Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.19

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

       AGREEMENT made as of this _____ day of ____________ 2000, by and between
Orion Power Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company") and E. Thomas
Webb (the "Employee").

       WHEREAS, the Company has been formed by GS Capital Partners II, L.P. and
Constellation Power Source, Inc. for the purpose of investing in and managing
the operations of a portfolio of electric generating assets in the United States
and Canada;

       WHEREAS, the Company and the Employee entered into a letter agreement on
September 2, 1998 wherein the Company employed the Employee as Vice President of
Asset Management, with the responsibilities and duties of an executive officer
of the Company;

       WHEREAS, effective November 5, 1999, the Employee was appointed Senior
Vice President of Operations of the Company; and

       WHEREAS, the Employee wishes to continue to accept such employment and to
render services to the Company on the terms set forth herein, and in accordance
with, the provisions of this Employment Agreement (the "Agreement").

       NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained
herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:

       1.     Employment. Subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement,
the Company hereby employs the Employee and the Employee hereby accepts such
employment by the Company upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

       2.     Duties. During the Employment Term (as defined in Section 7
hereof), the Employee shall serve as Senior Vice President of Operations of the
Company and the Employee shall perform such duties, services and
responsibilities and have the authority commensurate to such position as
determined from time to time by

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the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"). The Employee shall report
directly to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

       The Employee shall devote his full business time, attention and skill to
the performance of such duties, services and responsibilities, and will use his
best efforts to promote the interests of the Company. The Employee will not,
without the prior written approval of the Board, engage in any other business
activity which could interfere with the performance of his duties, services and
responsibilities hereunder or which is in violation of policies established from
time to time by the Company.

       3.     Monetary Remuneration.

              (a)    Base Salary. During the Employment Term, the Company shall
pay to the Employee in consideration of the performance by the Employee of the
Employee's obligations hereunder (including any services as an officer,
employee, or otherwise), a salary (the "Base Salary") at an annual rate of three
hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars ($325,000). The Base Salary shall be
reviewed, and may be increased (but not decreased), in accordance with the
Company's salary review program or practice applicable to senior executive
officers of the Company. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
Base Salary shall be increased on or before March 1 of each calendar year,
beginning with calendar year 2001, by a percentage no less than the percentage
increase in the United States Consumer Price Index for the Washington-Baltimore
metropolitan area for the preceding calendar year.

       The Base Salary shall be payable in accordance with the normal payroll
practices of the Company then in effect and subject to all applicable taxes
required to be withheld by the Company pursuant to federal, state or local law.
The Employee shall be solely responsible for taxes imposed on the Employee by
reason of any compensation and benefits provided hereunder.

              (b)    Annual Bonus. The Company shall provide the Employee the
opportunity to earn an annual incentive bonus (the "Bonus"). Such Bonus shall be

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variable based upon the attainment of performance criteria described below,
shall be payable in an amount equal to 50% of the Base Salary in effect on the
last day of the applicable fiscal year (upon attainment of targeted performance
criteria), may be payable at less than 50% of such Base Salary (at agreed-upon
levels of partial attainment of targeted performance criteria), may be payable
in amounts in excess of 50% of such Base Salary (upon exceeding targeted
performance criteria), but shall in no event exceed 100% of such Base Salary, in
respect of each of the Company's fiscal years ending during the Employment Term,
beginning with the 2000 fiscal year; provided, however, that the Bonus payable
in respect of fiscal year 2000 shall, in any event, not be less than three
hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars ($325,000). Each annual Bonus shall be
payable promptly following a determination by the Board (or a designated
committee thereof) that the applicable performance criteria have been satisfied,
but in no event later than thirty (30) days after the Company's receipt of the
report prepared by its regular independent certified public accountants with
respect to the Company's financial statements for such fiscal year.

       For each fiscal year during the Employment Term, appropriate performance
criteria shall be developed jointly and in good faith by the Employee and the
Board (or designated committee thereof) in connection with the development and
approval of an annual strategic plan for the Company. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Company and the Employee acknowledge that such performance
criteria may consist of specific financial or nonfinancial objectives relating
to both the Company and the Employee that are established in accordance with the
foregoing procedures.

       4.     Benefits.

              (a)    In addition to the payments described above, during the
Employment Term, the Employee shall be entitled to participate in, in accordance
with the terms and conditions of the applicable plan, program or arrangement,
all of the employee benefit plans or programs, and all of the fringe benefit and
executive

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perquisites, made available by the Company, to, or for the benefit of, its
senior executive officers or to its employees in general, as such plans,
programs or arrangements may be in effect from time to time. The Employee's
participation in any such plans, programs and arrangements shall be on a basis
no less favorable than that of other senior executive officers of the Company.
Nothing contained in this Agreement shall require the Company to establish any
plan, program or arrangement or shall preclude the Company from amending or
terminating any plan, program or arrangement which heretofore exists or may
hereinafter be established; provided, however, it is the Company's intention
that the general type and level of benefits provided by the Company to its
officers and employees shall be, in the aggregate, generally comparable to the
type and level of benefits offered by similar companies in the Company's general
industry, as determined in good faith by the Board.

              (b)    During the Employment Term, the Company shall reimburse the
Employee for all reasonable business expenses incurred by the Employee in
carrying out the Employee's duties, services and responsibilities under this
Agreement, provided that the Employee complies with the generally applicable
policies, practices and procedures of the Company for submission of expense
reports, receipts or similar documentation of such expenses.

       5.     Equity Awards.

              (a)    1998 Stock Incentive Plan. Reference is hereby made to the
Company's 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time (the "Plan").
Defined terms used in this Section 5 but not defined herein shall have the
meanings set forth in the Plan.

              (b)    IPO Bonus Option. Upon the effective date of the Initial
Public Offering of the Company, the Company shall grant to the Employee a
nonqualified stock option to purchase one hundred thousand (100,000) shares of
Common Stock (the "IPO Bonus Option") with a per share exercise price equal to
the price per share of

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Common Stock offered to the public in the Initial Public Offering. The IPO Bonus
Option shall vest ratably on a daily basis over the period beginning on the date
the IPO Bonus Option is granted  pursuant to this Section 5(b) and ending on the
fifth anniversary of such date.

              (c)    Initial Annual Option. Upon the effective date of an
Initial Public Offering of the Company, the Company shall grant to the Employee
a nonqualified option to purchase sixty thousand (60,000) shares of Common Stock
(the "Initial Annual Option"), having a per share exercise price equal to the
price per share of Common Stock offered to the public in the Initial Public
Offering. The Initial Annual Option shall vest ratably on a daily basis over the
period beginning on the date the Initial Annual Option is granted pursuant to
this Section 5(c) and ending on the third anniversary of such date.

              (d)    Annual Options. On January 1, 2002 and on each January 1
thereafter during the Employment Term, the Company shall grant to the Employee a
nonqualified option to purchase a number of shares of Common Stock as determined
by the Board in its sole discretion (each an "Annual Option"); provided,
however, that each Annual Option shall entitle the Employee to purchase a
minimum of thirty thousand (30,000) shares of Common Stock. Each Annual Option
shall have a per share exercise price equal to the Fair Market Value of a share
of Common Stock on the date the Annual Option is granted and shall vest ratably
on a daily basis over the period beginning on the date the Annual Option is
granted pursuant to this Section 5(d) and ending on the third anniversary of
such date.

              (e)    Accelerated Vesting and Other Conditions. Notwithstanding
the foregoing provisions of this Section 5, the IPO Bonus Option, the Initial
Annual Option, the Annual Options and any other stock options granted to the
Employee by the Company (collectively, "the Options") shall vest fully upon the
termination of the Employee's employment for circumstances described in clause
(i), (iv) or (v) of the definition of Good Reason. The Options granted pursuant
to Sections 5(b) through (d)

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shall be subject to such additional terms and conditions as are set forth in an
option agreement substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto.

              (f)    Company Representations. The Company represents to the
Employee that it does not presently intend to provide the Chief Executive
Officer of the Company with equity-based compensation that would provide more
favorable income tax treatment than the income tax treatment applicable to the
Options granted to the Employee pursuant to the Agreement (unless such officer
receives such favorable tax treatment in consideration of foregoing some other
benefit of value that has been made available to the Employee). If after the
date of this Agreement, the Company provides such officer with options, capital
stock, stock purchase rights or other equity-based compensation arrangements
that provide more favorable income tax treatment to such officer than the income
tax treatment that is applicable to the Options granted to the Employee pursuant
to this Agreement, the Company and the Employee will make a joint, good faith
determination, based on all the facts and circumstances of the grant of such
equity-based compensation to such officer, as to whether a modification to the
Employee's Option arrangement would be necessary to ensure that the Employee is
treated no less favorably than such officer with respect to the income tax
treatment of the equity-based compensation provided to each, taking into account
relative levels of benefit provided to each and their respective levels of
authority (and if the determination is made that such an adjustment would be
necessary, then the Company shall modify this Agreement and any related
agreements as necessary to effect such modification).

              (g)    Stock Growth Incentive Plan. After the date hereof, the
Company shall establish and adopt a stock growth incentive plan pursuant to
which a specified group of officers, including the Employee, and other key
employees of the Company, as determined in good faith by the Board, will be
eligible to receive additional stock options subject to such terms and
conditions as determined by the Board in good faith.

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              (h)    Stock Purchase Agreement. The Employee and the Company have
entered into that certain Stock Purchase Agreement, substantially in the form
set forth as Exhibit B hereto (the "Stock Purchase Agreement"), and, the
Employee has entered into note agreements with the Company from time to time,
substantially in the form set forth as Annex A to the Stock Purchase Agreement
(the "Notes").

       6.     Vacations. During the Employment Term, the Employee shall be
entitled to vacation on a basis consistent with that of other senior executive
officers of the Company.

       7.     Employment Term.

              The "Employment Term", as used in this Agreement, shall mean the
period commencing on_________, 2000 and terminating on the earliest of the
following to occur:

              (a)    the death of the Employee ("Death");

              (b)    the termination of the Employee's employment by mutual
agreement of the Company and the Employee;

              (c)    the termination of the Employee's employment by the Company
for Cause (as defined in Section 8 hereof);

              (d)    the termination of the Employee's employment by the
Employee for Good Reason (as defined in Section 9 hereof);

              (e)    the Disability of the Employee (as determined in accordance
with Section 10 hereof);

              (f)    the termination of the Employee's employment by the Company
other than a termination by the Company for Cause, Disability or Death; and

              (g)    the fifth anniversary of the day preceding the first day of
the Employment Term.

       8.     Cause. In the event of (i) any material breach of the provisions
of this Agreement by the Employee, (ii) the Employee's continued failure to
perform

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reasonably assigned duties after a demand for substantial performance is
delivered to the Employee by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company (where such demand specifically identifies the manner in which the Board
or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company believes that the Employee has not
substantially performed his duties) and the passage of a reasonable period of
time to comply with such demand, (iii) the Employee's willful misconduct or
gross negligence, (iv) conduct by the Employee involving dishonesty for personal
gain, fraud or unlawful activity which is injurious to the Company, (v) a
conviction of or plea of nolo contendere to a felony or any crime involving
moral turpitude or (vi) the Employee shall breach any provision of Article I of
the Stock Purchase Agreement, the Company shall have the right to terminate the
Employee's employment for "Cause"; provided, however, that the Employee shall
not be terminated for Cause under any of clauses (i) through (iii) above unless
there shall have been delivered to the Employee a copy of a resolution duly
adopted by the Board, at a meeting of such Board (after reasonable notice to the
Employee and an opportunity for the Employee, together with his counsel, to be
heard at such meeting), finding that in the good faith opinion of the Board, the
Employee had engaged in conduct of the type described in any of clauses (i)
through (iii) above and specifying the particulars thereof.

       9.     Good Reason. In the event of (i) any material breach by the
Company of this Agreement, any Option Agreement or other material agreement
entered into with, or provided to, the Employee, (ii) a material reduction in
the Employee's title, duties, responsibilities or status, (iii) the assignment
to the Employee of a material amount of different or additional duties that are
significantly inconsistent with the Employee's position, (iv) the relocation of
the Employee, the Company's principal executive offices or all or substantially
all of the Company's executive level employees without the Employee's consent,
to any location outside of the Baltimore, Maryland metropolitan region or (v) a
Change in Control (as defined in the Plan, as in effect from time to time) shall
occur, the Employee shall have the right to terminate his employment for "Good
Reason" by giving the Company notice in writing of the reason for such
termination and the Employment Term shall terminate on the date of the
Employee's termination of employment; provided, however, that with respect to
clause (v) above, the Employee's right to terminate his employment

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for Good Reason shall lapse sixty (60) days following the occurrence of the
Change in Control. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding,
any termination of the Employee by the Company without Cause at any time when
the Employee has a basis to resign under clause (i), (iv) or (v) of the
definition of Good Reason shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement
and all related agreements as a termination by the Employee for Good Reason
under such clause (i), (iv) or (v), as appropriate.

       10.    Disability. In the event of a physical or mental infirmity which
renders the Employee unable to perform his duties, services and responsibilities
hereunder for a total of one hundred and twenty (120) calendar days in any
twelve (12)-month period (a "Disability"), the Employment Term shall
automatically terminate on such one hundred and twentieth calendar day, without
any further or additional action on the part of the Company.

       11.    Termination Payments.

              (a)    In the event that the Employment Term is terminated for any
reason other than by the Company without Cause or by the Employee with Good
Reason: (A) the Company shall pay to the Employee any Base Salary accrued
hereunder on or prior to the date of termination but not theretofore paid to the
Employee; and (B) the Employee shall be entitled, in accordance with the terms
and conditions of the applicable plan, program or arrangement, to all benefits
accrued under any benefit plans, programs or arrangements in which the Employee
shall be a participant as of the date of termination, including any Bonus
earned, declared and payable (but not yet paid) in accordance with Section 3(b)
hereof in respect of the then current fiscal year, or if the Bonus in respect of
the then current fiscal year has not yet been earned, declared and

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become payable, in respect of the fiscal year ended immediately prior to the
date of termination (the "Accrued Benefits"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Bonus amount in respect of fiscal year 2000 under Section 3(b) shall be deemed
earned, declared and payable.

              (b)    Subject to paragraph (c) of this Section 11 below, in the
event that the Employment Term is terminated by the Company without Cause or by
the Employee for Good Reason: (A) the Company shall pay to the Employee any Base
Salary accrued hereunder on or prior to the date of termination but not
theretofore paid to the Employee; (B) the Company shall pay the Employee a lump
sum amount equal to two (2) times the Employee's annual Base Salary at the time
of the Employee's termination of employment; (C) the Company shall pay the
Employee an amount equal to two (2) times the Bonus paid (or to be paid) to the
Employee for the then current fiscal year, or if the Bonus in respect of the
then current fiscal year has not yet been earned, declared and become payable,
in respect of the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year in which such
termination occurs; and (D) the Employee shall be entitled to the Accrued
Benefits. For purposes of clause (C) of this paragraph, the Bonus amount in
respect of fiscal year 2000 under Section 3(b) shall be deemed earned, declared
and payable. Any obligation of the Company pursuant to clauses (B) and (C) of
this paragraph to the extent it exceeds three hundred and twenty-five thousand
dollars ($325,000) is referred to herein as the "Excess Severance Payment."

              (c)    All payments required to be made by the Company pursuant to
Section 11(a) in connection with the termination of the Employee's employment
shall be payable within 15 days after the effective date of such termination;
provided, however, that if any indebtedness remains outstanding under any Note
as of the date of such termination, the Excess Severance Payment shall be
payable on the 91st day after the effective date of such termination, and the
Excess Severance Payment (less any applicable withholding taxes) will, in whole
or in part, first be applied in full or partial

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satisfaction of any indebtedness under any Note that remains outstanding on such
91st day.

              (d)    The foregoing payments and benefits upon termination shall
constitute the exclusive payments and benefits which shall be due the Employee
upon a termination of the Employment Term and shall be in lieu of any such
benefits under any plan, program, policy or other arrangement which has
heretofore been or shall hereafter be established by the Company. The Employee
shall have no other rights (other than the Employee's rights to the Accrued
Benefits as provided herein) or remedies under this Agreement or any other plan,
program or arrangement which has heretofore been or shall hereafter be
established by the Company or otherwise in the event that the Employment Term is
terminated by the Company without Cause or by the Employee for Good Reason. The
Employee shall not be required to mitigate the foregoing payments by seeking
employment or otherwise.

              (e)    Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the
contrary, to the extent that any payment or distribution of any type to or for
the benefit of the Employee by the Company, any affiliate of the Company, any
person who acquires ownership or effective control of the Company or ownership
of a substantial portion of the Company's assets (within the meaning of Section
280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and the
regulations thereunder), or any affiliate of such person, whether paid or
payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement
or otherwise (the "Total Payments") is or will be subject to the excise tax
imposed under Section 4999 of the Code (the "Excise Tax"), then the Total
Payments shall be reduced (but not below zero) if and to the extent that a
reduction in the Total Payments would result in the Employee retaining a larger
amount, on an after-tax basis (taking into account federal, state and local
income taxes and the Excise Tax), than if the Employee received the entire
amount of such Total Payments. Unless the Employee shall have given prior
written notice specifying

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a different order to the Company to effectuate the foregoing, the Company shall
reduce or eliminate the Total Payments, by first reducing or eliminating the
portion of the Total Payments which are not payable in cash and then by reducing
or eliminating cash payments, in each case in reverse order beginning with
payments or benefits which are to be paid the latest in time. Any notice given
by the Employee pursuant to the preceding sentence shall take precedence over
the provisions of any other plan, arrangement or agreement governing the
Employee's rights and entitlements to any benefits or compensation. The
determination of whether the Total Payments shall be reduced pursuant to the
foregoing and the amount of such reduction shall be made, at the Company's
expense, by an accounting firm selected by the Company which is one of the five
largest accounting firms in the United States (other than the Company's regular
independent auditor).

       12.    Employee's Representation and Acknowledgment. The Employee
represents to the Company that his execution and performance of this Agreement
shall not be in violation of any agreement or obligation (whether or not
written) that he may have with or to any person or entity, including without
limitation, any prior employer. The Employee hereby acknowledges and agrees that
this Agreement (and the Exhibits hereto and any other agreement or obligation
referred to herein) shall be an obligation solely of the Company, and the
Employee shall have no recourse whatsoever against any stockholder of the
Company or any of their respective affiliates.

       13.    Employee Covenants.

              (a)    Unauthorized Disclosure. The Employee agrees and
understands that in the Employee's position with the Company, the Employee has
been and will be exposed to and receive information relating to the confidential
affairs of the Company, including but not limited to technical information,
business and marketing plans, strategies, customer information, other
information concerning the Company's products, promotions, development,
financing, expansion plans, business policies and

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practices, and other forms of information considered by the Company to be
confidential and in the nature of trade secrets. The Employee agrees that during
the Employment Term and thereafter, the Employee will keep such information
confidential and will not disclose such information, either directly or
indirectly, to any third person or entity without the prior written consent of
the Company; provided, however, that (i) the Employee shall have no such
obligation to the extent such information is or becomes publicly known other
than as a result of the Employee's breach of his obligations hereunder and (ii)
the Employee may, after giving prior notice to the Company to the extent
practicable under the circumstances, disclose such information to the extent
required by applicable laws or governmental regulations or judicial or
regulatory process. This confidentiality covenant has no temporal, geographical
or territorial restriction. Upon termination of the Employment Term, the
Employee will promptly supply to the Company all property, keys, notes,
memoranda, writings, lists, files, reports, customer lists, correspondence,
tapes, disks, cards, surveys, maps, logs, machines, technical data or any other
tangible product or document which has been produced by, received by or
otherwise submitted to the Employee in the course or otherwise as a result of
the Employee's employment with the Company during or prior to the Employment
Term.

              (b)    Non-competition. By and in consideration payments and
benefits to be provided to the Employee by the Company hereunder, the Employee's
exposure to the proprietary information of the Company and as an inducement to
the Company to enter into this Agreement with the Employee, the Employee agrees
that while he is employed by the Company and for a period of one (1) year after
the Employee's termination of employment with the Company for any reason (the
"Noncompetition Term"), the Employee will not, directly or indirectly own,
manage, operate, join, control, be employed by, or participate in the ownership,
management, operation or control of, or be connected in any manner, including
but not limited to,

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holding the positions of shareholder, director, officer, consultant, independent
contractor, employee, partner, or investor, with any Competing Enterprise;
provided, however, Employee shall not be subject to the covenants contained in
this Section 13(b) or Section 13(c) following the termination of the Employee by
the Company without Cause following the occurrence of a Change in Control (as
defined in the Plan, as in effect from time to time), or termination of the
Employee's employment for circumstances described in clause (v) of the
definition of Good Reason. For purposes of this paragraph, the term "Competing
Enterprise" shall mean any person, corporation, partnership or other entity (or
any of their respective subsidiaries) which, directly or indirectly, is
principally engaged in the business of investing in or managing the operations
of electric generating assets for wholesale resale in the United States and
Canada at market-based rates. Following termination of the Employment Term, the
Employee shall promptly furnish in writing to the Company, its subsidiaries or
affiliates, any information reasonably requested by the Company (including any
third party confirmations) to the extent necessary to confirm the Employee's
compliance with the provisions of this Section 13(b). Notwithstanding anything
contained in this Section 13(b) to the contrary, the Employee shall not be
prohibited from acquiring less than three percent (3%) of any class of
securities of a publicly traded corporation.

              (c)    Non-solicitation. During the Noncompetition Term, if
applicable, the Employee shall not interfere with the Company's relationship
with, employ or endeavor to entice away from the Company, any person who, on the
date of the termination of the Employment Term, was an employee or customer of
the Company or otherwise had a material business relationship with the Company.

              (d)    Remedies. The Employee agrees that any breach of the terms
of this Section 13 would result in irreparable injury and damage to the Company
for which the Company would have no adequate remedy at law; the Employee
therefore also agrees that in the event of said breach or any threat of breach,
the Company shall be

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entitled to an immediate injunction and restraining order to prevent such breach
and/or threatened breach and/or continued breach by the Employee and/or any and
all entities acting for and/or with the Employee, without having to prove
damages, in addition to any other remedies to which the Company may be entitled
at law or in equity. The terms of this paragraph shall not prevent the Company
from pursuing any other available remedies for any breach or threatened breach
hereof, including but not limited to the recovery of damages from the Employee.
The Employee acknowledges that the Company would not have entered into this
Agreement had the Employee not agreed to the provisions of this Section 13. The
Employee and the Company agree that the provisions of the covenant not to
compete set forth in this Section 13 are reasonable. Should a court or
arbitrator determine, however, that any provision of the covenant not to compete
is unreasonable or unenforceable, either in period of time, geographical area,
or otherwise, the parties hereto agree that the covenant should be interpreted
and enforced to the maximum extent possible in accordance with law.

       The provisions of this Section 13 shall survive any termination of the
Employment Term, and the existence of any claim or cause of action by the
Employee against the Company, whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise,
shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company of the
covenants and agreements of this Section 13.

       14.    Non-Waiver of Rights. The failure to enforce at any time the
provisions of this Agreement or to require at any time performance by the other
party of any of the provisions hereof shall in no way be construed to be a
waiver of such provisions or to affect either the validity of this Agreement or
any part hereof, or the right of either party to enforce each and every
provision in accordance with its terms. No waiver by either party hereto of any
breach by the other party hereto of any provision of this Agreement to be
performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar
provisions at that time or at any prior or subsequent time.

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       15.    Notices. Every notice relating to this Agreement shall be in
writing and shall be given by personal delivery or by registered or certified
mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested; to:

      If to the Company:   Orion Power Holdings, Inc.
                           7 E. Redwood Street, 10th Floor
                           Baltimore, MD  21201
                           Telephone:  (410) 230-3507

                           with a copy to:

                           Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson
                           One New York Plaza
                           New York, New York  10004
                           Telephone:  (212) 859-8156
                           Attention:  Paul M. Reinstein, Esq.

      If to the Employee:  E. Thomas Webb
                           c/o Orion Power Holdings, Inc.
                           7 E. Redwood Street, 10th Floor
                           Baltimore, MD  21201
                           Telephone:  (410) 320-3507

       Either of the parties hereto may change their address for purposes of
notice hereunder by giving notice in writing to such other party pursuant to
this Section 15.

       16.    Indemnification. During the Employment Term and thereafter, the
Company shall indemnify the Employee to the fullest extent permitted by law
against any judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses
(including attorneys' fees) in connection with any claim, action or proceeding
(whether civil or criminal) against the Employee as a result of the Employee
serving as an officer of the Company or in any capacity at the request of the
Company, in or with regard to any other entity, employee benefit plan or
enterprise (other than arising out of the Employee's act of willful misconduct,
gross negligence, misappropriation of funds, fraud or breach of this Agreement).
This indemnification shall be in addition to, and not

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in lieu of, any other indemnification the Employee shall be entitled to pursuant
to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws or otherwise. Following
the Employee's termination of employment, the Company shall continue to cover
the Employee under the Company's directors and officer's insurance, if any, for
the period during which the Employee may be subject to potential liability for
any claim, action or proceeding (whether civil or criminal) as a result of his
service as an officer of the Company or in any capacity at the request of the
Company, in or with regard to any other entity, employee benefit plan or
enterprise on the same terms such coverage was provided during the Employment
Term, at the highest level then maintained for any then current or former
officer.

       17.    Stockholder Approval. This Agreement is subject to the requisite
approval of the stockholders of the Company as contemplated under proposed
Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q/A-6(a)(2)(ii), promulgated under the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

       18.    Binding Effect/Assignment. This Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective heirs,
executors, personal representatives, estates, successors (including, without
limitation, by way of merger) and assigns. Notwithstanding the provisions of the
immediately preceding sentence, the Employee shall not assign all or any portion
of this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Company.

       19.    Entire Agreement. This Agreement (together with the Exhibits
hereto and the other agreements referred to herein) sets forth the entire
understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof
and supersedes all prior agreements, written or oral, between them as to such
subject matter.

       20.    Severability. If any provision of this Agreement, or any
application thereof to any circumstances, is invalid, in whole or in part, such
provision or

                                      -17-

<PAGE>   18

application shall to that extent be severable and shall not affect other
provisions or applications of this Agreement.

       21.    Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without reference
to the principles of conflict of laws. All actions and proceedings arising out
of or relating to this Agreement shall be heard and determined in any Maryland
state or federal court sitting in The City of Baltimore, and the parties hereto
hereby consent to the jurisdiction of such courts in any such action or
proceeding; provided, however, that neither party shall commence any such action
or proceeding unless prior thereto the parties have in good faith attempted to
resolve the claim, dispute or cause of action which is the subject of such
action or proceeding through mediation by an independent third party.

       22.    Modifications. Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may
be modified, altered, amended or waived except by an instrument in writing duly
signed by the party to be charged.

       23.    Gender, Tense and Headings. Whenever any words are used herein in
the masculine gender, they shall be construed as though they were also used in
the feminine gender in all cases where they would so apply. Whenever any words
used herein are in the singular form, they shall be construed as though they
were also used in the plural form in all cases where they would so apply.

              The headings contained herein are solely for the purposes of
reference, are not part of this Agreement and shall not in any way affect the
meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

       24.    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

                                      -18-

<PAGE>   19

       25.    Registration Rights. Other than in connection with an Initial
Public Offering, as defined in the Plan, the Employee shall have the right,
subject to cut-back arrangements in favor of other non-management stockholders,
to include in any registration statement filed by the Company to register shares
of its Common Stock (whether for its own account or for the account of other
stockholders), shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of
any Options awarded to the Employee and to have the Company pay all expenses
incurred (other than underwriting discounts and commissions) in connection with
the registration of such shares of Common Stock; provided, that the managing
underwriter in connection with such registration shall have reasonably
determined, in its sole discretion, that such inclusion shall not adversely
affect, in any manner, the public offering of such shares.

                                      -19-

<PAGE>   20

       IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed
by authority of its Board of Directors, and the Employee has hereunto set his
hand, on the day and year first above written.

                                     ORION POWER HOLDINGS, INC.

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

                                     -----------------------------------------
                                        E. Thomas Webb

                                      -20-

<PAGE>   21
                                                                       EXHIBIT A

                                                      (PUBLIC COMPANY AGREEMENT)

                           ORION POWER HOLDINGS, INC.
                                     FORM OF
                       NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

                  THIS AGREEMENT, made as of the ____ day of ____________,
200__, (the "Grant Date") by and between Orion Power Holdings, Inc. (the
"Company"), and _________________________________ (the "Optionee").

                  WHEREAS, the Company has adopted the Orion Power Holdings,
Inc. 1998 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan") in order to provide additional
incentive to certain employees, officers and directors of the Company and its
Subsidiaries;

                  WHEREAS, the Committee responsible for administration of the
Plan determined to grant an option to the Optionee as provided herein; and

                  WHEREAS, the Optionee entered into an Employment Agreement
with the Company (the "Employment Agreement").

                  NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

         1.       Grant of Option.

                  1.1 The Company hereby grants to the Optionee the right and
option (the "Option") to purchase all or any part of an aggregate of _______
Shares, subject to, and in accordance with, the terms and conditions set forth
in this Agreement.

                  1.2 The Option is not intended to qualify as an Incentive
Stock Option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

                  1.3 This Agreement shall be construed in accordance and
consistent with, and subject to, the provisions of the Plan (the provisions of
which are incorporated herein by reference) and, except as otherwise expressly
set forth herein, the capitalized terms used in this Agreement shall have the
same definitions as set forth in the Plan.

         2.       Exercise Price.

                  The price at which the Optionee shall be entitled to purchase
Shares upon the exercise of the Option shall be $_____ per Share.
<PAGE>   22
         3.       Duration of Option.

                  The Option shall be exercisable to the extent and in the
manner provided herein for a period beginning on the Grant Date and ending on
the date preceding the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date (the "Exercise
Term"); provided, however, that the Option may be earlier terminated as provided
in Section 6 hereof.

         4.       Exercisability of Option.

                  The Option shall vest and become exercisable as provided in
Section [5(b)] [5(c)] [5(d)]1 of the Employment Agreement. Subject to the
provisions of Section 5 of the Employment Agreement and Section 6 hereof, any
portion of the Option that is unvested at the time of Optionee's termination of
employment with the Company for any reason shall terminate immediately upon the
Optionee's termination of employment with the Company.

         5.       Manner of Exercise and Payment.

                  5.1 Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and
the Plan, the Option may be exercised by written notice delivered in person or
by mail to the Secretary of the Company, at its principal executive office. Such
notice shall state that the Optionee is electing to exercise the Option and the
number of Shares in respect of which the Option is being exercised and shall be
signed by the person or persons exercising the Option. If requested by the
Committee, such person or persons shall (i) deliver this Agreement to the
Secretary of the Company who shall endorse thereon a notation of such exercise
and (ii) provide satisfactory proof as to the right of such person or persons to
exercise the Option. The Option may not be exercised for less than 100 Shares at
a time, unless the number of Shares subject to the Option is not evenly
divisible by 100, in which case the final exercise may be for the remaining
number of Shares. Notwithstanding the preceding, the Option may be exercised
pursuant to such other procedures as may be permitted by the Committee from time
to time (including, without limitation, electronic exercise methods).

                  5.2 The notice (or other method) of exercise described in
Section 5.1 hereof shall be accompanied by the full exercise price for the
Shares in respect of which the Option is being exercised.

                  5.3 Upon receipt of notice (or other method) of exercise and
full payment for the Shares in respect of which the Option is being exercised,
the Company shall, subject to Section 12 of the Plan and further subject to the
terms of any note or loan agreement entered into by and between the Optionee and
the Company (a "Note"), take such action as may be necessary to effect the
transfer to the Optionee of the number of Shares as to which such exercise was
effective.

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

(1)  The IPO Bonus Option vests over five years, pursuant to Section 5(b) of the
     Employment Agreement; the Initial Annual Option, and subsequent Annual
     Options, vest over three years pursuant to Sections 5(c) and 5(d),
     respectively.
<PAGE>   23
                  5.4 The Optionee shall not be deemed to be the holder of, or
to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to any Shares subject to the
Option until (i) the Option shall have been exercised pursuant to the terms of
this Agreement and the Optionee shall have paid the full exercise price for the
number of Shares in respect of which the Option was exercised, (ii) the Company
shall have issued and delivered the Shares to the Optionee, and (iii) the
Optionee's name shall have been entered as a shareholder of record on the books
of the Company, whereupon the Optionee shall have full voting and other
ownership rights with respect to such Shares.

                  5.5 Payment of the purchase price for the Shares being
purchased pursuant to the exercise of the Option may be made by cash or check,
by a transfer, either actually or by attestation, to the Company of Shares which
the Optionee has held for at least six (6) months and which have a Fair Market
Value on the date of such exercise equal to such purchase price and, if elected
by the Optionee, all applicable Withholding Taxes (as defined in Section 12
hereof), by a cashless exercise method through a registered broker-dealer
pursuant to procedures which are permitted by the Committee from time to time,
by any combination of the foregoing methods, or by such other method as may be
approved by the Committee.

         6. Termination of Employment. Subject to Section 5.8 of the Plan and
Section 7 hereof, each Option shall terminate prior to the time set forth in
Section 3 hereof as follows:

                  6.1 If the employment of the Optionee is terminated by the
Company for any reason other than Disability, death or Cause, or by the Optionee
for Good Reason (as defined in the Employment Agreement), the Optionee may, for
a period ending ninety (90) days after such termination, but in no event beyond
the expiration date of the Option as set forth in Section 3 hereof, exercise the
Option to the extent, and only to the extent, that such Option or portion
thereof was vested and exercisable as of the date of such termination (including
any portion of the Option as to which the vesting is accelerated pursuant to the
Employment Agreement), after which time the Option shall automatically terminate
in full.

                  6.2 If the employment of the Optionee is terminated
voluntarily by the Optionee, the Optionee may, for a period of ninety (90) days
after such termination, exercise the Option to the extent, and only to the
extent, that such Option or portion thereof was vested and exercisable as of the
date of such termination, after which time the Option shall automatically
terminate in full.

                  6.3 If the employment of the Optionee is terminated by reason
of Disability, the Optionee may, for a period ending one (1) year after such
termination, but in no event beyond the expiration date of the Option as set
forth in Section 3 hereof, exercise the Option in full, after which time the
Option shall automatically terminate in full.

                  6.4 If the employment of the Optionee is terminated for Cause,
the Option granted to the Optionee hereunder shall immediately terminate in full
and no rights thereunder may be exercised.

                  6.5 If the employment of the Optionee is terminated by reason
of death, the Option may, for a period ending one (1) year after the Optionee's
death, but in no event beyond
<PAGE>   24
the expiration date of the Option as set forth in Section 3 hereof, be exercised
by the person or persons to whom such rights under the Option shall pass by
will, or by the laws of descent or distribution, in full, after which time the
Option shall terminate in full.

                  6.6 The Option, to the extent not yet vested and exercisable
(after the application of the acceleration provisions of Sections 6.1, 6.3, 6.5
and 7), shall terminate immediately upon the Optionee's termination of
employment with the Company for any reason.

         7.       Effect of Change of Control.

                  Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the
contrary, in the event of a Change of Control, the Option shall become
immediately and fully vested and exercisable.

         8.       Non-Transferability.

                  The Option shall not be transferable other than by will or by
the laws of descent and distribution, except that (i) the Option may be
transferred, assigned or pledged to the Company as security in respect of any
Note and (ii) if approved by the Company in writing, the Option may be
transferred to Permitted Transferees of the Optionee.

         9.       No Right to Continued Employment.

                  Nothing in this Agreement or the Plan shall be interpreted or
construed to confer upon the Optionee any right with respect to continuance of
employment by the Company, nor shall this Agreement or the Plan interfere in any
way with the right of the Company to terminate the Optionee's employment at any
time.

         10.      Adjustments.

                  In the event of a Change in Capitalization, the Committee may
make appropriate adjustments to the number and class of Shares or other stock or
securities subject to the Option and the exercise price for such Shares or other
stock or securities. The Committee's adjustment shall be made in accordance with
the provisions of Section 11 of the Plan and shall be effective and final,
binding and conclusive for all purposes of the Plan and this Agreement.

         11.      Effect of a Merger, Consolidation or Liquidation.

                  Subject to Section 7 hereof, upon the effective date of (i)
the liquidation or dissolution of the Company or (ii) a merger or consolidation
of the Company (a "Transaction"), the Option shall continue in effect in
accordance with its terms and the Optionee shall be entitled to receive in
respect of all Shares subject to the Option, upon exercise of the Option, the
same number and kind of stock, securities, cash, property or other consideration
that each holder of Shares was entitled to receive in the Transaction.
<PAGE>   25
         12.      Withholding of Taxes.

                  The Company shall have the right to deduct from any
distribution of cash to the Optionee an amount equal to the federal, state and
local income taxes and other amounts as may be required by law to be withheld
(the "Withholding Taxes") with respect to the Option. If the Optionee is
entitled to receive Shares upon exercise of the Option, the Optionee shall pay
the Withholding Taxes to the Company in cash, or otherwise provide or make
available to the Company sufficient funds to pay the Withholding Taxes
(including by a transfer of Shares which have been held for at least six (6)
months, if elected by the Optionee), prior to the issuance of such Shares.

         13.      Optionee Bound by the Plan.

                  The Optionee hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan
and agrees to be bound by all the terms and provisions thereof.

         14.      Modification of Agreement.

                  This Agreement may be modified, amended, suspended or
terminated, and any terms or conditions may be waived, but only by a written
instrument executed by the parties hereto.

         15.      Severability.

                  Should any provision of this Agreement be held by a court of
competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable or invalid for any reason, the
remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected by such holding and
shall continue in full force in accordance with their terms.

         16.      Governing Law.

                  The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of
this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware without
giving effect to the conflicts of laws principles thereof.

         17.      Successors in Interest.
                  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon any successor to the Company. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of
the Optionee's legal representatives. All obligations imposed upon the Optionee
and all rights granted to the Company under this Agreement shall be final,
binding and conclusive upon the Optionee's heirs, executors, administrators and
successors.
<PAGE>   26
                                             ORION POWER HOLDINGS, INC.

Attest:                                      By:  ______________________________
______________________________
Secretary
                                             ___________________________________
                                             Optionee

<PAGE>   27
                                                                       EXHIBIT B

                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

               STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), dated as of
__________________,  1998 by and between Orion Power  Holdings  Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), and E. Thomas Webb (the "Purchaser").

                                    RECITALS

               WHEREAS, in connection with the employment of the Purchaser by
the Company and as part of his compensation arrangement with the Company, the
Company desires to provide the Purchaser with an opportunity to purchase shares
of common stock of the Company, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock") at
the same time and at the same price as the parties to the Amended and Restated
Stockholders' Agreement, dated as of June 25, 1999, which may be amended from
time to time (the "Stockholders' Agreement"), by and among the Company, GS
Capital Partners II, L.P. ("GSCP"), Constellation Power Source Inc.
("Constellation") and other parties named therein; and

               WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to set forth in this Agreement
certain rights, obligations and restrictions with respect to the issuance to,
and ownership by, the Purchaser of capital stock of the Company.

               NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, and of the
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein, and
intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto hereby agree as
follows:

                                    ARTICLE 1

                           PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES

        Section 1.1.   Commitment to Purchase Shares. On the terms and subject
to the conditions of this Agreement, the Purchaser hereby commits to purchase
150 shares of Common Stock (or such lesser amount as is required pursuant to the
Purchaser Capital Calls, as defined below) (the "Shares") at $1,000 per share
(the "Purchase Price Per Share"), for an aggregate commitment of $150,000 (the
"Commitment Amount"). The Purchaser shall be required to purchase such Shares
(or such lesser amount as is required pursuant to the Purchaser Capital Calls)
at any time GSCP and Constellation are required to purchase shares of Common
Stock (a "GSCP/Constellation Purchase") as set forth in Section 3(a) of the
Stockholders' Agreement. Written notice of any Purchaser Capital Call shall be
given to the Purchaser at the same time and in the same manner as notice of a
Capital Call (as defined in the Stockholders Agreement) is given to GSCP and
Constellation pursuant to Section 3(a) of the Stockholders' Agreement. Upon each
GSCP/Constellation Purchase, the Purchaser will be required to purchase Shares,
at

<PAGE>   28

the Purchase Price Per Share, for that portion of the Commitment Amount that is
equal to the product of (a) the Commitment Amount times (b) a fraction, the
numerator of which is the amount to be paid by GSCP to purchase shares of Common
Stock in accordance with Section 3(a)(iv) of the Stockholders' Agreement
pursuant to the Capital Call being made simultaneously with the Purchaser
Capital Call and the denominator of which is GSCP's total commitment to purchase
shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section 3(a)(i) of the Stockholders'
Agreement (such product referred to as the "Purchaser Capital Call"). In the
event that the Purchaser's employment with the Company is terminated for any
reason, the Purchaser's remaining Commitment Amount shall be reduced to zero.
Purchaser's commitment shall be subject to compliance with applicable federal
and state securities laws.

        Section 1.2.   Consideration. On the terms and subject to the conditions
of this Agreement, in consideration for the sale of the Shares, on the date of
such sale, the Purchaser will (a) pay to the Company 33 1/3% of the purchase
price for such Shares in cash ("Cash Payment") and (b) issue a note in the form
attached hereto as Annex A payable to the order of the Company in the principal
amount of 66 2/3% of the Purchaser's Capital Call (the "Note"), (collectively,
the Purchase Price").

        Section 1.3.   Delivery of Shares and Payment. On the date of the
closing of the purchase of the Shares (which closing shall be the same as that
of the closing of the GSCP/Constellation Purchase) (the "Closing"), (i) the
Company shall issue certificates representing the Shares, together with duly
executed stock powers, free and clear of all liens and restrictions of any kind
(except for those imposed by applicable securities laws, this Agreement and the
Note) and (ii) the Purchaser shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the
Company (x) the Cash Payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds, to
an account or accounts designated by the Company in a written notice to the
Purchaser and (y) the Note, duly authorized and executed.

                                    ARTICLE 2

                               REPRESENTATIONS AND
                            WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

               The Company hereby represents and warrants to Purchaser as
follows:

        Section 2.1.   Organization and Authority. The Company is a corporation
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
State of Delaware. The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority
to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby. All necessary action, corporate or otherwise, required to
have been taken by or on behalf of the Company by applicable law, its charter
documents or otherwise to authorize (i) the approval, execution and delivery on
behalf of the Company of this Agreement and (ii) the performance by the Company
of its obligations under this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby has been taken. This Agreement constitutes a valid and
binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against each respectively in
accordance with its terms, except (x) as the same may be limited by

-2-

<PAGE>   29

applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or similar laws of general
application relating to or affecting creditors' rights, including without
limitation, the effect of statutory or other laws regarding fraudulent
conveyances and preferential transfers, and (y) for the limitations imposed by
general principles of equity. The foregoing exceptions are hereinafter referred
to as the "Enforceability Exceptions."

        Section 2.2.   The Shares. Upon delivery to Purchaser from time to time
of certificates representing the Shares, and upon receipt by Company of the
payment in full therefor, (i) good and valid title to the Shares will pass to
Purchaser, free and clear of all liens and restrictions of any kind (except for
those imposed by applicable securities laws and the Note) and (ii) the Shares
will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

                                    ARTICLE 3

                   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER

               The Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to the Company as
follows:

        Section 3.1.   Natural Person; Authorization. The Purchaser is a natural
person and competent to execute this Agreement and has taken all action required
by law to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby. Upon execution, this Agreement is the valid
and binding obligation of the Purchaser enforceable in accordance with its
terms, except that such enforcement may be subject to the Enforceability
Exceptions.

        Section 3.2.   Purchase Entirely for Own Account; Disclosure of
Information. This Agreement is made with the Purchaser in reliance upon the
Purchaser's representations to the Company which by the Purchaser's execution of
this Agreement it hereby confirms, that the Shares to be received by the
Purchaser will be acquired for investment for the Purchaser's own account, not
as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to the resale or distribution of any
part thereof, and that the Purchaser has no present intention of selling,
granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing the same. The Purchaser
does not have any contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement (except as set
forth in this Agreement) with any person to sell, transfer or grant
participations to such person or to any third person, with respect to any of the
Shares. The Purchaser acknowledges that it has received all the information it
has requested or considers necessary or appropriate for deciding whether to
purchase the Shares. The Purchaser further represents that it has had an
opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the Company regarding the
Company and the terms and conditions of the offering of the Shares and to obtain
any additional information necessary to verify the accuracy of the information
given to the Purchaser.

        Section 3.3.   Restricted Securities; Accredited Investor. (a) The
Purchaser understands that the Shares are "restricted securities" under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Act"), as they are being acquired from the
Company in a transaction not involving a public offering and that under the Act
and the rules and regulations thereunder such securities may be resold without

-3-

<PAGE>   30

registration under the Act, only in certain limited circumstances. In this
connection, the Purchaser represents that it is familiar with Rule 144
promulgates under the Act, as presently in effect, and understands the resale
limitations imposed thereby and by the Act. The Purchaser is an "accredited
investor" within the meaning of paragraph (a) of Rule 501 of Regulation D
promulgated under the Act. The Purchaser has sufficient knowledge and experience
to analyze the Company so as to be able to evaluate the risks and merits of its
investments in the Company and is financially able to bear the risks thereof.

                                    ARTICLE 4

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

        Section 4.1.   Right of First Refusal. (a) Subject to subsection (d)
hereof, any Shares acquired pursuant to Article I hereof shall be subject to a
right of first refusal in favor of the Company with respect to any proposed sale
by the Purchaser or any subsequent holder (the "Holder") of the Shares. If the
Holder receives and intends to accept an offer to sell or transfer such Shares,
the Holder shall deliver written notice (the "Proposed Sale Notice") by
certified mail, return receipt requested to the Secretary of the Company, at its
principal executive office. The Proposed Sale Notice shall state that the Holder
intends to sell such Shares and the name of the proposed purchaser (the
"Proposed Purchaser") and shall state the number of Shares, the price per Share
and the terms and conditions for the payment of such price (the "Terms of
Sale"). The foregoing right of first refusal shall not apply to any gift (or
transfer without consideration) of any Shares to any Permitted Transferee (as
such term is defined in the Orion Power Holdings, Inc., 1998 Stock Incentive
Plan, as amended from time to time (the "Plan")), so long as such Permitted
Transferee agrees in writing, in such form reasonably acceptable to the Company,
that such Shares shall continue to be subject to the same conditions,
restrictions and covenants in effect immediately prior to such gift or transfer.

             (b)     The Company shall have thirty (30) days from the date of
receipt of the Proposed Sale Notice to purchase the Shares on the Terms of Sale.
The Company shall exercise its right of first refusal by giving written notice
(the "Purchase Notice") to the Holder. The Purchase Notice shall set forth a
date not more than thirty (30) days after the date of such notice by which the
Holder should deliver the certificate(s) representing such Shares to the
Company's principal executive office.

             (c)     If the Company elects not to exercise its right of first
refusal within thirty (30) days, the Holder may dispose of the Shares; provided,
however, that such sale (i) is to the Proposed Purchaser, (ii) on the Terms of
Sale, and (iii) occurs within thirty (30) days after the expiration of the
Company's right of first refusal.

