Document:

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Exhibit 10.2

ASSIGNMENT
AGREEMENT

 

This
Assignment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made as of May 19, 2011
(the “Effective Date”), by and among Real Estate Associates Limited VI, a
California limited partnership (the “Assignor”); Linda Kittleson (
“Assignee”), and Duane A. Kittleson in his capacity as general partner of
New-Bel-Mo Enterprises, a limited partnership formed under the laws of the State
of Wisconsin (the “Partnership”) (the “General Partner” and
together with the Assignor, and the Assignee, each a “Party“ and, as the
context requires, any two or more, collectively, the “Parties”), with
reference to the following:

A.        
The Partnership is governed by that certain Amended and Restated Agreement and
Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, dated August 22, 1983, as
it may have been amended from time to time (the “Amended Partnership
Agreement”) (any capitalized word or phrase used but not defined herein
shall have the meaning set forth in the Amended Partnership Agreement).

B.        
The General Partner is the operating general partner of the Partnership and
Assignor is the limited partner of the Partnership.

C.       
The Partnership is a plaintiff in various lawsuits filed in the United States
Court of Federal Claims against the United States of America (the “Government”)
seeking compensation for the Government’s alleged repudiation of certain
contract rights held by the Partnership and others relating to multi-family
housing properties which are part of the rural housing program under Section 515
and 521 of the Housing Act of 1949 (the “Litigation”).

D.       
Assignor has agreed to sell and assign all of its interest in the Partnership to
the Assignee and withdraw from the Partnership, the Assignee has agreed to
purchase such interest, and the General Partner has consented to such assignment
and withdrawal, all pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

NOW
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and for such other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

1.                 
Sale.  Effective as of the Closing (as hereinafter defined),
and subject to the terms and conditions set forth below (i) Assignor agrees to
sell to the Assignee one hundred percent (100%) of Assignor’s interest in the
Partnership, including, without limitation, all Profits and Losses, Cash from
Operations, Distributions of Cash from Refinancing, Distributions of Cash from
Disposition, all other Partnership assets, and all rights to any fees, loan
repayments and reimbursements (collectively, the “Interest”), and
(ii) Assignee agrees to purchase the Interest.

2.                 
Consideration.  In consideration for Assignor’s Interest, at
the Closing, the Assignee shall pay to Assignor to One Hundred Twenty One
Thousand Eighty Two and no/100 Dollars ($121,082.00), less $2,161.00 withheld to
pay State of Wisconsin withholding tax on nonresident partners for the year
ended December 31, 2010 and an estimate of such tax for 2011 in the amount of
$5,061.00 (the “2011 estimate”).  The Partnership will hold the amount
withheld to pay the 2011 Wisconsin withholding tax
until the proper amount of such withholding is determined in 2012 and shall
refund to Assignee the amount not needed, if any, to pay such tax at the time
the actual amount is determined (the “Payment”).  The Payment will
be paid by wire transfer of immediately available funds pursuant to instructions
from Assignor through a mutually agreeable escrow agent.  

3.                 
Closing.  “Closing” shall mean the date on which Payment is
made to Assignor and the Interest is transferred by Assignor to the
Assignee.  Closing shall occur on May 19, 2011 or as otherwise agreed by
the parties (the “Closing Date”); provided, however, if Closing does not
occur by May 31, 2011, this Agreement shall terminate without any further action
by the parties.  As of the Closing, the Assignee shall pay Assignor the
Payment.  

4.                 
Releases.

4.1             
Effective as of the Closing, except for the representations, warranties
and covenants of the Assignor set forth in this Agreement, the General Partner,
for itself and for and on behalf of its partners, sub-partners, members,
directors, officers, employees, servants, agents, representatives,
administrators, assigns, and attorneys, and on behalf of the Partnership
(collectively, the “Partnership Parties”) and Chyane Group LLC, hereby
release, waive and relinquish all actions, causes of action, claims and demands
whatsoever, at law or in equity, and damages (collectively, “Claims”)
that any of the Partnership Parties or Chyane Group LLC has or may have against
Assignor and/or its respective partners, sub-partners, members, directors,
officers, employees, servants, agents, representatives, administrators, assigns,
and attorneys (collectively, the “Assignor Parties”) from the beginning
of time up to and including the Closing Date.

4.2             
Effective as of the Closing, except for the representations, warranties
and covenants of the General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership, set forth in
this Agreement, Assignor, for itself and the other Assignor Parties, hereby
releases, waives, relinquishes all Claims that Assignor or any of the Assignor
Parties has or may have against the Partnership Parties, or any of them, and the
Chyane Group LLC, from the beginning of time up to and including the Closing
Date. 

5.                 
Representations and Warranties.

5.1             
As a material inducement to the Assignee and the General Partner entering
into this Agreement, Assignor hereby represents and warrants to the Assignee and
the General Partner that the following are true and correct as of the Effective
Date, and as of Closing, and which warranties and representations shall survive
the Effective Date, Closing and the withdrawal of Assignor from the
Partnership:

(a)              
Assignor is the owner of the Interest and the Interest is not subject to
any claim, lien, pledge, encumbrance, or security interest of any nature
whatsoever and the Assignee shall acquire the same free of any rights or claims
thereto by any other party claiming by, through or under Assignor.

(b)              
The execution and delivery of this Agreement by Assignor and the
performance of the transactions contemplated herein have been duly authorized by
all requisite corporate and partnership proceedings, and assuming the due and
proper execution and delivery by the Assignee and the General Partner, this
Agreement is binding upon and enforceable against Assignor in accordance with
its terms.

(c)              
Assignor’s Interest represents all of the interest in the Partnership
owned by the Assignor.  Assignor possesses no other equity in the
Partnership or any other right to receive payment upon the sale or other
disposition of the Partnership, or the Partnership’s assets, or otherwise. 

5.2             
As a material inducement to Assignor entering into this Agreement, the
Assignee hereby represents and warrants to Assignor that (i) the
execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Assignee and the performance of
the transactions contemplated herein have been duly authorized by all requisite
proceedings; (ii) assuming the due and proper execution and delivery by
Assignor, this Agreement is binding upon and enforceable against the Assignee in
accordance with its terms; (iii) Assignee has not incurred any obligation or
liability, contingent or otherwise, for brokerage or finders’ fees or agents’
commissions or other similar payment in connection with this Agreement, (iv)
Assignee is aware of the restrictions on transfer or encumbrance of the Interest
under the Amended Partnership Agreement, as well as the transfer restrictions
imposed by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and applicable state
securities laws (the “Securities Laws”), is able to bear the economic
risk of his investment in the Interest, is aware that he must hold the Interest
for an indefinite period and that the Interest has not been registered under the
applicable Securities Laws and may not be sold or otherwise transferred unless
permitted by the terms of the Amended Partnership Agreement and the Interest is
registered, or an exemption from the registration requirements is available with
respect thereto, under the Securities Laws, (v) Assignee is acquiring the
Interest for her own account and not with a view to resell, transfer or
otherwise dispose of it, and (vi) Assignee is an affiliate of the General
Partner and is experienced in financial transactions such as ownership of the
Interest, understands the business and operations of the Partnership, and has
had an opportunity to ask questions about and seek information about the
Partnership and the Partnership’s Project, and has not relied upon any express
or implied representations or warranties from Assignor with regard to the
Interest, the Partnership, or the Project.  The foregoing representations
and warranties are true and correct as of the Effective Date and as of Closing,
and shall survive the Effective Date, Closing and the withdrawal of Assignor
from the Partnership.

5.3             
As a material inducement to Assignor entering into this Agreement, the
General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership, hereby represents and warrants to
Assignor that: (i) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the
General Partner and its performance of the transactions contemplated herein have
been duly authorized by all requisite partnership proceedings;
(ii) assuming the due and proper execution and delivery by Assignor, this
Agreement is binding upon and enforceable against the Partnership in accordance
with its terms; (iii) the Litigation has been settled and the Partnership
has received a total of $342,597.94 in settlement proceeds net of legal fees,
but before amounts paid pursuant to (v), below; (iv) the Partnership will not
receive any additional proceeds from the Litigation or the settlement of the
Litigation; (v) the Partnership has paid a total of $171,298.97 to the General
Partner or its affiliates, including, but not limited to, Chyane Group, LLC for
services rendered in conjunction with the Litigation; and (vi) the
Partnership has advised Rural Development (The U.S. Department of Agriculture)
that Assignor is exiting the Partnership and that Assignee is acquiring
Assignor’s Interest in the Partnership and is being substituted as the limited
partner, and Rural Development has advised the Partnership that the transaction
contemplated by this Agreement does not require approval by Rural
Development.  The foregoing representations and warranties are true and
correct as of the Effective Date and shall survive the Effective Date and the
withdrawal of Assignor from the Partnership.

5.4             
Except as expressly provided in this Section 5, no Party has made any
other representation or warranty concerning the Interest, the Partnership, the
Project or any other matter.

6.                 
Tax and Financial Matters.  

6.1             
The General Partner hereby agrees to and shall deliver to Assignor drafts
of the Partnership’s 2011 federal and state tax returns by approximately March
1, 2012, for the period during which the Assignor was a limited partner, for
Assignor’s review prior to preparation of the final tax returns, and if the
Assignor has given the General Partner comments, if any, on the draft returns
within twenty-one (21) days after the drafts are submitted to Assignor for
review, shall deliver to Assignor the final form of such 2011 tax returns by
April 10, 2012; provided, Assignor hereby acknowledges that it shall consent for
all purposes to the Partnership’s election pursuant to Section 754 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, if so set forth on the Partnership’s
2011 federal income tax return for the period during which the Assignor was a
limited partner; 

6.2             
Assignor consents to the Partnership’s use of the interim closing of the
partnership books method as described in Treasury Regulation §1.706-1(c)(2) with
respect to all items of gain, loss, income, deduction, or credit in reporting
the Partnership’s 2011 taxable income, for the period during which the Assignor
was a limited partner, with the closing of the books to occur with respect to
the Assignor effective as of the time of the Closing.  

6.3             
The General Partner shall deliver to the Assignor the audited financial
statements of the Partnership for Fiscal Year 2011 by March 31, 2012 in the form
required by Rural Development (the U.S. Department of Agriculture).

6.4             
If the General Partner shall fail to have prepared and delivered any of
the returns or other information required by Sections 6.1 and 6.3, above, then,
after written notice to the General Partner and the failure of the General
Partner to cure the failure within thirty (30) days after such notice is
received, the Assignor may have the returns and other information prepared at
the sole cost and expense of the Partnership.

6.5             
The General Partner shall, with respect to any matter which could affect
the Assignor, give prompt notice to the Assignor of any of the following actions
taken by the General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership, and, the General
Partner shall, if applicable, permit the Assignor to participate, solely on its
own behalf, in any proceedings and/or disputes related to such actions at
Assignor’s own expense:

(a)       
Extension of the statute of limitations for assessing or computing any tax
liability against the Partnership (or the amount or character of any Partnership
tax items);

(b)       
Settlement of any audit with the IRS concerning the adjustment or readjustment
of any partnership item(s) (within the meaning of Section 6231(a)(3) of the
Code);

(c)       
Filing of a request for an administrative adjustment with the IRS at any time or
filing of a petition for judicial review with respect to any such request;

(d)        Initiation or
settlement of any judicial review or action concerning the amount or character
of any partnership tax item(s) (within the meaning of Section 6231(a)(3) of the
Code); or

(e)       
Intervention in any action brought by any other Partner for judicial review of a
final adjustment.

