Document:

Exhibit 10.2

 

NRG YIELD, INC.

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

May 14, 2015

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
Page
    
	
Section 1.
    	
Definitions
    	
1
    
	
Section 2.
    	
Demand Registrations
    	
5
    
	
Section 3.
    	
Piggyback Registrations
    	
9
    
	
Section 4.
    	
Holdback Agreements
    	
11
    
	
Section 5.
    	
Registration Procedures
    	
12
    
	
Section 6.
    	
Registration Expenses
    	
16
    
	
Section 7.
    	
Indemnification and Contribution
    	
17
    
	
Section 8.
    	
Underwritten Offerings
    	
19
    
	
Section 9.
    	
Additional Parties; Joinder
    	
20
    
	
Section 10.
    	
Current Public Information
    	
20
    
	
Section 11.
    	
Subsidiary Public Offering
    	
20
    
	
Section 12.
    	
Transfer of Registrable Securities
    	
21
    
	
Section 13.
    	
General Provisions
    	
21
    

 

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NRG YIELD, INC.

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of May 14, 2015, between NRG Yield, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and NRG Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“NRG”).  Except as otherwise specified herein, all capitalized terms used in this Agreement are defined in Section 1.

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, NRG owns all of the outstanding shares of the Company’s Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and Class D common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and all of the outstanding Class B and Class D common units of NRG Yield, LLC (“Yield LLC”), an indirect subsidiary of the Company;

 

WHEREAS, in accordance with the Third Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Yield LLC (the “Yield Operating Agreement”) and the related Amended and Restated Exchange Agreement dated as of the date hereof (the “Exchange Agreement”) by and among NRG, the Company and Yield LLC, the Class B common units of Yield LLC will be exchangeable into shares of the Company’s Class A common stock and the Class D common units will be exchangeable into shares of the Company’s Class C common stock;

 

WHEREAS, the Company granted to NRG rights with respect to the registration of certain of the Company’s securities pursuant to that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated July 22, 2013, by and among NRG and the Company (the “2013 Registration Rights Agreement”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Company and NRG desire to amend and restate the 2013 Registration Rights Agreement to grant NRG rights with respect to the registration of additional securities of the Company on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties to this Agreement hereby agree as follows:

 

Section 1.                   Definitions.  The following terms shall have the meanings set forth below.

 

“Acquired Common” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.

 

“Affiliate” of any Person means any other Person controlled by, controlling or under common control with such Person; provided that the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not be deemed to be Affiliates of any holder of Registrable Securities.  As used in this definition, “control” (including, with its correlative meanings, “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”) shall mean possession, directly or indirectly, of power to direct or cause

 

 

the direction of management or policies (whether through ownership of securities, by contract or otherwise).

 

“Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

“Automatic Shelf Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).

 

“Capital Stock” means (i) with respect to any Person that is a corporation, any and all shares, interests or equivalents in capital stock of such corporation (whether voting or nonvoting and whether common or preferred) and (ii) with respect to any Person that is not a corporation, individual or governmental entity, any and all partnership, membership, limited liability company or other equity interests of such Person that confer on the holder thereof the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or the distribution of assets of, the issuing Person, including in each case any and all warrants, rights (including conversion and exchange rights) and options to purchase any of the foregoing.

 

“Closing” has the meaning set forth in the Purchase Agreement.

 

“Common Stock” means the Company’s Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share and the Company’s Class C common stock, par value $0.01 per share.

 

“Company” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

“Demand Registrations” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).

 

“End of Suspension Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(f)(ii).

 

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, or any successor federal law then in force, together with all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

“Exchange Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

“FINRA” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

 

“Follow-On Holdback Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(a).

 

“Free Writing Prospectus” means a free-writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 405.

 

“Holdback Extension” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(a).

 

“Holder” means a holder of Registrable Securities.

 

“Indemnified Parties” has the meaning set forth in Section 7(a).

 

“Joinder” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.

 

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“Long-Form Registrations” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).

 

“Person” means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization and a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

“Piggyback Registrations” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(a).

 

“Public Offering” means any sale or distribution by the Company and/or holders of Registrable Securities to the public of Common Stock of the Company pursuant to an offering registered under the Securities Act.

 

“Registrable Securities” means (i) any Common Stock issuable upon the exchange of Class B common units or Class D common units of Yield LLC held by NRG or its Affiliates in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Agreement; (ii) any Capital Stock of the Company or any Subsidiary issued or issuable with respect to the securities referred to in clause (i) above by way of dividend, distribution, split or combination of securities, or any recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization; and (iii) any other Common Stock held by NRG and its Affiliates.  As to any particular Registrable Securities, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities when they have been (a) sold or distributed pursuant to a Public Offering, (b) sold in compliance with Rule 144 following the consummation of a Public Offering, or (c) repurchased by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company.  For purposes of this Agreement, a Person shall be deemed to be a holder of Registrable Securities, and the Registrable Securities shall be deemed to be in existence, whenever such Person has the right to acquire, directly or indirectly, such Registrable Securities (upon conversion or exercise in connection with a transfer of securities or otherwise, but disregarding any restrictions or limitations upon the exercise of such right), whether or not such acquisition has actually been effected, and such Person shall be entitled to exercise the rights of a holder of Registrable Securities hereunder; provided a holder of Registrable Securities may only request that Registrable Securities in the form of Capital Stock of the Company registered or to be registered as a class under Section 12 of the Exchange Act be registered pursuant to this Agreement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, with the consent of the Company and the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities, any Registrable Securities held by any Person (other than NRG and its Affiliates) that may be sold under Rule 144(b)(1)(i) without limitation under any other of the requirements of Rule 144 shall not be deemed to be Registrable Securities upon notice from the Company to such Person and the Company shall, at such Person’s request, remove the legend provided for in Section 12.

 

“Registration Expenses” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(a).

 

“Rule 144”, “Rule 158”, “Rule 405”, “Rule 415” and “Rule 462” mean, in each case, such rule promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor provision) by the Securities and Exchange Commission, as the same shall be amended from time to time, or any successor rule then in force.

 

“Sale Transaction” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(a).

 

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“Securities” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(a).

 

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, or any successor federal law then in force, together with all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

“Shelf Offering” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(d)(ii).

 

“Shelf Offering Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(d)(ii).

 

“Shelf Offering Request” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(d)(ii).

 

“Shelf Registration” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).

 

“Shelf Registrable Securities” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(d)(ii).

 

“Shelf Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(d)(i).

 

“Short-Form Registrations” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).

 

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to the Company, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity of which (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of the Company or a combination thereof, or (ii) if a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity, a majority of the limited liability company, partnership or other similar ownership interest thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company or one or more Subsidiaries of the Company or a combination thereof.  For purposes hereof, a Person or Persons shall be deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity if such Person or Persons shall be allocated a majority of limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity gains or losses or shall be or control the managing director or general partner of such limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity.

 

“Suspension Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(f)(ii).

 

“Suspension Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(f)(ii).

 

“Suspension Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(f)(i).

 

“Underwritten Takedown” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(d)(ii).

 

“Violation” has the meaning set forth in Section 7(a).

 

“WKSI” means a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined under Rule 405.

 

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Section 2.                   Demand Registrations.

 

(a)         Requests for Registration. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the holders of at least a majority of the Registrable Securities may request registration under the Securities Act of all or any portion of their Registrable Securities on Form S-1 or any similar long-form registration (“Long-Form Registrations”), and the holders of at least a majority of the Registrable Securities may request registration under the Securities Act of all or any portion of their Registrable Securities on Form S-3 or any similar short-form registration (“Short-Form Registrations”) if available.  All registrations requested pursuant to this Section 2(a) are referred to herein as “Demand Registrations.” The holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities making a Demand Registration may request that the registration be made pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act (a “Shelf Registration”) and, if the Company is a WKSI at the time any request for a Demand Registration is submitted to the Company, that such Shelf Registration be an automatic shelf registration statement (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) (an “Automatic Shelf Registration Statement”).  Within ten days after the filing of the registration statement relating to the Demand Registration, the Company shall give written notice of the Demand Registration to all other holders of Registrable Securities and, subject to the terms of Section 2(e), shall include in such Demand Registration (and in all related registrations and qualifications under state blue sky laws and in any related underwriting) all Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein within 15 days after the receipt of the Company’s notice; provided that, with the consent of the holders of at least a majority of the Registrable Securities requesting such registration, the Company may provide notice of the Demand Registration to all other holders of Registrable Securities within three business days following the non-confidential filing of the registration statement with respect to the Demand Registration so long as such registration statement is not an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement.  Each Holder agrees that such Holder shall treat as confidential the receipt of the notice of Demand Registration and shall not disclose or use the information contained in such notice of Demand Registration without the prior written consent of the Company until such time as the information contained therein is or becomes available to the public generally, other than as a result of disclosure by the Holder in breach of the terms of this Agreement.

 

(b)         Long-Form Registrations.  The holders of Registrable Securities shall be entitled to an unlimited number of Long-Form Registrations in which the Company shall pay all Registration Expenses (as defined in Section 6(a)), whether or not any such registration is consummated.  All Long-Form Registrations shall be underwritten registrations.

 

(c)          Short-Form Registrations.  In addition to the Long-Form Registrations provided pursuant to Section 2(b), the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities shall be entitled to an unlimited number of Short-Form Registrations in which the Company shall pay all Registration Expenses.  Demand Registrations shall be Short-Form Registrations whenever the Company is permitted to use any applicable short form and if the managing underwriters (if any) agree to the use of a Short-Form Registration.  After the Company has become subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to make Short-Form Registrations available for the sale of Registrable Securities.

 

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(d)         Shelf Registrations.

 

(i)                                     Subject to the availability of required financial information, as promptly as practicable after the Company receives written notice of a request for a Shelf Registration, the Company shall file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement under the Securities Act for the Shelf Registration (a “Shelf Registration Statement”).  The Company shall use its best efforts to cause any Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act as soon as practicable after filing, and once effective, the Company shall cause such Shelf Registration Statement to remain continuously effective for such time period as is specified in such request, but for no time period longer than the period ending on the earliest of (A) the third anniversary of the date of filing of such Shelf Registration, (B) the date on which all Registrable Securities covered by such Shelf Registration have been sold pursuant to the Shelf Registration, and (C) the date as of which there are no longer any Registrable Securities covered by such Shelf Registration in existence. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, unless NRG instructs the Company otherwise in writing, prior to expiration of the Follow-On Holdback Period, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to prepare a Shelf Registration Statement with respect to all of the Registrable Securities held by or issuable to NRG in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Agreement (or such other number of Registrable Securities specified in writing by NRG) to enable such Shelf Registration Statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as soon as practicable after the expiration of the Follow-On Holdback Period.