             (d)     The Company's right of first refusal as provided herein
shall expire at the time of an Initial Public Offering.

-4-

<PAGE>   31

        Section 4.2.   Right of Repurchase.

                       (a)   Subject to subsection (b) hereof, in the event that
        the Purchaser's employment with the Company is terminated for any
        reason, the Company, or such other party as the Company may designate,
        shall have the right (as described below) to purchase from the Holder
        any and all Shares issued pursuant to Article I hereof. This repurchase
        right shall be exercisable by the Company, or such other party as the
        Company may designate, by delivery of a repurchase notice to the Holder
        prior to the date which is six (6) months after the later of (i) the
        date of termination of the Purchaser's employment with the Company for
        any reason or (ii) the date of issuance of any Share(s) pursuant to
        Article I hereof. The price payable to the Holder by the Company in
        connection with the Company's purchase of any Share pursuant to this
        Section 4.2 shall be determined as follows:

                   (i)     The purchase price per Share shall be the Fair Market
        Value (as such term is defined in the Plan) of a Share on the date
        preceding the date of purchase in the event that the Purchaser's
        employment is terminated at any time for any reason, other than a
        termination by the Company for Cause (as such term is defined below).

                   (ii)    The purchase price per Share shall be equal to the
        lesser of (a) the price paid by the Purchaser, and (b) the Fair Market
        Value of a Share on the date preceding the date of purchase, in the
        event that the Purchaser's employment is terminated by the Company for
        Cause.

                   (iii)   The term "Cause" shall mean (A) the Purchaser's
        continued failure to perform reasonably assigned duties with the Company
        after a demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Purchaser
        by the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") or the Chief
        Executive Officer of the Company (where such demand specifically
        identifies the manner in which the Board or the Chief Executive Officer
        of the Company believes that the Purchaser has not substantially
        performed his duties) and the passage of a reasonable period of time to
        comply with such demand, (B) the Purchaser's willful misconduct or gross
        negligence, (C) conduct by the Purchaser involving dishonesty for
        personal gain, fraud or unlawful activity which is injurious to the
        Company, (D) a conviction of or plea of nolo contendere to a felony or
        any crime involving moral turpitude, or (E) the Purchaser shall breach
        any provision of Article I of this Agreement, the Company shall have the
        right to terminate the Purchaser's employment for "Cause"; provided,
        however, that the Purchaser shall not be terminated for Cause under any
        of clauses (A) or (B) above unless there shall have been delivered to
        the Purchaser a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the Board, at a
        meeting of such Board (after reasonable notice to the Purchaser and an
        opportunity for the Purchaser, together with his counsel, to be heard at
        such meeting), finding that in the good faith opinion of the Board, the
        Purchaser had engaged in conduct of the type described in any of clauses
        (A) or (B) above and specifying the particulars thereof.

-5-

<PAGE>   32

                (b)     The Company's right of repurchase as provided herein
shall expire at the time of an Initial Public Offering.

        Section 4.3.    Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in
accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware applicable to
agreements made and to be performed wholly within such jurisdiction.

        Section 4.4.    Successors and Assigns. The terms and conditions of this
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective
successors and assigns of the parties hereto. No party hereto shall have the
right to assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement, without the
prior written consent of the other party.

        Section 4.5.    Notices. Every notice relating to this Agreement shall
be in writing and shall be given by personal delivery or by registered or
certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested; to:

                (a)    If to the Company:  Orion Power Holdings, Inc.
                                           111 Market Place
                                           Suite 520
                                           Baltimore, MD 21202
                                           Telecopy: (410) 468-3540

                                           with a copy to:

                                           Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver &
                                           Jacobson
                                           One New York Plaza
                                           New York, New York 10004
                                           Telecopy:  (212) 859-8156
                                           Attention:  Paul M. Reinstein, Esq.

                (b)    If to the Employee: E. Thomas Webb
                                           c/o Orion Power Holding, Inc.
                                           111 Market Place, Suite 520
                                           Baltimore, MD 21202
                                           Telecopy: (410) 468-3540

        Section 4.6.    Amendment.  This Agreement may not be amended except by
an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the parties.

-6-

<PAGE>   33

               IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement and
caused the same to be duly delivered on their behalf as of the day and year
first written above.

                                            ORION POWER HOLDINGS, INC.

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

                                            E. THOMAS WEBB

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

-7-

<PAGE>   34
                                                                         ANNEX A

                                   FORM OF (1)

                           ORION POWER HOLDINGS, INC.
                NON-RECOURSE SECURED PROMISSORY NOTE AND SECURITY
                                    AGREEMENT

                                    ("NOTE")

$                                                                       [Date]
 ------------------

               FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, E. Thomas Webb (the
"Borrower"), hereby promises to pay to Orion Power Holdings, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), or to the legal holder of this Note at the time of
payment, the principal sum (the "Principal Sum") of [                  ]
($                )(2) in lawful money of the United States of America. The
Borrower also agrees to pay interest (computed on the basis of a 365 day year)
on any portion of the Principal Sum that remains outstanding from and after the
effective date of this Note until the entire Principal Sum has been paid in
full, at an annual rate of 7% simple interest; provided, however, that interest
on the unpaid Principal Sum shall be payable annually, with the first interest
payment due and payable on December 31, 1999, and with subsequent payments due
and payable on each anniversary of such date; and further, provided, that in no
event shall such interest be charged to the extent it would violate any
applicable usury law. Other than with respect to the Pledged Collateral (as
defined below) to the extent set forth hereunder, the obligations represented by
this Note shall be without recourse to the Borrower.

               The proceeds received by the Borrower shall be used solely to
acquire shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company (the
"Common Stock") pursuant to the terms set forth in that certain Stock Purchase
Agreement, dated as of __________ , 1999, by and among the Company and the
Borrower (the "Stock Purchase Agreement").

               This Note is subject to the following further terms and
conditions:

               1.     Payment Upon Maturity. The Principal Sum then outstanding
and all accrued  interest  thereon  shall become due and payable on the first to
occur of (i) the fifth

--------------------
(1)       To be executed in connection with each stock purchase, upon the
occurrence of each Purchaser Capital Call.

(2)       To be equal to two-thirds of the total stock purchased in connection
with each Purchaser Capital Call.

<PAGE>   35

anniversary of the date hereof, (ii) the ninetieth (90th) day immediately
following Borrower's termination of employment with the Company for any reason
whatsoever and (iii) a Change in Control (as such term is defined in the Orion
Power Holdings, Inc. 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time
(the "Plan")).

               2.     Payment and Prepayment. All payments and prepayments of
the Principal Sum of and the accrued interest on this Note shall be made to the
Company or its order, or to the legal holder of this Note or such holder's
order, in lawful money of the United States of America at the principal offices
of the Company (or at such other place as the holder hereof shall notify the
Borrower in writing). The Borrower may, at his option, prepay this Note in whole
or in part at any time or from time to time without penalty or premium. Any
prepayments of any portion of the Principal Sum of this Note shall be
accompanied by payment of all interest accrued but unpaid on the portion of
Principal Sum so repaid. Upon full and final payment of the Principal Sum of and
interest accrued on this Note, it shall be surrendered to the Borrower and the
Pledged Collateral (as defined below) shall be released, subject to the terms of
any other note or similar agreement entered into by and between the Company and
the Borrower from time to time.

               3.     Grant of Security Interest.

               (a)    As security for the full and punctual payment of the
Principal Sum and accrued interest on this Note when due and payable (whether
upon stated maturity, or otherwise), the Borrower hereby grants and pledges a
continuing lien on and security interest in, and, as a part of such grant and
pledge, hereby pledges, assigns, transfers and conveys to the Company as
collateral security, the following assets, together with any and all dividends
and other distributions made in respect of such assets and any and all
securities issued in substitution or exchange for such assets (the "Pledged
Collateral"):

                      (i)  any and all shares of Common Stock beneficially owned
                           by the Borrower as of the date hereof and any shares
                           purchased with the proceeds of this Note (the
                           "Pledged Stock");

                      (ii) any and all options (the "Options") to purchase
                           Common Stock granted to the Borrower on or prior to
                           the date hereof or hereafter, pursuant to the Plan;
                           and

                      (iii) any and all shares of Common Stock acquired by the
                           Borrower after the date hereof in connection with the
                           exercise of Options or pursuant to the terms of the
                           Stock Purchase Agreement (collectively, the
                           "Additional Pledged Stock").

-2-

<PAGE>   36

               (b)    The Borrower will defend the Company's right, title and
interest in and to the Pledged Collateral against the claims and demands of all
other persons.

               (c)    Concurrently with making this Note, the Borrower has
delivered to the Company the certificates representing the Pledged Stock,
together with appropriate undated stock powers duly executed in blank for the
Pledged Stock and the Borrower agrees that he shall deliver to the Company
certificates representing the Additional Pledged Stock upon his acquiring such
shares from time to time. The Borrower agrees to deliver, if necessary or
appropriate, additional undated stock powers duly executed in blank for the
Pledged Stock and to take such additional action as is required from time to
time to perfect the Company's security interest in the Pledged Stock, the
Additional Pledged Stock and the Options.

               (d)    So long as the Borrower has not defaulted in the timely
payment of principal and interest hereunder, or such default shall not have been
cured within (30) days following the due date of any such payment (a "Default"),
the Borrower shall be entitled to vote the Pledged Stock and the Additional
Pledged Stock and to give all consents, waivers and ratifications in respect of
the Pledged Stock and the Additional Pledged Stock. Upon the occurrence of a
Default, all voting and other consensual rights of the Borrower in the Pledged
Stock and the Additional Pledged Stock shall cease and may be exercised by the
Company.

               (e)    Upon the occurrence of a Default, the Company shall have
and may exercise all rights and remedies afforded to a secured party under the
[Delaware] Uniform Commercial Code applicable thereto, and shall have the right
to retain the Pledged Collateral in partial or full satisfaction of the
Borrower's obligations under this Note in accordance with the provisions of, and
to the extent permitted under, the [Delaware] Uniform Commercial Code. With
respect to the preceding sentence, the Company shall, in its sole discretion,
determine the order in which all or any portion of the assets comprising the
Pledged Collateral shall be applied in satisfaction of the Borrower's
obligations under this Note; provided, however, that the value of any such
assets so applied shall be determined in accordance with paragraph (f) of this
Section 3. Borrower hereby agrees to indemnify the Company and hold it harmless
from and against any and all costs and expenses, including without limitation
attorneys fees, reasonably incurred by the Company in connection with any
Default.

               (f)    In the event of a Default, for purposes of this Note (i)
the value of a share of Common Stock as of any date shall be equal to the Fair
Market Value (as defined in the Plan) of a share of Common Stock as of such
date, except that if the value of a share of Common Stock is determined
following the Borrower's termination of employment by the Company for "Cause"
(as such term is defined in the Stock Purchase Agreement), then for purposes of
this Note the value of a share of Common Stock shall

-3-

<PAGE>   37

be deemed to equal the lesser of (A) the price paid by the Borrower for such
share and (B) the Fair Market Value of such share and (ii) the value of an
Option as of any date shall be equal to the Fair Market Value of the shares of
Common Stock subject to the Option as of such date, less (A) the aggregate
exercise price of such Option and (B) all applicable withholding taxes payable
in respect of such Option.

               (g)    The Borrower agrees that at any time and from time to time
upon the written request of the Company, the Borrower will execute and deliver
such further documents and do or cause to be done such further acts and things
as the Company may reasonably request in order to effect the purposes of this
Note and the grant of the security interest hereunder.

               4.     Notice. For the purposes of this Note, notices, demands
and all other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall
be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or (unless otherwise specified)
mailed by United States certified or registered mail, return receipt requested,
postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

               If to the Borrower:

                      E. Thomas Webb
                      c/o Orion Power Holding, Inc.
                      111 Market Place, Suite 520
                      Baltimore, MD  21202
                      Telecopy:  (410) 468-3540

               If to the Company:

                      Orion Power Holdings, Inc.
                      111 Market Place, Suite 520
                      Baltimore, MD  21202
                      Telecopy:  (410) 468-3540

or to such other address as any party may have furnished to the others in
writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall
be effective only upon receipt.

               5.     Miscellaneous.

               (a)    No delay or failure by the Company or the holder of this
Note in the exercise of any right or remedy shall constitute a waiver thereof,
and no single or partial

-4-
<PAGE>   38

exercise by the holder hereof of any right or remedy shall preclude other or
future exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or remedy.

               (b)    The headings contained in this Note are for reference
purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of
the provisions hereof.

               (c)    The provisions of this Note shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with laws of the State of Delaware, without giving
effect to the choice of law principles thereof.

               IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Note has been duly executed and
delivered to the Company by the Borrower on the date first above written.

                                       ------------------------------------
                                                     Borrower

Witness:

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

-5-<PAGE>   1
                                                                     Exhibit 4.1

                                 TRUST INDENTURE

                                     between

                        NRG SOUTH CENTRAL GENERATING LLC,
                                 as the Issuer

                            LOUISIANA GENERATING LLC,
                          as the Subsidiary Guarantor

                                       and

                            THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
                                as Bond Trustee

                                       and

                            THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
                               as Depositary Bank

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

                           Dated as of March 30, 2000

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

                 8.962% Senior Secured Series A Bonds Due 2016
                 9.479% Senior Secured Series B Bonds Due 2024
<PAGE>   2
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                             Page

<S>               <C>                                                        <C>
                                    ARTICLE 1

                         DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION;
                        INDENTURE TO CONSTITUTE CONTRACT

Section 1.1       Definitions; Construction                                    2
Section 1.2       Indenture to Constitute Contract                             3
Section 1.3       Conflict with Trust Indenture Act                            3
Section 1.4       Beneficial Holders                                           4

                                    ARTICLE 2
                                    THE BONDS

Section 2.1       Authorization, Amount, Terms and Issuance of Bonds           4
Section 2.2       Authorization and Terms of the Initial Bonds                 4
Section 2.3       Additional Bonds                                             6
Section 2.4       Record Dates                                                 9
Section 2.5       Form of Bonds                                                9
Section 2.6       Maintenance of Offices and Agencies                         12
Section 2.7       Transfer and Exchange of Bonds                              15
Section 2.8       Execution                                                   22
Section 2.9       Authentication and Delivery                                 23
Section 2.10      Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Bonds                  24
Section 2.11      Temporary Bonds                                             25
Section 2.12      Cancellation and Destruction of Surrendered Bonds           25
Section 2.13      Disposition of Bond Proceeds of Initial Bonds               26
Section 2.14      Payment of Principal and Interest; Principal
                   and Interest Rights Preserved                              26
Section 2.15      Sources of Payments Limited; Rights and
                   Liabilities of the Issuer                                  27
Section 2.16      Allocation of Principal and Interest                        28
Section 2.17      Parity of Bonds                                             28
</TABLE>

                                        i
<PAGE>   3
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                             Page
<S>               <C>                                                        <C>

                                    ARTICLE 3
                               REDEMPTION OF BONDS

Section 3.1       Redemption at the Option of the Issuer or the Holders       28
Section 3.2       Mandatory Redemption                                        29
Section 3.3       Redemption Account                                          31
Section 3.4       Prepayment of Guarantor Loans                               31
Section 3.5       Notice of Redemption                                        32
Section 3.6       Bonds Payable on Redemption Date                            33
Section 3.7       Selection of Bonds to be Redeemed                           33
Section 3.8       Bonds Redeemed in Part                                      34
Section 3.9       Change of Control                                           34

                                    ARTICLE 4
                                    COVENANTS

Section 4.1       Reporting Requirements                                      36
Section 4.2       Existence; Governmental Approvals; Compliance
                   with Applicable Laws                                       38
Section 4.3       Title to Assets                                             38
Section 4.4       Payment of Taxes and Claims                                 38
Section 4.5       Books and Records                                           39
Section 4.6       Right of Inspection                                         39
Section 4.7       Use of Proceeds; Depositary Accounts                        39
Section 4.8       Performance of Transaction Documents                        39
Section 4.9       Rating                                                      40
Section 4.10      Rule 144A Information; Other Information                    40
Section 4.11      Auditors                                                    40
Section 4.12      Operation of its Assets                                     40
Section 4.13      Insurance                                                   40
Section 4.14      Third Party Consents                                        41
Section 4.15      Permitted Indebtedness                                      41
Section 4.16      Permitted Liens                                             42
Section 4.17      Guarantees                                                  42
Section 4.18      Business Activities                                         42
Section 4.19      Assignment of Obligations; Additional Agreements            43
Section 4.20      Fundamental Changes; Sale of Assets                         43
Section 4.21      Investments; Transactions with Affiliates                   44
Section 4.22      Finance Documents; Project Documents                        46
Section 4.23      Restricted Payments                                         46
</TABLE>

                                       ii
<PAGE>   4
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             Page
<S>               <C>                                                        <C>
Section 4.24      Investment Company Act                                      46
Section 4.25      Taxation                                                    47
Section 4.26      Further Assurances                                          47

                                    ARTICLE 5
                           EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES

Section 5.1       Events of Default                                           47
Section 5.2       Remedies Upon an Indenture Event of Default                 51
Section 5.3       Specific Remedies                                           53
Section 5.4       Judicial Proceedings Instituted by Bond Trustee             53
Section 5.5       Control by Holders                                          55
Section 5.6       Waiver of Defaults and Events of Default                    55
Section 5.7       Limitation on Suits by Holders                              55
Section 5.8       Undertaking to Pay Court Costs                              56
Section 5.9       Unconditional Right to Receive Payment                      57
Section 5.10      Application of Monies Collected by Bond Trustee             57
Section 5.11      Waiver of Stay and Extension Laws                           57
Section 5.12      Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission Not Waiver           58
Section 5.13      The Intercreditor Agreement                                 58
Section 5.14      Limitation on Holders' Bankruptcy Rights                    59

                                    ARTICLE 6
                             THE DEPOSITARY ACCOUNTS

Section 6.1       Procedures Governing Accounts                               59
Section 6.2       Establishment of Accounts                                   61
Section 6.3       Security Interest                                           61
Section 6.4       Termination                                                 61
Section 6.5       Revenue Account                                             62
Section 6.6       Debt Service Reserve Account                                63
Section 6.7       Restricted Payments                                         64
Section 6.8       Investment of Monies                                        65
Section 6.9       Disposition of Monies Upon Retirement of
                   Bonds and Additional Bonds                                 66
Section 6.10      Account Balance Statements                                  66
Section 6.11      Trigger Events                                              66
</TABLE>

                                       iii
<PAGE>   5
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             Page
<S>               <C>                                                        <C>

                                    ARTICLE 7
                                 ACTS OF HOLDERS

Section 7.1       Acts of Holders                                             67
Section 7.2       Purposes for Which Holders' Meeting May Be Called           69
Section 7.3       The Issuer and Holders May Call Meeting                     70
Section 7.4       Persons Entitled to Vote at Meeting                         70
Section 7.5       Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct
                   and Adjournment of Meeting                                 70
Section 7.6       Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meeting              71
Section 7.7       Bonds Owned by Certain Persons Deemed Not Outstanding       72

                                    ARTICLE 8
                             SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 8.1       Amendments and Supplements to Indenture
                   Without Consent of Holders                                 72
Section 8.2       Amendments and Supplements to Indenture
                   With Consent of Holders                                    74
Section 8.3       Amendment of Guarantor Loan Agreement
                   or Guarantor Notes                                         75
Section 8.4       Bond Trustee Authorized to Join in Amendments
                   and Supplements; Reliance on Counsel                       76
Section 8.5       Effect of Supplemental Indentures                           76
Section 8.6       Conformity with Trust Indenture Act                         76
Section 8.7       Reference in Bonds to Supplemental Indentures               76

                                    ARTICLE 9
                     SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE

Section 9.1       Satisfaction and Discharge of Bonds and Indenture           77
Section 9.2       Defeasance                                                  79
Section 9.3       Survival of Obligations                                     81
Section 9.4       Application of Trust Money                                  81
Section 9.5       Unclaimed Monies                                            81
Section 9.6       Indemnity for US Government Obligations                     82
Section 9.7       Reinstatement                                               82

                                   ARTICLE 10
                                THE BOND TRUSTEE

Section 10.1      Certain Duties and Responsibilities of Bond Trustee         82
</TABLE>

                                       iv
<PAGE>   6
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             Page
<S>               <C>                                                        <C>
Section 10.2      Certain Rights of Bond Trustee                              84
Section 10.3      Notice of Defaults                                          85
Section 10.4      Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Bonds           86
Section 10.5      May Hold Bonds                                              86
Section 10.6      Monies Held in Trust                                        86
Section 10.7      Compensation; Reimbursement; Indemnification                87
Section 10.8      Eligibility                                                 88
Section 10.9      Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor           88
Section 10.10     Acceptance of Appointment by Successor Bond Trustee         90
Section 10.11     Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession
                   to Business                                                91
Section 10.12     Authorization                                               91
Section 10.13     Disqualification; Conflicting Interests                     91
Section 10.14     Trustee's Application for Instructions from the Company     91

                                   ARTICLE 11
                   HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY BOND TRUSTEE

Section 11.1      Names and Addresses of Holders                              93
Section 11.2      Bond Trustee to Furnish Other Information                   93

                                   ARTICLE 12
                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 12.1      Third Party Beneficiaries                                   93
Section 12.2      Severability                                                93
Section 12.3      Substitute Notice                                           94
Section 12.4      Notice to Rating Agencies                                   94
Section 12.5      Notices                                                     94
Section 12.6      Successors and Assigns                                      95
Section 12.7      Section Headings                                            95
Section 12.8      Counterparts                                                95
Section 12.9      Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction;
                   Waiver of Jury Trial                                       95
Section 12.10     Legal Holidays                                              96
Section 12.11     Limitation of Liability                                     97
Section 12.12     Entire Agreement                                            97
Section 12.13     All Payments in US Dollars                                  97
Section 12.14     Trust Indenture Act                                         97
Section 12.15     Communication Among Holders                                 98
</TABLE>

                                        v
<PAGE>   7
<TABLE>
<S>               <C>                                                        <C>
Section 12.16     Officers' Certificates and Opinions of Counsel              98
Section 12.17     Form of Certificates and Opinions Delivered to
                   Bond Trustee                                               99
</TABLE>

                                       vi
<PAGE>   8
                   Table of Schedules, Appendices and Exhibits

SCHEDULE I        AMORTIZATION OF PRINCIPAL
SCHEDULE II       ACCOUNT INFORMATION
SCHEDULE III      NOTICE ADDRESSES
SCHEDULE IV       ASSETS SPECIFICALLY HELD FOR RESALE
SCHEDULE 4.16     LIENS
SCHEDULE 4.17     GUARANTEES
SCHEDULE 4.21     INVESTMENTS

APPENDIX A        DEFINITIONS

EXHIBIT A         FORM OF FACE OF BOND
EXHIBIT B         FORM OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF BONDS
EXHIBIT C         FORM OF TRANSFER
EXHIBIT D         FORM OF TRANSFER RESTRICTION LEGEND
EXHIBIT E         FORM OF REGULATION S TRANSFER CERTIFICATE
EXHIBIT F         FORM OF RULE 144 TRANSFER CERTIFICATE
EXHIBIT G         FORM OF RULE 144A TRANSFER CERTIFICATE
EXHIBIT H         FORM OF REQUEST FOR INFORMATION FROM THE BOND TRUSTEE
EXHIBIT I         SUBORDINATED INDEBTEDNESS

                                       vii
<PAGE>   9
                                 TRUST INDENTURE

         This TRUST INDENTURE, dated as of March 30, 2000 (this "Indenture"), by
and between NRG SOUTH CENTRAL GENERATING, LLC, a limited liability company
formed under the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Issuer"), LOUISIANA
GENERATING LLC, a limited liability company formed under the laws of the State
of Delaware (the "Subsidiary Guarantor") (solely with respect to Sections 6.1,
6.3, 6.5 and 6.7) and THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, a New York banking corporation,
as trustee (in such capacity, together with its successors in such capacity, the
"Bond Trustee") and depositary bank (in such capacity, together with its
successors in such capacity, the "Depositary Bank").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS, the Issuer has been formed for the sole purposes of (a)
issuing Bonds under this Indenture and incurring other Permitted Issuer
Indebtedness, (b) owning the membership interests in the Subsidiary Guarantor
and any other Subsidiaries or additional assets as permitted hereunder and (c)
entering into those transactions incident hereto; and

         WHEREAS, in furtherance of such purpose, the Issuer has determined to
issue the Bonds, initially to be issued in the aggregate principal amount of
$800,000,000;

         WHEREAS, the Issuer has entered into the Guarantor Loan Agreement
pursuant to which the proceeds of the Bonds will be loaned to the Subsidiary
Guarantor to be used, among other things, (i) to finance the costs of the
Acquisition and (ii) to pay financing fees and all other fees, expenses, costs
and taxes associated with the Acquisition;

         WHEREAS, the Subsidiary Guarantor shall repay the Guarantor Loans to
the Issuer in amounts sufficient to enable the Issuer to pay from time to time
the principal of, premium (if any), and interest on all Bonds at any time issued
and outstanding under this Indenture according to their tenor and to pay other
costs of the Issuer and the Bond Trustee incurred in connection with the Bonds,
this Indenture and the other Finance Documents;
<PAGE>   10
         WHEREAS, the Subsidiary Guarantor has guaranteed to the Bond Trustee
the payment of principal, premium (if any), interest and other amounts due from
the Issuer under this Indenture with respect to the Bonds; and

         WHEREAS, the execution and delivery of the Bonds and of this Indenture
have been duly authorized and all things necessary to make the Bonds, when
executed by the Issuer and authenticated by the Bond Trustee, valid and binding
legal obligations of the Issuer and to make this Indenture a valid and binding
agreement have been done.

         NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises, the covenants
herein contained and the purchase of the Bonds by the Holders thereof, it is
mutually covenanted and agreed, for the benefit of the parties hereto and the
equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders, as follows:

                                    ARTICLE 1
                          DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION;
                        INDENTURE TO CONSTITUTE CONTRACT

                  Section 1.1 Definitions; Construction. (a) Capitalized terms
used in this Indenture shall have the respective meanings given to such terms in
Appendix A attached hereto, which Appendix A is hereby incorporated by reference
herein.

                  (b) The following principles of construction shall apply to
this Indenture:

                  (i) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the
         meanings assigned to them in accordance with GAAP;

                  (ii) all references in this Indenture to designated
         "Articles," "Sections," "Exhibits," and other subdivisions are to the
         designated Articles, Sections, Exhibits and other subdivisions of this
         Indenture;

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

                                        2
<PAGE>   11
                  (iv) unless otherwise expressly specified, any agreement,
         contract or document defined or referred to herein shall mean such
         agreement, contract or document as in effect as of the date hereof, as
         the same may thereafter be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise
         modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and of
         this Indenture and the other Finance Documents and including any
         agreement, contract or document in substitution or replacement of any
         of the foregoing;

                  (v) unless the context clearly intends the contrary, pronouns
         having a masculine or feminine gender shall be deemed to include the
         other gender;

                  (vi) any reference to any Person shall include its successors
         and assigns, and in the case of any Governmental Authority, any Person
         succeeding to its functions and capacities; and

                  (vii) all other terms used herein that are defined in the
         Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the
         meaning assigned to them therein.

                  Section 1.2 Indenture to Constitute Contract. In consideration
of the purchase and acceptance of any or all of the Bonds by those who shall
hold the same from time to time, the provisions of this Indenture shall be part
of the contract of the Issuer with the Holders of the Bonds, and shall be deemed
to be and shall constitute contracts between the Issuer, the Bond Trustee and
the Holders from time to time of the Bonds. The provisions, covenants and
agreements herein set forth to be performed by or on behalf of the Issuer shall
be for the equal and ratable benefit, protection and security of the Holders of
any and all of the Bonds. All of the Bonds, regardless of the time or times of
their issuance or maturity, shall be of equal rank without preference, priority
or distinction of any of the Bonds over any other except as expressly provided
in or pursuant to this Indenture.

                  Section 1.3 Conflict with Trust Indenture Act. If any
provision hereof, including without limitation, Section 5.13 hereof, limits,
qualifies or conflicts with another provision hereof which is required to be
included in this Indenture by any of the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act,
such required provision shall control. If any provision of this Indenture
modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that may be so
modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply in this
Indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be.

                                        3
<PAGE>   12
                  Section 1.4 Beneficial Holders. Each investor that executes
and delivers to the Bond Trustee a "Form of Request for Information from the
Bond Trustee" substantially in the form of Exhibit H hereto shall be deemed a
"Beneficial Holder" of the Bonds and shall be treated as a Holder of the Bonds
for all purposes hereunder.

                               ARTICLE 2
                               THE BONDS

                  Section 2.1 Authorization, Amount, Terms and Issuance of
Bonds. (a) Bonds may be issued hereunder from time to time in one or more series
(each such series, a "Series"). No Bonds may be issued under this Indenture
except in accordance with this Article 2. The maximum principal amount of Bonds
which may be issued, authenticated and delivered hereunder is not limited. The
Initial Bonds shall be issued in denominations of $100,000 or any amount in
excess thereof that is an integral multiple of $1,000.

                  (b) "CUSIP" numbers (if then generally in use) may be printed
on the Bonds and, if so, the Bond Trustee shall use CUSIP numbers in notices of
redemption as a convenience to the Holders. Neither the Issuer nor the Bond
Trustee shall have any responsibility for any defect in the CUSIP number that
appears on any bond, check, advice of payment or redemption notice, and any such
document may contain a statement to the effect that CUSIP numbers have been
assigned by an independent service for convenience of reference and that neither
the Issuer nor the Bond Trustee shall be liable for any inaccuracy in such
numbers. The Issuer shall promptly notify the Bond Trustee in writing of any
change in CUSIP numbers with respect to the Bonds.

                  Section 2.2 Authorization and Terms of the Initial Bonds. (a)
The Initial Bonds to be issued under this Indenture are hereby created and the
Issuer may issue the Initial Bonds upon execution of this Indenture. The Initial
Bonds shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A and contain
substantially the terms and conditions set forth in Exhibit B. The Bond Trustee
shall, at the Issuer's written request, authenticate the Initial Bonds and
deliver them as specified in such request, without any further action by the
Issuer.

                                        4
<PAGE>   13
                  (b) The Initial Bonds shall be dated as of the Closing Date,
shall be issued in the aggregate principal amount set forth below and shall have
a stated maturity date and bear interest as set forth below; provided that,
pursuant to the terms and provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement, the
interest rate of the Initial Bonds shall be increased by one half of one percent
(0.50%) per annum from and after the date that a Registration Default occurs,
and shall accrue to but not including the date on which such Registration
Default shall cease to exist. Notice of the occurrence and cessation of any
Registration Default and the date, if any, that a Registration Statement is
declared effective shall be set forth in an Officer's Certificate of the Issuer
delivered to the Bond Trustee and the Depositary within ten (10) Business Days
after the Issuer has obtained knowledge of such event. If a Registration Default
occurs subsequent to any Regular Record Date, the Person entitled to receive the
increased amount of interest payable as a result of such Registration Default
shall receive such additional interest on the Interest Payment Date relating to
the next subsequent Regular Record Date. Bonds subsequently issued pursuant to
Section 2.7 shall be dated as of the date of authentication thereof.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    Series        Interest Rate    Stated Maturity Date    Principal Amount
    ------        -------------    --------------------    ----------------
<S>               <C>              <C>                     <C>
Series A Bonds        8.962%          March 15, 2016         $500,000,000

Series B Bonds        9.479%        September 15, 2024       $300,000,000
</TABLE>

                  (c) Interest on the Initial Bonds shall accrue from the
Closing Date and shall be paid semi-annually in arrears on each March 15 and
September 15, commencing September 15, 2000 and concluding on the Maturity Date
for such Series. Interest on the Bonds shall be computed on the basis of a three
hundred sixty (360) day year consisting of twelve (12) thirty (30) day months.

                  (d) Principal of the Initial Bonds shall be paid in an amount,
and on the Payment Dates, as set forth on Schedule I hereto.

                  (e) The principal of, premium (if any) and interest on the
Bonds shall be payable in immediately available funds and in such coin or
currency of the United States which, at the respective dates of payment thereof,
is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts. Payment of
principal of, premium (if any) and interest on any Initial Bond shall be made by
check or draft drawn on a bank having an office located in the United States and
mailed on the relevant Payment Date to the Person in whose name such Initial
Bond is registered at the close of business on the

                                        5
<PAGE>   14
Regular Record Date immediately preceding such Payment Date, at such Person's
address as it appears on the Securities Register, or by wire transfer to an
account maintained by such Person in the continental United States if the Bond
Trustee shall have received written notice from such Person requesting such wire
transfer and providing the appropriate wire transfer information at least
fifteen (15) days prior to the relevant Regular Record Date; provided, however,
that if and to the extent there shall be a default in the payment of principal,
premium (if any) or interest due with respect to any Initial Bond on any Payment
Date, such defaulted interest, premium (if any) and/or principal shall be paid
to the Holder in whose name such Initial Bond is registered at the close of
business on the Special Record Date determined by the Bond Trustee as provided
in Section 2.4. The Issuer shall pay any reasonable administrative costs imposed
by banks in connection with the making of payments by wire transfer.

                  Section 2.3 Additional Bonds. (a) Additional Bonds may, upon
satisfaction of the conditions set forth in this Section 2.3, be issued in the
amounts and for the purposes permitted in this Section 2.3. All Additional Bonds
shall bear such date or dates, bear such interest rate or rates, have such
maturity dates, redemption dates and redemption premiums, be in such form and be
issued at such prices as set forth in the Supplemental Indenture applicable to
such Bonds.

         (b) Upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in this
Section 2.3, the execution and delivery of an appropriate Supplemental Indenture
in compliance with clause (e) of this Section 2.3, the execution and delivery of
appropriate supplements, amendments or modifications to or of the Finance
Documents (in respect of which the consent of the Bond Trustee and the Holders
shall not be required), receipt by the Bond Trustee of the written consent of
the Subsidiary Guarantor and any Additional Guarantor confirming that the
Guarantee applies to the Outstanding Bonds and the Additional Bonds which the
Issuer proposes to issue and receipt by the Depositary Bank of an Officer's
Certificate from the Issuer confirming that moneys on deposit in the Debt
Service Reserve Account or otherwise available pursuant to Acceptable Credit
Support shall, in the aggregate, after giving effect to the issuance of such
Additional Bonds, be equal to the Debt Service Reserve Required Balance (as such
shall be increased to reflect payments due on the Additional Bonds), the Issuer
shall execute Additional Bonds and deliver them to the Bond Trustee, and the
Bond Trustee, upon the written request of the Issuer, shall authenticate such
Additional Bonds and deliver them to the purchasers thereof as may be directed
by the Issuer in writing, without any further action of the Issuer; provided,

                                        6
<PAGE>   15
however, that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no
Additional Bonds shall be issued hereunder:

                  (A) without the written consent of the Issuer; or

                  (B) at any time when a Default or an Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing or if such proposed issuance would, upon notice
or passage of time, cause a Default or an Event of Default.

         (c) Upon the issuance of any Additional Bonds, the Issuer shall
promptly provide the Bond Trustee with a revised Schedule I to this Indenture
that will set forth the requirements for the payment of principal of and
interest on such Additional Bonds.

         (d) Additional Bonds may be issued by the Issuer; provided that the
Bond Trustee shall have received prior to such issuance an Officer's Certificate
from the Issuer certifying that (i) each of the conditions set forth in Section
2.3(b) or the relevant Supplemental Indenture has been satisfied, (ii) no
Default or Event of Default exists at the time of the issuance of the Additional
Bonds and that such issuance will not cause a Default or an Event of Default and
(iii) the incurrence of Indebtedness pursuant to the issuance of Additional
Bonds shall comply with Section 4.15(c) subject to the applicable conditions
described in such Section.

         (e) Prior to the issuance of Additional Bonds of any Series hereunder,
the following shall be established in one or more Supplemental Indentures:

                  (i) the title of the Additional Bonds of such Series (which
         shall distinguish the Additional Bonds of such Series from all other
         Bonds) and the form or forms of such Bonds of such Series;

                  (ii) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the
         Additional Bonds of such Series that may be authenticated and delivered
         under this Indenture (except for Additional Bonds authenticated and
         delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in
         lieu of, other Bonds of such Series and except for Additional Bonds
         that, pursuant to the last sentence of Section 2.9, are deemed never to
         have been authenticated and delivered hereunder);

                                        7
<PAGE>   16
                  (iii) the date or dates on or as of which the Additional Bonds
         of such Series shall be dated;

                  (iv) the date or dates on which the principal of the
         Additional Bonds of such Series is payable, the amounts of principal
         payable on such date or dates and the Regular Record Date for the
         determination of Holders to whom principal is payable;

                  (v) the rate or rates at which the Additional Bonds of such
         Series shall bear interest or the method by which such rate or rates
         shall be determined, the date or dates from which such interest shall
         accrue, the Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable and
         the Regular Record Date for the determination of Holders to whom
         interest is payable and the basis of computation of interest, if other
         than as provided in Section 2.2(c);

                  (vi) the place or places where the principal of, premium (if
         any) and interest on the Additional Bonds of such Series shall be
         payable, Additional Bonds of such Series may be surrendered for
         registration of transfer or exchange and notices and demands to or upon
         the Issuer in respect of the Additional Bonds of such Series and this
         Indenture may be served;

                  (vii) the price or prices (including premium (if any)) at
         which, the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions
         upon which the Additional Bonds of such Series may be redeemed, in
         whole or in part, at the option of the Issuer;

                  (viii) the obligation (if any) of the Issuer to redeem,
         purchase or repay Additional Bonds of such Series pursuant to any
         sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of a Holder
         thereof and the price or prices at which, the period or periods within
         which and the terms and conditions upon which Additional Bonds of such
         Series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part,
         pursuant to such obligations;

                  (ix) if other than denominations of $100,000 and any integral
         multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, the denominations in which
         Additional Bonds of such Series shall be issuable;

                  (x) the restrictions or limitations (if any) on the transfer
         or exchange of the Additional Bonds of such Series, including, without
         limitation, with

                                        8
<PAGE>   17
         respect to Bonds to be sold outside the United States pursuant to
         Regulation S or any other exemption under the Securities Act;

                  (xi) the obligation (if any) of the Issuer to file a
         registration statement with respect to the Additional Bonds of such
         Series or to exchange the Additional Bonds of such Series for
         Additional Bonds registered pursuant to the Securities Act;

                  (xii) any Authorized Agents with respect to the Additional
         Bonds of such Series; and

                  (xiii) any other terms of such Series (which terms shall not
         be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture).

         Section 2.4 Record Dates. The Person in whose name any Bond is
registered at the close of business on any Regular Record Date with respect to
any Payment Date shall be entitled to receive the principal, premium (if any)
and/or interest payable on such Payment Date notwithstanding the cancellation of
such Bond upon any transfer or exchange thereof subsequent to such Regular
Record Date and prior to such Payment Date; provided, however, that if and to
the extent there is a default in the payment of the principal, premium (if any)
and/or interest due on such Payment Date, such defaulted principal, premium (if
any) and/or interest shall be paid pursuant to Section 2.14.

         Section 2.5 Form of Bonds.

         2.5.1 Form Generally. The Initial Bonds and the Bond Trustee's
certificate of authentication thereon shall be substantially in the form set
forth in Exhibit A and shall contain substantially the terms and conditions set
forth in Exhibit B, which exhibits are hereby incorporated in and expressly made
a part of this Indenture. The Initial Bonds shall be issued in fully registered
form, without interest coupons. Additional Bonds shall be substantially in the
form and shall contain the terms established in one or more Supplemental
Indentures relating to such Additional Bonds. Any Bond may have such appropriate
insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or
permitted by this Indenture or the relevant Supplemental Indenture and may have
imprinted or otherwise reproduced thereon such legends or endorsements, not
inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture or the relevant Supplemental
Indenture, as may be required to comply with Applicable Law or with any rules or
regulations pursuant thereto, or with any rules of any

                                        9
<PAGE>   18
securities exchange or to conform to general usage, all as may, consistently
herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Bond, such determination
and approval to be evidenced by the execution and authentication thereof. The
Bonds shall be numbered, lettered or otherwise distinguished in such manner or
in accordance with such plan as the officers executing the Bonds may determine,
as evidenced by the execution and authentication thereof. Certificated Bonds may
be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be
produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such
Certificated Bonds, as evidenced by the execution and authentication thereof.

         2.5.2 Bonds Sold Pursuant to Rule 144A. Any Initial Bonds offered and
sold in their initial distribution in reliance on Rule 144A to Qualified
Institutional Buyers shall be issued in the form of a permanent global bond (the
"Restricted Global Bond") (which may be represented by more than one
certificate, if so required by the Depositary's rules regarding the maximum
principal amount to be represented by a single certificate), duly executed by
the Issuer and authenticated by the Bond Trustee as hereinafter provided. The
Restricted Global Bond shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or its
nominee and deposited with the Bond Trustee, at its principal Corporate Trust
Office, as custodian for the Depositary.

         2.5.3 Bonds Sold Pursuant to Regulation S. Any Initial Bonds offered
and sold in their initial distribution in reliance on Regulation S shall be
issued in the form of a permanent global bond (the "Unrestricted Global Bond"
and together with the Restricted Global Bond, the "Global Bonds") (which may be
represented by more than one certificate, if so required by the Depositary's
rules regarding the maximum principal amount to be represented by a single
certificate), duly executed by the Issuer and authenticated by the Bond Trustee
as hereinafter provided. The Unrestricted Global Bond shall be registered in the
name of the Depositary or its nominee and deposited with the Bond Trustee, at
its Corporate Trust Office, as custodian for the Depositary, for credit to the
respective accounts of Euroclear and Clearstream. Prior to the termination of
the Regulation S Restricted Period, beneficial interests in the Unrestricted
Global Bond may be held only through Euroclear and Clearstream.

         2.5.4 Bonds Sold to Institutional Accredited Investors. Any Initial
Bonds offered and sold in their initial distribution in reliance on an exemption
from registration under the Securities Act (other than Rule 144A or Regulation
S) to institutional "accredited investors" (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2),
(3) or (7) of the Securities Act ("Accredited Investors") shall be issued in the
form of Certificated Bonds.

                                       10
<PAGE>   19
         2.5.5 Depositary. (a) The Issuer hereby appoints DTC to act as
depositary (in such capacity, together with its successors in such capacity, the
"Depositary") with respect to the Global Bonds. The Bond Trustee shall act as
custodian of the Global Bonds for the Depositary. So long as the Depositary or
its nominee is the registered owner of the Global Bonds, it shall be considered
the Holder of the Bonds represented thereby for all purposes hereunder and under
the Global Bonds, and neither any members of, or participants in, the Depositary
("Agent Members") nor any other Persons on whose behalf Agent Members may act or
shall have any rights hereunder or with respect to the Global Bonds.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall (i) prevent the Issuer, the
Bond Trustee or any agent of the Issuer or the Bond Trustee from giving effect
to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the
Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, or (ii) impair, as between the
Depositary, its Agent Members and any other Person on whose behalf an Agent
Member may act, the operation of customary practices of such Persons governing
the exercise of the rights of a Holder of any Bond.

         (b) The Issuer may remove or replace DTC or any successor as Depositary
for any reason upon thirty (30) days' written notice to DTC or such successor
(with a copy thereof to the Bond Trustee). The Holders shall have no right to a
depositary for the Bonds.

         (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or the Bonds,
so long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner of the Bonds:

                  (i) the provisions of the DTC Letter of Representations shall
         control over the provisions of this Indenture with respect to the
         matters covered thereby;

                  (ii) presentation of Bonds to the Bond Trustee at redemption
         or at maturity shall be deemed made to the Bond Trustee when the right
         to exercise ownership rights in the Bonds through DTC or Agent Members
         is transferred by DTC on its books; and

                  (iii) DTC may present notices, approvals, waivers or other
         communications required or permitted to be made by Holders under this
         Indenture on a fractionalized basis on behalf of some or all of those
         Persons entitled to exercise ownership rights in the Bonds through DTC
         or Agent Members.

                                       11
<PAGE>   20
         Section 2.6 Maintenance of Offices and Agencies.

         2.6.1 Registrar and Paying Agent. Unless otherwise permitted in the
relevant Supplemental Indenture: (a) (i) the Issuer shall maintain in the
Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, an office or agency (the
"Registrar") where Bonds may be surrendered for registration of transfer or
exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of the
Bonds or under this Indenture may be served; (ii) the Issuer shall cause a
register for the registration of the Bonds and of their transfer and exchange
(the "Securities Register") to be kept at the office of the Registrar and (iii)
the Issuer hereby initially appoints the Bond Trustee at its Corporate Trust
Office as Registrar, and the Bond Trustee hereby accepts such appointment.

         (b) Unless otherwise permitted in the relevant Supplemental Indenture,
there shall at all times be maintained in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of
New York, and in such other places of payment, if any, as shall be specified for
the Bonds in a related Supplemental Indenture, an office or agency (the "Paying
Agent") where Bonds may be presented for payment of principal, premium (if any)
and interest. The Issuer hereby initially appoints the Bond Trustee at its
Corporate Trust Office as Paying Agent, and the Bond Trustee hereby accepts such
appointment.

         (c) Whenever the Issuer shall appoint a Paying Agent other than the
Bond Trustee, it shall cause, prior to such appointment, each such Paying Agent
to execute and deliver to the Bond Trustee an instrument in which such Paying
Agent shall agree with the Bond Trustee, subject to the provisions of this
Section 2.6.1, that such Paying Agent shall:

                  (i) hold all sums held by such Paying Agent for the payment of
         the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on the Bonds in trust
         for the benefit of the Holders or the Bond Trustee;

                  (ii) give the Bond Trustee within five (5) days thereafter
         written notice of any default by the Issuer (or any other obligor upon
         the Bonds) in the making of any such payment of principal, premium (if
         any) or interest; and

                  (iii) at any time during the continuance of any default by the
         Issuer or any other obligor in respect of the Bonds, upon the written
         request of the

                                       12
<PAGE>   21
         Bond Trustee, forthwith pay to the Bond Trustee all sums so held in
         trust by such Paying Agent.

         (d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, any payment
required to be made to or received or held by the Bond Trustee may, to the
extent authorized by written instructions of the Bond Trustee, be made to or
received or held by any Paying Agent for the account of the Bond Trustee.

         (e) The Issuer shall give prompt written notice to the Bond Trustee of
the location, and any change in the location, of the Registrar and Paying Agent.
If at any time the Issuer shall fail to maintain a Registrar and/or Paying Agent
or shall fail to furnish the Bond Trustee with the location thereof,
presentation or surrender of Bonds for registration of transfer or exchange or
for payment may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Bond
Trustee in New York City.

         2.6.2 Authenticating Agent. At any time when any Bonds remain
Outstanding, the Bond Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent or agents
(each an "Authenticating Agent") which shall be authorized to act on behalf of
the Bond Trustee to authenticate Bonds issued upon original issuance, exchange,
registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof or pursuant to Section
2.10, and Bonds so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this
Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated
by the Bond Trustee hereunder (it being understood that wherever reference is
made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Bonds by the Bond
Trustee or the Bond Trustee's certificate of authentication, such reference
shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Bond
Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed
on behalf of the Bond Trustee by an Authenticating Agent). If an appointment of
an Authenticating Agent shall be made pursuant to this Section 2.6.2, the Bonds
may have endorsed thereon, in addition to the Bond Trustee's certificate of
authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication in the following
form:

         This Bond is one of the Bonds referred to in the within-mentioned
Indenture.