7.                 
Miscellaneous. 

7.1             
The Assignor and the General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership,
acknowledge and agree that, as of the Closing, Assignor will no longer be a
limited partner of the Partnership and all of Assignor’s rights and obligations
under the Amended Partnership Agreement and under any and all other written or
oral agreements by and among Assignor, the Partnership, and/or the General
Partner shall be terminated and of no further force or effect as of the Closing,
except with respect to the Assignor’s representations, warranties and covenants
set forth herein.  Without limitation to the generality of the foregoing,
Assignor hereby waives any and all rights and claims with respect to
(a) Assignor’s Interest, except as set forth in Section 6, above, and then
solely with respect to Assignor’s interest in the matters specified therein, and
(b) Assignor’s role as a limited partner of the Partnership set forth in the
Amended Partnership Agreement or otherwise.  Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement, the
Partnership and the General Partner acknowledge that matters may arise after the
Closing that relate back to events that occurred prior to the Closing (for
purposes of illustration and not limitation, audits by the IRS).  If such
matters may affect the Assignor, the Partnership and the General Partner agree
that they shall conduct themselves in a manner which is consistent with their
obligations to the Assignor of good faith and fair dealing.

7.2             
All notices, demands, requests and other communications required pursuant
to the provisions of this Agreement (“Notice”) shall be in writing and
shall be deemed to have been properly given or served for all purposes (i) if
sent by Federal Express or any other nationally recognized overnight carrier for
next business day delivery, on the first business day following deposit of such
Notice with such carrier, (ii) if personally delivered, on the actual date of
delivery, or (iii) if sent by certified mail, return receipt requested postage
prepaid, on the fifth (5th) business day following the date of mailing addressed
as follows: 

If
to the Assignor:

c/o
National Partnership Investments Corp.

6701
Center Drive, Suite 520

Los
Angeles, California 90045

Attention: 
Asset Management

with
a copy to:

c/o
Apartment Investment and Management Company

4582
S. Ulster St., Suite 1100

Attention:
Legal Department

Denver,
Colorado 80237

 

If to the Assignee, the Partnership, or the General
Partner:

                                   
Duane A. Kittleson

                                   
DAK Developers/Management, Inc.

                                   
1020 Lincoln Ave.        

Fennimore,
WI  53809

Any
of the Parties may designate a change of address by Notice in writing to the
other Parties. Whenever in this Agreement the giving of Notice by mail or
otherwise is required, the giving of such Notice may be waived in writing by the
person or persons entitled to receive such Notice.

7.3             
If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid, or
unenforceable under present or future laws, such provision shall be fully
severable.  This Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such
illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision had never comprised a part of this
Agreement, and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full
force and effect and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid, or
unenforceable provision or by its severance from this Agreement.

7.4             
This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which
shall be an original for all purposes, but all of which taken together shall
constitute only one agreement.  

7.5             
This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives and permitted successors
and assigns of the Parties hereto.  This Agreement shall be interpreted in
accordance with the laws of the State of Wisconsin.

7.6             
Nothing herein shall be construed to be for the benefit of or enforceable
by any third party including, but not limited to any creditor of the
Assignor.

7.7             
The Parties shall execute and deliver such further instruments and do
such further acts and things as may be required to carry out the intent and
purposes of this Agreement.

7.8             
All article and section titles or captions contained in this Agreement
are for convenience only and shall not be deemed part of the text of this
Agreement.

7.9             
In the event that any court or arbitration proceedings is brought under
or in connection with this Agreement, the prevailing party in such proceeding
(whether at trial or on appeal) shall be entitled to recover from the other
party all costs, expenses, and reasonable attorneys’ fees incident to any such
proceeding.  The term “prevailing party” as used herein shall mean the
party in whose favor the final judgment or award is entered in any such judicial
or arbitration proceeding.

7.10         
This Agreement constitutes the sole agreement of the Parties with respect
to the matters herein, all prior oral or written agreements being merged
herein.  This Agreement may only be modified by a writing signed by all of
the Parties hereto and time is of the essence of this Agreement.

7.11         
In interpreting this Agreement it shall be presumed that the Agreement
was jointly drafted and no presumption shall arise against any Party in the
event of any ambiguity.

7.12         
The Partnership shall undertake, at its expense, to comply with any
further documentation or requirements which may hereafter be imposed by Rural
Development with respect to Assignor’s withdrawal from the Partnership, and
shall indemnify and hold harmless Assignor from and with respect to any such
costs or expenses; provided that Assignor furnishes any relevant information
required by Rural Development in connection therewith, at its expense.

 

[Signature Page to Follow]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the General Partner, the Assignee, and the
Assignor have entered into this Agreement as of the date set forth above.

GENERAL
PARTNER: 

 

 

/s/
Duane A. Kittleson

DUANE
A. KITTLESON

                                                                       

ASSIGNEE:

 

 

/s/
LINDA KITTLESON

LINDA
KITTLESON

 

 

ASSIGNOR:

 

REAL
ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED VI,

a
California limited partnership

By 
National Partnership Investments Corp.,

a
California corporation, its General Partner

 

By: 
/s/John McGrath

Name: 
John McGrath

Title: 
Senior Vice President

 

Chyane
Group LLC hereby joins this Assignment Agreement for the purpose of agreeing to
its release of the Assignor Parties set forth in Section 4.1 hereof.

 

CHYANE
GROUP LLC

 

 

By: 
/s/ Duane A. Kittleson

       
Duane A. Kittlesonexhibit10a.htm

Exhibit 10(a)

 

 

 

 

NEXTERA ENERGY, INC.

 

2011 LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

 

 

 

 

  

  

  

 

NEXTERA ENERGY, INC.

 

2011 LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

 

NextEra Energy, Inc., a Florida corporation (the “Company”), sets forth herein the terms of its 2011 Long Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), as follows:

 

	
1.

	
PURPOSE

 

The Plan is intended to (a) provide eligible persons with an incentive to contribute to the success of the Company and to operate and manage the Company’s business in a manner that will provide for the Company’s long-term growth and profitability to benefit its shareholders and other important stakeholders, including its employees and customers, and (b) provide a means of obtaining, rewarding and retaining key personnel. To this end, the Plan provides for the grant of awards of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, deferred stock units, unrestricted stock, dividend equivalent rights, performance shares and other performance-based awards, and other equity-based awards. Any of these awards may, but need not, be made as performance incentives to reward the holders of such awards for the achievement of performance goals in accordance with the terms of the Plan. Stock options granted under the Plan may be non-qualified stock options or incentive stock options, as provided herein.

 

	
2.

	
DEFINITIONS

 

For purposes of interpreting the Plan documents (including the Plan and Award Agreements), the following definitions shall apply:

 

2.1 “Affiliate” means any company or other entity that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 of Regulation C under the Securities Act, including any Subsidiary. For purposes of grants of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, an entity may not be considered an Affiliate unless the Company holds a “controlling interest” in such entity within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.414(c)-2(b)(2)(i), provided that (a) except as specified in clause (b) below, an interest of “at least 50 percent” shall be used instead of an interest of “at least 80 percent” in each case where “at least 80 percent” appears in Treasury Regulation Section 1.414(c)-2(b)(2)(i) and (b) where the grant of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights is based upon a legitimate business criterion, an interest of “at least 20 percent” shall be used instead of an interest of “at least 80 percent” in each case where “at least 80 percent” appears in Treasury Regulation Section 1.414(c)-2(b)(2)(i).

 

2.2 “Applicable Laws” means the legal requirements relating to the Plan and the Awards under (a) applicable provisions of the corporate, securities, tax and other laws, rules, regulations and government orders of any jurisdiction applicable to Awards granted to residents therein and (b) the rules of any Stock Exchange on which the Stock is listed.

 

2.3 “Award” means a grant under the Plan of an Option, a Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, a Deferred Stock Unit, Unrestricted Stock, a Dividend Equivalent Right, a Performance Share or other Performance-Based Award, or an Other Equity-Based Award.

 

2.4 “Award Agreement” means the agreement between the Company and a Grantee that evidences and sets out the terms and conditions of an Award.

 

2.5 “Award Stock” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 17.3(a)(ii).

 

2.6 “Benefit Arrangement” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 15.

 

 

2.7 “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

2.8 “Cause” means, with respect to any Grantee, as determined by the Committee and unless otherwise provided in an applicable agreement between such Grantee and the Company or an Affiliate, (a) repeated violations by such Grantee of such Grantee’s obligations to the Company or such Affiliate (other than as a result of incapacity due to physical or mental illness) which are demonstrably willful and deliberate on such Grantee’s part, which are committed in bad faith or without reasonable belief that such violations are in the best interests of the Company or such Affiliate and which are not remedied within a reasonable period of time after such Grantee’s receipt of written notice from the Company specifying such violations, (b) the conviction of such Grantee of a felony involving an act of dishonesty intended to result in substantial personal enrichment of such Grantee at the expense of the Company or an Affiliate, or (c) prior to a Change in Control, such other events as shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. Any determination by the Committee whether an event constituting Cause shall have occurred shall be final, binding and conclusive.

 

2.9 “Change in Control” means:

 

(1) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of twenty percent (20%) or more of either (x) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the “Outstanding Company Common Stock”) or (y) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”); provided, however, that the following acquisitions (collectively, the “Excluded Acquisitions”) shall not constitute a Change in Control (it being understood that shares acquired in an Excluded Acquisition may nevertheless be considered in determining whether any subsequent acquisition by such individual, entity or group (other than an Excluded Acquisition) constitutes a Change in Control): (i) any acquisition directly from the Company or any Subsidiary; (ii) any acquisition by the Company or any Subsidiary; (iii) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any Subsidiary; (iv) any acquisition by an underwriter temporarily holding Company securities pursuant to an offering of such securities; (v) any acquisition in connection with which, pursuant to Rule 13d-1 promulgated pursuant to the Exchange Act, the individual, entity or group is permitted to, and actually does, report its beneficial ownership on Schedule 13G (or any successor Schedule); provided that, if any such individual, entity or group subsequently becomes required to or does report its beneficial ownership on Schedule 13D (or any successor Schedule), then, for purposes of this paragraph, such individual, entity or group shall be deemed to have first acquired, on the first date on which such individual, entity or group becomes required to or does so report, beneficial ownership of all of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and/or Outstanding Company Voting Securities beneficially owned by it on such date; or (vi) any acquisition in connection with a Business Combination (as hereinafter defined) which, pursuant to subparagraph (3) below, does not constitute a Change in Control; or

 

(2) Individuals who as of December 10, 2010 constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to such date whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of either an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of an individual, entity or group other than the Board; or

 

(3) Consummation of a reorganization, merger, consolidation or other business combination (any of the foregoing, a “Business Combination”) of the Company or any Subsidiary with any other corporation, in any case with respect to which:

 

(a) the Outstanding Company Voting Securities outstanding immediately prior to such Business Combination do not, immediately following such Business Combination, continue to represent (either by remaining outstanding or being converted into voting securities of the resulting or surviving entity or any ultimate parent thereof) more than fifty-five percent (55%) of the outstanding common stock and of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the resulting or surviving entity (or any ultimate parent thereof); or

 

(b) less than a majority of the members of the board of directors of the resulting or surviving entity (or any ultimate parent thereof) in such Business Combination (the “New Board”) consists of individuals (“Continuing Directors”) who were members of the Incumbent Board (as defined in subparagraph (2) above) immediately prior to consummation of such Business Combination (excluding from Continuing Directors for this purpose, however, any individual whose election or appointment to the Board was at the request, directly or indirectly, of the entity which entered into the definitive agreement with the Company or any Subsidiary providing for such Business Combination); or

 

(4)(a) Consummation of a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, other than to a corporation with respect to which, following such sale or other disposition, more than fifty-five percent (55%) of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of such corporation and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is then beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such sale or other disposition in substantially the same proportion as their ownership, immediately prior to such sale or other disposition, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities as the case may be; or

 

(b) shareholder approval of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

 

The term “the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company” shall mean a sale or other disposition transaction or series of related transactions involving assets of the Company or of any Subsidiary (including the stock of any Subsidiary) in which the value of the assets or stock being sold or otherwise disposed of (as measured by the purchase price being paid therefor or by such other method as the Board determines is appropriate in a case where there is no readily ascertainable purchase price) constitutes more than two-thirds of the fair market value of the Company (as hereinafter defined). The “fair market value of the Company” shall be the aggregate market value of the then Outstanding Company Common Stock (on a fully diluted basis) plus the aggregate market value of the Company’s other outstanding equity securities. The aggregate market value of the shares of Outstanding Company Common Stock shall be determined by multiplying the number of shares of Outstanding Company Common Stock (on a fully diluted basis) outstanding on the date of the execution and delivery of a definitive agreement with respect to the transaction or series of related transactions (the “Transaction Date”) by the average closing price of the shares of Outstanding Company Common Stock for the ten trading days immediately preceding the Transaction Date. The aggregate market value of any other equity securities of the Company shall be determined in a manner similar to that prescribed in the immediately preceding sentence for determining the aggregate market value of the shares of Outstanding Company Common Stock or by such other method as the Board shall determine is appropriate.