 

(ii)                                  In the event that a Shelf Registration Statement is effective, the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement shall have the right at any time or from time to time to elect to sell pursuant to an offering (including an underwritten offering (an “Underwritten Takedown”)) Registrable Securities available for sale pursuant to such registration statement (“Shelf Registrable Securities”), so long as the Shelf Registration Statement remains in effect, and the Company shall pay all Registration Expenses in connection therewith. The holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement shall make such election by delivering to the Company a written request (a “Shelf Offering Request”) for such offering specifying the number of Shelf Registrable Securities that the holders desire to sell pursuant to such offering (the “Shelf Offering”).  As promptly as practicable, but no later than two business days after receipt of a Shelf Offering Request, the Company shall give written notice (the “Shelf Offering Notice”) of such Shelf Offering Request to all other holders of Shelf Registrable Securities.  The Company, subject to Sections 1(e) and 8 hereof, shall include in such Shelf Offering the Shelf Registrable Securities of any other holder of Shelf Registrable Securities that shall have made a written request to the Company for inclusion in such Shelf Offering (which request shall specify the maximum number of Shelf Registrable Securities intended to be disposed of by such Holder) within seven days after the receipt of the Shelf Offering Notice.  The Company shall, as expeditiously as possible (and in any event within 20 days after the receipt of a Shelf Offering Request, unless a longer period is agreed to by the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities that made the Shelf Offering Request), use its best efforts to facilitate such Shelf Offering.  Each Holder agrees that

 

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such Holder shall treat as confidential the receipt of the Shelf Offering Notice and shall not disclose or use the information contained in such Shelf Offering Notice without the prior written consent of the Company until such time as the information contained therein is or becomes available to the public generally, other than as a result of disclosure by the Holder in breach of the terms of this Agreement.

 

(iii)                               Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities wish to engage in an underwritten block trade off of a Shelf Registration Statement (either through filing an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement or through a take-down from an already existing Shelf Registration Statement), then notwithstanding the foregoing time periods, such Holders only need to notify the Company of the block trade Shelf Offering two business days prior to the day such offering is to commence (unless a longer period is agreed to by the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities wishing to engage in the underwritten block trade) and the Company shall promptly notify other holders of Registrable Securities and such other holders of Registrable Securities must elect whether or not to participate by the next business day (i.e. one business day prior to the day such offering is to commence) (unless a longer period is agreed to by the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities wishing to engage in the underwritten block trade) and the Company shall as expeditiously as possible use its best efforts to facilitate such offering (which may close as early as three business days after the date it commences); provided that the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities shall use commercially reasonable efforts to work with the Company and the underwriters prior to making such request in order to facilitate preparation of the registration statement, prospectus and other offering documentation related to the underwritten block trade.

 

(iv)                              The Company shall, at the request of the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement, file any prospectus supplement or, if the applicable Shelf Registration Statement is an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement, any post-effective amendments and otherwise take any action necessary to include therein all disclosure and language deemed necessary or advisable by the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities to effect such Shelf Offering.

 

(e)          Priority on Demand Registrations and Shelf Offerings.  The Company shall not include in any Demand Registration or Shelf Offering any securities that are not Registrable Securities without the prior written consent of the holders of at least a majority of the Registrable Securities included in such registration.  If a Demand Registration or a Shelf Offering is an underwritten offering and the managing underwriters advise the Company in writing that in their opinion the number of Registrable Securities and, if permitted hereunder, other securities requested to be included in such offering exceeds the number of Registrable Securities and other securities, if any, which can be sold therein without adversely affecting the marketability, proposed offering price, timing or method of distribution of the offering, the Company shall include in such offering prior to the inclusion of any securities which are not Registrable Securities the number of Registrable Securities requested to be included which, in the opinion of such underwriters, can be sold, without any such adverse effect, pro rata among the respective holders thereof on the basis of the amount of Registrable Securities owned by each such holder.  Alternatively, if the number of Registrable Securities which can be included on a Shelf

 

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Registration Statement is otherwise limited by Instruction I.B.6 to Form S-3 (or any successor provision thereto), the Company shall include in such offering prior to the inclusion of any securities which are not Registrable Securities the number of Registrable Securities requested to be included which can be included on such Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the requirements of Form S-3, pro rata among the respective holders thereof on the basis of the amount of Registrable Securities owned by each such holder.

 

(f)           Restrictions on Demand Registration and Shelf Offerings.

 

(i)                                     The Company shall not be obligated to affect any Demand Registration within 90 days after the effective date of a previous Demand Registration or a previous registration in which Registrable Securities were included pursuant to Section 3 and in which there was no reduction in the number of Registrable Securities requested to be included.  The Company may, with the consent of the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities, postpone, for up to 60 days from the date of the request, the filing or the effectiveness of a registration statement for a Demand Registration or suspend the use of a prospectus that is part of a Shelf Registration Statement for up to 60 days from the date of the Suspension Notice (and defined below) and therefore suspend sales of the Shelf Registrable Securities (such period, the “Suspension Period”) by providing written notice to the holders of Registrable Securities if (A) the Company’s board of directors determines in its reasonable good faith judgment that the offer or sale of Registrable Securities would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on any proposal or plan by the Company or any Subsidiary to engage in any material acquisition of assets or stock (other than in the ordinary course of business) or any material merger, consolidation, tender offer, recapitalization, reorganization or other transaction involving the Company and (B) upon advice of counsel, the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement would require disclosure of non-public material information not otherwise required to be disclosed under applicable law, and (C) (x) the Company has a bona fide business purpose for preserving the confidentiality of such transaction or (y) disclosure would have a material adverse effect on the Company or the Company’s ability to consummate such transaction; provided that in such event, the holders of Registrable Securities shall be entitled to withdraw such request for a Demand Registration or underwritten Shelf Offering and the Company shall pay all Registration Expenses in connection with such Demand Registration or Shelf Offering.  The Company may delay a Demand Registration hereunder only once in any twelve-month period.  The Company may extend the Suspension Period for an additional consecutive 60 days with the consent of the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

(ii)                                  In the case of an event that causes the Company to suspend the use of a Shelf Registration Statement as set forth in paragraph (f)(i) above or pursuant to Section 5(a)(vi) (a “Suspension Event”), the Company shall give a notice to the holders of Registrable Securities registered pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement (a “Suspension Notice”) to suspend sales of the Registrable Securities and such notice shall state generally the basis for the notice and that such suspension shall continue only for so long as the Suspension Event or its effect is continuing.  A Holder shall not effect any sales of the Registrable Securities pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement (or such 

 

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filings) at any time after it has received a Suspension Notice from the Company and prior to receipt of an End of Suspension Notice (as defined below).  Each Holder agrees that such Holder shall treat as confidential the receipt of the Suspension Notice and shall not disclose or use the information contained in such Suspension Notice without the prior written consent of the Company until such time as the information contained therein is or becomes available to the public generally, other than as a result of disclosure by the Holder in breach of the terms of this Agreement.  The Holders may recommence effecting sales of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement (or such filings) following further written notice to such effect (an “End of Suspension Notice”) from the Company, which End of Suspension Notice shall be given by the Company to the Holders and to the Holders’ Counsel, if any, promptly following the conclusion of any Suspension Event and its effect.

 

(iii)                               Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, if the Company shall give a Suspension Notice with respect to any Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to this Section 2(f), the Company agrees that it shall extend the period of time during which such Shelf Registration Statement shall be maintained effective pursuant to this Agreement by the number of days during the period from the date of receipt by the Holders of the Suspension Notice to and including the date of receipt by the Holders of the End of Suspension Notice and provide copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus necessary to resume sales, with respect to each Suspension Event; provided that such period of time shall not be extended beyond the date that there are no longer Registrable Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement.

 

(g)          Selection of Underwriters.  The holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in any Demand Registration shall have the right to select the investment banker(s) and manager(s) to administer the offering, subject to the Company’s approval which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.  If any Shelf Offering is an Underwritten Offering, the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities participating in such Underwritten Offering shall have the right to select the investment banker(s) and manager(s) to administer the offering relating to such Shelf Offering, subject to the Company’s approval, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

 

(h)         Other Registration Rights.  Except as provided in this Agreement, the Company shall not grant to any Persons the right to request the Company or any Subsidiary to register any Capital Stock of the Company or any Subsidiary, or any securities convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for such securities, without the prior written consent of the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities.

 

Section 3.                   Piggyback Registrations.

 

(a)         Right to Piggyback.  Whenever the Company proposes to register any of its securities under the Securities Act (other than (i) pursuant to a Demand Registration, (ii) in connection with registrations on Form S-4 or S-8 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor or similar forms or (iii) a registration on any form that does not include substantially the same information as would be required to be included in a registration statement covering the sale of Registrable Securities), and the registration form to be used may

 

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be used for the registration of Registrable Securities (a “Piggyback Registration”), the Company shall give prompt written notice (in any event within three business days after its receipt of notice of any exercise of demand registration rights other than under this Agreement and, subject to the terms of Section 3(c) and Section 3(d), shall include in such Piggyback Registration (and in all related registrations or qualifications under blue sky laws and in any related underwriting) all Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein within 20 days after delivery of the Company’s notice.

 

(b)         Piggyback Expenses.  The Registration Expenses of the holders of Registrable Securities shall be paid by the Company in all Piggyback Registrations, whether or not any such registration became effective.

 

(c)          Priority on Primary Registrations.  If a Piggyback Registration is an underwritten primary registration on behalf of the Company, and the managing underwriters advise the Company in writing that in their opinion the number of securities requested to be included in such registration exceeds the number which can be sold in such offering without adversely affecting the marketability, proposed offering price, timing or method of distribution of the offering, the Company shall include in such registration (i) first, the securities the Company proposes to sell, (ii) second, the Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration which, in the opinion of the underwriters, can be sold without any such adverse effect, pro rata among the holders of such Registrable Securities on the basis of the number of shares owned by each such holder, and (iii) third, other securities requested to be included in such registration which, in the opinion of the underwriters, can be sold without any such adverse effect. Registrable Securities beneficially owned by any officer of the Company shall not be eligible to be included in any primary offering of Common Stock without the Company’s consent.

 

(d)         Priority on Secondary Registrations.  If a Piggyback Registration is an underwritten secondary registration on behalf of holders of the Company’s securities, and the managing underwriters advise the Company in writing that in their opinion the number of securities requested to be included in such registration exceeds the number which can be sold in such offering without adversely affecting the marketability, proposed offering price, timing or method of distribution of the offering, the Company shall include in such registration (i) first, the securities requested to be included therein by the holders initially requesting such registration and the Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration which, in the opinion of the underwriters, can be sold without any such adverse effect, pro rata among the holders of such securities on the basis of the number of securities owned by such Holder, and (ii) second, other securities requested to be included in such registration which, in the opinion of the underwriters, can be sold without any such adverse effect.