                                     -----------------------------------------
                                     Trustee

                                     Dated:
                                           -----------------------------------

                                       13
<PAGE>   22
                                     By:
                                        --------------------------------------
                                           Authorized Signatory

         2.6.3 Authorized Agents Generally. (a) Any Registrar, Paying Agent or
Authenticating Agent (each an "Authorized Agent") shall be a corporation or
other entity organized and doing business under the laws of the United States,
of any state or territory thereof or of the District of Columbia, be authorized
under such laws to act as Registrar, Paying Agent or Authenticating Agent, as
the case may be, be subject to supervision or examination by federal, state,
territorial or District of Columbia authority and either have a combined capital
and surplus of at least $100,000,000. If such corporation or other entity
publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to Applicable Law or
to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for
purposes of this Section 2.6.3, the combined capital and surplus of such
corporation or other entity shall be deemed to be its combined capital and
surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at
any time an Authorized Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the
provisions of this Section 2.6.3, it shall resign immediately in the manner and
with the effect hereinafter specified in clause (c) of this Section 2.6.3.

         (b) Any corporation or other entity into which any Authorized Agent may
be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation
or other entity resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which
any Authorized Agent shall be a party, or any corporation or other entity
succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate agency or corporate
trust business of any Authorized Agent, shall be the successor of such
Authorized Agent hereunder, provided such corporation or other entity shall be
otherwise qualified and eligible under this Section 2.6.3, without the execution
and filing of any instrument or any further act on the part of any of the
parties hereto or such Authorized Agent or successor corporation or other
entity.

         (c) Any Authorized Agent may at any time resign by giving written
notice of resignation to the Bond Trustee and the Issuer. The Issuer may, and at
the request of the Bond Trustee shall, terminate the agency of any Authorized
Agent by giving written notice of such termination to such Authorized Agent and
to the Bond Trustee. Upon the resignation or termination of any Authorized Agent
or in case at any time any Authorized Agent shall cease to be eligible to hold
its position under this Section 2.6.3 (when, in either case, no other Authorized
Agent performing the functions of such former Authorized Agent shall have been
appointed), the Issuer (or the Bond Trustee in the case of any Authenticating
Agent) shall promptly appoint

                                       14
<PAGE>   23
one or more qualified successor Authorized Agents approved by the Bond Trustee
to perform the functions of the Authorized Agent which has resigned or whose
agency has been terminated or who shall have ceased to be eligible under this
Section 2.6.3. The Issuer (or the Bond Trustee in the case of any Authenticating
Agent) shall give written notice of any such appointment to all Holders in the
manner provided in Section 12.5(b).

         (d) The Issuer shall pay to each Authorized Agent (except any
Authenticating Agent) from time to time reasonable compensation for its services
hereunder in amounts to be agreed upon by the Issuer and such Authorized Agent.

         Section 2.7 Transfer and Exchange of Bonds. Unless and until a Bond is
transferred or exchanged pursuant to an effective registration statement under
the Securities Act, the provisions set forth in this Section 2.7 shall apply to
the transfer and exchange of such Bond.

         2.7.1 Transfer and Exchange Generally. (a) The Bonds are transferable
only upon the surrender thereof for registration of transfer. When a Bond is
presented to the Registrar with a duly executed instrument of assignment and
transfer substantially in the form of Exhibit C, the Registrar shall register
the transfer as requested if such transfer complies with the provisions of this
Section 2.7. Subject to Section 2.2(e), prior to the due presentation for
registration of transfer of any Bond, the Person in whose name such Bond is
registered shall be treated as the absolute owner of such Bond for the purpose
of receiving payment of principal of, premium (if any) and interest on such Bond
(whether or not such payment is overdue) and for all other purposes whatsoever,
notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. Registration of transfer of any Bond
by the Registrar shall be deemed to be an acknowledgment of such transfer by the
Issuer.

         (b) When Bonds are presented to the Registrar with a written request to
exchange such Bonds for Bonds of the same Series of any authorized denominations
and of a like aggregate principal amount, the Registrar shall make the exchange
as requested if such exchange complies with the provisions of this Section 2.7.
The Registrar shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or
exchange any Bond of any Series during a period beginning at the opening of
fifteen (15) Business Days before the day of the mailing of a notice of
redemption of Bonds of such Series selected for redemption under Article 3 and
ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing or (ii) to issue,
register the transfer of or exchange any Bond so

                                       15
<PAGE>   24
selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of
any Bond redeemed in part.

         (c) Following any request for transfer or exchange of one or more Bonds
made in compliance with clause (a) or (b), as the case may be, of this Section
2.7.1, the Issuer shall execute, and the Bond Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver, one or more new Bonds of a like principal amount and in such authorized
denominations as may be requested. No service charge shall be made for any
registration of transfer or exchange of Bonds, but the Issuer may require
payment of a sum sufficient to pay all taxes, assessments or other governmental
charges that may be imposed in connection with any transfer or exchange of
Bonds; provided, however, that no such requirement of payment shall apply to
exchanges made pursuant to Section 2.11 not involving any transfer.

         (d) Transfers or exchanges of the Global Bonds and beneficial interests
therein shall be subject to the provisions of Section 2.7.2 and the rules of the
Depositary (and Euroclear or Clearstream, if applicable). Transfers or exchanges
of Certificated Bonds shall be subject to the provisions of Section 2.7.3.

         (e) Except as otherwise provided herein, the Global Bonds and each
Certificated Bond shall bear the Transfer Restriction Legend. By its acceptance
of any Bond bearing the Transfer Restriction Legend, whether upon original
issuance or subsequent transfer, each Holder of such a Bond acknowledges the
restrictions on transfer of such Bond set forth in this Indenture and in the
Transfer Restriction Legend and agrees that it will transfer such Bond only as
provided in this Indenture. Upon the specific written request of a Holder to
remove the Transfer Restriction Legend, the Bond Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver a Bond of the same Series with an equivalent principal amount not
bearing the Transfer Restriction Legend if there is provided to the Issuer
(which the Issuer shall confirm in writing to the Bond Trustee) evidence
reasonably satisfactory to the Issuer (which may, at the Issuer's request,
include an Opinion of Counsel) that neither the Transfer Restriction Legend nor
the restrictions on transfer set forth therein are required to ensure compliance
with the Securities Act. Upon a written request for the registration of transfer
or exchange of a Bond bearing the Transfer Restriction Legend pursuant to an
effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in accordance with
any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States, the Registrar
shall authenticate and deliver a Bond of the same Series with an equivalent
principal amount not bearing the Transfer Restriction Legend. If the Transfer
Restriction Legend has been removed from a Bond as provided in this clause (e),
the transfer of such Bond shall

                                       16
<PAGE>   25
not be subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in the Transfer
Restriction Legend, and no other Bond issued in exchange for all or any part of
such Bond shall bear the Transfer Restriction Legend unless the Issuer has
reasonable cause to believe that such other Bond is a "restricted security"
within the meaning of Rule 144 and instructs the Registrar in writing to cause
the Transfer Restriction Legend to appear thereon.

         (f) All Bonds issued upon any transfer or exchange pursuant to the
terms hereof shall be the valid obligations of the Issuer, evidencing the same
debt, and shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the
Bonds surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.

         2.7.2 Transfers and Exchanges of the Global Bonds and Beneficial
Interests Therein. (a) Transfers of the Global Bonds shall be limited to
transfers in whole, but not in part, to the Depositary, its successors or their
respective nominees. So long as any Global Bond remains outstanding and is held
by or on behalf of the Depositary, transfers and exchanges of beneficial
interests in such Global Bond shall be made in accordance with the provisions of
this Section 2.7.2 and in accordance with the rules and procedures of the
Depositary to the extent applicable (the "Applicable Procedures").

         (b) Any transfer of a beneficial interest in the Restricted Global Bond
to a transferee that will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in
the Unrestricted Global Bond prior to the termination of the Regulation S
Restricted Period shall be registered, subject to the Applicable Procedures,
only in accordance with this clause (b). At any time prior to the termination of
the Regulation S Restricted Period, upon (i) receipt by the Registrar of (A)
instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures from the
Depositary or its nominee on behalf of an owner of a beneficial interest in the
Restricted Global Bond to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person that
will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted
Global Bond, (B) a written order of the Depositary or its nominee given in
accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing account and other
information with respect to such transfer and (C) a certificate of the
transferor of the beneficial interest in the Restricted Global Bond
substantially in the form of Exhibit E, and (ii) satisfaction of all other
conditions imposed by the Applicable Procedures, the Registrar shall (1) reflect
in the Securities Register a decrease in the principal amount of the Restricted
Global Bond and an increase in the principal amount of the Unrestricted Global
Bond, each such adjustment to equal the principal amount of the beneficial
interest transferred pursuant to this clause (d), and (2) instruct the Deposi-

                                       17

<PAGE>   26
tary to make the corresponding adjustment to its records and debit and credit
the accounts of the appropriate Agent Members in accordance with the Applicable
Procedures.

         (c) Any transfer of a beneficial interest in the Restricted Global Bond
to a transferee that will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in
the Unrestricted Global Bond subsequent to the termination of the Regulation S
Restricted Period shall be registered, subject to the Applicable Procedures,
only in accordance with this clause (c). At any time subsequent to the
termination of the Regulation S Restricted Period, upon (i) receipt by the
Registrar of (A) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures
from the Depositary or its nominee on behalf of an owner of a beneficial
interest in the Restricted Global Bond to transfer such beneficial interest to a
Person that will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the
Unrestricted Global Bond, (B) a written order of the Depositary or its nominee
given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing account and other
information with respect to such transfer and (C) a certificate of the
transferor of the beneficial interest in the Restricted Global Bond
substantially in the form of Exhibit E (if transfer is made in reliance on
Regulation S) or Exhibit F (if transfer is made in reliance on Rule 144), and
(ii) satisfaction of all other conditions imposed by the Applicable Procedures,
the Registrar shall (1) reflect in the Securities Register a decrease in the
principal amount of the Restricted Global Bond and an increase in the principal
amount of the Unrestricted Global Bond, each such adjustment to equal the
principal amount of the beneficial interest transferred pursuant to this clause
(c), and (2) instruct the Depositary to make the corresponding adjustment to its
records and debit and credit the accounts of the appropriate Agent Members in
accordance with the Applicable Procedures.

         (d) Any transfer of a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global
Bond to a transferee that will take delivery in the form of a beneficial
interest in the Restricted Global Bond, either prior or subsequent to the
termination of the Regulation S Restricted Period, shall be registered, subject
to the Applicable Procedures, only in accordance with this clause (d). At any
time upon (i) receipt by the Registrar of (A) instructions given in accordance
with the Applicable Procedures from the Depositary or its nominee on behalf of
an owner of a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Bond to transfer
such beneficial interest to a Person that will take delivery in the form of a
beneficial interest in the Restricted Global Bond, (B) a written order of the
Depositary or its nominee given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures
containing account and other information with respect to such transfer and (C) a
certificate of the transferor of the beneficial interest in the Unrestricted
Global Bond

                                       18
<PAGE>   27
substantially in the form of Exhibit G, and (ii) satisfaction of all other
conditions imposed by and the Applicable Procedures, the Registrar shall (1)
reflect in the Securities Register a decrease in the principal amount of the
Unrestricted Global Bond and an increase in the principal amount of the
Restricted Global Bond, each such adjustment to equal the principal amount of
the beneficial interest transferred pursuant to this clause (d), and (2)
instruct the Depositary to make the corresponding adjustment to its records and
debit and credit the accounts of the appropriate Agent Members in accordance
with the Applicable Procedures.

         (e) No restrictions shall apply with respect to the transfer or
registration of transfer of (i) a beneficial interest in the Restricted Global
Bond to a transferee that takes delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in
the Restricted Global Bond or (ii) a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted
Global Bond to a transferee that takes delivery in the form of a beneficial
interest in the Unrestricted Global Bond; provided that any transfer described
in this clause (e) shall be made in accordance with the Applicable Procedures.
The Bond Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of such transfers.

         (f) Persons holding beneficial interests in the Global Bonds may
exchange such beneficial interests for one or more Certificated Bonds upon
satisfaction of the conditions set forth in this clause (f) and clause (g)
below. At any time upon (i) receipt by the Registrar of (A) instructions given
in accordance with the Applicable Procedures from the Depositary or its nominee
on behalf of an owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Bond to exchange such
beneficial interest for one or more Certificated Bonds and (B) a written order
of the Depositary or its nominee given in accordance with the Applicable
Procedures containing account and other information with respect to such
exchange, and (ii) satisfaction of all other conditions imposed by the
Applicable Procedures, (1) the Registrar shall (x) reflect in the Securities
Register a decrease in the principal amount of the appropriate Global Bond in an
amount equal to the beneficial interest exchanged pursuant to this clause (f)
and (y) instruct the Depositary to make the corresponding adjustment to its
records and debit the account of the appropriate Agent Member in accordance with
the Applicable Procedures, and (2) the Issuer shall execute and the Bond Trustee
shall authenticate and deliver one or more Certificated Bonds of like tenor and
amount bearing the Transfer Restriction Legend. At such time as all interests in
a Global Bond have been exchanged for Certificated Bonds or cancelled, such
Global Bond shall be cancelled by the Bond Trustee.

                                       19
<PAGE>   28
         (g) Notwithstanding any contrary provision contained herein,
Certificated Bonds shall be issued in exchange for the beneficial interests in
the Global Bonds if at any time: (i) the Issuer advises the Bond Trustee in
writing that the Depositary is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for
the Global Bonds or is no longer eligible to act as such and in each case the
Issuer is unable to appoint a qualified successor depositary; (ii) the Issuer,
at its option, elects to terminate the book-entry system through the Depositary
with respect to the Global Bonds; or (iii) after the occurrence and continuance
of an Indenture Event of Default, beneficial owners holding interests
representing an aggregate principal amount of Bonds of not less than fifty-one
percent (51%) of the Bonds represented by the Global Bonds advise the Bond
Trustee in writing through the Depositary that the continuation of a book-entry
system through the Depositary is no longer in such beneficial owners' best
interests. Upon the occurrence of any of the events set forth in clauses (i)
through (iii) immediately above, the Bond Trustee, upon receipt of written
notice thereof and a list of all Persons that hold a beneficial interest in the
Global Bonds, shall notify, through the appropriate Agent Members at the expense
of the Issuer, all Persons that hold a beneficial interest in the Global Bonds
of the issuance of Certificated Bonds. Upon surrender by the Bond Trustee, as
custodian for the Depositary, of the Global Bonds and receipt from the
Depositary of instructions for re-registration, the Issuer shall execute and the
Bond Trustee, upon the written instructions of (A) in the case of the events set
forth in clauses (i) and (ii) immediately above, the Issuer, or (B) in the case
of the events set forth in clause (iii) immediately above, beneficial owners
holding interests representing an aggregate principal amount of Bonds of not
less than fifty-one percent (51%) of the Bonds represented by the Global Bonds,
authenticate and deliver Certificated Bonds bearing the Transfer Restriction
Legend; provided, however, that Certificated Bonds issued in exchange for
beneficial interests in the Unrestricted Global Bond at any time subsequent to
the termination of the Regulation S Restricted Period shall not, unless
determined otherwise in accordance with Applicable Law, be required to bear the
Transfer Restriction Legend. Certificated Bonds issued in exchange for
beneficial interests in the Global Bonds pursuant to this clause (g) shall be
registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary,
pursuant to instructions from Agent Members or otherwise, shall instruct the
Bond Trustee.

         2.7.3 Transfers and Exchanges of Certificated Bonds. (a) Any transfer
of a Certificated Bond bearing the Transfer Restriction Legend to a transferee
that takes delivery in the form of one or more Certificated Bonds shall be
registered only in accordance with this clause (a). Upon surrender of any
Certificated Bond bearing the Transfer Restriction Legend at the office of the
Registrar, together with (A) an

                                       20
<PAGE>   29
executed instrument of assignment and transfer of such Certificated Bond
substantially in the form of Exhibit C and (B) a certificate of the transferor
of such Certificated Bond (or of the transferee thereof in the case of a
transfer made to an institutional Accredited Investor) substantially in the form
of Exhibit E (if transfer is made pursuant to Regulation S), Exhibit F (if such
transfer is made pursuant to Rule 144), or Exhibit G (if such transfer is made
pursuant to Rule 144A), the Bond Trustee shall register such transfer and the
Issuer shall execute and the Bond Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in the
name of the transferee one or more Certificated Bonds of any authorized
denomination in the same aggregate principal amount and of the same maturity as
the transferred Certificated Bond, each such new Certificated Bond bearing the
Transfer Restriction Legend; provided, however, that Certificated Bonds so
delivered shall not be required to bear the Transfer Restriction Legend if there
is provided to the Issuer (which the Issuer shall confirm in writing to the Bond
Trustee) evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Issuer (which may, at the
Issuer's request, include an Opinion of Counsel) that neither the Transfer
Restriction Legend nor the restrictions on transfer set forth therein are
required to ensure compliance with the Securities Act.

         (b) Any transfer of a Certificated Bond not bearing the Transfer
Restriction Legend to a transferee that takes delivery in the form of one or
more Certificated Bonds shall be registered only in accordance with this clause
(b). Upon surrender of any Certificated Bond not bearing the Transfer
Restriction Legend at the office of the Registrar, together with an executed
instrument of assignment and transfer of such Certificated Bond substantially in
the form of Exhibit C, (i) the Bond Trustee shall register such transfer and
(ii) the Issuer shall execute and the Bond Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver in the name of the transferee one or more Certificated Bonds of any
authorized denomination in the same aggregate principal amount and of the same
maturity as the transferred Certificated Bond. Each such new Certificated Bond
may at the request of the transferee, but shall not be required to, bear the
Transfer Restriction Legend.

         (c) Any transfer of a Certificated Bond bearing the Transfer
Restriction Legend to a transferee that takes delivery in the form of a
beneficial interest in a Global Bond shall be registered only in accordance with
this clause (c). Upon (i) surrender of any Certificated Bond bearing the
Transfer Restriction Legend at the office of the Registrar, together with (A) an
executed instrument of assignment and transfer of such Certificated Bond
substantially in the form of Exhibit C, (B) written instructions from the
transferor that such Certificated Bond shall be registered in the name of the
Depositary or its nominee and (C) a certificate of the transferor of such

                                       21
<PAGE>   30
Certificated Bond (or of the transferee in the case of a transfer to an
institutional Accredited Investor) substantially in the form of Exhibit E (if
the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the
Unrestricted Global Bond) or Exhibit G (if the transferee will take delivery in
the form of a beneficial interest in the Restricted Global Bond) and (ii)
satisfaction of all other conditions imposed by the Applicable Procedures, the
Registrar shall (x) register such transfer and cancel such Certificated Bond,
(y) reflect in the Securities Register an increase in the appropriate Global
Bond in an amount equal to the Certificated Bond transferred pursuant to this
clause (c) and (z) instruct the Depositary to make the corresponding adjustment
to its records and credit the account of the appropriate Agent Member in
accordance with the Applicable Procedures.

         (d) Any transfer of a Certificated Bond not bearing the Transfer
Restriction Legend to a transferee that takes delivery in the form of a
beneficial interest in a Global Bond shall be registered only in accordance with
this clause (d). Upon (i) surrender of a Certificated Bond not bearing the
Transfer Restriction Legend at the office of the Registrar, together with (A) an
executed instrument of assignment and transfer of such Certificated Bond
substantially in the form of Exhibit C and (B) written instructions from the
transferor that such Certificated Bond shall be registered in the name of the
Depositary or its nominee, and (ii) satisfaction of all other conditions imposed
by the Applicable Procedures, the Registrar shall (x) register such transfer and
cancel such Certificated Bond, (y) reflect in the Securities Register an
increase in the appropriate Global Bond in an amount equal to the Certificated
Bond transferred pursuant to this clause (d) and (z) instruct the Depositary to
make the corresponding adjustment to its records and credit the account of the
appropriate Agent Member in accordance with the Applicable Procedures.

         (e) Any exchange of a Certificated Bond for one or more Certificated
Bonds in different authorized denominations shall be registered only in
accordance with this clause (e). Upon surrender of a Certificated Bond at the
office of the Registrar, together with a written request to exchange such
Certificated Bond for one or more Certificated Bonds in different authorized
denominations, (i) the Registrar shall register such exchange and (ii) the
Issuer shall execute and the Bond Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in the
name of the registered owner one or more Certificated Bonds in any authorized
denomination with the same aggregate principal amount and maturity date.

         Section 2.8 Execution. (a) The Bonds shall be executed by an Authorized
Officer of the Issuer. The signature of any such Authorized Officer shall be
manual

                                       22
<PAGE>   31
or facsimile. Typographical and other minor errors or defects in any signature
executing or purporting to execute the Bonds shall not affect the validity or
enforceability of any Bond that has been duly authenticated and delivered by the
Bond Trustee.

         (b) Any Bond executed pursuant to clause (a) of this Section 2.8 may be
issued and shall be authenticated by the Bond Trustee, notwithstanding that any
officer signing such Bond or whose facsimile signature appears thereon shall
have ceased to hold office at the time of issuance or authentication or shall
not have held office at the date of such Bond.

         With the delivery of this Indenture, the Issuer is furnishing to the
Bond Trustee, and from time to time thereafter may furnish, an Officer's
Certificate certifying the incumbency and specimen signatures of the Authorized
Representatives. Until the Bond Trustee receives a subsequent Officer's
Certificate, the Bond Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively rely on the last
such Officer's Certificate delivered to it for purposes of determining the
Authorized Representatives of the Issuer.

         Section 2.9 Authentication and Delivery. A Bond, or any exchange,
transfer or replacement thereof, shall not be valid for any purpose until an
Authorized Officer of the Bond Trustee or the Authenticating Agent manually
signs the certificate of authentication on such Bond substantially in the form
set forth in Exhibit A or as otherwise provided in the relevant Supplemental
Indenture. Subject to the requirements set forth in this Section 2.9, such
authentication shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such
Bond has been duly authenticated and delivered under this Indenture and that the
Holder thereof is entitled to the benefit of the trust hereby created. The Bond
Trustee shall, in accordance with a written order of the Issuer signed by two
Authorized Officers, authenticate the Bonds at the initial issuance thereof and
deliver them to the purchaser thereof upon payment to the Bond Trustee of the
purchase price therefor without any further action by the Issuer. Any Bonds
subsequently issued under this Indenture or any relevant Supplemental Indenture
shall, in accordance with a written order of the Issuer signed by two Authorized
Officers, be authenticated by the Bond Trustee or any Authenticating Agent
appointed by the Bond Trustee, and such authentication shall, for all purposes
of this Indenture, be deemed to be the authentication of and delivery by the
Bond Trustee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Bond shall have been
authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued or sold by the Issuer,
and the Issuer shall deliver such Bond to the Bond Trustee for cancellation as
provided in Section 2.12

                                       23
<PAGE>   32
together with a written statement (which need not comply with Section 12.17 and
need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) stating that such Bond has
never been issued or sold by the Issuer, for all purposes of this Indenture such
Bond shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder
and shall never have been or be entitled to the benefits hereof.

         Section 2.10 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Bonds. (a) If any
Bond shall become mutilated, the Issuer shall execute, and the Bond Trustee
shall authenticate and deliver, a new Bond of like tenor, maturity and
denomination in exchange and substitution for the Bond so mutilated, but only
upon surrender to the Bond Trustee of such mutilated Bond for cancellation, and
the Issuer or the Bond Trustee may require indemnity therefor. If any Bond shall
be reported lost, stolen or destroyed, evidence as to the ownership and the
loss, theft or destruction thereof shall be submitted to the Bond Trustee. If
such evidence shall be satisfactory to both the Bond Trustee and the Issuer and
indemnity satisfactory to both shall be given, the Issuer shall execute, and
thereupon the Bond Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, a new Bond of like
tenor, maturity and denomination; provided that neither the Issuer, the
Registrar nor the Bond Trustee has notice that such Bond has been acquired by a
bona fide purchaser. If, after the delivery of such new Bond, a bona fide
purchaser of the original Bond in lieu of which such new Bond was issued
presents for payment such original Bond, the Issuer and the Bond Trustee shall
be entitled to recover such new Bond from the Person to whom it was delivered or
any Person taking therefrom, except a bona fide purchaser, and shall be entitled
to recover upon the security or indemnity provided therefor to the extent of any
loss, damage, cost or expenses incurred by the Issuer or the Bond Trustee in
connection therewith. The cost of providing any substitute Bond under the
provisions of this Section 2.10 shall be borne by the Holder for whose benefit
such substitute Bond is provided. If any such mutilated, lost, stolen or
destroyed Bond shall have matured or be about to mature, the Issuer may pay to
the Holder thereof the principal amount of such Bond upon the maturity thereof
and compliance with the aforesaid conditions by such Holder, without the
issuance of a substitute Bond therefor, and likewise pay to the Holder the
amount of the unpaid interest, if any, which would have been paid on a
substitute Bond had one been issued.

         (b) Every substitute Bond issued pursuant to this Section 2.10 shall
constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Issuer, whether or not
the Bond alleged to have been mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen shall be at
any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of
this Indenture equally and proportionally with any and all other Bonds duly
issued hereunder.

                                       24
<PAGE>   33
         (c) All Bonds shall be held and owned upon the express condition that
the foregoing provisions are, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law,
exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed,
lost or stolen Bonds, and shall preclude any and all other rights and remedies
with respect thereto.

         Section 2.11 Temporary Bonds. Pending preparation of definitive Bonds,
the Issuer may issue, and upon a written order of the Issuer signed by two
Authorized Officers the Bond Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of
definitive Bonds, one or more temporary printed or typewritten Bonds in the form
recited in this Indenture or any relevant Supplemental Indenture, in any
authorized denomination. If temporary Bonds are issued, the Issuer shall cause
definitive Bonds to be prepared without unreasonable delay. The Bond Trustee
shall, in accordance with a written order of the Issuer signed by two Authorized
Officers, authenticate and deliver definitive Bonds of such Series of authorized
denominations and of like tenor in exchange and upon surrender for cancellation
at the appropriate place of payment of an equal principal amount of temporary
Bonds, without charge to the Holder of such Bonds. Until so exchanged, temporary
Bonds shall in all respects be entitled to the same rights, remedies, security
and other benefits under this Indenture and any relevant Supplemental Indenture
as definitive Bonds.

         Section 2.12 Cancellation and Destruction of Surrendered Bonds. All
Bonds surrendered for payment, redemption, credit against sinking fund payment
or registration of transfer or exchange or deemed lost or stolen shall, if
surrendered to any Person other than the Bond Trustee, be delivered to the Bond
Trustee and may not be reissued or resold. The Issuer may at any time deliver to
the Bond Trustee for cancellation any Bonds previously authenticated and
delivered hereunder which the Issuer may have acquired in any manner whatsoever.
The Bond Trustee (and no one else) shall promptly cancel all Bonds surrendered
for payment, redemption, credit against sinking fund payment or registration of
transfer or exchange, and all Bonds surrendered for cancellation by the Issuer.
All canceled Bonds held by the Bond Trustee shall be (a) disposed of by the Bond
Trustee in accordance with the customary procedures of the Bond Trustee in
effect from time to time and certification of their destruction shall be
delivered to the Issuer or (b) held by the Bond Trustee in accordance with its
standard retention policy in effect from time to time, unless the Issuer shall
direct the Bond Trustee that they be returned to it. No Bonds shall be
authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Bonds canceled as provided in
this Section 2.12, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture.

                                       25
<PAGE>   34
         Section 2.13 Disposition of Bond Proceeds of Initial Bonds. The Bond
Proceeds shall, on the Closing Date, be deposited into the Escrow Account and
shall be released only upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the
Escrow Agreement. Upon release of the Bond Proceeds of the Initial Bonds from
the Escrow Account, the Bond Trustee shall apply such proceeds to the account of
the Issuer for loan by the Issuer to the Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to the
Guarantor Loan Agreement or otherwise in accordance with Section 4.7.

         Section 2.14 Payment of Principal and Interest; Principal and Interest
Rights Preserved. Any principal of or interest on any Bond of any Series that is
payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any scheduled
Payment Date of an installment of principal or payment of interest shall
forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date
and such defaulted principal or interest may be paid by the Issuer, at its
election in each case, as provided in paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) below:

         (a) The Issuer may elect to make payment of all or any portion of such
defaulted principal or interest to the Persons in whose names the Bonds of such
Series (or their respective predecessor Bonds) in respect of which principal or
interest is in default are registered at the close of business on a Special
Record Date (such date, a "Special Record Date") for the payment of such
defaulted principal or interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner.
The Issuer shall notify the Bond Trustee and the Paying Agent in writing of the
amount of defaulted principal or interest proposed to be paid on each Bond of
such Series and the date of the proposed payment, and concurrently there shall
be deposited with the Bond Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate
amount proposed to be paid in respect of such defaulted principal or interest or
there shall be made arrangements acknowledged by the Bond Trustee for such
deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to
be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such defaulted
principal or interest as provided in this paragraph. Thereupon, the Bond Trustee
shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such defaulted principal or
interest (together with other amounts payable with respect to such defaulted
principal or interest) which shall not be more than fifteen (15) nor less than
ten (10) days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than ten
(10) days after the receipt by the Bond Trustee of the notice of the proposed
payment. The Bond Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuer and the Registrar of
such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Issuer,
shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such defaulted principal or
interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first class postage
prepaid, to each Holder

                                       26
<PAGE>   35
of a Bond of such Series at such Holder's address as it appears in the Security
Register, not less than ten (10) days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice
of the proposed payment of such defaulted principal or interest and the Special
Record Date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such defaulted principal
or interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Bonds of such Series
(or their respective predecessor Bonds) are registered on such Special Record
Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following paragraph (b).

         (b) The Issuer may make, or cause to be made, payment of any defaulted
principal or interest (together with other amounts payable with respect to such
defaulted interest) in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the
requirements of any securities exchange on which the Bonds in respect of which
principal or interest is in default may be listed, and, upon such notice as may
be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Issuer to the Bond
Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this paragraph, such payment shall
be deemed reasonable by the Bond Trustee.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.14, each Bond delivered
under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in
lieu of any other Bond shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid,
and to accrue, which were carried by such other Bond.

         Section 2.15 Sources of Payments Limited; Rights and Liabilities of the
Issuer. All payments of principal and premium, if any, and interest to be made
in respect of the Bonds and this Indenture and any relevant Supplemental
Indenture shall be made only from the payments from the revenues or other income
of the Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantor, any Additional Guarantor, the
Collateral, any Acceptable Credit Support and the income and proceeds received
by the Bond Trustee, the Depositary Bank or Collateral Agent therefrom. Each
Holder, by its acceptance of a Bond, agrees that (a) it will look solely to the
revenues or other income of the Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantor, any Additional
Guarantor, the Collateral, any Acceptable Credit Support and the income and
proceeds received by the Bond Trustee, the Depositary Bank or Collateral Agent
therefrom to the extent available for distribution to such Holder as herein
provided or provided in the Security Documents, (b) none of the Members, or any
of their respective past, present or future members, partners, officers,
directors or shareholders or other related Persons, or the Bond Trustee shall be
personally or otherwise liable to any Holder, nor shall any of the Members, or
any of their respective past, present or future members, partners, officers,
directors or shareholders or other related Persons,

                                       27
<PAGE>   36
be personally or otherwise liable to the Bond Trustee, for any amounts payable
under any Bond or for any liability under this Indenture or any other
Transaction Document, except as provided therein, and (c) recourse shall be
otherwise limited in accordance with Section 12.11.

         Section 2.16 Allocation of Principal and Interest. Except as otherwise
provided in Section 3.8, each payment of principal of and premium, if any, and
interest on each Bond shall be applied, first, to the payment of accrued but
unpaid interest on such Bond (as well as any interest on overdue principal or,
to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, overdue interest) to the date of such
payment, second, to the payment of the principal amount of and premium, if any,
on such Bond then due (including any overdue installment of principal)
thereunder, and third, the balance, if any, to the payment of the principal
amount of such Bond remaining unpaid.

         Section 2.17 Parity of Bonds. Except as otherwise provided in this
Indenture, any relevant Supplemental Indenture or the other Security Documents,
all Bonds of a Series issued and outstanding hereunder rank on a parity with
each other Bond of the same Series, and with all Bonds of each other Series and
each Bond of a Series shall be secured equally and ratably by this Indenture,
any relevant Supplemental Indenture or the other Security Documents with each
other Bond of the same Series and with all Bonds of each other Series, without
preference, priority or distinction of any one thereof over any other by reason
of difference in time of issuance or otherwise, and each Bond of a Series shall
be entitled to the same benefits and security in this Indenture, any relevant
Supplemental Indenture or the other Security Documents as each other Bond of the
same Series and with all Bonds of each other Series.

                                    ARTICLE 3
                               REDEMPTION OF BONDS

         Section 3.1 Redemption at the Option of the Issuer or the Holders.

         (a) The Issuer, at its option, may redeem the Bonds, pro rata within
the Series of Bonds being redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time on any
Business Day, at a price equal to the Redemption Price plus the Redemption
Premium (if any).

         (b) Subject to Section 3.9, within thirty (30) days following a Change
of Control, the Issuer shall offer (a "Change of Control Offer") to redeem all
or any part

                                       28
<PAGE>   37
of the Bonds held by any Holder and any Holder, acting pursuant to Article 7,
may elect to accept the Issuer's Change of Control Offer to redeem all or any
part of the Bonds held by such Holder at a price equal to 101% of the principal
amount of the Outstanding Bonds being redeemed plus interest accrued and unpaid
to but excluding the Redemption Date; provided, however, that notwithstanding
the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Issuer shall not be obligated to
purchase any Bonds pursuant to this Section 3.1(b) to the extent that the Issuer
has exercised its rights to redeem such Bonds as otherwise described in Sections
3.1 and 3.2.

         (c) If the Issuer elects to redeem the Bonds pursuant to clause (a) of
this Section 3.1, or any Holder elects to accept the Issuer's Change of Control
Offer in accordance with clause (b) of this Section 3.1, it shall deliver to the
Bond Trustee, at least thirty (30) days prior to the latest date upon which
notice of redemption is required to be given to the Holders pursuant to Section
3.5 (unless a shorter notice period shall be satisfactory to the Bond Trustee),
an Officer's Certificate specifying the Redemption Date upon which such
redemption shall occur and the Series and principal amount of Bonds to be
redeemed.

         Section 3.2 Mandatory Redemption. (a) Unless otherwise provided in a
Supplemental Indenture, the Bonds shall be redeemed, pro rata within the Series
of Bonds being redeemed, in whole or in part, as follows:

                  (i) if an Event of Loss occurs with respect to the Project or
         other non-nuclear electric generating or district energy assets owned
         by the Issuer and the Issuer or the Subsidiary Guarantor (or the
         Collateral Agent on their behalf) receives Loss Proceeds in connection
         with such Event of Loss in excess of $10,000,000 and the Project or
         such other asset is not or cannot be repaired, rebuilt or replaced in
         accordance with an Approved Restoration Plan, such Loss Proceeds in
         excess of $10,000,000 shall be used to redeem the Bonds in accordance
         with this Section 3.2 at a price equal to the Redemption Price and to
         prepay any other outstanding Secured Obligations on a pro rata basis;

                  (ii) if an Event of Loss occurs with respect to the Project or
         other non-nuclear electric generating or district energy assets owned
         by Issuer and the Project or such other asset is repaired, rebuilt or
         replaced in accordance with an Approved Restoration Plan and the Issuer
         or the Subsidiary Guarantor (or the Collateral Agent on their behalf)
         receives Loss Proceeds in excess of $5,000,000 in excess of the cost of
         such repair, rebuilding or replacement

                                       29
<PAGE>   38
         in connection with such Event of Loss, such Loss Proceeds in excess of
         $5,000,000 shall be used to redeem the Bonds in accordance with this
         Section 3.2 at a price equal to the Redemption Price and to prepay any
         other outstanding Secured Obligations on a pro rata basis;

                  (iii) if a Title Event occurs with respect to the Project or
         other non-nuclear electric generating or district energy assets owned
         by the Issuer and the Issuer or the Subsidiary Guarantor (or the
         Collateral Agent on their behalf) receives proceeds in connection with
         such Title Event in excess of $10,000,000, such proceeds in excess of
         $10,000,000 shall be used to redeem the Bonds in accordance with this
         Section 3.2 at a price equal to the Redemption Price and to prepay any
         other outstanding Secured Obligations on a pro rata basis;

                  (iv) if an Involuntary PPA Buy-Out occurs and the Issuer or
         the Subsidiary Guarantor (or the Collateral Agent on their behalf)
         receives proceeds from such event in excess of $5,000,000, such
         proceeds in excess of $5,000,000 shall be used to redeem the Bonds in
         accordance with this Section 3.2 at a price equal to the Redemption
         Price and to prepay any other outstanding Secured Obligations on a pro
         rata basis; unless (A) the Issuer or the Subsidiary Guarantor enters
         into a replacement power purchase agreement that contains terms and
         conditions substantially similar to the terminated power purchase
         agreement and an Authorized Officer of the Issuer delivers an Officer's
         Certificate to the Bond Trustee certifying that such event would not
         reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or (B)
         each Rating Agency confirms in writing that such PPA Buy-Out will not
         result in a Ratings Downgrade;

                  (v) if a Voluntary PPA Buy-Out occurs and the Issuer or the
         Subsidiary Guarantor (or the Collateral Agent on their behalf) receives
         proceeds from such event in excess of $5,000,000, such proceeds in
         excess of $5,000,000 shall be used to redeem the Bonds in accordance
         with this Section 3.2 at a price equal to the Redemption Price plus the
         Redemption Premium and to prepay any other outstanding Secured
         Obligations on a pro rata basis; unless (A) the Issuer or the
         Subsidiary Guarantor enters into a replacement power purchase agreement
         that contains terms and conditions substantially similar to the
         terminated power purchase agreement and an Authorized Officer of the
         Issuer delivers an Officer's Certificate to the Bond Trustee certifying
         that such event would not reasonably be expected to result

                                       30
<PAGE>   39
         in a Material Adverse Effect or (B) each Rating Agency confirms in
         writing that such PPA Buy-Out will not result in a Ratings Downgrade;

                  (vi) if the closing of the Acquisition has not occurred on or
         prior to May 31, 2000 or cannot occur due to the circumstances set
         forth in Exhibit B to the Escrow Agreement, then all of the Outstanding
         Bond Proceeds shall be redeemed in accordance with this Section 3.2 at
         a price equal to the Redemption Price.

         (b) Unless otherwise provided in a Supplemental Indenture, the Initial
Bonds and the Additional Bonds shall be redeemed on a pro rata basis in
accordance with the aggregate outstanding principal amount of such Bonds.

         (c) If the Issuer is required to redeem the Bonds in accordance with
Section 3.1(b) or this Section 3.2, it shall deliver to the Bond Trustee,
promptly upon the occurrence of the event resulting in such obligation to
redeem, an Officer's Certificate specifying the Series and principal amount of
Bonds to be redeemed, the Redemption Price, the applicable Redemption Premium
(if any), the paragraph of this Indenture pursuant to which the Bonds are being
redeemed and, subject to the requirements of Section 3.4, the Redemption Date
for such redemption, which Redemption Date shall be (x) except as set forth in
clause (z) below, within ninety (90) days of the occurrence of the event
resulting in the Issuer's obligation to redeem the Bonds in accordance with this
Section 3.2, (y) within ten (10) days after the end of the period specified in
the Change of Control Offer for acceptance thereof in accordance with Section
3.9 or (z) within five (5) Business Days of the occurrence of the event
resulting in the Issuer's obligation to redeem the Bonds in accordance with
clause (a)(vi) of this Section 3.2.

         Section 3.3 Redemption Account. Prior to any redemption, the Bond
Trustee shall establish a special purpose trust fund (the "Redemption Account").
At least one (1) Business Day prior to the Redemption Date for any redemption of
Bonds pursuant to this Article 3, the Issuer and/or the Subsidiary Guarantor
shall deposit or cause to be deposited in the Redemption Account an amount (in
immediately available funds) which, together with monies received by the Bond
Trustee for such purpose from the Collateral Agent or the Depositary Bank, is
sufficient to redeem on such Redemption Date the Bonds called for redemption in
accordance with this Article 3.

                                       31
<PAGE>   40
         Section 3.4 Prepayment of Guarantor Loans. On or prior to the
Redemption Date for any redemption of Bonds pursuant to this Article 3, the
Issuer shall (a) cause the Subsidiary Guarantor or any Additional Guarantor (as
applicable) to prepay or reduce the principal amount of its Guarantor Loans
pursuant to Section 2.4(b) of the Guarantor Loan Agreement and (b) deposit the
monies received from such prepayment into the Redemption Account pursuant to
Section 3.3.

         Section 3.5 Notice of Redemption. (a) Unless otherwise specified in the
Supplemental Indenture relating to the Bonds of a Series to be redeemed, notice
of redemption shall be given in the manner provided in Section 12.5(b) to the
Holders of any Bonds to be redeemed pursuant to this Article 3 at least thirty
(30) days but not more than sixty (60) days prior to the Redemption Date for
such redemption (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Bond
Trustee); provided that notice of any redemption pursuant to Section 3.2(a)(vi)
shall be given to the Holders immediately upon the occurrence of such event and
the Redemption Date shall be as set forth in Section 3.2. All notices of
redemption shall state the following:

                  (i) the Redemption Date;

                  (ii) the Redemption Price and any applicable Redemption
         Premium;

                  (iii) if less than all Outstanding Bonds are to be redeemed,
         (x) the identification of the particular Bonds to be redeemed, (y) the
         aggregate principal amount of Bonds to be redeemed and (z) a statement
         to the effect that after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such
         Bonds, new Bonds in the aggregate principal amount equal to the
         unredeemed portion thereof will be issued;

                  (iv) the name and address of the Paying Agent;

                  (v) that Bonds called for redemption must be surrendered to
         the Paying Agent to collect the Redemption Price and any applicable
         Redemption Premium;

                  (vi) that on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price and any
         applicable Redemption Premium will become due and payable upon each
         Bond to be redeemed or portion thereof, and that interest thereon shall
         cease to accrue as of and after said date;

                                       32
<PAGE>   41
                  (vii) a statement to the effect that the availability in the
         Redemption Account on the Redemption Date of an amount of immediately
         available funds to pay the Redemption Price and any applicable
         Redemption Premium in full is a condition precedent to the redemption;

                  (viii) the paragraph of this Indenture pursuant to which the
         Bonds are being redeemed; and

                  (ix) the CUSIP number, if any, relating to the Bonds being
         redeemed.

         (b) Notice of redemption of Bonds to be redeemed at the election of the
Issuer pursuant to Section 3.1 shall be given by the Issuer or, at the Issuer's
written request by the Bond Trustee, in the name and at the expense of the
Issuer. Notice of a mandatory redemption pursuant to Section 3.2 shall be given
by the Bond Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuer. Any notice of
redemption given in accordance with this Section 3.5 shall be conclusively
presumed to have been given whether or not a Holder receives such notice. In any
case, failure to give such notice as herein provided or any defect in the notice
given to a Holder of any Bond designated for redemption in whole or in part
shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other
Bond.

         Section 3.6 Bonds Payable on Redemption Date. Upon the giving of notice
pursuant to Section 3.5 and the satisfaction of the conditions, if any, set
forth in such notice, the Bonds or portions thereof called for redemption in
such notice shall become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the
Redemption Price (plus any applicable Redemption Premium) specified in such
notice, and as of and after the Redemption Date such Bonds or portions thereof
shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Bond for redemption in
accordance with such notice, such Bond or portions thereof shall be paid and
redeemed by the Issuer at the Redemption Price therefor plus any applicable
Redemption Premium; provided, however, that any payment of interest on any Bond
the Payment Date of which is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable
to the Holder of such Bond registered as such at the close of business on the
relevant Regular Record Date in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and
such Bond and subject to the provisions of Section 2.14.

         Section 3.7 Selection of Bonds to be Redeemed. Unless otherwise
provided in a Supplemental Indenture, any redemption of Bonds pursuant to this
Article 3 shall be among all Series of Bonds on a pro rata basis. If less than
all the Bonds of a

                                       33
<PAGE>   42
Series are to be redeemed pursuant to this Article 3, the Bond Trustee shall
redeem the Bonds of such Series on a pro rata basis among the Outstanding Bonds
of such Series not previously called for redemption in whole. The Bond Trustee
shall notify the Issuer promptly of the Bonds selected for redemption and, in
the case of any Bonds selected for partial redemption, the principal amount
thereof to be redeemed.

         Section 3.8 Bonds Redeemed in Part. (a) For all purposes of this
Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the
redemption of Bonds shall relate, in the case of any Bonds redeemed or to be
redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Bonds that
has or is to be redeemed.

         (b) Any Bond that is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered
at the place of payment therefor (with, if the Issuer or the Bond Trustee so
requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form
satisfactory to the Issuer and the Bond Trustee duly executed by the Holder
thereof or its attorney duly authorized in writing) and, upon such surrender,
the Issuer shall execute, and the Bond Trustee shall authenticate and make
available for delivery to the Holder of such Bond (at the expense of the Issuer
but without any further action on the part of the Issuer), a new Bond of the
same Series, of any authorized denomination requested by such Holder and of like
tenor and in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the
remaining unpaid principal amount of the surrendered Bond.

         (c) Upon any partial redemption of Bonds of any Series in accordance
with this Article 3, the scheduled principal amortization of the Bonds of such
Series as set forth on Schedule I shall be reduced by an amount equal to the
product of the scheduled principal amortization of the Bonds of such Series then
in effect and a fraction, the numerator of which is equal to the principal
amount of the Outstanding Bonds of such Series to be redeemed and the
denominator of which is the principal amount of the Outstanding Bonds of such
Series immediately prior to such redemption. In connection with any such partial
redemption, the Issuer shall furnish the Bond Trustee, prior to such redemption,
with an Officer's Certificate setting forth the amortization schedule for the
remaining Bonds of such Series after giving effect to such redemption.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, if any Bond called for
redemption shall not be paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the
principal of such Bond shall, until paid or provided for, bear interest from the
date fixed for redemption at the interest rate specified in such Bond.

         Section 3.9 Change of Control.

