPHISTICATED INDIVIDUAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR”, RESPECTIVELY) AND (2)(i) PURCHASING NOTES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, (ii) A BANK (AS DEFINED IN SECTION 3(a)(2) OF THE ACT) OR A SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION OR OTHER INSTITUTION (AS DEFINED IN SECTION 3(a)(5)(A) OF THE ACT) ACTING IN ITS INDIVIDUAL OR FIDUCIARY CAPACITY OR (iii) A FIDUCIARY OR AGENT (OTHER THAN A U.S. BANK OR SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION) PURCHASING NOTES FOR ONE OR MORE ACCOUNTS EACH OF WHICH ACCOUNTS IS SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR OR SOPHISTICATED INDIVIDUAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR; OR (B) A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (“QIB”) WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING NOTES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR ONE OR MORE ACCOUNTS, EACH OF WHICH ACCOUNTS IS A QIB; AND THE PURCHASER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT IS AWARE THAT THE SELLER MAY RELY UPON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A.  BY ITS ACCEPTANCE OF A NOTE, THE PURCHASER THEREOF SHALL ALSO BE DEEMED TO AGREE THAT ANY RESALE OR OTHER TRANSFER THEREOF WILL BE MADE ONLY (A) IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE ACT, EITHER (1) TO THE ISSUER OR TO A PLACEMENT AGENT DESIGNATED BY THE ISSUER AS A PLACEMENT AGENT FOR THE NOTES (COLLECTIVELY, THE “PLACEMENT AGENTS”), NONE OF WHICH SHALL HAVE ANY OBLIGATION TO ACQUIRE SUCH NOTE, (2) THROUGH A PLACEMENT AGENT TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, SOPHISTICATED INDIVIDUAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR OR A QIB, OR (3) TO A QIB IN A TRANSACTION THAT MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A AND (B) IN MINIMUM AMOUNTS OF $250,000.
  
 

 

 

 Exhibit B
 Further Provisions Relating to Indemnification
 
 (a)
 The Issuer agrees to reimburse each Indemnitee for all expenses (including reasonable fees and disbursements of internal and external counsel) as they are incurred by it in connection with investigating or defending any loss, claim, damage, liability or action in respect of which indemnification may be sought under Section 5 of the Agreement (whether or not it is a party to any such proceedings).
 
 (b)
 Promptly after receipt by an Indemnitee of notice of the existence of a Claim, such Indemnitee will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the Issuer, notify the Issuer in writing of the existence thereof; provided that (i) the omission so to notify the Issuer will not relieve the Issuer from any liability which it may have hereunder unless and except to the extent it did not otherwise learn of such Claim and such failure results in the forfeiture by the Issuer of substantial rights and defenses, and (ii) the omission so to notify the Issuer will not relieve it from liability which it may have to an Indemnitee otherwise than on account of this indemnity agreement.  In case any such Claim is made against any Indemnitee and it notifies the Issuer of the existence thereof, the Issuer will be entitled to participate therein, and to the extent that it may elect by written notice delivered to the Indemnitee, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnitee; provided that if the defendants in any such Claim include both the Indemnitee and the Issuer, and the Indemnitee shall have concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it which are different from or additional to those available to the Issuer, the Issuer shall not have the right to direct the defense of such Claim on behalf of such Indemnitee, and the Indemnitee shall have the right to select separate counsel to assert such legal defenses on behalf of such Indemnitee.  Upon receipt of notice from the Issuer to such Indemnitee of the Issuer’s election so to assume the defense of such Claim and approval by the Indemnitee of counsel, the Issuer will not be liable to such Indemnitee for expenses incurred thereafter by the Indemnitee in connection with the defense thereof (other than reasonable costs of investigation) unless (i) the Indemnitee shall have employed separate counsel in connection with the assertion of legal defenses in accordance with the proviso to the next preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that the Issuer shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one separate counsel (in addition to any local counsel in the jurisdiction in which any Claim is brought), approved by the Dealer, representing the Indemnitee who is party to such Claim), (ii) the Issuer shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnitee to represent the Indemnitee within a reasonable time after notice of existence of the Claim or (iii) the Issuer has authorized in writing the employment of counsel for the Indemnitee.  The indemnity, reimbursement and contribution obligations of the Issuer hereunder shall be in addition to any other liability the Issuer may otherwise have to an Indemnitee and shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any successors, assigns, heirs and personal representatives of the Issuer and any Indemnitee.  The Issuer agrees that without the Dealer’s prior written consent, it will not settle, compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment in any Claim in respect of which indemnification may be sought under the indemnification provision of the Agreement (whether or not the Dealer or any other Indemnitee is an actual or potential party to such Claim), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each Indemnitee from all liability arising out of such Claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or failure to act, by or on behalf of any Indemnitee.
 

 

 

 Exhibit C
 Form of Master NoteConverted by EDGARwiz

  

 

 

 [Published CUSIP Number: ________________]
 CREDIT AGREEMENT
 Dated as of July 25, 2012
 among
 NSTAR ELECTRIC COMPANY,
as the Borrower,
 BARCLAYS BANK PLC,
as Administrative Agent and Swing Line Lender,
 and
 THE OTHER LENDERS PARTY HERETO
 MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED,
BARCLAYS BANK PLC,
CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.,
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC,
UNION BANK, N.A.
and
WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC
as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Book Managers
 BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
 as Syndication Agent
 CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.,
 JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
 UNION BANK, N.A.
 and
 WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.
 as Co-Documentation Agents
 

 

 

 

 

 

 TABLE OF CONTENTS
 

 ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
 1
 1.01
 Defined Terms.
 1
 1.02
 Other Interpretive Provisions.
 18
 1.03
 Accounting Terms.
 18
 1.04
 Rounding.
 19
 1.05
 Times of Day.
 19
 ARTICLE II THE COMMITMENTS AND BORROWINGS
 19
 2.01
 Revolving Commitments.
 19
 2.02
 Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans.
 20
 2.03
 [Reserved].
 21
 2.04
 Swing Line Loans.
 21
 2.05
 Prepayments.
 23
 2.06
 Termination or Reduction of Aggregate Revolving Commitments.
 24
 2.07
 Repayment of Loans.
 25
 2.08
 Interest.
 25
 2.09
 Fees.
 26
 2.10
 Computation of Interest and Fees.
 26
 2.11
 Evidence of Debt.
 26
 2.12
 Payments Generally; Administrative Agent’s Clawback.
 27
 2.13
 Sharing of Payments by Lenders.
 28
 2.14
 Cash Collateral.
 29
 2.15
 Defaulting Lenders.
 30
 2.16
 Additional Revolving Commitments.
 31
 ARTICLE III TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY
 32
 3.02
 Illegality.
 37
 3.03
 Inability to Determine Rates.
 37
 3.04
 Increased Costs.
 37
 3.05
 Compensation for Losses.
 39
 3.06
 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.
 39
 3.09
 Survival.
 40
 ARTICLE IV [RESERVED]
 40
 ARTICLE V CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO BORROWINGS
 40
 5.01
 Conditions of Initial Borrowings.
 40
 5.02
 Conditions to all Borrowings.
 42
 ARTICLE VI REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
 42
 6.01
 Existence, Qualification and Power.
 42
 6.02
 Authorization; No Contravention.
 43
 6.03
 Governmental Authorization; Other Consents.
 43
 6.04
 Binding Effect.
 43
 6.05
 Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect.
 43
 6.06
 Litigation.
 44
 6.07
 No Default.
 44
 6.08
 Ownership of Property; Liens.
 44
 

 i
 

 

 

 

 

 6.09
 Environmental Compliance.
 44
 6.10
 Insurance.
 44
 6.11
 Taxes.
 45
 6.12
 ERISA Compliance.
 45
 6.13
 Subsidiaries.
 46
 6.14
 Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act.
 46
 6.15
 Disclosure.
 46
 6.16
 Compliance with Laws.
 46
 6.17
 Solvency.
 46
 6.18
 Taxpayer Numbers and Other Information.
 47
 6.19
 OFAC.
 47
 6.20
 Money Laundering.
 47
 ARTICLE VII AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
 47
 7.01
 Financial Statements.
 47
 7.02
 Certificates; Other Information.
 48
 7.03
 Notices.
 50
 7.04
 Payment of Taxes
 50
 7.05
 Preservation of Existence, Etc.
 50
 7.06
 Maintenance of Properties.
 50
 7.07
 Maintenance of Insurance.
 51
 7.08
 Compliance with Laws.
 51
 7.09
 Books and Records.
 51
 7.10
 Inspection Rights.
 51
 7.11
 Use of Proceeds.
 51
 7.12
 Further Assurances.
 52
 7.13
 Conduct of Business.
 52
 7.14
 Governmental Approvals.
 52
 ARTICLE VIII NEGATIVE COVENANTS
 52
 8.01
 Liens.
 52
 8.02
 Fundamental Changes.
 54
 8.03
 Change in Nature of Business.
 55
 8.04
 Transactions with Affiliates and Insiders.
 55
 8.05
 Use of Proceeds.
 55
 8.06
 Consolidated Indebtedness to Capitalization Ratio.
 55
 8.07
 Compliance with ERISA.
 55
 8.08
 Interests in Nuclear Plants.
 55
 8.09
 Financing Agreements.
 56
 ARTICLE IX EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
 56
 9.01
 Events of Default.
 56
 9.02
 Remedies Upon Event of Default.
 58
 9.03
 Application of Funds.
 58
 ARTICLE X ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
 59
 10.01
 Appointment and Authority.
 59
 10.02
 Rights as a Lender.
 59
 10.03
 Exculpatory Provisions.
 59
 10.04
 Reliance by Administrative Agent.
 60
 10.05
 Delegation of Duties.
 60
 

 ii
 

 

 

 

 

 10.06
 Resignation of Administrative Agent.
 61
 10.07
 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders.
 62
 10.08
 No Other Duties; Etc.
 62
 10.09
 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim.
 62
 ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS
 63
 11.01
 Amendments, Etc.
 63
 11.02
 Notices and Other Communications; Facsimile Copies.
 64
 11.03
 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies; Enforcement.
 66
 11.04
 Expenses; Indemnity; and Damage Waiver.
 66
 11.05
 Payments Set Aside.
 68
 11.06
 Successors and Assigns.
 68
 11.07
 Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality.
 72
 11.08
 Set-off.
 73
 11.09
 Interest Rate Limitation.
 73
 11.10
 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness.
 74
 11.11
 Survival of Representations and Warranties.
 74
 11.12
 Severability.
 74
 11.13
 Replacement of Lenders.
 74
 11.14
 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.
 75
 11.15
 Waiver of Right to Trial by Jury.
 76
 11.16
 Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents.
 76
 11.17
 USA PATRIOT Act.
 76
 11.18
 No Advisory or Fiduciary Relationship.
 77
 

 

 

 iii
 

 

 

 

 

 SCHEDULES
 2.01
 Revolving Commitments and Applicable Percentages
 6.11 
 Tax Sharing Agreements
 6.13
 Subsidiaries
 6.18
 Taxpayer and Organizational Identification Numbers; Legal Name; State of Formation; Principal Place of Business
 8.01
 Liens Existing on the Closing Date
 11.02
 Certain Addresses for Notices
 EXHIBITS
 2.02(a)
 Form of Revolving Loan Notice
 2.04(b)
 Form of Swing Line Loan Notice
 2.05
 Form of Prepayment Notice
 2.11(a)-1
 Form of Revolving Note
 2.11(a)-2 
 Form of Swing Line Note
 3.01(e)-1-4
 Forms of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificates
 7.02(a)
 Form of Compliance Certificate
 11.06(b)
 Form of Assignment and Assumption
 

 iv
 

 

 

 

 

 CREDIT AGREEMENT
 This CREDIT AGREEMENT is entered into as of July 25, 2012 among NSTAR Electric Company, a Massachusetts corporation (the “Borrower”), the Lenders (defined herein) and BARCLAYS BANK PLC, as Administrative Agent and Swing Line Lender.
 The Borrower has requested that the Lenders provide $450,000,000 in revolving credit facilities for the purposes set forth herein, and the Lenders are willing to do so on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
 In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:
 ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
 1.01
 Defined Terms.
 As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
 “Additional Arranger Fee Letter” means the letter agreement, dated as of June 21, 2012 among NU, the Borrower, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Union Bank, N.A., Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC.
 “Administrative Agent” means Barclays in its capacity as administrative agent under any of the Loan Documents, or any successor administrative agent.
 “Administrative Agent’s Office” means the Administrative Agent’s address and, as appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 11.02 or such other address or account as the Administrative Agent may from time to time notify the Borrower and the Lenders.
 “Administrative Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.
 “Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.
 “Aggregate Revolving Commitments” means the Revolving Commitments of all the Lenders.  The aggregate principal amount of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments in effect on the Closing Date is FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS ($450,000,000).
 “Agreement” means this Credit Agreement.
 “Anti-Money Laundering Laws” has the meaning specified in Section 6.20.
 “Applicable Margin” means, with respect to Revolving Loans, Swing Line Loans and the Facility Fee, for any day, the following percentages per annum in effect on such day, based upon the Reference Rating of the Borrower:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 	 	 	 	 	
	 Pricing Level
	 Reference Rating
	 Eurodollar Rate Loans
	 Base Rate Loans
	 Facility Fee

	 1
	 >A+/A1
	 0.800%
	 0.000%
	 0.075%

	 2
	 A/A2
	 0.900%
	 0.000%
	 0.100%

	 3
	 A-/A3
	 1.000%
	 0.000%
	 0.125%

	 4
	 BBB+/Baa1
	 1.075%
	 0.075%
	 0.175%

	 5
	 BBB/Baa2
	 1.275%
	 0.275%
	 0.225%

	 6
	 <BBB-/Baa3
	 1.475%
	 0.475%
	 0.275%

  Any increase or decrease in the Applicable Margin resulting from a change in any Reference Rating shall take effect at the time of such change in such Reference Rating.  For purposes of the foregoing, (x) in the case of a split in the Reference Ratings of one level, the higher level shall apply, (y) in the case of a split in the Reference Ratings of more than one level, the Reference Rating that is one level lower than the higher level shall apply, and (z) if there is no Reference Rating then the rating Pricing Level 6 shall apply.
 “Applicable Percentage” means with respect to any Lender at any time, the percentage of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments represented by such Lender’s Revolving Commitment at such time, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.15; provided that if the commitment of each Lender to make Revolving Loans has been terminated in its entirety pursuant to Section 9.02 or if the Aggregate Revolving Commitments have expired, then the Applicable Percentage of each Lender shall be determined based on the Applicable Percentage of such Lender most recently in effect, giving effect to any subsequent assignments.  The initial Applicable Percentage of each Lender is set forth opposite the name of such Lender on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable.
 “Approved Fund” means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.
 “Assignee Group” means two or more Eligible Assignees that are Affiliates of one another or two or more Approved Funds managed by the same investment advisor.
 “Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 11.06(b)), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit 11.06(b) or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.
 “Audited Financial Statements” means the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2009, December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2011, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such fiscal year of such Person, including the notes thereto, audited by independent public accountants of recognized national standing and prepared in conformity with GAAP.
 “Availability Period” means, with respect to the Revolving Commitments, the period from and including the Closing Date to the earliest of (a) the Revolving Loan Maturity Date and (b) the date of termination in full of the remaining unused portion of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments pursuant to Section 2.06.
 “Bank of America” means Bank of America, N.A. and its successors.
 “Barclays” means Barclays Bank PLC and its successors.
 2
 

 

 

 
“Barclays Agency Fee Letter” means the letter agreement, dated as of June 21, 2012 among the Borrower and Barclays.
 “Bank of America and Barclays Fee Letter” means the letter agreement, dated as of June 21, 2012 among NU, the Borrower, Bank of America, Barclays and MLPFS.
 “Base Rate” means for any day a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus one-half of one percent (0.50%), (b) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Barclays as its “prime rate” and (c) the Eurodollar Rate plus one percent (1.00%).  The “prime rate” is a rate set by Barclays based upon various factors including Barclays’ costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate.  Any change in the “prime rate” announced by Barclays shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.
 “Base Rate Loan” means a Loan that bears interest based on the Base Rate.
 “Borrower” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.
 “Borrower Materials” has the meaning specified in Section 7.02.
 “Borrower Secured Debt” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Reference Ratings”.
 “Borrower Unsecured Debt” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Reference Ratings”.
 “Borrowing” means each of the following: (a) a borrowing of Swing Line Loans pursuant to Section 2.04 and (b) a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Loans of the same Type and, in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans, having the same Interest Period made by each of the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01.
 “Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the Laws of, or are in fact closed in, the state where the Administrative Agent’s Office is located or New York and, if such day relates to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, means any such day that is also a London Banking Day.
 “Businesses” means, at any time, a collective reference to the businesses operated by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at such time.
 “Capital Lease” means, as applied to any Person, any lease of any property by that Person as lessee which, in accordance with GAAP, is required to be accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet of that Person.
 “Cash Collateralize” means to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent or Swing Line Lender (as applicable) and the Lenders, as collateral for Obligations in respect of Swing Line Loans or obligations of Lenders to fund participations in respect of Swing Line Loans, cash or deposit account balances or, if the Swing Line Lender benefitting from such collateral shall agree in its sole discretion, other credit support, in each case pursuant to documentation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to (a) the Administrative Agent and (b) the Swing Line Lender.  “Cash Collateral” shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing and shall include the proceeds of such cash collateral and other credit support.
 

 3
 

 

 

 

 

 “Certifying Officer” has the meaning specified in Section 7.02(b).
 “Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided, that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.
 “Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events, 
 (a)
 (i)         any  “person”  or  “group”  (as such terms are used in  Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person or its subsidiaries, and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan) either (A) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except that a person or group shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all securities that such person or group has the right to acquire (such right, an “option right”), whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of more than fifty percent (50%) of the Equity Interests of NU entitled to vote for trustees of NU or equivalent governing body of NU on a fully diluted basis (and taking into account all such securities that such person or group has the right to acquire pursuant to any option right) or (B) obtains the power (whether or not exercised) to elect a majority of NU’s trustees; or
 (ii)
 the board of trustees of NU shall not consist of a majority of Continuing Trustees. For purposes of this definition, the term “Continuing Trustees” means trustees of NU on the date hereof and each other trustee of NU, if such other trustee’s nomination for election to the board of trustees of NU is recommended by a majority of the then Continuing Trustees.
 (b)
 NU shall cease to own and control, of record and beneficially, free and clear of all Liens except for Liens permitted under Section 8.01 of the NU Credit Agreement, one hundred percent (100%) of the outstanding Equity Interests of the Borrower entitled to vote (currently exercisable in the case of any preferred Equity Interests) for the election of directors; or
 (c)
 the Borrower shall cease to own and control, of record and beneficially, free and clear of all Liens except for Liens permitted under Section 8.01, eighty-five percent (85%) of the outstanding Equity Interests entitled to vote (currently exercisable in the case of any preferred Equity Interests) for the election of directors of any Principal Subsidiary.
 “Closing Date” means the date hereof.
 “Compliance Certificate” has the meaning specified in Section 7.02(b).
 

 4
 

 

 

 

 

 “Consolidated Capitalization” means, at any date of determination, the sum of (a) Consolidated Indebtedness of the Borrower, (b) the aggregate of the par value of, or stated capital represented by, the outstanding shares of all classes of common and preferred shares of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries excluding, however, from such calculation, amounts identified as “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)” in the financial statements of the Borrower set forth in the Borrower’s Report on Form 10-K or 10-Q, as the case may be, most recently filed with the SEC prior to the date of such determination and (c) the consolidated surplus of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, paid-in, earned and other capital, if any, in each case as determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.  
 “Consolidated Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with GAAP, excluding, however, from such calculation, (a) in the case of Refinancing Indebtedness, any amounts as to which the Borrower or its Subsidiaries have, (i) in accordance with the terms of the applicable agreements, and on or prior to the date of incurring such Refinancing Indebtedness, sent the holders of the Indebtedness to be refinanced, or their trustee, as applicable, a notice of redemption and (ii) within fourteen (14) days after incurrence of such Refinancing Indebtedness, segregated with the trustee therefor or with such other financial institution as may be acceptable to the Administrative Agent, in accordance with the terms of the applicable agreements relating to such Indebtedness, sufficient funds to redeem such Indebtedness and fully discharge the Borrower’s obligations with respect thereto.
 “Consolidated Indebtedness to Capitalization Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Indebtedness to (b) Consolidated Capitalization.
 “Contractual Obligation” means, as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.
 “Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise.  “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Person shall be deemed to be Controlled by another Person if such other Person possesses, directly or indirectly, power to vote ten percent (10%) or more of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors, managing general partners or the equivalent.
 “Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally.
 “Default” means any event or condition that constitutes an Event of Default or that, with the giving of any notice, the passage of time, or both, would be an Event of Default.
 “Default Rate” means an interest rate equal to (a) the Base Rate plus (b) the Applicable Margin, if any, applicable to Base Rate Loans plus (c) two percent (2%) per annum; provided, however, that with respect to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the Default Rate shall be an interest rate equal to the interest rate (including any Applicable Margin) otherwise applicable to such Loan plus two percent (2%) per annum, in each case to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.
 “Defaulting Lender” means any Lender, as determined by the Administrative Agent, that (a) has failed to perform any of its funding obligations hereunder,  including in respect of  its Revolving Loans or
 

 5
 

  
 participations in respect of Swing Line Loans, within three (3) Business Days of the date required to be funded by it hereunder, unless (other than in respect of fundings of participations of Swing Line Loans) such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s good faith determination that one or more conditions precedent to funding (each of which conditions precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing) has not been satisfied, (b) has notified the Borrower or the Administrative Agent that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder or has made a public statement to that effect with respect to its funding obligations hereunder (unless (other than in respect of fundings of participations of Swing Line Loans) such writing or public statement relates to such Lender’s obligation to fund a Loan hereunder and states that such position is based on such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent to funding (which condition precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing or public statement) cannot be satisfied) or under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) has failed, within three (3) Business Days after request by the Administrative Agent, to confirm in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that it will comply with its funding obligations hereunder (provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower) or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, (ii) had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or a custodian appointed for it or (iii) taken any action in furtherance of, or indicated its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment; provided, that, a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any Equity Interests in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority.  Such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender when the provisions of Section 2.15(b) shall have been satisfied. 
 “Designated Jurisdiction” means any country or territory to the extent that such country or territory is the subject of any Sanction.
 “Disclosure Documents” means for the Borrower and each Principal Subsidiary, as applicable: (a) such Person’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011; (b) its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2012; and (c) such Person’s Current Reports on Form 8-K filed after December 31, 2011 but prior to the date hereof.   
 “Dollar” and “$” mean lawful money of the United States.
 “Domestic Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of any state of the United States or the District of Columbia.
 “DPU” means the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities and any successor agency thereto.
 “Eligible Assignee” means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Section  11.06(b)(ii)  and  (iv) (subject  to  such  consents, if  any, as  may be  required  under Section 11.06(b)(ii)).
 “Environmental Laws” means any and all federal, state, local, foreign and other applicable statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or governmental restrictions relating to pollution and the protection of the environment or the release of any materials into the environment, including those related to hazardous substances or wastes, air emissions and discharges to waste or public systems.
 