 

(e)          Selection of Underwriters.  If any Piggyback Registration is an underwritten offering, the selection of investment banker(s) and manager(s) for the offering must be approved by the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in such Piggyback Registration.  Such approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

 

(f)           Right to Terminate Registration.  The Company shall have the right to terminate or withdraw any registration initiated by it under this Section 3 whether or not any holder of 

 

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Registrable Securities has elected to include securities in such registration.  The Registration Expenses of such withdrawn registration shall be borne by the Company in accordance with Section 6.

 

Section 4.                   Holdback Agreements.

 

(a)         Holders of Registrable Securities.  If required by the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities, each holder of Registrable Securities shall enter into lock-up agreements with the managing underwriter(s) of an underwritten Public Offering in such form as agreed to by the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities participating in such Public Offering.  In the absence of any such lock-up agreement, each holder of Registrable Securities agrees as follows:

 

(i)                                     in connection with a Public Offering, such Holder shall not (A) offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of (including sales pursuant to Rule 144), directly or indirectly, any Capital Stock of the Company or Yield LLC (including Capital Stock of the Company or Yield LLC that may be deemed to be owned beneficially by such holder in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission) (collectively, “Securities”), (B) enter into a transaction which would have the same effect as described in clause (A) above, (C) enter into any swap, hedge or other arrangement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences or ownership of any Securities, whether such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such Securities, in cash or otherwise (each of (A), (B) and (C) above, a “Sale Transaction”), or (D) publicly disclose the intention to enter into any Sale Transaction, commencing on the earlier of the date on which the Company gives notice to the holders of Registrable Securities that a preliminary prospectus has been circulated for such Public Offering or the “pricing” of such offering and continuing to the date that is 90 days following the date of the final prospectus for such Public Offering (a “Follow-On Holdback Period”), unless, if an underwritten Public Offering, the underwriters managing the Public Offering otherwise agree in writing; and

 

(ii)                                  in the event that (A) the Company issues an earnings release or discloses other material information or a material event relating to the Company and its Subsidiaries occurs during the last 17 days of any Follow-On Holdback Period or (B) prior to the expiration of any Follow-On Holdback Period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning upon the expiration of such period, then to the extent necessary for a managing or co-managing underwriter of a registered offering hereunder to comply with FINRA Rule 2711(f)(4), if agreed to by the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities selling in such Underwritten Offering, the Follow-On Holdback Period shall be extended until 18 days after the earnings release or disclosure of other material information or the occurrence of the material event, as the case may be (a “Holdback Extension”).

 

The Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to the shares of Common Stock and units of Yield LLC (or other securities) subject to the restrictions set forth in this Section 4(a) until the end of such period, including any Holdback Extension.

 

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(b)         The Company.  The Company (i) shall not file any registration statement for a Public Offering or cause any such registration statement to become effective, or effect any public sale or distribution of its equity securities, or any securities, options or rights convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities (including any Class B or Class D common units of Yield LLC) during any Follow-On Holdback Period (as extended during any Holdback Extension), and (ii) shall use its best efforts to cause (A) each holder of at least one percent (1%) (on a fully-diluted basis) of its Common Stock, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Common Stock (including Class B or Class D common units of Yield LLC), purchased from the Company or Yield LLC, as applicable, at any time after the date of this Agreement (other than in a Public Offering) and (B) each of its directors and executive officers to agree not to effect any Sale Transaction during any Follow-On Holdback Period (as extended during any Holdback Extension), except as part of such underwritten registration, if otherwise permitted, unless the underwriters managing the Public Offering otherwise agree in writing.

 

Section 5.                   Registration Procedures.

 

(a)         Whenever the holders of Registrable Securities have requested that any Registrable Securities be registered pursuant to this Agreement or have initiated a Shelf Offering, (i) such holders shall, if applicable, cause such Registrable Securities to be exchanged into shares of Common Stock in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Agreement prior to sale of such Registrable Securities and (ii) the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to effect the registration and the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof held by a holder of Registrable Securities requesting registration, and pursuant thereto the Company shall as expeditiously as possible:

 

(i)                                     in accordance with the Securities Act and all applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, prepare and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement, and all amendments and supplements thereto and related prospectuses, with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its reasonable best efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective (provided that before filing a registration statement or prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto, the Company shall furnish to the counsel selected by the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement copies of all such documents proposed to be filed, which documents shall be subject to the review and comment of such counsel);

 

(ii)                                  notify each holder of Registrable Securities of (A) the issuance by the Securities and Exchange Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of any registration statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, (B) the receipt by the Company or its counsel of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, and (C) the effectiveness of each registration statement filed hereunder;

 

(iii)                               prepare and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission such amendments and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used 

 

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in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such registration statement effective for a period ending when all of the securities covered by such registration statement have been disposed of in accordance with the intended methods of distribution by the sellers thereof set forth in such registration statement (but not in any event before the expiration of any longer period required under the Securities Act or, if such registration statement relates to an underwritten Public Offering, such longer period as in the opinion of counsel for the underwriters a prospectus is required by law to be delivered in connection with sale of Registrable Securities by an underwriter or dealer) and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such registration statement during such period in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the sellers thereof set forth in such registration statement;

 

(iv)                              furnish to each seller of Registrable Securities thereunder such number of copies of such registration statement, each amendment and supplement thereto, the prospectus included in such registration statement (including each preliminary prospectus), each Free Writing Prospectus and such other documents as such seller may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such seller;

 

(v)                                 use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify such Registrable Securities under such other securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as any seller reasonably requests and do any and all other acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such seller to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities owned by such seller (provided that the Company shall not be required to (A) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this subparagraph or (B) consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction or (C) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction);

 

(vi)                              notify each seller of such Registrable Securities (A) promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the date and time when such registration statement and each post-effective amendment thereto has become effective or a prospectus or supplement to any prospectus relating to a registration statement has been filed and when any registration or qualification has become effective under a state securities or blue sky law or any exemption thereunder has been obtained, (B) promptly after receipt thereof, of any request by the Securities and Exchange Commission for the amendment or supplementing of such registration statement or prospectus or for additional information, and (C) at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus included in such registration statement contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits any fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and, subject to Section 2(f), at the request of any such seller, the Company shall prepare a supplement or amendment to such prospectus so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such prospectus shall not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;

 

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(vii)                           use reasonable best efforts to cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed and, if not so listed, to be listed on a securities exchange and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to arrange for at least two market markers to register as such with respect to such Registrable Securities with FINRA;

 

(viii)                        use reasonable best efforts to provide a transfer agent and registrar for all such Registrable Securities not later than the effective date of such registration statement;

 

(ix)                              enter into and perform such customary agreements (including underwriting agreements in customary form) and take all such other actions as the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold or the underwriters, if any, reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities (including, without limitation, effecting a stock split, combination of shares, recapitalization or reorganization);

 

(x)                                 make available for inspection by any seller of Registrable Securities, any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such registration statement and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any such seller or underwriter, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate and business documents and properties of the Company as shall be necessary to enable them to exercise their due diligence responsibility, and cause the Company’s officers, directors, employees, agents, representatives and independent accountants to supply all information reasonably requested by any such seller, underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent in connection with such registration statement;

 

(xi)                              take all reasonable actions to ensure that any Free-Writing Prospectus utilized in connection with any Demand Registration or Piggyback Registration hereunder complies in all material respects with the Securities Act, is filed in accordance with the Securities Act to the extent required thereby, is retained in accordance with the Securities Act to the extent required thereby and, when taken together with the related prospectus, shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

 

(xii)                           otherwise use its reasonable best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve months beginning with the first day of the Company’s first full calendar quarter after the effective date of the registration statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158;

 

(xiii)                        permit any of Registrable Securities which Holder, in its sole and exclusive judgment, might be deemed to be an underwriter or a controlling person of the Company, to participate in the preparation of such registration or comparable statement 

 

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and to allow such Holder to provide language for insertion therein, in form and substance satisfactory to the Company, which in the reasonable judgment of such Holder and its counsel should be included;

 

(xiv)                       in the event of the issuance of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a registration statement, or the issuance of any order suspending or preventing the use of any related prospectus or suspending the qualification of any Common Stock included in such registration statement for sale in any jurisdiction use reasonable best efforts promptly to obtain the withdrawal of such order;

 

(xv)                          use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the sellers thereof to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities;

 

(xvi)                       cooperate with the holders of Registrable Securities covered by the registration statement and the managing underwriter or agent, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates (not bearing any restrictive legends) representing securities to be sold under the registration statement and enable such securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as the managing underwriter, or agent, if any, or such holders may request;

 

(xvii)                    cooperate with each holder of Registrable Securities covered by the registration statement and each underwriter or agent participating in the disposition of such Registrable Securities and their respective counsel in connection with any filings required to be made with FINRA;

 

(xviii)                 use its reasonable best efforts to make available the executive officers of the Company to participate with the holders of Registrable Securities and any underwriters in any “road shows” or other selling efforts that may be reasonably requested by the Holders in connection with the methods of distribution for the Registrable Securities;

 

(xix)                       in the case of any underwritten offering, use its reasonable best efforts to obtain one or more cold comfort letters from the Company’s independent public accountants in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by cold comfort letters as the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold reasonably request;

 

(xx)                          in the case of any underwritten offering, use its reasonable best efforts to provide a legal opinion of the Company’s outside counsel, dated the effective date of such registration statement (and, if such registration includes an underwritten Public Offering, dated the date of the closing under the underwriting agreement), the registration statement, each amendment and supplement thereto, the prospectus included therein (including the preliminary prospectus) and such other documents relating thereto in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by legal 

 

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opinions of such nature, which opinion shall be addressed to the underwriters and the holders of such Registrable Securities;

 

(xxi)                       if the Company files an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement covering any Registrable Securities, use its best efforts to remain a WKSI (and not become an ineligible issuer (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act)) during the period during which such Automatic Shelf Registration Statement is required to remain effective;

 

(xxii)                    if the Company does not pay the filing fee covering the Registrable Securities at the time an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement is filed, pay such fee at such time or times as the Registrable Securities are to be sold; and

 

(xxiii)                 if the Automatic Shelf Registration Statement has been outstanding for at least three (3) years, at the end of the third year, refile a new Automatic Shelf Registration Statement covering the Registrable Securities, and, if at any time when the Company is required to re-evaluate its WKSI status the Company determines that it is not a WKSI, use its best efforts to refile the Shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 and, if such form is not available, Form S-1 and keep such registration statement effective during the period during which such registration statement is required to be kept effective.