                                       34
<PAGE>   43
         (a) Within thirty (30) days following any Change of Control, the Issuer
shall notify the Bond Trustee thereof in writing and give a Change of Control
Offer to each Holder in the manner provided in Section 12.5(b). Each Change of
Control Offer shall state:

                  (i) that a Change of Control has occurred and that such Holder
         has the right to require the Issuer to repurchase all or any portion of
         such Holder's Bonds at a repurchase price in cash equal to 101% of the
         outstanding principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid
         interest thereon to but excluding Redemption Date (subject to the right
         of Holders of record on the Regular Record Date or Special Record Date,
         as applicable, to receive interest due on the relevant Payment Date in
         accordance with the terms of this Indenture);

                  (ii) the Redemption Price and the expiration date of the
         Change of Control Offer, which will be a Business Day no earlier than
         thirty (30) days nor later than sixty (60) days from the date such
         Change of Control Offer is mailed, or such later date as is necessary
         to comply with any applicable requirements of the Exchange Act;

                  (iii) the Redemption Date for such Change of Control Offer,
         which will be a Business Day not more than ten (10) days following the
         expiration of the Change of Control Offer;

                  (iv) that any Bond not tendered will continue to accrue
         interest pursuant to its terms;

                  (v) that any Bonds accepted for payment pursuant to the Change
         of Control Offer will cease to accrue interest as of and after the
         Redemption Date;

                  (vi) that Holders accepting the Change of Control Offer will
         be required to surrender the Bond to the Paying Agent at the address
         specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third
         Business Day immediately preceding the Redemption Date; and

                  (vii) any other procedures consistent with this Section 3.9
         that a Holder must follow to accept a Change of Control Offer or to
         withdraw such acceptance, including procedures of the Depositary.

                                       35
<PAGE>   44
         (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) above, the Issuer will not be
required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if another
Person makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and
otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Section 3.9
applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Issuer and purchases all the
Bonds validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.

         (c) The Issuer will comply with the applicable tender offer rules,
including Rule-14e under the Exchange Act, and any other applicable securities
laws and regulations in connection with a Change of Control Offer. To the extent
that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the
provisions of this Section 3.9, the Issuer shall comply with the applicable
securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its
obligations hereunder by virtue thereof.

                                    ARTICLE 4
                                   COVENANTS

         Section 4.1 Reporting Requirements. The Issuer shall furnish or cause
to be furnished to the Bond Trustee and each Rating Agency and, the Bond
Trustee, at the Issuer's reasonable expense, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii)
below, shall furnish or cause to be furnished to any Holder, prospective Holder
or any owner of a beneficial interest in any Global Bond upon written request of
such Holder or beneficial owner substantially in the form of Exhibit H hereto,
(which request may indicate that it is a continuing request for such information
until further notice):

                  (i) as soon as available and in any event within sixty (60)
         days after the end of the first three quarterly accounting periods of
         each Obligor's respective fiscal years (commencing with the quarter
         ending June 30, 2000, (x) Unaudited Financial Statements consolidated
         for the Issuer and each of its Subsidiaries for such period and (y)
         Unaudited Financial Statements consolidated for each Obligor and each
         Additional Guarantor for such period, each accompanied by an Officer's
         Certificate of the Issuer (1) to the effect that such Unaudited
         Financial Statements fairly present the financial condition and results
         of operations of each such Person (on a consolidated basis) on the
         dates and for the periods indicated in accordance with GAAP (other than
         with respect to the notes and normally recurring year-end adjustments),
         (2) setting

                                       36
<PAGE>   45
         forth management's discussion and analysis of the financial condition
         and results of operations described therein and (3) setting forth the
         quarterly Debt Service Coverage Ratio for such fiscal quarter;

                  (ii) as soon as available and in any event within one hundred
         five (105) days after the end of each Obligor's respective fiscal year
         (commencing with the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000, (x) Annual
         Audited Financial Statements consolidated for the Issuer and each of
         its Subsidiaries for such fiscal year and (y) Annual Audited Financial
         Statements consolidated for each Obligor and each Additional Guarantor
         for such fiscal year, each accompanied by an audit opinion thereon by
         the Auditors, which opinion shall state that (1) said financial
         statements of each such Person (on a consolidated basis) present fairly
         the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of each
         such Person (on a consolidated basis) at the end of, and for, such
         fiscal year in accordance with GAAP, (2) nothing has come to their
         attention that any Indenture Default or Indenture Event of Default
         under Section 4.23 has occurred and is continuing, or, if such event
         has occurred and is continuing, a statement as to the nature thereof
         and (3) the annual Debt Service Coverage Ratio for such fiscal year;
         provided, however that such opinion may be limited to the extent
         required by accounting rules or guidelines;

                  (iii) concurrently with the delivery of the financial
         statements in clauses (i) and (ii) above, an Officer's Certificate (A)
         certifying to the best knowledge of the Authorized Representative as to
         the occurrence of any event or condition which constitutes a Default,
         and if Default has occurred specifically stating the details thereof
         and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto and
         (B) describing any change in GAAP or in the application thereof that
         has occurred since the date of the most recent prior Annual Audited
         Financial Statements delivered pursuant to clause (ii) above and, if
         any such change has occurred, specifying the effect of such change on
         the financial statements accompanying such certificate; and

                  (iv) promptly and in any event within ten (10) days after
         receiving notice of the occurrence of any litigation, claim, proceeding
         or controversy pending, or the receipt by either Obligor of a written
         threat of any such litigation, claim, proceeding or controversy
         involving or affecting either Obligor or the Project that would in any
         case reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect,
         notice of the same.

                                       37
<PAGE>   46
         Section 4.2 Existence; Governmental Approvals; Compliance with
Applicable Laws. (a) The Issuer shall at all times preserve and maintain in full
force and effect its existence as a limited liability company in good standing
under the laws of the State of Delaware and its qualification to do business in
each other jurisdiction in which the character of properties owned or leased by
it or in which the transaction of its business as conducted or proposed to be
conducted makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so
qualified would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect
provided, however, that (i) the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger,
consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 4.20 and (ii)
the Issuer may change its status as a limited liability company if the Rating
Agencies confirm in writing that the change will not result in a Ratings
Downgrade and the Issuer otherwise complies with its obligations under the
Finance Documents.

         (b) The Issuer shall (i) obtain all Governmental Approvals necessary
for the transaction of its business as conducted or proposed to be conducted and
(ii) cause the Subsidiary Guarantor to maintain its status as an EWG except in
either case where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Effect.

         (c) The Issuer shall comply with all Applicable Laws (including
Environmental Laws) and Governmental Approvals applicable to it, and all other
acts, rules, regulations, permits, orders and requirements of any legislative,
executive, administrative or judicial body relating to the issuance of the Bonds
by the Issuer and performance by the Issuer of its obligations hereunder, except
where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to result in a
Material Adverse Effect.

         Section 4.3 Title to Assets. The Issuer shall preserve and maintain
good, valid and marketable title or leasehold rights to the Mortgaged Property
and its assets constituting part of the Collateral (excluding any real property
that is not part of the Mortgaged Property) (subject to no Liens other than
Permitted Liens) except where the failure to do so would not reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; provided, however, that nothing
in this Section 4.3 shall prevent the Issuer from disposing of any asset subject
to terms and provisions of Section 4.20.

         Section 4.4 Payment of Taxes and Claims. The Issuer shall, prior to the
time that penalties shall attach thereto, pay and discharge or cause to be paid
or discharged all Taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed
upon it

                                       38
<PAGE>   47
or its income or profits except where the failure to do so would not reasonably
be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; provided that the Issuer
shall not be required to pay any such obligation if (a) such charges are being
diligently contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, and (b) adequate
reserves are established with respect to the contested items (in accordance with
GAAP). The Issuer shall promptly pay or cause to be paid any valid, final
non-appealable judgment enforcing any such Tax, assessment, governmental charge
or levy and shall cause the same to be satisfied of record, as applicable.

         Section 4.5 Books and Records. The Issuer shall at all times keep
proper books of record and account truly and fairly reflecting the financial
condition and results of operations of the Issuer in which full, true and
correct entries in conformity with GAAP and all Applicable Laws shall be made of
all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities.

         Section 4.6 Right of Inspection. Upon reasonable advance written
notice, the Issuer shall permit the Bond Trustee or its representative to visit
and inspect, in the presence of representatives of the Issuer, if reasonably
requested by the Bond Trustee, any of the properties of the Issuer, and to
examine and make copies of the books of record and accounts of the Issuer as
reasonably necessary and discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the
Issuer with, and be advised as to the same by, its officers, all at such
reasonable times and intervals and to such reasonable extent as the Bond Trustee
may request.

         Section 4.7 Use of Proceeds; Depositary Accounts. (a) The Issuer shall
use all Bond Proceeds solely (i) to make loans to the Subsidiary Guarantor
pursuant to the Guarantor Loan Agreement or supplements thereto, (ii) to pay
financing fees and all other fees, expenses, costs and taxes associated with the
Acquisition and (iii) to make required deposits to the Debt Service Reserve
Account (unless funded in whole by Acceptable Credit Support).

         (b) Unless otherwise provided in this Indenture, the Issuer shall cause
all Project Revenues to be deposited into the Revenue Account and shall cause
the balance in the Debt Service Reserve Account to, at all times, be equal to
the Debt Service Reserve Required Balance (taking into account any Acceptable
Credit Support available thereto).

         Section 4.8 Performance of Transaction Documents. The Issuer shall
perform all of its material covenants and agreements contained in any of the
Transac-

                                       39
<PAGE>   48
tion Documents to which it is a party, except where such nonperformance would
not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

         Section 4.9 Rating. The Issuer shall comply with all reasonable
requests from each of the Rating Agencies for information and notices related to
the Bonds and shall not request that either Rating Agency stop rating the Bonds.

         Section 4.10 Rule 144A Information; Other Information. Unless a
registration statement shall have previously become effective with respect to
the Bonds, at any time when the Issuer is not subject to the reporting
requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act, upon the
request of any Holder or any owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Bond,
the Issuer shall promptly furnish to such Holder or beneficial owner, to a
prospective purchaser of a Bond or beneficial interest therein designated by
such Holder or beneficial owner, or to the Bond Trustee for delivery to such
Holder, beneficial owner or prospective purchaser, as the case may be, all
information specified in, and meeting the requirements of, paragraph (d)(4) of
Rule 144A in order to permit compliance by such Holder or beneficial owner with
Rule 144A in connection with a resale of Bonds pursuant to Rule 144A.

         Section 4.11 Auditors. The Issuer shall retain PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP or another nationally recognized firm of independent certified public
accountants the United States to act as its auditors and authorize such firm to
communicate directly with the Bond Trustee and the Collateral Agent.

         Section 4.12 Operation of its Assets. The Issuer shall maintain and
operate its assets (excluding those held by any of its Subsidiaries) in
accordance with prudent independent power industry practice.

         Section 4.13 Insurance. (a) The Issuer shall at all times maintain,
with responsible, reputable and financially sound insurance carriers, and
provide satisfactory evidence of, customary insurance in such amounts (subject
to reasonable and customary deductibles and sublimits) and with terms and
conditions in accordance with prudent independent power industry practice. All
policies (other than workers' compensation) shall name the Collateral Agent and
the Bond Trustee as loss payee or additional insured.

         (b) Each insurance policy obtained by the Issuer and the Subsidiary
Guarantor shall provide for at least ten (10) days' written notice to the Bond
Trustee and the

                                       40
<PAGE>   49
Collateral Agent of cancellation, reduction in amount of coverage or any other
material change in coverage.

         Section 4.14 Third Party Consents. The Issuer shall use commercially
reasonable efforts to obtain Third Party Consents with respect to each material
Project Document entered into by the Issuer after the Closing Date.

         Section 4.15 Permitted Indebtedness. The Issuer shall not create or
incur or suffer to exist or cause to be created, incurred or suffered to exist
any Indebtedness except the following (collectively, "Permitted Issuer
Indebtedness"):

         (a) Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this Indenture and the Initial
Bonds;

         (b) Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Additional Bonds issued in
accordance with the provisions of Section 2.3;

         (c) Indebtedness provided that:

                  (i) an Authorized Officer of the Issuer certifies to the Bond
         Trustee in writing that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and
         is continuing or will occur after giving effect to the incurrence of
         such Indebtedness and the application of the net proceeds thereof;

                  (ii) an Authorized Officer of the Issuer certifies to the Bond
         Trustee in writing that after giving effect to the incurrence of such
         Indebtedness, the minimum annual Projected Debt Service Coverage Ratio
         for each fiscal year through the Final Maturity Date for the Bonds
         (starting in the fiscal year in which the Indebtedness is incurred)
         with the longest maturity, will not be less than 1.5 to 1; and

                  (iii) written confirmation from each Rating Agency then rating
         the Bonds that the incurrence of such Indebtedness will not result in a
         Rating Downgrade.

         (d) Indebtedness related to Permitted Liens;

         (e) Indebtedness represented by interest rate protection agreements
with respect to other Permitted Issuer Indebtedness;

                                       41
<PAGE>   50
         (f) Indebtedness in the form of a working capital facility in an
aggregate principal amount not to exceed, at any one time outstanding, (i)
$40,000,000 (Escalated)plus (ii) upon the acquisition of an Additional Guarantor
or additional district energy assets, 5% of the Indebtedness incurred by the
Issuer in connection with such acquisition; provided that the outstanding
principal amount of such Indebtedness shall be reduced to zero for five (5) days
each year;

         (g) Indebtedness owed to the Subsidiary Guarantor or any Additional
Guarantor; and

         (h) Subordinated Indebtedness.

         Section 4.16 Permitted Liens. The Issuer shall not create or suffer to
exist or permit any Lien upon or with respect to any of its properties except
Permitted Liens.

         Section 4.17 Guarantees. The Issuer shall not become liable, directly
or indirectly, in connection with any Guarantee Obligation, except for (i)
endorsements and similar obligations in the ordinary course of business; (ii)
guarantees existing on the Closing Date as set forth on Schedule 4.17; and (iii)
guarantees to (w) NRG Power Marketing, (x) the Subsidiary Guarantor, (y) any
Additional Guarantor or (z) any other Person that has entered into a power
marketing agreement with the Subsidiary Guarantor, the Issuer or any Additional
Guarantor, entered into by the Issuer in the ordinary course of business in
connection with fuel procurement, sales or purchases of power and emissions
credits directly related to the Project or the other non-nuclear electric
generating or district energy assets of the Issuer or any Additional Guarantor,
so long as such activities are not for speculative purposes; provided that with
respect to guarantees in favor or Persons described in clause (z), each Rating
Agency confirms in writing that such guarantee will not result in a Ratings
Downgrade.

         Section 4.18 Business Activities. The Issuer shall not engage in any
activities other than (a) those contemplated by this Indenture, any Supplemental
Indenture and the other Finance Documents and activities incidental thereto, (b)
the acquisition or creation of the Subsidiary Guarantor, any Additional
Guarantors or Unrestricted Subsidiaries; provided that, (i) prior to acquiring
or creating any Additional Guarantor, the Issuer shall obtain written
confirmation from each Rating Agency that such action will not result in a
Ratings Downgrade; (ii) each Additional Guarantor shall enter into a loan
agreement containing covenants substantially similar to those set forth in
Sections 3.13, 3.14, 3.15, 3.16, 3.18, 3.19, 3.21, 3.22 and

                                       42
<PAGE>   51
3.23 of the Guarantor Loan Agreement; and (iii) each Additional Guarantor shall
enter into a guarantee of payments due on the Bonds substantially similar to the
Guarantee and (c) the acquisition, ownership, construction, development,
operation and maintenance of non-nuclear electric generating or district energy
assets in the United States; provided that, prior to acquiring or constructing
such additional assets, the Issuer shall obtain written confirmation from each
Rating Agency that such action will not result in a Ratings Downgrade.

         Section 4.19 Assignment of Obligations; Additional Agreements. Other
than assignments to the Collateral Agent, the Issuer shall not assign any of its
rights or obligations under any material Project Document or enter into any
additional material Project Document unless (a) an Authorized Officer of the
Issuer certifies in writing that the transactions contemplated by such
assignment or additional Project Document would not reasonably be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Effect or (b) each Rating Agency confirms in
writing that the assignment or entering into such additional Project Document
would not result in a Ratings Downgrade.

         Section 4.20 Fundamental Changes; Sale of Assets. Except as otherwise
permitted under the Indenture, any Supplemental Indenture or other Finance
Documents, (a) the Issuer shall not, and shall not permit the Subsidiary
Guarantor or any Additional Guarantor to, enter into any transaction of merger
or consolidation, change its form of organization or its business, liquidate,
wind-up or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution) except
that, if at the time no Default exists or is caused by such action: (i) the
Subsidiary Guarantor, any Additional Guarantor or any Unrestricted Subsidiary
may merge into the Issuer in a transaction in which the Issuer is the surviving
corporation; provided that any Indebtedness the Issuer assumes in such
transaction is permitted under Section 4.15 hereof (ii) the Subsidiary
Guarantor, any Additional Guarantor or any Unrestricted Subsidiary may merge
into the Subsidiary Guarantor or an Additional Guarantor in a transaction in
which the surviving entity is the Subsidiary Guarantor or such Additional
Guarantor and the Issuer's economic interest in each merging Subsidiary's assets
shall not have been diminished as a result of such merger; and (iii) the
Subsidiary Guarantor or any Additional Guarantor may liquidate or dissolve if
the assets of that Subsidiary Guarantor or Additional Guarantor are transferred
to the Subsidiary Guarantor or an Additional Guarantor (provided that the
Issuer's economic interest in such assets would not be diminished as a result
thereof) if the Issuer determines in good faith that such liquidation or
dissolution is in the best interests of the Issuer and would not reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

                                       43
<PAGE>   52
         (b) The Issuer shall not sell, lease, transfer, assign or otherwise
dispose of (in one transaction or in a series of transactions) any of its assets
unless such transaction is a Permitted Asset Sale.

         (c) The Issuer shall not amend its certificate of formation or any
other organizational document unless such amendment is (i) for the purpose of
authorizing the issuance of Additional Bonds in accordance with Section 2.3,
(ii) in connection with a name change and (iii) otherwise permitted by Section
4.2.

         Section 4.21 Investments; Transactions with Affiliates. (a) The Issuer
shall not directly or indirectly, make investments, loans or advances or acquire
the stock, obligations or securities of any Person except:

                  (i) loans to the Subsidiary Guarantor or any Additional
         Guarantor with the funds borrowed in accordance with the Indenture;

                  (ii) investments in Cash Equivalents;

                  (iii) investments outstanding on the Closing Date as set forth
         on Schedule 4.21;

                  (iv) operating deposits with banks;

                  (v) investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries with funds that
         (x) could otherwise be distributed in accordance with this Indenture or
         (y) otherwise with the proceeds of additional equity contributions to
         the Issuer made explicitly for this purpose;

                  (vi) investments by the Issuer in the Subsidiary Guarantor or
         any Additional Guarantors;

                  (vii) investments in another Person, if as a result of such
         investment (x) such other Person becomes an Additional Guarantor or (y)
         such other Person is merged or consolidated with or into, or transfers
         or conveys all or substantially all of its assets to an Obligor or an
         Additional Guarantor;

                  (viii) investments representing capital stock or obligations
         issued to the Issuer in settlement of claims against any other Person
         by reason of a

                                       44
<PAGE>   53
         composition or readjustment of debt or a reorganization of any debtor
         of the Issuer;

                  (ix) investments acquired by the Issuer in connection with any
         asset sale permitted under the Indenture to the extent such investments
         are non-cash proceeds as permitted under the Indenture;

                  (x) any investment to the extent that the consideration
         therefore is capital stock (other than redeemable capital stock) of the
         Issuer;

                  (xi) amounts constituting Restricted Payments which the Issuer
         would be permitted to make under Section 4.23; and

                  (xii) additional investments up to but not exceeding
         $10,000,000 (Escalated) outstanding at any one time in the aggregate
         among the Obligors and any Additional Guarantor.

         For purposes of clause (xii) of this Section, the aggregate amount of
an investment at any time shall be deemed to be equal to (A) the aggregate
amount of cash, together with the aggregate fair market value of property,
including any securities, loaned, advanced, contributed, transferred or
otherwise invested that gives rise to such investment minus (B) the aggregate
amount of dividends, distributions or other payments received in cash or other
property in respect of such investment; the amount of an investment shall not in
any event be reduced by reason of any write-off of such investment not increased
by any increase in the amount of earnings retained in the Person in which such
Investment is made that have not been dividend, distributed or otherwise paid
out.

         (b) The Issuer shall not enter into any transaction or series of
related transactions with any Affiliate except (i) transaction in the ordinary
course of business at prices and on terms not less favorable than a comparable
transaction entered into on arm's-length basis; (ii) transactions between or
among the Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantor or any Additional Guarantor not
involving any other Affiliate; (iii) any Restricted Payment otherwise permitted
by the terms and conditions of this Indenture; and (iv) transactions that are
contemplated by any Transaction Document entered into on or prior to the Closing
Date or any extension, renewal or replacement thereof that would not reasonably
be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

                                       45
<PAGE>   54
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the restrictions set forth in this covenant shall
not apply to (i) reasonable and customary directors' fees, indemnification and
similar arrangements, consulting fees, employee salaries, bonuses or employment
agreements, compensation or employee benefit arrangements and incentive
arrangements with any officer, director or employee of the Issuer or any
Subsidiary entered into in the ordinary course of business; (ii) loans and
advances to officers directors and employees of the Issuer or any Subsidiary for
reasonable travel, entertainment, moving and other relocation expenses, in each
case made in the ordinary course of business; (iii) the incurrence of
intercompany Indebtedness which constitutes Permitted Indebtedness and (iv)
transactions pursuant to agreements in effect on the date hereof.

         Section 4.22 Finance Documents; Project Documents. (a) The Issuer shall
not consent to, enter into or grant any amendment, waiver, consent, change or
modification to the Finance Documents, or assign any of its obligations
thereunder, except in accordance with this Indenture.

         (b) The Issuer shall enforce all of its material rights under the
Finance Documents for the benefit of the Bond Trustee and the Holders. The
Issuer shall exercise all remedies under the Finance Documents (including
acceleration of the Guarantor Note) as directed in writing by the Collateral
Agent, acting pursuant to the Intercreditor Agreement, and in accordance with
the terms of this Indenture.

         (c) The Issuer shall not enter into or grant any amendment, waiver,
consent or change or modification, or permit the cancellation or termination of,
any Project Document unless such action (i) would not reasonably be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) shall otherwise be permitted by the
terms and conditions of this Indenture.

         Section 4.23 Restricted Payments. The Issuer shall not declare nor make
any Restricted Payments or direct any Restricted Payments to be made by or on
behalf of the Subsidiary Guarantor, except for payments permitted under Section
6.7 hereof.

         Section 4.24 Investment Company Act. The Issuer shall not take any
action which will cause it to be in violation of the Investment Company Act of
1940 (as such act may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time)
including all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

                                       46
<PAGE>   55
         Section 4.25 Taxation. The Issuer shall not elect or cause itself to be
treated as a corporation for United States federal or state income tax purposes
and shall not take any action which will cause it to be treated as a corporation
for United States federal or state income tax purposes unless in connection with
a change permitted under Section 4.2.

         Section 4.26 Further Assurances. (a) The Issuer shall execute and
deliver, from time to time as reasonably requested by the Bond Trustee or the
Collateral Agent or as necessary, at the Issuer's expense, such other documents
in connection with the rights and remedies of the Bond Trustee and the Holders
granted or provided for by the Finance Documents and to consummate the
transactions contemplated therein.

         (b) The Issuer shall, at its own expense, take all reasonable actions
necessary to establish, maintain, protect, perfect and continue the perfection
of the Liens created by this Agreement and the Security Documents and its rights
and title and the rights and title of the Bond Trustee and the Holders to the
Issuer Collateral in such manner and in such places as in the opinion of counsel
to the Issuer, the Bond Trustee or the Collateral Agent is required by
Applicable Law in order to fully preserve and protect the rights of the
Collateral Agent and the Bond Trustee, except where the failure to do so would
not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

                                    ARTICLE 5
                           EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES

         Section 5.1 Events of Default. The term "Indenture Event of Default,"
whenever used herein, shall mean any of the following events (whatever the
reason for such event and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or shall
come about or be affected by operation of law, or be pursuant to or in
compliance with any Applicable Law), and any such event shall continue to be an
Indenture Event of Default if and for so long as it shall not have been
remedied:

         (a) the Issuer shall fail to pay any principal of, premium (if any),
interest due with respect to any Bond when the same becomes due and payable,
whether by scheduled maturity or required prepayment or redemption or by
acceleration or otherwise and such failure continues for fifteen (15) or more
days following the due date for payment;

                                       47
<PAGE>   56
         (b) a Guarantor Event of Default (other than a Guarantor Event of
Default related to failure to pay amounts owed on a Guarantor Note or a
Guarantee) or an event of default under any other loan agreement between either
Obligor and an Additional Guarantor shall have occurred and be continuing;

         (c) the Issuer shall default in the performance or observance of any
covenant or agreement contained in Section 4.2 (with respect to the maintenance
of the corporate existence of the Issuer only), Section 4.4, Section 4.8,
Section 4.15, Section 4.16, Section 4.17, Section 4.18, Section 4.20, Section
4.22, Section 4.23, Section 4.24, Section 4.26 or Section 8.3 and such failure
shall continue uncured for thirty (30) or more days from the earliest to occur
of (i) the date an Authorized Officer of the Issuer obtains actual knowledge of
such failure or (ii) the date on which an Authorized Officer of the Issuer
receives written notice from the Bond Trustee, the Collateral Agent or any
Holder of such Default;

         (d) the Issuer shall default in the performance or observance of its
covenants or material obligations contained in this Indenture (other than those
referred to in clause (c) of this Section 5.1) and such failure shall continue
uncured for thirty (30) or more days from the earliest to occur of (i) the date
an Authorized Officer of the Issuer obtains actual knowledge of such failure or
(ii) the date on which an Authorized Officer of the Issuer receives written
notice from the Bond Trustee, the Collateral Agent or any Holder of such
Default; provided that if the Issuer commences and diligently pursues efforts to
cure such default within such thirty (30) day period and delivers written notice
thereof to the Bond Trustee, the Issuer may continue to effect such cure of the
default and such default shall not be deemed an "Indenture Event of Default" for
an additional sixty (60) days following the end of the initial thirty (30) day
period so long as the Issuer is diligently pursuing such cure;

         (e) the Issuer shall (i) apply for or authorize or approve or consent
to the appointment of, or the taking of possession by, a receiver, custodian,
trustee or liquidator of itself or all or a substantial part of its property,
(ii) admit in writing its inability or be generally unable to pay its debts as
such debts become due, (iii) make a general assignment for the benefit of its
creditors, (iv) commence a voluntary case under the Federal Bankruptcy Code, (v)
file a petition seeking to take advantage of any other Debtor Relief Law, (vi)
fail to controvert in a timely and appropriate manner, or acquiesce in writing
to, any petition filed against it in an involuntary case under the Federal
Bankruptcy Code or any other Debtor Relief Law or (vii) take any

                                       48
<PAGE>   57
action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing including, without
limitation, commencing a shareholder vote in connection with any of the
foregoing;

         (f) a proceeding or case shall be commenced without the application or
consent of the Issuer in any court of competent jurisdiction, seeking (i) its
liquidation, reorganization, dissolution, winding-up or the composition or
readjustment of debts or (ii) the appointment of a trustee, receiver, custodian,
liquidator or the like of the Issuer or all or a substantial part of its
property under any Debtor Relief Law and such proceeding or case shall continue
undismissed, or any order, judgment or decree approving any of the foregoing
shall be entered and continue unstayed and in effect, for a period of sixty (60)
or more consecutive days, or any order for relief against the Issuer shall be
entered in any involuntary case under the Federal Bankruptcy Code or any other
Debtor Relief Law;

         (g) an event described in clauses (e) or (f) above occurs with respect
to NRG, NRG Power Marketing, NRG Operating Services, a material power purchaser
or a material fuel supplier, in each case to the extent such Person is a party
to any material Project Document, and remains uncured for the grace periods
provided in such clauses; provided, however, that such an event shall not be an
Indenture Event of Default if (i) within the following sixty (60) day period
either Obligor enters into a replacement agreement substantially similar to the
original agreement or (ii) each Rating Agency confirms that such event will not
result in a Ratings Downgrade;

         (h) any Security Document to which the Issuer is a party shall cease to
be in full force and effect or, except to the extent permitted by the terms and
conditions of any Security Document, any Lien purported to be granted thereby
with respect to any Issuer Collateral described therein shall cease to be a
valid and perfected Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the
Secured Parties on the Issuer Collateral described therein with the priority
purported to be created thereby and such cessation has resulted in a Material
Adverse Effect; provided that the Issuer shall have thirty (30) days from the
earliest to occur of (i) the date an Authorized Officer of the Issuer obtains
actual knowledge thereof or (ii) the date on which an Authorized Officer of the
Issuer receives written notice from the Bond Trustee, the Collateral Agent or
any Holder of such Default to cure such cessation (if curable) or to furnish to
the Collateral Agent all documents or instruments required to cure any such
cessation (if curable);

         (i) Indebtedness for borrowed money of the Issuer in an amount
exceeding $15,000,000 (Escalated) (other than any amount due under or pursuant
to the

                                       49
<PAGE>   58
Finance Documents) is required to be prepaid, or shall be declared to be due and
payable, other than by scheduled required payment, prior to the stated maturity
thereof, as the result of the acceleration of the stated maturity thereof
following an event of default thereunder; provided that such default and
acceleration has not been annulled or rescinded within thirty (30) days and
remains in effect with respect to such Indebtedness;

         (j) the entry of one or more final and non-appealable judgment or
judgments for the payment of money in excess of $25,000,000 (Escalated)
(exclusive of amounts fully covered by insurance or indemnity) against the
Issuer, which remain unpaid or unstayed for a period of sixty (60) or more
consecutive days;

         (k) any material Finance Document to which the Issuer is a party is
declared in a final nonappealable judgment to be unenforceable against the
Issuer, or the Issuer shall have expressly repudiated its obligations thereunder
and ceased to perform such obligations, or defaulted in the performance or
observance of any of its material obligations thereunder and such default has
continued unremedied for a period of five (5) Business Days or more;

         (l) any material Project Document to which the Issuer is a party ceases
to be valid and binding and in full force and effect (other than as permitted or
contemplated hereunder), any third party thereto denies that it has any
liability or obligation under any such material Project Document and such third
party ceases performance thereunder, or any third party is in default under such
material Project Document (subject to any applicable grace period thereunder),
and in each case such cessation or default has resulted or would reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; provided, however, that no such
event shall be an Indenture Event of Default if (i) within one hundred eighty
(180) days from any such occurrence the Issuer (x) causes the third party to
reaffirm the disaffirmed provisions or resume performance (as the case may be)
or (y) enters into a replacement document substantially similar to the original
document or (ii) each Rating Agency confirms in writing that such event will not
result in a Ratings Downgrade;

         (m) an Event of Loss with respect to the entire Project shall occur for
which no Loss Proceeds are received by either Obligor or the Subsidiary
Guarantor shall voluntary abandon the entire Project for sixty (60) consecutive
days and in each case such Event of Loss or voluntary abandonment has resulted
or would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; provided
that the occurrence of an Event of Loss shall not be an Indenture Event of
Default if within thirty (30) days

                                       50
<PAGE>   59
from the occurrence of such Event of Loss, there exists an Approved Restoration
Plan in respect of the remediation of the damage, loss or taking giving rise to
such Event of Loss; and

         (n) any Governmental Approval required for the operation of the Project
is revoked, terminated, withdrawn or ceases to be in full force and effect if
such revocation, termination, withdrawal or cessation would reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; provided that no such event shall be
an Indenture Event of Default if within sixty (60) days from the occurrence
thereof either Obligor diligently pursues in good faith and (i) obtains an
additional Governmental Approval in substitution therefor or replacement thereof
or (ii) causes such Governmental Approval to be reissued; provided further that
the such event shall not be an Indenture Event of Default for an additional
thirty (30) days following the expiration of the initial sixty (60) day period
if within the sixty (60) day period the Indenture Default has not been cured but
such Obligor continues to diligently pursue in good faith the items set forth in
clauses (i) and (ii) above during such additional thirty (30) day period.

         Section 5.2 Remedies Upon an Indenture Event of Default. (a) Subject to
the Intercreditor Agreement, if one or more Indenture Events of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing, then:

                  (i) in the case of an Indenture Event of Default described in
         Sections 5.1(e) or (f), then, in each and every case, the entire
         principal amount of the Outstanding Bonds, all interest accrued and
         unpaid thereon, and all premium (if any) and other amounts payable
         under the Bonds and this Indenture, if any, shall automatically become
         due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any
         kind, all of which are hereby waived; or

                  (ii) in the case of an Indenture Event of Default described in
         Section 5.1(a) hereof, then, in each and every case, (A) upon the
         written direction of the One-Third Holders, the Bond Trustee shall, by
         written notice to the Issuer, declare the entire principal amount of
         the Outstanding Bonds, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all
         premium (if any), and other amounts payable under the Bonds and this
         Indenture, if any, to be due and payable, whereupon the same shall
         become immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest
         or further notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived and (B)
         the Bond Trustee shall (as the One-Third Holders request in writing)
         direct the Collateral Agent (to the extent permit-

                                       51
<PAGE>   60
         ted under the Intercreditor Agreement) to take possession of all
         Collateral and, pursuant to the Intercreditor Agreement, to sell such
         Collateral, as and to the extent permitted under the Intercreditor
         Agreement; or

                  (iii) except as described in clauses (i) and (ii) above, in
         the case of an Indenture Event of Default described in Section 5.1
         hereof, then, in each and every case, (A) upon the written direction of
         the Majority Holders, the Bond Trustee shall, by notice to the Issuer,
         declare the entire principal amount of the Outstanding Bonds, all
         interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all premium (if any), and
         other amounts payable under the Bonds and this Indenture, if any, to be
         due and payable, whereupon the same shall become immediately due and
         payable without presentment, demand, protest or further notice of any
         kind, all of which are hereby waived and (B) the Bond Trustee shall (as
         the Majority Holders request in writing) direct the Collateral Agent
         (to the extent permitted under the Intercreditor Agreement) to take
         possession of all Collateral and, pursuant to the Intercreditor
         Agreement, to sell the Collateral, as and to the extent permitted under
         the Intercreditor Agreement.

         (b) Subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, at any time after the
principal of all or a portion of the Bonds shall have become due and payable
upon a declared acceleration as provided in this Section 5.2, and before any
judgment or decree for the payment of the money so due, or any portion thereof,
shall be entered, the Majority Holders or, by the One-Third Holders if pursuant
to Section 5.2(a)(ii), by written notice to the Bond Trustee and the Issuer, may
rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

                  (i) there shall have been paid to or deposited with the Bond
         Trustee a sum sufficient to pay:

                  (A) all overdue installments of interest on such Bonds;

                  (B) the principal of and premium (if any) on the Bonds that
         have become due other than by such declaration of acceleration and
         interest thereon at the respective rates provided in the Bonds;

                  (C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful,
         interest upon overdue interest at the respective rates provided in the
         Bonds for late payments of interest; and

                                       52
<PAGE>   61

                  (D) all sums paid or advanced by the Bond Trustee hereunder in
         accordance with the terms and conditions of the Finance Documents to
         which it is a party and the reasonable compensation, expenses,
         disbursements and advances of the Bond Trustee and its agents (as
         provided in this Indenture) and counsel; and

                  (ii) all Indenture Events of Default, other than the
         nonpayment of principal of the Bonds that has become due solely by such
         acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.6;

provided that no such rescission shall affect any subsequent Indenture Default
or Indenture Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

         Section 5.3 Specific Remedies. Subject to Section 10.3 hereof, if an
Indenture Event of Default referred to in Section 5.1(a) shall have occurred and
be continuing, the Bond Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 5.2, 5.5
and 5.6 hereof, shall enforce the Guarantee and the rights of the Holders
thereunder.

         Section 5.4 Judicial Proceedings Instituted by Bond Trustee.

         (a) Bond Trustee May File Proofs of Claim; Appointment of Bond Trustee
as Attorney-in-Fact in Judicial Proceedings. (i) Subject to the Intercreditor
Agreement and Section 5.14, the Bond Trustee, in its own name, as trustee of an
express trust or as attorney-in-fact for the Holders, or in any one or more of
such capacities (irrespective of whether the principal of the Bonds shall then
be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and
irrespective of whether the Bond Trustee shall have made any demand for the
payment of overdue principal, premium (if any) or interest), shall be entitled
and empowered to (x) file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents and
take any other actions authorized under the Trust Indenture Act as necessary or
advisable in order to have the claims of the Bond Trustee and of the Holders
(whether such claims be based upon the provisions of the Bonds or of this
Indenture) allowed in any judicial proceeding (including, without limitation,
any equity, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation, readjustment or
reorganization proceeding) relating to the Issuer or any other obligor on the
Bonds (within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act), the creditors of the
Issuer or any such obligor, the Collateral or any other property of the Issuer
or such obligor (each such proceeding in accordance with the terms of this
Indenture, a "Proceeding") and (y) collect and receive any monies or other
property payable or deliverable on any such claims and distribute the same in
accordance with the terms

                                       53
<PAGE>   62
of this Indenture. Any receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or
other similar official in any such Proceeding is hereby authorized by each
Holder to make such payments to the Bond Trustee and, in the event the Bond
Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to
pay to the Bond Trustee any amount due to it under this Section 5.4 for the
reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Bond
Trustee, its agents and counsel.

                  (ii) No provision of this Indenture shall be deemed to give
         the Bond Trustee any right to authorize or consent to or accept or
         adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement,
         adjustment or composition affecting the Bonds or the rights of any
         Holder, to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any Proceeding
         or to otherwise change or waive in any way the rights of any Holder in
         any Proceeding; provided, however, that the Bond Trustee may, subject
         to the Intercreditor Agreement and Applicable Law, on behalf of the
         Holders, vote for the election of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar
         official and be a member of a creditors' or other similar committee.

                  (iii) Any monies collected by the Bond Trustee under this
         clause (a) shall be applied as provided in Section 5.10.

         (b) Bond Trustee Need Not Have Possession of Bonds. Subject to the
Intercreditor Agreement and Section 5.14, all proofs of claim, rights of action
and rights to assert claims under this Indenture or under any of the Bonds of
any particular Series may be enforced by the Bond Trustee without the possession
of the Bonds of such Series or the production thereof at any Proceedings
instituted by the Bond Trustee. In any Proceedings brought by the Bond Trustee
(and any proceedings involving the interpretation of any provision of this
Indenture or the Bonds to which the Bond Trustee shall be a party), the Bond
Trustee shall be held to represent all of the Holders of such Series and it
shall not be necessary to make any such Holders of such Series parties to such
Proceedings.

         (c) Suit to be Brought for the Ratable Benefit of Holders. Subject to
the other provisions of this Indenture and to the Intercreditor Agreement, any
Proceeding at law, in equity or otherwise which shall be instituted by the Bond
Trustee under any of the provisions of this Indenture or the Bonds shall be for
the equal, ratable and common benefit of all of the Holders.

         (d)  Restoration of Rights and Remedies.  In case the Bond Trustee
shall have instituted any Proceeding to enforce any right, power or remedy under
this Indenture

                                       54
<PAGE>   63
or the Bonds by foreclosure, entry or otherwise and such Proceedings shall have
been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, then and in every such case the
Issuer and the Bond Trustee shall be restored to their former positions
hereunder, and all rights, powers and remedies of the Bond Trustee and the
Holders shall continue as if no such Proceeding had been instituted.

         Section 5.5 Control by Holders. Subject to the Intercreditor Agreement,
the Majority Holders shall have the right to direct the time, method and place
of conducting any Proceeding for any remedy available to the Bond Trustee, or
exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Bond Trustee, under this
Indenture; provided that (a) the Bond Trustee may take any other action deemed
proper by the Bond Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction and (b)
subject to Section 10.1, the Bond Trustee need not follow any such direction if
doing so would, being advised by counsel, either involve it in personal
liability or be unduly prejudicial to Holders not joining in such direction.

         Section 5.6 Waiver of Defaults and Events of Default. Subject to the
Intercreditor Agreement, the Majority Holders or One-Third Holders in the case
of an Indenture Default or Indenture Event of Default under Section 5.1(a) of
any Series may on behalf of the Holders of such Series of all Bonds waive any
Indenture Default or Indenture Event of Default and its consequences, except
that with respect to a default not theretofore cured, only the One Hundred
Percent Holders may waive an Indenture Default or Indenture Event of Default in
respect of a covenant or provision hereof that under Section 8.2 cannot be
modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Bond
affected. Upon any waiver of any Indenture Default pursuant to this Section 5.6,
such Indenture Default shall cease to exist and any Indenture Event of Default
arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this
Indenture, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Indenture
Default or Indenture Event of Default or impair any consequent right in respect
thereof.

         Section 5.7 Limitation on Suits by Holders. (a) Subject to the
Intercreditor Agreement and the other provisions of this Article 5, a Holder of
any particular Series shall not have the right to institute any Proceeding at
law or in equity or otherwise for the appointment of a receiver or for the
enforcement of any other remedy under or upon this Indenture, unless:

                  (i) such Holder shall have previously given written notice to
         the Bond Trustee of a continuing Indenture Event of Default;

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<PAGE>   64
                  (ii) Holders representing the percentage of aggregate
         principal amount of Outstanding Bonds of such Series needed to initiate
         the exercise of remedies shall have requested the Bond Trustee in
         writing to institute such Proceeding;

                  (iii) the Bond Trustee shall have refused or neglected to
         institute any Proceeding for sixty (60) days after receipt of such
         written notice by the Bond Trustee; and

                  (iv) no direction inconsistent with such written request has
         been given to the Bond Trustee during such sixty (60) day period by the
         Majority Holders.

         (b) Subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, it is understood and
intended that one or more of the Holders shall not have any right in any manner
whatsoever hereunder or under the Bonds of such Series to (i) surrender, impair,
waive, affect, disturb or prejudice the Lien of the Security Documents on any
property subject thereto or the rights of any other Holders of such Series, (ii)
obtain or seek to obtain priority or preference over any other Holders of such
Series or (iii) enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner
herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all of the
Holders of such Series.

         Section 5.8 Undertaking to Pay Court Costs. All parties to this
Indenture, and each Holder by its acceptance of a Bond, shall be deemed to have
agreed that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the
enforcement of any right or remedy hereunder, or in any suit against the Bond
Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Bond Trustee, the filing by any
party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and
that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including
reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such
suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses
made by such party litigant; provided that the provisions of this Section 5.8
shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Bond Trustee, any suit instituted
by a Holder or group of Holders holding in the aggregate more than ten percent
(10%) in principal amount of the Outstanding Bonds of any particular Series to
which the suit relates or any suit instituted by a Holder pursuant to Section
5.9 for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of, premium (if any) or
interest on any Bond on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Bond
or, in the case

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<PAGE>   65
of redemption or repayment, on or after the Redemption Date or applicable
Payment Date.

         Section 5.9 Unconditional Right to Receive Payment. Subject to the
 Intercreditor Agreement, but notwithstanding any other provision of this
 Indenture (other than Section 5.6), the right of any Holder of a particular
 Series to receive payment of the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on
 any Bond of such Series on or after the respective due dates expressed in such
 Bond (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date fixed for such
 Bond), or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after
 such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of
 such Holder.

         Section 5.10 Application of Monies Collected by Bond Trustee. Following
the application of funds pursuant to the Intercreditor Agreement, any money
collected by the Bond Trustee pursuant to this Article 5 in respect of the Bonds
of a Series, together with any other monies which may then be held by the Bond
Trustee under any of the provisions of this Indenture as security for the Bonds
of such Series (other than monies at the time required to be held for the
payment of specific Bonds of such Series at their stated maturities or at a time
fixed for the redemption thereof) shall be applied in the following order from
time to time, on the date or dates fixed by the Bond Trustee and, in the case of
a distribution of such monies on account of principal, premium (if any) or
interest, upon presentation of the Outstanding Bonds of such Series, and
stamping thereon of payment, if only partially paid, or upon surrender thereof,
if fully paid:

                  FIRST:  To the payment of all amounts due and owing to the
         Bond Trustee or any predecessor Bond Trustee under Section 10.7;

                  SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon
         the Bonds of that Series for principal (and premium, if any) and
         interest, in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money
         has been collected, ratably among Bonds within each Series and among
         the Series, without preference or priority of any kind, according to
         the amounts due and payable on such Bonds for principal (and premium,
         if any) and interest, respectively.

         Section 5.11 Waiver of Stay and Extension Laws. The Issuer covenants
 (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist
 upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or
 advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time
 hereafter in force, which may

                                       57
<PAGE>   66
affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Issuer (to
the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or
advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or
impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Bond Trustee, but will
suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had
been enacted.

         Section 5.12 Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission Not Waiver. Each
 and every right, power and remedy herein specifically given to the Bond Trustee
 shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to every other right, power and
 remedy herein specifically given or now or hereafter existing at law, in equity
 or by statute, and each and every right, power and remedy whether specifically
 herein given or otherwise existing may be exercised, subject to the
 Intercreditor Agreement, from time to time and as often and in such order as
 may be deemed expedient by the Bond Trustee, and the exercise or commencement
 of the exercise of any right, power or remedy shall not be construed to be a
 waiver of the right to exercise at the same time or thereafter any other right,
 power or remedy, and no delay or omission by the Bond Trustee in the exercise
 of any right, power or remedy or in the pursuit of any remedy shall impair any
 such right, power or remedy or be construed to be a waiver of any default on
 the part of the Issuer or be an acquiescence therein.

         Section 5.13 The Intercreditor Agreement. (a) Simultaneously with the
 execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Bond Trustee shall enter into the
 Intercreditor Agreement acting for itself and on behalf of all Holders of the
 Outstanding Bonds and all future Holders of any of the Bonds.

         (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, all rights,
 powers and remedies available to the Bond Trustee and the Holders, and all
 future Holders, shall be subject to the Intercreditor Agreement. In the event
 of any conflict or inconsistency between the terms and provisions of this
 Indenture and the terms and provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement, the
 terms and provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement shall govern and control.

         (c) In the event that the Bond Trustee is called upon by the Collateral
Agent to participate in any intercreditor vote pursuant to the Intercreditor
Agreement, the Bond Trustee shall duly convene a meeting of any Holders in
accordance with Article 7 to canvass the Holders as to the vote to be cast. The
Bond Trustee shall vote in any intercreditor vote only in accordance with
instructions issued by the Holders at such meeting, and shall cast its vote in
accordance with the direction of the Holders of the percentage of Outstanding
Bonds required to take action under

                                       58
<PAGE>   67
this Indenture. In the event of the failure of any Holder to issue voting
instructions to the Bond Trustee prior to the expiration of the decision period
in respect of the subject intercreditor decision, the Bond Trustee shall refrain
from voting on such intercreditor decision with respect to the Bonds held by
such Holder.

         Section 5.14 Limitation on Holders' Bankruptcy Rights. Each Holder
hereby irrevocably agrees, for itself and any other Person who may claim by,
through or under it, not to (a) file, directly or indirectly, a petition to
commence or join any other Person in the filing or prosecution of a petition to
commence an involuntary filing or prosecution of a petition to commence an
involuntary case under the Federal Bankruptcy Code against either Obligor or any
Additional Guarantor and (b) institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise,
with respect to this Indenture or the Bonds or for the appointment of a receiver
or a trustee or for any other remedy hereunder.