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 “Environmental Liability” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.
 “Equity Interests”  means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person or warrants, rights or options for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of such shares (or such other interests), and all of the other ownership or profit interests in such Person (including partnership, member or trust interests therein), whether voting or nonvoting, and whether or not such shares, warrants, options, rights or other interests are outstanding on any date of determination.
 “ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
 “ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control with the Borrower within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Internal Revenue Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Internal Revenue Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code).
 “ERISA Event” means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan; (b) the withdrawal of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which such entity was a “substantial employer” as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or notification that a Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization; (d) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate, the treatment of a Pension Plan amendment as a termination under Sections 4041 of ERISA; (e) the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate a Pension Plan; (f) any event or condition which constitutes grounds under Section 4042(a)(1)-(a)(3) of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan; (g) the determination that any Pension Plan is considered an at-risk plan or a plan in endangered or critical status within the meaning of Sections 430, 431 and 432 of the Internal Revenue Code or Sections 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA in a manner that would affect the Borrower’s ability to perform its Obligations hereunder; or (h) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate in a manner that would affect the Borrower’s ability to perform its Obligations hereunder.
 “Eurodollar Base Rate” means:
 (a)
 for any Interest Period with respect to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the rate per annum equal to (i) the British Bankers Association LIBOR Rate (“BBA LIBOR”), as published by Reuters, Bloomberg LLP’s page BBAM or such other commercially available source providing quotations of BBA LIBOR as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, for Dollar deposits (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period or (ii) if such rate is not available at 
  
7
 

 

 

 

  
 such time for any reason, the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to be the rate at which deposits in Dollars for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period in same day funds in the approximate amount of the Eurodollar Rate Loan being made, continued or converted and with a term equivalent to such Interest Period would be offered by Barclays’ London Branch to major banks in the London interbank eurodollar market at their request at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period; and 
 (d)
 for any interest rate calculation with respect to a Base Rate Loan on any date, the rate per annum equal to (i) BBA LIBOR, at approximately 11:00 a.m. London time determined two (2) Business Days prior to such date for Dollar deposits being delivered in the London interbank market for a term of one month commencing that day or (ii) if such published rate is not available at such time for any reason, the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to be the rate at which deposits in Dollars for delivery on the date of determination in same day funds in the approximate amount of the Base Rate Loan being made or maintained with a term equal to one month would be offered by Barclays’ London Branch to major banks in the London interbank eurodollar market at their request at the date and time of determination.
 “Eurodollar Rate” means (a) for any Interest Period with respect to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, a rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to be equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the Eurodollar Base Rate for such Eurodollar Rate Loan for such Interest Period by (ii) one minus the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage for such Eurodollar Rate Loan as in effect from time to time during such Interest Period and (b) for any day with respect to any Base Rate Loan bearing interest at a rate based on the Eurodollar Rate, a rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to be equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the Eurodollar Base Rate for such Base Rate Loan for such day by (ii) one minus the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage for such Base Rate Loan for such day.
 “Eurodollar Rate Loan” means a Loan that bears interest at a rate based on clause (a) of the definition of “Eurodollar Rate”.
 “Eurodollar Reserve Percentage” means, for any day during any Interest Period, the reserve percentage (expressed as a decimal, carried out to five decimal places) in effect on such day, whether or not applicable to any Lender, under regulations issued from time to time by the FRB for determining the maximum reserve requirement (including any emergency, supplemental or other marginal reserve requirement) with respect to Eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency liabilities”). The Eurodollar Rate for each outstanding Eurodollar Rate Loan and for each outstanding Base Rate Loan the interest on which is determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate, in each case, shall be adjusted automatically as of the effective date of any change in the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage.
 “Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 9.01.
 “Excluded Taxes” means, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by its overall income (however denominated), and franchise (and similar) Taxes imposed on it (in lieu of income Taxes), (i) by the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof) under the Laws of which such recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable Lending Office is located or (ii) as a result of a present or former connection between such recipient and the jurisdiction of the Governmental Authority imposing such Tax (other than a connection arising solely from such recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, perform its obligations under, received a payment under, received or perfected a security interest under or engaged  in  any other  transaction pursuant  to or enforced under any Loan Document),  (b)  any 
 

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 branch profits taxes imposed by the United States or any similar tax imposed by any other jurisdiction in which the Borrower is located, (c) any backup withholding tax that is required by the Internal Revenue Code to be withheld from amounts payable to a Lender that has failed to comply with Section 3.01(e)(i) or clause (A) of Section 3.01(e)(ii), (d) in the case of a Foreign Lender (other than an assignee pursuant to a request by the Borrower under Section 11.13), any United States withholding tax that is required to be imposed on amounts payable to such Foreign Lender pursuant to the Laws in force at the time such Foreign Lender becomes a party hereto (or designates a new Lending Office or changes its place of organization), except to the extent that such Foreign Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new Lending Office (or assignment) or change in its place of organization, to receive additional amounts from the Borrower with respect to such withholding tax pursuant to Section 3.01(a)(i) or (c), (e) Taxes attributable to such recipient’s failure or inability to comply with Section 3.01(e) and (f) any U.S. federal withholding taxes imposed under FATCA.
 

 “Existing Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement dated December 7, 2006 by and among the Borrower, the lenders party thereto and Bank of America, as administrative agent, as amended or modified from time to time.
 “Facility Fee” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.09(a).
 “FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Internal Revenue Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with) and any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof.
 “Federal Funds Rate” means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day, and (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate (rounded upward, if necessary, to a whole multiple of 1/100 of 1%) charged to Barclays on such day on such transactions as determined by the Administrative Agent.
 “Fee Letters” means the Bank of America and Barclays Fee Letter, the Additional Arranger Fee Letter and the Barclays Agency Fee Letter.
 “Financing Agreements” has the meaning specified in Section 8.09.
 “FERC” means the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or any successor agency thereto.
 “Foreign Lender” means any Lender that is organized under the Laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is resident for tax purposes.  For purposes of this definition, the United States, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.
 “FRB” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States.
 “Fronting Exposure” means, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, with respect to the Swing Line Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Percentage of Swing Line Loans other than Swing Line Loans as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof.
 

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 “Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its activities.
 “GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, consistently applied and as in effect from time to time.
 “Governmental Approval” means any authorization, consent, approval, license, permit, certificate, exemption of, or filing or registration with, any governmental authority or other legal regulatory body (including, without limitation, the SEC, FERC, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Connecticut Public Utility Regulatory Authority, the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission and the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities) required in connection with (i) the execution, delivery or performance of any Loan Document, or (ii) the nature of the Borrower’s or any Subsidiary’s business as conducted or the nature of the property owned or leased by it.
 “Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).
 “Hazardous Materials” means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature identified as hazardous, dangerous or toxic and regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.
 “Indebtedness” of any Person means at any date, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of property or services other than (i) trade accounts payable and  (ii)  any  obligation of such Person to  Dominion Resources, Inc. or its successor  with respect to disposition of spent nuclear fuel burned prior to April 3, 1983, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments (excluding Stranded Cost Recovery Obligations that are non-recourse to such Person), (c) all obligations of such Person upon which interest charges are customarily paid, (d) all obligations under leases that shall have been or should be, in accordance with GAAP, recorded as capital leases in respect of which such Person is liable as lessee, (e) liabilities in respect of unfunded vested benefits incurred under any Multiemployer Plan that is reasonably likely to result in a direct obligation of the Borrower to pay money, (f) reimbursement obligations of such Person (whether contingent or otherwise) in respect of letters of credit, bankers acceptances, surety or other bonds and similar instruments that are not cash collateralized, (g) all Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person, up to the greater of (x) the extent of the book value of any such asset so pledged and (y) the amount of any liability of such Person for any deficiency and (h) obligations of such Person under direct or indirect guaranties in respect of, and obligations (contingent or otherwise) to purchase or otherwise acquire, or otherwise to assure a creditor against loss in respect of, indebtedness or obligations of others of the kinds referred to above.
 

 

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 “Indemnified Taxes” means (a) Taxes other than Excluded Taxes imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower under any Loan Document and (b) Other Taxes.
 “Indemnitees” has the meaning specified in Section 11.04(b).
 “Information” has the meaning specified in Section 11.07.
 “Interest Payment Date” means (a) as to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan and the Revolving Loan Maturity Date; provided, however, that if any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Rate Loan exceeds three (3) months, the respective dates that fall every three months after the beginning of such Interest Period shall also be Interest Payment Dates; and (b) as to any Base Rate Loan (including a Swing Line Loan), the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December and the Revolving Loan Maturity Date.
 “Interest Period” means, as to each Eurodollar Rate Loan, the period commencing on the date such Eurodollar Rate Loan is disbursed or converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Rate Loan and ending on the date one (1), two (2), three (3) or six (6) months thereafter, as selected by the Borrower in its Revolving Loan Notice or such other period that is twelve (12) months or less, as requested by the Borrower and consented to by all of the Lenders, provided that:
 (a)
 any Interest Period that would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day;
 (e)
 any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period; and
 (f)
 no Interest Period with respect to any Revolving Loan shall extend beyond the Revolving Loan Maturity Date.
 “Interim Financial Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.01(c)(ii).
 “Internal Revenue Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
 “Internal Revenue Service” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.
 “Joint Lead Arrangers” means, collectively, MLPFS, Barclays Bank PLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Union Bank, N.A. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, in their capacities as joint lead arrangers and joint book managers, in each case together with their respective successors and assigns.
 “Laws” means, collectively, all international, foreign, federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directed duties, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority, in each case having the force of law.
 

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 “Lenders” means each of the Persons identified as a “Lender” on the signature pages hereto and their successors and assigns and, as the context requires, includes the Swing Line Lender.
 “Lending Office” means, as to any Lender, the office or offices of such Lender described as such in such Lender’s Administrative Questionnaire, or such other office or offices as a Lender may from time to time notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
 “Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge, or preference, priority or other security interest or preferential arrangement in the nature of a security interest of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any easement, right of way or other encumbrance on title to real property, and any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).
 “Loan” means an extension of credit by a Lender to the Borrower under Article II in the form of a Revolving Loan or Swing Line Loan.
 “Loan Documents” means this Agreement, each Note and any agreement creating or perfecting rights in Cash Collateral pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.14 of this Agreement.
 “London Banking Day” means any day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank eurodollar market.
 “Long-Term Indebtedness Approvals” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Revolving Loan Maturity Date”.
 “Material Adverse Effect” means, with respect to the Borrower, (a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, the operations, business, properties or financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; (b) a material impairment of the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent or any Lender under the Loan Documents or of the ability of the Borrower to perform its obligations under any Loan Document to which it is a party; or (c) a material adverse effect upon the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against the Borrower of any Loan Document to which it is a party.
 “MLPFS” means Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated.
 “Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto.
 “Multiemployer Plan”  means  any  employee  benefit plan of the type described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate makes or is obligated to make contributions, or during the preceding five plan years, has made or been obligated to make contributions.
 “Net Tangible Assets” means, as of any date with respect to the Borrower, the total assets shown on the balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP less (a) all current liabilities and minority interests and less (b) goodwill and other identifiable intangibles.
 “Non-Consenting Lender” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.13.
 “Note” or “Notes” means the Revolving Notes or the Swing Line Note, individually or collectively, as appropriate.
 

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 “NU” means Northeast Utilities, an unincorporated voluntary business association organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
 “NU Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof by and among NU, NSTAR LLC, a Massachusetts limited liability company, NSTAR Gas Company, a Massachusetts corporation, The Connecticut Light and Power Company, a Connecticut corporation, Public Service Company of New Hampshire, a New Hampshire corporation, Western Massachusetts Electric Company, a Massachusetts corporation, and Yankee Gas Services Company, a Connecticut corporation, as borrowers, the lenders party thereto and Bank of America, as administrative agent, as amended or modified from time to time. 
 “Obligations” means, without duplication, all of the obligations of the Borrower to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent, whenever arising, under this Agreement, any Notes or any of the other Loan Documents.
 “Organization Documents” means, (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating agreement; and (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization and any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization and, if applicable, any certificate or articles of formation or organization of such entity.
 “Other Taxes” means all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or under any other Loan Document or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document.  For the avoidance of doubt, “Other Taxes” shall not include any Excluded Taxes.
 “Outstanding Amount” means with respect to any Loans on any date, the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof after giving effect to any borrowings and prepayments or repayments of any Loans occurring on such date.
 “Participant” has the meaning specified in Section 11.06(d).
 “Participant Register” has the meaning specified in Section 11.06(d).
 “PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor thereto.
 “Pension Act” means the Pension Protection Act of 2006.
 “Pension Funding Rules” means the rules of the Internal Revenue Code and ERISA regarding minimum required contributions (including any installment payment thereof) to Pension Plans and set forth in, with respect to plan years ending prior to the effective date of the Pension Act, Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code and Section 302 of ERISA, each as in effect prior to the Pension Act and, thereafter, Section 412, 430, 431, 432 and 436 of the Internal Revenue Code and Sections 302, 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA.
 

 

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 “Pension Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA (other than a Multiemployer Plan) that is maintained or is contributed to by the Borrower and any ERISA Affiliate and is either covered by Title IV of ERISA or is subject to minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code.
 “Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.
 “Platform” has the meaning specified in Section 7.02.
 “Prepayment Notice” means a notice of prepayment pursuant to Section 2.05(a), which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.05.
 

 “Principal Subsidiary” means (a) any Subsidiary that during any fiscal quarter, with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, represents at least (i) ten percent (10%) of the Borrower’s consolidated assets (calculated as an average of such consolidated assets over the preceding four fiscal quarters) and (ii) ten percent (10%) of the Borrower’s consolidated net income (or loss) (calculated as a sum of such net income (or loss) over the preceding four fiscal quarters), whether such Subsidiary is owned directly or indirectly by the Borrower or (b) any Person deemed to be a “Principal Subsidiary” pursuant to Section 8.02.
 

 “Public Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 7.02.
 “Recipient” means the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder.
 

 “Reference Ratings” means the rating(s) assigned by S&P and/or Moody’s to the long-term senior unsecured non-credit enhanced debt (the “Borrower Unsecured Debt”) of the Borrower; provided, that:
 

 (a)
 if neither S&P nor Moody’s maintains a rating on the Borrower Unsecured Debt of the Borrower because no such Borrower Unsecured Debt is outstanding, then the “Reference Ratings” shall be based on the rating(s) assigned by S&P and/or Moody’s to the long-term senior secured debt (the “Borrower Secured Debt”) of the Borrower, but such rating(s) shall be deemed to correspond to a Pricing Level that is one level lower than the level that would correspond to such Borrower Secured Debt rating(s) pursuant to the definition of “Applicable Margin”;
 (g)
 if neither S&P nor Moody’s (A) maintains a rating on the Borrower Unsecured Debt of the Borrower because no such Borrower Unsecured Debt is outstanding and (B) maintains a rating on the Borrower Secured Debt of the Borrower because no such Borrower Secured Debt is outstanding, then the “Reference Ratings” shall be based on the Borrower’s long-term corporate/issuer rating(s) as maintained by S&P and/or Moody’s.
 “Refinancing Indebtedness” means Consolidated Indebtedness incurred for the purpose of refinancing existing Consolidated Indebtedness. 
 “Register” has the meaning specified in Section 11.06(c).
 

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 “Related Parties” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees and advisors of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.
 “Reportable Event” means any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than events for which the thirty-day notice period has been waived.
 “Request for Borrowing” means (a) with respect to a Borrowing, conversion or continuation of Revolving Loans, a Revolving Loan Notice and (b) with respect to a Swing Line Loan, a Swing Line Loan Notice.
 “Required Lenders” means, at any time, Lenders having Total Credit Exposures representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the Total Credit Exposures of all Lenders.  The Total Credit Exposure of any Defaulting Lender shall be disregarded in determining Required Lenders at any time; provided that the amount of any participation in any Swing Line Loan that such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund that have not been reallocated to and funded by another Lender shall be deemed to be held by the Lender that is the Swing Line Lender in making such determination.
 “Responsible Officer” means the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, treasurer, assistant treasurer or controller of the Borrower and, solely for purposes of the delivery of certificates pursuant to Section 5.01, the secretary or any assistant secretary of the Borrower.  Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of the Borrower and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of the Borrower.
 “Revolving Commitment” means, as to each Lender, its obligation to (a) make Revolving Loans to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01 and (b) purchase participations in Swing Line Loans, in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.
 “Revolving Credit Exposure” means, as to any Lender at any time, the sum of (i) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of such Lender’s Revolving Loans at such time plus (ii) such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all Swing Line Loans at such time.
 “Revolving Loan” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01.
 “Revolving Loan Notice” means a notice of (a) a Borrowing of Revolving Loans, (b) a conversion of Revolving Loans from one Type to the other, or (c) a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans, in each case pursuant to Section 2.02(a), which, if in writing, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.02(a).
 “Revolving Loan Maturity Date” means July 25, 2017 or such earlier date on which the Loans are due and payable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; provided, that if the Borrower is unable to obtain all required Governmental Approvals, such approvals to be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, for the Borrower’s incurrence of indebtedness payable more than one (1) year from the incurrence thereof (“Long-Term Indebtedness Approvals”) prior to the initial making of any Loan hereunder, then the Revolving Loan Maturity Date for the Borrower shall be the date that is the 364th day  to  occur following the date of the initial Borrowing by the Borrower hereunder  (the “364-Day Maturity 
  
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 Date”), provided that in no event shall the 364-Day Maturity Date be later than July 25, 2017; provided further that if the Borrower shall obtain such Long-Term Indebtedness Approvals prior to the 364-Day Maturity Date, then, at the request of the Borrower and provided that (x) no Default or Event of Default exists with respect to the Borrower and (y) the representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in Article VI (other than Sections 6.05(c) and 6.06) or in any other Loan Document shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date, such 364-Day Maturity Date shall automatically extend to the extent permitted by such Governmental Approval but in no event later than July 25, 2017. 
 “Revolving Note” has the meaning specified in Section 2.11(a).
 “S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and any successor thereto.
 “Sanctions” means any international economic sanction administered or enforced by the United States government (including, without limitation, OFAC), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury or other relevant sanctions authority.
 “SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.
 “Solvent” or “Solvency” means, with respect to any Person as of a particular date, that on such date (a) such Person is able to pay its debts and other liabilities, including contingent obligations as they mature , (b) such Person is not engaged in a business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in a business or a transaction, for which such Person’s property would constitute unreasonably small capital, (c) the fair value of the property of such Person is greater than the total amount of liabilities, including contingent liabilities, of such Person and (d) the present fair salable value of the assets of such Person is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its debts as they become absolute and matured.  In computing the amount of contingent liabilities at any time, it is intended that such liabilities will be computed at the amount which, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.
 “Stranded Cost Recovery Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s obligations to make principal, interest or other payments to the issuer of stranded cost recovery bonds pursuant to a loan agreement or similar arrangement whereby the issuer has loaned the proceeds of such bonds to such Person.
 “Subsidiary” of a Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which a majority of the shares of Voting Stock is at the time beneficially owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person.  Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower.
 “Swap Contract” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing),  whether or  not  any such  transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and 
 

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 (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “Master Agreement”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement, but excluding in all instances obligations under default service and standard offer power supply agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business.
 “Swap Termination Value” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s) and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts (which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender).
 “Swing Line Lender” means Barclays in its capacity as provider of Swing Line Loans, or any successor swing line lender hereunder.
 “Swing Line Loan” has the meaning specified in Section 2.04(a).
 “Swing Line Loan Notice” means a notice of a Borrowing of Swing Line Loans pursuant to Section 2.04(b), which, if in writing, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.04(b).
 “Swing Line Note” has the meaning specified in Section 2.11(a).
 “Swing Line Sublimit” means an amount equal to the lesser of (a) $50,000,000 and (b) the Aggregate Revolving Commitments.  The Swing Line Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Aggregate Revolving Commitments.
 “Synthetic Lease” means any synthetic lease, tax retention operating lease, off-balance sheet loan or similar off-balance sheet financing arrangement whereby the arrangement is considered borrowed money indebtedness for tax purposes but is classified as an operating lease or does not otherwise appear on a balance sheet under GAAP.
 “Taxes” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
 “Threshold Amount” means $50,000,000.
 “364-Day Maturity Date” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Revolving Loan Maturity Date”.
 “Total Credit Exposure” means, as to any Lender at any time, the unused Revolving Commitments and Revolving Credit Exposure of such Lender at such time.
 “Total Revolving Outstandings” means the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Revolving Loans and all Swing Line Loans.
 

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 “Type” means, with respect to any Loan, its character as a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Rate Loan.
 “United States” and “U.S.” mean the United States of America.
 “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” has the meaning specified in Section 3.01(e)(ii)(B)(III).
 