 

(b)         Any officer of the Company who is a holder of Registrable Securities agrees that if and for so long as he or she is employed by the Company or any Subsidiary thereof, he or she shall participate fully in the sale process in a manner customary for persons in like positions and consistent with his or her other duties with the Company, including the preparation of the registration statement and the preparation and presentation of any road shows.

 

(c)          The Company may require each seller of Registrable Securities as to which any registration is being effected to furnish the Company such information regarding such seller and the distribution of such securities as the Company may from time to time reasonably request in writing.

 

(d)         If NRG or any of its Affiliates seek to effectuate an in-kind distribution of all or part of their respective Registrable Securities to their respective direct or indirect equityholders, the Company shall, subject to any applicable lock-ups, work with the foregoing persons to facilitate such in-kind distribution in the manner reasonably requested.

 

Section 6.                   Registration Expenses.

 

(a)         The Company’s Obligation.  All expenses incident to the Company’s performance of or compliance with this Agreement (including, without limitation, all registration, qualification and filing fees, fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky laws, printing expenses, messenger and delivery expenses, fees and disbursements of custodians, and fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and all independent certified public accountants, underwriters (excluding underwriting discounts and commissions) and other Persons retained by the Company) (all such expenses being herein called “Registration Expenses”), shall be borne as provided in this Agreement, except that the Company shall, in any 

 

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event, pay its internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expense of any annual audit or quarterly review, the expense of any liability insurance and the expenses and fees for listing the securities to be registered on each securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed.  Each Person that sells securities pursuant to a Demand Registration or Piggyback Registration hereunder shall bear and pay all underwriting discounts and commissions applicable to the securities sold for such Person’s account.

 

(b)         Counsel Fees and Disbursements.  In connection with each Demand Registration, each Piggyback Registration and each Shelf Offering that is an underwritten Public Offering, the Company shall reimburse the holders of Registrable Securities included in such registration for the reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel chosen by the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in such registration or participating in such Shelf Offering and disbursements of each additional counsel retained by any holder of Registrable Securities for the purpose of rendering a legal opinion on behalf of such Holder in connection with any underwritten Demand Registration, Piggyback Registration or Shelf Offering.

 

Section 7.                   Indemnification and Contribution.

 

(a)         By the Company.  The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the extent permitted by law, each holder of Registrable Securities, such Holder’s officers, directors, managers, employees, agents and representatives, and each Person who controls such Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) (the “Indemnified Parties”) against all losses, claims, actions, damages, liabilities and expenses (including with respect to actions or proceedings, whether commenced or threatened, and including reasonable attorney fees and expenses) caused by, resulting from, arising out of, based upon or related to any of the following statements, omissions or violations (each a “Violation”) by the Company:  (i) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in (A) any registration statement, prospectus, preliminary prospectus or Free-Writing Prospectus, or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or (B) any application or other document or communication (in this Section 7, collectively called an “application”) executed by or on behalf of the Company or based upon written information furnished by or on behalf of the Company filed in any jurisdiction in order to qualify any securities covered by such registration under the securities laws thereof, (ii) any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or (iii) any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the Securities Act or any other similar federal or state securities laws or any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder applicable to the Company and relating to action or inaction required of the Company in connection with any such registration, qualification or compliance.  In addition, the Company will reimburse such Indemnified Party for any legal or any other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such losses.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such losses result from, arise out of, are based upon, or relate to an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement, or omission or alleged omission, made in such registration statement, any such prospectus, preliminary prospectus or Free-Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, or in any application, in reliance upon, and in conformity with, written information prepared and furnished in writing to the Company by such Indemnified Party expressly for use therein or by such Indemnified Party’s failure to deliver a copy of the 

 

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registration statement or prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto after the Company has furnished such Indemnified Party with a sufficient number of copies of the same.  In connection with an underwritten offering, the Company shall indemnify such underwriters, their officers and directors, and each Person who controls such underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided above with respect to the indemnification of the Indemnified Parties.

 

(b)         By Each Security Holder.  In connection with any registration statement in which a holder of Registrable Securities is participating, each such Holder shall furnish to the Company in writing such information and affidavits as the Company reasonably requests for use in connection with any such registration statement or prospectus and, to the extent permitted by law, shall indemnify the Company, its officers, directors, managers, employees, agents and representatives, and each Person who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses resulting from any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in the registration statement, prospectus or preliminary prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is contained in any information or affidavit so furnished in writing by such Holder; provided that the obligation to indemnify shall be individual, not joint and several, for each holder and shall be limited to the net amount of proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration statement.

 

(c)          Claim Procedure.  Any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder shall (i) give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification (provided that the failure to give prompt notice shall impair any Person’s right to indemnification hereunder only to the extent such failure has prejudiced the indemnifying party) and (ii) unless in such indemnified party’s reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist with respect to such claim, permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party.  If such defense is assumed, the indemnifying party shall not be subject to any liability for any settlement made by the indemnified party without its consent (but such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).  An indemnifying party who is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim shall not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any indemnified party a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim. In such instance, the conflicted indemnified parties shall have a right to retain one separate counsel, chosen by the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in the registration if such Holders are indemnified parties, at the expense of the indemnifying party.

 

(d)         Contribution.  If the indemnification provided for in this Section 7 is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to, or is insufficient to hold harmless, an indemnified party or is otherwise unenforceable with respect to any loss, claim, damage, liability or action referred to herein, then the indemnifying party shall contribute to the amounts paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such loss, claim, damage, liability or action in such 

 

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proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party on the one hand and of the indemnified party on the other hand in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such loss, claim, damage, liability or action as well as any other relevant equitable considerations; provided that the maximum amount of liability in respect of such contribution shall be limited, in the case of each seller of Registrable Securities, to an amount equal to the net proceeds actually received by such seller from the sale of Registrable Securities effected pursuant to such registration.  The relative fault of the indemnifying party and of the indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or by the indemnified party and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.  The parties hereto agree that it would not be just or equitable if the contribution pursuant to this Section 7(d) were to be determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account such equitable considerations.  The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to herein shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending against any action or claim which is the subject hereof.  No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who is not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

(e)          Release.  No indemnifying party shall, except with the consent of the indemnified party, consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement that does not include as an unconditional term thereof giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation.

 

(f)           Non-exclusive Remedy; Survival.  The indemnification and contribution provided for under this Agreement shall be in addition to any other rights to indemnification or contribution that any indemnified party may have pursuant to law or contract and shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party or any officer, director or controlling Person of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of Registrable Securities and the termination or expiration of this Agreement.

 

Section 8.                   Underwritten Offerings.

 

(a)         Participation.  No Person may participate in any offering hereunder which is underwritten unless such Person (i) agrees to sell such Person’s securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Person or Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements (including, without limitation, pursuant to any over-allotment or “green shoe” option requested by the underwriters; provided that no holder of Registrable Securities shall be required to sell more than the number of Registrable Securities such Holder has requested to include) and (ii) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.  Each holder of Registrable Securities shall execute and deliver such other agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company and the lead managing underwriter(s) that are consistent with such Holder’s obligations under Section 4, Section 5, and this Section 8(a) or that are necessary to give further effect thereto.  To the extent that any such agreement is entered into

 

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pursuant to, and consistent with, Section 4 and this Section 8(a), the respective rights and obligations created under such agreement shall supersede the respective rights and obligations of the Holders, the Company and the underwriters created pursuant to this Section 8(a).

 

(b)   Price and Underwriting Discounts.  In the case of an underwritten Demand Registration or Underwritten Takedown requested by Holders pursuant to this Agreement, the price, underwriting discount and other financial terms of the related underwriting agreement for the Registrable Securities shall be determined by the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in such underwritten offering.

 

(c)   Suspended Distributions.  Each Person that is participating in any registration under this Agreement, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 5(a)(vi), shall immediately discontinue the disposition of its Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement until such Person’s receipt of the copies of a supplemented or amended prospectus as contemplated by Section 5(a)(vi). In the event the Company has given any such notice, the applicable time period set forth in Section 5(a)(ii) during which a Registration Statement is to remain effective shall be extended by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice pursuant to this Section 8(c) to and including the date when each seller of Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement shall have received the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 5(a)(vi).

 

Section 9.      Additional Parties; Joinder.  Subject to the prior written consent of the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities, the Company may permit any Person who acquires Common Stock or rights to acquire Common Stock from the Company after the date hereof to become a party to this Agreement and to succeed to all of the rights and obligations of a “holder of Registrable Securities” under this Agreement by obtaining an executed joinder to this Agreement from such Person in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (a “Joinder”).  Upon the execution and delivery of a Joinder by such Person, the Common Stock, Class B common units or Class D common units of Yield LLC acquired by such Person (the “Acquired Common”) shall constitute Registrable Securities and such Person shall be a Holder of Registrable Securities under this Agreement with respect to the Acquired Common, and the Company shall add such Person’s name and address to the Schedule of Investors hereto and circulate such information to the parties to this Agreement.

 

Section 10.    Current Public Information.  At all times after the Company has filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the requirements of either the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, the Company shall file all reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and shall take such further action as any holder or holders of Registrable Securities may reasonably request, all to the extent required to enable such Holders to sell Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 144.  Upon request, the Company shall deliver to any holder of Restricted Securities a written statement as to whether it has complied with such requirements.

 

Section 11.    Subsidiary Public Offering.  If, after a Public Offering of the Capital Stock of one of its Subsidiaries (including Yield LLC), the Company distributes securities of such Subsidiary to its equity holders, then the rights and obligations of the Company pursuant to 

 

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this Agreement shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to such Subsidiary, and the Company shall cause such Subsidiary to comply with such Subsidiary’s obligations under this Agreement.

 

Section 12.    Transfer of Registrable Securities.

 

(a)   Restrictions on Transfers.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, except in the case of (i) a transfer to the Company, (ii) a transfer by NRG to its stockholders, (iii) a Public Offering, (iv) a sale pursuant to Rule 144 after the completion of a Public Offering or (v) a transfer in connection with a Sale of the Company, prior to transferring any Registrable Securities to any Person (including, without limitation, by operation of law), the transferring Holder shall cause the prospective transferee to execute and deliver to the Company a Joinder agreeing to be bound by the terms of this Agreement.  Any transfer or attempted transfer of any Registrable Securities in violation of any provision of this Agreement shall be void, and the Company shall not record such transfer on its books or treat any purported transferee of such Registrable Securities as the owner thereof for any purpose.