                                    ARTICLE 6
                             THE DEPOSITARY ACCOUNTS

         Section 6.1 Procedures Governing Accounts. (a) The Chase Manhattan Bank
 hereby agrees to act as depositary bank under this Indenture and to accept all
 Monies to be delivered to or held by the Depositary Bank pursuant to the terms
 of this Indenture and the other Finance Documents, and to promptly deposit all
 such Monies into the Depositary Accounts established hereunder. The Depositary
 Bank shall hold and safeguard the Depositary Accounts prior to the Debt
 Termination Date and shall treat the Monies, and all rights related thereto,
 now or hereafter deposited in or credited to the Depositary Accounts as
 "financial assets" (as defined in Section 8-102(a)(9) of the Uniform Commercial
 Code) pledged by the Obligors to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the
 Secured Parties, to be held by the Depositary Bank acting as a "securities
 intermediary" (as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code).

         (b) The Depositary Accounts and sub-accounts established pursuant to
Section 6.2 shall be in the name of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the
Secured Parties and shall be located in the State of New York. All Monies from
time to time on deposit in or credited to each Depositary Account shall be (i)
registered in the name of the Depositary Bank for the benefit of the Secured
Parties, (ii) held in the custody of the Depositary Bank for the purposes and on
the terms set forth in this Indenture and the other Finance Documents and (iii)
endorsed to the Depositary

                                       59
<PAGE>   68
Bank. All such Monies shall constitute a part of the Collateral and shall not
constitute payment of any Indebtedness or any other obligation of Obligor until
applied as explicitly as such. The Depositary Bank shall maintain the Depositary
Accounts and all Monies on deposit therein or credited thereto in the State of
New York.

         (c) Each of the Depositary Accounts shall at all times be in the
exclusive possession of, and under the exclusive dominion and control of, the
Depository Bank, acting at the direction of the Collateral Agent. Each of the
Obligors agree that their rights to Monies on deposit in or credited to the
Depositary Accounts are subject to and controlled by the terms of this
Indenture. In no case will any Monies deposited in or credited to any Depositary
Account be registered in the name of either Obligor, be payable to the order of
either Obligor or be specially endorsed to either Obligor, except to the extent
the foregoing have been specially endorsed to the Depositary Bank or in blank.

         (d) The Depositary Bank hereby agrees that, notwithstanding any other
provision herein or in any other Finance Document, it will comply only with
"entitlement orders" (within the meaning of Section 8-102(a)(8) of the Uniform
Commercial Code, including, without limitation, any notification to the
Depositary Bank directing transfer or redemption of any securities or other
financial assets in any Depositary Account) issued by the Collateral Agent and
relating to any Depositary Account without the requirement of further consent by
either Obligor or any other Person. The Depositary Bank hereby represents that
it has not entered into, and hereby agrees that until the termination of each of
the Finance Documents it will not enter into, any agreement with any other
Person (other than an Obligor or an Additional Guarantor) (i) relating to the
Depositary Accounts (or the Monies deposited therein or credited thereto)
pursuant to which it has agreed to comply with entitlement orders made by such
Person or (ii) that is inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture. The
Depositary Bank hereby represents that it has not entered into any other
agreement with either Obligor or the Collateral Agent purporting to limit or
condition the obligation of the Depositary Bank to comply with entitlement
orders as set forth in this Section 6.1(d). The Depositary Bank hereby
represents that it is a "securities intermediary" and each Depositary Account is
a "securities account" as such terms are defined in the Uniform Commercial Code.
The Depositary Bank hereby acknowledges that the "securities intermediary's
jurisdiction" of it with respect to the Accounts (and the Monies deposited
therein or credited thereto) is the State of New York.

                                       60
<PAGE>   69
         Section 6.2 Establishment of Accounts. The Depositary Bank hereby
establishes the following special, segregated depositary accounts (the
"Depositary Accounts") in the form of non-interest bearing accounts thereof (and
each such Depositary Account shall be a "securities account" as such term is
defined in Section 8-501(a) of the Uniform Commercial Code), which shall be
maintained at all times in accordance with Section 6.1 until the Debt
Termination Date:

         (a)  Revenue Account; and

         (b)  Debt Service Reserve Account.

         The Depositary Bank shall not change the name or account number of any
of the foregoing Depositary Accounts without the prior written consent of the
Collateral Agent and, unless an Indenture Default or an Indenture Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Issuer. Certain sub-accounts
within certain of the Depositary Accounts may be established and created from
time to time in accordance with this Indenture.

         Section 6.3 Security Interest. (a) As collateral security for the
prompt and complete payment and performance when due (whether at stated
maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of the Secured Obligations, each of the
Obligors hereby pledges, assigns, hypothecates and transfers to the Collateral
Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and grants to the Collateral Agent
a Lien on and security interest in and to, each Depositary Account and all
Financial Assets from time to time credited thereto, including all Monies at any
time on deposit in or credited to any Depositary Account, including all income
or gain earned thereon and any proceeds thereof. All amounts on deposit in the
Depositary Accounts and all Cash Equivalents held therein shall constitute
Collateral and shall not constitute payment of any Bonds or Guarantor Loans
until applied as provided in this Indenture; provided that the security interest
with respect to the Debt Service Reserve Account shall be for the exclusive
benefit of the Holders.

         (b) The Depositary Bank hereby waives any right of set-off or
recoupment, or security interest or Lien, that it may have or obtain with
respect to or in or on the Depositary Accounts or any Monies deposited therein
or credited thereto.

         Section 6.4 Termination. The rights and powers granted herein to the
Collateral Agent with respect to the Depositary Accounts have been granted in
order to perfect its security interests in the Depositary Accounts, are powers
coupled with

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<PAGE>   70
an interest and will not be affected by the bankruptcy of either Obligor or by
the lapse of time. The obligations of the Depositary Bank hereunder shall
continue in effect until the termination of the Intercreditor Agreement pursuant
to Section 6.10 thereof.

         Section 6.5 Revenue Account. (a) The following amounts shall be
deposited into the Revenue Account directly, or if received by either Obligor,
as soon as practicable upon receipt, in either case in accordance with this
Section 6.5(a):

                  (i)  all Project Revenues received by either Obligor;

                  (ii) any proceeds received from the sale of assets related to
         the Project (other than Assets Specifically Held for Resale or sales of
         the ownership interest in, or assets owned by, Unrestricted
         Subsidiaries) by the Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with the terms
         of the Finance Documents;

                  (iii) except as otherwise provided in Section 3.3, all Loss
         Proceeds, proceeds received in connection with a Title Event or
         proceeds received in connection with a PPA Buy-Out as received by
         either Obligor; and

                  (iv) any income from the investment of Monies on deposit in or
         credited to any of the Depositary Accounts pursuant to Section 6.8.

         If any of the foregoing amounts required to be deposited with the
 Depositary Bank in accordance with the terms of this Indenture are received by
 either Obligor or any Affiliate thereof, such Obligor shall or shall cause any
 such Affiliate to hold such payments in trust for the Collateral Agent and
 shall promptly remit such payments to the Depositary Bank for deposit in the
 Revenue Account in the form received (with any necessary endorsements).

         (b) The Collateral Agent and each Obligor hereby irrevocably authorize
 the Depositary Bank to make withdrawals and transfers of Monies (via wire
 transfer or otherwise in the discretion of the Depositary Bank), to the extent
 then on deposit in or credited to the Revenue Account, upon the delivery of an
 Officer's Certificate of the Issuer to the Depositary Bank setting forth the
 Monies to be withdrawn from the Revenue Account and the Monies to be
 transferred pursuant to this clause (b); provided that no Monies shall be
 withdrawn and transferred from the Revenue Account to make any Restricted
 Payments unless permitted pursuant to the terms of Section 6.7.

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<PAGE>   71
         (c) Each Obligor shall be permitted to establish one local account in
the locality of the Project (or as otherwise deemed appropriate by each Obligor
in its reasonable business judgment) or in the locality of the principal
executive office of either Obligor which may be funded with amounts transferred
from the Revenue Account; provided that the amounts on deposit therein shall in
no event exceed an amount equal to sixty (60) days of Operating and Maintenance
Expenses (as reasonably projected by the Obligors); provided further that each
Obligor shall be permitted to establish certain accounts required pursuant to
the terms of the Project Documents in effect as of the Closing Date.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each Unrestricted Subsidiary or
the Issuer on behalf of each Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be permitted to
establish one local account in the location deemed appropriate by the Issuer or
such Unrestricted Subsidiary in its reasonable business judgment; provided that
the amounts on deposit therein shall consist solely of revenues or other income
of such Unrestricted Subsidiary.

         Section 6.6 Debt Service Reserve Account. (a) On the Closing Date, the
Issuer will furnish to the Depositary Bank one or more (in any combination) of
the following in an aggregate amount equal to at least the then current Debt
Service Reserve Required Balance: (i) Acceptable Credit Support, (ii) United
States dollars in immediately available funds and (iii) Cash Equivalents. After
the Closing Date the Debt Service Reserve Account may accumulate cash deposits
from (i) net interest and other investment income earned on Monies deposited
therein or credited thereto and (ii) direct cash deposits.

         (b) On each date on which the Issuer is required to pay principal of,
 premium (if any) and interest on the Bonds, the Issuer shall at the direction
 of the Issuer first instruct the Depositary Bank to withdraw or transfer for
 such purpose (and only for such purpose) Monies then on deposit in or credited
 to the Revenue Account. To the extent that Monies then on deposit in or
 credited to the Revenue Account are insufficient to fund such withdrawal and
 transfer, the Depositary Bank shall at the direction of the Issuer either (i)
 transfer Monies on deposit in or credited to the Debt Service Reserve Account
 or (ii) draw on any Acceptable Credit Support in an amount equal to such
 insufficiency in the Revenue Account. The Depositary Bank shall apply the
 Monies received from the provider of such Acceptable Credit Support to pay
 principal of, premium (if any) and interest on the Bonds.

         (c) If any Acceptable Credit Support ceases to qualify as Acceptable
 Credit Support, the Issuer shall either (i) replace such non-qualifying support
 with Accept-

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<PAGE>   72
able Credit Support within thirty (30) days or (ii) deposit Monies in the Debt
Service Reserve Account within thirty (30) days in an amount so that the
aggregate balance in the Debt Service Reserve Account shall be at least equal to
the then applicable Debt Service Reserve Required Balance.

         (d) At any time upon or after delivery of Acceptable Credit Support,
 the Issuer may deliver to the Depositary Bank a certificate setting out the
 Issuer's calculation of the excess of (i) the aggregate amount of Monies on
 deposit in the Debt Service Reserve Account plus the aggregate amount then
 available to be drawn under all Acceptable Credit Support theretofore delivered
 to the Depositary Bank over (y) the Debt Service Reserve Required Balance. The
 Depositary Bank shall, in accordance with the instructions specified therefor
 in such request, within two (2) Business Days of the receipt of such
 certificate, transfer from the Debt Service Reserve Account to the Issuer
 Monies or reduce the amount available to be drawn on or demanded under such
 Acceptable Credit Support(s) in an amount equal to such excess.

         (e) Unless the Bond Trustee shall have been notified in writing that an
 Event of Default shall have occurred and is continuing or would result
 therefrom, if on the last Business Day of any calendar month, the credit
 balance of the Debt Service Reserve Account exceeds the Debt Service Reserve
 Required Balance, then upon the written request of the Issuer delivered to the
 Bond Trustee no less than two (2) Business Days prior to the such last Business
 Day, the Bond Trustee shall transfer from the Debt Service Reserve Account to
 the Issuer an amount equal to such excess in accordance with the instructions
 specified therefor in such request.

         (f) The amount on deposit in the Debt Service Reserve Account at any
 time shall be deemed to be equal to the aggregate amount of cash on deposit
 therein at such time,plus the aggregate fair market value of all Cash
 Equivalents on deposit therein at such time,plus the amount available to be
 drawn or demanded under all Acceptable Credit Support held by the Bond Trustee
 at such time.

         Section 6.7 Restricted Payments. Restricted Payments may be made on any
 date on which each of the Payment Conditions has been satisfied; provided, that
 if Monies are withdrawn from the Debt Service Reserve Account (or Acceptable
 Credit Support available thereto) on any scheduled Payment Date and Restricted
 Payments were made during the six (6) month period prior to such date, then,
 immediately following such scheduled Payment Date, an amount equal to the
 lesser of (a) any Restricted Payments made during the prior period or (b) the
 amount of Monies

                                       64

<PAGE>   73
withdrawn from the Debt Service Reserve Account (or Acceptable Credit Support
available thereto) on such date, shall be refunded to the Debt Service Reserve
Account by means of a cash deposit or increase in the Acceptable Credit Support
available thereto; provided; however that the amount of such refund shall not
exceed the amount required to be deposited so that the balance in the Debt
Service Reserve Account (taking into account any Acceptable Credit Support)
equals the Debt Service Reserve Required Balance.

         Section 6.8 Investment of Monies. Monies on deposit in or credited to
any Depositary Account shall be invested and reinvested in Cash Equivalents (a)
if the maturity of the Bonds has not been accelerated, at the specific written
direction (which may be in the form of a standing instruction) of an Authorized
Officer of the Issuer to the Depositary Bank and (b) if the maturity of the
Bonds has been accelerated, at the written direction of the Collateral Agent;
provided, however, that (i) if a the maturity of the Bonds has not been
accelerated and an Authorized Officer of the Issuer shall not have timely
furnished such a written direction or (ii) if a Default or an Event of Default
shall have occurred and be continuing and the Collateral Agent shall not have
timely furnished such a written direction, the Depositary Bank shall invest such
Monies only in Cash Equivalents described in clause (i) of the definition of
Cash Equivalents with a maturity of thirty (30) days or less. Such investments
shall mature in such amounts and have maturity dates, or be subject to
redemption or capable of being sold or otherwise liquidated at the option of the
holder thereof, on or prior to maturity as needed for the purposes described
herein. Upon the acceleration of the maturity of the Bonds, the Depositary Bank
shall, if instructed in writing by the Majority Holders of all Bonds of each
Series as to which the Event of Default which gave rise to such acceleration
applies, at any time and from time to time liquidate any or all of such
investments prior to the maturity thereof as needed to cure the Event of Default
which gave rise to such acceleration. In the event any such investments are
redeemed prior to the maturity thereof, the Depositary Bank or the Bond Trustee
shall not be liable for any loss or penalty relating thereto in the absence of
its or the Bond Trustee's gross negligence or willful misconduct. Any income or
gain realized from such investments shall be deposited (i) first, into the Debt
Service Reserve Account until the Monies on deposit therein or credited thereto,
together with the amount available Acceptable Credit Support, are equal to the
then current Debt Service Reserve Required Balance, and without any further
action on the part of the Issuer, (ii) second, into the Revenue Account. Any
loss shall be charged to the applicable Depositary Account. The Depositary Bank
shall not be liable for any loss, fee, tax or other charge other than by reason
of its gross negligence or willful misconduct. For purposes of any income tax
payable on

                                       65
<PAGE>   74
account of any income or gain on any investment in Cash Equivalents, such income
or gain shall be for the account of the applicable Obligor.

                  The Depositary Bank shall have no obligation to invest and
reinvest any cash or other Monies held in a Depositary Account in the absence of
timely and specific written investment direction by the Issuer or as otherwise
required by this Indenture. In no event shall the Depositary Bank be liable for
the selection of investments or for investment losses incurred thereon by reason
of investment performance, liquidation prior to stated maturity or otherwise.
The Depositary Bank shall have no liability in respect of losses incurred as a
result of the liquidation of any investment prior to its stated maturity or the
failure of any party to provide timely written investment direction except to
the extent such losses were due to the gross negligence or bad faith on the part
of the Depositary Bank.

         Section 6.9 Disposition of Monies Upon Retirement of Bonds and
Additional Bonds. (a) Upon the payment in full of the principal of, premium (if
any) and interest on any Series of Bonds or any issuance of Additional Bonds
such that such Series of Bonds or issuance of Additional Bonds is no longer
outstanding, all Monies on deposit in or credited to the Debt Service Reserve
Account shall upon the written direction of the Issuer be transferred to the
Revenue Account.

         (b) Upon termination of the Intercreditor Agreement and after payment
in full of the principal of, premium (if any), interest on and all other amounts
due in respect of all Secured Obligations and all other amounts required to be
paid hereunder and under the other Finance Documents, all Monies remaining on
deposit in or credited to any Depositary Account shall at the written direction
of the Issuer be paid by the Depositary Bank to the Issuer.

         Section 6.10 Account Balance Statements. The Depositary Bank shall, on
 a monthly basis and at such other times as the Collateral Agent or the Issuer
 may from time to time reasonably request, provide to the Collateral Agent, the
 Bond Trustee and the Issuer account balance statements in respect of each of
 the Depositary Accounts. Such balance statements shall also include deposits
 and transfers to, withdrawals from and the net investment income or gain
 received and collected for, each Depositary Account.

         Section 6.11 Trigger Events. (a) On and after any date on which the
Depositary Bank shall receive written notice from the Collateral Agent pursuant
to Section 5.2 of the Intercreditor Agreement that a Trigger Event has occurred
and

                                       66
<PAGE>   75
only until the Depositary Bank has received written notice from the Collateral
Agent that the subject Trigger Event has been cured or waived in accordance with
the Intercreditor Agreement, the Depositary Bank shall thereafter accept all
notices and instructions required to be given to the Depositary Bank pursuant to
the terms of this Indenture only from the Collateral Agent and not from any
other Person and the Depositary Bank shall not withdraw, transfer, pay or
otherwise distribute any Monies on deposit in or credited to any of the
Depositary Accounts except pursuant to such notices and instructions from the
Collateral Agent.

         (b) On any date on which the Depositary Bank has received written
notice that a Trigger Event has occurred, the Depositary Bank shall provide a
statement of all Monies on deposit in or credited to the Depositary Accounts as
of such date to the Collateral Agent, the Bond Trustee and the Issuer.

         (c) On and after any date on which the Depositary Bank has received
written notice that a Trigger Event has occurred until the Depositary Bank has
received notice from the Collateral Agent that the subject Trigger Event has
been cured or waived in accordance with the Intercreditor Agreement, the
Depositary Bank shall distribute all Monies then on deposit in or credited to
any Depositary Account in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the
Intercreditor Agreement.

                            ARTICLE 7 ACTS OF HOLDERS

         Section 7.1 Acts of Holders. (a) Any request, demand, authorization,
direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to
be given or taken by Holders (collectively, an "Act" of such Holders, which term
also shall refer to the instruments or records evidencing or embodying the
same), including any Act for which a specified percentage of the principal
amount of the Bonds is required, may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more
instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or
by an agent duly appointed in writing or, alternatively, may be embodied in and
evidenced by the record of Holders of Bonds voting in favor thereof, either in
person or by proxies duly appointed in writing, at any meeting of Holders duly
called and held in accordance with the provisions of this Article 7, or a
combination of such instruments and any such records. Except as herein otherwise
expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or
instruments or records are delivered to the Bond Trustee and, when specifically
required herein, to the Issuer. Proof of execution of

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<PAGE>   76
any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be
sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and conclusive in favor of the Bond
Trustee and the Issuer, if made in the manner provided in this Section 7.1. Any
record of any meeting of Holders shall be proved in the manner set forth in
Section 7.7.

         (b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such
 instrument or writing may be proved by the certificate of any notary public or
 other officer of any jurisdiction authorized to take acknowledgments of deeds
 or administer oaths that the Person executing such instrument acknowledged to
 him the execution thereof, or by an affidavit of a witness to such execution,
 and where such execution is by an officer of a corporation, limited liability
 company, association or partnership, on behalf of such corporation, limited
 liability company, association or partnership, such certificate or affidavit
 shall also constitute sufficient proof of such officer's authority. The fact
 and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority
 of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which
 the Bond Trustee deems sufficient.

         (c) The principal amount and serial numbers of Bonds held by any
 Person, and the date or dates of holding the same, shall be proved by the
 Securities Register and the Bond Trustee shall not be affected by notice to the
 contrary.

         (d) Any Act by the Holder of any Bond (i) shall bind every future
 Holder of the same Bond and the Holder of every Bond issued upon the transfer
 thereof or the exchange therefor or in lieu thereof, whether or not notation of
 such action is made upon such Bond and (ii) shall be valid notwithstanding that
 such Act is taken in connection with the transfer of such Bond to any other
 Person, including the Issuer or any Affiliate thereof.

         (e) Until such time as written instruments shall have been delivered
 with respect to the requisite percentage of principal amount of Bonds for the
 Act contemplated by such instruments, any such instrument executed and
 delivered by or on behalf of a Holder of Bonds may be revoked with respect to
 any or all of such Bonds by written notice by such Holder (or its duly
 appointed agent) or any subsequent Holder (or its duly appointed agent), proven
 in the manner in which such instrument was proven unless such instrument is by
 its terms expressly irrevocable. In determining whether the requisite
 percentage or a majority in principal amount of Holders of Bonds has joined in
 any Act of Holders, (i) the percentage of Holders of Bonds voting and (ii) the
 manner in which such Holders of Bonds have voted shall be as notified in
 writing to the Bond Trustee by the Issuer.

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<PAGE>   77
         (f) Bonds of any Series authenticated and delivered after any Act of
 Holders may, and shall if required by the Bond Trustee, bear a notation in form
 approved by the Bond Trustee as to any action taken by such Act of Holders. If
 the Issuer shall so determine, new Bonds so modified as to conform, in the
 opinion of the Bond Trustee and the Issuer, to such action, may be prepared and
 executed by the Issuer and authenticated and delivered by the Bond Trustee in
 exchange for Outstanding Bonds, each at no cost to the Holders of such Bonds.

         (g) The Issuer may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date
 for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to sign any instrument
 evidencing or embodying an Act of Holders If a record date is fixed, those
 Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly appointed agents),
 and only those Persons, shall be entitled to sign any such instrument
 evidencing or embodying an Act of Holders or to revoke any such instrument
 previously signed, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after
 such record date. No such instrument shall be valid or effective if signed more
 than ninety (90) days after such record date, and may be revoked as provided in
 clause (e) of this Section 7.1.

         Section 7.2 Purposes for Which Holders' Meeting May Be Called. A
 meeting of Holders may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to
 this Article 7 for any of the following purposes:

         (a) to give any notice to the Issuer or to the Bond Trustee, or to give
any directions to the Bond Trustee, or to waive or to consent to the waiving of
any default hereunder and its consequences, or to take any other action
authorized to be taken by Holders pursuant to Article 5;

         (b)  to remove the Bond Trustee and appoint a successor Bond Trustee
pursuant to Article 10;

         (c)  to consent to the execution of an indenture or indentures
supplemental hereto pursuant to Article 8;

         (d)  to instruct the Bond Trustee as to the vote to be cast by the
Bond Trustee in any intercreditor vote pursuant to the Intercreditor Agreement;
or

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<PAGE>   78
         (e) to take any other action authorized to be taken by or on behalf of
the Holders of any specified aggregate principal amount of the Bonds under any
other provision of this Indenture or under Applicable Law.

         Section 7.3 The Issuer and Holders May Call Meeting. In case the Issuer
or the Holders of at least ten percent (10%) in aggregate principal amount of
the Outstanding Bonds shall have requested the Bond Trustee to call a meeting of
Holders of Bonds, by written request setting forth in general terms the action
proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Bond Trustee shall not have mailed
notice of such meeting within twenty (20) days after receipt of such request or
shall not thereafter proceed to cause the meeting to be held as provided herein,
then the Issuer or the Holders of Bonds in the amount specified above may
determine the time and place in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York,
for such meeting and may call such meeting to take any action authorized in
Section 7.2 by giving notice thereof as provided in Section 12.5(b).

         Section 7.4 Persons Entitled to Vote at Meeting. To be entitled to vote
at any meeting of Holders, a Person shall be (a) a Holder of one or more Bonds
with respect to which such meeting is being held or (b) a Person appointed by an
instrument in writing as proxy for the Holder or Holders of such Bonds by a
Holder of one or more such Outstanding Bonds. The only Persons who shall be
entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders shall be the
Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel and any
representatives of the Bond Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of
the Issuer and its counsel.

         Section 7.5 Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of
Meeting. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the Bond
Trustee may make such reasonable regulations for any meeting of Holders, in
regard to proof of the holding of Bonds and of the appointment of proxies, and
in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission
and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to
vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall
deem appropriate. Such regulations may provide that written instruments
appointing proxies, regular on their face, may be presumed valid and genuine
without the proof specified in Section 7.1 or other proof. Except as otherwise
permitted or required by any such regulations, the holding of Bonds shall be
proved in the manner specified in Section 7.1 and the appointment of any proxy
shall be proved in the manner specified in said Section 7.1 or by having the
signature of the Person executing the proxy witnessed or guaranteed by any bank,
banker, trust company or firm satisfactory to the Bond Trustee.

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<PAGE>   79
         (b) The Issuer or the Holders calling the meeting, as the case may be,
shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a
permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Bonds represented at the meeting and
entitled to vote.

         (c) Subject to the provisions of Section 7.7, at any meeting each
Holder of a Bond or a proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000
principal amount of Bonds held or represented by it; provided, however, that no
vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Bond challenged
as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not
Outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote other than
by virtue of Bonds held by him or instruments in writing as aforesaid duly
designating him as the Person to vote on behalf of other Holders of Bonds. Any
meeting of Holders duly called pursuant to Section 7.4 may be adjourned from
time to time, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further
notice. At any meeting, the presence of Persons holding or representing Bonds
with respect to which such meeting is being held in an aggregate principal
amount sufficient to take action upon the business for the transaction of which
such meeting was called shall be necessary to constitute a quorum; provided,
however, that if less than a quorum shall be present at any meeting, the Persons
holding or representing a majority of the Bonds represented at the meeting may
adjourn such meeting with the same effect, for all intents and purposes, as
though a quorum had been present.

         Section 7.6 Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meeting. The vote
 upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of Bonds of any Series
 shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the
 Holders of Bonds of such Series or of their representatives by proxy and the
 serial numbers and principal amounts of the Bonds held or represented by them.
 The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two (2) inspectors of votes
 who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and
 who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified
 written reports in duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record in
 duplicate of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders shall be prepared by
 the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the
 original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken at such
 meeting and affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the facts
 setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice
 was given as provided in Section 7.3. The record shall show the serial numbers
 of the Bonds voting in favor of or against any resolution. The record shall

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<PAGE>   80
be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary
of the meeting and one of the duplicates shall be delivered to the Issuer and
the other to the Bond Trustee to be preserved by the Bond Trustee, the latter to
have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting. Any record so signed and
verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.

         Section 7.7 Bonds Owned by Certain Persons Deemed Not Outstanding. In
determining whether the Holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of
Bonds have concurred in any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice,
consent, waiver or other act under this Indenture, Bonds which are owned by the
Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantor, NRG, any Member or, in each case, any of their
respective Affiliates shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding for
the purpose of any such determination except that for the purposes of
determining whether the Bond Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such
direction, consent or waiver, only Bonds for which the Bond Trustee has received
written notice of such ownership as conclusively evidenced by the Securities
Register shall be so disregarded. The Issuer shall furnish the Bond Trustee,
upon its reasonable request, with an Officer's Certificate listing the
above-described Persons. Bonds so owned which have been pledged in good faith
may be regarded as Outstanding for the purposes of this Section 7.7 if the
pledgee shall establish to the satisfaction of the Bond Trustee that the pledgee
has the right to vote such Bonds and that the pledgee is not an Affiliate of the
Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantor, NRG or any Member. Subject to the provisions
of Section 3.15 of the Trust Indenture Act, in case of a dispute as to such
right, any decision by the Bond Trustee, taken upon the advice of counsel, shall
be full protection to the Bond Trustee.

                                    ARTICLE 8
                             SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

         Section 8.1 Amendments and Supplements to Indenture Without Consent of
Holders. Subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, this Indenture may be amended
or supplemented (together with necessary conforming amendments to any other
Finance Document the terms of which affect the rights of the Holders hereunder
or thereunder) by the Issuer and the Bond Trustee at any time and from time to
time without the consent of the Holders by a Supplemental Indenture authorized
by a resolution of the Management Committee of the Issuer filed with, and in
form satisfactory to, the Bond Trustee, solely for one or more of the following
purposes:

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<PAGE>   81
         (a)  to establish the form and terms of Bonds of any Series permitted
by Article 2; or

         (b)  to evidence the succession of another entity to the Issuer and the
assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Issuer herein
contained; or

         (c)  to evidence the succession of a new Bond Trustee hereunder
pursuant to Section 10.9; or

         (d) to add to the covenants of the Issuer such further covenants,
restrictions, conditions or provisions as the Management Committee shall
consider to be for the protection of the Holders of Bonds, and to make the
occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance of a default in any such
additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an Event of Default
permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in
this Indenture as herein set forth; provided that in respect of any such
additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision such Supplemental
Indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after such default (which
period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults)
or may provide for immediate enforcement upon such an Event of Default or may
limit the remedies available to the Bond Trustee due solely to such an Event of
Default or may limit the right of the Majority Holders to waive such an Event of
Default; or

         (e) to convey, transfer and assign to the Bond Trustee properties or
assets to secure the Bonds, and to correct or amplify the description of any
property at any time subject to this Indenture or the Security Documents or to
assure, convey and confirm unto the Bond Trustee any property subject or
required to be subject to this Indenture or the Security Documents; or

         (f) to modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of this Indenture to
 such extent as shall be necessary to qualify, requalify or continue the
 qualification of this Indenture (including any supplemental indenture) under
 the Trust Indenture Act, or under any similar United States federal statute
 hereafter enacted, and to add to this Indenture such other provisions as may be
 expressly permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, excluding, however, the
 provisions referred to in Section 316(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act as in
 effect at the date as of which this instrument was executed or any
 corresponding provision in any similar United States federal statute hereafter
 enacted; or

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<PAGE>   82
         (g)  to permit or facilitate the issuance of Bonds in uncertificated
form; or

         (h) to change or eliminate any provision of this Indenture or the
Security Documents; provided, however, that if such change or elimination shall
adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Bonds of any Series, such
change or elimination shall not become effective with respect to such Series; or

         (i) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision in
the Indenture or the Security Documents that may be defective or inconsistent
with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to
matters or questions arising under this Indenture or the Security Documents,
provided such action shall not adversely affect the interest of the Holders of
any Series in any material respect; or

         (j) to provide for the issuance of Exchange Bonds, as contemplated by
the Registration Rights Agreement, and to make such other changes to the
Indenture or the Security Documents as the Management Committee of the Issuer
determines are necessary or appropriate in connection therewith, provided such
action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Bonds of any
Series in any material respect; or

         (k) prior to the closing date of the Acquisition, to amend, modify or
supplement the schedules attached hereto; provided that the Issuer provides an
Officer's Certificate certifying that such amendment, modification or supplement
would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

         Section 8.2 Amendments and Supplements to Indenture With Consent of
Holders. Subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, this Indenture may be amended
or supplemented (together with necessary conforming amendments to any other
Finance Document the terms of which affect the rights of the Holders hereunder
or thereunder) by the Issuer when authorized by a Resolution (a copy of which
shall be delivered to the Bond Trustee) and the Bond Trustee at any time and
from time to time, with the consent of the Majority Holders, for the purpose of
adding any mutually agreeable provisions to or changing in any manner or
eliminating any of the provisions of, this Indenture, except with respect to:

         (a) change any scheduled Payment Date, or the dates or circumstances of
 payment of premium, if any, on any Bond, or change the principal amount thereof
 or the interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or
 change

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the place of payment where, or the coin or currency in which, any Bond or the
premium, if any, or the interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to
institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment of principal or interest
on or after the scheduled Payment Date for such payment (or, in the case of
redemption, on or after the Redemption Date) or such payment of premium, if any,
on or after the date such premium becomes due and payable in respect of such
Bonds; or

         (b) except to the extent expressly permitted by this Indenture, the
Guarantor Loan Agreement or any of the Security Documents, permit the creation
of any Lien prior to or pari passu with the Lien of the Security Documents with
respect to any of the Collateral, terminate the Lien of the Security Documents
on any Collateral or deprive any Holder of the security afforded by the Lien of
the Security Documents; or

         (c) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Bonds,
the consent of whose Holders is required for any such Supplemental Indenture, or
the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver of compliance with
certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their
consequences provided for in this Indenture; or

         (d)  modify any of the provisions of Section 5.6 or of this Section
8.2.

         Subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, the matters of this Indenture
described in clauses (a) through (d) of the preceding sentence may be amended or
supplemented by the Issuer and the Bond Trustee at any time and from time to
time only with the consent of the One Hundred Percent Holders. Notice of any
such amendment shall be given by the Issuer to any Rating Agency then
maintaining a Rating for the Bonds.

         A Supplemental Indenture that changes or eliminates any covenant or
 other provision of this Indenture or any Security Document which has expressly
 been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular Series of Bonds,
 or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Bonds of such Series with
 respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the
 rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Bonds of any other Series.

         Section 8.3  Amendment of Guarantor Loan Agreement or Guarantor Notes.
The Issuer and the Bond Trustee may without the consent of or notice to the
Holders consent to any amendment or modification of the Guarantor Loan Agreement
or

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<PAGE>   84
Guarantor Note to take any action corresponding to those actions set forth in
Section 8.1 with respect to the Subsidiary Guarantor or the Guarantor Loan
Agreement. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 8.3, neither the Issuer
nor the Bond Trustee shall consent to any other amendment or modification of the
Guarantor Loan Agreement or Guarantor Note or grant any waiver or consent
thereunder without the written approval or consent of the Majority Holders. Any
amendment or change to the Guarantor Loan Agreement or Guarantor Note which
changes any provision of the Guarantor Loan Agreement or Guarantor Note
(together with necessary conforming amendments to any other Finance Documents
the terms of which affect the rights of the Secured Parties thereunder)
corresponding to the provisions described in Section 8.2 shall only be made with
the consent of the One Hundred Percent Holders.

         Section 8.4 Bond Trustee Authorized to Join in Amendments and
Supplements; Reliance on Counsel. The Bond Trustee is authorized to join with
the Issuer in the execution and delivery of any Supplemental Indenture or
amendment permitted by this Article 8 and in so doing shall be entitled to
receive and shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon an Opinion of
Counsel stating that such Supplemental Indenture or amendment is so permitted
and has been duly authorized by the Issuer and that all things necessary to make
it a valid and binding agreement have been done. The Bond Trustee may, but shall
not be obligated to execute and deliver any such supplement, modification or
amendment which modifies its rights, powers, duties, immunities or indemnities
hereunder as determined by the Bond Trustee in its sole discretion.

         Section 8.5 Effect of Supplemental Indentures. Upon the execution of
 any Supplemental Indenture under this Article 8, this Indenture shall be
 modified in accordance therewith, and such Supplemental Indenture shall form a
 part of this Indenture for all purposes, and every Holder of Bonds therefor or
 thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.

         Section 8.6 Conformity with Trust Indenture Act. Every Supplemental
 Indenture executed pursuant to Article 8 shall conform to the requirements of
 the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

         Section 8.7 Reference in Bonds to Supplemental Indentures. Bonds
authenticated and delivered after the execution of any Supplemental Indenture
pursuant to this Article 8 may, and shall if required by the Issuer, bear a
notation in form approved by the Issuer and the Bond Trustee as to any matter
provided for in

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<PAGE>   85
such Supplemental Indenture and, in such case, suitable notation may be made
upon Outstanding Bonds after proper presentation and demand. If the Issuer shall
so determine, new Bonds so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Issuer,
to any such Supplemental Indenture may be prepared and executed by the Issuer
and authenticated and delivered by the Bond Trustee in exchange for Outstanding
Bonds.

                                    ARTICLE 9
                     SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE

         Section 9.1 Satisfaction and Discharge of Bonds and Indenture. (a)
 Except as otherwise provided with respect to the Bonds of any Series in the
 Supplemental Indenture relating thereto, the Bonds of such Series shall, on or
 prior to the scheduled Payment Date with respect to the final installment of
 principal thereof, be deemed to have been paid for all purposes of this
 Indenture, and the entire Indebtedness of the Issuer in respect thereof shall
 be deemed to have been satisfied and discharged, upon satisfaction of the
 following conditions:

                  (i) the Issuer shall have irrevocably deposited or caused to
         be deposited with the Bond Trustee, in trust, money in an amount which
         shall be sufficient to pay when due the principal of and premium, if
         any, and interest due and to become due on the Bonds of such Series on
         and prior to the scheduled Payment Date with respect to the final
         installment of principal thereof or upon redemption;

                  (ii) if any such deposit of money shall have been made prior
         to the scheduled Payment Date with respect to the final installment of
         principal or the Redemption Date of such Bonds, the Issuer shall have
         delivered to the Bond Trustee a an Officer's Certificate stating that
         such money shall be held by the Bond Trustee, in trust;

                  (iii) in the case of redemption of Bonds, the Officer's
         Certificate with respect to such redemption pursuant to Article 3 shall
         have been given to the Bond Trustee; and

                  (iv) there shall have been delivered to the Bond Trustee an
         Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such satisfaction and discharge
         of the Indebtedness of the Issuer with respect to the Bonds of such
         Series shall not be deemed to be, or result in, a taxable event with
         respect to the Holders of such

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<PAGE>   86
         Series for purposes of United States federal income taxation unless the
         Bond Trustee shall have received documentary evidence that each Holder
         of such Series either is not subject to, or is exempt from, United
         States federal income taxation.

         Upon satisfaction of the aforesaid conditions with respect to the Bonds
of any Series, the Bond Trustee shall, upon receipt of a Officer's Certificate
of the Issuer, execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and
discharge of the Series of Bonds.

         In the event that Bonds which shall be deemed to have been paid as
provided in this Section 9.1(a) do not mature and are not to be redeemed within
the sixty (60) day period commencing on the date of the deposit with the Bond
Trustee of moneys, the Issuer shall, as promptly as practicable, give a notice,
in the same manner as a notice of redemption with respect to such Bonds, to the
Holders of such Bonds to the effect that such Bonds are deemed to have been paid
and the circumstances thereof.

         (b) Except as set forth in Section 9.3, this Indenture shall cease to
 be of further effect and the Bond Trustee, on written demand and at the expense
 of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and
 discharge of this Indenture, when:

                  (i)  either:

                  (A) all Bonds theretofore authenticated and delivered (other
         than Bonds which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have
         been replaced or paid as set forth in Section 2.10 and Bonds deemed to
         have been paid in accordance with clause (a) of this Section 9.1) have
         been delivered to the Bond Trustee for cancellation; or

                  (B) all Bonds not theretofore delivered to the Bond Trustee
         for cancellation shall be deemed to have been paid in accordance with
         clause (a) of this Section 9.1;

                  (ii) the Issuer shall have paid or caused to be paid all other
         sums then due and payable by it hereunder; and

                  (iii) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Bond Trustee an
         Officer's Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all
         conditions

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<PAGE>   87
         precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and
         discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.

         Section 9.2 Defeasance. (a) Subject to clause (d) of this Section 9.2,
Section 9.3 and Section 9.7, the Issuer may at any time terminate:

                  (i) all of its obligations under the Bonds and this Indenture
         (the "Legal Defeasance Option"); or

                  (ii) its obligations under any provision of Article 4 (except
         with respect to Section 4.2) and the operation of clauses (d) (except
         with respect to Section 4.2), (c), (d), (e) and (i) of Section 5.1 (the
         "Covenant Defeasance Option");

provided that the Issuer may exercise the Legal Defeasance Option
notwithstanding the prior exercise of the Covenant Defeasance Option.

         (b) If the Issuer elects to exercise the Legal Defeasance Option and
all applicable conditions set forth in clause (d) of this Section 9.2 are
satisfied, payment of the Bonds may not be accelerated because of any Indenture
Event of Default. If the Issuer elects to exercise the Covenant Defeasance
Option and all applicable conditions set forth in clause (d) of this Section 9.2
are satisfied, payment of the Bonds may not be accelerated because of an Event
of Default specified in clause (d) (except with respect to Section 4.2), (c),
(d), (e), (i) of Section 5.1).

         (c) If the Issuer elects to exercise the Legal Defeasance Option or the
Covenant Defeasance Option and all applicable conditions set forth in clause (d)
of this Section 9.2 are satisfied, the Bond Trustee shall, upon written request
of the Issuer, (i) acknowledge in writing the discharge of such obligations that
the Issuer terminates pursuant to this Section 9.2 and (y) execute proper
instruments acknowledging the discharge of such obligations.

         (d) the Issuer may exercise its Legal Defeasance Option or its Covenant
 Defeasance Option only if the following conditions are satisfied:

                  (i) the Issuer irrevocably deposits (such deposit, the
         "Defeasance Deposit") in trust with the Bond Trustee Monies or US
         Government Obligations for the payment of principal of, premium (if
         any) and interest on the

                                       79
<PAGE>   88
         Bonds to the Final Maturity Date thereof or the Redemption Date
         therefor, as the case may be;

                  (ii) the Issuer delivers to the Bond Trustee a certificate
         from a nationally recognized firm of independent accountants expressing
         their opinion that Defeasance Deposit will provide cash at such times
         and in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay principal, premium (if
         any) and interest when due on all the Bonds to the Final Maturity Date
         thereof or the Redemption Date therefor, as the case may be;

                  (iii) the Issuer delivers to the Bond Trustee an Opinion of
         Counsel to the effect that, or that a court should hold that, such
         deposit would not constitute a preference that could be avoided under
         Section 547 of the Federal Bankruptcy Code should the Issuer become the
         debtor in a case under the Federal Bankruptcy Code;

                  (iv) no Indenture Default or Indenture Event of Default (other
         than an Indenture Default or Indenture Event of Default resulting from
         the incurrence of Indebtedness all or a portion of the proceeds of
         which will be used to defease the Bonds) shall have occurred and be
         continuing on the date of and after giving effect to the Defeasance
         Deposit;

                  (v) the Defeasance Deposit does not constitute a default under
         any other agreement binding on the Issuer;

                  (vi) the Issuer delivers to the Bond Trustee an Opinion of
         Counsel to the effect that, or a court should hold that, the trust
         resulting from the Defeasance Deposit does not constitute, or is
         qualified as, a regulated investment company under the Investment
         Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time;

                  (vii) in the case of the Legal Defeasance Option, the Issuer
         shall have delivered to the Bond Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the
         effect that, or that a court should hold that, the Holders will not
         recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax
         purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to United
         States federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and
         at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had
         not occurred, which Opinion of Counsel shall be based upon an Internal
         Revenue Service ruling or a change in the applicable United

                                       80
<PAGE>   89
         States federal income tax law or United States Treasury regulations
         since the Closing Date;

                  (viii) in the case of the Covenant Defeasance Option, the
         Issuer shall have delivered to the Bond Trustee an Opinion of Counsel
         to the effect that the Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss
         for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of such
         defeasance and will be subject to United States federal income tax
         purposes on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times
         as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred;

                  (ix) the Issuer delivers to the Bond Trustee an Officer's
         Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions
         precedent to the defeasance and discharge of the Bonds as contemplated
         in this Section 9.2 have been complied with; and

                  (x) the Issuer delivers to the Bond Trustee an Opinion of
         Counsel to the effect that the Holders shall have a perfected security
         interest under Applicable Law in the Defeasance Deposit.

         Section 9.3 Survival of Obligations. Notwithstanding the satisfaction
and discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Section 9.1 or any defeasance
pursuant to Section 9.2, the obligations of the Issuer and the Bond Trustee
under this Article 9 and under Section 2.5, Section 2.7, Section 2.10, Section
2.14 and Section 10.7 shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.

         Section 9.4 Application of Trust Money. Subject to Section 9.7, the
money deposited with the Bond Trustee pursuant to this Article 9 shall not be
withdrawn or used for any purpose other than, and shall be held in trust for,
the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Bonds
or portions of principal amount thereof in respect of which such deposit was
made.

         Section 9.5 Unclaimed Monies. Monies deposited with the Bond Trustee
pursuant to this Article 9 which remain unclaimed two (2) years following the
date payment thereof becomes due shall, at the request of the Issuer, if at such
time, to the knowledge of the Bond Trustee, no Indenture Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing, be paid to the Issuer, and the Holders of the
Bonds for which such deposit was made shall thereafter be limited to a claim
against the Issuer; provided, however, that the Bond Trustee, prior to making
payment to the Issuer pursuant to

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this Section 9.5, may, at the expense of the Issuer, cause a notice to be
published once in a newspaper or financial journal of general circulation in the
Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, stating that the monies remaining
unclaimed will be returned to the Issuer after a specified date.

         Section 9.6 Indemnity for US Government Obligations. The Issuer shall
pay and shall fully indemnify the Bond Trustee against any tax, fee or other
charge imposed or assessed against US Government Obligations deposited pursuant
to this Article 9 or the principal and interest received with respect to such US
Government Obligations, other than any such tax, fee or other charge that by law
is for the account of the Holders of the Outstanding Bonds.

         Section 9.7 Reinstatement. If the Bond Trustee or the Paying Agent is
unable to apply any monies or US Government Obligations in accordance with this
Article 9 by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental
authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the
Issuer's obligations under this Indenture and the Bonds shall be revived and
reinstated as though no deposit of monies or US Government Obligations shall
have occurred pursuant to this Article 9 until such time as the Bond Trustee or
the Paying Agent is permitted to apply such monies or US Government Obligations
in accordance with this Article 9; provided, however, that, if the Issuer has
made any payment of principal of, premium or interest on any Bonds following the
reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer shall be subrogated to the rights
of the Holders of such Bonds to receive such payment from the monies or US
Government Obligations held by the Bond Trustee or the Paying Agent.

                                   ARTICLE 10
                                THE BOND TRUSTEE

         Section 10.1 Certain Duties and Responsibilities of Bond Trustee. (a)
Except during the continuance of an Indenture Event of Default:

                  (i) the Bond Trustee shall undertake to perform such duties
         and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture,
         and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this
         Indenture against the Bond Trustee; and

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                  (ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Bond Trustee
         may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the
         correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or
         opinions furnished to the Bond Trustee and conforming to the
         requirements of this Indenture; provided, however, that, in the case of
         any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are
         specifically required to be furnished to the Bond Trustee, the Bond
         Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether
         they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.

         (b) Subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, in case an Indenture Event
of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Bond Trustee shall exercise such
of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree
of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use
under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

         (c) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the
 Bond Trustee from liability for its own its own grossly negligent acts or
 omissions, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

                  (i) this clause (c) shall not be construed to limit the effect
         of clause (a) of this Section 10.1;

                  (ii) the Bond Trustee shall not be liable for any error of
         judgment made in good faith by one or more Responsible Officers of the
         Bond Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Bond Trustee was
         negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts or the action or failure
         to act by such Responsible Officer was unreasonable;

                  (iii) the Bond Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any
         action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance
         with the Intercreditor Agreement or the direction of the Majority
         Holders relating to the time, method and place of conducting any
         proceeding for any remedy available to the Bond Trustee, or exercising
         any trust or power conferred upon the Bond Trustee, under this
         Indenture; and

                  (iv) no provision of this Indenture shall require the Bond
         Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any
         financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder,
         or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have
         reasonable grounds for believing that repay-

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         ment of such funds or indemnity satisfactory to it against such risk or
         liability is not assured to it.

         (d) Whether or not herein or therein expressly so provided, every
provision of this Indenture and the other Finance Documents to which it is a
party relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording
protection to the Bond Trustee (and its officers, directors, employees, agents,
successors and assigns) shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 10.1
and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Intercreditor Agreement.