 “Voting Stock” means, with respect to any Person, Equity Interests issued by such Person the holders of which are ordinarily, in the absence of contingencies, entitled to vote for the election of directors (or persons performing similar functions) of such Person, even though the right so to vote has been suspended by the happening of such a contingency.
 1.02
 Other Interpretive Provisions.
 With reference to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, unless otherwise specified herein or in such other Loan Document:
 (a)
 The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined.  Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms.  The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.”  The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.”  Unless the context requires otherwise, (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document (including any Organization Document) shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein or in any other Loan Document), (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (iii) the words “hereto”, “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder,” and words of similar import when used in any Loan Document, shall be construed to refer to such Loan Document in its entirety and not to any particular provision thereof, (iv) all references in a Loan Document to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, the Loan Document in which such references appear, (v) any reference to any law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing or interpreting such law and any reference to any law or regulation shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, and (vi) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all real and personal property and tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.
 (b)
 In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including;” the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding;” and the word “through” means “to and including.”
 (c)
 Section headings herein and in the other Loan Documents are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
 1.03
 Accounting Terms.
 

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 (a)
 Generally.  Except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein, all accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP applied on a consistent basis, as in effect from time to time, applied in a manner consistent with that used in preparing the Audited Financial Statements; provided, however, that calculations of attributable Indebtedness under any Synthetic Lease or the implied interest component of any Synthetic Lease shall be made by the Borrower in accordance with accepted financial practice and consistent with the terms of such Synthetic Lease.
 (b)
 Changes in GAAP.  If at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in any Loan Document, and either the Borrower or the Required Lenders shall so request, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the Required Lenders); provided that, until so amended, (i) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein and (ii) the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP.
 (c)
 FASB ASC 825 and FASB ASC 470-20.  Notwithstanding the above, for purposes of determining compliance with any covenant (including the computation of any financial covenant) contained herein, Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be carried at one hundred percent (100%) of the outstanding principal amount thereof, and the effects of FASB ASC 825 and FASB ASC 470-20 on financial liabilities shall be disregarded.
 1.04
 Rounding.
 Any financial ratios required to be maintained by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).
 1.05
 Times of Day.
 Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as applicable).
 ARTICLE II

THE COMMITMENTS AND BORROWINGS
 2.01
 Revolving Commitments.  Revolving Loans.  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender severally agrees to make loans (each such loan, a “Revolving Loan”) to the Borrower in Dollars from time to time on any Business Day during the Availability Period in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment; provided, however, that after giving effect to any Borrowing of Revolving Loans, (a) the Total Revolving  Outstandings shall not exceed the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, and (b) the Revolving  Credit  Exposure  of  any  Lender shall  not  exceed  such  Lender’s  Revolving  Commitment.
  
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 Within the limits of each Lender’s Revolving Commitment, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may borrow under this Section 2.01, prepay under Section 2.05, and reborrow under this Section 2.01.  Revolving Loans may be Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Rate Loans, or a combination thereof, as further provided herein, provided, however, all Borrowings made on the Closing Date shall be made as Base Rate Loans. 
 2.02
 Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans.
 (a)
 Each Borrowing, each conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, and each continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be made upon the Borrower’s irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent, which may be given by telephone.  Each such notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. (i) three (3) Business Days prior to the requested date of any Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of, Eurodollar Rate Loans or of any conversion of Eurodollar Rate Loans to Base Rate Loans prior to the end of the applicable Interest Period, and (ii) on the requested date of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans.  Each telephonic notice by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.02(a) must be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Administrative Agent of a written Revolving Loan Notice, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.  Each Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof.  Except as provided in Section 2.04(c), each Borrowing of or conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof.  Each Revolving Loan Notice (whether telephonic or written) shall specify (i) whether the Borrower is requesting a Borrowing, a conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, or a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans, (ii) the requested date of the Borrowing, conversion or continuation, as the case may be (which shall be a Business Day), (iii) the principal amount of Loans to be borrowed, converted or continued, (iv) the Type of Loans to be borrowed or to which existing Loans are to be converted, and (v) if applicable, the duration of the Interest Period with respect thereto.  If the Borrower fails to specify a Type of a Loan in a Revolving Loan Notice or if the Borrower fails to give a timely notice requesting a conversion or continuation, then the applicable Loans shall be made as, or converted to, Base Rate Loans. Any such automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be effective as of the last day of the Interest Period then in effect with respect to the applicable Eurodollar Rate Loans.  If the Borrower requests a Borrowing of, conversion to, or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans in any Revolving Loan Notice, but fails to specify an Interest Period, it will be deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one month.
 (b)
 Following receipt of a Revolving Loan Notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the amount of its Applicable Percentage of the applicable Loans, and if no timely notice of a conversion or continuation is provided by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the details of any automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans as described in the preceding subsection.  In the case of a Borrowing, each Lender shall make the amount of its Loan available to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office not later than 1:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in the applicable Revolving Loan Notice.  Upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 5.02 (and, if such Borrowing is the initial Borrowing, Section 5.01), the Administrative Agent shall make all funds so received available to the Borrower in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent either by (i) crediting the account of the Borrower on the books of Barclays with the amount of such funds or (ii) wire transfer of such funds, in each case in accordance with instructions provided to (and acceptable to) the Administrative Agent by the Borrower.
 

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 (c)
 Except as otherwise provided herein, a Eurodollar Rate Loan may be continued or converted only on the last day of the Interest Period for such Eurodollar Rate Loan.  During the existence of a Default, no Loans may be requested as, converted to or continued as Eurodollar Rate Loans without the consent of the Required Lenders.
 (d)
 The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the interest rate applicable to any Interest Period for Eurodollar Rate Loans upon determination of such interest rate.  At any time that Base Rate Loans are outstanding, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of any change in Barclays’ prime rate used in determining the Base Rate promptly following the public announcement of such change.
 (e)
 After giving effect to all Borrowings, all conversions of Loans from one Type to the other, and all continuations of Loans as the same Type, there shall not be more than eight (8) Interest Periods in effect with respect to all Loans.
 2.03
 [Reserved].
 2.04
 Swing Line Loans.
 (a)
 Swing Line Facility.  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Swing Line Lender, in reliance upon the agreements of the other Lenders set forth in this Section 2.04, shall make loans (each such loan, a “Swing Line Loan”) to the Borrower in Dollars from time to time on any Business Day during the Availability Period in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount of the Swing Line Sublimit; provided, however, that after giving effect to any Swing Line Loan, (i) the Total Revolving Outstandings shall not exceed the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, and (ii) the Revolving Credit Exposure of any  Lender shall not exceed such Lender’s Revolving Commitment, and provided, further, that the Borrower shall not use the proceeds of any Swing Line Loan to refinance any outstanding Swing Line Loan.  Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may borrow under this Section 2.04, prepay under Section 2.05, and reborrow under this Section 2.04.  Each Swing Line Loan shall be a Base Rate Loan.  Immediately upon the making of a Swing Line Loan, each Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the Swing Line Lender a risk participation in such Swing Line Loan in an amount equal to the product of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage times the amount of such Swing Line Loan.
 (b)
 Borrowing Procedures.  Each Borrowing of Swing Line Loans shall be made upon the Borrower’s irrevocable notice to the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent, which may be given by telephone.  Each such notice must be received by the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent not later than 2:00 p.m. on the requested borrowing date, and shall specify (i) the amount to be borrowed, which shall be a minimum principal amount of $500,000 and integral multiples of $100,000 in excess thereof, and (ii) the requested borrowing date, which shall be a Business Day.  Each such telephonic notice must be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent of a written Swing Line Loan Notice, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.  Promptly after receipt by the Swing Line Lender of any telephonic Swing Line Loan Notice, the Swing Line Lender will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has also received such Swing Line Loan Notice and, if not, the Swing Line Lender will notify the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) of the contents thereof.  Unless the Swing Line Lender has received notice (by telephone or in writing) from the Administrative Agent  (including at the request of any Lender)  prior  to  2:00 p.m. on the date of 
  
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 the proposed Borrowing of Swing Line Loans (A) directing the Swing Line Lender not to make such Swing Line Loan as a result of the limitations set forth in the first proviso to the first sentence of Section 2.04(a), or (B) that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Article V is not then satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Swing Line Lender will, not later than 3:00 p.m. on the borrowing date specified in such Swing Line Loan Notice, make the amount of its Swing Line Loan available to the Borrower.
 (c)
 Refinancing of Swing Line Loans.
 (a)
 The Swing Line Lender at any time in its sole discretion may request, on behalf of the Borrower (which hereby irrevocably requests and authorizes the Swing Line Lender to so request on its behalf), that each Lender make a Base Rate Loan in an amount equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the amount of Swing Line Loans then outstanding.  Such request shall be made in writing (which written request shall be deemed to be a Revolving Loan Notice for purposes hereof) and in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.02, without regard to the minimum and multiples specified therein for the principal amount of Base Rate Loans, but subject to the conditions set forth in Section 5.02 (other than the delivery of a Revolving Loan Notice) and provided that, after giving effect to such Borrowing, the Total Revolving Outstandings shall not exceed the Aggregate Revolving Commitments.  The Swing Line Lender shall furnish the Borrower with a copy of the applicable Revolving Loan Notice promptly after delivering such notice to the Administrative Agent.  Each Lender shall make an amount equal to its Applicable Percentage of the amount specified in such Revolving Loan Notice available to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds (and the Administrative Agent may apply Cash Collateral available with respect to the applicable Swing Line Loan) for the account of the Swing Line Lender at the Administrative Agent’s Office not later than 1:00 p.m. on the day specified in such Revolving Loan Notice, whereupon, subject to Section 2.04(c)(ii), each Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Base Rate Loan to the Borrower in such amount.  The Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to the Swing Line Lender.
 (b)
 If for any reason any Swing Line Loan cannot be refinanced by such a Borrowing of Revolving Loans in accordance with Section 2.04(c)(i), the request for Base Rate Loans submitted by the Swing Line Lender as set forth herein shall be deemed to be a request by the Swing Line Lender that each of the Lenders fund its risk participation in the relevant Swing Line Loan and each Lender’s payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swing Line Lender pursuant to Section 2.04(c)(i) shall be deemed payment in respect of such participation.
 (c)
 If any Lender fails to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swing Line Lender any amount required to be paid by such Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.04(c) by the time specified in Section 2.04(c)(i), the Swing Line Lender shall be entitled to recover from such Lender (acting through the Administrative Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment  is immediately  available to the Swing Line Lender at a rate per annum equal to the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Swing Line Lender in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.  A certificate  of   the  Swing   Line   Lender   submitted   to   any  Lender    (through   the
 

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 Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this clause (iii) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
 (d)
 Each Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Loans or to purchase and fund risk participations in Swing Line Loans pursuant to this Section 2.04(c) shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right that such Lender may have against the Swing Line Lender, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Default, or (C) any other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; provided, however, that each Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Loans pursuant to this Section 2.04(c) is subject to the conditions set forth in Section 5.02.  No such purchase or funding of risk participations shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrower to repay Swing Line Loans, together with interest as provided herein.
 (d)
 Repayment of Participations.
 (i)
 At any time after any Lender has purchased and funded a risk participation in a Swing Line Loan, if the Swing Line Lender receives any payment on account of such Swing Line Loan, the Swing Line Lender will distribute to such Lender its Applicable Percentage of such payment (appropriately adjusted, in the case of interest payments, to reflect the period of time during which such Lender’s risk participation was funded) in the same funds as those received by the Swing Line Lender.
 (ii)
 If any payment received by the Swing Line Lender in respect of principal or interest on any Swing Line Loan is required to be returned by the Swing Line Lender under any of the circumstances described in Section 11.05 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Swing Line Lender in its discretion), each Lender shall pay to the Swing Line Lender its Applicable Percentage thereof on demand of the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is returned, at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate.  The Administrative Agent will make such demand upon the request of the Swing Line Lender.  The obligations of the Lenders under this clause shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination thereof.
 (e)
 Interest for Account of Swing Line Lender.  The Swing Line Lender shall be responsible for invoicing the Borrower for interest on the Swing Line Loans.  Until each Lender funds its Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans or risk participation pursuant to this Section 2.04 to refinance such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of any Swing Line Loan, interest in respect of such Applicable Percentage shall be solely for the account of the Swing Line Lender.
 (f)
 Payments Directly to Swing Line Lender.  The Borrower shall make all payments of principal and interest in respect of the Swing Line Loans directly to the Swing Line Lender.
 2.05
 Prepayments.
 (a)
 Voluntary Prepayments.
 (a)
 Revolving Loans.  The Borrower may, upon delivery of a Prepayment Notice from the Borrower to the Administrative Agent, at any time or from time to time

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 voluntarily prepay Revolving Loans, in whole or in part without premium or penalty; provided that (A) such Prepayment Notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. (1) three (3) Business Days prior to any date of prepayment of Eurodollar Rate Loans (prior to the end of an applicable Interest Period) and (2) on the date of prepayment of Base Rate Loans; (B) any such prepayment of Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $2,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof (or, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding); and (C) any prepayment of Base Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof (or, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding).  Each such Prepayment Notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment and the Type(s) of Loans to be prepaid.  The Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Lender of its receipt of each such Prepayment Notice, and of the amount of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such prepayment.  If such Prepayment Notice is given by the Borrower, the Borrower shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such Prepayment Notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein.  Any prepayment of a Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be accompanied by all accrued interest on the amount prepaid, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05.  Subject to Section 2.15, each such prepayment shall be applied to the Loans of the Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages.
 (b)
 Swing Line Loans.  The Borrower may, upon delivery of a Prepayment Notice to the Swing Line Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at any time or from time to time, voluntarily prepay Swing Line Loans in whole or in part without premium or penalty; provided that (A) such Prepayment Notice must be received by the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent not later than 1:00 p.m. on the date of the prepayment, and (B) any such prepayment shall be in a minimum principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof (or, if less, the entire principal thereof then outstanding).  Each such Prepayment Notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment.  If such Prepayment Notice is given by the Borrower, the Borrower shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such Prepayment Notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein.
 (b)
 Mandatory Prepayments of Loans.
 (a)
 Revolving Commitments.  If for any reason the Total Revolving Outstandings at any time exceed the Aggregate Revolving Commitments then in effect, the Borrower shall immediately prepay Revolving Loans and/or the Swing Line Loans in an aggregate amount equal to such excess.
 (b)
 Application of Mandatory Prepayments.  All amounts required to be paid pursuant to Section 2.05(b)(i) shall be applied ratably to Revolving Loans and Swing Line Loans.  Within the parameters of the applications set forth above, prepayments shall be applied first to Base Rate Loans and then to Eurodollar Rate Loans in direct order of Interest Period maturities.  All prepayments under this Section 2.05(b) shall be subject to Section 3.05, but otherwise without premium or penalty, and shall be accompanied by interest on the principal amount prepaid through the date of prepayment.
 2.06
 Termination or Reduction of Aggregate Revolving Commitments.

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 (a)
 Optional Reductions.  The Borrower shall have the right, upon at least three (3) Business Days’ notice to the Administrative Agent, to terminate in whole or, upon same day notice, from time to time to permanently reduce ratably in part the unused portion of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments; provided that each partial reduction shall be in the aggregate amount of $5,000,000 or in an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof.  Each such notice of termination or reduction shall be irrevocable; provided, further, that, if, after giving effect to any reduction, the Swing Line Sublimit exceeds the amount of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, such sublimit shall be automatically reduced by the amount of such excess. Any Aggregate Revolving Commitment reduced or terminated pursuant to this Section may not be reinstated
 (b)
 Notice.  The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Lenders of any termination or reduction of the Swing Line Sublimit or the Aggregate Revolving Commitments under this Section 2.06.  Upon any reduction of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, the Revolving Commitment of each Lender shall be reduced by such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such reduction amount.  All fees in respect of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments accrued until the effective date of any termination of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments shall be paid on the effective date of such termination.
 2.07
 Repayment of Loans.
 (a)
 Revolving Loans.  The Borrower shall repay to the Lenders on the Revolving Loan Maturity Date the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Loans outstanding on such date.
 (b)
 Swing Line Loans.  The Borrower shall repay each Swing Line Loan on the earlier to occur of (i) the date within one (1) Business Day of demand therefor by the Swing Line Lender and (ii) the Revolving Loan Maturity Date.
 2.08
 Interest.
 (a)
 Interest.
 (a)
 Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) below, (i) each Eurodollar Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof for each Interest Period at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Margin, (ii) each Base Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin and (iii) each Swing Line Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin.
 (b)
 (i)
      If any amount of principal of any Loan is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, all outstanding Obligations shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.  
 (a)
 If any amount (other than principal of any Loan) is not paid when due (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, then upon the request of the Required Lenders, such amount shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.
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 (b)
 Accrued and unpaid interest on past due amounts (including interest on past due interest) shall be due and payable upon demand.
 (c)
 Interest on each Loan shall be due and payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date applicable thereto and at such other times as may be specified herein.  Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof before and after judgment, and before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law.
 2.09
 Fees.
 (a)
 Facility Fee.  The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of each Lender in accordance with its Applicable Percentage, a facility fee (the “Facility Fee”) at a rate per annum equal to the product of (i) the Facility Fee rate specified in the definition of “Applicable Margin”  times (ii) the Aggregate Revolving Commitments.  The Facility Fee shall accrue at all times during the Availability Period, including at any time during which one or more of the conditions in Article V is not met, and shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the first such date to occur after the Closing Date, and on the Revolving Loan Maturity Date; provided, that each Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive fees payable under this Section 2.09(a) for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender only to extent allocable to the outstanding principal amount of the Loans funded by it.  The Facility Fee shall be calculated quarterly in arrears, and if there is any change in the Applicable Margin during any quarter, the actual daily amount shall be computed and multiplied by the Applicable Margin separately for each period during such quarter that such Applicable Margin was in effect.
 (b)
 Fee Letters.  The Borrower shall pay to the Joint Lead Arrangers and the Administrative Agent for their own respective accounts fees in the amounts and at the times specified in the Fee Letters.  Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall be non-refundable for any reason whatsoever.
 2.10
 Computation of Interest and Fees.
 All computations of interest for Base Rate Loans determined by reference to clause (b) of the definition of “Base Rate” in Section 1.01 shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed.  All other computations of fees and interest (including without limitation computations of interest for Base Rate Loans determined by reference to clauses (a) and (c) of the definition of “Base Rate” in Section 1.01) shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as applicable, being paid than if computed on the basis of a 365-day year).  Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is paid, provided that any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall, subject to Section 2.12(a), bear interest for one day.  Each determination by the Administrative Agent of an interest rate or fee hereunder shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.  
 2.11
 Evidence of Debt.
 (a)
 The Borrowings made by each Lender shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender and by the Administrative Agent in the ordinary course of business.  The accounts or records maintained by the Administrative Agent and each Lender  shall  be conclusive absent manifest error of  the amount of the Borrowings made by the 
 26
  
 
 
 Lenders to the Borrower and the interest and payments thereon.  Any failure to so record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrower hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Loans.  In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by any Lender and the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error.  Upon the request of any Lender made through the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender (through the Administrative Agent) a promissory note, which shall evidence such Lender’s Loans in addition to such accounts or records.  Each such promissory note shall (i) in the case of Revolving Loans, be in the form of Exhibit 2.11(a)-1 (a “Revolving Note”) and (ii) in the case of Swing Line Loans, be in the form of Exhibit 2.11(a)-2 (a “Swing Line Note”).  Each Lender may attach schedules to its Note and endorse thereon the date, Type (if applicable), amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.
 (b)
 In addition to the accounts and records referred to in subsection (a), each Lender and the Administrative Agent shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice accounts or records evidencing the purchases and sales by such Lender of participations in Swing Line Loans.  In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by the Administrative Agent and the accounts and records of any Lender in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error.
 2.12
 Payments Generally; Administrative Agent’s Clawback.
 (a)
 General.  All payments to be made by the Borrower shall be made without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff.  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by the Borrower hereunder shall be made to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Lenders to which such payment is owed, at the Administrative Agent’s Office in Dollars and in immediately available funds not later than 2:00 p.m. on the date specified herein.  The Administrative Agent will promptly distribute to each Lender its Applicable Percentage (or other applicable share as provided herein) of such payment in like funds as received by wire transfer to such Lender’s Lending Office.  All payments received by the Administrative Agent after 2:00 p.m. shall be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue.  Subject to the definition of “Interest Period”, if any payment to be made by the Borrower shall come due on a day other than a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next following Business Day, and such extension of time shall be reflected in computing interest or fees, as the case may be.
 (b)
 (ii)Funding by Lenders; Presumption by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing of Eurodollar Rate Loans (or, in the case of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, prior to 12:00 noon on the date of such Borrowing) that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with Section 2.02 (or, in the case of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, that such Lender has made such share available in accordance with and at the time required by Section 2.02) and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount.  In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for  each day  from and including the date such amount is made available
 

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 to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (A) in the case of a payment to be made by such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation and (B) in the case of a payment to be made by the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to Base Rate Loans.  If the Borrower and such Lender shall pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the Borrower the amount of such interest paid by the Borrower for such period.  If such Lender pays its share of the applicable Borrowing to the Administrative Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing.  Any payment by the Borrower shall be without prejudice to any claim the Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.
 (a)
 Payments by Borrower; Presumptions by Administrative Agent.  Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders the amount due.  In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.
 A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Lender or the Borrower with respect to any amount owing under this subsection (b) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.
 (c)
 Failure to Satisfy Conditions Precedent.  If any Lender makes available to the Administrative Agent funds for any Loan to be made by such Lender as provided in the foregoing provisions of this Article II, and such funds are not made available to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent because the conditions to the applicable Borrowing set forth in Article V are not satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms hereof, the Administrative Agent shall promptly return such funds (in like funds as received from such Lender) to such Lender, without interest.
 (d)
 Obligations of Lenders Several.  The obligations of the Lenders hereunder to make Loans, to fund participations in Swing Line Loans and to make payments pursuant to Section 11.04(c) are several and not joint.  The failure of any Lender to make any Loan, to fund any such participation or to make any payment under Section 11.04(c) on any date required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to so make its Loan, to purchase its participation or to make its payment under Section 11.04(c).
 (e)
 Funding Source.  Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner.
 