 

(b)   Legend.  Each certificate evidencing any Registrable Securities and each certificate issued in exchange for or upon the transfer of any Registrable Securities (unless such Registrable Securities would no longer be Registrable Securities after such transfer) shall be stamped or otherwise imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form:

 

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AND OTHER PROVISIONS SET FORTH IN AN AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT DATED AS OF MAY 14, 2015 (THE “REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT”) AMONG THE ISSUER OF SUCH SECURITIES (THE “COMPANY”) AND CERTAIN OF THE COMPANY’S STOCKHOLDERS, AS AMENDED.  A COPY OF SUCH REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT WILL BE FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE BY THE COMPANY TO THE HOLDER HEREOF UPON WRITTEN REQUEST.”

 

The Company shall imprint, and shall cause Yield LLC to imprint, such legend on certificates evidencing Registrable Securities outstanding prior to the date hereof.  The legend set forth above shall be removed from the certificates evidencing any securities that have ceased to be Registrable Securities.

 

Section 13.    General Provisions.

 

(a)   Amendments and Waivers.  Except as otherwise provided herein, the provisions of this Agreement may be amended, modified or waived only with the prior written consent of the Company and holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities; provided that no such amendment, modification or waiver that would materially and adversely affect a Holder or group of holders of Registrable Securities in a manner materially different than any other Holder or group of holders of Registrable Securities (other than amendments and modifications required to implement the provisions of Section 9), shall be effective against such Holder or group of holders of 

 

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Registrable Securities without the consent of the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities that are held by the group of Holders that is materially and adversely affected thereby.  The failure or delay of any Person to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement shall in no way be construed as a waiver of such provisions and shall not affect the right of such Person thereafter to enforce each and every provision of this Agreement in accordance with its terms.  A waiver or consent to or of any breach or default by any Person in the performance by that Person of his, her or its obligations under this Agreement shall not be deemed to be a consent or waiver to or of any other breach or default in the performance by that Person of the same or any other obligations of that Person under this Agreement.

 

(b)   Remedies.  The parties to this Agreement shall be entitled to enforce their rights under this Agreement specifically (without posting a bond or other security), to recover damages caused by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights existing in their favor.  The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that a breach of this Agreement would cause irreparable harm and money damages would not be an adequate remedy for any such breach and that, in addition to any other rights and remedies existing hereunder, any party shall be entitled to specific performance and/or other injunctive relief from any court of law or equity of competent jurisdiction (without posting any bond or other security) in order to enforce or prevent violation of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

(c)   Severability.  Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be prohibited, invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or regulation in any jurisdiction, such prohibition, invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement in such jurisdiction or in any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such prohibited, invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

 

(d)   Entire Agreement.  Except as otherwise provided herein, this Agreement contains the complete agreement and understanding among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and preempts any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties hereto, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way.

 

(e)   Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit and be enforceable by the Company and its successors and assigns and the holders of Registrable Securities and their respective successors and assigns (whether so expressed or not).  In addition, whether or not any express assignment has been made, the provisions of this Agreement which are for the benefit of purchasers or holders of Registrable Securities are also for the benefit of, and enforceable by, any subsequent holder of Registrable Securities.

 

(f)    Notices.  Any notice, demand or other communication to be given under or by reason of the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given (i) when delivered personally to the recipient, (ii) when sent by confirmed electronic mail or facsimile if sent during normal business hours of the recipient; but if not, then on the next Business Day, (iii) one Business Day after it is sent to the recipient by reputable overnight 

 

22

 

courier service (charges prepaid) or (iv) three Business Days after it is mailed to the recipient by first class mail, return receipt requested.  Such notices, demands and other communications shall be sent to the Company at the address specified below and to any holder of Registrable Securities or to any other party subject to this Agreement at such address as indicated on Schedule of Investors hereto, or at such address or to the attention of such other Person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party.  Any party may change such party’s address for receipt of notice by giving prior written notice of the change to the sending party as provided herein.  The Company’s address is:

 

NRG Yield, Inc.

c/o NRG Energy, Inc.

211 Carnegie Center

Princeton, New Jersey 08540

Attn: General Counsel

Facsimile: (609) 524-4589

 

With a copy to:

 

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

300 North LaSalle

Chicago, Illinois 60654

Attn: Gerald T. Nowak, P.C.

Facsimile: (312) 862-2200

 

or to such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party.

 

(g)   Business Days.  If any time period for giving notice or taking action hereunder expires on a day that is not a Business Day, the time period shall automatically be extended to the Business Day immediately following such Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday.

 

(h)   Governing Law.  The corporate law of the State of Delaware shall govern all issues and questions concerning the relative rights of the Company and its stockholders.  All other issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforcement of this Agreement and the exhibits and schedules hereto shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

(i)    MUTUAL WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  AS A SPECIFICALLY BARGAINED FOR INDUCEMENT FOR EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT (AFTER HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSULT WITH COUNSEL), EACH PARTY HERETO EXPRESSLY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LAWSUIT OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO OR ARISING IN ANY WAY FROM THIS AGREEMENT OR THE MATTERS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

23

 

(j)    CONSENT TO JURISDICTION AND SERVICE OF PROCESS.  EACH OF THE PARTIES IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE FEDERAL COURTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA LOCATED IN THE CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW YORK, BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, FOR THE PURPOSES OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR OTHER PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, ANY RELATED AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.  EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO FURTHER AGREES THAT SERVICE OF ANY PROCESS, SUMMONS, NOTICE OR DOCUMENT BY U.S. REGISTERED MAIL TO SUCH PARTY’S RESPECTIVE ADDRESS SET FORTH ABOVE SHALL BE EFFECTIVE SERVICE OF PROCESS FOR ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTERS TO WHICH IT HAS SUBMITTED TO JURISDICTION IN THIS PARAGRAPH.  EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, ANY RELATED DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE, AND HEREBY AND THEREBY FURTHER IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES AND AGREES NOT TO PLEAD OR CLAIM IN ANY SUCH COURT THAT ANY SUCH ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.

 

(k)   No Recourse.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company and each holder of Registrable Securities agrees and acknowledges that no recourse under this Agreement or any documents or instruments delivered in connection with this Agreement, shall be had against any current or future director, officer, employee, general or limited partner or member of any holder of Registrable Securities or of any Affiliate or assignee thereof, whether by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding, or by virtue of any statute, regulation or other applicable law, it being expressly agreed and acknowledged that no personal liability whatsoever shall attach to, be imposed on or otherwise be incurred by any current or future officer, agent or employee of any holder of Registrable Securities or any current or future member of any holder of Registrable Securities or any current or future director, officer, employee, partner or member of any holder of Registrable Securities or of any Affiliate or assignee thereof, as such for any obligation of any holder of Registrable Securities under this Agreement or any documents or instruments delivered in connection with this Agreement for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation.

 

(l)    Descriptive Headings; Interpretation.  The descriptive headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement.  The use of the word “including” in this Agreement shall be by way of example rather than by limitation.

 

(m)  No Strict Construction.  The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any party.

 

24

 

(n)   Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, any one of which need not contain the signature of more than one party, but all such counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

(o)   Electronic Delivery.  This Agreement, the agreements referred to herein, and each other agreement or instrument entered into in connection herewith or therewith or contemplated hereby or thereby, and any amendments hereto or thereto, to the extent executed and delivered by means of a photographic, photostatic, facsimile or similar reproduction of such signed writing using a facsimile machine or electronic mail shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original agreement or instrument and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person.  At the request of any party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument, each other party hereto or thereto shall re-execute original forms thereof and deliver them to all other parties.  No party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument shall raise the use of a facsimile machine or electronic mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of a facsimile machine or electronic mail as a defense to the formation or enforceability of a contract and each such party forever waives any such defense.

 

(p)   Further Assurances.  In connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, each holder of Registrable Securities shall execute and deliver any additional documents and instruments and perform any additional acts that may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate and perform the provisions of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(q)   No Inconsistent Agreements.  The Company shall not hereafter enter into any agreement with respect to its securities which is inconsistent with or violates the rights granted to the holders of Registrable Securities in this Agreement.

 

*     *     *     *    *

 

25

 

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

 

 

	
 
    	
NRG YIELD, INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Kirkland Andrews
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Its:
    	
Executive   Vice President and
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Chief   Financial Officer
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
NRG   ENERGY, INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   G. Gary Garcia
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Its:
    	
Senior   Vice President and Treasurer
    

 

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTORS

 

NRG Energy, Inc.

211 Carnegie Center

Princeton, New Jersey 08540

Attn: General Counsel

Facsimile: (609) 524-4589

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

JOINDER

 

The undersigned is executing and delivering this Joinder pursuant to the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement dated as of May 14, 2015 (as the same may hereafter be amended, the “Registration Rights Agreement”), among NRG Yield, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and the other person named as parties therein.

 

By executing and delivering this Joinder to the Company, the undersigned hereby agrees to become a party to, to be bound by, and to comply with the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement as a holder of Registrable Securities in the same manner as if the undersigned were an original signatory to the Registration Rights Agreement, and the undersigned’s                          shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of                                  Class B common units or                      Class D common units of NRG Yield, LLC shall be included as Registrable Securities under the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Accordingly, the undersigned has executed and delivered this Joinder as of the        day of                         ,         .

 

	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Signature   of Stockholder
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Print   Name of Stockholder
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Address:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Agreed   and Accepted as of
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
.
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
NRG YIELD, INC.
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Its:
    	
 
    	
 
    
					

 

A-1Exhibit 10.4

 

 

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

 

NRG YIELD LLC

 

Dated and effective as of

 

May 14, 2015

 

 

THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTERESTS IN NRG YIELD LLC HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S.  SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS AND ARE BEING SOLD IN RELIANCE UPON EXEMPTIONS FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND SUCH LAWS.  SUCH INTERESTS MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED, SOLD, ASSIGNED OR TRANSFERRED AT ANY TIME EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE WITH (I) THE SECURITIES ACT, ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS; (II) THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT; AND (III) ANY OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS AGREED TO IN WRITING BETWEEN THE MANAGING MEMBER AND THE APPLICABLE MEMBER.  THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTERESTS MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED OF RECORD EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE WITH SUCH LAWS, THIS THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT AND ANY OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS AGREED TO IN WRITING BY THE MANAGING MEMBER AND THE APPLICABLE MEMBER.  THEREFORE, PURCHASERS AND OTHER TRANSFEREES OF SUCH LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTERESTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO BEAR THE RISK OF THEIR INVESTMENT OR ACQUISITION FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

	
 
    	
Page
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS
    	
1
    
	
Section 1.1.
    	