         (e) The Bond Trustee shall not be responsible for insuring any Project
or for collecting any insurance monies and shall have no responsibility for the
financial, physical or other condition of the Project.

         (f) Promptly upon request, the Bond Trustee shall comply with all
reasonable written requests for information from any Holder or from the Initial
Purchaser.

         Section 10.2 Certain Rights of Bond Trustee. (a) The Bond Trustee may
conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from
acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report,
notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, notice, other
evidence of Indebtedness or other paper or document (whether in its original or
facsimile form) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or
presented by the proper party or parties.

         (b) Any request or direction of the Issuer shall be sufficiently
evidenced by a written instrument signed by an Authorized Officer of the Issuer
and any resolution of the Management Committee of the Issuer shall be
sufficiently evidenced by a copy thereof certified by a secretary or assistant
secretary of the Issuer.

         (c) Whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Bond Trustee
shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking,
suffering or omitting to take any action hereunder, the Bond Trustee (unless
other evidence is herein specifically prescribed to be relied upon) may, in the
absence of bad faith on its part, request and rely upon an Officer's
Certificate.

         (d) The Bond Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the
advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete
authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted
by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

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         (e) The Bond Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of
the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction
of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have
offered to the Bond Trustee security or indemnity (acceptable to the Bond
Trustee) against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by
it in compliance with such request or direction.

         (f) The Bond Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into
the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement,
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond,
debenture, notice, other evidence of Indebtedness or other paper or document,
but the Bond Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or
investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit.

         (g) The Bond Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder
or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by agents, attorneys,
custodians or nominees and the Bond Trustee shall not be responsible for any
misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent, attorney custodian or nominee
appointed in good faith by it hereunder.

         (h) The Bond Trustee shall be under no obligation to take any action
pursuant to any request or direction, if it shall receive conflicting requests
or directions from any party so authorized; provided that the Bond Trustee
informs such parties as to the existence of such conflicting requests or
directions.

         (i) The Bond Trustee shall be under no obligation to take any action
which is discretionary with the Bond Trustee under this Indenture or any other
Finance Document.

         (j) The Bond Trustee shall have no responsibility with respect to the
recording, re-recording, filing or re-filing under the laws of any jurisdiction
of this Indenture or any other Security Document, or any document or statement
that may be recorded, re-recorded, filed or re-filed under any such laws to
perfect or protect the security interests created by or pursuant to this
Indenture, any other Security Document or any other document or to the payment
of fees, charges, or Taxes in connection therewith or to give any notice
thereof.

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         Section 10.3 Notice of Defaults. (a) If payment on any Bond is not made
when it becomes due and payable, the Bond Trustee shall promptly notify the
Issuer that it has failed to make such payment. Subject to the Intercreditor
Agreement, within thirty (30) days after the occurrence of any Indenture Event
of Default of which a Responsible Officer of the Bond Trustee has actual
knowledge, the Bond Trustee shall give to all Holders, in the manner provided
for in Section 12.5(b), notice of such Indenture Event of Default, unless such
Indenture Event of Default shall have been cured or waived.

         (b) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Bond Trustee
shall not be bound to ascertain or inquire as to the performance or observance
of any of the terms, conditions, covenants or agreements herein, or of any other
documents executed in connection with the Bonds, or as to the existence of an
event of default thereunder, and shall not be deemed to have notice of an
Indenture Event of Default unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Bond
Trustee shall have (i) been notified in writing in accordance with the terms
hereof or (ii) shall have received notice thereof from the Collateral Agent
pursuant to Section 2.2 of the Intercreditor Agreement. The receipt by the Bond
Trustee of notice pursuant to either clause (i) or clause (ii) shall constitute
for purposes of this Indenture "actual knowledge" on behalf of the Bond Trustee.

         (c) The Bond Trustee shall give to all Holders any notices received by
it pursuant to the Intercreditor Agreement (other than those specifically for
the Bond Trustee only).

         Section 10.4 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Bonds. The
recitals, representations, warranties, and other statements contained herein, in
the other Finance Documents, and in the Bonds, except the Bond Trustee's
certificate of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Issuer,
and the Bond Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness. The Bond
Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this
Indenture or any of the other Finance Documents or of the Bonds. The Bond
Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Issuer of the
Bonds or the proceeds of the issuance and sale thereof.

         Section 10.5 May Hold Bonds. The Bond Trustee or any other agent of the
Issuer, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee
of Bonds and may deal with the Issuer with the same rights it would have if it
were not Bond Trustee or such other agent.

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         Section 10.6 Monies Held in Trust. Money held by the Bond Trustee in
trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent
required by Applicable Law. The Bond Trustee shall be under no liability for
interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed with
the Issuer.

         Section 10.7 Compensation; Reimbursement; Indemnification. (a) The
Issuer hereby agrees:

                  (i) to pay to the Bond Trustee, as agreed upon from time to
         time in writing, reasonable compensation for all services rendered by
         it hereunder or in connection with the Finance Documents (which
         compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to
         the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

                  (ii) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to
         reimburse the Bond Trustee upon its request for all reasonable
         expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Bond
         Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture or in
         connection with the Finance Documents (including the reasonable
         compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and
         counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be
         attributable to its gross negligence or bad faith; and

                  (iii) to indemnify each of the Bond Trustee and its officers,
         directors, employees, representatives and agents and any predecessor
         Bond Trustee for, defend and hold it and them harmless against, any and
         all loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense (including Taxes other
         than Taxes based on the income of the Bond Trustee) incurred without
         gross negligence or bad faith on its or their part, arising out of or
         in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or
         trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending itself
         or themselves against any claim or liability in connection with the
         exercise or performance of any of its or their powers or duties
         hereunder.

         (b) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given
to the Bond Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified,
are extended to and shall be enforceable by, the Bond Trustee in each of its
capacities hereunder (including as Paying Agent and Registrar) and to each
agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder. All
indemnifications and releases from liability

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granted hereunder to the Bond Trustee shall extend to its officers, directors,
employees, agents, successors and assigns.

         (c) The obligations of the Issuer under this Section 10.7 shall survive
payment in full of the Bonds, the resignation or removal of the Bond Trustee and
the termination of this Indenture.

         (d) When the Bond Trustee or any predecessor Bond Trustee incurs
expenses or renders services in connection with the performance of its
obligations hereunder (including its services as an Authorized Agent) after an
Indenture Event of Default occurs, the expenses and compensation for such
services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar United States Federal or state law to
the extent provided in Section 503(b)(5) of the Federal Bankruptcy Code.

         Section 10.8 Eligibility. There shall at all times be a Bond Trustee
hereunder which shall (a) be a corporation which complies to the eligibility
requirements of the Trust Indenture Act and (b) have a combined capital and
surplus of at least $100,000,000. If such corporation or other entity publishes
reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to Applicable Law or to the
requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for purposes of
this Section 10.8, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation or other
entity shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in
its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Bond
Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this
Section 10.8, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect
hereinafter specified in this Article 10. None of the Issuer, any other obligor
upon the Bonds or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing shall serve as Bond
Trustee hereunder.

         Section 10.9 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor. (a) No
resignation or removal of the Bond Trustee and no appointment of a successor
Bond Trustee pursuant to this Article 10 shall become effective until the
acceptance of appointment by the successor Bond Trustee in accordance with the
applicable requirements of Section 10.10.

         (b) The Bond Trustee may resign at any time by giving written notice
thereof to the Issuer. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Bond
Trustee required by Section 10.10 shall not have been delivered to the Bond
Trustee within thirty (30) days after the giving of such notice of resignation,
the resigning Bond Trustee may

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petition, at the expense of the Issuer, any court of competent jurisdiction for
the appointment of a successor Bond Trustee.

         (c) The Bond Trustee may be removed at any time by Act of the Majority
Holders, delivered to the Bond Trustee and the Issuer. If the instrument of
acceptance by a successor Bond Trustee required by Section 10.10 shall not have
been delivered to the Bond Trustee within thirty (30) days after such removal,
the removed Bond Trustee may petition, at the expense of the Issuer, any court
of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Bond Trustee.

         (d) If at any time any of the following shall occur:

                  (i) the Bond Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions
         of the Trust Indenture Act Section 310(b) after written request
         therefor by the Issuer or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder
         for at least six (6) months, except when the Bond Trustee's duty to
         resign is stayed in accordance with the provisions of Trust Indenture
         Act Section 310(b);

                  (ii) the Bond Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section
         10.8 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the
         Issuer or by any Holder of a Bond; or

                  (iii) the Bond Trustee shall be adjudged a bankrupt or
         insolvent or a receiver of the Bond Trustee or of its property shall be
         appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the
         Bond Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of
         rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation;

then, in any such case, (A) the Issuer by a resolution of its Management
Committee may remove the Bond Trustee, or (B) subject to the requirements of
Section 315(e) of the Trust Indenture Act, any Holder who has been a bona fide
Holder of a Bond for at least six (6) months may, on behalf of himself and all
others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the
removal of the Bond Trustee and the appointment of a successor Bond Trustee.

         (e) If the Bond Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of
action, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Bond Trustee for any
reason, the Issuer, by a resolution of its Management Committee, shall promptly
appoint a successor Bond Trustee and shall comply with the applicable
requirements of

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Section 10.10. If, within thirty (30) days after such resignation, removal or
incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, the Issuer has not appointed a
successor Bond Trustee, then a successor Bond Trustee may be appointed by Act of
the Majority Holders delivered to the Issuer and the retiring Bond Trustee, the
successor Bond Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such
appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 10.10,
become the successor Bond Trustee with respect to the Bonds and to that extent
supersede the successor Bond Trustee appointed by the Issuer. If no successor
Bond Trustee shall have been so appointed by the Issuer or the Holders and have
accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 10.10, subject to the
requirements of Section 315(e) of the Trust Indenture Act, any Holder who has
been a bona fide Holder of a Bond for at least six (6) months may, on behalf of
itself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Bond Trustee.

         (f) The Issuer shall, at its own expense, give notice of each
resignation and each removal of the Bond Trustee and each appointment of a
successor Bond Trustee to all Holders in the manner provided in Section 12.5(b)
and shall give such notice to each of the Rating Agencies. Each notice required
to be given pursuant to this Section 10.9(f) shall include the name of the
successor Bond Trustee and the address of its principal corporate trust office.

         Section 10.10 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor Bond Trustee. (a)
In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Bond Trustee, every such
successor Bond Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to
the Issuer and to the retiring Bond Trustee an instrument accepting such
appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Bond
Trustee shall become effective and such successor Bond Trustee, without any
further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights,
powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Bond Trustee; provided that, on the
request of the Issuer or the successor Bond Trustee, such retiring Bond Trustee
shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument
transferring to such successor Bond Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of
the retiring Bond Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such
successor Bond Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Bond Trustee
hereunder.

         (b) Upon request of the Collateral Agent or the Issuer, any successor
Bond Trustee shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly
vesting in

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and confirming to such successor Bond Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts
under the other Finance Documents to which the Bond Trustee is a party.

         (c) Upon request of any successor Bond Trustee, the Issuer shall
execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and
confirming to such successor Bond Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts
referred to in clause (a) of this Section 10.10.

         (d) No successor Bond Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at
the time of such acceptance such successor Bond Trustee shall be qualified and
eligible under this Article 10.

         Section 10.11 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to
Business. Any corporation or other entity into which the Bond Trustee may be
merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation or
other entity resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the
Bond Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation or other entity succeeding to
all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the Bond Trustee, shall
be the successor of the Bond Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation or
other entity shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article 10,
without the execution and filing of any instrument or any further act on the
part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Bonds shall have been
authenticated, but not delivered, by the Bond Trustee then in office, any
successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Bond
Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Bonds so authenticated
with the same effect as if such successor Bond Trustee had itself authenticated
such Bonds.

         Section 10.12 Authorization. The Bond Trustee is hereby authorized to
execute, deliver and perform on behalf of the Holders the Intercreditor
Agreement and each of the other Finance Documents to which the Bond Trustee is
or is intended to be a party, and each Holder agrees to be bound by all of the
agreements of the Bond Trustee contained therein.

         Section 10.13 Disqualification; Conflicting Interests. If the Bond
Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of
Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Bond Trustee shall either
eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent, within the time periods, and
in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture
Act and this Indenture.

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         Section 10.14 Trustee's Application for Instructions from the Company.
Any application by the Bond Trustee for written instructions from the Issuer
may, at the option of the Bond Trustee, set forth in writing any action proposed
to be taken or omitted by the Bond Trustee under this Indenture and the date on
and/or after which such action shall be taken or such omission shall be
effective. The Bond Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken by, or
omission of, the Bond Trustee in accordance with a proposal included in such
application on or after the date specified in such application (which date shall
not be less than five (5) Business Days after the date any officer of the Issuer
actually receives such application, unless any such officer shall have consented
in writing to any earlier date) unless prior to taking any such action (or the
effective date in the case of an omission), the Bond Trustee shall have received
written instructions in response to such application specifying the action to be
taken or omitted.

         Section 10.15 Appointment of Co-trustee. (a) It is the purpose of this
Indenture that there shall be no violation of any law of any jurisdiction,
denying or restricting the right of banking corporations or associations to
transact business as Trustee in such jurisdiction. It is recognized that in case
of litigation under this Indenture or any Transaction Document, and in
particular in case of the enforcement of any such document on default, or in
case the Bond Trustee deems that by reason of any present or future law of any
jurisdiction it may not exercise any of the powers, rights or remedies herein
granted to the Bond Trustee or hold title to the properties, in trust, as herein
granted, or take any other action which may be desirable or necessary in
connection therewith, it may be necessary that the Bond Trustee appoint an
additional individual or institution as a separate or co-trustee. The following
provisions of this Section 10.15 are adopted to these ends.

         (b) In the event that the Bond Trustee appoints an additional
individual or institution as a separate or co-trustee, each and every remedy,
power, right, claim, demand, cause of action, immunity, estate, title, interest
and lien expressed or intended by this Indenture to be exercised by or vested in
or conveyed to the Bond Trustee with respect thereto shall be exercisable by and
vested in such separate or co-trustee but only to the extent necessary to enable
such separate or co-trustee to exercise such powers, rights and remedies, and
every covenant and obligation necessary to the exercise thereof by such separate
or co-trustee shall run to and be enforceable by either of them.

         (c) Should any instrument in writing be required by the separate
trustee or co-trustee so appointed by the Bond Trustee for more fully and
certainly vesting in

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and confirming to him or it such properties, rights, powers, trusts, duties and
obligations, any and all such instruments in writing shall, on request, be
executed, acknowledged and delivered by the Issuer. In case any separate trustee
or co-trustee, or a successor to either, shall die, become incapable of acting,
resign or be removed, all the estates, properties, rights, powers, trusts,
duties and obligations of such separate trustee or co-trustee, so far as
permitted by law, shall vest in and be exercised by the Bond Trustee until the
appointment of a new trustee or successor to such separate trustee or
co-trustee.

                                   ARTICLE 11

                   HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY BOND TRUSTEE

         Section 11.1 Names and Addresses of Holders. If the Bond Trustee is at
any time not the Registrar, the Issuer will give the Bond Trustee prompt written
notice of the appointment of a Registrar and of the location, and any change in
the location of the Securities Register, and the Bond Trustee shall have the
right to inspect the Security Register at all reasonable times and to obtain
copies thereof, and the Bond Trustee shall have the right to rely upon such
Security Register as to the names and addresses of the Holders of the Bonds and
the principal amounts and numbers of such Bonds.

         Section 11.2 Bond Trustee to Furnish Other Information. On or before
March 15 of every year, so long as any Bonds are Outstanding hereunder, the Bond
Trustee shall transmit to the Holders a brief report, dated as of the preceding
December 31, to the extent required by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act
in accordance with the procedures set forth in said Section. A copy of such
report at the time of its mailing to Holders shall be filed with the Commission
and each stock exchange, if any, on which the Bonds are traded.

                                   ARTICLE 12

                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

         Section 12.1 Third Party Beneficiaries. Except as provided in Section
12.6, nothing in this Indenture or in the Bonds, express or implied, shall give
or be construed to give any Person, other than the parties hereto and the
Holders of the Bonds, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or
claim under this Indenture.

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         Section 12.2 Severability. In case any provision in or obligation under
this Indenture or the Bonds shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any
jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions or obligations, or of such provision or obligation in any
jurisdiction, shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

         Section 12.3 Substitute Notice. If for any reason it shall be
impossible to make publication of any notice required hereby in a newspaper or
financial journal of general circulation in the Borough of Manhattan, the City
of New York, then such publication or other notice in lieu thereof with the
approval of the Bond Trustee shall constitute a giving of such notice.

         Section 12.4 Notice to Rating Agencies. Upon the occurrence of any
Indenture Event of Default of which a Responsible Officer of the Bond Trustee
has actual knowledge hereunder, the Bond Trustee shall promptly give notice
thereof to the Issuer and each Rating Agency then assigning a Rating to the
Bonds.

         Section 12.5 Notices. (a) Except as otherwise expressly provided
herein, (i) all notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall be
provided in writing (including telex or facsimile communication) and shall be
sent by telecopy or telex with the original of such communication dispatched by
registered airmail (or, if inland, registered first-class mail) with postage
prepaid to the Issuer, the Bond Trustee, the Collateral Agent and the Rating
Agencies at their respective addresses specified on Schedule III hereto, or at
such other address as shall be designated by such Person in a written notice to
the other parties hereto and (ii) any notice given to a party by mail or by
courier shall be deemed delivered upon receipt thereof (unless the party refuses
to accept delivery, in which case the party shall be deemed to have accepted
delivery upon presentation) and any notice given to a party by telecopy shall be
deemed effective on the date it is actually sent to the intended recipient by
confirmed telecopy transmission to the telecopier number specified on Schedule
III.

         (b) Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event,
such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly
provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder,
at its address as it appears in the Securities Register, not later than the
latest date (if any) and not earlier than the earliest date (if any) prescribed
for the giving of such notice. Where this Indenture provides for notice in any
manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive
such notice, either before or after the event, and

                                       94
<PAGE>   103
such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders
shall be filed with the Bond Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition
precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver. In
any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail
such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder
shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders, and
any notice that is mailed in the matter herein provided shall be conclusively
presumed to have been duly given.

         Section 12.6 Successors and Assigns. All of the covenants, promises and
agreements in this Indenture by or on behalf of the Issuer or the Bond Trustee
shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns,
regardless of whether so expressed.

         Section 12.7 Section Headings. Captions and section headings appearing
herein are included solely for convenience of reference and are not intended to
affect the interpretation of any provision of this Indenture.

         Section 12.8 Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number
of counterparts, all of which, taken together, shall constitute one and the same
instrument and any of the parties hereto may execute this Indenture by signing
any such counterpart.

         Section 12.9 Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury
Trial. (a) THIS INDENTURE IS A CONTRACT MADE UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW
YORK OF THE UNITED STATES AND SHALL FOR ALL PURPOSES BE GOVERNED BY AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF SUCH STATE WITHOUT REGARD TO THE
CONFLICT OF LAW RULES THEREOF (OTHER THAN SECTION 5-1401 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL
OBLIGATIONS LAW).

         (b) Any legal action or proceeding against the Issuer with respect to
this Indenture may be brought in the courts of the State of New York in the
County of New York or of the United States for the Southern District of New York
and, by execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Issuer hereby irrevocably
submits and accepts for itself and in respect of its property, generally and
unconditionally, the jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts. The Issuer agrees
that a judgment, after exhaustion of all available appeals, in any such action
or proceeding shall be conclusive and binding upon the Issuer, and may be
enforced in any other jurisdiction, by a suit upon such judgment, a certified
copy of which shall be conclusive evidence of the

                                       95
<PAGE>   104
judgment. The Issuer hereby irrevocably designates, appoints and empowers CT
Corporation System with offices on the date hereof at 111 Eighth Avenue, New
York, N.Y. 10011, as its designee, appointee and agent to receive, accept and
acknowledge for and on its behalf, and in respect of its property, service of
any and all legal process, summons, notice and documents which may be served in
any such action or proceeding. If for any reason such designee, appointee and
agent shall cease to be available to act as such agent, the Issuer agrees to
designate a new designee, appointee and agent in New York City on the terms and
for the purposes of this provision satisfactory to the Bond Trustee. The Issuer
further irrevocably consents to the service of process out of any of the
aforementioned courts in any such action or proceeding by the mailing of copies
thereof by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the Issuer, at its
address referred to in Section 12.5(a), such service to become effective five
(5) days after such mailing. Nothing herein shall affect the right of the Bond
Trustee or any other Person to serve process in any other manner permitted by
law or to commence legal proceedings or otherwise proceed against the Issuer in
any other jurisdiction.

         (c) The Issuer hereby irrevocably waives any objection which it may now
or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any of the aforesaid actions or
proceedings arising out of or in connection with this Indenture in the courts
referred to in clause (b) above and hereby further irrevocably waives and agrees
not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action or proceeding
brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

         (d) WITH REGARD TO THIS INDENTURE, EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES THE
RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY.

         Section 12.10 Legal Holidays. In any case where the Redemption Date or
the scheduled Payment Date of any Bond or of any installment of principal
thereof or payment of interest thereon, or any date on which any defaulted
interest is proposed to be paid, shall not be a Business Day, then
(notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, any relevant
Supplemental Indenture or such Bond) payment of interest and/or principal,
and/or premium, if any, need not be made on such date, but may be made on the
next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the
Redemption Date or on the scheduled Payment Date, or on the date on which the
defaulted interest is proposed to be paid, and, except as provided in any
Supplemental Indenture, if such payment is timely made, no interest shall accrue
for the period from and after such Redemption Date or scheduled Payment Date, or
date

                                       96
<PAGE>   105
for the payment of defaulted interest, as the case may be, to the date of such
payment.

         Section 12.11 Limitation of Liability. (a) Notwithstanding any other
provisions hereof, the obligations of the Issuer hereunder are solely the
obligations of the Issuer and no recourse shall be had against NRG, the Members
or any employee, officer, director, member, shareholder, Affiliate, agent or
servant of the Issuer or NRG (each a "Non-Recourse Person") with respect to the
Bonds or this Indenture, any of the obligations of the Issuer hereunder or any
obligation of the Issuer for the payment of any amount payable hereunder for any
claim based on, arising out of or relating to the Bonds or this Indenture;
provided, however, that nothing in this Section 12.11 shall be deemed to affect
or diminish (i) the express obligations of any such Non-Recourse Person under
any Transaction Document to which such Non-Recourse Person is a party, (ii) the
rights and remedies of the Bond Trustee and the Holders against any such
Non-Recourse Person under any Transaction Document to which any such
Non-Recourse Person is a party, (iii) the rights and remedies of the Bond
Trustee and the Holders with respect to the Collateral or (iv) the rights and
remedies of the Bond Trustee and the Holders against any such Non-Recourse
Person that arise as a result of such Person's fraud or willful misconduct.

         (b) Anything in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, in no
event shall the Bond Trustee (or its officers, directors, employees, agents,
successors and assigns) be liable under or in connection with this Indenture for
any special, indirect or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever,
including lost profits, whether or not the likelihood of such loss or damage was
known to the Bond Trustee and regardless of the form of action.

         Section 12.12 Entire Agreement. This Indenture, together with any other
agreements executed in connection herewith, is intended by the parties hereto as
a final expression of their agreement as to the matters covered hereby and is
intended as a complete and exclusive statement of the terms and conditions
hereof.

         Section 12.13 All Payments in US Dollars. All payments under this
Indenture or the Bonds shall be made exclusively in such coin or currency of the
United States which, at the time of payment thereof, is legal tender for the
payment of public and private debts.

                                       97
<PAGE>   106
         Section 12.14 Trust Indenture Act. Whenever this Indenture refers to a
provision of the Trust Indenture Act, such provision is incorporated by
reference in and made a part of this Indenture. If any provision of this
Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision hereof which is
required to be included in this Indenture by any of the provisions of the Trust
Indenture Act, such required provision shall control. If any provision of this
Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that may
be so modified or excluded, the provision of the Trust Indenture Act shall be
deemed to apply in this Indenture as so modified or shall be excluded, as the
case may be.

         Section 12.15 Communication Among Holders. Holders may communicate with
other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Bonds in
accordance with Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. The Issuer, the Bond
Trustee and all other Persons shall have the protection of Section 312(c) of the
Trust Indenture Act.

         Section 12.16 Officers' Certificates and Opinions of Counsel. (a)
Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Indenture, upon any application
or request by the Issuer to the Bond Trustee that the Bond Trustee take any
action under any provision of this Indenture, the Issuer shall furnish to the
Bond Trustee an Officer's Certificate of the Issuer stating that all conditions
precedent (if any) provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed
action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the
opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent (if any) have been
complied with; provided, however, that, in the case of any particular
application or request as to which the furnishing of documents, certificates or
opinions is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to
such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion
need be furnished.

         (b) Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a
condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include:

                  (i) a statement that each Authorized Representative signing
         such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

                  (ii) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the
         examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions
         contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

                                       98
<PAGE>   107
                  (iii) a statement that, in the opinion of each such Authorized
         Representative, such examination or investigation has been made as is
         necessary to enable each such individual to express an informed opinion
         as to whether such covenant or condition has been complied with;

                  (iv) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such
         Authorized Representative, such condition or covenant has been complied
         with; and

                  (v) in the case of an Officer's Certificate of the Issuer, a
         statement that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
         continuing (unless such Officer's Certificate relates to a Default or
         Event of Default).

         Section 12.17 Form of Certificates and Opinions Delivered to Bond
Trustee. (a) In any case where several matters are required to be certified by,
or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all
such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such
Person, or that they be so certified by only one document, but one such Person
may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more
other such Persons may certify or give an opinion as to other matters, and any
such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several
documents. Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more
applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other
instruments under this Indenture, they may, but shall not be required to, be
consolidated and form one instrument.

         (b) Any Officer's Certificate or opinion of an Authorized
Representative of the Issuer may be based, insofar as it relates to legal
matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel,
unless such officer knows or has reason to believe that the certificate or
opinion of or representations by such counsel with respect to the matters upon
which such Officer's Certificate or opinion of such officer is based are
erroneous.

         (c) Any certificate of counsel or Opinion of Counsel may be based,
insofar as it relates to factual matters or information which is in the
possession of the Issuer, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations
by, an Authorized Representative of the Issuer, unless such counsel knows or in
the exercise of reasonable care should know that the certificate or opinion of
or representations by such Authorized Representative with respect to the matters
upon which such certificate or such Opinion of Counsel is based are erroneous.
Any Opinion of Counsel stated to be

                                       99
<PAGE>   108
based on another Opinion of Counsel shall be accompanied by such other Opinion
of Counsel.
<PAGE>   109
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly
executed as a deed as of the date first above written.

                               NRG SOUTH CENTRAL GENERATING LLC

                               By: /s/ Craig A. Matacyznski
                                  ----------------------------------
                               Name: Craig A. Matacyznski
                               Title: President

                               LOUISIANA GENERATING LLC
                               (solely with respect to Sections 6.1, 6.3, 6.5
                               and 6.7)

                               By: /s/ Craig A. Matacyznski
                                  ----------------------------------
                               Name: Craig A. Matacyznski
                               Title: Vice President

                               THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
                               as Bond Trustee

                               By: /s/ Annette M. Marsula
                                  ----------------------------------
                               Name: Annette M. Marsula
                               Title: [Illegible]

                               THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
                               as Depositary Bank

                               By: /s/ Annette M. Marsula
                                  ----------------------------------
                               Name: Annette M. Marsula
                               Title: Vice President
<PAGE>   110
                                   SCHEDULE I

                            AMORTIZATION OF PRINCIPAL

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          Series A        Series B
      Payment             Principal       Principal
       Date               Repayment       Repayment
       ----               ---------       ---------
<S>                     <C>              <C>
September 15, 2000      $ 11,250.00      $        --
March 15, 2001          $ 12,500.00      $        --
September 15, 2001      $ 12,750.00      $        --
March 15, 2002          $ 12,750.00      $        --
September 15, 2002      $ 12,750.00      $        --
March 15, 2003          $ 12,750.00      $        --
September 15, 2003      $ 12,750.00      $        --
March 15, 2004          $  7,500.00      $        --
September 15, 2004      $  7,500.00      $        --
March 15, 2005          $  7,500.00      $        --
September 15, 2005      $  7,500.00      $        --
March 15, 2006          $  7,500.00      $        --
September 15, 2006      $  7,500.00      $        --
March 15, 2007          $  7,500.00      $        --
September 15, 2007      $  7,500.00      $        --
March 15, 2008          $ 12,500.00      $        --
September 15, 2008      $ 12,500.00      $        --
March 15, 2009          $ 13,750.00      $        --
September 15, 2009      $ 13,750.00      $        --
March 15, 2010          $ 17,500.00      $        --
September 15, 2010      $ 17,500.00      $        --
March 15, 2011          $ 21,250.00      $        --
September 15, 2011      $ 21,250.00      $        --
March 15, 2012          $ 22,500.00      $        --
September 15, 2012      $ 22,500.00      $        --
March 15, 2013          $ 22,500.00      $        --
September 15, 2013      $ 23,750.00      $        --
March 15, 2014          $ 23,750.00      $        --
September 15, 2014      $ 26,250.00      $        --
March 15, 2015          $ 26,250.00      $        --
</TABLE>

                                  Schedule I-1
<PAGE>   111
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         Series A         Series B
      Payment            Principal        Principal
       Date              Repayment        Repayment
       ----              ---------        ---------
<S>                     <C>              <C>

September 15, 2015      $ 27,500.00      $        --
March 15, 2016          $ 27,500.00      $        --
September 30, 2016      $        --      $ 22,500.00
March 15, 2017          $        --      $ 22,500.00
September 15, 2017      $        --      $ 21,000.00
March 15, 2018          $        --      $ 19,500.00
September 15, 2018      $        --      $ 19,500.00
March 15, 2019          $        --      $ 18,000.00
September 15, 2019      $        --      $ 18,000.00
March 15, 2020          $        --      $ 16,500.00
September 15, 2020      $        --      $ 16,500.00
March 15, 2021          $        --      $ 16,500.00
September 15, 2021      $        --      $ 16,500.00
March 15, 2022          $        --      $ 16,500.00
September 15, 2022      $        --      $ 16,500.00
March 15, 2023          $        --      $ 15,000.00
September 15, 2023      $        --      $ 15,000.00
March 15, 2024          $        --      $ 15,000.00
September 15, 2024      $        --      $ 15,000.00
                        =========        ===========
                        $500,000.00      $300,000.00
</TABLE>

                                  Schedule I-2
<PAGE>   112
                                   SCHEDULE II

                               ACCOUNT INFORMATION

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ACCOUNT NAME                         ACCOUNT NO.
------------                         -----------
<S>                                  <C>
Revenue Account                      C29902 A
Service Reserve Account              C29902 B
</TABLE>

                                 Schedule II-1
<PAGE>   113
                                  SCHEDULE III

                                NOTICE ADDRESSES

 1.      NRG South Central Generating LLC
         1221 Nicollet Mall, Suite 700
         Minneapolis, Minnesota 55403
         Attention: General Counsel
         Telecopier No.: (612) 373-5392
         Telephone No.: (612) 373-5300

 2.      Louisiana Generating LLC
         P.O. Box 15540
         Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70895
         Attention:  Alan Williams
         Telecopier No.: (225) 296-1746
         Telephone No.: (225) 291-3060

 3.      The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Bond Trustee
         Capital Markets Fiduciary Services
         450 West 33rd Street, 15th Floor
         New York, NY  10001
         Attention:  Annette M. Marsula
         International Project Finance Service Delivery
         Telecopier No.:  (212)946-8178
         Telephone No.:  (212)946-7557

 4.      The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Collateral Agent
         Capital Markets Fiduciary Services
         450 West 33rd Street, 15th Floor
         New York, NY  10001
         Attention:  Annette M. Marsula
         International Project Finance Service Delivery
         Telecopier No.:  (212)946-8178
         Telephone No.:  (212)946-7557

                                 Schedule III-1
<PAGE>   114
 5.      The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Depositary Bank
         Capital Markets Fiduciary Services
         450 West 33rd Street, 15th Floor
         New York, NY  10001
         Attention:  Annette M. Marsula
         International Project Finance Service Delivery
         Telecopier No.:  (212)946-8178
         Telephone No.:  (212)946-7557

 6.      Moody's Investor Service
         99 Church Street
         New York, New York
         Attention:

 7.      Standard & Poor's
         55 Water Street
         New York, New York  10041
         Attention: Corporate Ratings

 8.      PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
         650 Third Avenue South, Suite 1300
         Minneapolis, MN 55402
         Attention: David Schroeder

 9.      NRG Power Marketing Inc.
         1221 Nicollet Mall, Suite 700
         Attention: General Counsel
         Telecopier No.: (612) 373-5392
         Telephone No.: (612) 373-5300

 10.     NRG Central U.S. LLC
         1221 Nicollet Mall, Suite 700
         Attention: General Counsel
         Telecopier No.: (612) 373-5392
         Telephone No.: (612) 373-5300

                                 Schedule III-2
<PAGE>   115
11.      South Central Generation Holding LLC
         1221 Nicollet Mall, Suite 700
         Attention: General Counsel
         Telecopier No.: (612) 373-5392
         Telephone No.: (612) 373-5300

                                 Schedule III-3
<PAGE>   116
                                   SCHEDULE IV

                          ASSETS SPECIFICALLY HELD FOR RESALE

 1.      Cajun II Farmland.

A certain tract or parcel of land located in Sections 3, 4, 37, & 38, Township 4
South, Range 11 East, in the Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana, designated as
CAJUN II - FARMLAND TRACT, on a map of survey prepared by Neel-Schaffer, Inc.
Brown & Butler, dated September 4, 1996, last revised March 3, 2000, entitled
"ALTA/ACSM Land Title Survey of a 2428.6++ Acre Tract in Sections 31, 32, 86 and
87, T-4-S, R-10-E, and Sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 35, 37 and 38, T-4-S, R-11-E, Pointe
Coupee Parish, Louisiana"LESS AND EXCEPT: a 13.00 acre tract for the Pointe
Coupee Parish Prison located in the Northwest corner of said Cajun II Farmland
Tract, fronting 650' on Louisiana Highway 981 and having a depth of +/-875' as
shown on the map of survey.

2.       Cajun II Ballpark.

A certain 15 acre tract or parcel of land, located in Sections 31 & 32, Township
4 South -Range 10 East, Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana, and being more
particularly described as follows: From a POINT OF REFERENCE being the Northeast
corner of Section 87, T-4-S, R-10-E proceed S 0/44'39" E a distance of 1657.62'
to a point and corner; thence proceed N 69/52'18" W a distance of 330.50' to a
point and corner; thence proceed N 63/15'05"W a distance of 335.83' to a point
and corner; thence proceed S 21/47'53"W a distance of 5991.98' to the POINT OF
BEGINNING; thence from the POINT OF BEGINNING, continue S 21/47'53" W a distance
of 1143.40' to a point and corner on the northerly right-of-way line of the
Union Pacific Railway Company; thence proceed N 51/00'40" W along said northerly
right-of-way line a distance of 240.80' to a point and corner; thence proceed
along a curve to the right, being 25' east of and parallel to the centerline of
a railroad spur, having a radius of 930.37', the long chord of which bears N
8/19'39" W - 945.49', a distance of 991.79' to a point and corner; thence
proceed N 19/23'19" E a distance of 254.68' parallel to said centerline of a
railroad spur to a point and corner; thence proceed S 68/12'07" E a distance of
715.28' to the POINT OF BEGINNING and containing 15.00 acres.

3.       Cajun I Lease Tract C.

A certain tract or parcel of land designated as Lease Site "C"containing 20.97
acres being located in Section Sixteen (16), Township Four South (T-4-S), Range
Eleven East (R-11-E) southeastern land district, west of the Mississippi River,
in the Parish of Pointe Coupee, State of Louisiana more particularly described
on a survey entitled: "Map Showing Lease Site"C", Cajun 1 property being a
portion of Tract "A", Cajun 1 property & "Nina" Plantation" by

                                  Schedule IV-1
<PAGE>   117
Patin Engineers & Surveyors, Inc. certified by Celtus Langlois, State of
Louisiana registered professional land surveyor number 4723 dated March 24,
2000.

4.       Oxbow Properties - DeSoto Parish.

All lands in Red River and DeSoto Parishes, Louisiana, acquired by Bayou Pierre
Venture from Benthura Corporation by Act of Sale dated March 2, 1976, said Act
recorded in Red River Parish, Louisiana on March 18, 1976, in Registry Number
130282, Conveyance Book 152, Page 179, and recorded in DeSoto Parish, Louisiana
on March 24, 1976, in Registry Number 384830, Conveyance Book 364, page 110, and
containing 6,774 net acres, more or less,LESS AND EXCEPT: that portion of lands
thereafter sold by Bayou Pierre Venture to Phillips Petroleum Company by Act of
Sale dated July 2, 1976, said Act recorded in Red River Parish, Louisiana, on
July 21, 1976, in Registry Number 131140, Conveyance Book 153, Page 777, and
recorded in DeSoto Parish, Louisiana, on July 21, 1976, in Registry Number
387661, Conveyance Book 358, page 629, and containing 3,443 net acres, more or
less, the remaining property containing 3,331 acres, more or less.

5.       Oxbow Properties - Red River Parish.

a.       60 acres in Section 20, T12N, R10W purchased from Clarence Taylor;

b.       20 acres in Section 20, T12S, R10W expropriated from Mrs. Ben Thomas;

c.       200 acres in Section 20, T12N, R10W expropriated from Ira Campbell and
         Avonia Campbell Trusts;

d.       240 acres of which 200 acres being located in Section 29, T12N, R10W
         purchased from M.J. Bearden and J.M. Vinson, and 40 acres being located
         in Section 20, T2N, R10W LESS AND EXCEPT: 120 acres in Section 29 sold
         to Phillips Coal Co.;

e.       90 acres in Section 29, T12N, R10W purchased from heirs of
         Mariah Allen;

f.       80 acres in Section 29, T12N, R10W purchased from John Stuart;

g.       30 acres in Section 29, T12N, R10W purchased from heirs of Sandy &
         Sally Horton;

h.       161.5 acres in Section 29, T12N, R10W purchased from Thomas Stephens;

i.       7.3 acres in Section 29, T12N, R10W purchased from Thomas Stephens,
         Mary Jane Bearden, & Jean Marine Vinson; and

j.       810 acres in Sections 29, 30, 31 & 32, T12N, R10W.

                                 Schedule IV-2
<PAGE>   118
6.       Mineral rights to a seven acre parcel of land at 112 Telly Street, New
         Roads, Louisiana.

All right, title, and interest of lessor or grantor in and to that certain Oil,
Gas, & Mineral Lease made granted by Cajun Electric Power Cooperative, Inc.
dated November 10, 1977, recorded on November 16, 1997 in Conveyance Book 147,
Entry No. 291, official records of the Clerk and Recorder for the Parish of
Point Coupee, and affecting the following described property:

A certain lot or parcel of land, situated in Sections 50 and 51, Township 4
South, Range 10 East, Parish of Pointe Coupee, State of Louisiana, and
designated thereon as TRACT A-1 and TRACT A-2 on a map of survey prepared by
Rohan B. Lafleur, Registered Land Surveyor, dated April 16, 1980, a copy of
which is attached to an act of sale by Cajun Electric power Cooperative, Inc. to
Pointe Coupee Electric Membership Corporation recorded on June 17, 1982 in
Conveyance Book 230, Entry No. 135, in the office of the Clerk and Recorder for
the Parish of Pointe Coupee. Tract A-1 and Tract A-2 having a combined front of
549.91 feet on the north right of way limits of Louisiana Highway No. 1 which
runs along False River, a depth on the west boundary line of Tract A-1 of 560.10
feet, a depth on the east boundary line of Tract A-2 of 510.00 feet and having a
combined width on their north boundary line of 563.76 feet and being bounded as
follows: in front or South by the north right of way limits of La. Highway No.
1; in the rear or North by the south right of way limits of a 60-feet-wide
street shown on the map of survey; on the West by the east right of way limits
of Fairfield Avenue and on the East by property of others; Tract A-1 containing
4.26 acres, and Tract A-2 containing 2.56 acres.

7.       520 MW General Electric steam turbine generator:

All component parts of an eighteen-stage General Electric G-2 design,
tandem-compound, opposed flow high pressure-reheat section, four-flow low
pressure, steam turbine generator with 30 inch last stage buckets. The turbine
generator serial number is 270T138.

8.       848 steel rotary dump railcars bearing the designation CEPX and the
         following Interstate Commerce Commission Registration numbers,
         respectively:

0100, 0150, 0175, 0200, 0250, 0225 0275, 0300, 0325, 0350, 1000, 1002, through
1018, inclusive, 1020, 1022 through 1027, inclusive, 1029 through 1078,
inclusive, 1080 through 1102, inclusive, 1104 through 1131, inclusive, 1133
through 1135, inclusive, 1138 through 1191, inclusive, 1193 through 1194,
inclusive, 1196 through 1217, inclusive, 1219 through 1242, inclusive, 1245
through 1259, inclusive, 1261 through 1278, inclusive, 1280 through 1288,
inclusive, 1290 through 1292, inclusive, 1294 through 1299, inclusive, 1301
through

                                 Schedule IV-3
<PAGE>   119
1305, inclusive, 1307 through 1334, inclusive, 1336 through 1352, inclusive,
1354 through 1386, inclusive, 1388 through 1405, inclusive, 1407 through 1444,
inclusive, 1446 through 1465, inclusive, 1467, 1469 through 1483, inclusive,
1485, 1487 through 1606, inclusive, 1608, 1610 through 1627, inclusive, 1629
through 1642, inclusive, 1644 through 1648, inclusive, 1650 through 1685,
inclusive, 1687 through 1711, inclusive, 1713 through 1731, inclusive, 1733
through 1739, inclusive, 1741 through 1745, inclusive, 1747 through 1814,
inclusive, and 1816 through 1877, inclusive.

9.       Specific Delivery Facilities - Substations, Microwaves and Transmission
         Lines:

<TABLE>
<S>                                                  <C>
Ashland                                              Provencal

Bayou Lourse                                         Ruston East

Bayou Ramos                                          Scanlan

Belleplace                                           Semere Road

Black River                                          Serpent

Cane River                                           Sulphur

Chalkey                                              Talisheek

Chickasaw                                            Terrell Road

Creole                                               Trussells Crossing

DeRidder                                             Tupper

Derouen                                              Vatican

Duboin                                               Veazie

East Leesville                                       Vignes

French Branch                                        Waterloo

French Settlement                                    BCI

Gilbert                                              BCII
</TABLE>

                                 Schedule IV-4
<PAGE>   120
<TABLE>
<S>                                                  <C>
Greenwood                                            Big Cane

Judice                                               Carroll

Krotz Springs                                        Clarence

Landry                                               Colfax

LeBlanc                                              Darlington

Ledoux                                               Greenburg

Log Cabin                                            HQ

Marion                                               Mandeville

Many                                                 Mansfield

Minden                                               Motgomery

Moss Bluff                                           OC

N. Crowley                                           Quinton

Oaklawn                                              Slidell

Patoutville                                          St. Landry

Persimmon Mill                                       Wilmer

Pinecliff                                            Zachary

Plaisance                                            Chalkey-Creole Transmission Line

Potter
</TABLE>

10.      Towboats and barges:

a.       Cepco 1 Tow Boat
         Built in 1980
         Length 70', width 28', depth 10'

                                 Schedule IV-5
<PAGE>   121
b.       Cepco 2 Tow Boat
         Built in 1980
         Length 66.5', width 26', depth 10.5'

c.       Scrap Barge
         Built in 1990
         Length 115', width 35', depth 12'

d.       Shuttle Barge
         Built in 1978
         Length 40', width 40'

e.       Work Barge
         Built in 1990
         Length 110', width 30', draft 5'

11.      Solid Waste Closure Trust Fund created by Trust Agreement, dated as of
         June 23, 1989, between Cajun Electric Power Cooperative, Inc., as
         grantor, and Hibernia National Bank, as trustee.

12.      Corporate Headquarters - East Baton Rouge Parish.

Two (2) certain lots or parcels of ground, together with all the buildings and
improvements thereon, situated in the Parish of East Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and
being more particularly described on that certain "Map Showing Survey of a
Resubdivision of Lots 188A, 190, 191, 192 and 193, Southpark 2nd Filing, into
Lots 188B and 190A, and Relative Location of Lot B-1, Southpark Subdivision,
located in Section 76, T-7-S, R-1-E, Greensburg Land District of Louisiana, East
Baton Rouge Parish," prepared by Ray Ingram, R.L.S. of Barbay Associates, dated
September 23, 1980, which is recorded in the Official Records of the Clerk and
Recorder in and for East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana as Original 975, Bundle
9396, and being more particularly described as LOT B-1, containing 2.6636 acres,
more or less, and LOT 188B, containing 2.8217 acres, more or less, subject to
the servitudes and building setback lines of record and as shown on said survey
map.

13.      NRG New Roads Holdings LLC (Unrestricted Subsidiary).

                                 Schedule IV-6
<PAGE>   122
                                  SCHEDULE 4.16

                                      LIENS

                                      None.

                                 Schedule 4.16
<PAGE>   123
                                  SCHEDULE 4.17

                                   GUARANTEES

                                      None.

                                 Schedule 4.17
<PAGE>   124
                                  SCHEDULE 4.21

                                   INVESTMENTS

                                      None.

                                Schedule 4.21-1

<PAGE>   125
                                   APPENDIX A

         "Acceptable Credit Support" shall mean (a) a letter of credit from a
commercial bank or other financial institution whose long-term unsecured debt
obligations are rated at least "A" from S&P and "A2" from Moody's or (b) an
unconditional guarantee by NRG or an Affiliate thereof (other than either
Obligor or any Additional Guarantor) subject to NRG or such Affiliate
maintaining at least a "Baa3" rating from Moody's and at least a "BBB-" with a
stable outlook rating from S&P.

         "Accredited Investors" shall have the meaning given to that term in
Section 2.5.4.

         "Acquired Assets" has the meaning set forth in the Acquisition
Agreement.

         "Acquisition" shall mean the acquisition of the Project in accordance
with the Acquisition Agreement in all material respects.

         "Acquisition Agreement" means the Fifth Amended and Restated Asset
Purchase and Reorganization Agreement, dated as of September 21, 1999 among the
Subsidiary Guarantor, Ralph K. Mabey, as Chapter 11 Trustee of Cajun and, as to
certain sections of the agreement only, NRG.

         "Act" when used with respect to any Holder, shall have the meaning
given that term in Section 7.1.

         "Additional Bonds" shall mean any Bonds issued pursuant to Section 2.3.