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 2.13
 Sharing of Payments by Lenders.
 If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of the Loans made by it, or the participations in Swing Line Loans held by it (excluding any amounts applied by the Swing Line Lender to outstanding Swing Line Loans) resulting in such Lender’s receiving payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of such Loans or participations and accrued interest thereon greater than its pro rata share thereof as provided herein, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall (a) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and subparticipations in Swing Line Loans of the other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans and other amounts owing them, provided that:
 (a)
 if any such participations or subparticipations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations or subparticipations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest; and
 (b)
 the provisions of this Section shall not be construed to apply to (x) any payment made by or on behalf of the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement (including the application of funds arising from the existence of a Defaulting Lender), (y) the application of Cash Collateral provided for in Section 2.14 or (z) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or subparticipations Swing Line Loans to any assignee or participant, other than an assignment to the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof (as to which the provisions of this Section shall apply).
 The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.
 2.14
 Cash Collateral.
 (a)
 Certain Credit Support Events.  At any time that there shall exist a Defaulting Lender, immediately upon the request of the Administrative Agent or the Swing Line Lender, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to cover all Fronting Exposure (after giving effect to Section 2.15(a)(iv) and any Cash Collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender).
 (b)
 Grant of Security Interest.  All Cash Collateral (other than credit support not constituting funds subject to deposit) shall be maintained in blocked, non-interest bearing deposit accounts at the Administrative Agent.  The Borrower, and to the extent provided by any Lender, such Lender, hereby grants to (and subjects to the control of) the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (including the Swing Line Lender) and agrees to maintain, a first priority security interest in all such cash, deposit accounts and all balances therein, and all other property so provided as collateral pursuant hereto, and in all balances therein, and all other property so provided as collateral pursuant hereto, and in all proceeds of the foregoing, all as security for the obligations to which such Cash Collateral may be applied pursuant to Section 2.14(c).  If at any time the Administrative Agent determines that Cash 
 

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 Collateral is subject to any right or claim of any Person other than the Administrative Agent as herein provided, or that the total amount of such Cash Collateral is less than the applicable Fronting Exposure and other obligations secured thereby, the Borrower will, promptly upon demand by the Administrative Agent, pay or provide to the Administrative Agent additional Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to eliminate such deficiency.
 (c)
 Application.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Cash Collateral provided under any of this Section 2.14, Section 2.04, or Section 2.15 in respect of Swing Line Loans shall be held and applied in satisfaction of the specific Swing Line Loans, obligations to fund participations therein (including, as to Cash Collateral provided by a Defaulting Lender, any interest accrued on such obligation) and other obligations for which the Cash Collateral was so provided, prior to any other application of such property as may be provided herein.
 (d)
 Release.  Cash Collateral (or the appropriate portion thereof) provided to reduce Fronting Exposure or other obligations shall be released promptly following (i) the elimination of the applicable Fronting Exposure or other obligations giving rise thereto (including by the termination of Defaulting Lender status of the applicable Lender) or (ii) the Administrative Agent’s good faith determination that there exists excess Cash Collateral; provided, however, (x) that Cash Collateral furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower shall not be released during the continuance of a Default or Event of Default (and following application as provided in this Section 2.14 may be otherwise applied in accordance with Section 9.03) and (y) the Person providing Cash Collateral and the Swing Line Lender may agree that Cash Collateral shall not be released but instead held to support future anticipated Fronting Exposure or other obligations.
 2.15
 Defaulting Lenders.
 (a)
 Adjustments.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as that Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable Law:
 (a)
 Waivers and Amendment.  The Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in Section 11.01.
 (b)
 Reallocation of Payments.  Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amount received by the Administrative Agent for the account of that Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article IX or otherwise, and including any amounts made available to the Administrative Agent by that Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 11.08), shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by that Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by that Defaulting Lender to the Swing Line Lender hereunder; third, if so determined by the Administrative Agent or requested by the Swing Line Lender, to be held as Cash Collateral for future funding obligations of that Defaulting Lender of any participation in any Swing Line Loan; fourth, as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which that Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; fifth, if so determined by the Administrative Agent  and  the Borrower,  to be  held in  a  non-interest  bearing deposit  account  and
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 released in order to satisfy obligations of that Defaulting Lender to fund Loans under this Agreement; sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, the Swing Line Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, the  Swing Line Lender against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; seventh, so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrower against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and eighth, to that Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided, that, if (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans in respect of which that Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share and (y) such Loans were made at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 5.02 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to the pay the Loans of all non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of that Defaulting Lender.  Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 2.15(a)(ii) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by that Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.
 (c)
 Certain Fees.  The Defaulting Lender shall not be entitled to receive any Facility Fee pursuant to Section 2.09(a) for any period during which such Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and the Borrower shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to such Defaulting Lender).
 (d)
 Reallocation of Applicable Percentages to Reduce Fronting Exposure.  During any period in which there is a Defaulting Lender, for purposes of computing the amount of the obligation of each non-Defaulting Lender to acquire, refinance or fund participations in Swing Line Loans pursuant to Section 2.04, the “Applicable Percentage” of each non-Defaulting Lender shall be computed without giving effect to the Revolving Commitment of that Defaulting Lender; provided, that, each such reallocation (x) shall be given effect only if, at the date the applicable Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, no Default or Event of Default exists; and (y) does not cause the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure of any non-Defaulting Lender to exceed such non-Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Commitment.
 (b)
 Defaulting Lender Cure.  If the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Swing Line Lender agree in writing in their sole discretion that a Defaulting Lender should no longer be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to any Cash Collateral), that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase that portion of outstanding Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Revolving Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Swing Line Loans to be held on a pro rata basis by the Lenders in accordance with their Applicable Percentages (without giving effect to Section 2.15(a)(iv)), whereupon that Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided, that, no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; provided, further, that, except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no
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 change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender having been a Defaulting Lender
 2.16
 Additional Revolving Commitments.
 The Borrower may, at any time and from time to time, upon prior written notice by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent increase the Aggregate Revolving Commitments (but not the Swing Line Sublimit) by a maximum aggregate amount of up to FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS ($50,000,000) with additional Revolving Commitments from any existing Lender with a Revolving Commitment or new Revolving Commitments from any other Person selected by the Borrower and acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Swing Line Lender; provided that:
 (a)
 any such increase shall be in a minimum principal amount of $10,000,000 and in integral multiples of $5,000,000 in excess thereof;
 (b)
 no Default or Event of Default shall exist and be continuing at the time of any such increase or would result from any Borrowing on the day of such increase;
 (c)
 no existing Lender shall be under any obligation to increase its Revolving Commitment and any such decision whether to increase its Revolving Commitment shall be in such Lender’s sole and absolute discretion;
 (d)
 any new Lender shall join this Agreement by executing such joinder documents required by the Administrative Agent and/or any existing Lender electing to increase its Revolving Commitment shall have executed a commitment agreement satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;
 (e)
 any existing Lender or any new Lender providing a portion of the increase in Revolving Commitments shall be reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Swing Line Lender; and
 (f)
 as a condition precedent to such increase, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent (A) a certificate of the Borrower dated as of the date of such increase (in sufficient copies for each Lender) signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower (1) certifying and attaching the resolutions adopted by the Borrower approving or consenting to such increase, and (2) certifying that, before and after giving effect to such increase, the representations and warranties contained in Article VI and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such increase, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they are true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date, and except that for purposes of this Section 2.16, the representations and warranties contained in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 6.05 shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to clauses (a) and (b), respectively, of Section 7.01, and (B) legal opinions and other documents reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent.
 The Borrower shall prepay any Loans owing by it and outstanding on the date of any such increase (and pay any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05) to the extent necessary to keep the outstanding Loans ratable with any revised Revolving Commitments arising from any nonratable increase in the Revolving Commitments under this Section.
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 ARTICLE III

TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY
 3.01
 Taxes.
 (a)
 Payments Free of Taxes; Obligation to Withhold; Payments on Account of Taxes.
  
 (i)
 Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable Laws.  If any applicable Laws (as determined in the good faith discretion of the Administrative Agent) require the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, then the Administrative Agent or the Borrower shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding, upon the basis of the information and documentation to be delivered pursuant to subsection (e) below.
 

 (ii)
 If the Borrower or the Administrative Agent shall be required by the Internal Revenue Code to withhold or deduct any Taxes, including both United States Federal backup withholding and withholding taxes, from any payment, then (A) the Administrative Agent shall withhold or make such deductions as are determined by the Administrative Agent to be required based upon the information and documentation it has received pursuant to subsection (e) below, (B) the Administrative Agent shall timely pay the full amount withheld or deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code, and (C) to the extent that the withholding or deduction is made on account of Indemnified Taxes, the sum payable by the Borrower shall be increased as necessary so that after any required withholding or the making of all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 3.01) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such withholding or deduction been made.
 

 (iii)
 If the Borrower or the Administrative Agent shall be required by any applicable Laws other than the Internal Revenue Code to withhold or deduct any Taxes from any payment, then (A) the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as required by such Laws, shall withhold or make such deductions as are determined by it to be required based upon the information and documentation it has received pursuant to subsection (e) below, (B) the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, to the extent required by such Laws, shall timely pay the full amount withheld or deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with such Laws, and (C) to the extent that the withholding or deduction is made on account of Indemnified Taxes, the sum payable by the Borrower shall be increased as necessary so that after any required withholding or the making of all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 3.01) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such withholding or deduction been made.   
  
 (b)
 Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower.  Without limiting the provisions of subsection (a) above, the Borrower shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes.
  
 (c)
 Tax Indemnifications.  
 

 (i)
 Without limiting the provisions of subsection (a) or (b) above, but without  duplication,  the  Borrower  shall  and  does  hereby  indemnify  each  Recipient,  and shall make 
  
 33
 

  
 payment in respect thereof within ten days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 3.01) payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient, and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority.  A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  The Borrower shall and does hereby indemnify the Administrative Agent, and shall make payment in respect thereof within ten days after demand therefor, for any amount which a Lender for any reason fails to pay indefeasibly to the Administrative Agent as required pursuant to Section 3.01(c)(ii) below.
 

 (ii)
 Each Lender shall, and does hereby, severally indemnify, and shall make payment in respect thereof within ten days after demand therefor, (A) the Administrative Agent against any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that the Borrower has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so), (B) the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, as applicable, against any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 11.06(d) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (C) the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, as applicable, against any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority.  A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this clause (ii).  
 

 (d)
 Evidence of Payments.  Upon request by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, after any payment of Taxes by the Borrower or by the Administrative Agent to a Governmental Authority as provided in this Section 3.01, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent or the Administrative Agent shall deliver to the Borrower, as the case may be, the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of  any return required by Laws to report such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be.  
  
 (e)
 Status of Lenders; Tax Documentation. 
 

 (i)
 Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding.  In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements.  Notwithstanding anything   to  the  contrary  in   the   preceding   two   sentences,   the  completion,  execution  and
  
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submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 3.01(e)(ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender; provided, that this sentence shall not apply to documentation described in Section 3.01(e)(ii)(C) if such documentation is in substance essentially equivalent to, and not materially more onerous to provide, than the documentation set forth in Section 3.01(e)(ii)(A), (ii)(B), or (ii)(D).
 

 (ii)
 Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that the Borrower is a U.S. Person,
 

 (A)
 any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax; 
 

 (B)
 any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable (together with any required schedules and attachments):
 

 (1)
 in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;
  
 (2)
 executed originals of IRS Form W-8ECI;
 

 (3)
 in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit 3.01(e)-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (y) executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN; or
 

 (4)
 to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed originals of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of   Exhibit   3.01(e)-2   or  Exhibit   3.01(e)-3,   IRS   Form  W-9,   and/or   other
 

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 certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit 3.01(e)-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner; 
 

 (C)
 any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and
 

 (D)
 if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Internal Revenue Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment.  Solely for purposes of this clause (D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.
 

 (iii)
 Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered pursuant to this Section 3.01 expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.
 

 (f)
 Treatment of Certain Refunds.  Unless required by applicable Laws, at no time shall the Administrative Agent have any obligation to file for or otherwise pursue on behalf of a Lender, or have any obligation to pay to any Lender, any refund of Taxes withheld or deducted from funds paid for the account of such Lender.  If any Recipient determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by the Borrower or with respect to which the Borrower has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 3.01, it shall pay to the Borrower an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the Borrower under this Section 3.01 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) incurred by such Recipient, and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund), provided that the Borrower, upon the request of the Recipient, agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Borrower (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Recipient in the event the Recipient is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority.   Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary in  this subsection, in  no event  will the applicable
 

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 Recipient be required to pay any amount to the Borrower pursuant to this subsection the payment of which would place the Recipient in a less favorable net after-Tax position than such Recipient would have been in if the indemnification payments or additional amounts giving rise to such refund had never been paid.  This subsection shall not be construed to require any Recipient to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) to the Borrower or any other Person. 
 

 (g)
 Survival.  Each party’s obligations under this Section 3.01 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all other Obligations.
 

 3.02
 Illegality.
 If any Lender determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its applicable Lending Office to make, maintain or fund Loans whose interest is determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurodollar Rate, or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, Dollars in the London interbank market, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrower through the Administrative Agent, (i) any obligation of such Lender to make or continue Eurodollar Rate Loans or to convert Base Rate Loans to Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be suspended and (ii) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender making or maintaining Base Rate Loans the interest rate on which is determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate component of the Base Rate, the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the Eurodollar Rate component of the Base Rate, in each case until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist.  Upon receipt of such notice, (x) the Borrower shall, upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), prepay or, if applicable, convert all Eurodollar Rate Loans of such Lender to Base Rate Loans (the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the Eurodollar Rate component of the Base Rate), either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Rate Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Rate Loans and (y) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender determining or charging interest rates based upon the Eurodollar Rate, the Administrative Agent shall during the period of such suspension compute the Base Rate applicable to such Lender without reference to the Eurodollar Rate component thereof until the Administrative Agent is advised in writing by such Lender that it is no longer illegal for such Lender to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurodollar Rate.  Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted.
 3.03
 Inability to Determine Rates.
 If the Required Lenders determine that for any reason in connection with any request for a Eurodollar Rate Loan or a conversion to or continuation thereof that (a) Dollar deposits are not being offered to banks in the London interbank eurodollar market for the applicable amount and Interest Period of such Eurodollar Rate Loan, (b) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining the Eurodollar Base Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurodollar Rate Loan or in connection with an existing or proposed Base Rate Loan, or (c) the Eurodollar Base Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurodollar Rate Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to the Lenders of funding such Loan, the Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Borrower and all Lenders.   Thereafter,  (x) the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain  Eurodollar
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Rate Loans shall be suspended and (y) in the event of a determination described in the preceding sentence with respect to the Eurodollar Rate component of the Base Rate, the utilization of the Eurodollar Rate component in determining the Base Rate shall be suspended, in each case until the Administrative Agent revokes such notice.  Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing, conversion or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans in the amount specified therein. 
  
 3.04
 Increased Costs.
 (a)
 Increased Costs Generally.  If any Change in Law shall:
 (a)
 impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except any reserve requirement reflected in the Eurodollar Rate);
 (b)
 subject any Lender to any tax of any kind whatsoever with respect to this Agreement or any Eurodollar Rate Loan made by it, or change the basis of taxation of payments to such Lender in respect thereof (in each case except for Indemnified Taxes and Excluded Taxes); or
 (c)
 impose on any Lender or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement or Eurodollar Rate Loans made by such Lender;
 and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making or maintaining any Loan the interest on which is determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of such Lender, the Borrower will pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.
 (b)
 Capital Requirements.  If any Lender determines that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or any Lending Office of such Lender or such Lender’s holding company, if any, regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Revolving Commitments of such Lender or the Loans made by such Lender to a level below that which such Lender or such Lender’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Lender’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.
 (c)
 Certificates for Reimbursement.  A certificate of a Lender setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in subsection (a) or (b) of this Section and delivered to the Borrower shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) days after receipt thereof.
  
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 (d)
 Delay in Requests.  Failure or delay on the part of any Lender to demand compensation pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s right to demand such compensation, provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than nine (9) months prior to the date that such Lender notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the nine-month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).
 3.05
 Compensation for Losses.
 Upon demand of any Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) from time to time, the Borrower shall promptly compensate such Lender for, and hold such Lender harmless from, any loss, cost or expense incurred by it as a result of:
 (a)
 any continuation, conversion, payment or prepayment of any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise);
 (b)
 any failure by the Borrower (for a reason other than the failure of such Lender to make a Loan) to prepay, borrow, continue or convert any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on the date or in the amount notified by the Borrower; or
 (c)
 any assignment of a Eurodollar Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period therefor as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 11.13;
 including any loss (other than any loss of anticipated profits) or expense arising from the liquidation or redeployment of funds obtained by it to maintain such Loan or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained.  The Borrower shall also pay any customary administrative fees charged by such Lender in connection with the foregoing.
 For purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Borrower to the Lenders under this Section 3.05, each Lender shall be deemed to have funded each Eurodollar Rate Loan made by it at the Eurodollar Base Rate used in determining the Eurodollar Rate for such Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing in the London interbank eurodollar market for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such Eurodollar Rate Loan was in fact so funded.  
 3.06
 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.
 (a)
 If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04, or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01, or if any Lender gives a notice pursuant to Section 3.02, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different Lending Office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 3.01 or 3.04, as the case may be, in the future, or eliminate the need for the notice pursuant to Section 3.02, as applicable, and (ii) in each case, would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender.  The 
 

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 Borrower hereby agrees to pay its all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment. 
 (b)
 If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04, or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01, the Borrower may replace such Lender in accordance with Section 11.13.
 3.07
 Survival.
 All of the Borrower’s obligations under this Article III shall survive termination of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, repayment of all other Obligations and resignation of the Administrative Agent.
 ARTICLE IV

[RESERVED]
 ARTICLE V

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO BORROWINGS
 5.01
 Conditions of Initial Borrowings.
 This Agreement shall become effective upon, and the obligation of each Lender to make Loans to the Borrower hereunder is subject to, satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:
 (a)
 Loan Documents.  Receipt by the Administrative Agent of executed counterparts of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, each properly executed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and, in the case of this Agreement, by each Lender.
 (b)
 Opinions of Counsel. Receipt by the Administrative Agent of favorable opinions of legal counsel to the Borrower, addressed to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, dated as of the Closing Date, and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
 (c)
 Financial Statements.  The Administrative Agent shall have received:
 (a)
 the Audited Financial Statements; and
 (b)
 unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2012, including balance sheets and statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows (the “Interim Financial Statements”).
 (d)
 No Material Adverse Change.  Since December 31, 2011, there has been no event or circumstance, either individually or in the aggregate, that has had a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Borrower, other than as specifically disclosed in the Disclosure Documents.
 (e)
 Litigation.  There shall not exist any action, suit, investigation or proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened in any court or before an arbitrator or 
 

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 Governmental Authority that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, other than as specifically disclosed in the Disclosure Documents.
 (f)
 Organization Documents, Resolutions, Etc.  Receipt by the Administrative Agent of the following, each of which shall be originals or facsimiles (followed promptly by originals), in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its legal counsel:
 (a)
 copies of the Organization Documents of the Borrower certified to be true and complete as of a recent date by the appropriate Governmental Authority of the state or other jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, where applicable, and certified by a secretary or assistant secretary of the Borrower to be true and correct as of the Closing Date;
 (b)
 such certificates of resolutions or other action, incumbency certificates and/or other certificates of Responsible Officers of the Borrower as the Administrative Agent may require evidencing the identity, authority and capacity of each Responsible Officer thereof authorized to act as a Responsible Officer in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which the Borrower is a party; and
 (c)
 such documents and certifications as the Administrative Agent may require to evidence that the Borrower is duly organized or formed, and is validly existing, in good standing and qualified to engage in business in its state of organization or formation.
 (g)
 Closing Certificate.  Receipt by the Administrative Agent of a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying that (i) the conditions specified in Sections 5.01(d) and (e) and Sections 5.02(a) and (b) have been satisfied and (ii) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby and the incurrence of Indebtedness related thereto) are Solvent on a consolidated basis.
 (h)
 OFAC, Patriot Act, Etc.  Receipt by the Administrative Agent of all documentation and other information that any Lender has reasonably requested in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable “know your customer”, OFAC and Anti-Money Laundering Laws, including the Patriot Act.
 (i)
 Termination of Existing Credit Agreement.  Receipt by the Administrative Agent of evidence that the Existing Credit Agreement is being terminated concurrently with the Closing Date and any Liens securing obligations under the Existing Credit Agreement concurrently with the Closing Date are being released.
 (j)
 Fees.  Receipt by the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers and the Lenders of any fees required to be paid on or before the Closing Date.
 (k)
 Attorney Costs.  The Borrower shall have paid all reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent to the extent invoiced prior to or on the Closing Date, plus such additional amounts of such fees, charges and disbursements as shall constitute its reasonable estimate of such fees, charges and disbursements incurred or to be incurred by it through the closing proceedings (provided that such estimate shall not thereafter preclude a final settling of accounts between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent).
 