Definitions
    	
1
    
	
Section 1.2.
    	
Other Definitions
    	
9
    
	
Section 1.3.
    	
Construction
    	
9
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE II ORGANIZATIONAL   AND OTHER MATTERS
    	
10
    
	
Section 2.1.
    	
Formation
    	
10
    
	
Section 2.2.
    	
Name
    	
10
    
	
Section 2.3.
    	
Limited Liability
    	
10
    
	
Section 2.4.
    	
Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office in the   United States; Other Offices
    	
10
    
	
Section 2.5.
    	
Purpose; Powers
    	
10
    
	
Section 2.6.
    	
Existing and Good Standing; Foreign Qualification
    	
11
    
	
Section 2.7.
    	
Term
    	
11
    
	
Section 2.8.
    	
No State Law Partnership
    	
11
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE III MEMBERS;   CAPITALIZATION
    	
12
    
	
Section 3.1.
    	
Members; Units
    	
12
    
	
Section 3.2.
    	
Class A Common Stock and Class C Common Stock   Sale; Exchanges; Authorization and Issuance of Additional Units
    	
13
    
	
Section 3.3.
    	
Capital Account
    	
15
    
	
Section 3.4.
    	
No Withdrawal
    	
18
    
	
Section 3.5.
    	
Loans From Members
    	
18
    
	
Section 3.6.
    	
No Right of Partition
    	
18
    
	
Section 3.7.
    	
Non-Certification of Units; Legend; Units are Securities
    	
19
    
	
Section 3.8.
    	
Outside Activities of the Members
    	
20
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE IV DISTRIBUTIONS
    	
21
    
	
Section 4.1.
    	
Determination of Distributions
    	
21
    
	
Section 4.2.
    	
Successors
    	
21
    
	
Section 4.3.
    	
Withholding
    	
21
    
	
Section 4.4.
    	
Limitation
    	
21
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE V ALLOCATIONS
    	
21
    
	
Section 5.1.
    	
Allocations for Capital Account Purposes
    	
21
    
	
Section 5.2.
    	
Allocations for Tax Purposes
    	
24
    
	
Section 5.3.
    	
Members’ Tax Reporting
    	
26
    
	
Section 5.4.
    	
Certain Costs and Expenses
    	
26
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE VI MANAGEMENT
    	
26
    
	
Section 6.1.
    	
Managing Member; Delegation of Authority and Duties
    	
26
    
	
Section 6.2.
    	
Officers
    	
27
    
	
Section 6.3.
    	
Liability of Members
    	
28
    

 

i

 

	
Section 6.4.
    	
Indemnification by the Company
    	
29
    
	
Section 6.5.
    	
Liability of Indemnitees
    	
31
    
	
Section 6.6.
    	
Investment Representations of Members
    	
32
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE VII   WITHDRAWAL; DISSOLUTION; TRANSFER OF MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS; ADMISSION OF NEW   MEMBERS
    	
32
    
	
Section 7.1.
    	
Member Withdrawal
    	
32
    
	
Section 7.2.
    	
Dissolution
    	
32
    
	
Section 7.3.
    	
Transfer by Members
    	
33
    
	
Section 7.4.
    	
Admission or Substitution of New Members
    	
34
    
	
Section 7.5.
    	
Additional Requirements
    	
35
    
	
Section 7.6.
    	
Bankruptcy
    	
36
    
	
Section 7.7.
    	
Mandatory Exchange
    	
36
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE VIII BOOKS AND   RECORDS; FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND OTHER INFORMATION; TAX MATTERS
    	
36
    
	
Section 8.1.
    	
Books and Records
    	
36
    
	
Section 8.2.
    	
Information
    	
36
    
	
Section 8.3.
    	
Fiscal Year
    	
36
    
	
Section 8.4.
    	
Certain Tax Matters
    	
37
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS
    	
38
    
	
Section 9.1.
    	
Separate Agreements; Schedules
    	
38
    
	
Section 9.2.
    	
Governing Law; Disputes
    	
38
    
	
Section 9.3.
    	
Parties in Interest
    	
39
    
	
Section 9.4.
    	
Amendments and Waivers
    	
39
    
	
Section 9.5.
    	
Notices
    	
41
    
	
Section 9.6.
    	
Counterparts
    	
41
    
	
Section 9.7.
    	
Power of Attorney
    	
41
    
	
Section 9.8.
    	
Entire Agreement
    	
41
    
	
Section 9.9.
    	
Remedies
    	
42
    
	
Section 9.10.
    	
Severability
    	
42
    
	
Section 9.11.
    	
Creditors
    	
42
    
	
Section 9.12.
    	
Waiver
    	
42
    
	
Section 9.13.
    	
Further Action
    	
42
    
	
Section 9.14.
    	
Delivery by Facsimile or Email
    	
42
    

 

ii

 

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED
 LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
 OF
 NRG YIELD LLC

 

This THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) of NRG Yield LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, dated and effective as of May 14, 2015 (the “Effective Date”), is made by and among the Members (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, as of March 5, 2013, NRG Energy Inc., a Delaware corporation (“NRG”) and the sole stockholder of NRG Yield, Inc.  (“Yield”), formed NRG Yieldco LLC under the Act by executing the Limited Liability Agreement of NRG Yieldco LLC (the “Original Agreement”) and filing a Certificate of Formation with the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, at which time NRG was issued 1,000 Units;

 

WHEREAS, as of May 17, 2013, NRG filed an Amended and Restated Limited Liability Agreement of NRG Yieldco LLC under the Act, as defined below, which changed NRG Yieldco LLC’s name to “NRG Yield LLC” (the “Company”) and amended and restated the First Amended Agreement in its entirety (the “First Amended Agreement”); and

 

WHEREAS, as of July 16, 2013, NRG amended and restated the First Amended Agreement in its entirety in connection with Yield’s initial public offering to provide, for among other things, the designation of Yield as the Managing Member of the Company and to create another class of limited liability interests of the Company (the “Second Amended Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, NRG and Yield desire to amend and restate the Second Amended Agreement in its entirety in connection with and to reflect a split of each existing Unit (as defined below) held by NRG and by Yield into two Units (the “Company Recapitalization”);

 

WHEREAS, on the Effective Date, each Existing Unit (as defined below) that is a Class A Unit shall be automatically reclassified into one Class A Unit and one Class C Unit (as defined below), and each Existing Unit that is a Class B Unit shall be automatically reclassified into one Class B Unit and one Class D Unit (as defined below);

 

WHEREAS, it is intended that the Company Recapitalization will not alter the economic rights of the Members.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants and provisions hereinafter contained, the Members hereby adopt the following:

 

ARTICLE I
 DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.1.                                 Definitions.

 

As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings:

 

 

“Act” means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, as amended.

 

“Additional Member” means any Person that has been admitted to the Company as a Member pursuant to Section 7.4 by virtue of having received its Membership Interest from the Company and not from any other Member or Assignee.

 

“Adjusted Capital Account” means the Capital Account maintained for each Member as of the end of each Fiscal Year of the Company, (a) increased by any amounts that such Member is obligated to restore under the standards set by Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c) (or is deemed obligated to restore under Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(g) and 1.704-2(i)(5)) and (b) decreased by (i) the amount of all losses and deductions that, as of the end of such Fiscal Year, are reasonably expected to be allocated to such Member in subsequent years under Section 706(d) of the Code and Treasury Regulations Section 1.751-1(b)(2)(ii), and (ii) the amount of all distributions that, as of the end of such Fiscal Year, are reasonably expected to be made to such Member in subsequent years in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or otherwise to the extent they exceed offsetting increases to such Member’s Capital Account that are reasonably expected to occur during (or prior to) the year in which such distributions are reasonably expected to be made (other than increases as a result of a minimum gain chargeback pursuant to Section 5.1(b)(i) or Section 5.1(b)(ii)).  The foregoing definition of Adjusted Capital Account is intended to comply with the provisions of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b) (2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.  The “Adjusted Capital Account” of a Member in respect of a Unit shall be the amount that such Adjusted Capital Account would be if such Unit were the only interest in the Company held by such Member from and after the date on which such Unit was first issued.

 

“Adjusted Property” means any property the Carrying Value of which has been adjusted pursuant to Section 3.3(c) (i) or Section 3.3(c)(ii).

 

“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any Person directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controlling, Controlled by or under common Control with such Person.

 

“Agreed Value” of any Contributed Property means the Fair Market Value of such property or other consideration at the time of contribution as determined by the Managing Member, without taking into account any liabilities to which such Contributed Property was subject at such time.  The Managing Member shall use such method as it determines to be appropriate to allocate the aggregate Agreed Value of Contributed Properties contributed to the Company in a single transaction or series of related transactions among each separate property on a basis proportional to the Fair Market Value of each Contributed Property.

 

“Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.

 

“Assignee” means any Transferee to which a Member or another Assignee has Transferred all or a portion of its interest in the Company in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, but that is not admitted to the Company as a Member.

 

“Bankruptcy” means, with respect to any Person, (a) if such Person (i) makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, (ii) files a voluntary petition in bankruptcy, (iii) is

 

2

 

adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or has entered against it an order for relief, in any bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, (iv) files a petition or answer seeking for itself any reorganization, arrangement, composition, readjustment, liquidation or similar relief under any statute, law or regulation, (v) files an answer or other pleading admitting or failing to contest the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any proceeding of this nature, (vi) seeks, consents to or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee, receiver or liquidator of the Person or of all or any substantial part of its properties, or (b) if 120 days after the commencement of any proceeding against the Person seeking reorganization, arrangement, composition, readjustment, liquidation or similar relief under any statute, law or regulation, if the proceeding has not been dismissed, or if within 90 days after the appointment without such Person’s consent or acquiescence of a trustee, receiver or liquidator of such Person or of all or any substantial part of its properties, the appointment is not vacated or stayed, or within 90 days after the expiration of any such stay, the appointment is not vacated.  The foregoing definition of “Bankruptcy” is intended to replace and shall supersede and replace the definition of “Bankruptcy” set forth in Sections 18-101(1) and 18-304 of the Act.

 

“Book-Tax Disparity” means, with respect to any item of Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, as of the date of any determination, the difference between the Carrying Value of such Contributed Property or Adjusted Property and the adjusted basis thereof for federal income tax purposes as of such date.

 

“Business Day” means Monday through Friday of each week, except that a legal holiday recognized as such by the government of the United States of America or the State of New York shall not be regarded as a Business Day.