 

2.10 “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, as now in effect or as hereafter amended, and any successor thereto.

 

2.11 “Committee” means a committee of, and designated from time to time by resolution of, the Board, which shall be constituted as provided in Section 3.1.2 and Section 3.1.3 (or, if no Committee has been so designated, the Board). The Delegated Officer shall be deemed to constitute a Committee, and references in the Plan to “Committee” shall mean the Delegated Officer to the extent consistent with the powers and authorities given to the Delegated Officer in Section 3.1.3.

 

2.12 “Company” means NextEra Energy, Inc., a Florida corporation.

 

 

2.13 “Covered Employee” means a Grantee who is a “covered employee” within the meaning of Code Section 162(m)(3).

 

2.14 “Deferred Stock Unit” means a bookkeeping entry representing the equivalent of one (1) share of Stock awarded to a Grantee pursuant to Section 10 that (a) is not subject to vesting, or (b) is subject to time-based vesting, but not to performance-based vesting. A Deferred Stock Unit may also be referred to as a restricted stock unit.

 

2.15 “Delegated Officer” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.3.

 

2.16 “Determination Date” means the Grant Date or such other date as of which the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock is required to be established for purposes of the Plan.

 

2.17 “Disability” means any condition as a result of which a Grantee is determined to be totally disabled for purposes of (a) the Company’s executive long-term disability plan, for Grantees who participate in such plan, or (b) the Company’s long-term disability plan, for Grantees who do not participate in the Company’s executive long-term disability plan.

 

2.18 “Dividend Equivalent Right” means a right, granted to a Grantee pursuant to Section 13, to receive cash, Stock, other Awards or other property equal in value to dividends or other periodic payments paid or made with respect to a specified number of shares of Stock.

 

2.19 “Employee” means, as of any date of determination, an employee (including an officer) of the Company or an Affiliate.

 

2.20 “Effective Date” means May 20, 2011, the date on which the Plan was approved by the Company’s shareholders.

 

2.21 “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as now in effect or as hereafter amended.

 

2.22 “Fair Market Value” means the fair market value of a share of Stock for purposes of the Plan, which shall be determined as of any Determination Date as follows:

 

(a) If on such Determination Date the shares of Stock are listed on a Stock Exchange, or are publicly traded on another established securities market (a “Securities Market”), the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be the closing price of the Stock on such Determination Date as reported on such Stock Exchange or such Securities Market (provided that, if there is more than one such Stock Exchange or Securities Market, the Committee shall designate the appropriate Stock Exchange or Securities Market for purposes of the Fair Market Value determination). If there is no such reported closing price on such Determination Date, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be the closing price of the Stock on the next preceding day on which any sale of Stock shall have been reported on such Stock Exchange or such Securities Market.

 

(b) If on such Determination Date the shares of Stock are not listed on a Stock Exchange or publicly traded on a Securities Market, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be the value of the Stock on such Determination Date as determined by the Committee by the reasonable application of a reasonable valuation method, in a manner consistent with Code Section 409A.

 

Notwithstanding this Section 2.22 or Section 18.3, for purposes of determining taxable income and the amount of the related tax withholding obligation pursuant to Section 18.3, for any shares of Stock subject to an Award that are sold by or on behalf of a Grantee on the same date on which such shares may first be sold pursuant to the terms of the related Award Agreement, the Fair Market Value of such shares shall be the sale price of such shares on such date (or if sales of such shares are effectuated at more than one sale price, the weighted average sale price of such shares on such date).

 

 

 

2.23 “Grant Date” means, as determined by the Committee, (a) the date as of which the Committee completes the corporate action constituting the Award or (b) such date subsequent to the date specified in clause (a) above as may be specified by the Committee.

 

2.24 “Grantee” means a person who receives or holds an Award under the Plan.

 

2.25 “Incentive Stock Option” means an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Code Section 422, or the corresponding provision of any subsequently enacted tax statute, as amended from time to time.

 

2.26 “Non-qualified Stock Option” means an Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.

 

2.27 “Option” means an option to purchase one or more shares of Stock pursuant to the Plan.

 

2.28 “Option Price” means the exercise price for each share of Stock subject to an Option.

 

2.29 “Other Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 15.

 

2.30 “Outside Director” means a member of the Board who is not an Employee.

 

2.31 “Other Equity-Based Award” means an Award representing a right or other interest that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, or related to, Stock, other than an Option, a Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, a Deferred Stock Unit, Unrestricted Stock, a Dividend Equivalent Right or a Performance Share.

 

2.32 “Performance-Based Compensation” means compensation under an Award that is intended to satisfy the requirements of Code Section 162(m) for “qualified performance-based compensation” paid to Covered Employees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in the Plan shall be construed to mean that an Award which does not satisfy the requirements for “qualified performance-based compensation” within the meaning of and pursuant to Code Section 162(m) does not constitute performance-based compensation for other purposes, including the purposes of Code Section 409A.

 

2.33 “Performance-Based Award” means an Award of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Deferred Stock Units, Performance Shares or Other Equity-Based Awards made subject to the achievement of performance goals (as provided in Section 14) over a Performance Period specified by the Committee.

 

2.34 “Performance Measures” means measures as specified in Section 14 on which the performance goals under Performance-Based Awards are based and which are approved by the Company’s shareholders pursuant to, and to the extent required by, the Plan in order to qualify such Performance-Based Awards as Performance-Based Compensation.

 

2.35 “Performance Period” means the period of time during which the performance goals under Performance-Based Awards must be met in order to determine the degree of payout and/or vesting with respect to any such Performance-Based Awards.

 

2.36 “Performance Shares” means a Performance-Based Award representing a right or other interest that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, or related to, Stock, made subject to the achievement of performance goals (as provided in Section 14) over a Performance Period of up to ten (10) years.

 

2.37 “Plan” means this NextEra Energy, Inc. 2011 Long Term Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.

 

 

2.38 “Prior Plan” means the NextEra Energy, Inc. Amended and Restated Long Term Incentive Plan.

 

2.39 “Reporting Person” means a person who is required to file reports under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision.

 

2.40 “Restricted Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.2.

 

2.41 “Restricted Stock” means shares of Stock awarded to a Grantee pursuant to Section 10.

 

2.42 “SAR Price” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.1.

 

2.43 “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as now in effect or as hereafter amended.

 

2.44 “Service” means service of a Grantee as an Employee or, following termination of such Grantee’s service as an Employee, service of such Grantee as a member of the Board or of the board of directors or similar governing body of any Affiliate. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee or otherwise in writing, such Grantee’s change in position or duties with the Company or any Affiliate shall not result in interrupted or terminated Service, so long as the Grantee continues to be an Employee or, if such Grantee ceases to be an Employee, continues to serve as a member of the Board or of the board of directors or similar governing body of any Affiliate. Any determination by the Committee whether a termination of Service shall have occurred for purposes of the Plan shall be final, binding and conclusive.

 

2.45 “Stock” means the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company, or any security which shares of Stock may be changed into or for which shares of Stock may be exchanged as provided in Section 17.1.

 

2.46 “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means a right granted to a Grantee pursuant to Section 9.

 

2.47 “Stock Exchange” means the New York Stock Exchange or another established national or regional stock exchange.

 

2.48 “Subsidiary” means any corporation (other than the Company) or non-corporate entity with respect to which the Company owns, directly or indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock, membership interests or other ownership interests of any class or kind ordinarily having the power to vote for the directors, managers or other voting members of the governing body of such corporation or non-corporate entity. In addition, any other entity may be designated by the Committee as a Subsidiary, provided that (a) such entity could be considered as a subsidiary according to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, and (b) in the case of an Award of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, such Award would be considered to be granted in respect of “service recipient stock” under Code Section 409A.

 

2.49 “Substitute Award” means an Award granted upon assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted under a compensatory plan by a business entity acquired or to be acquired by the Company or an Affiliate or with which the Company or an Affiliate has combined or will combine.

 

2.50 “Ten Percent Shareholder” means a natural person who owns more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of outstanding voting securities of the Company, the Company’s parent (if any) or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries. In determining stock ownership, the attribution rules of Code Section 424(d) shall be applied.

 

2.51 “Unrestricted Stock” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11.

 

 

Unless the context otherwise requires, all references in the Plan to “including” shall mean “including without limitation.”

 

References in the Plan to any Code Section shall be deemed to include, as applicable, regulations promulgated under such Code Section.

 

	
3.

	
ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN

 

	
  

	
3.1.

	
Committee.

 

	
  

	
3.1.1.

	
Powers and Authorities.

 

The Committee shall administer the Plan and shall have such powers and authorities related to the administration of the Plan as are consistent with the Company’s restated articles of incorporation and bylaws and Applicable Laws. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee shall have full power and authority to take all actions and to make all determinations required or provided for under the Plan, any Award or any Award Agreement, and shall have full power and authority to take all such other actions and make all such other determinations not inconsistent with the specific terms and provisions of the Plan which the Committee deems to be necessary or appropriate to the administration of the Plan, any Award or any Award Agreement. All such actions and determinations shall be made by (a) the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Committee present at a meeting at which a quorum is present, or (b) the unanimous consent of the members of the Committee executed in writing in accordance with the Company’s restated articles of incorporation and bylaws and Applicable Laws. Unless otherwise expressly determined by the Board, the Committee shall have the authority to interpret and construe all provisions of the Plan, any Award and any Award Agreement, and any such interpretation or construction, and any other determination contemplated to be made under the Plan or any Award Agreement, by the Committee shall be final, binding and conclusive whether or not expressly provided for in any provision of the Plan, such Award or such Award Agreement.

 

In the event that the Plan, any Award or any Award Agreement provides for any action to be taken by the Board or any determination to be made by the Board, such action may be taken or such determination may be made by the Committee (including the Delegated Officer) constituted in accordance with this Section 3.1 if the Board has delegated the power and authority to do so to such Committee (including the Delegated Officer).

 

	
  

	
3.1.2.

	
Composition of Committee.

 

The Committee shall be a committee composed of not fewer than two directors of the Company designated by the Board to administer the Plan. Each member of the Committee shall be a “Non-Employee Director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, an “outside director” within the meaning of Code Section 162(m)(4)(C)(i) and, for so long as the Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, an “independent director” within the meaning of Section 303A of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual (or, in each case, any successor term or provision); provided, that any action taken by the Committee shall be valid and effective whether or not members of the Committee at the time of such action are later determined not to have satisfied the requirements for membership set forth in this Section 3.1.2 or otherwise provided in any charter of the Committee. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee may be the Compensation Committee of the Board or a subcommittee thereof if the Compensation Committee of the Board or such subcommittee satisfies the foregoing requirements.

 

	
  

	
3.1.3.

	
Other Committees.

 

The Board also may appoint one or more committees of the Board, each composed of two or more directors of the Company who need not be Outside Directors, which may administer the Plan with respect to Employees who are not “executive officers” as defined in Rule 3b-7 under the Exchange Act or directors of the Company, may grant Awards under the Plan to such Employees, and may determine all terms of such Awards, subject to the requirements of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, Code Section 162(m) and, for so long as the Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the rules of the New York Stock Exchange. The Board also may appoint (a) a committee, composed of two or more directors of the Company or (b) a senior executive officer of the Company (the “Delegated Officer”) (as contemplated by Florida Statutes section 607.0825(1)(e) or any successor statute thereto), which may administer the Plan with respect to Employees who are not subject to either the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act or the short-swing trading provisions of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act and are not Covered Employees, including making grants of Awards under the Plan to such Employees and determining all terms of such Awards.