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 (l)
 Other.  Receipt by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of such other documents, instruments, agreements and information as reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, including, but not limited to, information regarding litigation, tax, accounting, labor, insurance, pension liabilities (actual or contingent), real estate leases, material contracts, debt agreements, property ownership, environmental matters, contingent liabilities and management of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.
 Without limiting the generality of the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.03, for purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section 5.01, each Lender that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document made available to it for review prior to the Closing Date or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Closing Date specifying its objection thereto.
 5.02
 Conditions to all Borrowings.
 The obligation of each Lender to honor any Request for Borrowing from the Borrower is subject to the following conditions precedent:
 (a)
 The representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in Article VI (other than Sections 6.05(c) and 6.06) or any other Loan Document, or which are contained in any document furnished at any time under or in connection herewith or therewith, shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Borrowing (other than any representation and warranty that is expressly qualified by materiality, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all respects), except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct as of such earlier date, and except that for purposes of this Section 5.02, the representations and warranties contained in clauses (a) and (b) of Section 6.05 shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to clauses (a) and (b), respectively, of Section 7.01.
 (b)
 No Default shall exist, or would result from such proposed Borrowing or from the application of the proceeds thereof, with respect to the Borrower.
 (c)
 The Administrative Agent and, if applicable, the Swing Line Lender shall have received a Request for Borrowing from the Borrower in accordance with the requirements hereof.
 Each Request for Borrowing submitted by the Borrower shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty that the conditions specified in Sections 5.02(a) and (b) have been satisfied on and as of the date of the applicable Borrowing.
 ARTICLE VI

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
 The Borrower represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that:
 6.01
 Existence, Qualification and Power.
 

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 The Borrower and each Principal Subsidiary thereof (a) is duly organized or formed, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, (b) has all requisite power and authority and all requisite governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals to (i) own its assets and carry on its business and (ii) execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party, (c) is duly qualified and is licensed and in good standing under the Laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification or license, and (d) is in compliance with all Laws; except in each case referred to in clause (b)(i), (c) or (d), to the extent that failure to do so would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
 6.02
 Authorization; No Contravention.
 The execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of each Loan Document to which such Person is party, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational action, and do not and will not (a) contravene the terms of any of such Person’s Organization Documents; (b) conflict with or result in any breach or contravention of, or the creation of any Lien under, or require any payment to be made under (i) any Contractual Obligation to which such Person is a party or affecting such Person or the properties of such Person or any of its Principal Subsidiaries or (ii) any order, injunction, writ or decree of any Governmental Authority or any arbitral award to which such Person or its property is subject; or (c) violate any Law.  The Borrower and its Principal Subsidiaries are in compliance with all Contractual Obligations referred to in clause (b)(i), except to the extent that failure to do so would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
 6.03
 Governmental Authorization; Other Consents.
 No approval, consent, exemption, authorization, or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any Governmental Authority (including FERC and DPU) is necessary or required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by, or enforcement against, the Borrower of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, other than those approvals, consents or filings already obtained or made and in full force and effect.
 6.04
 Binding Effect.
 This Agreement has been, and each other Loan Document, when delivered hereunder, will have been, duly executed and delivered by the Borrower.  This Agreement constitutes, and each other Loan Document when so delivered will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower, enforceable against the Borrower that is party thereto in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to creditors’ rights and general principles of equity.
 6.05
 Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect.
 (a)
 The Audited Financial Statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein; (ii) fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and their results of operations for the period covered thereby in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein; and (iii) show to the extent required by GAAP all material indebtedness and other liabilities, direct or contingent, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof, including liabilities for taxes, material commitments and Indebtedness.
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 (b)
 The unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries dated March 31, 2012, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the fiscal quarter ended on that date (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein, and (ii) fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and their results of operations for the period covered thereby, subject, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), to the absence of footnotes and to normal year-end audit adjustments.
 (c)
 Since December 31, 2011, there has been no event or circumstance, either individually or in the aggregate, that has had a Material Adverse Effect, except as specifically disclosed in the Disclosure Documents.
 6.06
 Litigation.
 There are no actions, suits, proceedings, or disputes pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower after due and diligent investigation, threatened or contemplated, at law, in equity, in arbitration or before any Governmental Authority, by or against the Borrower or any of its Principal Subsidiaries or against any of their properties or revenues that (a) purport to affect or pertain to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or (b) could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, except as specifically disclosed in the Disclosure Documents.
 6.07
 No Default.
 Neither the Borrower nor any of its Principal Subsidiaries is in default under or with respect to any indebtedness for borrowed money in excess of the Threshold Amount.  No Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
 6.08
 Ownership of Property; Liens.
 The Borrower and its Principal Subsidiaries have good record and marketable title in fee simple to, or valid leasehold interests in, all real property necessary or used in the ordinary conduct of its business, except for such defects in title as would not, individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect.  As of the date of this Agreement, the Borrower and its Principal Subsidiaries enjoy peaceful and undisturbed possession under all leases of real property on which facilities operated by it are situated, and all such leases are valid and subsisting and in full force and effect.  The property of the Borrower and its Principal Subsidiaries is subject to no Liens, other than Liens permitted by Section 8.01.
 6.09
 Environmental Compliance.
 The Borrower and its Principal Subsidiaries conduct in the ordinary course of business a review of the effect of existing Environmental Laws and claims alleging potential liability or responsibility for violation of any Environmental Law on their respective businesses, operations and properties, and as a result thereof the Borrower has reasonably concluded that such Environmental Laws and claims would not, individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect.
 6.10
 Insurance.
 The properties of the Borrower and its Principal Subsidiaries are insured with financially sound and reputable insurance companies not Affiliates of the Borrower, in such amounts, with such deductibles 
 

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 and covering such risks as are customarily carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties in localities where the Borrower or the applicable Principal Subsidiary operates.  All of such policies (a) are in full force and effect, (b) are sufficient for compliance by the Borrower and its Principal Subsidiaries with all written agreements or instruments to which the Borrower or any such Principal Subsidiary is a party and all applicable requirements of law, (c) provide that they will remain in full force and effect through the respective dates set forth in such policies and (d) will not in any way be affected by, or terminate or lapse by reason of, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.  Neither the Borrower nor any of its Principal Subsidiaries is in default with respect to its obligations under any of such insurance policies and have not received any notification of cancellation of any such insurance policies.
 6.11
 Taxes.
 The Borrower and its Principal Subsidiaries have filed all federal, state and other material tax returns and reports required to be filed, and have paid all federal, state and other material taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental charges levied or imposed upon them or their properties, income or assets otherwise due and payable, except those which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and for which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with GAAP and those where the failure to file or pay would not have a Material Adverse Effect.  There is no unpaid tax claimed by any governmental Authority to be due against the Borrower or its Principal Subsidiaries that would, if made, have a Material Adverse Effect.  As of the Closing Date, neither the Borrower nor any of its Principal Subsidiaries is party to any tax sharing agreements other than as set forth on Schedule 6.11.
 6.12
 ERISA Compliance.
 (a)
 Except as would not reasonably be likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect, each Pension Plan sponsored or maintained by the Borrower is in substantial compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code and other federal or state Laws.  Each Pension Plan that is intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code has received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service or an application for such a letter is currently being processed by the Internal Revenue Service with respect thereto and, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, nothing has occurred which has not been or cannot be corrected that would prevent, or cause the loss of, such qualification.  The Borrower, and to the best knowledge of the Borrower, each ERISA Affiliate have made all required contributions to each Pension Plan or, any delinquent contributions, have been corrected pursuant to a government sponsored correction program, and no application for a funding waiver or an extension of any amortization period pursuant to Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code has been made with respect to any Pension Plan.
 (b)
 There are no pending or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, threatened claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any Governmental Authority, with respect to any Pension Plan that would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  There has been no prohibited transaction or violation of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Pension Plan that has resulted in a Material Adverse Effect.
 (c)
 (i) No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur; (ii) the Borrower, and to the best knowledge of the Borrower, each ERISA Affiliate has met all applicable requirements under the Pension Funding Rules in respect of each Pension Plan, and no waiver of the minimum funding standards under the Pension Funding Rules has been applied for or obtained; (iii) neither the Borrower, nor to the knowledge of the Borrower, any ERISA 
 45
 

 

 

 

 

 Affiliate has incurred, or reasonably expects to incur, any liability (and no event has occurred which, with the giving of notice under Section 4219 of ERISA, would result in such liability) under Sections 4201 or 4243 of ERISA with respect to a Multiemployer Plan; and (iv) the Borrower, or to the best knowledge of the Borrower, any ERISA Affiliate has not engaged in a transaction that could be subject to Sections 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA.
 6.13
 Subsidiaries.
 As of the Closing Date, the Borrower does not have any Principal Subsidiaries other than those specifically disclosed in Part (a) of Schedule 6.13, and all of the outstanding Equity Interests entitled to vote for the election of directors or other governing Persons in such Principal Subsidiaries have been validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by the Borrower in the amounts specified on Part (a) of Schedule 6.13 free and clear of all Liens.  All of the outstanding Equity Interests entitled to vote in the Borrower have been validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable, and the Equity Interests of the Borrower are owned by NU to the extent specified, as of the Closing Date, on Part (b) of Schedule 6.13 free and clear of all Liens.
 6.14
 Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act.
 (a)
 The proceeds of the Loans will be used for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes (including the repayment of Indebtedness).  The proceeds of the Loans will not be used in any way which would violate the provisions of Regulation U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.  The Borrower is not engaged or will engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U issued by the FRB), or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock.
 (b)
 Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is a “registered investment company” or an “affiliated company” or a “principal underwriter” of a “registered investment company”, as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
 6.15
 Disclosure.
 The Borrower has disclosed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders all agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions to which it or any of its Principal Subsidiaries is subject, and all other matters known to it, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  No report, financial statement, certificate or other information furnished (whether in writing or orally) by or on behalf of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder or under any other Loan Document (in each case, as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
 6.16
 Compliance with Laws.
 The Borrower and its Principal Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with the requirements of all Laws and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to its properties, except in such instances in which (a) such requirement of Law or order, writ, injunction or decree is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted or (b) the failure to comply therewith, either individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
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 6.17
 Solvency.
 The Borrower, together with its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, are and, upon the incurrence of any Borrowing on any date on which this representation and warranty is made, will be, Solvent.
 6.18
 Taxpayer Numbers and Other Information.
 The Borrower’s (a) true and correct U.S. taxpayer identification number, (b) full legal name, (c) state of incorporation, formation or organization and (d) the address of its principal place of business are set forth on Schedule 6.18.
 6.19
 OFAC.
 The Borrower, or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any Related Party, (a) is not currently the subject of any Sanctions, (b) is not located, organized or residing in any Designated Jurisdiction, or (c) is not or has been (within the previous five (5) years) engaged in any transaction with any Person who is now or was then the subject of Sanctions or who is located, organized or residing in any Designated Jurisdiction.  No Loan, nor the proceeds from any Loan, has been used, directly or indirectly, to lend, contribute, provide or has otherwise made available to fund any activity or business in any Designated Jurisdiction or to fund any activity or business of any Person located, organized or residing in any Designated Jurisdiction or who is the subject of any Sanctions, or in any other manner that will result in any violation by any Person (including any Lender, any Joint Lead Arranger, the Administrative Agent or the Swing Line Lender) of Sanctions.
 6.20
 Money Laundering.
 The Borrower or any of its Affiliates (a) is not under investigation by any Governmental Authority for, or has been charged with, or convicted of, money laundering, drug trafficking, terrorist-related activities or other money laundering predicate crimes under any applicable law (collectively, “Anti-Money Laundering Laws”), (b) has not been assessed civil penalties under any Anti-Money Laundering Laws or (c) has not had any of its funds seized or forfeited in an action under any Anti-Money Laundering Laws.  The Borrower has taken reasonable measures appropriate to the circumstances (in any event as required by applicable Law), to ensure that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries each is and will continue to be in compliance with all applicable current and future Anti-Money Laundering Laws.
 ARTICLE VII

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
 So long as any Lender shall have any commitment hereunder, any Loan or other obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, the Borrower hereby agrees that it shall, and shall (except in the case of the covenants set forth in Sections 7.01, 7.02, and 7.03) cause each of its Principal Subsidiaries to:
 7.01
 Financial Statements.
 Deliver to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders:
 (a)
 with respect to the Borrower, as soon as available, but in any event within one hundred five (105) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a consolidated balance 
 

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 sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal year, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, audited and accompanied by a report and opinion of an independent certified public accountant of nationally recognized standing reasonably acceptable to the Required Lenders, which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be subject to any “going concern” or like qualification or exception or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit and to the effect that such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with prior years (except as to changes with which such accountants concur and which shall be disclosed in the notes thereto or in a letter) and fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at the dates thereof and the results of its consolidated operations for the periods covered thereby; and  
 (b)
 with respect to the Borrower, as soon as available, but in any event within fifty (50) days after the end of each of the first three (3) fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal quarter, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such fiscal quarter and for the portion of the Borrower’s fiscal year then ended, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding fiscal quarter of the previous fiscal year and the corresponding portion of the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail, certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower as fairly presenting in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.
 As to any information contained in materials furnished pursuant to Section 7.02(d), the Borrower shall not be separately required to furnish such information under clause (a) or (b) above, but the foregoing shall not be in derogation of the obligation of the Borrower to furnish the information and materials described in clauses (a) and (b) above at the times specified therein.
 7.02
 Certificates; Other Information.
 Deliver to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders:
 (a)
 concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Sections 7.01(a) and (b), a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit 7.02(a) signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower (the “Compliance Certificate”) (i) stating that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such certificate, and if a Default or an Event of Default has then occurred and is continuing, specifying the details thereof and the action that the Borrower has taken or proposes to take with respect thereto, (ii) setting forth in reasonable detail computations evidencing compliance with Section 8.06 hereof as determined on the last day of the fiscal quarter immediately preceding the fiscal quarter during which such certifications are to be delivered pursuant to this clause (b) and (iii) stating whether any change in GAAP or the application thereof has occurred since the date of the audited financial statements referred to in Section 7.01 and, if any change has occurred, specifying the effect of such change on the financial statements accompanying such certificate;
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 (b)
 concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in clauses (a) and (b) of Section 7.01, a copy of the certification (if any) signed by the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer of the Borrower (each a “Certifying Officer”) as required by Rule 13A-14 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and a copy of the internal controls disclosure statement by such Certifying Officer as required by Rule 13A-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as included in the Borrower’s Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the applicable fiscal period;
 (c)
 contemporaneously with the filing or mailing thereof, copies of all financial statements sent by the Borrower to shareholders and all reports, notices, proxy statements or other communications sent by the Borrower to its shareholders, and all reports under Sections 12, 13 and 14 and under any rules promulgated with respect to such sections (including all reports on Forms 8-K, 10-K and 10-Q, along with all amendments and supplements thereto) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, all Schedules 13D and 13G and all amendments thereto, and registration statements filed by the Borrower with any securities exchange or with the SEC or any successor;  
 (d)
 promptly, and in any event within five (5) Business Days after receipt thereof by the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof, copies of each formal notice received from the SEC (or comparable agency in any applicable non-U.S.  jurisdiction) concerning any investigation or possible investigation or other inquiry by such agency regarding financial or other operational results of the Borrower or such Subsidiary thereof that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and
 (e)
 promptly, such additional information regarding the business, financial or corporate affairs of the Borrower or any Principal Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of the Loan Documents, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may from time to time reasonably request.
 Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 7.01(a) or (b) or Section 7.02(d) (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Borrower’s website on the Internet at the website address listed on Schedule 11.02; or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the Borrower’s behalf on an Internet or intranet website, if any, to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent); provided that: (i) the Borrower shall deliver paper copies of such documents to the Administrative Agent or any Lender that requests the Borrower to deliver such paper copies until a written request to cease delivering paper copies is given by the Administrative Agent or such Lender and (ii) the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent and each Lender (by telecopier or electronic mail) of the posting of any such documents and provide to the Administrative Agent by electronic mail electronic versions (i.e., soft copies) of such documents.  Except for such Compliance Certificates, the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery or to maintain copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by the Borrower with any such request for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for requesting delivery to it or maintaining its copies of such documents.
 The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or the Joint Lead Arrangers will make available to the Lenders materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder (collectively, “Borrower Materials”) by posting the Borrower Materials on SyndTrak or another similar electronic system (the “Platform”) and (b) certain of the Lenders may be “public-side” 
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Lenders (i.e., Lenders that do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities) (each, a “Public Lender”).  The Borrower hereby agrees that (w) all Borrower Materials that are to be made available to Public Lenders shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC,” the Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers, and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as either publicly available information or not material information (although it may be sensitive and proprietary) with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States Federal and state securities laws; (y) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Investor;” and (z) the Administrative  Agent and the Arranger shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated “Public Investor.”
 7.03
 Notices.
 Promptly notify the Administrative Agent and each Lender of:
 (a)
 the occurrence of any Default;
 (b)
 any matter that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, including as a result of: (i) breach or non-performance of, or any default under, a Contractual Obligation of the Borrower or any Principal Subsidiary; (ii) any dispute, litigation, investigation, proceeding or suspension between the Borrower or any Principal Subsidiary and any Governmental Authority; or (iii) the commencement of, or any material development in, any litigation or proceeding affecting the Borrower or any Principal Subsidiary, including pursuant to any applicable Environmental Laws;
 (c)
 the occurrence of any ERISA Event; and
 (d)
 any announcement by Moody’s or S&P of any change in a Reference Rating.
 Each notice pursuant to this Section shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and stating what action the Borrower has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto.  Each notice pursuant to Section 7.03(a) shall describe with particularity any and all provisions of this Agreement and any other Loan Document that have been breached.
 7.04
 Payment of Taxes.
 Pay and discharge as the same shall become due and payable, all its tax liabilities, assessments and governmental charges or levies upon it or its properties or assets, unless the same are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP are being maintained by the Borrower or such Subsidiary and all lawful claims which, if unpaid, would by law become a Lien upon its property, except in each case where the failure to pay such amounts would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
 7.05
 Preservation of Existence, Etc.
 (a) Preserve, renew and maintain in full force and effect its legal existence and good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization except in a transaction permitted by Section 8.02; (b) take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges, permits, licenses and franchises necessary or 
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 desirable in the normal conduct of its business, except to the extent that failure to do so would not have a Material Adverse Effect; and (c) preserve or renew all of its registered patents, trademarks, trade names and service marks, the non-preservation of which would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
 7.06
 Maintenance of Properties.
 (a)  Maintain, preserve and protect all of its material properties and equipment necessary in the operation of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted; (b) make all necessary repairs thereto and renewals and replacements thereof except where the failure to do so would not have a Material Adverse Effect; and (c) use the standard of care typical in the industry in the operation and maintenance of its facilities; provided, however, that in each of the foregoing cases described in clauses (a), (b), and (c), neither Borrower nor its Principal Subsidiaries will be prevented from discontinuing the operation and maintenance of any such properties if such discontinuance is, in the reasonable judgment of the Borrower or Principal Subsidiary, as applicable, desirable in the operation or maintenance of its business and would not result, or be reasonably likely to result, in a Material Adverse Effect.
 7.07
 Maintenance of Insurance.
 Maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies not Affiliates of the Borrower, insurance with respect to its properties and business against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by Persons engaged in the same or similar business, of such types and in such amounts as are customarily carried under similar circumstances by such other Persons.
 7.08
 Compliance with Laws.
 Comply (a) with the Patriot Act and OFAC rules and regulations, (b) in all material respects, with the requirements of all other Laws (including Environmental Laws and Anti-Money Laundering Laws) applicable to it or to its business or property, except in such instances in which such requirement of Law or order, writ, injunction or decree is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, (c) all material provisions of its charter documents, by-laws, operating agreement, certificate and other constituent documents, as applicable, and (d) all material applicable decrees, orders, and judgments, except where the failure to comply with clauses (b) through (c) above would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
 7.09
 Books and Records.
 Maintain proper books of record and account, in which full, true and correct entries in conformity with GAAP consistently applied shall be made of all financial transactions and matters involving the assets and business of the Borrower or such Principal Subsidiary, as the case may be, in material conformity with all applicable requirements of any Governmental Authority having regulatory jurisdiction over the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be.
 7.10
 Inspection Rights.
 Permit representatives and independent contractors of the Administrative Agent and each Lender to visit and inspect any of its properties, to examine its corporate, financial and operating records, and make copies thereof or abstracts therefrom, and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with its directors, officers, and independent public accountants, all at such reasonable times during normal business hours and as often as may be reasonably desired, upon reasonable advance notice to the Borrower.
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 7.11
 Use of Proceeds.
 Use the proceeds of the Borrowings for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes (including the repayment of Indebtedness) not in contravention of any Law or of any Loan Document.  The proceeds of the Loans will not be used in any way which would violate the provisions of Regulation U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
 7.12
 Further Assurances.
 (a)
 Promptly execute and deliver, or cause to be promptly executed and delivered, all further instruments and documents, and take and cause to be taken all further actions, that may be necessary or that the Required Lenders through the Administrative Agent may reasonably request to enable the Lenders and the Administrative Agent to carry out to their reasonable satisfaction the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and enforce the terms and provisions of this Agreement and to exercise their rights and remedies hereunder or under the Notes, and 
 (b) 
 Use all commercially reasonable efforts to duly obtain governmental approvals required in connection with this Agreement from time to time on or prior to such date as the same may become legally required, and thereafter to maintain all such governmental approvals in full force and effect.
 7.13
 Conduct of Business.
 Except as permitted by Section 8.02, conduct its primary business in substantially the same manner and in substantially the same fields as such business is conducted on the date hereof.
 7.14
 Governmental Approvals.
 Duly obtain on or prior to such date as the same may become legally required, and thereafter maintain in effect at all times, all Governmental Approvals on its part to be obtained, except in the case of those Governmental Approvals referred to in clause (ii) of the definition of “Governmental Approval”, (i) those the absence of which could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and (ii) those that the Borrower or such Principal Subsidiary is diligently attempting in good faith to obtain, renew or extend, or the requirement for which the Borrower or such Principal Subsidiary is contesting in good faith by appropriate proceedings or by other appropriate means; provided, however, that the exception afforded by clause (ii), above, shall be available only if and for so long as such attempt or contest, and any delay resulting therefrom, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
 ARTICLE VIII