 

“Capital Account” means the capital account maintained for a Member pursuant to Section 3.3 of this Agreement.  “Capital Contribution” means, with respect to any Member, the amount of any cash or cash equivalents or the Fair Market Value of other property contributed or deemed to be contributed to the Company by such Member with respect to any Unit or other Equity Securities issued by the Company (net of liabilities assumed by the Company or to which such property is subject).

 

“Carrying Value” means (a) with respect to a Contributed Property, subject to the following sentence, the Agreed Value of such property reduced (but not below zero) by all depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions charged to the Members’ Capital Accounts in respect of such Contributed Property, and (b) with respect to any other Company property, subject to the following sentence and Section 3.3(b)(iv), the adjusted basis of such property for federal income tax purposes, all as of the time of determination.  The Carrying Value of any property shall be adjusted from time to time in accordance with Section 3.3(c)(i) and Section 3.3(c)(ii) and to reflect changes, additions or other adjustments to the Carrying Value for dispositions and acquisitions of Company properties, as deemed appropriate by the Managing Member.

 

“Certificate” means the Certificate of Formation of the Company, as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

 

3

 

“Class A Common Stock” means the Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Yield.

 

“Class A Common Stock Sale” means the sale or issuance by Yield of one or more shares of Class A Common Stock for cash.

 

“Class A Member” means a holder of Class A Units as relates to the ownership of such Units, executing this Agreement as a Class A Member or hereafter admitted to the Company as a Class A Member as provided in this Agreement, but does not include any Person who has ceased to be a Member.

 

“Class A Unit” means a Unit representing a fractional part of the equity interest in the Company having the rights and obligations specified with respect to the Class A Units in this Agreement.

 

“Class B Common Stock” means the Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Yield.

 

“Class B Member” means a holder of Class B Units as relates to the ownership of such Units, executing this Agreement as a Class B Member or hereafter admitted to the Company as a Class B Member as provided in this Agreement, but does not include any Person who has ceased to be a Member.

 

“Class B Unit” means a Unit representing a fractional part of the equity interest in the Company having the rights and obligations specified with respect to the Class B Units in this Agreement.

 

“Class C Common Stock” means the Class C common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Yield.

 

“Class C Common Stock Sale” means the sale or issuance by Yield of one or more shares of Class C Common Stock for cash.

 

“Class C Member” means a holder of Class C Units as relates to the ownership of such Units, executing this Agreement as a Class C Member or hereafter admitted to the Company as a Class C Member as provided in this Agreement, but does not include any Person who has ceased to be a Member.

 

“Class C Unit” means a Unit representing a fractional part of the equity interest in the Company having the rights and obligations specified with respect to the Class C Units in this Agreement.

 

“Class D Common Stock” means the Class D common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Yield.

 

“Class D Member” means a holder of Class D Units as relates to the ownership of such Units, executing this Agreement as a Class D Member or hereafter admitted to the Company as a

 

4

 

Class C Member as provided in this Agreement, but does not include any Person who has ceased to be a Member.

 

“Class D Unit” means a Unit representing a fractional part of the equity interest in the Company having the rights and obligations specified with respect to the Class D Units in this Agreement.

 

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  “Company” has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.

 

“Company Minimum Gain” has the meaning set forth for the term “partnership minimum gain” in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(d).

 

“Control” (including the correlative terms “Controlled by” and “Controlling”) means, when used with reference to any Person, the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct, or to cause the direction of, the management and policies of such Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

“Contributed Property” means any property contributed to the Company by a Member.  “Economic Risk of Loss” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(b)(vi).

 

“Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.

 

“Equity Securities” means, as applicable, (i) any capital stock, limited liability company or membership interests, partnership interests, or other equity interest, (ii) any securities directly or indirectly convertible into or exchangeable for any capital stock, limited liability company or membership interests, partnership interests, or other equity interest or containing any profit participation features, (iii) any rights or options directly or indirectly to subscribe for or to purchase any capital stock, limited liability company or membership interests, partnership interest, other equity interest or securities containing any profit participation features or to subscribe for or to purchase any securities directly or indirectly convertible into or exchangeable for any capital stock, limited liability company or membership interests, partnership interest, other equity interests or securities containing any profit participation features, (iv) any equity appreciation rights, phantom equity rights or other similar rights, or (v) any Equity Securities issued or issuable with respect to the securities referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) above in connection with a combination, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization.

 

“Exchange” means the exchange of Class B Units for Class A Common Stock and the exchange of Class D Units for Class C Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement and the Exchange Agreement.

 

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder as in effect from time to time.

 

“Exchange Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Exchange Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among the Managing Member, the Company and the Persons from time to time party thereto, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

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“Exchange Election” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(c)(i).

 

“Exchange Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(c)(ii).

 

“Exchanging Class B Member” means a Class B Member Transferring Class B Units as contemplated in Section 3.2(c).

 

“Exchanging Class D Member” means a Class D Member Transferring Class D Units as contemplated in Section 3.2(c).

 

“Existing Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereof.

 

“Existing Units” means the Class A Units and the Class B Units that are outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Date.

 

“Fair Market Value” means, with respect to any assets or securities, the fair market value for such assets or securities as determined in good faith by the Managing Member in its sole discretion.

 

“First Amended Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereof.

 

“Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year of the Company which shall end on December 31 of each calendar year unless, for United States federal income tax purposes, another fiscal year is required.  The Company shall have the same fiscal year for United States federal income tax purposes and for accounting purposes.

 

“GAAP” means accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, consistently applied and maintained throughout the applicable periods.

 

“HSR Act” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2.

 

“Income” means individual items of Company income and gain determined in accordance with the definitions of Net Income and Net Loss.

 

“Indemnitees” means (a) any Person who is or was a member, partner, shareholder, director, officer, fiduciary or trustee of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, (b) any Person who is or was serving at the request of the Managing Member as an officer, director, member, partner, fiduciary or trustee of another Person, in each case, acting in such capacity (provided that a Person shall not be an Indemnitee by reason of providing, on a fee-for-services basis, trustee, fiduciary or custodial services) and (c) any Person the Managing Member designates as an “Indemnitee” for purposes of this Agreement.

 

“Loss” means individual items of Company loss and deduction determined in accordance with the definitions of Net Income and Net Loss.

 

“Managing Member” means, initially, Yield and any assignee to which the managing member of the Company Transfers all Units held by such managing member of the Company

 

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that is admitted to the Company as the managing member of the Company, in its capacity as the managing member of the Company.

 

“Member” means each Person listed on the Schedule of Members on the date hereof (including the Managing Member) and each other Person who is hereafter admitted as a Member in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Act.  Any reference in this Agreement to any Member shall include such Member’s Successors in Interest to the extent such Successors in Interest have become Substituted Members in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

 

“Member Nonrecourse Debt” has the meaning set forth for the term “partner nonrecourse debt” in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(4).

 

“Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain” has the meaning set forth for the term “partner nonrecourse debt minimum gain” in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(2).

 

“Member Nonrecourse Deduction” has the meaning set forth for the term “partner nonrecourse deduction” in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(1).

 

“Membership Interests” means, collectively, the limited liability company interests of the Members in the Company as represented by Units.

 

“Membership Interest Certificate” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.7.

 

“Net Income” means, for any taxable year, the excess, if any, of the Company’s items of income and gain for such taxable year over the Company’s items of loss and deduction for such taxable year.  The items included in the calculation of Net Income shall be determined in accordance with Section 3.3(b) and shall not include any items specially allocated under Section 5.1(b).

 

“Net Loss” means, for any taxable year, the excess, if any, of the Company’s items of loss and deduction for such taxable year over the Company’s items of income and gain for such taxable year.  The items included in the calculation of Net Loss shall be determined in accordance with Section 3.3 and shall not include any items specially allocated under Section 5.1 (b).

 

“Nonrecourse Deductions” means any and all items of loss, deduction, or expenditure (including, without limitation, any expenditure described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code) that, in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(b), are attributable to a Nonrecourse Liability.

 

“Nonrecourse Liability” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.752-1(a)(2).

 

“Officer” means each Person designated as an officer of the Company pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.2, subject to any resolution of the Managing Member appointing such Person as an officer of the Company or relating to such appointment.

 

“Original Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereof.

 

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“Percentage Interest” means, with respect to any Member as of any date of determination, the product obtained by multiplying 100% by the quotient obtained by dividing the number of Units held by such Member by the total number of all outstanding Units.

 

“Permitted Transferee” means with respect to any Person, any Affiliate of such Person.

 

“Person” means any individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, trust or other entity, including any governmental entity.

 

“Quarterly Estimated Tax Periods” means the two, three, and four calendar month periods with respect to which Federal quarterly estimated tax payments are made.  The first such period begins on January 1 and ends on March 31.  The second such period begins on April 1 and ends on May 31.  The third such period begins on June 1 and ends on August 31.  The fourth such period begins on September 1 and ends on December 31.

 

“Reclassified Units” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(c)(i).

 

“Required Allocations” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(b)(ix)(A).

 

“Schedule of Members” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(b).

 

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder as in effect from time to time.

 

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or business entity of which (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof that is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, or (ii) if a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity (other than a corporation), a majority of partnership or other similar ownership interest thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by any Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof.  For purposes hereof, a Person or Persons shall be deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity (other than a corporation) if such Person or Persons shall be allocated a majority of limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity gains or losses or shall control the management of any such limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity.  For purposes hereof, references to a “Subsidiary” of any Person shall be given effect only at such times that such Person has one or more Subsidiaries and, unless otherwise indicated, the term “Subsidiary” refers to a Subsidiary of the Company.

 

“Substituted Member” means a Person who is admitted as a Member to the Company pursuant to Section 7.5 with all the rights of a Member and who is shown as a Member on the Schedule of Members.

 

“Successor in Interest” means any (i) trustee, custodian, receiver or other Person acting in any Bankruptcy or reorganization proceeding with respect to, (ii) assignee for the benefit of the

 

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creditors of, or (iii) trustee or receiver, or current or former officer, director or partner, or other fiduciary acting for or with respect to the dissolution, liquidation or termination of.

 

“Tax Matters Member” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.4(d).

 

“Transfer” means sell, assign, convey, contribute, distribute, give, or otherwise transfer, whether directly or indirectly, voluntarily or involuntarily, by operation of law or otherwise, or any act of the foregoing, including any Transfer upon foreclosure of any pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or mortgage.  The terms “Transferee,” “Transferor,” “Transferred,” “Transferring Member,” “Transferor Member” and other forms of the word “Transfer” shall have the correlative meanings.

 

“Treasury Regulations” means the regulations, including temporary regulations, promulgated by the United States Treasury Department under the Code, as such regulations may be amended from time to time (including corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations).