 

	
  

	
3.2.

	
Board.

 

The Board from time to time may exercise any or all of the powers and authorities related to the administration and implementation of the Plan, as set forth in Section 3.1 and other applicable provisions of the Plan, as the Board shall determine, consistent with the Company’s restated articles of incorporation and bylaws and Applicable Laws.

 

	
  

	
3.3.

	
Terms of Awards.

 

	
  

	
3.3.1.

	
Committee Authority.

 

Subject to the other terms and conditions of the Plan, the Committee shall have full and final authority to:

 

(a) designate Grantees;

 

(b) determine the type or types of Awards to be made to a Grantee;

 

(c) determine the number of shares of Stock to be subject to an Award;

 

(d) establish the terms and conditions of each Award (including the Option Price of any Option), the nature and duration of any restriction or condition (or provision for lapse thereof) relating to the vesting, exercise, transfer, or forfeiture of an Award or the shares of Stock subject thereto, the treatment of an Award in the event of a Change in Control (subject to applicable agreements), and any terms or conditions that may be necessary to qualify Options as Incentive Stock Options;

 

(e) prescribe the form of each Award Agreement evidencing an Award; and

 

(f) subject to the limitation on repricing in Section 3.4, amend, modify or supplement the terms of any outstanding Award, which authority shall include the authority, in order to effectuate the purposes of the Plan but without amending the Plan, to make Awards or to modify outstanding Awards made to eligible natural persons who are foreign nationals or are natural persons who are employed outside the United States to reflect differences in local law, tax policy, or custom, provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment, modification or supplement of the terms of any outstanding Award shall, without the consent of the Grantee thereof, impair the Grantee’s rights under such Award.

 

The Committee shall have the right, in its discretion, to make Awards in substitution or exchange for any award granted under another compensatory plan of the Company, any Affiliate, or any business entity acquired or to be acquired by the Company or an Affiliate or with which the Company or an Affiliate has combined or will combine.

 

	
  

	
3.3.2.

	
Forfeiture; Recoupment.

 

The Committee may reserve the right in an Award Agreement to cause a forfeiture of the gain realized by a Grantee with respect to an Award thereunder on account of actions taken by, or failed to be taken by, such Grantee in violation or breach of or in conflict with any (a) employment agreement, (b) non-competition agreement, (c) agreement prohibiting solicitation of Employees or clients of the Company or any Affiliate, (d) confidentiality obligation with respect to the Company or any Affiliate, (e) Company policy or procedure (including the Code of Business Conduct & Ethics and the Code of Ethics for Senior Executive & Financial Officers), (f) other agreement or (g) any other obligation of such Grantee to the Company or any Affiliate, as and to the extent specified in such Award Agreement. The Committee may annul an outstanding Award if the Grantee thereof is an Employee and is terminated for Cause as defined in the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement or for “cause” as defined in any other agreement between the Company or such Affiliate and such Grantee, as applicable.

 

Any Award granted pursuant to the Plan shall be subject to mandatory repayment by the Grantee to the Company to the extent the Grantee is, or in the future becomes, subject to (a) any Company “clawback” or recoupment policy that is adopted to comply with the requirements of any applicable law, rule or regulation, or otherwise, or (b) any law, rule or regulation which imposes mandatory recoupment under circumstances set forth in such law, rule or regulation.

 

	
  

	
3.4.

	
No Repricing.

 

Except in connection with a corporate transaction involving the Company (including, without limitation, any stock dividend, distribution (whether in the form of cash, shares of Stock, other securities or other property), stock split, extraordinary cash dividend, recapitalization, change in control, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of shares of Stock or other securities or similar transaction), the Company may not, without obtaining stockholder approval: (a) amend the terms of outstanding Options or SARs to reduce the exercise price of such outstanding Options or SARs; (b) cancel outstanding Options or SARs in exchange for Options or SARs with an exercise price that is less than the exercise price of the original Options or SARs; or (c) cancel outstanding Options or SARs with an exercise price above the current stock price in exchange for cash or other securities.

 

	
  

	
3.5.

	
Deferral Arrangement.

 

The Committee may permit or require the deferral of any payment pursuant to any Award into a deferred compensation arrangement, subject to such rules and procedures as it may establish, which may include provisions for the payment or crediting of interest or Dividend Equivalent Rights and, in connection therewith, provisions for converting such credits into Deferred Stock Units and for restricting deferrals to comply with hardship distribution rules affecting tax-qualified retirement plans subject to Code Section 401(k)(2)(B)(IV), provided that no Dividend Equivalent Rights may be granted in connection with, or related to, an Award of Options or SARs. Any such deferrals shall be made in a manner that complies with Code Section 409A.

 

	
  

	
3.6.

	
No Liability.

 

No member of the Board or the Committee shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award or Award Agreement.

 

	
  

	
3.7.

	
Registration; Share Certificates.

 

Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, the ownership of the shares of Stock issued under the Plan may be evidenced in such a manner as the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate, including by book-entry or direct registration (including transaction advices) or the issuance of one or more share certificates.

 

	
4.

	
STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

 

	
  

	
4.1.

	
Number of Shares of Stock Available for Awards.

 

(a) Subject to such additional shares of Stock as shall be available for issuance under the Plan pursuant to Section 4.2, and subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 17, the maximum number of shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan shall be equal to 14 million shares, plus the number of shares of Stock subject to awards outstanding under the Prior Plan as of the Effective Date which thereafter terminate by expiration, forfeiture, cancellation, or otherwise without the issuance of such shares.

 

(b) The maximum number of shares of Stock available for issuance pursuant to Incentive Stock Options shall be the same as the maximum number of shares available for issuance under the Plan pursuant to Section 4.1(a).

 

(c) Shares of Stock to be issued under the Plan shall be authorized but unissued shares, or, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, shares of treasury stock or issued shares that have been reacquired by the Company.

 

	
  

	
4.2.

	
Adjustments in Authorized Shares of Stock.

 

In connection with mergers, reorganizations, separations, or other transactions to which Code Section 424(a) applies, the Committee shall have the right to cause the Company to assume awards previously granted under a compensatory plan by another business entity that is a party to such transaction and to substitute Awards under the Plan for such awards. The number of shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan pursuant to Section 4.1(a) shall be increased by the number of shares of Stock subject to any such assumed awards and substitute Awards. Shares available for issuance under a shareholder-approved plan of a business entity that is a party to such transaction (as appropriately adjusted, if necessary, to reflect such transaction) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the number of shares of Stock otherwise available for issuance under the Plan, subject to applicable rules of any Stock Exchange on which the Stock is listed.

 

	
  

	
4.3.

	
Share Usage.

 

(a) Shares of Stock subject to an Award shall be counted as used as of the Grant Date.

 

(b) Any shares of Stock that are subject to Awards, including shares of Stock acquired through dividend reinvestment pursuant to Section 10.4, shall be counted against the share issuance limit set forth in Section 4.1(a) as one (1) share of Stock for every one (1) share of Stock subject to an Award. Only the number of shares of Stock actually issued to settle an Award of SARs upon exercise thereof shall be counted against the share issuance limit set forth in Section 4.1(a). The target number of shares issuable under a Performance Share grant shall be counted against the share issuance limit set forth in Section 4.1(a) as of the Grant Date, but such number shall be adjusted to equal the actual number of shares issued upon settlement of the Performance Shares to the extent different from such target number of shares.

 

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 4.3(a) or Section 4.3(b), any shares of Stock subject to Awards under the Plan which thereafter terminate by expiration, forfeiture, cancellation, or otherwise, without the issuance of such shares, shall be available again for issuance under the Plan.

 

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4, the number of shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan shall not be increased by the number of shares of Stock (i) tendered or withheld or subject to an Award surrendered in connection with the purchase of shares of Stock upon exercise of an Option as provided in Section 12.2, (ii) deducted or delivered from payment of an Award in connection with the Company’s tax withholding obligations as provided in Section 18.3 or (iii) purchased by the Company with proceeds from Option exercises.

 

	
5.

	
EFFECTIVE DATE; TERM; AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

 

	
  

	
5.1.

	
Effective Date.

 

The Plan shall be effective as of the Effective Date. Following the Effective Date, no awards shall be made under the Prior Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, shares of Stock reserved under the Prior Plan to settle awards, including performance-based awards, which are made under the Prior Plan prior to the Effective Date may be issued and delivered following the Effective Date to settle such awards.

 

	
  

	
5.2.

	
Term.

 

The Plan shall terminate automatically ten (10) years after the Effective Date and may be terminated on any earlier date as provided in Section 5.3.

 

	
  

	
5.3.

	
Amendment and Termination.

 

The Board may, at any time and from time to time, amend, suspend or terminate the Plan as to any shares of Stock as to which Awards have not been made. The effectiveness of any amendment to the Plan shall be contingent on approval of such amendment by the Company’s shareholders to the extent provided by the Board or required by Applicable Laws (including the rules of any Stock Exchange on which the Stock is then listed), provided that no amendment shall be made to the no-repricing provisions of Section 3.4 or the Option pricing provisions of Section 8.1 without the approval of the Company’s shareholders. No amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan shall impair rights or obligations under any Award theretofore made under the Plan without the consent of the Grantee thereof.

 

	
6.

	
AWARD ELIGIBILITY AND LIMITATIONS

 

	
  

	
6.1.

	
Eligible Employees.

 

Subject to this Section 6, Awards may be made under the Plan to any Employee, as the Committee shall determine and designate from time to time.

 

	
  

	
6.2.

	
Limitation on Shares of Stock Subject to Awards.

 

During any time when the Company has a class of equity securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act:

 

(a) the maximum number of shares of Stock subject to Options or SARs that may be granted under the Plan in a calendar year to any person eligible for an Award under Section 6 is 4.66 million shares; and

 

(b) the maximum number of shares of Stock that may be granted under the Plan, other than pursuant to Options or SARs, in a calendar year to any person eligible for an Award under Section 6 is 2.33 million shares.

 

The preceding limitations in this Section 6.2 are subject to adjustment as provided in Section 17.

 

	
  

	
6.3.

	
Stand-Alone, Additional, Tandem and Substitute Awards.

 

Subject to Section 3.4, Awards granted under the Plan may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone or in addition to, in tandem with, or in substitution or exchange for, (a) any other Award, (b) any award granted under another plan of the Company, any Affiliate, or any business entity that has been a party to a transaction with the Company or any Affiliate, or (c) any other right of a Grantee to receive payment from the Company or any Affiliate. Such additional, tandem and substitute or exchange Awards may be granted at any time. If an Award is granted in substitution or exchange for another Award, or for an award granted under another plan of the Company, any Affiliate, or any business entity that has been a party to a transaction with the Company or any Affiliate, the Committee shall require the surrender of such other Award or award under such other plan in consideration for the grant of such substitute or exchange Award. In addition, Awards may be granted in lieu of cash compensation, including in lieu of cash payments under other plans of the Company or any Affiliate. Notwithstanding Section 8.1 and Section 9.1, but subject to Section 3.4, the Option Price of an Option or the grant price of an SAR that is a Substitute Award may be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the original Grant Date; provided that the Option Price or grant price is determined in accordance with the principles of Code Section 424 for any Incentive Stock Option and consistent with Code Section 409A for any other Option or SAR.

 

	
7.

	
AWARD AGREEMENT

 

Each Award granted pursuant to the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement, which shall be in such form or forms as the Committee shall from time to time determine. Award Agreements employed under the Plan from time to time or at the same time need not contain similar provisions, but shall be consistent with the terms of the Plan. Each Award Agreement evidencing an Award of Options shall specify whether such Options are intended to be Non-qualified Stock Options or Incentive Stock Options, and, in the absence of such specification, such Options shall be deemed to constitute Non-qualified Stock Options.