NEGATIVE COVENANTS
 So long as any Lender shall have any Revolving Commitment hereunder, any Loan or other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, the Borrower hereby agrees that it shall not, nor shall it permit any of its Principal Subsidiaries to (except in the case of the covenant set forth in Section 8.06, which shall apply only to the Borrower), directly or indirectly:
 8.01
 Liens.
 Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its property, assets or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than the following:
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 (a)
 Liens granted, incurred or existing in the ordinary course of business not in connection with the borrowing of money or the obtaining of credit and not otherwise described below,
 (b)
 Liens arising in connection with the sale of accounts receivable,
 (c)
 Liens existing on acquired property at the time of acquisition thereof by the Borrower or Subsidiary which liens do not extend to any property other than such acquired properties,
 (d)
 any purchase money Lien or construction mortgage on assets hereafter acquired or constructed by the Borrower or any Subsidiary, and any Lien on any assets existing at the time of acquisition thereof by the Borrower or a Subsidiary or created within one hundred eighty (180) days from the date of completion of such acquisition or construction; provided that such Lien or construction mortgage shall at all times be confined solely to the assets so acquired or constructed and any additions thereto;
 (e)
 Liens existing on the date hereof and disclosed on Schedule 8.01;
 (f)
 [Reserved];
 (g)
 [Reserved];
 (h)
 Liens resulting from legal proceedings being contested in good faith by appropriate legal or administrative proceedings by the Borrower or any Subsidiary, and as to which the Borrower or such Subsidiary, to the extent required by GAAP, shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves;
 (i)
 Liens created in favor of the other contracting party in connection with advance or progress payments;
 (j)
 any Liens in favor of any Governmental Authority, or trustee acting on behalf of holders of obligations issued by any Governmental Authority or any financial institutions lending to or purchasing obligations of any Governmental Authority, which Lien is created or assumed for the purpose of financing all or part of the cost of acquiring or constructing the property subject thereto;
 (k)
 Liens resulting from conditional sale agreements, capital leases or other title retention agreements;
 (l)
 with respect to sewage facility and pollution control bond financings, Liens on funds, accounts and other similar intangibles of the Borrower or any Subsidiary created or arising under the relevant indenture, pledges of the related loan agreement with the relevant issuing authority and pledges of the Borrower’s or any Subsidiary’s interest, if any, in any bonds issued pursuant to such financings to a letter of credit bank or bond issuer or similar credit enhancer;
 (m)
 Liens granted on accounts receivable in connection with financing transactions, whether denominated as sales or borrowings;
 

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 (n)
 Liens on the assets of, the stock issued by or other equity of, any Subsidiary of the Borrower created to hold generating or transmission assets if such Liens are created to secure Indebtedness that is nonrecourse to the Borrower and is incurred to acquire, construct or otherwise develop such generating or transmission assets;
 (o)
 Liens created to secure Indebtedness of a transmission company Subsidiary of the Borrower with respect to assets transferred to such transmission company by another Subsidiary of the Borrower; 
 (p)
 any extension, renewal or replacement of Liens permitted by clauses (c), (d), (e) and (k) through (n); provided, however, that the principal amount of Indebtedness secured thereby shall not, at the time of such extension, renewal or replacement, exceed the principal amount of Indebtedness so secured and that such extension, renewal or replacement shall be limited to all or a part of the property that secured the Lien so extended, renewed or replaced or to other property of no greater value than the property that secured the Lien so extended, renewed or replaced; 
 (q)
 Liens on the assets of the Borrower and its Principal Subsidiaries granted by the Borrower and its Principal Subsidiaries to secure long term Indebtedness of the Borrower (exclusive of those granted under clauses (c), (d), (e) and (k) through (o) above) provided that at the time of granting such Liens (and after giving effect thereto), the aggregate amount of all such long term Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Principal Subsidiaries taken together shall not exceed $400,000,000; and
 (r)
 Stranded Cost Recovery Obligations securitization transactions.
 8.02
 Fundamental Changes.  Merge, amalgamate, dissolve, liquidate, wind-up or consolidate (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution) with or into another Person, or dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (including Equity Interests in Subsidiaries) (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) to or in favor of any Person unless: 
 (a)
 a Subsidiary of the Borrower merges, amalgamates or consolidates with the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower; provided that (i) if the Borrower is party to such transaction, the Borrower shall be the surviving entity, and (ii) subject to clause (i), if a Principal Subsidiary is party to such transaction, a Principal Subsidiary that is a Domestic Subsidiary shall be the surviving entity, 
 (b)        a Subsidiary of the Borrower liquidates or dissolves into, or makes an asset disposition to, the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower; provided that (i) if the Borrower is party to such transaction, the Borrower shall be the entity into which assets are transferred, and (ii) subject to clause (i), if a Principal Subsidiary is party to such transaction, a Principal Subsidiary that is a Domestic Subsidiary shall be the entity into which assets are transferred in,
 (c)        all corporate and regulatory approvals therefor have been received, 
 (d)       no Default or Event of Default would exist hereunder after giving effect to such transaction, and
 (e)        the senior unsecured debt ratings of S&P and Moody’s applicable to (i) the Borrower, (ii) to the extent applicable, such Principal Subsidiary that is the surviving entity in a transaction permitted under clause (a) above, (iii) to the extent applicable, the entity to which assets are transferred, in such a transaction permitted under clause (b) and (iv) to the extent 
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applicable, the Principal Subsidiary disposing of assets to a Person other than the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in a transaction permitted under clause (b) above, in each case after giving effect to such transaction, shall be at least BBB- and Baa3.  
  
 Notwithstanding the foregoing, any disposition of assets permitted by the foregoing provisions of this Section 8.02 to a Person other than the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may be consummated by way of merger, amalgamation or consolidation.
 8.03
 Change in Nature of Business.
 Engage in any material line of business substantially different from those lines of business conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the date hereof or any business substantially related or incidental thereto.
 8.04
 Transactions with Affiliates and Insiders.
 Enter into any transaction of any kind with any officer, director or Affiliate of the Borrower, whether or not in the ordinary course of business, other than (a) except as otherwise specifically limited in this Agreement, transactions which are on terms and conditions substantially as favorable to such Person as would be obtainable by it in a comparable arms-length transaction with a Person other than an officer, director or Affiliate, (b) any transaction for which the Borrower or Subsidiary has obtained the approval of the DPU, (c) immaterial incidental transactions among Borrower and its Affiliates which are substantially on arm’s length basis, such as cash management, facility sharing, tax sharing, management services or other overhead sharing matters, (d) intercompany transactions, including loans and advances and the provision of services, not prohibited under this Agreement or required under the Federal Power Act and the rules of the FERC or state utility commissions, in each case to the extent applicable thereto, (e) normal and reasonable compensation and reimbursement expenses of officers and directors in the ordinary course of business and (f) Stranded Cost Recovery Obligations securitization transactions.
 8.05
 Use of Proceeds.
 Use the proceeds of any Borrowing, whether directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, to purchase or carry margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U of the FRB) or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock or to refund indebtedness originally incurred for such purpose.
 8.06
 Consolidated Indebtedness to Capitalization Ratio.
 Permit the Consolidated Indebtedness to Capitalization Ratio of the Borrower as of the end of any fiscal quarter of the Borrower to be greater than 0.65:1.00.
 8.07
 Compliance with ERISA.  Terminate, or permit any of its ERISA Affiliates to terminate, any Pension Plan so as to result in any direct liability of the Borrower or any Principal Subsidiary to the PBGC in an amount greater than the Threshold Amount, or (b) permit to exist any occurrence of any Reportable Event which, alone or together with any other Reportable Event with respect to the same or another Pension Plan, has a reasonable possibility of resulting in direct liability of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to the PBGC in an aggregate amount exceeding the Threshold Amount, or any other event or condition that presents a material risk of such a termination by the PBGC of any Pension Plan or has a reasonable possibility of resulting in a liability of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to the PBGC or a Multiemployer Plan in an aggregate amount exceeding the Threshold Amount.  
 

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 8.08
 Interests in Nuclear Plants.
 Acquire any nuclear plant or any interest therein not held on the date hereof, other than so called “power entitlements” acquired for use in the ordinary course of business.
 8.09
 Financing Agreements.
 With respect to the Borrower only, permit any Principal Subsidiary to enter into any agreement, contract, indenture or similar obligation, or issue any security (all of the foregoing being referred to as “Financing Agreements”), that is not in effect on the date hereof, or amend or modify any existing Financing Agreement, if the effect of such Financing Agreement (or amendment or modification thereof) is to impose any additional restriction not in effect on the date hereof on the ability of such Principal Subsidiary to pay dividends to the Borrower; provided, that the foregoing shall not restrict the right of any Principal Subsidiary of the Borrower created to hold generating or transmission assets, to enter into any such Financing Agreement in connection with the incurrence of Indebtedness that is nonrecourse to the Borrower and is incurred to acquire, construct or otherwise develop generating or transmission assets.
 ARTICLE IX

EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
 9.01
 Events of Default.
 Any of the following shall constitute an Event of Default:
 (a)
 Non-Payment.  The Borrower fails to pay (i) when and as required to be paid herein any amount of principal of any Loan, or (ii) within five (5) days after the same becomes due, any interest on any Loan, or any fee due hereunder, or (iii) within five (5) days after the same becomes due, any other amount payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document, whether at the stated maturity or any accelerated date of maturity or at any other date fixed for payment; or
 (b)
 Specific Covenants.  The Borrower fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in any of Section 7.01, 7.02(a), 7.03(a), 7.05, 7.10, or 7.11 or Article VIII; or
 (c)
 Other Defaults.  The Borrower fails to perform or observe any other covenant or agreement (not specified in subsection (a) or (b) above) contained in any Loan Document on its part to be performed or observed and such failure continues for thirty (30) days after written notice from the Administrative Agent; or  
 (d)
 Representations and Warranties.  Any representation or warranty, made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Borrower or any Principal Subsidiary herein, in any other Loan Document, or in any document required to be delivered in connection herewith or therewith shall be incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or deemed made; or
 (e)
 Cross-Default.  (i) The Borrower or any Principal Subsidiary (A) fails to make any payment when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand, or otherwise and after giving effect to applicable grace periods) in respect of any Indebtedness (other than (x) Indebtedness of the Borrower under this Agreement, but including Indebtedness of its Principal Subsidiaries hereunder and (y) Indebtedness under Swap Contracts)
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 having an aggregate principal amount (including undrawn committed or available amounts and including amounts owing to all creditors under any combined or syndicated credit arrangement) of more than the Threshold Amount, or (B) fails to observe or perform any other agreement or condition relating to any such Indebtedness or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event occurs, the effect of which default or other event is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders) to cause, with the giving of notice if required, such Indebtedness to be demanded (or commitments to lend with respect to such Indebtedness to be terminated) or to become due or to be repurchased, prepaid, defeased or redeemed (automatically or otherwise), or an offer to repurchase, prepay, defease or redeem such Indebtedness to be made, prior to its stated maturity, or cash collateral in respect thereof to be demanded; or (ii) there occurs under any Swap Contract an Early Termination Date (as defined in such Swap Contract) resulting from any event of default under such Swap Contract as to which the Borrower or any Principal Subsidiary is the Defaulting Party (as defined in such Swap Contract) the Swap Termination Value owed by the Borrower or such Principal Subsidiary as a result thereof is greater than the Threshold Amount; or
 (f)
 Insolvency Proceedings, Etc.  The Borrower or any of its Principal Subsidiaries institutes or consents to the institution of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or applies for or consents to the appointment of any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer for it or for all or any material part of its property; or any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer is appointed without the application or consent of such Person and the appointment continues undischarged or unstayed for ninety (90) calendar days; or any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law relating to any such Person or to all or any material part of its property is instituted without the consent of such Person and continues undismissed or unstayed for ninety (90) calendar days, or an order for relief is entered in any such proceeding; or
 (g)
 Inability to Pay Debts; Attachment.  (i) The Borrower or any Principal Subsidiary becomes unable or admits in writing its inability or fails generally to pay its debts as they become due, or (ii) any writ or warrant of attachment or execution or similar process is issued or levied against all or any material part of the property of the Borrower and its Principal Subsidiaries and is not released, vacated or fully bonded within ninety (90) days after its issue or levy; or
 (h)
 Judgments.  There is entered against the Borrower or any Principal Subsidiary (i) a final judgment or order for the payment of money in an aggregate amount exceeding the Threshold Amount (to the extent not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer does not dispute coverage), or (ii) any one or more non-monetary final judgments that have individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect and, in either case, (A) enforcement proceedings are commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order and not stayed within thirty (30) days, or (B) there is a period of thirty (30) consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, is not in effect; or  
 (i)
 ERISA.  (i) An ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in direct liability of the Borrower under Title IV of ERISA to the Pension Plan, Multiemployer Plan or the PBGC in an aggregate amount in excess of the Threshold Amount, or (ii) the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate fails to pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, any installment payment with respect to its withdrawal liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan in an aggregate amount in excess of the Threshold Amount; or
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 (j)
 Invalidity of Loan Documents.  Any material provision of any Loan Document, at any time after its execution and delivery and for any reason other than as expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder or satisfaction in full of all the obligations under this Agreement, ceases to be in full force and effect; or the Borrower or any other Person contests in any manner the validity or enforceability of any provision of any Loan Document; or the Borrower denies that it has any or further liability or obligation under any Loan Document, or purports to revoke, terminate or rescind any provision of any Loan Document; or
 (k)
 Change of Control.  There occurs any Change of Control with respect to the Borrower.
 9.02
 Remedies Upon Event of Default.
 If any Event of Default with respect to the Borrower occurs and is continuing, the Administrative Agent shall, at the request of, or may, with the consent of, the Required Lenders, take any or all of the following actions with respect to the Borrower:
 (a)
 declare the commitment of each Lender to make Loans to the Borrower to be terminated, whereupon such commitments and obligation shall be terminated;
 (b)
 declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable by the Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan Document to be immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower;
 (c)
 exercise on behalf of itself and the Lenders all rights and remedies against the Borrower and its property available to it and the Lenders under the Loan Documents;
 provided, however, that upon the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to the Borrower or any of its Principal Subsidiaries under the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, the obligation of each Lender to make Loans to the Borrower shall automatically terminate, the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans of the Borrower and all interest and other amounts as aforesaid of the Borrower shall automatically become due and payable without further act of the Administrative Agent or any Lender.
 9.03
 Application of Funds.
 After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 9.02 (or after the Loans have automatically become immediately due and payable as set forth in the proviso to Section 9.02), any amounts received on account of the Obligations of the Borrower shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to the then outstanding Obligations of the Borrower in the following order:
 First, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent and amounts payable under Article III) payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such;
 Second, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal and interest) payable to the Lenders (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the respective Lenders) arising under the Loan Documents and
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 amounts payable under Article III, ratably among them in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Second payable to them;
 Third, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid interest on the Loans, ratably among the in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Third held by them;
 Fourth, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid principal of the Loans, ratably among the Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fourth held by them; and
 Last, the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full, to the Borrower or as otherwise required by Law.
 ARTICLE X

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
 10.01
 Appointment and Authority.
 Each of the Lenders hereby irrevocably appoints Barclays to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.  The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, and the Borrower shall not have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions.
 10.02
 Rights as a Lender.
 The Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent and the term “Lender” or “Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder in its individual capacity.  Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.
 10.03
 Exculpatory Provisions.
 The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent:
 (a)
 shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing;
 (b)
 shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in
 

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 writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents), provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable law; and
 (c)
 shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.
 The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Sections 11.01 and 9.02) or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct.  The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until notice describing such Default is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower or a Lender.
 The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article V or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent.
 10.04
 Reliance by Administrative Agent.
  
 The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person.  The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon.  In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender prior to the making of such Loan.  The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.
 10.05
 Delegation of Duties.
 The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent.  The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties.  The exculpatory
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 provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.
 10.06
 Resignation of Administrative Agent.
 (a)
 The Administrative Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Lenders and the Borrower.  Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, with the consent of the Borrower so long as no Event of Default has occurred and continues, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in the United States.  If no such successor shall have been appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the “Resignation Effective Date”), then the retiring Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Administrative Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above.  Whether or not a successor has been appointed, such resignation shall become effective in accordance with such notice on the Resignation Effective Date.
 (b)
 If the Person serving as Administrative Agent is a Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (d) of the definition thereof, the Required Lenders may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law by notice in writing to the Borrower and such Person remove such Person as the Administrative Agent and, with the consent of the Borrower so long as no Event of Default has occurred and continues, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, appoint a successor.  If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the “Removal Effective Date”), then such removal shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice on the Removal Effective Date.
 (c)
 With effect from the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date (as applicable) (1) the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and (2) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender directly, until such time as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above in this Section.  Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring or removed Administrative Agent, and the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section).  The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor.  After the retiring or removed Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Section 11.04 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring or removed Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent.
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 Any resignation by or removal of Barclays as Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section shall also constitute its resignation or removal as Swing Line Lender.  Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, (a) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Swing Line Lender, and (b) the retiring Swing Line Lender shall be discharged from all of their respective duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents.
 10.07
 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders.
 Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement.  Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.
 10.08
 No Other Duties; Etc.
 Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, none of the bookrunners, arrangers, syndication agents, documentation agents or co-agents shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as the Administrative Agent or a Lender hereunder.
 10.09
 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim.
 In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:
 (a)
 to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders and the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.09 and 11.04) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and
 (b)
 to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;
 and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.09 and 11.04.
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 Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender in any such proceeding.
 ARTICLE XI

MISCELLANEOUS
 11.01
 Amendments, Etc.
 No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent to any departure by the Borrower or therefrom, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the Required Lenders and the Borrower and acknowledged by the Administrative Agent, and each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided, further, that
 (a)
 no such amendment, waiver or consent shall:
 (a)
 extend or increase the Revolving Commitment of a Lender (or reinstate any Revolving Commitment terminated pursuant to Section 9.02) without the written consent of such Lender whose Revolving Commitment is being extended or increased (it being understood and agreed that a waiver of any condition precedent set forth in Section 5.02 or of any Default or a mandatory reduction in Revolving Commitments is not considered an extension or increase in Revolving Commitments of any Lender);
 (b)
 postpone any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document for any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts due to the Lenders (or any of them) or any scheduled or mandatory reduction of the Revolving Commitments hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender entitled to receive such payment or whose Revolving Commitments are to be reduced;
 (c)
 reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan, or (subject to clause (i) of the final proviso to this Section 11.01) any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender entitled to receive such payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts; provided, however, that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary to amend the definition of “Default Rate” or to waive any obligation of the Borrower to pay interest at the Default Rate;
 (d)
 change any provision of this Section 11.01(a) or the definition of “Required Lenders” without the written consent of each Lender;
 (e)
 change Section 2.13 or Section 9.03 in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby;
 (b)
 unless also signed by the Swing Line Lender, no amendment, waiver or consent shall affect the rights or duties of the Swing Line Lender under this Agreement; and
 

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 (c)
 unless also signed by the Administrative Agent, no amendment, waiver or consent shall affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document;
 provided, however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, (i) the Fee Letters may be amended, or rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed only by the parties thereto, (ii) no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder (and any amendment, waiver or consent which by its terms requires the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender may be effected with the consent of the applicable Lenders other than Defaulting Lenders), except that (x) the Revolving Commitment of any Defaulting Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender and (y) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender that by its terms affects any Defaulting Lender more adversely than other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender, (iii) each Lender is entitled to vote as such Lender sees fit on any bankruptcy reorganization plan that affects the Loans, and each Lender acknowledges that the provisions of Section 1126(c) of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States supersedes the unanimous consent provisions set forth herein and (iv) the Required Lenders shall determine whether or not to allow the Borrower to use cash collateral in the context of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding and such determination shall be binding on all of the Lenders.
 11.02
 Notices and Other Communications; Facsimile Copies.
 (a)
 Notices Generally.  Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in subsection (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopier as follows, and all notices and other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given by telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number, as follows:
 (a)
 if to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or the Swing Line Lender, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 11.02; and
 (b)
 if to any other Lender, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified in its Administrative Questionnaire (including, as appropriate, notices delivered solely to the Person designated by a Lender on its Administrative Questionnaire then in effect for the delivery of notices that may contain material non-public information relating to the Borrower).
 Notices and other communications sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices and other communications sent by telecopier shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient).  Notices and other communications delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in subsection (b) below, shall be effective as provided in such subsection (b).
 (b)
 Electronic Communications.  Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender pursuant to Article II if such Lender, as applicable, has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving 
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 notices under such Article by electronic communication.  The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.
 Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), provided that if such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient, and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor.
 (c)
 The Platform.  THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.”  THE AGENT PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS IN OR OMISSIONS FROM THE BORROWER MATERIALS.  NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY ANY AGENT PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE PLATFORM.  In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the “Agent Parties”) have any liability to the Borrower, any Lender or any other Person for losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses of any kind (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of the Borrower’s or the Administrative Agent’s transmission of Borrower Materials through the Internet, except to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Agent Party; provided, however, that in no event shall any Agent Party have any liability to the Borrower, any Lender or any other Person for indirect, special, incidental, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages).  
 (d)
 Change of Address, Etc.  The Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Swing Line Lender may change its address, telecopier or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.  Each other Lender may change its address, telecopier or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Swing Line Lender.  In addition, each Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent from time to time to ensure that the Administrative Agent has on record (i) an effective address, contact name, telephone number, telecopier number and electronic mail address to which notices and other communications may be sent and (ii) accurate wire instructions for such Lender.  Furthermore, each Public Lender agrees to cause at least one individual at or on behalf of such Public Lender to at all times have selected the “Private Side Information” or similar designation on the content declaration screen of the Platform in order to enable such Public Lender or its delegate, in accordance with such Public Lender’s compliance procedures and applicable Law, including United States Federal and state securities Laws, to make reference to Borrower Materials that are not made available through the “Public Side Information” portion of the Platform and that may contain material non-public
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 information with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States Federal or state securities laws. 
 (e)
 Reliance by Administrative Agent and Lenders.  The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices (including telephonic Revolving Loan Notices and Swing Line Loan Notices) purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower even if (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein, or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof.  The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the Related Parties of each of them from all losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower.  All telephonic notices to and other telephonic communications with the Administrative Agent may be recorded by the Administrative Agent, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.
 11.03
 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies; Enforcement.
 No failure by any Lender or the Administrative Agent to exercise, and no delay by any such Person in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege.  The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.
  