         "Additional Guarantor" shall mean a Person owning, acquiring,
operating, maintaining, constructing or developing nonnuclear electric
generating or district energy assets located in the United States that the
Issuer or one or more of its Subsidiaries (other than Unrestricted Subsidiaries)
acquires or creates in accordance with the terms set forth herein that is
designated by the Issuer's Management Committee as an Additional Guarantor
pursuant to a Resolution but only to the extent such Subsidiary complies with
the requirements of Section 4.18 hereof or Section 3.16 of the Guarantor Loan
Agreement, as applicable; provided that such term shall in no event include any
Subsidiary designated by the Issuer as an Unrestricted Subsidiary. Any such
designation by the Issuer's Management Committee shall be evidenced to the Bond
Trustee by filing with the Bond Trustee a certified copy of the Resolution
giving effect to such designation and an Officer's Certificate certifying that
such designation complied with the foregoing conditions.

                                  Appendix A-1
<PAGE>   126
         "Additional Project Document" shall mean any material Project Document
entered into after the Closing Date.

         "Affiliate" shall mean, with respect to a Person, any other Person
that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is
controlled by or is under common control with such first Person. The term
"control" means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct
or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether
through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

         "Agent Members" shall have the meaning given to that term in Section
2.5.5(a).

         "Annual Audited Financial Statements" shall mean, for any Person,
audited financial statements of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP.

         "Applicable Law" shall mean, with respect to any Person, property or
matter, any of the following applicable thereto: any statute, law, regulation,
ordinance, rule, judgment, rule of common law, order, decree, arbitral decision,
Governmental Approval, approval, concession, grant, franchise, license,
agreement, directive, guideline, policy, requirement, or other governmental
restriction or any similar form of decision of, or determination by, or any
interpretation or administration of any of the foregoing by, any Governmental
Authority, whether in effect as of the date of this Indenture or thereafter and
in each case as amended (including, without limitation, any pertaining to land
use or zoning restrictions).

         "Applicable Procedures" shall have the meaning given to that term in
Section 2.7.2(a).

         "Approved Restoration Plan" shall mean a plan which provides for the
repair, replacement or rebuilding of all or any material portion of the Project
and which is accompanied by a certificate of an Authorized Officer of an Obligor
certifying that (a) after taking into consideration the availability of Loss
Proceeds and such other proceeds available for the repair, replacement or
restoration of such Project, there will be adequate cash flow including, without
limitation, any Loss Proceeds, during the period of repair, replacement or
restoration to pay all ongoing expenses, including Debt Service, if any, and (b)
no Material Adverse Effect would reasonably be expected to result from such
repair, replacement or restoration.

         "Assets Specifically Held for Resale" shall mean the assets listed on
Schedule IV.

         "Auditors" shall mean PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or such other
nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants as the
Obligors may from time to time appoint as auditors of such Person.

                                  Appendix A-2
<PAGE>   127
         "Authenticating Agent" shall have the meaning given to that term in
Section 2.6.2.

         "Authorized Agent" shall have the meaning given to that term in Section
2.6.3(a).

         "Authorized Officer" or "Authorized Representative" shall mean (a) in
the case of any corporation or limited liability company, the chief executive
officer, the president, the chief financial officer, a vice president, the
treasurer or an assistant treasurer or any director of such corporation or
limited liability company; (b) in the case of any general or limited
partnership, any Person authorized by the general partner (or such other Person
that is responsible for the management of such partnership) to take the
applicable action on behalf of such partnership or any officer (with a title
specified in clause (a) above) or Authorized Officer of such partnership's
managing general partner (or such other Person that is responsible for the
management of such managing general partner) and (c) with respect to the Holders
under Article 5 of the Indenture, the Bond Trustee.

         "Beauregard" shall mean Beauregard Electric Cooperative, Inc.

         "Bond" or "Bonds" shall mean any of the Initial Bonds and, when issued,
any of the Additional Bonds issued pursuant to this Indenture.

         "Bond Proceeds" shall mean all net proceeds received by the Issuer from
the issuance of Bonds.

         "Bond Trustee" shall mean The Chase Manhattan Bank, its successors and
assigns, in its capacity as trustee under this Indenture.

         "Business Day" shall mean any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or
legal holiday in the State of New York, or a day on which banking institutions
chartered by the State of New York, or the United States, are legally required
or authorized to close.

         "Cajun" shall mean Cajun Electric Power Cooperative Inc.

         "Cash Equivalents" shall mean, as to any Person: (a) direct obligations
of the United States, or any agency thereof, (b) obligations fully guaranteed by
the United States or any agency thereof, (c) certificates of deposit or bankers
acceptances issued by commercial banks (including the Bond Trustee or any of its
Affiliates) organized under the laws of the United States or of any political
subdivision thereof or under the laws of Canada, Japan, Switzerland or any
country that is a member of the European Economic Community having a combined
capital and surplus of at least $250,000,000 and having long-term unsecured debt
securities then rated "A" or better by S&P and "A-2" or better by Moody's (but
at the time of invest-

                                  Appendix A-3
<PAGE>   128
ment not more than $25,000,000 may be invested in such certificates of deposit
from one bank), (d) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven
days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (a) and (b)
above, entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications
specified in clause (c) above, (e) open market commercial paper of any
corporation incorporated or doing business under the laws of the United States
or of any political subdivision thereof having a rating of at least "A-1" from
S&P and "P-1" from Moody's (but at the time of investment not more than
$25,000,000 may be invested in such commercial paper from any one company), (f)
auction rate securities or money market preferred stock having one of the two
highest ratings obtainable from S&P and Moody's (or, if at any time neither S&P
nor Moody's may be rating such obligations, then from another nationally
recognized rating service acceptable to the Bond Trustee), (g) investments in
money market funds or money market mutual funds sponsored by any securities
broker dealer of recognized national standing or an Affiliate thereof), having
an investment policy that requires substantially all the invested assets of such
fund to be invested in investments described in any one or more of the following
clauses having a rating of "A" or better by S&P and "A-2" or better by Moody's
(including money market funds for which the Depositary Bank in its individual
capacity or any of its Affiliates is investment manager or adviser) or (h) a
deposit of any bank (including the Bond Trustee), trust company or financial
institution authorized to engage in the banking business having a combined
capital and surplus of at least US$500,000,000, whose long-term, unsecured debt
is rated "A" or higher by S&P and "A2" or higher by Moody's.

         "Cash Flow Available for Debt Service" shall mean, for any period, (a)
the sum of all (i) Project Revenues for such period plus(ii) all other revenues
of the Obligors and any Additional Guarantor (including investment income from
Cash Equivalents and any payments received under Hedging Agreements (other than
interest rate protection agreements)) received during such period minus(b) the
sum of all (x) Operating and Maintenance Expenses for such period (other than
nonrecurring expenses in connection with the issuance of Permitted Indebtedness)
plus (y) all capital expenditures (unless funded with Permitted Indebtedness
(other than the Working Capital Facility), additional equity contributions made
explicitly for this purpose, or Restricted Payments otherwise permitted to be
made pursuant to this Indenture) plus (z) any payments made under Hedging
Agreements (other than interest rate protection agreements), in each case for
the Obligors and any Additional Guarantor on a consolidated basis.

         "Certificated Bonds" shall mean a Bond issued in certificated form to a
Person other than the Depositary.

         "Change of Control" shall mean the acquisition, directly or indirectly,
beneficially or of record or otherwise, by any Person or group (within the
meaning of the Exchange Act and

                                  Appendix A-4
<PAGE>   129
the rules of the Commission thereunder as in effect on the date hereof) other
than NRG or its Controlled Subsidiaries of Control of the Issuer; provided that
there shall be no Change of Control if either (i) after the occurrence of either
of such events, the Rating Agencies confirm in writing that no Ratings Downgrade
will occur or (ii) Holders representing not less than 66-2/3% of the aggregate
principal amount of the Outstanding Bonds approve the occurrence of such event.

         "Change of Control Offer" shall have the meaning given to that term in
Section 3.1(b).

         "Claiborne" shall mean Claiborne Electric Cooperative, Inc.

         "Clearstream" shall mean Clearstream Banking, societe anonyme (formerly
Cedelbank, societe anonyme).

         "Closing Date" shall mean the date of issuance and delivery of the
Initial Bonds.

         "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from
time to time, and any successor statute and all rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.

         "Collateral" shall mean the Issuer Collateral and the Guarantor
Collateral.

         "Collateral Agent" shall mean The Chase Manhattan Bank, its successors
and assigns solely in its capacity as collateral agent under the Intercreditor
Agreement and the other Finance Documents to which it is a party.

         "Commission" shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission or, if at any time after the date of this Indenture such Commission
is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to under Applicable Law,
the body performing such duties at such time.

         "Concordia" shall mean Concordia Electric Cooperative, Inc.

         "Consumer Price Index" shall mean the consumer price index computed and
issued by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor.

         "Control" shall mean the power to direct or cause the direction of the
management and policies of a Person whether through the ownership of voting
securities, by contract or otherwise.

                                  Appendix A-5
<PAGE>   130
         "Corporate Trust Office" shall mean the principal office of the Bond
Trustee or Security Registrar at which the corporate trust business of the Bond
Trustee or Registrar, as the case may be, shall at any particular time be
principally administered, which at the time of the execution of this Indenture
is, in each case, located at 450 W. 33rd Street, New York, New York 10001,
Attention: Capital Markets Fiduciary Services.

         "Covenant Defeasance Option" shall have the meaning given to that term
in Section 9.2(a)(ii).

         "Debt Service" shall mean, on a consolidated basis of the Issuer and
its Subsidiaries (other than Unrestricted Subsidiaries) without duplication, the
sum of (a) all principal, interest, premium (if any) and other amounts due with
respect to the Bonds and all other Permitted Indebtedness (other than
Subordinated Indebtedness, fees payable in connection with the issuance of
Permitted Indebtedness and principal payments under the Working Capital
Facility, provided that such amounts remain available to be drawn under the
Working Capital Facility or are refinanced under a replacement working capital
facility) plus (b) payments required to be made under any interest rate
protection agreements for such period less payments to be received under any
interest rate protection agreements for such period.

         "Debt Service Coverage Ratio" shall mean for any period the ratio of
(a) Cash Flow Available for Debt Service for such period to (b) the aggregate of
all Debt Service due during such period.

         "Debt Service Reserve Account" shall mean the account described in
Section 6.2.

         "Debt Service Reserve Required Balance" shall mean an amount equal to
the next scheduled payment of principal and interest due on the Outstanding
Bonds.

         "Debt Termination Date" shall have the meaning given to that term in
Section 1.1 of the Intercreditor Agreement.

         "Debtor Relief Law" shall mean any applicable liquidation, dissolution,
conservatorship, bankruptcy, moratorium, rearrangement, insolvency,
reorganization, readjustment of debt or similar laws affecting the rights or
remedies of creditors generally, as in effect from time to time.

         "Default" shall mean, individually and collectively, an Indenture
Default and a Guarantor Default.

         "Defeasance Deposit" shall have the meaning given to that term in
Section 9.2(d).

                                  Appendix A-6
<PAGE>   131
         "Depositary" shall have the meaning given to that term in Section
2.5.5(a).

         "Depositary Accounts" shall have the meaning given to that term in
Section 6.2.

         "Depositary Bank" shall mean The Chase Manhattan Bank, as depositary
bank under the Intercreditor Agreement or any successor thereto pursuant to the
terms thereof.

         "Dixie" shall mean Dixie Electric Membership Corp.

         "DTC" shall mean The Depository Trust Company, having a principal
office at 55 Water Street, New York, New York, 10041-0099, together with any
Person succeeding thereto by merger, consolidation or acquisition of all or
substantially all of its assets, including substantially all of its securities
payment and transfer operations.

         "DTC Letter of Representations" shall mean the Letter of
Representations, dated the date hereof, among the Issuer, DTC and the Bond
Trustee.

         "Electricity Membership Cooperatives" or "EMCs" shall mean Beauregard,
Claiborne, Concordia, Dixie, Jefferson Davis, Northeast, Pointe Couppe, SLECA,
SLEMCO, Valley and Washington-St. Tammy.

         "Environmental Laws" shall mean any and all Laws (as well as
obligations, duties and requirements relating thereto under common law) relating
to: (a) noise, emissions, discharges, spills, releases or threatened releases of
pollutants, contaminants, Environmentally Regulated Materials, materials
containing Environmentally Regulated Materials, or hazardous or toxic materials
or wastes into ambient air, surface water, groundwater, watercourses, publicly
or privately-owned treatment works, drains, sewer systems, wetlands, septic
systems or onto land surface or subsurface strata; (b) the use, treatment,
storage, disposal, handling, manufacture, processing, distribution,
transportation, or shipment of Environmentally Regulated Materials, materials
containing Environmentally Regulated Materials or hazardous and/or toxic wastes,
material, products or by-products (or of equipment or apparatus containing
Environmentally Regulated Materials); (c) pollution or the protection of human
health, the environment or natural resources; or (d) zoning and land use.

         "Environmentally Regulated Materials" shall mean (a) hazardous
materials, hazardous wastes, hazardous substances, extremely hazardous wastes,
restricted hazardous wastes, toxic substances, toxic pollutants, contaminants,
pollutants or words of similar import, as used under Environmental Laws,
including but not limited to the following: the Hazardous Materials
Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C. 1801 et seq., the Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq., the Comprehensive Environmental Response,

                                  Appendix A-7
<PAGE>   132
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, 42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq., the Clean Water
Act, 33 U.S.C. 1231 et seq., the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 7401 et seq.,
the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq., the Safe Drinking
Water Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 3808 et seq., and the Oil Pollution Act, 33
U.S.C. Section 2701 et seq., and their State and local counterparts or
equivalents; (b) petroleum and petroleum products including crude oil and any
fractions thereof; (c) natural gas, synthetic gas and any mixtures thereof; (d)
radon; (e) any other hazardous, radioactive, toxic or noxious substance,
material, pollutant, or solid, liquid or gaseous waste; and (f) any substance
that, whether by its nature or its use, is now or hereafter subject to
regulation under any Environmental Law or with respect to which any Federal,
State or local Environmental Law or governmental agency requires environmental
investigation, monitoring or remediation.

         "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
as amended from time to time.

         "ERISA Affiliate" shall mean (a) a corporation which is a member of a
controlled group of corporations with either Obligor within the meaning of
Section 414(b) of the Code, (b) a trade or business (including a sole
proprietorship, partnership, trust, estate or corporation) which is under common
control with either Obligor within the meaning of Section 414(c) of the Code or
Section 4001(b)(1) of ERISA, (c) a member of an affiliated service group with
either Obligor within the meaning of Section 414(m) of the Code or (d) an entity
described in Section 414(o) of the Code.

         "Escalated" shall mean that the applicable amount shall be increased
annually on the anniversary of the Closing Date using the Consumer Price Index
published most recently prior to such date and assuming as a base the Consumer
Price Index published most recently prior to the Closing Date.

         "Escrow Account" shall mean the account established pursuant to the
Escrow Agreement.

         "Escrow Agreement" shall mean the Escrow Agreement, dated as of the
Closing Date, between the Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantor, and The Chase
Manhattan Bank.

         "Euroclear" shall mean Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York,
Brussels office, as operator of the Euroclear System, or any successor thereto,
as operator thereof.

         "Event of Default" shall mean, individually and collectively, an
Indenture Event of Default and a Guarantor Event of Default.

                                  Appendix A-8
<PAGE>   133
         "Event of Loss" shall mean any event that causes all or a material part
of the Project to be damaged, destroyed or rendered unfit for normal use for any
reason whatsoever, or any compulsory transfer or taking, or transfer under
threat of compulsory transfer or taking, of any material part of the Project by
any Governmental Authority.

         "EWG" shall mean an "exempt wholesale generator" under Section 32(a)(i)
of PUHCA.

         "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended from time to time.

         "Exchange Bonds" shall have the meaning given to that term in Section 1
of the Registration Rights Agreement.

         "Federal Bankruptcy Code" shall mean Title 11 of the United States
Code, as amended from time to time.

         "Final Maturity Date" shall mean September 15, 2024.

         "Final Offering Circular" shall mean the confidential offering circular
of the Issuer, dated March 27, 2000, issued with respect to the Initial Bonds.

         "Finance Documents" shall mean, collectively, the Indenture, any
Supplemental Indenture, the Guarantor Loan Agreement, the Guarantee, the
Intercreditor Agreement, the Working Capital Facility, the Purchase Agreement,
the Bonds, the Guarantor Note, the Security Documents, the Registration Rights
Agreement, the Escrow Agreement and all other documents related to any of the
foregoing or otherwise related to the issuance of the Bonds.

         "Financial Asset" shall have the meaning assigned to that term under
the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New
York.

         "GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles as in effect
in the United States from time to time.

         "Global Bonds" shall have the meaning given to such term in Section
2.5.3.

         "Governmental Approvals" means all governmental approvals,
authorizations, consents, decrees, licenses, permits, waivers, privileges and
filings with all Governmental Authorities.

                                  Appendix A-9
<PAGE>   134
         "Governmental Authority" means the government of any federal, state,
municipal or other political subdivision in which the Project is located (or of
any other relevant jurisdiction as required by the Finance Documents), and any
other government or political subdivision thereof exercising jurisdiction over
the Project or any party to any of the Project Documents, including all agencies
and instrumentalities of such governments and political subdivisions.

         "Guarantee" shall mean the Guarantee, dated as of the Closing Date
between the Subsidiary Guarantor and the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the
Holders.

         "Guarantee Obligation" shall mean, with respect to any Person, any
obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person directly or indirectly
guaranteeing in any manner any Indebtedness or similar obligation of any other
Person.

         "Guarantor Collateral" shall mean (a) the Guarantor Security Agreement
Collateral, (b) a pledge of the membership interests in the Subsidiary
Guarantor, (c) the Mortgaged Property, (d) the Power Marketing Security
Agreement Collateral and (e) any other collateral set forth in the Guarantor
Security Agreement, the Mortgage, or the Guarantor Pledge Agreement.

         "Guarantor Default" shall mean an event or condition that, with the
giving of notice, lapse of time or failure to satisfy the specified conditions,
or any combination thereof, would become a Guarantor Event of Default.

         "Guarantor Event of Default" shall have the meaning given to that term
in Section 4.1 of the Guarantor Loan Agreement.

         "Guarantor Loan" shall have the meaning given to that term in Section
2.1 of the Guarantor Loan Agreement.

         "Guarantor Loan Agreement" shall mean the Guarantor Loan Agreement,
dated as of the Closing Date, between the Issuer and the Subsidiary Guarantor.

         "Guarantor Note" shall have the meaning given to that term in Section
2.1 of the Guarantor Loan Agreement.

         "Guarantor Pledge Agreement" shall mean the Pledge Agreement, dated as
of the Closing Date, between the Issuer and the Collateral Agent for the benefit
of the Secured Parties with respect to the membership interests in the
Subsidiary Guarantor.

                                  Appendix A-10
<PAGE>   135
         "Guarantor Security Agreement" shall mean the Assignment and Security
Agreement, dated of the Closing Date, between the Subsidiary Guarantor and the
Collateral Agent.

         "Guarantor Security Agreement Collateral" shall have the meaning given
to that term in Section 2.1 of the Guarantor Security Agreement.

         "Guarantor Security Documents" shall mean the Guarantor Security
Agreement, the Guarantor Pledge Agreement, the Mortgage and all other Security
Documents securing the obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantor under the
Guarantee and the Guarantor Note.

         "Hedging Agreement" shall mean any interest rate protection agreement,
foreign currency exchange agreement, power or fuel price protection agreement or
other interest currency exchange rate or commodity price hedging arrangement
entered into in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative
purposes.

         "Holder" shall mean, with respect to any Bond, the Person in whose name
such Bond is registered in the Securities Register; provided that the Issuer or
any Affiliate thereof shall not be deemed a Holder with respect to any matter
herein or any other Finance Document requiring a vote of the Holders.

         "Indebtedness" of any Person shall mean, at any date, without
duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all
obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other
similar instruments (excluding "deposit only" endorsements on checks payable to
the order of such Person), (c) all obligations of such Person to pay the
deferred purchase price of property or services (except trade and other accounts
payable and similar obligations arising in the ordinary course of business shall
not be included as Indebtedness), (d) all obligations of such Person as lessee
under capital leases to the extent required to be capitalized on the books of
such Person in accordance with GAAP and (e) all obligations of others of the
type referred to in clause (a) through (d) above guaranteed by such Person,
whether or not secured by a lien or other security interest on any asset of such
Person.

         "Indenture" shall mean this Trust Indenture, dated as of the Closing
Date, between the Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantor, the Bond Trustee and the
Depositary Bank.

         "Indenture Default" shall mean an event or condition that, with the
giving of notice, lapse of time or failure to satisfy certain specified
conditions, or any combination thereof, would become an Indenture Event of
Default.

         "Indenture Event of Default" shall have the meaning given that term in
Section 5.1.

                                  Appendix A-11
<PAGE>   136
         "Independent Engineer" shall mean Stone & Webster, its successors and
assigns or such other independent engineer as the Bond Trustee may engage who is
reasonably acceptable to the Issuer.

         "Independent Insurance Consultant" shall mean Marsh USA Inc., its
successors and assigns or such other independent insurance consultant as the
Bond Trustee may engage who is reasonably acceptable to the Issuer.

         "Independent Market Consultant" shall mean Pace Global Energy Service,
its successors and assigns or such other independent market consultant as the
Bond Trustee may engage who is reasonably acceptable to the Issuer.

         "Initial Purchasers" shall mean Chase Securities Inc., Lehman Brothers
Inc., Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation and Salomon Smith Barney Inc.

         "Initial Bond" or "Initial Bonds" shall mean any of the (a)
$500,000,000 NRG South Central Generating LLC 8.962% Senior Secured Series A
Bonds due 2016 and (b) $300,000,000 NRG South Central Generating LLC 9.479%
Senior Secured Series B Bonds due 2024.

         "Intercreditor Agreement" shall mean the Collateral Agency and
Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, among the Bond Trustee,
the Collateral Agent, the Depositary Bank, the Working Capital Agent, the
Subsidiary Guarantor and the Issuer.

         "Involuntary PPA Buy-Out" shall mean a buy-out of a power purchase
agreement that is not voluntarily sought by an Obligor, but into which the
Obligor is legally or practically required to enter by force of law or
regulation, or by an actual or threatened condemnation, expropriation or other
taking of the Project, or by a threatened bankruptcy proceeding on the part of
the purchaser under the affected power purchase agreement.

         "Issuer" shall mean NRG South Central Generating LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company.

         "Issuer Collateral" shall mean (a) the Issuer Security Agreement
Collateral, (b) the Guarantee, (c) a pledge of the membership interests in the
Issuer owned by the Members and (d) any other collateral set forth in the Issuer
Security Agreement or the Issuer Pledge Agreement.

                                  Appendix A-12
<PAGE>   137
         "Issuer Pledge Agreement" shall mean the Pledge Agreement, dated as of
the Closing Date, among the Members and the Collateral Agent for the benefit of
the Secured Parties with respect to the membership interests in the Issuer owned
by the Members.

         "Issuer Security Agreement" shall mean the Assignment and Security
Agreement, dated of the Closing Date, between the Issuer and the Collateral
Agent.

         "Issuer Security Agreement Collateral" shall have the meaning given to
that term in Section 2.1 of the Issuer Security Agreement.

         "Jefferson Davis" shall mean Jefferson Davis Electric Cooperative, Inc.

         "Joint Operating Assets" shall mean the 42% ownership interest of Gulf
States Utilities in Big Cajun II, Unit 3.

         "Legal Defeasance Option" shall have the meaning given to that term in
Section 9.2(a)(i).

         "Lien" shall mean any mortgage debenture, mortgage, deed of trust,
pledge, charge, hypothecation, assignment, mandatory deposit arrangement with
any Person owning Indebtedness of such Person, encumbrance, lien (statutory or
other), preference, priority or other security agreement of any kind or nature
whatsoever which has the substantial effect of constituting a security interest,
including, without limitation, any conditional sale or other title retention
agreement, any financing lease having substantially the same effect as any of
the foregoing and the filing of any financing statement or similar instrument
under the Uniform Commercial Code or comparable law of any jurisdiction,
domestic or foreign.

         "Loss Proceeds" shall mean all net proceeds from an Event of Loss,
including, without limitation, insurance proceeds or other amounts actually
received on account of an Event of Loss.

         "Majority Holders" shall mean Holders holding greater than fifty
percent (50%) in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Bonds.

         "Management Committee" shall mean, with respect to any corporation or
limited liability company, either the management committee of such entity or
other management body of such limited liability company or any committee of such
management committee or management body duly authorized to act therefor.

                                  Appendix A-13
<PAGE>   138
         "Material Adverse Effect" shall mean a material adverse effect on (a)
the financial condition, operations, business or prospects of the Obligors and
any Additional Guarantors, taken as a whole, (b) the validity or priority of the
Liens on the Collateral, (c) the ability of either Obligor or any Additional
Guarantor to perform its material obligations under the Finance Documents or (d)
the ability of the Collateral Agent to enforce any of the payment obligations of
either Obligor or any Additional Guarantor under the Indenture, the Guarantee or
the Bonds.

         "Maturity Date" shall mean, with respect to any Bond, the date on which
the principal of such Bond or an installment of principal becomes due and
payable as herein or therein provided, whether at stated maturity, acceleration,
redemption or otherwise.

         "Members" shall mean NRG Central U.S. LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company, and South Central Generation Holding LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company.

         "Monies" shall mean all cash, payments, Cash Equivalents and other
amounts (including instruments evidencing such amounts) on deposit in or
credited to any Depositary Account.

         "Moody's" shall mean Moody's Investors Service, Inc., a corporation
organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, its successors
and assigns.

         "Mortgage" shall mean the Mortgage, dated as of the Closing Date,
between the Subsidiary Guarantor and the Collateral Agent.

         "Mortgaged Property" shall have the meaning given to that term in the
Mortgage.

         "Multiemployer Plan" shall mean a plan that is a multiemployer plan
within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which either Obligor or any
ERISA Affiliate is making, or has an obligation to make, contributions or had
made, or has been obligated to make, contributions since the Closing Date.

         "Non-Recourse Obligations" means Indebtedness or other obligations or
liabilities (i) as to which neither Obligor nor any Additional Guarantor (a)
provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or
instrument that would constitute Indebtedness), (b) is directly or indirectly
liable (as a guarantor or otherwise) other than pursuant to a pledge by the
Issuer of an equity interest in the obligor of the Indebtedness or (c)
constitutes the lender and (ii) no default with respect to which (including any
rights any Person may have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted
Subsidiary) would permit (upon notice, lapse of time or both) any holder of any
Indebtedness of either Obligor or any

                                  Appendix A-14
<PAGE>   139
Additional Guarantor to declare a default on such Indebtedness or cause the
payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity.

         "Non-Recourse Person" shall have the meaning given to that term in
Section 12.11.

         "Northeast" shall mean Northeast Louisiana Power Cooperative, Inc.

         "NRG" shall mean NRG Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

         "NRG Operating Services" shall mean NRG Operating Services, Inc., a
Delaware corporation.

         "NRG Power Marketing" shall mean NRG Power Marketing Inc., a Delaware
corporation.

         "Obligor" shall mean the Issuer and the Subsidiary Guarantor.

         "Officer's Certificate" shall mean, with respect to any Person, a
certificate executed by an Authorized Representative of such Person.

         "One Hundred Percent Holders" shall mean Holders holding one hundred
percent (100%) in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Bonds.

         "One-Third Holders" shall mean Holders holding no less than
thirty-three and one third percent (33 1/3%) in aggregate principal amount of
the Outstanding Bonds.

         "Operating and Maintenance Expenses" shall mean (a) all amounts
disbursed by or on behalf of an Obligor for operation, maintenance, repair, or
improvement of the Project including, without limitation, premiums on insurance
policies, property and other Taxes, and payments under the relevant operating
and maintenance agreements, leases, royalty and other land use agreements, and
any other payments required under the Project Documents or for the
administration or performance of the Transaction Documents and (b) all fees and
other amounts due and owing to the Bond Trustee, Collateral Agent and Depositary
Bank.

         "Opinion of Counsel" shall mean a written opinion of counsel for any
Person either expressly referred to herein or otherwise reasonably satisfactory
to the Bond Trustee, which may include, without limitation, counsel for the
Issuer, whether or not such counsel is an employee of the Issuer.

                                  Appendix A-15
<PAGE>   140
         "Outstanding Bonds" or "Outstanding" when used in connection with any
Bonds shall mean, as of the time in question, all Bonds authenticated and
delivered under this Indenture, except (a) Bonds theretofore cancelled or
required to be cancelled under Section 2.12 and (b) Bonds for which provision
for payment shall have been made pursuant to this Indenture and (c) Bonds in
substitution for which other Bonds have been authenticated and delivered
pursuant to this Indenture.

         "Pay-Off Date" shall have the meaning given to that term in Section
4.3(b) of the Guarantor Loan Agreement.

         "Paying Agent" shall have the meaning given to that term in Section
2.6.1(b).

         "Payment Conditions" shall mean:

         (a) delivery to the Bond Trustee of an Officer's Certificate from an
Authorized Officer of the Issuer certifying that no Default or Event of Default
shall have occurred and be continuing;

         (b) delivery to the Bond Trustee of an Officer's Certificate from an
Authorized Officer of the Issuer certifying that (i) if as of such date the
Projected Contract Revenues are fifty percent (50%) or more of the Total
Projected Revenue for the succeeding four (4) fiscal quarters, (x) the Debt
Service Coverage Ratio for the most recently completed historical four (4)
fiscal quarters (in the case of the first four (4) fiscal quarters following the
Closing Date, Projected Debt Service Coverage Ratios shall be used as needed)
equals or exceeds 1.4 to 1.0 and (y) the Projected Debt Service Coverage Ratio
for the succeeding four (4) fiscal quarters (taken as a whole) equals or exceeds
1.4 to 1.0, commencing with the fiscal quarter in which such distribution date
occurs; (ii) if as of such date the Projected Contracted Revenues are
twenty-five (25%) percent or more, but less than fifty percent (50%), of the
Total Projected Revenues for the succeeding four (4) fiscal quarters, (x) the
Debt Service Coverage Ratio for the most recently completed historical four (4)
fiscal quarters (in the case of the first four (4) fiscal quarters following the
Closing Date, Projected Debt Service Coverage Ratios shall be used as needed)
and (y) the Projected Debt Service Coverage Ratio for the succeeding six (6)
fiscal quarters (taken as a whole) equals or exceeds 1.55 to 1.0, commencing
with the fiscal quarter in which such distribution date occurs; and (iii) if as
of such date the Projected Contracted Revenues are less than twenty-five (25%)
of the Total Projected Revenue for the succeeding four (4) fiscal quarters, (x)
the Debt Service Coverage Ratio for the most recently completed historical four
(4) fiscal quarters (in the case of the first four (4) fiscal quarters following
the Closing Date, Projected Debt Service Coverage Ratios shall be used as
needed) equal or exceeds 1.7 to 1.0 and (y) the Projected Debt Service Coverage
Ratio for the

                                  Appendix A-16
<PAGE>   141
succeeding eight (8) fiscal quarters (taken as a whole) equals or exceeds 1.7 to
1.0, commencing with the fiscal quarter in which such distribution date occurs;
and

         (c) the balance in the Debt Service Reserve Account, including any
Acceptable Credit Support, equals or exceeds the Debt Service Reserve Required
Balance.

         "Payment Date" shall mean, with respect to the Bonds or any other
Secured Obligations, any date on which any principal of, premium (if any),
interest on or fees, indemnities, costs and other amounts payable in connection
with the Bonds or such other Secured Obligations are due and payable to the
Holders or to the Secured Parties holding such other Secured Obligations.

         "PBGC" shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any
entity succeeding to any or all of its functions under ERISA.

         "Pension Plan" shall mean any pension plan within the meaning of
Section 3(2) of ERISA, including any multiemployer pension plan which is subject
to the provisions of Title I and IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code and
which (a) is established, sponsored, maintained or administered by either
Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate or for which either Obligor or any ERISA
Affiliate has an obligation to contribute or any liability or in which either
Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate participates or (b) has at any time since the
Closing Date been established, sponsored, maintained, or administered on behalf
of employees of either Obligor or any of its current or former ERISA Affiliates
or for which either Obligor or any of its current or former ERISA Affiliates had
an obligation to contribute or any liability or in which either Obligor or any
of its current or former ERISA Affiliates participated.

         "Permitted Asset Sale" shall mean any of the following: (a) any
transaction specified in the power purchase agreements; (b) disposition of the
Assets Specifically Held for Resale; (c) transfers of assets among the Issuer,
the Subsidiary Guarantor and any Additional Guarantor; (d) sales and
dispositions in the ordinary course of business not in excess of $20,000,000
(Escalated) in the aggregate for each Obligor and any Additional Guarantor in
any fiscal year; (e) any sales or dispositions of surplus, obsolete or worn-out
equipment or inventory in the ordinary course of business; (f) any sales or
dispositions required for compliance with Applicable Law or necessary
Governmental Approvals; (g) with respect to the Issuer, sales of noncontrolling
ownership interests in the Subsidiary Guarantor or Additional Guarantors so long
as the Guarantee and Guarantor Loan Agreement or other guarantee and loan
agreement with regard to the Subsidiary Guarantor or Additional Guarantors
remains in effect; (h) with respect to the Issuer, sales or disposition of
ownership interests in Unrestricted Subsidiaries; (i) any sales or dispositions
of assets otherwise permitted under the Indenture or other Finance Document; or
(j) any other sale or other

                                  Appendix A-17
<PAGE>   142
disposition of assets so long as the Rating Agencies shall have confirmed that
such sale or disposition will not result in a Ratings Downgrade; provided that
under no circumstances (other than pursuant to clauses (a) through (i) above)
shall the Subsidiary Guarantor sell or otherwise dispose of the Project.

         "Permitted Guarantor Indebtedness" shall have the meaning given to that
term in Section 3.13 of the Guarantor Loan Agreement.

         "Permitted Indebtedness" shall mean, individually and collectively,
Permitted Issuer Indebtedness and Permitted Guarantor Indebtedness.

         "Permitted Issuer Indebtedness" shall have the meaning given to that
term in Section 4.15.

         "Permitted Liens" shall mean any of the following: (a) Liens created by
the Finance Documents; (b) Liens existing on the Closing Date as set forth on
Schedule 4.16 hereof or Schedule 3.15 of the Guarantor Loan Agreement; (c) Liens
to secure Permitted Indebtedness other than Subordinated Indebtedness and
Permitted Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clauses (f) (except Liens securing
Hedging Agreements which relate to Indebtedness that is secured by Liens
otherwise permitted by the Finance Documents) or (g) (excluding commercial
letters of credit) of Section 3.13 of the Guarantor Loan Agreement so long as
the Bonds are secured on an equal and ratable basis with the obligation so
secured until such obligation is no longer secured; (d) carriers',
warehousemen's, repairmen's, mechanics' and materialmen's Liens and other like
Liens imposed by law, arising in the ordinary course of business and securing
obligations that are not overdue by more than forty-five (45) days or are being
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings; (e) Liens for taxes,
assessments or governmental charges not yet delinquent which are the subject of
a good faith contest and for which adequate reserves have been established; (f)
Liens arising by action of law; (g) Liens related to workers' compensation,
unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations or other
statutory obligations of any Obligor or Additional Guarantor; (h) judgment Liens
in respect of judgments that do not give rise to an Event of Default under
clause (j) of Section 5.1 hereof or clause (i) of Section 4.1 of the Guarantor
Loan Agreement; (i) Liens that are incidental to the business of the Obligors or
any Additional Guarantor, are not for borrowing money and are not material,
taken as a whole, to the business of the Obligors and Additional Guarantors; (j)
other easements, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way and similar charges or
encumbrances on real property imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course
of business that do not secure any monetary obligation and do not materially
detract from the value of the affected property or interfere with the ordinary
conduct of business of the Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantor or any Additional
Guarantor; and (k) Liens in favor of either Obligor or any Additional Guarantor.

                                  Appendix A-18
<PAGE>   143
         "Person" shall mean any individual, sole proprietorship, corporation,
partnership, joint venture, limited liability partnership, limited liability
company, trust, unincorporated association, institution, Governmental Authority
or any other entity; wherever organized.

         "Plan" shall mean any employee benefit plan within the meaning of
Section 3(3) of ERISA, subject to Title I of ERISA, which (a) is established,
sponsored, maintained or administered by either Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate,
or for which either Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate has an obligation to
contribute or any liability or in which either Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate
participates or (b) has since the Closing Date been established, sponsored,
maintained or administered for employees of either Obligor or any of its current
or former ERISA Affiliates or for which either Obligor or any of its current or
former ERISA Affiliates had an obligation to contribute or any liability or in
which either Obligor or any of its current or former ERISA Affiliates
participated.

         "Pledge Agreements" shall mean the Guarantor Pledge Agreement and the
Issuer Pledge Agreement.

         "Point Couppe" shall mean the Point Couppe Electric Membership
Cooperative.

         "Power Marketing Security Agreement" shall mean the Assignment and
Security Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, between NRG Power Marketing
and the Collateral Agent.

         "Power Marketing Security Agreement Collateral" shall have the meaning
given to that term in Section 2.1 of the Power Marketing Security Agreement.

         "PPA Buy-Out" shall mean a Voluntary PPA Buy-Out or an Involuntary PPA
Buy-Out.

         "Private Exchange Bonds" shall have the meaning given to that term in
Section 1 of the Registration Rights Agreement.

         "Preliminary Offering Circular" shall mean the confidential preliminary
offering circular of the Issuer, dated March 14, 2000, issued with respect to
the Initial Bonds.

         "Proceeding" shall have the meaning given to that term in Section
5.4(d).

         "Project" shall mean, collectively, the Acquired Assets, including but
not limited to (a) the two 110 MW gas-fired units at Big Cajun I located in New
Roads, Louisiana and all related switchyard, equipment, tools, supplies, fuel
inventory, and other assets and related

                                  Appendix A-19
<PAGE>   144
real property, together with all servitudes and rights of way and (b) the
coal-fired Units 1 and 2 at Big Cajun II located in New Roads, Louisiana and all
related equipment, switchyard, fuel inventory, tools, supplies, inventory and
other assets and related real property, together with all servitudes and rights
of way and the Subsidiary Guarantor's 58% ownership interest in the coal-fired
Big Cajun II, Unit 3.

         "Project Documents" shall mean all Third Party Consents related to the
Project Document, each Additional Project Document entered into with respect to
the Project and any other fuel supply agreement, operation and maintenance
agreement, power purchase agreement, power marketing agreement, transmission
agreement, management agreement, administrative services agreement, acquisition
agreement or any other agreement entered into by either Obligor or assigned to
either Obligor by Cajun in connection with the ownership or operation of the
Project.

         "Project Revenues" shall mean the revenues calculated on a cash basis
and recognized pursuant to the terms of the relevant Project Documents,
including, without limitation, refunds or returns of any amounts previously paid
for Operating and Maintenance Expenses but shall in no event include any
revenues of any Unrestricted Subsidiary.

         "Projected Contracted Revenues" shall mean revenues derived from power
purchase agreements for the purchase and sale of energy and capacity for
specified or formula prices which have a remaining contract term of at least two
(2) years, calculated on a consolidated basis of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries
(other than Unrestricted Subsidiaries).

         "Projected Debt Service Coverage Ratio" shall mean for any period a
projection of the Debt Service Coverage Ratio over the period specified,
prepared by the Issuer in good faith based upon assumptions consistent in all
material respects with the Transaction Documents, historical operating results,
if any, and the Issuer's good faith projections of future Project Revenues and
Operating and Maintenance Expenses of the Obligors and any Additional Guarantor
in light of the then existing or reasonably expected regulatory and market
environments in the markets in which the Project or other assets owned by such
Person is or will be operated and upon the assumption that no early redemption
or prepayment of the Bonds of any Series will be made prior to the stated
maturity of such Series of Bonds. Whenever this Indenture provides for the
determination of a Projected Debt Service Coverage Ratio, the Projected Debt
Service Coverage Ratio shall be set forth in an Officer's Certificate of the
Issuer filed with the Bond Trustee stating that, based upon reasonable
investigation and review, the Projected Debt Service Coverage Ratio is based on
the criteria set forth in the preceding sentence.

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

                                  Appendix A-20
<PAGE>   145
         "Purchase Agreement" shall mean the Purchase Agreement dated March 24,
2000 between the Initial Purchasers, the Issuer and the Subsidiary Guarantor.

         "Qualified Institutional Buyer" shall mean a "qualified institutional
buyer" within the meaning of Rule 144A.

         "Ratings" shall mean the credit ratings assigned to the Bonds by the
Rating Agencies.

         "Rating Agencies" shall mean Moody's and S&P or if any such entity
shall cease to rate securities of the type equivalent to the Bonds, another
nationally recognized rating agency or agencies then rating bonds as shall be
selected by the Obligors as a substitute therefor.

         "Ratings Downgrade" shall mean a lowering or withdrawal by a Rating
Agency of the then current Ratings of the Bonds.

         "Redemption Account" shall have the meaning given that term in Section
3.3 hereof.

         "Redemption Date" shall mean any date for redemption of Bonds
established pursuant to Article 3.

         "Redemption Premium" shall mean (i) an amount, calculated one day prior
to a Redemption, equal to the excess, if any, of the Discounted Present Value
calculated for any Bond subject to redemption pursuant to Article 3 less the
unpaid principal amount of such Bond or (ii) as otherwise provided in a
Supplemental Indenture; provided that the Redemption Premium shall not be less
than zero. For purposes of this definition, the "Discounted Present Value" of
any Bond subject to redemption pursuant to Article 3 shall be equal to the
discounted present value of all principal and interest payments scheduled to
become due in respect of such Bond after the date of such redemption, calculated
using a discount rate equal to the sum of (a) the yield to maturity on the
United States treasury security having an average life equal to the remaining
average life of such Bond and trading in the secondary market at the price
closest to par and (b) 50 basis points; provided, however, that if there is no
United States treasury security having an average life within one month of the
remaining average life of such Bond, such discount rate shall be calculated
using a yield to maturity interpolated or extrapolated on a straight-line basis
(rounding to the nearest month, if necessary) from the yields to maturity for
two (2) United States treasury securities having average lives most closely
corresponding to the remaining average life of such Bond and trading in the
secondary market at the price closest to par.

                                  Appendix A-21
<PAGE>   146
         "Redemption Price" shall mean an amount equal to the sum of (a) the
principal amount of Bonds being redeemed pursuant to Article 3 and (b) unless
otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture or any relevant Supplemental
Indenture, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon through but excluding the
Redemption Date.

         "Registrar" shall have the meaning given to that term in Section
2.6.1(a).

         "Registration Default" shall have the meaning given to that term in
Section 3 of the Registration Rights Agreement.

         "Registration Rights Agreement" shall mean the Exchange and
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, among the Issuer,
the Subsidiary Guarantor and the Initial Purchasers, for the benefit of the
Holders of the Initial Bonds.

         "Regular Record Date" shall mean, (a) with respect to each Payment Date
except a Payment Date in connection with an optional or mandatory redemption,
the fifteenth (15th) day of the month, whether or not a Business Day,
immediately preceding such Payment Date, and (b) with respect to each Payment
Date in connection with an optional or mandatory redemption, the fifteenth
(15th) day, whether or not a Business Day, preceding such Payment Date.

         "Regulation D" shall mean Regulation D under the Securities Act.

         "Regulation S" shall mean Regulation S under the Securities Act.

         "Regulation S Restricted Period" shall mean, with respect to any Bond,
the period of forty (40) consecutive days beginning on and including the first
day after the later of (a) the day on which such Bond is first offered to
Persons other than distributors (as defined in Regulation S) in reliance on
Regulation S and (b) the closing date of the offering of such Bond.

         "Resolution" shall mean a copy of a resolution certified by the
secretary or an assistant secretary of the Issuer to have been adopted by the
Management Committee of the Issuer and to be in full force and effect on the
date of such certification.

         "Responsible Officer" shall mean, when used with respect to the Bond
Trustee, any officer in the Corporate Trust Office, including the president,
vice president, assistant vice president, secretary, assistant secretary,
treasurer, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Bond
Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the
Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any
corporate

                                  Appendix A-22
<PAGE>   147
trust matter is referred because of such Person's knowledge of and familiarity
with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the
administration of this Indenture.

         "Restricted Global Bond" shall have the meaning given to that term in
Section 2.5.2.

         "Restricted Payment" shall mean with respect to any Person, (a) the
declaration and payment of distributions, dividends or any other similar payment
made in cash, property, obligations or other securities, (b) any payment of the
principal of or interest on any Subordinated Indebtedness or (c) the making of
any loans or advances to any Affiliate (other than Permitted Indebtedness);
provided that (w) distributions or other payments by an Obligor or Additional
Guarantor to another Obligor or Additional Guarantor, (x) distributions of
proceeds from the sale of Assets Specifically Held for Resale, (y) payments from
the Issuer or the Subsidiary Guarantor to NRG Energy of any proceeds from
treasury locks entered into by the Issuer or the Subsidiary Guarantor on or
prior to the Closing Date, or (z) distributions representing returns of the
Working Capital Equity shall not constitute Restricted Payments.

         "Revenue Account" shall mean the account described in Section 6.2.

         "Rule 144" shall mean Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

         "Rule 144A" shall mean Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

         "S&P" shall mean Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a division of
McGraw-Hill Companies Inc., its successors and assigns.

         "Secured Obligations" shall mean all amounts owing to any Secured Party
pursuant to the terms of any Finance Document, including, without limitation,
(a) the principal of and interest on the Bonds (and any and all renewals,
extensions and refinancing thereof) and all other obligations and liabilities
(including, without limitation, indemnities and interest on all of the
foregoing) owed to the Secured Parties incurred under, arising under out of or
in connection with the Bonds (and any and all renewals, extensions and
refinancing thereof), the Working Capital Facility or any other Finance
Document; (b) any and all sums advanced by the Collateral Agent in order to
preserve the Collateral or preserve the security interests in the Collateral in
accordance with the terms of the Security Documents; and (c) in the event of any
proceeding for the collection or enforcement of the Secured Obligations, after
an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the reasonable
expenses of retaking, holding, preparing for sale or lease, selling or otherwise
disposing of or realizing on the Collateral, or of any exercise by any Secured
Party or its rights under any of the Finance Documents, together with reasonable
attorneys' fees and court costs.

                                  Appendix A-23
<PAGE>   148
         "Secured Parties" shall mean, collectively, the Bond Trustee, the
Collateral Agent, the Depositary Bank, the Holders, the Working Capital Facility
Agent, the Working Capital Facility Banks and, solely with respect to the
Guarantor Loans, the Issuer, and any holder of senior Indebtedness other than
the Bonds or the Guarantor Loans and any other Person that becomes a secured
party under any Finance Document; provided that in no event shall any holder of
any Subordinated Indebtedness be deemed a Secured Party.

         "Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from
time to time.

         "Securities Register" shall have the meaning given to that term in
Section 2.6.1(a).

         "Security Agreements" shall mean the Issuer Security Agreement, the
Guarantor Security Agreement and the Power Marketing Security Agreement.

         "Security Documents" shall mean, collectively, the Intercreditor
Agreement, the Pledge Agreements, the Indenture (with respect to the Depositary
Accounts, the Security Agreements, the Mortgage and any other document providing
for any lien, pledge, encumbrance, mortgage or security interest on any or all
of the Collateral.

         "Series" shall have the meaning given to that term in Section 2.1.

         "SLECA" shall mean South Louisiana Electric Cooperative Association.