 

	
8.

	
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS

 

	
  

	
8.1.

	
Option Price.

 

The Option Price of each Option shall be fixed by the Committee and stated in the Award Agreement evidencing such Option. Except in the case of Substitute Awards, the Option Price of each Option shall be at least the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Stock on the Grant Date; provided that in the event that a Grantee is a Ten Percent Shareholder, the Option Price of an Option granted to such Grantee that is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Stock on the Grant Date. In no case shall the Option Price of any Option be less than the par value of a share of Stock.

 

	
  

	
8.2.

	
Vesting.

 

Subject to Sections 8.3 and 17.3, each Option granted under the Plan shall become exercisable at such times and under such conditions as shall be determined by the Committee and stated in the Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee or otherwise in writing.

 

	
  

	
8.3.

	
Term.

 

Each Option granted under the Plan shall terminate, and all rights to purchase shares of Stock thereunder shall cease, upon the expiration of ten (10) years from the Grant Date of such Option, or under such circumstances and on such date prior thereto as is set forth in the Plan or as may be fixed by the Committee and stated in the Award Agreement relating to such Option; provided, that in the event that the Grantee is a Ten Percent Shareholder, an Option granted to such Grantee that is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option shall not be exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years from its Grant Date.

 

	
  

	
8.4.

	
Termination of Service.

 

Each Award Agreement with respect to the grant of an Option shall set forth the extent to which the Grantee thereof, if at all, shall have the right to exercise such Option following termination of such Grantee’s Service. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, need not be uniform among all Options issued pursuant to the Plan, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination of Service.

 

 

	
  

	
8.5.

	
Limitations on Exercise of Option.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, in no event may any Option be exercised, in whole or in part, after the occurrence of an event referred to in Section 17 which results in the termination of such Option.

 

	
  

	
8.6.

	
Method of Exercise.

 

Subject to the terms of Section 12 and Section 18.3, an Option that is exercisable may be exercised by the Grantee’s delivery to the Company or its designee or agent of notice of exercise on any business day, at the Company’s principal office or the office of such designee or agent, on the form specified by the Company and in accordance with any additional procedures specified by the Committee. Such notice shall specify the number of shares of Stock with respect to which such Option is being exercised and shall be accompanied by payment in full of the Option Price of the shares of Stock for which such Option is being exercised plus the amount (if any) of federal and/or other taxes which the Company may, in its judgment, be required to withhold with respect to the exercise of such Option.

 

	
  

	
8.7.

	
Rights of Holders of Options.

 

Unless otherwise stated in the applicable Award Agreement, a Grantee or other person holding or exercising an Option shall have none of the rights of a shareholder of the Company (for example, the right to receive cash or dividend payments or distributions attributable to the shares of Stock subject to such Option, to direct the voting of the shares of Stock subject to such Option, or to receive notice of any meeting of the Company’s shareholders) until the shares of Stock subject thereto are fully paid and issued to such Grantee or other person. Except as provided in Section 17, no adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions or other rights with respect to any shares of Stock subject to an Option for which the record date is prior to the date of issuance of such shares of Stock.

 

	
  

	
8.8.

	
Delivery of Stock.

 

Promptly after the exercise of an Option by a Grantee and the payment in full of the Option Price with respect thereto, such Grantee shall be entitled to receive such evidence of such Grantee’s ownership of the shares of Stock subject to such Option as shall be consistent with Section 3.7.

 

	
  

	
8.9.

	
Transferability of Options.

 

During the lifetime of a Grantee of an Option, only such Grantee (or, in the event of such Grantee’s legal incapacity or incompetency, such Grantee’s guardian or legal representative) may exercise such Option. No Option shall be assignable or transferable by the Grantee to whom it is granted, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

	
  

	
8.10.

	
Limitations on Incentive Stock Options.

 

An Option shall constitute an Incentive Stock Option only (a) if the Grantee of such Option is an Employee of the Company or any corporate Subsidiary, (b) to the extent specifically provided in the related Award Agreement and (c) to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time such Option is granted) of the shares of Stock with respect to which all Incentive Stock Options held by such Grantee become exercisable for the first time during any calendar year (under the Plan and all other plans of the Company and its Affiliates) does not exceed $100,000. Except to the extent provided in the regulations under Code Section 422, this limitation shall be applied by taking Options into account in the order in which they were granted.

 

	
  

	
8.11.

	
Notice of Disqualifying Disposition.

 

If any Grantee shall make any disposition of shares of Stock issued pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option under the circumstances provided in Code Section 421(b) (relating to certain disqualifying dispositions), such Grantee shall notify the Company of such disposition within ten (10) days thereof.

 

 

	
9.

	
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

 

	
  

	
9.1.

	
Right to Payment and Grant Price.

 

A SAR shall confer on the Grantee to whom it is granted a right to receive, upon exercise thereof, the excess of (x) the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Stock on the date of exercise over (y) the per share exercise price of such SAR (the “SAR Price”) as determined by the Committee. The Award Agreement for a SAR shall specify the SAR Price, which shall be no less than the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Stock on the Grant Date of such SAR. SARs may be granted in tandem with all or part of an Option granted under the Plan or at any subsequent time during the term of such Option, in combination with all or any part of any other Award or without regard to any Option or other Award; provided that a SAR that is granted subsequent to the Grant Date of a related Option must have a SAR Price that is no less than the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Stock on the Grant Date of such SAR.

 

	
  

	
9.2.

	
Other Terms.

 

The Committee shall determine, on the Grant Date or thereafter, the time or times at which and the circumstances under which a SAR may be exercised in whole or in part (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future Service requirements), the time or times at which SARs shall cease to be or become exercisable following termination of Service or upon other conditions, the method of exercise, method of settlement, form of consideration payable in settlement, method by or forms in which shares of Stock shall be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Grantees, whether or not a SAR shall be granted in tandem or in combination with any other Award, and any and all other terms and conditions of any SAR.

 

	
  

	
9.3.

	
Term.

 

Each SAR granted under the Plan shall terminate, and all rights thereunder shall cease, upon the expiration of ten (10) years from the Grant Date of such SAR or under such circumstances and on such date prior thereto as is set forth in the Plan or as may be fixed by the Committee and stated in the Award Agreement relating to such SAR.

 

	
  

	
9.4.

	
Transferability of SARS.

 

During the lifetime of a Grantee of a SAR, only the Grantee (or, in the event of such Grantee’s legal incapacity or incompetency, such Grantee’s guardian or legal representative) may exercise such SAR. No SAR shall be assignable or transferable by the Grantee to whom it is granted, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

	
10.

	
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF RESTRICTED STOCK AND DEFERRED STOCK UNITS

 

	
  

	
10.1.

	
Grant of Restricted Stock or Deferred Stock Units.

 

Awards of Restricted Stock and Deferred Stock Units may be made for consideration or for no consideration, other than the par value of the shares of Stock, which shall be deemed paid by past Service or, if so provided in the related Award Agreement or a separate agreement, the promise by the Grantee to perform future Service to the Company or an Affiliate.

 

	
  

	
10.2.

	
Restrictions.

 

At the time a grant of Restricted Stock or Deferred Stock Units is made, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, (a) establish a period of time (a “Restricted Period”) applicable to such Restricted Stock or Deferred Stock Units and (b) prescribe restrictions in addition to or other than the expiration of the Restricted Period, including the satisfaction of corporate or individual performance goals, which may be applicable to all or any portion of such Restricted Stock or Deferred Stock Units as provided in Section 14. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Awards of Restricted Stock and Deferred Stock Units that vest solely by the passage of time shall not vest in full in less than three (3) years from the Grant Date (but may vest pro-rata during such period on a daily, monthly, annual or other basis), and Restricted Stock and Deferred Stock Units that vest upon achievement of performance goals shall not vest in full in less than one (1) year from the Grant Date; provided, that (i) up to five percent (5%) of the maximum number of shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan may be granted pursuant to the Plan without being subject to the foregoing restrictions, and (ii) any dividends or Dividend Equivalent Rights, or other distributions, issued in connection with any Award granted at any time under the Plan shall not be subject to or counted for either such restrictions or such five percent (5%) share issuance limit. The foregoing five percent (5%) share issuance limit shall be subject to adjustment consistent with the adjustment provisions of Section 17.2 and the share usage rules of Section 4.3. Awards of Restricted Stock and Deferred Stock Units may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of during the Restricted Period or prior to the satisfaction of any other restrictions prescribed by the Committee with respect to such Awards.

 

	
  

	
10.3.

	
Registration; Restricted Share Certificates.

 

Pursuant to Section 3.7, to the extent that ownership of Restricted Stock is evidenced by a book-entry registration or direct registration (including transaction advices), such registration shall be notated to evidence the restrictions imposed on such Award of Restricted Stock under the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement. Subject to Section 3.7 and the immediately following sentence, the Company may issue, in the name of each Grantee to whom Restricted Stock has been granted, share certificates representing the total number of shares of Restricted Stock granted to the Grantee, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Grant Date of such Restricted Stock. The Committee may provide in an Award Agreement that either (a) the Secretary of the Company shall hold such certificates for such Grantee’s benefit until such time as such shares of Restricted Stock are forfeited to the Company or the restrictions applicable thereto lapse and such Grantee shall deliver a stock power to the Company with respect to each certificate, or (b) such certificates shall be delivered to such Grantee, provided that such certificates shall bear legends that comply with applicable securities laws and regulations and make appropriate reference to the restrictions imposed on such Award of Restricted Stock under the Plan and such Award Agreement.

 

	
  

	
10.4.

	
Rights of Holders of Restricted Stock.

 

Unless the Committee otherwise provides in an Award Agreement, holders of Restricted Stock shall have the right to vote such shares of Restricted Stock and the right to receive any dividends declared or paid with respect to such shares of Restricted Stock. The Committee may provide that any dividends paid on Restricted Stock must be reinvested in shares of Stock, which may or may not be subject to the same vesting conditions and restrictions as the vesting conditions and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock. Dividends paid on Restricted Stock which vests or is earned based upon the achievement of performance goals shall not vest unless such performance goals for such Restricted Stock are achieved, and if such performance goals are not achieved, the Grantee of such Restricted Stock shall promptly forfeit and repay to the Company such dividend payments. All stock distributions, if any, received by a Grantee with respect to Restricted Stock as a result of any stock split, stock dividend, combination of stock, or other similar transaction shall be subject to the vesting conditions and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock.

 

	
  

	
10.5.

	
Rights of Holders of Deferred Stock Units.

 

	
  

	
10.5.1.

	
Voting and Dividend Rights.

 

Holders of Deferred Stock Units shall have no rights as shareholders of the Company (for example, the right to receive cash or dividend payments or distributions attributable to the shares of Stock subject to such Deferred Stock Units, to direct the voting of the shares of Stock subject to such Deferred Stock Units, or to receive notice of any meeting of the Company’s shareholders). The Committee may provide in an Award Agreement evidencing a grant of Deferred Stock Units that the holder of such Deferred Stock Units shall be entitled to receive, upon the Company’s payment of a cash dividend on its outstanding shares of Stock, a cash payment for each such Deferred Stock Unit which is equal to the per-share dividend paid on such shares of Stock. Such Award Agreement also may provide that such cash payment shall be deemed reinvested in additional Deferred Stock Units at a price per unit equal to the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date that such cash dividend is paid. Such cash payments paid in connection with Deferred Stock Units which vest or are earned based upon the achievement of performance goals shall not vest unless such performance goals for such Deferred Stock Units are achieved, and if such performance goals are not achieved, the Grantee of such Deferred Stock Units shall promptly forfeit and repay to the Company such cash payments. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a grantor trust is established in connection with the Awards of Deferred Stock Units and shares of Stock are held in the grantor trust for purposes of satisfying the Company’s obligation to deliver shares of Stock in connection with such Deferred Stock Units, the Award Agreement for such Deferred Stock Units may provide that such cash payment shall be deemed reinvested in additional Deferred Stock Units at a price per unit equal to the actual price paid for each share of Stock by the trustee of the grantor trust upon such trustee’s reinvestment of the cash dividend received.