 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the authority to enforce rights and remedies hereunder and under the other Loan Documents against the Borrower or any of them shall be vested exclusively in, and all actions and proceedings at law in connection with such enforcement shall be instituted and maintained exclusively by, the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 10.01 for the benefit of all the Lenders; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prohibit (a) the Administrative Agent from exercising on its own behalf the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as Administrative Agent) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (b) the Swing Line Lender from exercising the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as Swing Line Lender) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (c) any Lender from exercising setoff rights in accordance with Section 11.08 (subject to the terms of Section 2.13), or (d) any Lender from filing proofs of claim or appearing and filing pleadings on its own behalf during the pendency of a proceeding relative to the Borrower under any Debtor Relief Law; and provided, further, that if at any time there is no Person acting as Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, then (i) the Required Lenders shall have the rights otherwise ascribed to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 10.01 and (ii) in addition to the matters set forth in clauses (b), (c) and (d) of the preceding proviso and subject to Section 2.13, any Lender may, with the consent of the Required Lenders, enforce any rights and remedies available to it and as authorized by the Required Lenders.
 11.04
 Expenses; Indemnity; and Damage Waiver.
 (a)
 Costs and Expenses.  The Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers and their respective Affiliates (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent), in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof
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 or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), and (ii) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, any Lender (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of one counsel and, to the extent reasonably necessary, special and one local counsel in each jurisdiction for the Administrative Agent and for all of the Lenders as a group (and in the event of any actual or potential conflict of interest, one additional counsel for the Administrative Agent and/or each Lender subject to such conflict)) in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights (A) in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or (B) in connection with the Loans made, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans. 
 (b)
                                                                                                                     Indemnification by the Borrower.  The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), each Joint Lead Arranger, each Lender, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and reasonable related expenses (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of one counsel and, to the extent reasonably necessary, special and one local counsel in each jurisdiction for the Indemnitees (and in the event of any actual or potential conflict of interest, one additional counsel for the Administrative Agent and/or each Lender subject to such conflict)) incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party or by the Borrower arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or, in the case of the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof) and its Related Parties only, the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (ii) any Loan or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom, (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by the Borrower, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto, in all cases, whether or not caused by or arising, in whole or in part, out of the comparative, contributory or sole negligence of the Indemnitee; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee.
 (c)
 Reimbursement by Lenders.  To the extent that the Borrower for any reason fails to indefeasibly pay any amount required under subsection (a) or (b) of this Section to be paid by them to the Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent thereof) or any Related Party of any of the foregoing, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) or such Related Party, as the case may be, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount, provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) in its capacity as such, or against any Related Party of any of the foregoing acting for the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) in connection with such capacity.  The obligations of the Lenders under this subsection (c) are subject to the provisions of Section 2.12(d).
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 (d)
 Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc.  To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower shall not assert, and the Borrower hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or the use of the proceeds thereof.  No Indemnitee referred to in subsection (b) above shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed by it through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
 (e)
 Payments.  All amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than ten (10) Business Days after demand therefor.  
 (f)
 Survival.  The agreements in this Section shall survive the resignation of the Administrative Agent, the replacement of any Lender, the termination of the Revolving Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the other Obligations.
 11.05
 Payments Set Aside.
  
 To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of the Borrower is made to the Administrative Agent or any Lender, or the Administrative Agent or any Lender exercises its right of setoff, and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Administrative Agent or such Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, then (a) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred, and (b) each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent upon demand its applicable share (without duplication) of any amount so recovered from or repaid by the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect.  The obligations of the Lenders under clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.
 11.06
 Successors and Assigns.
 (a)
 Successors and Assigns Generally.  The provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and thereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder or thereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section, (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of this Section or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of subsection (f) of this Section (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void).  Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in subsection (d) of this Section and, to the extent expressly
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 contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
 (b)
 Assignments by Lenders.  Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including all or a portion of its Revolving Commitment and the Loans (including for purposes of this subsection (b), participations in Swing Line Loans) at the time owing to it); provided that any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:
 (a)
 Minimum Amounts.
 (A)
 in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Revolving Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it or in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, no minimum amount need be assigned; and
 (B)
 in any case not described in subsection (b)(i)(A) of this Section, the aggregate amount of the Revolving Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the Revolving Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning 
 Lender subject to each such assignment, determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if “Trade Date” is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade Date, shall not be less than $5,000,000 in the case of an assignment of Revolving Loans unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided, however, that concurrent assignments to members of an Assignee Group and concurrent assignments from members of an Assignee Group to a single assignee (or to an assignee and members of its Assignee Group) will be treated as a single assignment for purposes of determining whether such minimum amount has been met;
 (b)
 Required Consents.  No consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by subsection (b)(i)(B) of this Section and, in addition:
 (A)
 the consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required unless (1) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment or (2) such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund;
 (B)
 the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for assignments in respect of any Revolving Commitment if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender with a Revolving Commitment in respect of the Revolving Commitment subject to such assignment, an Affiliate of such Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to such Lender; and
 (C)
 the consent of the Swing Line Lender (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for any assignment in respect of the Revolving Commitment.
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 (c)
 Assignment and Assumption.  The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee in the amount of $3,500; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment.  The assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.
 (d)
 No Assignment to Certain Persons.  No such assignment shall be made (A) to the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries, or (B) to any Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing Persons described in this clause (B) or (C) to a natural person.
 (e)
 Certain Additional Payments.  In connection with any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder, no such assignment shall be effective unless and until, in addition to the other conditions thereto set forth herein, the parties to the assignment shall make such additional payments to the Administrative Agent in an aggregate amount sufficient, upon distribution thereof as appropriate (which may be outright payment, purchases by the assignee of participations or subparticipations, or other compensating actions, including funding, with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, the applicable pro rata share of Loans previously requested but not funded by the Defaulting Lender, to each of which the applicable assignee and assignor hereby irrevocably consent), to (x) pay and satisfy in full all payment liabilities then owed by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder (and interest accrued thereon) and (y) acquire (and fund as appropriate) its full pro rata share of all Loans and participations in Swing Line Loans in accordance with its Applicable Percentage.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder shall become effective under applicable Law without compliance with the provisions of this paragraph, then the assignee of such interest shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender for all purposes of this Agreement until such compliance occurs.
 Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01, 3.04, 3.05 and 11.04 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment.  Upon request, the Borrower (at its expense) shall execute and deliver a Note to the assignee Lender.  Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this subsection shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with subsection (d) of this Section.  
 (c)
 Register.  The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower (and such agency being solely for tax purposes), shall maintain at the Administrative Agent’s Office a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a
  
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 register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Revolving Commitments of, and principal amounts of the Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”).  The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary.  In addition, the Administrative Agent shall maintain on the Register information regarding the designation, and revocation of designation, of any Lender as a Defaulting Lender.  The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
 (d)
                                                 Participations.  Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural person, a Defaulting Lender or the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Revolving Commitment and/or the Loans (including such Lender’s participations in Swing Line Loans) owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement.  Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, waiver or other modification described in clauses (i) through (vii) of Section 11.01(a) that affects such Participant.  Subject to subsection (e) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01, 3.04 and 3.05 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section.  To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 11.08 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.13 as though it were a Lender.  Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations.  The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary.  For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.  No sale of a participation shall be effective unless and until it has been recorded in the Participant Register as provided in this paragraph (d).
 (e)
 Limitation on Participant Rights.  A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 3.01 or 3.04 than the applicable Lender would have been 
 

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 entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent.  Furthermore, a Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 3.01 unless the Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrower, to comply with Section 3.01(e) as though it were a Lender.
 (f)
 Certain Pledges.  Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement (including under its Note, if any) to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank or other central banking authority; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.
 (g)
 Resignation as Swing Line Lender after Assignment.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if at any time Barclays assigns all of its Revolving Commitment and Loans pursuant to subsection (b) above, Barclays may, upon thirty (30) days’ notice to the Borrower, resign as Swing Line Lender.  In the event of any such resignation as Swing Line Lender, the Borrower shall be entitled to appoint from among the Lenders a successor Swing Line Lender hereunder; provided, however, that no failure by the Borrower to appoint any such successor shall affect the resignation of Barclays as Swing Line Lender, as the case may be.  If Barclays resigns as Swing Line Lender, it shall retain all the rights of the Swing Line Lender provided for hereunder with respect to Swing Line Loans made by it and outstanding as of the effective date of such resignation, including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in outstanding Swing Line Loans pursuant to Section 2.04(c).  Upon the appointment of a successor Swing Line Lender, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Swing Line Lender, as the case may be.
 11.07
 Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality.
 Each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates and to its and its Affiliates’ respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors and representatives (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over it or its Affiliates (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party hereto, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Borrower and its obligations, (g) with the consent of the Borrower, (h) to the extent such Information (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (y) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower, (i) to rating agencies if requested or required by such agency in connection with a rating relating to the Loans hereunder and (j) on a confidential basis to the CUSIP 
 

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 Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of CUSIP numbers with respect to this Agreement.
 For purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from the Borrower or any Subsidiary relating to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrower or any Subsidiary, provided that, in the case of information received from the Borrower or any Subsidiary after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential.  Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.
 Each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders acknowledges that (a) the Information may include material non-public information concerning the Borrower or a Subsidiary, as the case may be, (b) it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information and (c) it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with applicable Law, including United States federal and state securities Laws.
  
 11.08
 Set-off.
 If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any and all of the obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of the Borrower may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office of such Lender different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness; provided, that, in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.15 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff.  The rights of each Lender and its respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender or its respective Affiliates may have.  Each Lender agrees to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.
 11.09
 Interest Rate Limitation.
 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Law (the “Maximum Rate”).  If the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Loans or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to the Borrower.  In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by the Administrative Agent or a Lender exceeds 
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 the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.
 11.10
 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness.
 This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.  This Agreement and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof.  Except as provided in Section 5.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy or other electronic imaging means shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.
 11.11
 Survival of Representations and Warranties.
 All representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Loan Document or other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof.  Such representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by the Administrative Agent and each Lender, regardless of any investigation made by the Administrative Agent or any Lender or on their behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default at the time of any Borrowing, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as any Loan or any other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied.
 11.12
 Severability.
 If any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions.  The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.  Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section 11.12, if and to the extent that the enforceability of any provisions in this Agreement relating to Defaulting Lenders shall be limited by Debtor Relief Laws, as determined in good faith by the Administrative Agent or the Swing Line Lender, as applicable, then such provisions shall be deemed to be in effect only to the extent not so limited.
 11.13
 Replacement of Lenders.
 If (i) any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04, (ii) the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01, or (iii) a Lender (a “Non-Consenting Lender”) does not consent to a proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination with respect to any Loan Document that has been approved by the Required Lenders as provided in Section 11.01 but requires unanimous consent of all Lenders or all Lenders directly affected thereby (as applicable) and, or (iv) any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, then the 
 74
 

 

 

 

 

 Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the rights and restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 11.06), all of its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment), provided that:
 (a)
 the Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee specified in Section 11.06(b);
 (b)
 such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the outstanding principal of its Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 3.05) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts);
 (c)
 in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 3.04 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 3.01, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter;
 (d)
 such assignment does not conflict with applicable Laws; and
 (e)
 in the case of any such assignment resulting from a Non-Consenting Lender’s failure to consent to a proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination with respect to any Loan Document, the applicable replacement bank, financial institution or Fund consents to the proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination; provided that the failure by such Non-Consenting Lender to execute and deliver an Assignment and Assumption shall not impair the validity of the removal of such Non-Consenting Lender and the mandatory assignment of such Non-Consenting Lender’s Revolving Commitments and outstanding Loans and participations in Swing Line Loans pursuant to this Section 11.13 shall nevertheless be effective without the execution by such Non-Consenting Lender of an Assignment and Assumption.
 A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.
 11.14
 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.
 (a)
 GOVERNING LAW.  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING SECTION 5-1401 AND SECTION 5-1402 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK) WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAW PRINCIPLES THAT WOULD REQUIRE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION.
 (b)
 SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION.  THE BORROWER IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION 
 75
 

 

 

 

 

 OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT.  EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW.  NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT OR IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST THE BORROWER OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.
 (c)
 WAIVER OF VENUE.  THE BORROWER IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SECTION.  EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.
 (d)
 SERVICE OF PROCESS.  EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 11.02.  NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.
 11.15
 Waiver of Right to Trial by Jury.
 EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY).  EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
 11.16
 Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents.
 The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature” and words of like import in any Assignment and Assumption or in any amendment or other modification hereof (including waivers and consents) shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a 
 76
 

 

 

 

 

 paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.
 11.17
 USA PATRIOT Act.
 Each Lender that is subject to the Act (as hereinafter defined) and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Act. The Borrower shall, promptly following a request by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, provide all documentation and other information that the Administrative Agent or such Lender requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Act.
 11.18
 No Advisory or Fiduciary Relationship.
 In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), the Borrower acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Affiliates’ understanding, that: (a)(i) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers and the Lenders, are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Borrower and its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers and the Lenders, on the other hand, (ii) the Borrower has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (iii) the Borrower is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; (b)(i) the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers and the Lenders each is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary, for the Borrower or any of Affiliates or any other Person and (ii) none of the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers and the Lenders has any obligation to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and (c) the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers and the Lenders and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower and its Affiliates, and none of the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers and the Lenders has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Borrower or its Affiliates.  To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Borrower hereby waives and releases, any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent, any Joint Lead Arranger or any Lender with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated hereby.
 

 [SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]
 

 77
 

 

 

 

 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
 BORROWER:
NSTAR ELECTRIC COMPAY a Massachusetts corporation
 

 By:  /S/ PHILIP J. LEMBO
 Name:  Philip J. Lembo
 Title:     Vice President & Treasurer
 

 NSTAR ELECTRIC COMPANY
 CREDIT AGREEMENT 
 

 

 

 

 

 ADMINISTRATIVE
AGENT:
 BARCLAYS BANK PLC,
 as Administrative Agent
 By:  /S/ VANESSA A. KURBATSKIY
 Name:  Vanessa A. Kurbatskiy
 Title:     Vice President
 

 NSTAR ELECTRIC COMPANY
 CREDIT AGREEMENT 
 

 

 

 

 

  LENDERS:
 BARCLAYS BANK PLC,
 as a Lender and Swing Line Lender
 By:  /S/ VANESSA A. KURBATSKIY
 Name:  Vanessa A. Kurbatskiy
 Title:     Vice President
  
 BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as a Lender
 By:  /S/ MIKE MASON
 Name:  Mike Mason
 Title:     Director
  
 CITIBANK, N.A.,
as a Lender

 By:  /S/ MAUREEN P. MARONEY
 Name:  Maureen P. Maroney
 Title:     Vice President
  
 JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as a Lender

 By:  /S/ PETER CHRISTENSEN
 Name:  Peter Christensen
 Title:     Vice President
  
 UNION BANK, N.A.,
as a Lender

 By:  /S/ JEFF FESENMAIER
 Name:  Jeff Fesenmaier
 Title:     Vice President
  
 WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as a Lender

 By:  /S/ KEITH LUETTEL
 Name:  Keith Luettel
 Title:     Vice President
  
 THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON,
as a Lender
 By:  /S/ JOHN WATT
 Name:  John Watt
 Title:     Vice President
 

  NORTHEAST UTILITIES
 CREDIT AGREEMENT 
 

 

 
 

  GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, 
 as a Lender
 

 By:  /S/ MARK WALTON
 Name:  Mark Walton
 Title:     Authorized Signatory
 

 TD BANK, N.A.,
 as a Lender
 

 By: /S/ SHANNON BATCHMAN
 Name:  Shannon Batchman
 Title:     Director
 

 UBS LOAN FINANCE LLC,
 as a Lender
 

 By: /S/IRJA R. OTSA
 Name:  Irja R. Otsa
 Title:     Associate Director
 

 By: /S/ DAVID URBAN
 Name:  David Urban
 Title:     Associate Director
 

 KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
 as a Lender
 

 By: /S/ CRAIG A. HANSELMAN
 Name:  Craig A. Hanselman
 Title:     Vice President
 

 THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC,
 as a Lender 
 

 By:  /S/ ANDREW N. TAYLOR
 Name:  Andrew N. Taylor
 Title:     Vice President
 

 U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
 as a Lender
 

 By: /S/ JAMES O’SHAUGHNESSY
 Name:  James O’Shaughnessy
 Title:     VP-Portfolio Manager
 

 MIZUHO CORPORATE BANK, LTD., 
 as a Lender
 

 By: /S/ RAYMOND VENTURA
 Name:  Raymond Ventura
 Title:     Deputy General Manager
 

  NORTHEAST UTILITIES
 CREDIT AGREEMENT 
 

 

 

 

 

  

 ROYAL BANK OF CANADA,
 as a Lender
 

 By: /S/ KYLE E. HOFFMAN
 Name:  Kyle E. Hoffman
 Title:     Authorized Signatory
 

 STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY,
 as a Lender
 

 By: /S/ MARY H. CAREY
 Name:  Mary H. Carey
 Title:     Vice President
 

 

  

 

 

 

 

  Schedule 2.01
 

 REVOLVING COMMITMENTS AND APPLICABLE PERCENTAGES
 

 

 Lenders
 Revolving Commitment
 Applicable Percentage
 

 	 	 	
	 Bank of America, N.A.
	 $30,937,500.00
	 6.875000000%

	 Barclays Bank PLC
	 $30,937,500.00
	 6.875000000%

	 Citibank, N.A.
	 $30,937,500.00
	 6.875000000%

	 JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
	 $30,937,500.00
	 6.875000000%

	 Union Bank, N.A.
	 $30,937,500.00
	 6.875000000%

	 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
	 $30,937,500.00
	 6.875000000%

	 Bank of New York Mellon
	 $27,031,250.00
	 6.006944444%

	 Goldman Sachs Bank USA
	 $27,031,250.00
	 6.006944444%

	 TD Bank, N.A.
	 $27,031,250.00
	 6.006944444%

	 UBS Loan Finance LLC
	 $27,031,250.00
	 6.006944444%

	 KeyBank National Association
	 $27,031,250.00
	 6.006944444%

	 The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
	 $27,031,250.00
	 6.006944444%

	 U.S. Bank National Association
	 $27,031,250.00
	 6.006944444%

	 Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd.
	 $27,031,250.00
	 6.006944444%

	 Royal Bank of Canada
	 $27,031,250.00
	 6.006944444%

	 State Street Bank and Trust Company
	 $21,093,750.00
	 4.687500004%

	 Total:
	 $450,000,000.00
	 100.000000000%

 

  

 

 

 

 

  Schedule 6.11
 

 TAX SHARING AGREEMENTS
 

 Third Amended and Restated Tax Allocation Agreement dated as of April 10, 2012, among Northeast Utilities and its direct and indirect subsidiaries.
 

  

 

 

 

 

  Schedule 6.13
 

 SUBSIDIARIES
 

 (a) Principal Subsidiaries
 

 None.
 

 (b) Equity Interests of the Borrower
 

 	 	 	 	
	 Name
	 Class of Stock
	 Number of Shares
	 Owner

	 NSTAR Electric
 Company
	 Common Stock
 

 

 

 

 

 Preferred Stock1
	 100
 

 

 

 

 

 430,000
	 Northeast Utilities (by and
 through its wholly-owned subsidiary NSTAR LLC)
 

 

 Third Party Investors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 1 The preferred stockholders are not presently entitled to vote, but would become entitled to vote for the election of directors upon certain events of default.
 

  

 

 

 

 

  Schedule 6.18
 

 TAXPAYER AND ORGANIZATIONAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS; LEGAL NAME; STATE OF FORMATION; PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS
 

 	 	 	 	
	 Taxpayer
 Identification
 Number
	 Legal Name
	 State
 of
 Formation
	 Principal Place
 of Business

	 04-1278810
	 NSTAR Electric Company
	 MA
	 800 Boylston Street
 Boston, MA 02199

 

  

 

 

 

 

  Schedule 8.01
 

 LIENS EXISTING ON THE CLOSING DATE
 

 1)   In connection with the BEC II Securitization (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement), the Borrower granted to BEC Funding II LLC a back-up security interest in the related rights, title and interest to all revenues, collections, claims, payments, money or proceeds of or arising from the charge utilized by the Borrower or Commonwealth Electric Company to recover its respective reimbursable transition costs (as defined in Chapter 164 of the Massachusetts Acts of 1997) (the “Transition Property”), in the event that it was ever determined that the transfer of the Transition Property from the Borrower to BEC Funding II LLC was not a true sale.
 

 2)  In connection with the CEC Securitization (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement), Commonwealth Electric Company, (now by merger the Borrower) granted to CEC Funding LLC a back-up security interest in the related Transition Property in the event that it was ever determined that the transfer of the Transition Property from the Borrower to CEC Funding LLC was not a true sale.
 