         "SLEMCO" shall mean Southwest Louisiana Electric Membership Corp.

         "Special Record Date" shall have the meaning given to that term in
Section 2.14.

         "Subordinated Indebtedness" shall mean any Indebtedness of the Issuer
that is (a) payable solely from and exclusively from the funds that would
otherwise have been available to make Restricted Payments from the Issuer, the
Subsidiary Guarantor or any Additional Guarantor, (b) fully subordinated in all
rights and remedies or terms substantially similar to the subordination
provisions set forth on Exhibit I and (c) unsecured.

         "Subsidiary" shall mean, as to any Person, (a) any corporation fifty
percent (50%) or more of whose stock of any class or classes having by the terms
thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the directors of such
corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time stock of any class or
classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of
the happening of any contingency) is at the time owned by such Person and/or one
or more Subsidiaries of such Person and (b) any partnership, limited liability
company, unincorporated association, joint venture or other entity in which such
Person

                                  Appendix A-24
<PAGE>   149
and/or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person has fifty percent (50%) or more
equity interest at the time.

         "Subsidiary Guarantor" shall mean Louisiana Generating LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company.

         "Supplemental Indenture" shall mean an indenture supplemental to this
Indenture entered into by the Issuer and the Bond Trustee for the purpose of
establishing, in accordance with this Indenture, the title, form and terms of
the Bonds.

         "Tax" and "Taxes" shall include all taxes, including without
limitation, income, windfall, profits, gains, franchise, gross receipts,
transfer, license, environmental, customs duty, capital stock, severance, stamp,
payroll, sales, employment, unemployment, disability, use, property,
withholding, excise, production, value added, occupancy and other taxes, duties
or assessments of any nature whatsoever, together with interest, penalties and
additions imposed with respect to such amounts and any interest in respect of
such penalties and additions.

         "Tax Returns" shall include all returns and reports (including
elections, declarations, disclosures, schedules, estimates and information
returns) required to be supplied to a Governmental Authority relating to Taxes.

         "Termination Event" shall mean: (a) any "Reportable Event" described in
Section 4043(b) of ERISA, other than an event for which the 30 day notice
requirement is met under Section .13, .14, .18, .19 or .20 of PBGC Regulation
Section 2615; (b) the withdrawal of either Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate from a
Pension Plan during a plan year in which it was a "substantial employer" within
the meaning of Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA; (c) the filing of intent to
terminate a Pension Plan, the treatment of a Pension Plan amendment as a
termination under Section 4041 of ERISA, the appointment of a trustee with
respect thereto, or the termination of a Pension Plan; (d) the institution of
proceedings to terminate a Pension Plan or to appoint a trustee with respect to
a Pension Plan by the PBGC; (e) any other event or condition which would
constitute grounds under Section 4042(a) of ERISA for the termination of, or the
appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan; (f) the imposition of
a lien pursuant to Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 or 4068 of ERISA; (g)
the complete or partial withdrawal under Section 4201 or 4204 of ERISA from a
Multiemployer Plan; (h) any event or condition which results in the
reorganization or insolvency of a Multiemployer Plan under Section 4241 or 4245
of ERISA; or (i) any event or condition which results in the termination of a
Multiemployer Plan under Section 4041A of ERISA or the institution by the PBGC
of proceedings to terminate a Multiemployer Plan under Section 4042 of ERISA.

                                  Appendix A-25
<PAGE>   150
         "Third Party Consent" shall mean each consent entered into by a party
(other than the Obligors) with respect to certain Project Documents.

         "Title Event" shall mean the existence of any defect of title or Lien
or encumbrance on the Project which entitles the Collateral Agent or either
Obligor to make a claim under the title insurance policy in effect with respect
to the Project.

         "Total Projected Revenues" shall mean, for any period, all revenues of
the Issuer and its Subsidiaries (other than Unrestricted Subsidiaries),
calculated on a consolidated basis, plus any payments received under Hedging
Agreements (other than interest rate protection agreements) for that period.

         "Transaction Documents" shall mean the Project Documents and the
Finance Documents.

         "Transfer Restriction Legend" shall mean a legend substantially in the
form of Exhibit D.

         "Trigger Event" shall have the meaning given to that term in Section
1.1 of the Intercreditor Agreement.

         "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended.

         "Unaudited Financial Statements" shall mean, for any Person, with
respect to any fiscal period, the unaudited balance sheet of such Person as of
the last day of such fiscal period, the related statements of income and cash
flows for such period and (in the case of any period which does not terminate on
the last day of a fiscal year) for the portion of the fiscal year ending with
the last day of such period, setting forth, in each case, in comparative form,
corresponding unaudited figures from the preceding fiscal year.

         "Uniform Commercial Code" or "UCC" shall mean the Uniform Commercial
Code as the same may, from time to time, be in effect in the State of New York.

         "Unrestricted Global Bond" shall have the meaning given to such term in
Section 2.5.3.

         "Unrestricted Subsidiary" shall mean (i) any Subsidiary of the Issuer
that is designated by the Issuer's Management Committee as an Unrestricted
Subsidiary pursuant to a Resolution; but only to the extent that such
Subsidiary: (a) has no Indebtedness or other liabilities or obligations other
than Non-Recourse Obligations; (b) is not party to any

                                  Appendix A-26
<PAGE>   151
agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with either Obligor or any
Additional Guarantor unless the terms of any such agreement, contract,
arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to such Obligor or Additional
Guarantor than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not
Affiliates of the Issuer; and (c) is a Person with respect to which neither
Obligor nor any Additional Guarantor has any direct or indirect obligation (x)
to subscribe for additional equity interests or (y) to maintain or preserve such
Person's financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified
levels of operating results. Any such designation by the Issuer's Management
Committee shall be evidenced to the Bond Trustee by filing with the Bond Trustee
a certified copy of the Resolution giving effect to such designation and an
Officers' Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the
foregoing conditions. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to
meet the foregoing requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it shall
thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this
Indenture, and for all other purposes such Subsidiary will be deemed to be an
Additional Guarantor and shall comply with the requirements of Section 4.18
hereof and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary shall be deemed to be incurred by
an Additional Guarantor as of such date (and, if such Indebtedness is not
permitted to be incurred as of such date under of the loan agreement entered
into by the Additional Guarantor, the Issuer shall be in default of such
Section). The Management Committee of the Issuer may at any time designate any
Unrestricted Subsidiary to be an Additional Guarantor; provided that such
designation shall be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by an Additional
Guarantor of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary and
such designation shall only be permitted if (i) such Indebtedness is permitted
under of the loan agreement entered into by the Additional Guarantor, (ii) the
requirements of Section 4.18 hereof are complied with and (ii) no Default or
Event of Default would occur or be in existence following such designation.

         "U.S. Government Obligations" shall mean direct obligations (or
certificates representing an ownership interest in such obligations) of the
United States (including any agency or instrumentality thereof) for the payment
of which the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged and which are
not callable at the Issuer's option.

         "Valley" shall mean Valley Electric Membership Corp.

         "Voluntary PPA Buy-Out" shall mean a buy-out of a power purchase
agreement that is not an Involuntary PPA Buy-Out.

         "Washington-St. Tammy" shall mean Washington-St. Tammany Electric
Cooperative, Inc.

                                  Appendix A-27
<PAGE>   152
         "Working Capital Equity" shall mean an amount drawn under the Working
Capital Facility which equals the amount of equity contributions made to the
Issuer from NRG or the Members solely to fund working capital requirements of
the Obligors during the period immediately following the Closing Date through
the earlier of (a) the date that is three (3) months after the Closing Date or
(b) the date on which such draw is made under the Working Capital Facility;
provided that such amount shall only be equal to the amount of equity
contributions made in excess of $261,000,000.

         "Working Capital Facility" shall mean a revolving credit facility
created pursuant to a working capital agreement to be entered into among the
Issuer, any guarantors party thereto, the Working Capital Facility Banks and the
Working Capital Facility Agent.

         "Working Capital Facility Agent" shall mean the agent appointed under
the Working Capital Facility, its successors and assigns, in its capacity as
administrative agent under the Working Capital Facility.

         "Working Capital Facility Banks" shall mean each financial institution
party to the Working Capital Facility.

                                  Appendix A-28
<PAGE>   153
                                   EXHIBIT A

                      FORM OF FACE OF SERIES [A] [B] BOND

                           [Global Securities Legend]

         THIS BOND IS A RESTRICTED GLOBAL BOND WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE
INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A
NEW YORK CORPORATION ("DTC"), OR A NOMINEE OF DTC. THIS BOND IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR
BONDS HELD BY A PERSON OTHER THAN DTC OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED
CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS BOND (OTHER
THAN A TRANSFER OF THIS BOND AS A WHOLE BY DTC TO A NOMINEE OF DTC OR BY A
NOMINEE OF DTC TO DTC OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF DTC OR BY DTC OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO
A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY) MAY BE MADE
EXCEPT IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.(1)

         UNLESS THIS RESTRICTED GLOBAL BOND IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC TO FUNDING COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT,
OR ANY DEFINITIVE BOND IS ISSUED IN THE NAME OR NAMES AS DIRECTED IN WRITING BY
DTC, ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO
ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE BEARER HEREOF, DTC, HAS AN INTEREST
HEREIN.

                    [Transfer Restricted Securities Legend]

         THIS BOND (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION
EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE
"SECURITIES ACT"), AND THIS BOND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE
TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION
THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THIS BOND IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF
THIS BOND MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF
THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.

(1) This paragraph should be included only if the Bond is a Global Bond.

                                   Exhibit A-1
<PAGE>   154
         THE HOLDER OF THIS BOND, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES FOR THE
BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT (A) THIS BOND MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR
OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (I) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHOM THE
SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN
RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF
RULE 144A, (II) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN
ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (III) PURSUANT TO AN
EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144
THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE) OR (IV) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (IV) IN
ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED
STATES, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO,
NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS BOND FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO
IN (A) ABOVE.(2)

(2) These paragraphs should be included only if the Bond is a Transfer
Restricted Security.

                                   Exhibit A-2
<PAGE>   155
                        NRG SOUTH CENTRAL GENERATING LLC
                [8.962% Senior Secured Series A Bonds Due 2016]
                [9.479% Senior Secured Series B Bonds Due 2024]

                                                          CUSIP Number:  [     ]

Principal Amount:   $[500,000,000]
                    $[300,000,000]

Maturity Date:      [March 15, 2016]
                    [September 15, 2024]

Issue Date:         March 30, 2000

Interest Rate:      [8.962%] [9.479%]

Registered Holder:  Cede & Co.

         NRG SOUTH CENTRAL GENERATING LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
(the "the Issuer"), which term includes any successor or assign under the
Indenture referred to below), for value received hereby promises to pay to Cede
& Co., or its registered assigns, on each date (each a "Payment Date") the
principal sum corresponding to such Payment Date set forth on Schedule I of the
Indenture, or on such earlier date as the entire principal hereof may become due
in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture, and to pay interest in
arrears on each March 15 and September 15 (each an "Interest Payment Date"),
commencing September 15, 2000, on said principal sum at the rate of [8.962%]
[9.479%] per annum. Interest shall accrue from and including the most recent
date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, from March 30, 2000
until payment of said principal sum has been made or duly provided for. The
interest payable on any such Interest Payment Date will, subject to certain
conditions set forth herein, be paid to the person in whose name this Bond is
registered at the end of the fifteenth day next preceding each Interest Payment
Date. Such payments shall be made exclusively in such coin or currency of the
United States of America as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the
payment of public and private debts.

         The statements in the legend set forth above, if any, are an integral
part of the terms of this Bond and by acceptance hereof the holder of this Bond
agrees to be subject to and bound by the terms and provisions set forth in such
legend, if any.

                                   Exhibit A-3
<PAGE>   156
     REFERENCE IS MADE TO THE FURTHER PROVISIONS SET FORTH UNDER THE TERMS AND
CONDITIONS OF THE BONDS ENDORSED ON THE REVERSE HEREOF. SUCH FURTHER PROVISIONS
SHALL FOR ALL PURPOSES HAVE THE SAME EFFECT AS THOUGH FULLY SET FORTH AT THIS
PLACE.

     Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the
Bond Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Bond
shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid for any
purpose.

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

Dated: [ ]

                                               NRG SOUTH CENTRAL GENERATING LLC

                                               By:______________________________
                                                  Name:
                                                  Title:

      This is one of the Bonds described in the within-mentioned Indenture.

                                               THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
                                               as Bond Trustee

                                               By:______________________________
                                                  Authorized Signatory

                                   Exhibit A-4
<PAGE>   157
                                  EXHIBIT B

                    FORM OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF BONDS

Principal Amount:       $[500,000,000] $[300,000,000]

Interest Rate:          [8.962%] [9.479%]

Payment Dates:          March 15 and September 15
                        (commencing September 15, 2000)

Minimum Denominations:  US$100,000 and integral multiples of
                        $1,000 in excess thereof.

Other Terms:

      1. General. This Bond is one of a duly authorized issue of debt securities
(the "Bonds") of NRG SOUTH CENTRAL GENERATING LLC (the "the Issuer") issued
pursuant to an Indenture (the "Indenture") dated as of March 30, 2000, between
the Issuer and THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as Bond Trustee. All capitalized terms
used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given to such
terms in Appendix A of the Indenture. The Holders of the Bonds will be entitled
to the benefits of, be bound by, and be deemed to have notice of, all of the
provisions of the Indenture. A copy of the Indenture is on file and may be
inspected at the Corporate Trust Office of the Bond Trustee in The City of New
York, at the offices of the paying agents listed at the foot of this Bond and at
the principal office of the Issuer set forth in Section 18 hereto.

      2. Payments and Paying Agencies. (a) All payments on this Bond shall be
made exclusively in immediately available funds and in such coin or currency of
the United States of America which, at the time of payment, is legal tender for
the payment of public and private debts.

      (b) The Person in whose name any Bond is registered at the close of
business on any Regular Record Date immediately preceding any Payment Date shall
be entitled to receive the principal, premium (if any) and/or interest payable
on such Payment Date notwithstanding the cancellation of such Bond upon any
transfer or exchange thereof subsequent to such Regular Record Date and prior to
such Payment Date; provided, however, that if and to the extent there is a
default in the payment of the principal, premium (if any)

                                   Exhibit B-1
<PAGE>   158
and/or interest due with respect to any Bond on such Payment Date, such
defaulted principal, premium (if any) and/or interest shall be paid to the
Holder in whose names Outstanding Bonds are registered at the close of business
on a subsequent date (each such date, a "Special Record Date") determined by the
Bond Trustee as provided in Section 2.4 of the Indenture.

      (c) If any date for the payment of principal of, premium (if any) or
interest on the Bond is not a Business Day, such payment shall be due on the
first Business Day thereafter. Any payment made on such next succeeding Business
Day shall have the same force and effect as if made on the date on which such
payment is due, and no interest shall accrue for the period after such date.

      (d) Interest shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve
30-day months.

      3. Amendments and Supplements to Indenture.

      (a) Without Consent of Holders.

      Subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, the Indenture may be amended or
supplemented by the Issuer and the Bond Trustee at any time and from time to
time, without the consent of the Holders by a Supplemental Indenture authorized
by a resolution of the Management Committee of the Issuer filed with, and in
form satisfactory to, the Bond Trustee, solely for one or more of the following
purposes:

            (i) to add additional covenants of the Issuer or any of the other
      obligors on the Bonds, to surrender any right or power herein conferred
      upon the Issuer or any of the other obligors on the Bonds or to confer
      upon the Holders any additional rights, remedies, benefits, powers or
      authorities that may lawfully be conferred;

            (ii) to increase the assets securing the Issuer's obligations under
      the Indenture;

            (iii) to provide for the issuance of Additional Bonds on the
      conditions set forth in Section 2.3 of the Indenture;

            (iv) for any purpose not inconsistent with the terms of the
      Indenture to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision
      contained herein or in any Supplemental Indenture which may be defective
      or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein or in any
      Supplemental Indenture;

                                   Exhibit B-2
<PAGE>   159
            (v) in connection with, and to reflect, any amendments to the
      provisions hereof required by the Rating Agencies in circumstances where
      confirmation of the Ratings are required under the Indenture in connection
      with the issuance of Additional Bonds or the taking of other actions by
      the Issuer; provided, however, that such amendments are not, in the
      judgment of the Bond Trustee, to the prejudice of the Bond Trustee or the
      Holders;

            (vi) to provide for the issuance of Exchange Bonds and Private
      Exchange Bonds, as contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement or
      similar exchange bonds in respect of Additional Bonds;

            (vii) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Issuer or
      any other obligor on the Bonds as permitted by the terms of the Finance
      Documents, and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of
      the Issuer or such obligor contained herein and in the Bonds;

            (viii) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment of
      a successor Bond Trustee under the Indenture;

            (ix) to mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or grant a security interest
      in favor of the Bond Trustee for the benefit of the Holders as additional
      security for the payment and performance of the Issuer's obligations under
      the Indenture; or

            (x) to comply with any requirements of the Commission or the Trust
      Indenture Act in order to effect and maintain the qualification of the
      Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

      (b) With Consent of Holders.

      Subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, the Indenture may be amended or
supplemented by the Issuer and the Bond Trustee at any time and from time to
time, with the consent of the Majority Holders, for the purpose of adding any
mutually agreeable provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of
the provisions of, the Indenture, except with respect to (a) the principal,
premium (if any) or interest payable upon any Bonds, (b) the dates on which
interest on or principal of any Bonds is paid, (c) the dates of maturity of any
Bonds and (d) Article 8 of the Indenture. Subject to the Intercreditor
Agreement, the matters of the Indenture described in clauses (a) through (d) of
the preceding sentence may be amended or supplemented by the Issuer and the Bond
Trustee at any time and from time to time only with the consent of the One
Hundred Percent Holders. Notice of any such

                                   Exhibit B-3
<PAGE>   160
amendment shall be given by the Issuer to any Rating Agency then maintaining a
Rating for the Bonds.

      4. Mutilated, Lost, Destroyed or Stolen Bonds. (a) If any Bond shall
become mutilated, the Issuer shall execute, and the Bond Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver, a new Bond of like tenor, maturity and denomination in
exchange and substitution for the Bond so mutilated, but only upon surrender to
the Bond Trustee of such mutilated Bond for cancellation, and the Issuer or the
Bond Trustee may require reasonable indemnity therefor. If any Bond shall be
reported lost, stolen or destroyed, evidence as to the ownership and the loss,
theft or destruction thereof shall be submitted to the Bond Trustee. If such
evidence shall be satisfactory to both the Bond Trustee and the Issuer and
indemnity satisfactory to both shall be given, the Issuer shall execute, and
thereupon the Bond Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, a new Bond of like
tenor, maturity and denomination. The cost of providing any substitute Bond
under the provisions of Section 2.10 of the Indenture shall be borne by the
Holder for whose benefit such substitute Bond is provided. If any such
mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed Bond shall have matured or be about to
mature, the Issuer may, with the consent of the Bond Trustee, pay to the Holder
thereof the principal amount of such Bond upon the maturity thereof and
compliance with the aforesaid conditions by such Holder, without the issuance of
a substitute Bond therefor, and likewise pay to the Holder the amount of the
unpaid interest, if any, which would have been paid on a substitute Bond had one
been issued.

      (b) Every substitute Bond issued pursuant to Section 2.10 of the Indenture
shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Issuer, whether or
not the Bond alleged to have been mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen shall be
at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of
this Indenture equally and proportionally with any and all other Bonds duly
issued hereunder.

      (c) All Bonds shall be held and owned upon the express condition that the
foregoing provisions are, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, exclusive
with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or
stolen Bonds, and shall preclude any and all other rights and remedies with
respect thereto.

      5. Bond Trustee. For a description of the duties and the immunities and
rights of the Bond Trustee under the Indenture, reference is made to the
Indenture, and the obligations of the Bond Trustee to the Holder hereof are
subject to such immunities and rights.

      6. Paying Agents; Authenticating Agents; Registrars. The Issuer has
initially appointed the Bond Trustee as Paying Agent, Authenticating Agent and
Registrar. The

                                   Exhibit B-4
<PAGE>   161
Issuer may, subject to the terms of the Indenture, at any time appoint
additional or other paying agents, authenticating agents and registrars and
terminate the appointment thereof, provided, that while the Bonds are
Outstanding, the Issuer will maintain offices or agencies for payment of
principal of and interest on this Bond as herein provided in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York. Notice of any such termination or appointment
and of any change in the office through which any paying agent, authenticating
agent or registrar will act will be promptly given in the manner described in
Section 8 hereof.

      7. Enforcement. (a) Subject to the Intercreditor Agreement and the other
provisions of Article 5 of the Indenture, a Holder shall not have the right to
institute any suit, action or proceeding at law or in equity or otherwise for
the appointment of a receiver or for the enforcement of any other remedy under
or upon this Indenture, unless:

            (i) such Holder shall have previously given written notice to the
      Bond Trustee of a continuing Event of Default;

            (ii) Holders representing the percentage of aggregate principal
      amount of Outstanding Bonds needed to initiate the exercise of remedies
      shall have requested the Bond Trustee in writing to institute such suit,
      action or proceeding;

            (iii) the Bond Trustee shall have refused or neglected to institute
      any such suit, action or proceeding for sixty (60) days after receipt of
      such notice by the Bond Trustee; and

            (iv) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been
      given to the Bond Trustee during such sixty (60) day period by the
      Majority Holders.

      (b) Subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, it is understood and intended
that one or more of the Holders shall not have any right in any manner
whatsoever hereunder or under the Bonds to (i) surrender, impair, waive, affect,
disturb or prejudice the Lien of the Security Documents on any property subject
thereto or the rights of any other Holders, (ii) obtain or seek to obtain
priority or preference over any other Holders or (iii) enforce any right under
the Indenture, except in the manner provided herein or in the Indenture and for
the equal, ratable and common benefit of all of the Holders.

      8. Notices. Notices will be mailed to Holders at their registered
addresses. Notice sent by first class mail, postage prepaid, shall be deemed to
have been given on the date of such mailing. In addition, the Issuer will cause
all such other publications of such notices as may be required from time to time
by Applicable Law.

                                   Exhibit B-5
<PAGE>   162
      9. Redemption at the Option of the Issuer. The Bonds are, under certain
conditions, subject to redemption at the option of the Issuer as set forth in
Section 3.1 of the Indenture.

      10. Redemption at the Option of the Holders. The Bonds are, under certain
conditions, subject to redemption at the option of the Holders as set forth in
Section 3.1 of the Indenture.

      11. Mandatory Redemption. The Bonds are subject to mandatory redemption
under certain circumstances as set forth in Section 3.2 of the Indenture.

      12. Authentication. This Bond shall not be valid for any purpose until an
Authorized Representative of the Bond Trustee manually signs the certificate of
authentication hereon substantially in the form set forth at the end of the form
of the Bond attached to the Indenture as Exhibit A.

      13. Governing Law. This Bond is a contract made under the laws of the
State of New York of the United States and shall for all purposes be governed by
and construed in accordance with the laws of such State without regard to the
conflict of law rules thereof (other than Section 5-1401 of the New York General
Obligations Law).

      14. Warranty by the Issuer. Subject to Section 12, the Issuer hereby
certifies and warrants that all acts, conditions and things required to be done
and performed and to have happened precedent to the creation and issuance of
this Bond, and to constitute the same a legal, valid and binding obligation of
the Issuer enforceable in accordance with its terms, have been done and
performed and have happened in due and strict compliance with all Applicable
Laws.

      15. Bond Trustee Dealings with the Issuer. Subject to certain limitations
imposed by the Act, the Bond Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or
any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Bonds and may otherwise
deal with and collect obligations owed to it by the Issuer or its Affiliates and
may otherwise deal with the Issuer or its Affiliates with the same rights it
would have it if were not Bond Trustee.

      16. No Recourse Against Others. A director, officer, employee, partner,
affiliate, agent, servant or shareholder, as such, of the Issuer or the Bond
Trustee shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer under the
Bonds or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of
such obligations or their creation. The Bonds shall be payable from, and
recourse solely to, the Guarantees and the Collateral. By

                                   Exhibit B-6
<PAGE>   163
accepting a Bond, each Holder waives and releases all such liability. The waiver
and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Bonds.

      17. CUSIP Numbers. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the
Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Issuer has caused
CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Bonds and has directed the Bond Trustee to
use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No
representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on
the Bonds or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed
only on the other identification number placed thereon. The Issuer will promptly
notify the Bond Trustee of any change in the CUSIP numbers.

      18. Indentures. The Issuer will furnish to any Holder upon written request
and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to: NRG SOUTH
CENTRAL GENERATING LLC at 1221 Nicollet Mall, Suite 700, Minneapolis, Minnesota
55403, Attention: General Counsel, Telecopier No.: (612) 373-5392

      19. Abbreviations. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a
Holder or an assignee, such as TEN COM (Tenants in Common), TEN ENT (Tenants by
the Entireties), JT TEN (Joint Tenants with Rights of Survivorship and not as
Tenants in Common), CUST (Custodian), and U/G/M/A (Uniform Gift to Minors Act).

      20. Descriptive Headings. The descriptive headings appearing in these
Terms and Conditions are for convenience of reference only and shall not alter,
limit or define the provisions thereof.

                                   Exhibit B-7
<PAGE>   164
                                   EXHIBIT C

                                FORM OF TRANSFER

            FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby transfers to

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

                     (PRINT NAME AND ADDRESS OF TRANSFEREE)

U.S. $___________ principal amount of this Bond, and all rights with respect
thereto, and irrevocably constitutes and appoints_____________________ as
attorney to transfer this Bond on the books kept for registration thereof, with
full power of substitution.

Dated_________________________     ____________________________

Signed________________________

Note:

            (i) The signature on this transfer form must correspond to the name
      as it appears on the face of this Bond.

            (ii) A representative of the Holder should state the capacity in
      which he or she signs (e.g., executor).

            (iii) The signature of the person effecting the transfer shall
      conform to any list of duly authorized specimen signatures supplied by the
      registered holder or shall be certified by a bank which is a member of the
      Medallion Program or in such other manner as the Paying Agent, acting in
      its capacity as transfer agent or the Bond trustee, acting in its capacity
      as Registrar, may require.

                                   Exhibit C-1
<PAGE>   165
                                   EXHIBIT D

                      FORM OF TRANSFER RESTRICTION LEGEND

      THIS BOND (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION
EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE
"SECURITIES ACT"), AND THIS BOND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE
TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION
THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THIS BOND IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF
THIS BOND MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF
THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.

      THE HOLDER OF THIS BOND, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT
OF THE COMPANY THAT (A) THIS BOND MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE
TRANSFERRED, ONLY (I) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER
REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE
144A, (II) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE
WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (III) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM
REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF
AVAILABLE) OR (IV) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (IV) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY
APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND (B) THE HOLDER
WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS
BOND FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN (A) ABOVE.

                                   Exhibit D-1
<PAGE>   166
                                   EXHIBIT E

                   FORM OF REGULATION S TRANSFER CERTIFICATE

                                     [date]

[Name of Registrar]

[Address of Registrar]

Ladies and Gentlemen:

      Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of March 30, 2000,
between NRG SOUTH CENTRAL GENERATING LLC, as the Issuer and THE CHASE MANHATTAN
BANK, as Bond Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have
the respective meanings given to such terms in the Indenture or Regulation S, as
the case may be.

[Insert the following paragraph for any transfer made pursuant to Section
2.7.2(b):

      This certificate relates to US$__________ principal amount of Bonds which
are held in the form of a beneficial interest in the Restricted Global Bond
(CUSIP No.__________) with the Depositary in the name of [insert name of
transferor] (the "Transferor"). The Transferor has requested a transfer of such
beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Bond
(CUSIP No.__________) to be held with [Euroclear] [Clearstream] (Common Code
No.__________) through the Depositary in the name of [insert name of transferee]
(the "Transferee").]

[Insert the following paragraph for any transfer made pursuant to Section
2.7.2(c):

      This certificate relates to US$__________ principal amount of Bonds which
are held in the form of a beneficial interest in the Restricted Global Bond
(CUSIP No.__________) with the Depositary in the name of [insert name of
transferor] (the "Transferor"). The Transferor has requested a transfer of such
beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Bond
(CUSIP No.__________) to be held [with [Euroclear] [Clearstream]] through the
Depositary in the name of [insert name of transferee] (the "Transferee").]

[Insert the following paragraph for any transfer made pursuant to Section
2.7.3(a):

                                   Exhibit E-1
<PAGE>   167
      This certificate relates to US$__________ principal amount of Bonds which
are held in the form of one or more Certificated Bonds registered in the name of
[insert name of transferor] (the "Transferor"). The Transferor has requested a
transfer of such Certificated Bonds for one or more Certificated Bonds to be
registered in the name of [insert name of transferee] (the "Transferee").]

[Insert the following paragraph for any transfer made pursuant to Section
2.7.3(c):

      This certificate relates to US$__________ principal amount of Bonds which
are held in the form of one or more Certificated Bonds registered in the name of
[insert name of transferor] (the "Transferor"). The Transferor has requested a
transfer of such Certificated Bonds for a beneficial interest in the
Unrestricted Global Bond (CUSIP No.__________) to be held [with [Euroclear]
[Clearstream]] through the Depositary in the name of [insert name of transferee]
(the "Transferee").]

      In connection with such request for transfer and in respect of such Bonds,
the Transferor does hereby certify that such transfer is being effected in
accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Indenture and the
Bonds and pursuant to and in accordance with Regulation S, and accordingly the
Transferor does hereby certify:

            (1) the offer of such Bonds was not made to a person in the United
      States;

            (2) either (a) at the time the buy order for such Bonds was
      originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or the Transferor
      and any person acting on its behalf reasonably believed that the
      Transferee was outside the United States or (b) the transaction was
      executed in, or through the facilities of, a designated offshore
      securities market and neither the Transferor nor any person acting on its
      behalf knew that the transaction was pre-arranged with a buyer in the
      United States;

            (3) no directed selling efforts have been made in the United States
      in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or 904(b) of the
      Securities Act, as applicable; and

            (4) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the
      registration requirements of the Securities Act.

[Add the following for transfers made during the Regulation S Restricted Period:

      In addition, (A) if the provisions of Rule 903(b)(3) or Rule 904(b)(1) of
the Securities Act are applicable to the transaction, the Transferor hereby
certifies that the transfer is being

                                   Exhibit E-2
<PAGE>   168
made in accordance with the requirements of Rule 903(b)(3) or Rule 904(b)(1), as
the case may be, and (B) upon completion of the transaction, the Transferee will
hold the transferred beneficial interest through Euroclear or Clearstream.]

      You and the Issuer are entitled to rely upon this certificate and are
irrevocably authorized to produce this certificate or a copy hereof to any
interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry
with respect to the matters covered hereby.

                                                     [Name of Transferor]

                                                     By:______________________
                                                         Name:
                                                         Title:

                                  Exhibit E-3
<PAGE>   169
                                   EXHIBIT F

                     FORM OF RULE 144 TRANSFER CERTIFICATE

                                     [date]

[Name of Registrar]
[Address of Registrar]

Ladies and Gentlemen:

      Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of March 30, 2000,
between NRG SOUTH CENTRAL GENERATING LLC, as the Issuer and THE CHASE MANHATTAN
BANK, as Bond Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have
the respective meanings given to such terms in the Indenture or Rule 144, as the
case may be.

[Insert the following paragraph for any transfer made pursuant to Section
2.7.2(c):

      This certificate relates to US$__________ principal amount of Bonds which
are held in the form of a beneficial interest in the Restricted Global Bond
(CUSIP No.__________) with the Depositary in the name of [insert name of
transferor] (the "Transferor"). The Transferor has requested a transfer of such
beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Bond
(CUSIP No.__________) to be held with the Depositary in the name of [insert name
of transferee] (the "Transferee").]

[Insert the following paragraph for any transfer made pursuant to Section
2.7.3(a):

      This certificate relates to US$__________ principal amount of Bonds which
are held in the form of one or more Certificated Bonds registered in the name of
[insert name of transferor] (the "Transferor"). The Transferor has requested a
transfer of such Certificated Bonds for one or more Certificated Bonds to be
registered in the name of [insert name of transferee] (the "Transferee").]

      In connection with such request for transfer and in respect of such Bonds,
the Transferor does hereby certify that such transfer has been effected in
accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Indenture and the
Bonds, and that the Bonds are being transferred in a transaction permitted by
Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

                                   Exhibit F-1
<PAGE>   170
      You and the Issuer are entitled to rely upon this certificate and are
irrevocably authorized to produce this certificate or a copy hereof to any
interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry
with respect to the matters covered hereby.

                                        [Name of Transferor]

                                        By:
                                            Name:
                                            Title:

                                   Exhibit F-2
<PAGE>   171
                                   EXHIBIT G

                     FORM OF RULE 144A TRANSFER CERTIFICATE

                                     [date]

[Name of Registrar]
[Address of Registrar]

Ladies and Gentlemen:

      Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of March 30, 2000,
between NRG SOUTH CENTRAL GENERATING LLC, as the Issuer and THE CHASE MANHATTAN
BANK, as Bond Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have
the respective meanings given to such terms in the Indenture or Rule 144A, as
the case may be.

[Insert the following paragraph for any transfer made pursuant to Section
2.7.2(d):

      This certificate relates to US$__________ principal amount of Bonds which
are held in the form of a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Bond
(CUSIP No.__________) with the Depositary in the name of [insert name of
transferor] (the "Transferor"). The Transferor has requested a transfer of such
beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in the Restricted Global Bond
(CUSIP No.__________) to be held with the Depositary in the name of [insert name
of transferee] (the "Transferee").]

[Insert the following paragraph for any transfer made pursuant to Section
2.7.3(a):

This certificate relates to US$__________ principal amount of Bonds which are
held in the form of one or more Certificated Bonds registered in the name of
[insert name of transferor] (the "Transferor"). The Transferor has requested a
transfer of such Certificated Bonds for one or more Certificated Bonds to be
registered in the name of [insert name of transferee] (the "Transferee").]

[Insert the following paragraph for any transfer made pursuant to Section
2.7.3(c):

      This certificate relates to US$__________ principal amount of Bonds which
are held in the form of one or more Certificated Bonds registered in the name of
[insert name of

                                   Exhibit G-1
<PAGE>   172
transferor] (the "Transferor"). The Transferor has requested a transfer of such
Certificated Bonds for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Bond
(CUSIP No.__________) to be held [with [Euroclear] [Clearstream]] through the
Depositary in the name of [insert name of transferee] (the "Transferee").]

      In connection with such request for transfer and in respect of such Bonds,
the Transferor does hereby certify that such transfer is being effected in
accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Indenture and the
Bonds and pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A, and accordingly the
Transferor does hereby certify:

            (1) the Transferee is a person that the Transferor and any person
      acting on behalf of the Transferor reasonably believe is purchasing such
      Bonds for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to
      which the Transferee exercises sole investment discretion, and the
      Transferee and each such account is a "qualified institutional buyer"
      within the meaning of Rule 144A; and

            (2) the Transferor and any person acting on its behalf has taken
      reasonable steps to ensure that the Transferee is aware that the
      Transferor will be relying on Rule 144A in connection with the
      transaction;

            (3) the transaction satisfies all other requirements of Rule 144A
      and of any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States or
      any other jurisdiction.

      You and the Issuer are entitled to rely upon this certificate and are
irrevocably authorized to produce this certificate or a copy hereof to any
interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry
with respect to the matters covered hereby.

                                     [Name of Transferor]

                                     By:
                                        Name:
                                        Title:

                                  Exhibit G-2
<PAGE>   173
                                   EXHIBIT H

              FORM OF REQUEST FOR INFORMATION FROM THE BOND TRUSTEE

THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
as Bond Trustee
Capital Markets Fiduciary Services
450 West 33rd Street, 15th Floor
New York, NY 10001

Attention: Annette M. Marsula

      Pursuant to Section 1.4 of the Indenture, dated as of March 30, 2000 (the
"Indenture"), by and between NRG SOUTH CENTRAL GENERATING LLC ("the Issuer") and
THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as Bond Trustee, [name of holder], as beneficial
holder, hereby requests, which request is a continuing request until further
notice to the contrary, that you deliver to us at [address of holder,
Attention:] all information and copies of all documents that the Issuer is
required to deliver to you pursuant to Rule 144A(d) under the Securities Act or
pursuant to the Indenture. [Name of holder] hereby certifies that it is a
beneficial holder of [8.962%] [9.479%] Senior Secured [Series A/Series B] Bonds
due [2016/2024].

[Name of Holder]

------------------------------            --------------------------------
Authorized Signature                      Date

                                  Exhibit H-1
<PAGE>   174
                 FORM OF REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION FROM

                             A SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR

NRG SOUTH CENTRAL GENERATING LLC
1221 Nicollet Mall, Suite 700
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55403

Attention: General Counsel

      Pursuant to Section 4.2 of the Indenture, dated as of March 30, 2000 (the
"Indenture"), by and between NRG SOUTH CENTRAL GENERATING LLC ("the Issuer") and
THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as Bond Trustee, as beneficial Holder, hereby
requests, which request is a continuing request until further notice to the
contrary, that you deliver all financial information required to be delivered
pursuant to the Indenture directly to us as [address of holder, Attention:].
[Name of holder] hereby certifies that it is a beneficial holder of [8.962%]
[9.479%] Senior Secured [Series A/Series B] Bonds due [2016/2024].

[Name of Holder]

------------------------------            --------------------------------
Authorized Signature                      Date

                                   Exhibit H-2
<PAGE>   175
                                   EXHIBIT I

                        FORM OF SUBORDINATION PROVISIONS

      Section 1. NRG South Central Generating LLC, a limited liability company
organized under the laws of Delaware] (the "Issuer"), hereby covenants and
agrees, and [NAME OF SUBORDINATED LENDER] (the "Subordinated Lender"), likewise
agrees, that, to the extent and in the manner set forth in this Agreement,
[describe subordinated indebtedness] (the "Subordinated Indebtedness"), and the
payment from whatever source of the principal of, and interest and premium (if
any) on, the Subordinated Indebtedness, are hereby expressly made subordinate
and subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full in cash of all
Senior Indebtedness (as hereinafter defined). All capitalized terms used herein
and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto,
whether directly or by reference to another agreement or document, in the
Indenture dated as of March 30, 2000 (as amended, supplemented or modified and
in effect from time to time, the "Indenture") among the Issuer, the Subsidiary
Guarantor and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee (in such capacity, together
with its successors and assigns, the "Bond Trustee") for the Holders.

      For purposes hereof, "Senior Indebtedness" shall mean all indebtedness,
liabilities and other obligations of the Issuer (including, but not limited to,
all such obligations in respect of principal, premiums, interest, fees,
reimbursement obligations, penalties, indemnities, legal expenses, costs and
other expenses, whether due after acceleration or otherwise) to the Secured
Parties (of whatsoever nature and howsoever evidenced) under or pursuant to the
Finance Documents, in each case, direct or indirect, primary or secondary, fixed
or contingent, now or hereafter arising out of or relating to any such agreement
or document. The term "Senior Indebtedness" shall include any interest accruing
after the date of any filing by the Issuer of any petition in bankruptcy or the
commencing of any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceedings with respect to
the Issuer, whether or not such interest is allowable as a claim in any such
proceeding.

      Section 2. Each of the Secured Parties and the Subordinated Lender further
agree that:

      (a) (i) Unless and until the Senior Indebtedness shall have been paid or
otherwise satisfied in full, the Subordinated Lender shall not ask, demand, sue
for, take or receive from the Issuer, directly or indirectly, in cash or other
property or by set-off or in any other manner (including, without limitation,
from or by way of the Collateral or any guaranty of payment or performance),
payment of all or any of the Subordinated Indebtedness, except as permitted
under the Indenture and shall be paid solely from cash available for application
to Restricted Payments. For the purposes of these provisions, the Senior
Indebtedness shall not be deemed to have been paid or satisfied in full until
the Senior Indebtedness shall have

                                   Exhibit I-1
<PAGE>   176
been indefeasibly so paid in cash to the Secured Parties (after the passage of
any relevant preference periods).

      (ii) Upon any distribution of all or any of the assets of the Issuer to
creditors of the Issuer upon the dissolution, winding up, liquidation,
arrangement, reorganization or composition of the Issuer, whether in any
bankruptcy, insolvency, arrangement, reorganization, receivership or similar
proceedings or upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other
marshalling of the assets and liabilities of the Issuer or otherwise, any
payment or distribution of any kind (whether in cash, property or securities)
which otherwise would be payable or deliverable upon or with respect to the
Subordinated Indebtedness but for the provisions of this Agreement, including,
without limitation, any such payment or distribution that may be payable or
deliverable by reason of the payment of any other indebtedness of the Issuer
being subordinated to the payment of the Subordinated Indebtedness shall be paid
or delivered directly to the Collateral Agent for application (in the case of
cash) to or as Collateral (in the case of non-cash property or securities) for
the payment or prepayment of the Senior Indebtedness until the Senior
Indebtedness has been paid or otherwise satisfied in full in cash.

      (iii) Each of the Secured Parties may demand specific performance of these
terms of subordination, whether or not the Issuer shall have complied with any
of the provisions hereof applicable to them at any time when the Subordinated
Lender shall have failed to comply with any of such provisions applicable to it.
The Subordinated Lender hereby irrevocably waives any defense based on the
adequacy of a remedy at law, which might be asserted as a bar to such remedy of
specific performance.

      (iv) So long as any of the Senior Indebtedness shall remain unpaid or
otherwise unsatisfied, the Subordinated Lender shall not commence or join with
any creditor other than the Collateral Agent in commencing any proceeding
referred to in subsection (ii) above for the payment of any amounts which
otherwise would be payable or deliverable upon or with respect to the
Subordinated Indebtedness.

      (v) Subject to the indefeasible payment or satisfaction in full in cash of
all of the Senior Indebtedness, the Subordinated Lender shall be subrogated to
the rights of the Secured Parties to receive payments or distributions of assets
of the Issuer made on the Senior Indebtedness until the Subordinated
Indebtedness has been satisfied in full.

      (vi) In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this
Section 2, the Subordinated Lender shall have received, before all Senior
Indebtedness is paid in full in cash or payment thereof is otherwise provided
for, any such payment or distribution of assets of the Issuer of any kind or
character, whether in cash, property or

                                   Exhibit I-2
<PAGE>   177
securities, including any such payment or distribution arising out of the
exercise by the Subordinated Lender of a right of set-off or counterclaim and
any such payment or distribution received by reason of any other indebtedness of
the Issuer being subordinated to the Subordinated Indebtedness, then, and in
such event, such payment or distribution shall be held in trust for the benefit
of the Secured Parties, and shall be immediately paid over to the Collateral
Agent, to the extent necessary to make payment in full in cash of all Senior
Indebtedness remaining unpaid, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or
distribution to the Secured Parties.

      The foregoing provisions regarding subordination are for the benefit of
the Secured Parties and shall be enforceable by them directly against the
Subordinated Lender, and no Secured Party shall be prejudiced in its right to
enforce subordination of any of the Subordinated Indebtedness by any act or
failure to act by the Issuer or anyone in custody of its assets or property.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the foregoing provisions,
the Subordinated Lender may receive and retain payments in respect of the
Subordinated Indebtedness from the Issuer to the extent that such payments are
permitted by the Indenture.

      (b) So long as any Senior Indebtedness remains outstanding, the following
provisions shall apply:

      (i) If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the
Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, shall be permitted to take
any and all actions to exercise any and all rights, remedies and options which
it may have under the other Security Documents.

      (ii) The Subordinated Lender shall not, without the prior written consent
of the Secured Parties, (x) exercise any rights or enforce any remedies or
assert any claim with respect to the Collateral, (y) seek to foreclose any Lien
or sell the Collateral, or (z) take any action, directly or indirectly, or
institute any proceedings, directly or indirectly, with respect to any of the
foregoing.

      (iii) The Subordinated Lender hereby waives: (x) notice of the existence,
creation or non-payment of all or any of the Senior Indebtedness and (y) to the
fullest extent permitted by law, any right it may have to require the Collateral
Agent to marshall assets.

      (c) The Secured Parties may, at any time and from time to time, without
any consent of or notice to the Subordinated Lender and without impairing or
releasing the obligations of the Subordinated Lender: (I) amend, modify, extend,
renew, waive or consent to in any manner, any provision of any agreement under
which any of the Senior Indebted-

                                   Exhibit I-3
<PAGE>   178
ness is outstanding in accordance with the terms thereof; (ii) sell, exchange,
release, not perfect and otherwise deal with any property at any time pledged,
assigned or mortgaged to secure the Senior Indebtedness in accordance with the
Security Documents; (iii) release anyone liable in any manner under or in
respect of the Senior Indebtedness; (iv) exercise or refrain from exercising any
rights against the Issuer and others; and (v) apply any sums from time to time
received to payment or satisfaction of the Senior Indebtedness.

      (d) After the payment in full of all amounts due in respect of the Senior
Indebtedness, the holder or holders of the Subordinated Indebtedness shall be
subrogated to the rights of the holders of the Senior Indebtedness to receive
payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Issuer
applicable to the Senior Indebtedness until the principal of, premium, if any,
interest on and all other amounts due or to become due with respect to the
Subordinated Indebtedness shall be paid in full; and, for the purposes of such
subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of the Senior
Indebtedness of any cash, property or securities to which the holder or holders
of the Subordinated Indebtedness would be entitled but for the provisions
hereof, and no payment over pursuant to these provisions to the holders of the
Senior Indebtedness by any holder of the Subordinated Indebtedness shall, as
among the Issuer, its creditors other than holders of the Senior Indebtedness
and the holder or holders of the Subordinated Indebtedness, be deemed to be a
payment by the Issuer to or on account of the Senior Indebtedness. No payment or
distributions to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness which such holder or
holders of the Subordinated Indebtedness shall be entitled to receive pursuant
to such subrogation shall, as among the Issuer, its creditors other than holders
of the Senior Indebtedness and the holder or holders of the Subordinated
Indebtedness be deemed to be a payment by the Issuer or on account of the
Subordinated Indebtedness.

      Nothing contained in this instrument is intended to or shall impair as
among the Issuer, its creditors other than the holders of the Senior
Indebtedness, and the holders of the Subordinated Indebtedness, the obligation
of the Issuer, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the holders of the
Subordinated Indebtedness as and when the same shall become due and payable in
accordance with its terms, or to affect the relative rights of the holders of
the Subordinated Indebtedness and creditors of the Issuer other than the holders
of the Senior Indebtedness.

      Section 3. The Subordinated Lender agrees not to take any action in
respect of or to enforce any right of subrogation arising as a result of the
Subordinated Lender paying over amounts to the holders of the Senior
Indebtedness as provided herein, prior to payment in full in cash of the Senior
Indebtedness.

      Section 4. The Subordinated Lender agrees that, if it shall fail to file
claims or proofs of claim with respect to the Subordinated Indebtedness at least
thirty (30) days prior to

                                   Exhibit I-4
<PAGE>   179
the expiration of the period in which such claims or proofs of claim shall be
required to be filed, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness are authorized to
file such claims or proofs of claim on behalf of the Subordinated Lender as its
attorney-in-fact.

                                   Exhibit I-5

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