 

	
  

	
10.5.2.

	
Creditor’s Rights.

 

A holder of Deferred Stock Units shall have no rights other than those of a general unsecured creditor of the Company. Deferred Stock Units represent an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable Award Agreement.

 

	
  

	
10.6.

	
Termination of Service.

 

Unless the Committee otherwise provides in an Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee or otherwise in writing after such Award Agreement is entered into, but prior to termination of Grantee’s Service, upon the termination of such Grantee’s Service, any Restricted Stock or Deferred Stock Units held by such Grantee that have not vested, or with respect to which all applicable restrictions and conditions have not lapsed, shall immediately be deemed forfeited. Upon forfeiture of such Restricted Stock or Deferred Stock Units, the Grantee thereof shall have no further rights with respect thereto, including any right to vote such Restricted Stock or any right to receive dividends with respect to such Restricted Stock or Deferred Stock Units. If the Committee accelerates vesting of Restricted Stock or Deferred Stock Units, except (a) in the case of a Grantee’s death or disability, (b) acceleration required by binding commitments or agreements entered into by the Company prior to the Effective Date or (c) as specified in Section 17.3, the shares of Stock subject to such Restricted Stock or Deferred Stock Units shall be deducted from the five percent (5%) share issuance limit set forth in Section 10.2.

 

	
  

	
10.7.

	
Delivery of Shares of Stock.

 

Upon the expiration or termination of any Restricted Period and the satisfaction of any other conditions prescribed by the Committee, the restrictions applicable to Restricted Stock or Deferred Stock Units settled in shares of Stock shall lapse, and, unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, a book-entry or direct registration (including transaction advices) or a share certificate evidencing ownership of such shares of Stock shall, consistent with Section 3.7, be issued, free of all such restrictions, to the Grantee thereof or such Grantee’s beneficiary or estate, as the case may be. Neither the Grantee, nor the Grantee’s beneficiary or estate, shall have any further rights with regard to a Deferred Stock Unit once the shares of Stock represented by such Deferred Stock Unit have been delivered in accordance with this Section 10.7.

 

	
11.

	
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF UNRESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS AND OTHER EQUITY-BASED AWARDS

 

	
  

	
11.1.

	
Unrestricted Stock Awards.

 

The Committee may, in its sole discretion, grant an Award to any Grantee pursuant to which such Grantee may receive shares of Stock free of any restrictions (“Unrestricted Stock”) under the Plan, subject to the five percent (5%) share issuance limit set forth in Section 10.2. Unrestricted Stock Awards may be granted or sold to any Grantee as provided in the immediately preceding sentence in respect of past or, if so provided in the related Award Agreement or a separate agreement, the promise by the Grantee to perform future Service to the Company or an Affiliate or other valid consideration, or in lieu of, or in addition to, any cash compensation due to such Grantee.

 

	
  

	
11.2.

	
Other Equity-Based Awards.

 

The Committee may, in its sole discretion, grant Awards in the form of Other Equity-Based Awards, as deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan. Awards granted pursuant to this Section 11.2 may be granted with vesting, value and/or payment contingent upon the achievement of one or more performance goals. The Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of Other Equity-Based Awards at the Grant Date or thereafter. Unless the Committee otherwise provides in an Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee, or otherwise in writing after such Award Agreement is issued, upon the termination of a Grantee’s Service, any Other Equity-Based Awards held by such Grantee that have not vested, or with respect to which all applicable restrictions and conditions have not lapsed, shall immediately be deemed forfeited. Upon forfeiture of any Other Equity-Based Award, the Grantee thereof shall have no further rights with respect to such Other Equity-Based Award.

 

	
12.

	
FORM OF PAYMENT FOR OPTIONS

 

	
  

	
12.1.

	
General Rule.

 

Payment of the Option Price for the shares of Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option shall be made in cash or in cash equivalents acceptable to the Company.

 

	
  

	
12.2.

	
Surrender of Shares of Stock.

 

To the extent that the applicable Award Agreement so provides, payment of the Option Price for shares of Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option may be made all or in part through the tender or attestation to the Company of shares of Stock, which shall be valued, for purposes of determining the extent to which such Option Price has been paid thereby, at their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise.

 

	
  

	
12.3.

	
Cashless Exercise.

 

To the extent permitted by Applicable Laws and to the extent the Award Agreement so provides, payment of the Option Price for shares of Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option may be made all or in part by delivery (on a form acceptable to the Committee) of an irrevocable direction to a licensed securities broker acceptable to the Company to sell shares of Stock and to deliver all or part of the proceeds of such sale to the Company in payment of such Option Price and any withholding taxes described in Section 18.3, or, with the consent of the Company, by issuing the number of shares of Stock equal in value to the difference between such Option Price and the Fair Market Value of the shares of Stock subject to the portion of such Option being exercised.

 

	
13.

	
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF DIVIDEND EQUIVALENT RIGHTS

 

	
  

	
13.1.

	
Dividend Equivalent Rights.

 

A Dividend Equivalent Right is an Award entitling the recipient thereof to receive credits based on cash distributions that would have been paid on the shares of Stock specified in such Dividend Equivalent Right (or other Award to which such Dividend Equivalent Right relates) if such shares of Stock had been issued to and held by the recipient of such Dividend Equivalent Right as of the record date. A Dividend Equivalent Right may be granted hereunder to any Grantee; provided that no Dividend Equivalent Right may be granted in connection with, or related to, an Award of Options or SARs. The terms and conditions of Dividend Equivalent Rights shall be specified in the Award Agreement therefor. Dividend equivalents credited to the holder of a Dividend Equivalent Right may be paid currently (with or without being subject to forfeiture or a repayment obligation) or may be deemed to be reinvested in additional shares of Stock, which may thereafter accrue additional Dividend Equivalent Rights (with or without being subject to forfeiture or a repayment obligation). Any such reinvestment shall be at the Fair Market Value thereof on the date of such reinvestment. Dividend Equivalent Rights may be settled in cash or shares of Stock or a combination thereof, in a single installment or in multiple installments, all as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee. A Dividend Equivalent Right granted as a component of another Award may provide that such Dividend Equivalent Right shall be settled upon exercise, settlement, or payment of, or lapse of restrictions on, such other Award, and that such Dividend Equivalent Right shall expire or be forfeited or annulled under the same conditions as such other Award. A Dividend Equivalent Right granted as a component of another Award also may contain terms and conditions which are different from the terms and conditions of such other Award, provided that Dividend Equivalent Rights credited pursuant to a Dividend Equivalent Right granted as a component of another Award which vests or is earned based upon the achievement of performance goals shall not vest unless such performance goals for such underlying Award are achieved, and if such performance goals are not achieved, the Grantee of such Dividend Equivalent Rights shall promptly forfeit and repay to the Company payments made in connection with such Dividend Equivalent Rights.

 

	
  

	
13.2.

	
Termination of Service.

 

Unless the Committee otherwise provides in an Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee, or otherwise in writing after such Award Agreement is issued, a Grantee’s rights in all Dividend Equivalent Rights shall automatically terminate upon the Grantee’s termination of Service for any reason.

 

	
14.

	
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PERFORMANCE-BASED AWARDS

 

	
  

	
14.1.

	
Grant of Performance-Based Awards.

 

Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Performance-Based Awards to a Plan participant in such amounts and upon such terms as the Committee shall determine.

 

	
  

	
14.2.

	
Value of Performance-Based Awards.

 

Each grant of a Performance-Based Award shall have an initial value or target number of shares of Stock that is established by the Committee at the time of grant. The Committee shall set performance goals in its discretion which, depending on the extent to which they are achieved, shall determine the value and/or number of shares subject to a Performance-Based Award that will be paid out to the Grantee thereof.

 

	
  

	
14.3.

	
Earning of Performance-Based Awards.

 

Subject to the terms of the Plan, after the applicable Performance Period has ended, the Grantee of Performance-Based Awards shall be entitled to receive a payout on the value or number of the Performance-Based Awards earned by such Grantee over such Performance Period.

 

	
  

	
14.4.

	
Form and Timing of Payment of Performance-Based Awards.

 

Payment of earned Performance-Based Awards shall be as determined by the Committee and as evidenced in the applicable Award Agreement. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Performance-Based Awards in shares of Stock and shall pay the Awards that have been earned at the close of the applicable Performance Period, or as soon as reasonably practicable after the Committee has determined that the performance goal or goals have been achieved; provided that, unless specifically provided in the Award Agreement for such Awards, such payment shall occur no later than the 15th day of the third month following the end of the calendar year in which such Performance Period ends. Any shares of Stock paid out under such Awards may be granted subject to any restrictions deemed appropriate by the Committee. The determination of the Committee with respect to the form of payout of such Awards shall be set forth in the Award Agreement for the Awards.

 

	
  

	
14.5.

	
Performance Conditions.

 

The right of a Grantee to exercise or receive a grant or settlement of any Performance-Based Award, and the timing thereof, may be subject to such performance conditions as may be specified by the Committee. The Committee may use such business criteria and other measures of performance as it may deem appropriate in establishing any performance conditions. If and to the extent required under Code Section 162(m), any power or authority relating to an Award intended to qualify under Code Section 162(m) shall be exercised by the Committee and not by the Board.

 

	
  

	
14.6.

	
Performance-Based Awards Granted to Designated Covered Employees.

 

If and to the extent that the Committee determines that a Performance-Based Award to be granted to a Grantee should constitute “qualified performance-based compensation” for purposes of Code Section 162(m), the grant, exercise and/or settlement of such Award shall be contingent upon achievement of pre-established performance goals and other terms set forth in this Section 14.6.

 

	
  

	
14.6.1.

	
Performance Goals Generally.

 

The performance goals for Performance-Based Awards shall consist of one or more business criteria and a targeted level or levels of performance with respect to each such criteria, as specified by the Committee consistent with this Section 14.6. Performance goals shall be objective and shall otherwise meet the requirements of Code Section 162(m), including the requirement that the level or levels of performance targeted by the Committee result in the achievement of performance goals being “substantially uncertain.” The Committee may determine that such Awards shall be granted, exercised and/or settled upon achievement of any single performance goal or that two (2) or more of the performance goals must be achieved as a condition to grant, exercise and/or settlement of such Awards. Performance goals may differ for Awards granted to any one Grantee or to different Grantees.

 

	
  

	
14.6.2.

	
Timing For Establishing Performance Goals.

 

Performance goals for any Performance-Based Award shall be established not later than the earlier of (a) 90 days after the beginning of any Performance Period applicable to such Award, and (b) the date on which twenty-five percent (25%) of any Performance Period applicable to such Award has expired, or at such other date as may be required or permitted for compensation payable to a Covered Employee to constitute Performance-Based Compensation.

 

	
  

	
14.6.3.

	
Settlement of Awards; Other Terms.

 

Settlement of Performance-Based Awards shall be in shares of Stock, other Awards or other property, as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, reduce the amount of a settlement otherwise to be made in connection with such Awards. The Committee shall specify the circumstances in which such Performance-Based Awards shall be paid or forfeited in the event of termination of Service by the Grantee prior to the end of a Performance Period or settlement of such Awards.

 

	
  

	
14.6.4.

	
Performance Measures.