  

 

 

 

 

  Schedule 11.02
 

 CERTAIN ADDRESSES FOR NOTICES
 

 
 1.
 Borrower
 

 NSTAR Electric Company
 56 Prospect Street
 Hartford, CT 06103
 Attn:  Phil Lembo, Vice President and Treasurer
 

 2.
 Administrative Agent
 

 For payments and Requests for Credit Extensions:
 

 Barclays Capital
 1301 Sixth Avenue
 New York, NY 10019
 Attention: Ralph Townley
 Phone: 212-320-7077
 Fax: 917-522-0569
 Email:  Ralph.Townley@barclays.com and xrausloanops5@barclays.com
 

 Account Information (for U.S. Dollars): Barclays Bank PLC
 70 Hudson St., Jersey City, NJ 07302
 ABA #:  026 002 574
 Acct.#:  050-019104
 Account Name:  Clad Control Account
 Ref:  NSTAR Electric Company
 

 For all other Notices (Financial Statements, Compliance Certificates):
 

 Barclays Bank PLC
 745 7th Avenue, 27th Floor
 New York, NY, 10119
 Attention: Vanessa Kurbatskiy
 Telephone: 212-526-2799
 Facsimile: 212-526-5115
 E-mail:  vanessa.kurbatskiy@barclays.com and ltmny@barclays.com
 

 
 3.
 Swing Line Lender:
 

 Barclays Bank PLC Barclays Capital
 1301 Sixth Avenue
 New York, NY 10019
 Attention: Ralph Townley
 Phone: 212-320-7077
 

  

 

 

 

 

  Fax: 917-522-0569
 Email:  Ralph.Townley@barclays.com and xrausloanops5@barclays.com
 

 Account Information (for U.S. Dollars): Barclays Bank PLC
 70 Hudson St., Jersey City, NJ 07302
 ABA #:  026 002 574
 Acct.#:  050-019104
 Account Name:  Clad Control Account
 Ref:  NSTAR Electric Company
 

  

 

 

 

 

  Exhibit 2.01(a)
 

 [FORM OF] LOAN NOTICE
 

 Date:                     __,       
 

 
 To:
 Barclays Bank PLC, as Administrative Agent
 

 Ladies and Gentlemen:
 

 Reference is made to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of July 25, 2012 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented, increased or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among NSTAR Electric Company, a Massachusetts corporation (the “Borrower”), the  Lenders  from  time  to  time  party  thereto  and  Barclays  Bank  PLC,  as  Administrative  Agent. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.
 

 The undersigned hereby requests (select one):
 

   o   A Borrowing of a Revolving Loan
 

 o   A conversion or continuation of a Revolving Loan
 

 1.
 On                                                           
 (a Business Day).
 

 2.
 In the amount of $                                   
 . 1
 

 3.
 Comprised of                                          
 . 2
 [Type of Loan requested]
 

 4.
 For Eurodollar Rate Loans: with an Interest Period of        months. 3
 

 The Borrowing, if any, requested herein (i) complies with the provisos to the first sentence of Section 2.01 of the Credit Agreement and (ii) the Borrower hereby represents and warrants that each of the conditions set forth in Section 5.02 of the Credit Agreement have been satisfied on and as of the date of such Borrowing.
 

 

 

 NSTAR ELECTRIC COMPANY, a Massachusetts corporation
 

 By:                                               
 Name:
 Title:
 

 

 

 

 1 In the case of a Eurodollar Rate Borrowing, not less than $5,000,000 or a larger multiple of $1,000,000;
 in the case of a Base Rate Borrowing, not less than $5,000,000 or a larger multiple of $1,000,000.
 2 Eurodollar Rate Loans or Base Rate Loans.
 3 Which must comply with the definition of “Interest Period” and end not later than the Revolving Loan
 Maturity Date.
 

  

 

 

 

 

  Exhibit 2.04(b)
 

 [FORM OF] SWING LINE LOAN NOTICE
 

 Date:                 __,        
 

 
 To:
 Barclays Bank PLC, as Swing Line Lender
 Barclays Bank PLC, as Administrative Agent
 

 Ladies and Gentlemen:
 

 Reference is made to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of July 25, 2012 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented, increased or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among NSTAR Electric Company, a Massachusetts corporation (the “Borrower”), the  Lenders  from  time  to  time  party  thereto  and  Barclays  Bank  PLC,  as  Administrative  Agent. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.
 

 The undersigned hereby requests a Swing Line Loan:
 

 1.
 On                                                           
 (a Business Day).
 

 2.
 In the amount of $                                       
 . 1
 

 The Swing Line Borrowing requested herein (i) complies with the requirements of the provisos to the first sentence of Section 2.04(a) of the Credit Agreement and (ii) the Borrower hereby represents and warrants that each of the conditions set forth in Section 5.02 of the Credit Agreement have been satisfied on and as of the date of such Swing Line Borrowing.
 

 

 

 

 NSTAR ELECTRIC COMPANY, a Massachusetts corporation
 

 By:                                               
 Name:
 Title:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 1 Not less than $500,000 or a larger multiple of $100,000.
 

  

 

 

 

 

  Exhibit 2.05
 

 [FORM OF] PREPAYMENT NOTICE
 

 

 Date:                     __,         
 

 To:  Barclays Bank PLC, as Administrative Agent
 

 Ladies and Gentlemen:
 

 Reference is made to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of July 25, 2012 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented, increased or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among NSTAR Electric Company, a Massachusetts corporation (the “Borrower”), the  Lenders  from  time  to  time  party  thereto  and  Barclays  Bank  PLC,  as  Administrative  Agent. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.
 

 This Prepayment Notice is delivered to you pursuant to Section 2.05 of the Credit Agreement. The Borrower hereby gives notice of a prepayment of Loans as follows:
 

 1.
 o   Revolving Loans
 o   Swing Line Loans
 

 2.
 On                                                           
 (a Business Day).
 

 3.
 In the amount of $                                   
 . 1
 

 4.
 For Revolving Loans: comprised of                    
 . 2
 [Type of Loan]
 

 5.
 For Eurodollar Rate Loans: with an Interest Period ending     
 , 201_.
 

 This  Prepayment  Notice  and  prepayment  contemplated  hereby  comply  with  the  Credit
 Agreement, including Section 2.05 of the Credit Agreement.
 

 NSTAR ELECTRIC COMPANY, a Massachusetts corporation
 

 By:                                               
  Name:
 Title:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 1 In the case of a Eurodollar Rate Loan, not less than $2,000,000 or a larger multiple of $1,000,000; in the case of a Base Rate Loan, not less than $1,000,000 or a larger multiple of $500,000; in the case of a Swing Line Loan, not less than $500,000 or a larger multiple of $100,000.
 2 Eurodollar Rate Loans or Base Rate Loans.
 

  Exhibit 2.11(a)-1
 

 [FORM OF] REVOLVING NOTE
 

 

 

 FOR  VALUE  RECEIVED,  NSTAR  Electric  Company,  a  Massachusetts  corporation  (the  “Borrower”),  hereby  promises  to  pay  to  or  its  registered  assigns  (the  “Lender”), in accordance with the provisions of the Credit Agreement (as hereinafter defined), the principal amount of each Revolving Loan from time to time made by the Lender to the Borrower under that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of July 25, 2012 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented, increased or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among the Borrower, the Lenders from time to time party thereto and Barclays Bank PLC, as Administrative Agent. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.
 

 The Borrower promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Loan from the date of such Revolving Loan until such principal amount is paid in full, at such interest rates and at such times as provided in the Credit Agreement.  All payments of principal and interest shall be made to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lender in Dollars in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office.   If any amount is not paid in full when due hereunder, such unpaid amount shall bear interest, to be paid upon demand, from the due date thereof until the date of actual payment (and before as well as after judgment) computed at the Default Rate.
 

 This Revolving Note is one of the Revolving Notes referred to in the Credit Agreement, is entitled to the benefits thereof and may be prepaid in whole or in part subject to the terms and conditions provided therein.  Upon the occurrence and continuation of one or more of the Events of Default specified in the Credit Agreement, all amounts then remaining unpaid on this Revolving Note shall become, or may be declared to be, immediately due and payable all as provided in the Credit Agreement.   Revolving Loans made by the Lender shall be evidenced by one or more loan accounts or records maintained by the Lender in the ordinary course of business. The Lender may also attach schedules to this Revolving Note and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its Revolving Loans and payments with respect thereto.
 

 The Borrower, for itself, its successors and assigns, hereby waives diligence, presentment, protest and demand and notice of protest, demand, dishonor and non-payment of this Revolving Note.
 

 THIS REVOLVING NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING SECTION 5-
 1401 AND SECTION 5-1402 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK) WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAW PRINCIPLES THAT WOULD REQUIRE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION.
 

  

 

 

 

 

  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has caused this Revolving Note to be duly executed by its duly authorized officer as of the day and year first above written.
 

 NSTAR ELECTRIC COMPANY, a Massachusetts corporation
 

 By:                                                           
  Name:
 Title
 

  

 

 

 

 

  Exhibit 2.11(a)-2
 

 [FORM OF] SWING LINE NOTE
 

 

 

 FOR VALUE RECEIVED, NSTAR Electric Company, a Massachusetts corporation (the “Borrower”), hereby promises to pay to Barclays Bank PLC or its registered assigns (the “Swing Line Lender”),  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  the  Credit  Agreement  (as  hereinafter  defined),  the principal amount of each Swing Line Loan from time to time made by the Swing Line Lender to the Borrower under that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of July 25, 2012 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented, increased or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among the Borrower, the Lenders from time to time party thereto and Barclays Bank PLC, as Administrative Agent.  Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.
 

 The Borrower promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Swing Line Loan from the date of such Swing Line Loan until such principal amount is paid in full, at such interest rates and at such times as provided in the Credit Agreement.  All payments of principal and interest shall be made to the Swing Line Lender in Dollars in immediately available funds at the location designated by the Swing Line Lender.  If any amount is not paid in full when due hereunder, such unpaid amount shall bear interest, to be paid upon demand, from the due date thereof until the date of actual payment (and before as well as after judgment) computed at the Default Rate.
 

 This Swing Line Note is one of the Swing Line Notes referred to in the Credit Agreement, is entitled to the benefits thereof and may be prepaid in whole or in part subject to the terms and conditions provided therein.  Upon the occurrence and continuation of one or more of the Events of Default specified in the Credit Agreement, all amounts then remaining unpaid on this Swing Line Note shall become, or may be declared to be, immediately due and payable all as provided in the Credit Agreement.  Swing Line Loans made by the Swing Line Lender shall be evidenced by one or more loan accounts or records maintained by the Swing Line Lender in the ordinary course of business. The Swing Line Lender may also attach schedules to this Swing Line Note and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its Swing Line Loans and payments with respect thereto.
 

 The Borrower, for itself, its successors and assigns, hereby waives diligence, presentment, protest and demand and notice of protest, demand, dishonor and non-payment of this Swing Line Note.
 

 THIS SWING LINE NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING SECTION 5-
 1401 AND SECTION 5-1402 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK) WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAW PRINCIPLES THAT WOULD REQUIRE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION.
 

  

 

 

 

 

  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has caused this Swing Line Note to be duly executed by its duly authorized officer as of the day and year first above written.
 

 NSTAR ELECTRIC COMPANY, a Massachusetts corporation
 

 By:                                                           
  Name:
 Title
 

  

 

 

 

 

  Exhibit 3.01(e)-1
 

 [FORM OF] U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
 (For Foreign Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes) Reference  is  hereby  made  to  the  Credit  Agreement  dated  as  of  July  25,  2012  (as
 amended, restated, extended, supplemented, increased or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the  “Credit  Agreement”)  among  NSTAR  Electric  Company,  a  Massachusetts  corporation (the“Borrower”), each lender from time to time party thereto and Barclays Bank PLC, as Administrative Agent.
 

 Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.
 

 The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN.   By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.
 

 Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
 

 [NAME OF LENDER]
 

 By:                                                
 

 Name:                                 
 

 Title:                                    
 

 
 Date:              
      , 20   
 

  

 

 

 

 

  Exhibit 3.01(e)-2
 

 [FORM OF] U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
 (For Foreign Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes) Reference  is  hereby  made  to  the  Credit  Agreement  dated  as  of  July  25,  2012  (as
 amended, restated, extended, supplemented, increased or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the  “Credit  Agreement”)  among  NSTAR  Electric  Company,  a  Massachusetts  corporation (the“Borrower”), each lender from time to time party thereto and Barclays Bank PLC, as Administrative Agent.
 

 Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section
 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.
 

 The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN.  By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender in writing, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.
 

 Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
 

 [NAME OF PARTICIPANT]
 

 By:  
 Name:                                 
 

 Title:                                    
 

 
 Date:              
      , 20   
 

  

 

 

 

 

  Exhibit 3.01(e)-3
 

 [FORM OF] U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
 (For Foreign Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes) Reference  is  hereby  made  to  the  Credit  Agreement  dated  as  of  July  25,  2012  (as
 amended, restated, extended, supplemented, increased or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the  “Credit  Agreement”)  among  NSTAR  Electric  Company,  a  Massachusetts  corporation (the“Borrower”), each lender from time to time party thereto and Barclays Bank PLC, as Administrative Agent.
 

 Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such participation, (iii) with respect such participation, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.
 

 The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption.  By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.
 

 Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
 

 [NAME OF PARTICIPANT]
 

 By:  
 Name:                                 
 

 Title:                                    
 

 
 Date:              
      , 20   
 

  

 

 

 

 

  Exhibit 3.01(e)-4
 

 [FORM OF] U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
 

 (For Foreign Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
 

 Reference  is  hereby  made  to  the  Credit  Agreement  dated  as  of  July  25,  2012  (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented, increased or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the  “Credit  Agreement”)  among  NSTAR  Electric  Company,  a  Massachusetts  corporation (the“Borrower”), each lender from time to time party thereto and Barclays Bank PLC, as Administrative Agent.
 

 Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)), (iii) with respect to the extension of credit pursuant to this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section
 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or
 indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in
 Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.
 

 The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption.  By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.
 

 Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
 

 [NAME OF LENDER]
 

 By:                                        
 Name:                                 
 

 Title:                                    
 

 
 Date:              
      , 20   
 
 
  
  
  
 
 

  

 

  Exhibit 7.02(b)
 

 [FORM OF] COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
 

  
Financial Statement Date:                            ,  _______  
  

 To:       Barclays Bank PLC, as Administrative Agent
 

 Ladies and Gentlemen:
 

 Reference is made to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of July 25, 2012 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented, increased or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among NSTAR Electric Company, a Massachusetts corporation (the “Borrower”), the  Lenders  from  time  to  time  party  thereto  and  Barclays  Bank  PLC,  as  Administrative  Agent. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.
 

 The undersigned Responsible Officer hereby certifies as of the date hereof that he/she is the  
                                                                   of  the  Borrower,  and  that,  as  such,  he/she  is  authorized  to execute and deliver this Compliance Certificate (this “Certificate”) to the Administrative Agent on the behalf of the Borrower, and that:
 

 [Use following paragraph 1 for fiscal year-end financial statements]
 

 1.
 The Borrower has delivered the year-end audited financial statements required by Section
 7.01(a) of the Credit Agreement for the fiscal year of the Borrower ended as of the above date, together with the report and opinion of an independent certified public accountant required by such section.
 

 [Use following paragraph 1 for fiscal quarter-end financial statements]
 

 1.
 The  Borrower  has  delivered  the  unaudited  financial  statements  required  by  Section
 7.01(b) of the Credit Agreement for the fiscal quarter of the Borrower ended as of the above date.  Such financial statements fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations,
 shareholders’ equity and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP as at
 such date and for such period, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.
 

 2.          The undersigned has reviewed and is familiar with the terms of the Credit Agreement and has made, or has caused to be made under his/her supervision, a detailed review of the transactions and condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower during the accounting period covered by such financial statements.
 

 3.          A review of the activities of the Borrower during such fiscal period has been made under the supervision of the undersigned with a view to determining whether during such fiscal period the Borrower performed and observed all its Obligations under the Loan Documents, and
 

 [select one:]
 [to  the  best  knowledge  of  the  undersigned,  during  such  fiscal  period  the  Borrower performed and observed each covenant and condition of the Loan Documents applicable to it, and no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.]
 

  

 

 

 

 

  --or--
 [to the best knowledge of the undersigned, during such fiscal period the following covenants or conditions have not been performed or observed and the following is a list of each such Default
 or Event of Default and its nature and status:]
 

 4.          The financial covenant analyses and information set forth on Schedule 1 attached hereto are true and accurate on and as of the date of this Certificate.
 

 5.          There has been [no] change in GAAP or the application thereof since the date of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 7.01(a) of the Credit Agreement. [If any change in GAAP has occurred, please specify the effect of such change on the financial statements accompanying this certificate].
 

 

 [Signature Page(s) Follow]
 

  

 

 

 

 

  IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  undersigned  Borrower  has  executed  this  Certificate  as  of  ______________, ______.
  
 

 

 NSTAR ELECTRIC COMPANY, a Massachusetts corporation
 

 By:                                               
  Name:
 Title:
 

   
 
  

 

 

 

  Exhibit 11.06(b)
 

 [FORM OF] ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION
 

 This  Assignment  and  Assumption  (this  “Assignment  and  Assumption”)  is  dated  as  of  the
 Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between [the][each] Assignor identified in item
 1 below ([the][each, an] “Assignor”) and [the][each] Assignee identified in item 2 below ([the][each, an] “Assignee”).    [It  is  understood  and  agreed  that  the  rights  and  obligations  of  [the  Assignors][the Assignees] hereunder are several and not joint.]1   Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement identified below (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented, increased or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by the Assignee.  The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Assumption as if set forth herein in full.
 

 For an agreed consideration, [the][each] Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to [the Assignee][the respective Assignees], and [the][each] Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from [the Assignor][the respective Assignors], subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below (i) all of [the Assignor’s][the respective Assignors’] rights and obligations in [its capacity as a Lender][their respective capacities as Lenders] under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto in the amount[s] and equal to the percentage interest[s] identified below of all the outstanding rights and obligations under the respective facilities identified below (including, without limitation, the Swing Line Loans included in such facilities2) and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of [the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender)][the respective Assignors (in their respective capacities as Lenders)] against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including, but not limited to, contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned by [the][any] Assignor to [the][any] Assignee pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as [the][an] “Assigned Interest”).  Each such sale and assignment  is  without  recourse  to  [the][any]  Assignor  and,  except  as  expressly  provided  in  this Assignment and Assumption, without representation or warranty by [the][any] Assignor.
 

 1.          Assignor[s]:                                                                  
 ______________________________
 

 

 [Assignor [is] [is not] a Defaulting Lender]
 

 2.
 Assignee[s]:
                                        
 ___________________
 

 

 [for each Assignee, indicate [Affiliate][Approved Fund] of [identify Lender]]
 

 

 

 

 1 Include bracketed language if there are either multiple Assignors or multiple Assignees.
 2 Include all applicable subfacilities.
 

   

  
 3.
 Borrower:
 NSTAR Electric Company, a Massachusetts corporation
 

 
 4.
 Administrative  Agent:  Barclays  Bank  PLC,  as  the  administrative  agent  under  the  Credit
 Agreement
 

 5.
 Credit Agreement:
 Credit Agreement, dated as of July 25, 2012, among the Borrower, the
 Lenders from time to time party thereto and Barclays Bank PLC, as Administrative Agent
 

 6.
 Assigned Interest[s]:
 

 	 	 	 	 	 	
	 

 

 

 

 Assignor[s]
	 

 

 

 

 Assignee[s]
	 Aggregate
 Amount of Revolving Commitments for all Lenders3
	 Amount of
 Revolving Commitments Assigned
	 Percentage
 Assigned of Revolving Commitments4
	 

 

 CUSIP
  Number

	  
	  
	 $
	 $
	 %
	  

	  
	  
	 $
	 $
	 %
	  

	  
	  
	 $
	 $
	 %
	  

 

 
 [7.
 Trade Date:
  
 ]5
 

 Effective  Date:  _______________, _,  20 [TO  BE  INSERTED  BY  THE  ADMINISTRATIVE    
 AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR.]
 The terms set forth in this Assignment and Assumption are hereby agreed to: ASSIGNOR[S]
 

 [NAME OF ASSIGNOR]
 

 By:________________________ Name: Title:
 

 ASSIGNEE[S]
 

 [NAME OF ASSIGNEE]
 
 
 By:________________________ Name: Title:
 

 

 

 3 Amounts in this column and in the column immediately to the right to be adjusted by the counterparties to take into account any payments or prepayments made between the Trade Date and the Effective Date.
 4 Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Revolving Commitments of all Lenders thereunder.
 5 To be completed if the Assignor and the Assignee intend that the minimum assignment amount is to be determined as of the Trade Date.
 

  

 

 

 

 

  

 

 [Consented to and]6 Accepted:
 

 BARCLAYS BANK PLC, as  Administrative Agent
 

 By:                                               
  Name:
 Title:
 

 Consented to:]7
 [BARCLAYS BANK PLC, as Swing Line Lender] By:                                    
 Name: Title:
 

 [NSTAR ELECTRIC COMPANY, a Massachusetts corporation
 

 By:  
  Name:
 Title:]
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 6 To be added only if the consent of the Administrative Agent is required by the terms of the Credit
 Agreement.
 

 7 To be added only if the consent of the Borrower and/or other parties (e.g. Swing Line Lender) is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.
 

  

 

 

 

 

  ANNEX 1 TO ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION
 

 STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR
  ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION
 
 1.
 Representations and Warranties.
 

 1.1.   Assignor.  [The][Each] Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of [the][[the relevant] Assigned Interest, (ii) [the][such] Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim, (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions  contemplated  hereby  and  (iv)  it  is  [not]  a  Defaulting  Lender;  and  (b)  assumes  no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.
 

 1.2.   Assignee.  [The][Each] Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it meets all the requirements to be an assignee under Section 11.06(b)(ii) and (iv) of the Credit Agreement (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 11.06(b)(ii) of the Credit Agreement), (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of [the][the relevant] Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to acquire assets of the type represented by [the][such] Assigned Interest and either it, or the Person exercising discretion in making its decision to acquire [the][such] Assigned Interest, is experienced in acquiring assets of such type, (v) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, and has received or has been accorded the opportunity to receive copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 7.01 thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it deems appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase [the][such] Assigned Interest, (vi) it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase [the][such] Assigned Interest, and (vii) if it is a Foreign Lender, attached hereto is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by [the][such] Assignee; and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, [the][any] Assignor or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.
 

 2.      Payments.  From and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of [the][each] Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to [the][the relevant] Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to [the][the relevant] Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date.   Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments of
 

  

 

 

 

 

 interest, fees or other amounts paid or payable in kind from and after the Effective Date to [the][the relevant] Assignee.
 

 3.      General Provisions.   This Assignment and Assumption shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.  This Assignment and Assumption may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Assumption.  This Assignment and Assumption shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York (including Section 5-1401 and Section 5-1402 of the general obligations law of the State of New York) without regard to conflicts of law principles that would require application of the laws of another jurisdiction.

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