 

The performance goals upon which the payment or vesting of a Performance-Based Award to a Covered Employee that is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation may be conditioned shall be limited to the following Performance Measures, with or without adjustment:

 

	
  

	
(a)

	
adjusted earnings;

 

 

 

	
  

	
(b)

	
return on equity (which includes adjusted return on equity);

 

	
  

	
(c)

	
earnings per share growth (which includes adjusted earnings per share growth);

 

	
  

	
(d)

	
basic earnings per common share;

 

	
  

	
(e)

	
diluted earnings per common share;

 

	
  

	
(f)

	
adjusted earnings per common share;

 

	
  

	
(g)

	
net income;

 

	
  

	
(h)

	
adjusted earnings before interest and taxes;

 

	
  

	
(i)

	
earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization;

 

	
  

	
(j)

	
operating cash flow;

 

	
  

	
(k)

	
operations and maintenance expense;

 

	
  

	
(l)

	
total shareholder return;

 

	
  

	
(m)

	
operating income;

 

	
  

	
(n)

	
strategic business objectives, consisting of one or more objectives based upon meeting specified cost targets, business expansion goals, new growth opportunities, market penetration, and goals relating to the acquisitions or divestitures, or goals relating to capital-raising and capital management;

 

	
  

	
(o)

	
customer satisfaction, as measured by, among other things, one or more of service cost, service levels, responsiveness, business value, and residential value;

 

	
  

	
(p)

	
environmental, including, among other things, one or more of improvement in, or attainment of, emissions levels, project completion milestones, and prevention of significant environmental violations;

 

	
  

	
(q)

	
common share price;

 

	
  

	
(r)

	
production measures, consisting of, among other things, one or more of capacity utilization, generating equivalent availability, production cost, fossil generation activity, generating capacity factor, Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) Index performance, and World Association of Nuclear Power Operators (WANO) Index performance;

 

	
  

	
(s)

	
bad debt expense;

 

	
  

	
(t)

	
service reliability;

 

	
  

	
(u)

	
service quality;

 

	
  

	
(v)

	
improvement in, or attainment of, expense levels, including, among other things, one or more of operations and maintenance expense, capital expenditures and total expenditures;

 

	
  

	
(w)

	
budget achievement;

 

	
  

	
(x)

	
health and safety, as measured by, among other things, one or more of recordable case rate and severity rate;

 

	
  

	
(y)

	
reliability, as measured by, among other things, one or more of outage frequency, outage duration, frequency of momentary interruptions, average frequency of customer interruptions, and average number of momentary interruptions per customer;

 

	
  

	
(z)

	
ethics and compliance with applicable laws, regulations and professional standards;

 

	
  

	
(aa)

	
risk management;

 

 

 

	
  

	
(bb)

	
workforce quality, as measured by, among other things, one or more of diversity measures, talent and leadership development, workforce hiring, and employee satisfaction;

 

	
  

	
(cc)

	
cost recovery; and

 

	
  

	
(dd)

	
any combination of the foregoing.

 

Performance under any of the foregoing Performance Measures (a) may be used to measure the performance of (i) the Company and its Subsidiaries and other Affiliates as a whole, (ii) the Company, any Subsidiary, and/or any other Affiliate or any combination thereof, or (iii) any one or more business units of the Company, any Subsidiary, and/or any other Affiliate, as the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate and (b) may be compared to the performance of one or more other companies or one or more published or special indices designated or approved by the Committee for such comparison, as the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate. In addition, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may select performance under Performance Measure clause (q) above (common share price) for comparison to performance under one or more stock market indices designated or approved by the Committee. The Committee also shall have the authority to provide for accelerated vesting of any Performance-Based Award based on the achievement of performance goals pursuant to the Performance Measures specified in this Section 14.

 

	
  

	
14.6.5.

	
Evaluation of Performance.

 

The Committee may provide in any Performance-Based Award that any evaluation of performance may include or exclude any of the following events that occur during a Performance Period: (a) a Change in Control; (b) a declaration and distribution of stock dividends or stock splits; (c) mergers, consolidations or reorganizations; (d) acquisitions or dispositions of material business units; (e) extraordinary, non-core, non-operating or non-recurring items; and (f) infrequently occurring or extraordinary gains or losses. To the extent such inclusions or exclusions affect Awards to Covered Employees that are intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, such inclusions or exclusions shall be prescribed in a form that meets the requirements of Code Section 162(m) for deductibility.

 

	
  

	
14.6.6.

	
Adjustment of Performance-Based Compensation.

 

The Committee shall have the sole discretion to adjust Awards that are intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, either on a formula or discretionary basis, or on any combination thereof, as the Committee determines consistent with the requirements of Code Section 162(m) for deductibility.

 

	
  

	
14.6.7.

	
Committee Discretion.

 

In the event that Applicable Laws change to permit Committee discretion to alter the governing Performance Measures without obtaining shareholder approval of such changes, the Committee shall have sole discretion to make such changes without obtaining shareholder approval, provided that the exercise of such discretion shall not be inconsistent with the requirements of Code Section 162(m). In addition, in the event that the Committee determines that it is advisable to grant Awards that shall not qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, the Committee may make such grants without satisfying the requirements of Code Section 162(m) and base vesting on Performance Measures other than those set forth in Section 14.6.4.

 

	
  

	
14.7.

	
Status of Awards Under Code Section 162(m).

 

It is the intent of the Company that Awards under Section 14.6 granted to persons who are designated by the Committee as likely to be Covered Employees within the meaning of Code Section 162(m) and the regulations promulgated thereunder shall, if so designated by the Committee, constitute “qualified performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Code Section 162(m). Accordingly, the terms of Section 14.6, including the definitions of Covered Employee and other terms used therein, shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with Code Section 162(m). If any provision of the Plan or any agreement relating to any such Award does not comply or is inconsistent with the requirements of Code Section 162(m), such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such requirements.

 

 

	
15.

	
PARACHUTE LIMITATIONS

 

If any Grantee is a “disqualified individual,” as defined in Code Section 280G(c), then, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or of any other agreement, contract, or understanding heretofore or hereafter entered into by such Grantee with the Company or an Affiliate, except an agreement, contract, or understanding that expressly addresses Code Section 280G or Code Section 4999 (an “Other Agreement”), and notwithstanding any formal or informal plan or other arrangement for the direct or indirect provision of compensation to the Grantee (including groups or classes of Grantees or beneficiaries of which the Grantee is a member), whether or not such compensation is deferred, is in cash, or is in the form of a benefit to or for the Grantee (a “Benefit Arrangement”), any right of the Grantee to any exercise, vesting, payment or benefit under the Plan shall be reduced or eliminated:

 

(a) to the extent that such right to exercise, vesting, payment, or benefit, taking into account all other rights, payments, or benefits to or for the Grantee under the Plan, all Other Agreements, and all Benefit Arrangements, would cause any exercise, vesting, payment, or benefit to the Grantee under the Plan to be considered a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Code Section 280G(b)(2) as then in effect (a “Parachute Payment”); and

 

(b) if, as a result of receiving such Parachute Payment, the aggregate after-tax amounts received by the Grantee from the Company under the Plan, all Other Agreements, and all Benefit Arrangements would be less than the maximum after-tax amount that could be received by the Grantee without causing any such payment or benefit to be considered a Parachute Payment.

 

The Company shall accomplish such reduction by first reducing or eliminating any cash payments (with the payments to be made furthest in the future being reduced first), then by reducing or eliminating any accelerated vesting of Performance-Based Awards, then by reducing or eliminating any accelerated vesting of Options or SARs, then by reducing or eliminating any accelerated vesting of Restricted Stock or Deferred Stock Units, then by reducing or eliminating any other remaining Parachute Payments.

 

	
16.

	
REQUIREMENTS OF LAW

 

	
  

	
16.1.

	
General.

 

The Company shall not be required to offer, sell or issue any shares of Stock under any Award, whether pursuant to the exercise of an Option or SAR or otherwise, if the offer, sale or issuance of such shares of Stock would constitute a violation by the Grantee, the Company or an Affiliate, or any other person, of any provision of Applicable Laws, including any federal or state securities laws or regulations. If at any time the Company shall determine, in its discretion, that the listing, registration or qualification of any shares of Stock subject to an Award upon any securities exchange or under any governmental regulatory body is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, the offering, issuance, sale or purchase of shares of Stock in connection with any Award, no shares of Stock may be offered, issued or sold to the Grantee or any other person under such Award, whether pursuant to the exercise of an Option or SAR or otherwise, unless such listing, registration or qualification shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Company, and any delay caused thereby shall in no way affect the date of termination of such Award. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, upon the exercise of any Option or any SAR that may be settled in shares of Stock or the delivery of any shares of Stock underlying an Award, unless a registration statement under the Securities Act is in effect with respect to the shares of Stock subject to such Award, the Company shall not be required to offer, sell or issue such shares of Stock unless the Committee shall have received evidence satisfactory to it that the Grantee or any other person exercising such Option or SAR or accepting delivery of such shares may acquire such shares of Stock pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act. Any determination in this connection by the Committee shall be final, binding, and conclusive. The Company may register, but shall in no event be obligated to register, any shares of Stock or other securities issuable pursuant to the Plan pursuant to the Securities Act. The Company shall not be obligated to take any affirmative action in order to cause the exercise of an Option or a SAR or the issuance of shares of Stock or other securities issuable pursuant to the Plan or any Award to comply with any Applicable Laws. As to any jurisdiction that expressly imposes the requirement that an Option or SAR that may be settled in shares of Stock shall not be exercisable until the shares of Stock subject to such Option or SAR are registered under the securities laws thereof or are exempt from such registration, the exercise of such Option or SAR under circumstances in which the laws of such jurisdiction apply shall be deemed conditioned upon the effectiveness of such registration or the availability of such an exemption.

 

	
  

	
16.2.

	
Rule 16b-3.

 

During any time when the Company has a class of equity security registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, it is the intention of the Company that Awards pursuant to the Plan and the exercise of Options and SARs granted hereunder that would otherwise be subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act shall qualify for the exemption provided by Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. To the extent that any provision of the Plan or action by the Committee does not comply with the requirements of such Rule 16b-3, such provision or action shall be deemed inoperative with respect to such Awards to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws and deemed advisable by the Committee, and shall not affect the validity of the Plan. In the event that such Rule 16b-3 is revised or replaced, the Board may exercise its discretion to modify the Plan in any respect necessary or advisable in its judgment to satisfy the requirements of, or to permit the Company to avail itself of the benefits of, the revised exemption or its replacement.

 

	
17.

	
EFFECT OF CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION

 

	
  

	
17.1.

	
Changes in Stock.

 

If the number of outstanding shares of Stock is increased or decreased or the shares of Stock are changed into or exchanged for a different number of shares or kind of capital stock or other securities of the Company on account of any recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, reverse stock split, spin-off, combination of stock, exchange of stock, stock dividend or other distribution payable in capital stock, or other increase or decrease in shares of Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company occurring after the Effective Date, the number and kinds of shares of stock for which grants of Options and other Awards may be made under the Plan, including the share limits set forth in Section 6.2, shall be adjusted proportionately and accordingly by the Committee. In addition, the number and kind of shares of stock for which Awards are outstanding shall be adjusted proportionately and accordingly by the Committee so that the proportionate interest of the Grantee therein immediately following such event shall, to the extent practicable, be the same as immediately before such event. Any such adjustment in outstanding Options or SARs shall not change the aggregate Option Price or SAR Price payable with respect to shares that are subject to the unexercised portion of such outstanding Options or SARs, as applicable, but shall include a corresponding proportionate adjustment in the per share Option Price or SAR Price, as the case may be. The conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be treated as an increase in shares effected without receipt of consideration. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of any distribution to the Company’s shareholders of securities of any other entity or other assets (including an extraordinary dividend, but excluding a non-extraordinary dividend, declared and paid by the Company) without receipt of consideration by the Company, the Board or the Committee constituted pursuant to Section 3.1.2 shall, in such manner as the Board or the Committee deems appropriate, adjust (a) the number and kind of shares of stock subject to outstanding Awards and/or (b) the aggregate and per share Option Price of outstanding Options and the aggregate and per share SAR Price of outstanding Stock Appreciation Rights as required to reflect such distribution.

 

	
  

	
17.2.

	
Reorganization in Which the Company Is the Surviving Entity Which Does not Constitute a Change in Control.

 

Subject to Section 17.3, if the Company shall be the surviving entity in any reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Company with one or more other entities which does not constitute a Change in Control, any Option or SAR theretofore granted pursuant to the Plan shall pertain to and apply to the securities to which a holder of the number of shares of Stock subject to such Option or SAR would have been entitled immediately following such reorganization, merger or consolidation, with a corresponding proportionate adjustment of the per share Option Price or SAR Price so that the aggregate Option Price or SAR Price thereafter shall be the same as the aggregate Option Price or SAR Price of the shares of Stock remaining subject to the Option or SAR as in effect immediately prior to such reorganization, merger, or consolidation. Subject to any contrary language in an Award Agreement or in another agreement with the Grantee, or otherwise set forth in writing, any restrictions applicable to such Award shall apply as well to any replacement shares received by the Grantee as a result of such reorganization, merger or consolidation. In the event of any reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Company referred to in this Section 17.2, Performance-Based Awards shall be adjusted (including any adjustment to the Performance Measures applicable to such Awards deemed appropriate by the Committee) so as to apply to the securities that a holder of the number of shares of Stock subject to the Performance-Based Awards would have been entitled to receive immediately following such reorganization, merger or consolidation.

 

	
  

	
17.3.

	
Change in Control in which Awards are not Assumed.

 

Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or in another agreement with the Grantee, or as otherwise set forth in writing, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control in which outstanding Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Deferred Stock Units, Dividend Equivalent Rights or Other Equity-Based Awards are not being assumed or continued, the following provisions shall apply to such Award, to the extent not assumed or continued:

 

(a) in each case with the exception of Performance-Based Awards,

 

(i) all outstanding Restricted Stock shall be deemed to have vested, all Deferred Stock Units shall be deemed to have vested and the shares of Stock subject thereto shall be delivered, and all Dividend Equivalent Rights shall be deemed to have vested and the shares of Stock subject thereto shall be delivered, immediately prior to the occurrence of such Change in Control, and fifteen (15) days prior to the scheduled consummation of such Change in Control, all Options and SARs outstanding hereunder shall become immediately exercisable and shall remain exercisable for a period of fifteen (15) days; or

 

(ii) the Committee may elect, in its sole discretion, to cancel any outstanding Awards of Options, Restricted Stock, Deferred Stock Units, Dividend Equivalent Rights and/or SARs and pay or deliver, or cause to be paid or delivered, to the holder thereof an amount in cash or securities having a value (as determined by the Committee acting in good faith), in the case of Restricted Stock, Deferred Stock Units and Dividend Equivalent Rights (for shares of Stock subject thereto) equal to the formula or fixed price per share paid to holders of shares of Stock pursuant to such Change in Control and, in the case of Options or SARs, equal to the product of the number of shares of Stock subject to such Options or SARs (the “Award Stock”) multiplied by the amount, if any, by which (x) the formula or fixed price per share paid to holders of shares of Stock pursuant to such transaction exceeds (y) the Option Price or SAR Price applicable to such Award Stock.

 

(b) For Performance-Based Awards denominated in Stock, if less than half of the Performance Period has lapsed, such Performance-Based Awards shall be converted into Restricted Stock or Performance Shares assuming target performance has been achieved (or into Unrestricted Stock if no further restrictions apply). If at least half the Performance Period has lapsed, such Performance-Based Awards shall be converted into Restricted Stock or Performance Shares based on actual performance to date (or into Unrestricted Stock if no further restrictions apply). If actual performance is not determinable, such Performance-Based Awards shall be converted into Restricted Stock or Performance Shares assuming target performance has been achieved, based on the discretion of the Committee (or into Unrestricted Stock if no further restrictions apply).

 

(c) Other Equity-Based Awards shall be governed by the terms of the applicable Award Agreement.

 

With respect to the Company’s establishment of an exercise window, (A) any exercise of an Option or SAR during the fifteen (15)-day period referred to above shall be conditioned upon the consummation of the applicable Change in Control and shall be effective only immediately before the consummation thereof, and (B) upon consummation of any Change in Control, the Plan and all outstanding but unexercised Options and SARs shall terminate. The Committee shall send notice of an event that shall result in such a termination to all natural persons and entities who hold Options and SARs not later than the time at which the Company gives notice thereof to its shareholders.

 

	
  

	
17.4.

	
Change in Control in which Awards are Assumed.

 

Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or in another agreement with the Grantee, or as otherwise set forth in writing, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control in which outstanding Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Deferred Stock Units, Dividend Equivalent Rights or Other Equity-Based Awards are being assumed or continued, the following provisions shall apply to such Award, to the extent assumed or continued:

 

The Plan and the Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Deferred Stock Units, Dividend Equivalent Rights and Other Equity-Based Awards granted under the Plan shall continue in the manner and under the terms so provided in the event of any Change in Control to the extent that provision is made in writing in connection with such Change in Control for the assumption or continuation of such Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Deferred Stock Units, Dividend Equivalent Rights and Other Equity-Based Awards, or for the substitution for such Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Deferred Stock Units, Dividend Equivalent Rights and Other Equity-Based Awards of new common stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, common stock units, dividend equivalent rights and other equity-based awards relating to the stock of a successor entity, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number of shares (disregarding any consideration that is not common stock) and option and stock appreciation rights exercise prices.

 

	
  

	
17.5.

	
Adjustments.

 

Adjustments under this Section 17 related to shares of Stock or other securities of the Company shall be made by the Committee, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. No fractional shares or other securities shall be issued pursuant to any such adjustment, and any fractions resulting from any such adjustment shall be eliminated in each case by rounding downward to the nearest whole share. The Committee may provide in the applicable Award Agreement at the time of grant, in another agreement with the Grantee, or otherwise in writing at any time thereafter with the consent of the Grantee, for different provisions to apply to an Award in place of those provided in Sections 17.1, 17.2, 17.3 and 17.4. This Section 17 shall not limit the Committee’s ability to provide for alternative treatment of Awards outstanding under the Plan in the event of a change in control event that is not a Change in Control.

 

	
  

	
17.6.

	
No Limitations on Company.

 

The making of Awards pursuant to the Plan shall not affect or limit in any way the right or power of the Company to make adjustments, reclassifications, reorganizations, or changes of its capital or business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve, or liquidate, or to sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets (including all or any part of the business or assets of any Subsidiary or other Affiliate) or engage in any other transaction or activity.

 

	
18.

	
GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

	
  

	
18.1.

	
Disclaimer of Rights.

 

No provision in the Plan or in any Award or Award Agreement shall be construed to confer upon any individual the right to remain in the employ or Service of the Company or an Affiliate, or to interfere in any way with any contractual or other right or authority of the Company or an Affiliate either to increase or decrease the compensation or other payments to any natural person or entity at any time, or to terminate any employment or other relationship between any natural person or entity and the Company or an Affiliate. In addition, notwithstanding anything contained in the Plan to the contrary, unless otherwise stated in the applicable Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee, or otherwise in writing, no Award granted under the Plan shall be affected by any change of duties or position of the Grantee thereof, so long as such Grantee continues to provide Service. The obligation of the Company to pay any benefits pursuant to the Plan shall be interpreted as a contractual obligation to pay only those amounts provided herein, in the manner and under the conditions prescribed herein. The Plan and Awards shall in no way be interpreted to require the Company to transfer any amounts to a third party trustee or otherwise hold any amounts in trust or escrow for payment to any Grantee or beneficiary under the terms of the Plan.

 

	
  

	
18.2.

	
Nonexclusivity of the Plan.

 

Neither the adoption of the Plan nor the submission of the Plan to the shareholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations upon the right and authority of the Board to adopt such other incentive compensation arrangements (which arrangements may be applicable either generally to a class or classes of individuals or specifically to a particular individual or particular individuals) as the Board in its discretion determines desirable.

 

	
  

	
18.3.

	
Withholding Taxes.

 

The Company or an Affiliate, as the case may be, shall have the right to deduct from payments of any kind otherwise due to a Grantee any federal, state, or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to the vesting of or other lapse of restrictions applicable to an Award or upon the issuance of any shares of Stock upon the exercise of an Option or pursuant to any other Award. At the time of such vesting, lapse, or exercise, the Grantee shall pay in cash to the Company or an Affiliate, as the case may be, any amount that the Company or such Affiliate may reasonably determine to be necessary to satisfy such withholding obligation; provided that if there is a same-day sale of shares of Stock subject to an Award, the Grantee shall pay such withholding obligation on the day on which such same-day sale is completed. Subject to the prior approval of the Company or an Affiliate, which may be withheld by the Company or such Affiliate, as the case may be, in its sole discretion, the Grantee may elect to satisfy such withholding obligation, in whole or in part, (a) by causing the Company or such Affiliate to withhold shares of Stock otherwise issuable to the Grantee or (b) by delivering to the Company or such Affiliate shares of Stock already owned by the Grantee. The shares of Stock so withheld or delivered shall have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to such withholding obligation. The Fair Market Value of the shares of Stock used to satisfy such withholding obligation shall be determined by the Company or such Affiliate as of the date on which the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. A Grantee who has made an election pursuant to this Section 18.3 may satisfy such Grantee’s withholding obligation only with shares of Stock that are not subject to any repurchase, forfeiture, unfulfilled vesting, or other similar requirements. The maximum number of shares of Stock that may be withheld from any Award to satisfy any federal, state or local tax withholding requirements upon the exercise, vesting, or lapse of restrictions applicable to any Award or payment of shares of Stock pursuant to such Award, as applicable, may not exceed such number of shares of Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum statutory amount required by the Company or the applicable Affiliate to be withheld and paid to any such federal, state or local taxing authority with respect to such exercise, vesting, lapse of restrictions or payment of shares of Stock. Notwithstanding Section 2.22 or this Section 18.3, for purposes of determining taxable income and the amount of the related tax withholding obligation pursuant to this Section 18.3, for any shares of Stock subject to an Award that are sold by or on behalf of a Grantee on the same date on which such shares may first be sold pursuant to the terms of the related Award Agreement, the Fair Market Value of such shares shall be the sale price of such shares on such date (or if sales of such shares are effectuated at more than one sale price, the weighted average sale price of such shares on such date), so long as such Grantee has provided the Company, or its designee or agent, with advance written notice of such sale.

 

 

	
  

	
18.4.

	
Captions.

 

The use of captions in the Plan or any Award Agreement is for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the meaning of any provision of the Plan or such Award Agreement.

 

	
  

	
18.5.

	
Other Provisions.

 

Each Award granted under the Plan may contain such other terms and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion.

 

	
  

	
18.6.

	
Number and Gender.

 

With respect to words used in the Plan, the singular form shall include the plural form and the masculine gender shall include the feminine gender, as the context requires.

 

	
  

	
18.7.

	
Severability.

 

If any provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement shall be determined to be illegal or unenforceable by any court of law in any jurisdiction, the remaining provisions hereof and thereof shall be severable and enforceable in accordance with their terms, and all provisions shall remain enforceable in any other jurisdiction.

 

	
  

	
18.8.

	
Governing Law.

 

The validity and construction of the Plan and the instruments evidencing the Awards hereunder shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the State of Florida, other than any conflicts or choice of law rule or principle that might otherwise refer construction or interpretation of the Plan and the instruments evidencing the Awards granted hereunder to the substantive laws of any other jurisdiction.

 

	
  

	
18.9.

	
Section 409A of the Code.

 

The Company intends to comply with Code Section 409A, or an exemption to Code Section 409A, with regard to Awards hereunder that constitute nonqualified deferred compensation within the meaning of Code Section 409A. To the extent that the Company determines that a Grantee would be subject to the additional twenty percent (20%) tax imposed on certain nonqualified deferred compensation plans pursuant to Code Section 409A as a result of any provision of any Award granted under the Plan, such provision shall be deemed amended to the minimum extent necessary to avoid application of such additional tax. The nature of any such amendment shall be determined by the Committee.

 

* * *

 

To record adoption of the Plan by the Board as of December 10, 2010, and approval of the Plan by the shareholders on May 20, 2011, the Company has caused its authorized officer to execute the Plan.

	  	
NEXTERA ENERGY, INC.

	  	  	  
	  	
By:

	
SHAUN J. FRANCIS

	  	  	  
	  	
Title:

	
Executive Vice President, Human Resources

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