 

“Units” means the Class A Units, the Class B Units, the Class C Units, the Class D Units and any other series of limited liability company interests in the Company denominated as “Units” that are established in accordance with this Agreement, which shall constitute limited liability company interests in the Company as provided in this Agreement and under the Act, entitling the holders thereof to the relative rights, title and interests in the profits, losses, deductions and credits of the Company at any particular time as set forth in this Agreement, and any and all other benefits to which a holder thereof may be entitled as a Member as provided in this Agreement, together with the obligations of such Member to comply with all terms and provisions of this Agreement.

 

“Unrealized Gain” attributable to any item of Company property means, as of any date of determination, the excess, if any, of (a) the Fair Market Value of such property as of such date (as determined under Section 3.3(c)) over (b) the Carrying Value of such property as of such date (prior to any adjustment to be made pursuant to Section 3.3(c) as of such date).

 

“Unrealized Loss” attributable to any item of Company property means, as of any date of determination, the excess, if any, of (a) the Carrying Value of such property as of such date (prior to any adjustment to be made pursuant to Section 3.3(c) as of such date) over (b) the Fair Market Value of such property as of such date (as determined under Section 3.3(c)).

 

“Yield” has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.

 

“Yield Charter” means that certain Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Yield as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on May 14, 2015 and as further amended from time to time in accordance with its terms.

 

Section 1.2.                                 Other Definitions.  Other terms defined herein have the meanings so given them.

 

Section 1.3.                                 Construction.  Whenever the context requires, the gender of all words used in this Agreement includes the masculine, feminine, and neuter.  All references to Articles and Sections refer to articles and sections of this Agreement, all references to “including” shall be 

 

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construed as meaning “including without limitation” and all references to Exhibits are to Exhibits attached to this Agreement, each of which is made a part for all purposes.

 

ARTICLE II
 ORGANIZATIONAL AND OTHER MATTERS

 

Section 2.1.                                 Formation.  The Company was formed as a Delaware limited liability company on March 5, 2013 by the execution and filing of a Certificate of Formation of the Company (the “Certificate”) by an authorized person under and pursuant to the Act and the execution of the Original Agreement.  The Members agree to continue the Company as a limited liability company under the Act, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.  The rights, powers, duties, obligations and liabilities of the Members shall be determined pursuant to the Act and this Agreement.  This Agreement is the “limited liability company agreement” of the Company within the meaning of Section 18-101(7) of the Act.  To the extent that this Agreement is inconsistent in any respect with the Act, this Agreement shall, to the extent permitted by the Act, control.

 

Section 2.2.                                 Name.  The Company was renamed “NRG Yield LLC” pursuant to the First Amended Agreement, and the business of the Company has been and shall be conducted under that name, or under any other name adopted by the Managing Member in accordance with the Act.  Subject to the Act, the Managing Member may change the name of the Company (and amend this Agreement to reflect such change) at any time and from time to time without the consent of any other Person.  Prompt notification of any such change shall be given to all Members.

 

Section 2.3.                                 Limited Liability.  The debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, are and shall be the debts, obligations and liabilities solely of the Company, and a Member shall not be obligated personally for any of such debts, obligations or liabilities solely by reason of being a Member.

 

Section 2.4.                                 Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office in the United States; Other Offices.  The registered office of the Company in the State of Delaware shall be the initial registered office designated in the Certificate or such other office (which need not be a place of business of the Company) as the Managing Member may designate from time to time in the manner provided by law.  The registered agent of the Company in the State of Delaware shall be the initial registered agent designated in the Certificate or such other Person or Persons as the Managing Member may designate from time to time in the manner provided by law.  The registered office of the Company in the United States shall be at the place specified in the Certificate, or such other place(s) as the Managing Member may designate from time to time.  The Company may have such other offices as the Managing Member may determine appropriate.

 

Section 2.5.                                 Purpose; Powers.  The Company may carry on any lawful business, purpose or activity permitted by the Act.  The Company may engage in any and all activities necessary, desirable or incidental to the accomplishment of the foregoing.  Subject to the provisions of this Agreement and except as prohibited by the Act, (i) the Company may, with the approval of the Managing Member, enter into and perform any and all documents, agreements and instruments, all without any further act, vote or approval of any Member and (ii) the

 

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Managing Member may authorize any Person (including any Member or Officer) to enter into and perform any document on behalf of the Company.

 

Section 2.6.                                 Existing and Good Standing; Foreign Qualification.  The Managing Member may take all action which may be necessary or appropriate (i) for the continuation of the Company’s valid existence as a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Delaware (and of each other jurisdiction in which such existence is necessary to enable the Company to conduct the business in which it is engaged) and (ii) for the maintenance, preservation and operation of the business of the Company in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and applicable laws and regulations.  The Managing Member may file or cause to be filed for recordation in the office of the appropriate authorities of the State of Delaware, and in the proper office or offices in each other jurisdiction in which the Company is formed or qualified, such certificates (including certificates of limited liability companies and fictitious name certificates) and other documents as are required by the applicable statutes, rules or regulations of any such jurisdiction or as are required to reflect the identity of the Members and the amounts of their respective capital contributions.  Each Member shall execute, acknowledge, swear to and deliver all certificates and other instruments conforming to this Agreement that are necessary or appropriate to qualify, or, as appropriate, to continue or terminate such qualification of, the Company as a foreign limited liability company in all such jurisdictions in which the Company may conduct business.

 

Section 2.7.                                 Term.  The Company commenced on the date the Certificate was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, and shall continue in existence until it is liquidated or dissolved in accordance with this Agreement and the Act.

 

Section 2.8.                                 No State Law Partnership.

 

(a)                                 The Members intend that the Company shall not be a partnership (including a limited partnership) or joint venture, and that no Member or Officer shall be a partner or joint venturer of any other Member or Officer by virtue of this Agreement, for any purposes other than as is set forth in the last sentence of this Section 2.8(a), and this Agreement shall not be construed to the contrary.  The Members intend that the Company shall be treated as a partnership for federal and, if applicable, state or local income tax purposes, as of the date Yield first becomes a Member, and each Member, Assignee and the Company shall file all tax returns and shall otherwise take all tax and financial reporting positions in a manner consistent with such treatment.  Neither the Company nor any Member shall take any action inconsistent with such treatment.

 

(b)                                 So long as the Company is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, to ensure that Units are not traded on an established securities market within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(b) or readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.7704-1(c), notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, (i) the Company shall not participate in the establishment of any such market or the inclusion of its Units thereon, and (ii) the Company shall not recognize any Transfer made on any such market by:  (A) redeeming the Transferor Member (in the case of a redemption or repurchase by the Company); or (B) admitting the Transferee as a Member or otherwise recognizing any rights of the Transferee, 

 

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such as a right of the Transferee to receive Company distributions (directly or indirectly) or to acquire an interest in the capital or profits of the Company.

 

ARTICLE III
 MEMBERS; CAPITALIZATION

 

Section 3.1.                                 Members; Units.

 

(a)                                 Limited Liability Company Interests.  Interests in the Company shall be represented by Units, or such other Equity Securities in the Company, or such other Company securities, in each case as the Managing Member may establish in its sole discretion in accordance with the terms hereof.  As of the Effective Date, the Units are comprised of four Classes:  “Class A Units,” “Class B Units,” “Class C Units,” and “Class D Units.”

 

(b)                                 Schedule of Units; Schedule of Members.  The Company shall maintain a schedule setting forth (i) the name and address of each Member, (ii) the number of Units (by Class) owned by such Member, (iii) the aggregate number of outstanding Units by Class (including rights, options or warrants convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Units), and (iv) the aggregate amount of cash Capital Contributions that have been made by each of the Members and the Fair Market Value of any property other than cash contributed by each of the Members with respect to such Units (including, if applicable, a description and the amount of any liability assumed by the Company or to which contributed property is subject) (such schedule, the “Schedule of Members”).  The Schedule of Members shall be the definitive record of ownership of each Unit or other Equity Security in the Company and all relevant information with respect to each Member.  The Company shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a Person registered on its records as the owner of Units or other Equity Securities in the Company for all purposes and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in Units or other Equity Securities in the Company on the part of any other Person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the Act.

 

(c)                                  Reclassification of Existing Units.  Each Existing Unit that is a Class A Unit shall be automatically reclassified into one Class A Unit and one Class C Unit on the Effective Date.  Each Existing Unit that is a Class B Unit shall be automatically reclassified into one Class B Unit and one Class D Unit on the Effective Date.

 

(d)                                 Class A Units.  The Schedule of Members sets forth the identity of all Class A Members and the number of Class A Units held by each Class A Member.  The Class A Units shall rank pari passu with, and have all the same rights (including the rights to share in Net Income and Net Loss or items thereof and distributions made in accordance with ARTICLE IV) and be subject to all of the same obligations, as the Class B Units, Class C Units, and Class D Units.

 

(e)                                  Class B Units.  The Schedule of Members sets forth the identity of all Class B Members and the number of Class B Units held by each Class B Member.  Class B Units are issuable to NRG and its Permitted Transferees.  Upon the Exchange contemplated in any

 

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Exchange Election, the Class B Units covered by such Exchange Election shall be exchanged for Exchange Shares pursuant to the Exchange Agreement and, in connection with such Exchange, reclassified as Class A Units.  The Class B Units shall rank pari passu with, and have all the same rights (including the rights to share in Net Income and Net Loss or items thereof and distributions made in accordance with ARTICLE IV) and be subject to all of the same obligations, as the Class A Units, the Class C Units and the Class D Units.

 

(f)                                   Class C Units.  The Schedule of Members sets forth the identity of all Class C Members and the number of Class C Units held by each Class C Member.  The Class C Units shall rank pari passu with, and have all the same rights (including the rights to share in Net Income and Net Loss or items thereof and distributions made in accordance with ARTICLE IV) and be subject to all of the same obligations, as the Class A, Class B and Class D Units.

 

(g)                                  Class D Units.  The Schedule of Members sets forth the identity of all Class D Members and the number of Class D Units held by each Class D Member.  Class D Units are issuable to NRG and its Permitted Transferees.  Upon the Exchange contemplated in any Exchange Election, the Class D Units covered by such Exchange Election shall be exchanged for Exchange Shares pursuant to the Exchange Agreement and, in connection with such Exchange, reclassified as Class C Units.  The Class D Units shall rank pari passu with, and have all the same rights (including the rights to share in Net Income and Net Loss or items thereof and distributions made in accordance with ARTICLE IV) and be subject to all of the same obligations, as the Class A, Units, the Class B Units and the Class C Units

 

Section 3.2.                                 Class A Common Stock and Class C Common Stock Sale; Exchanges; Authorization and Issuance of Additional Units.

 

(a)                                 General.  Notwithstanding anything expressed or implied to the contrary in this Agreement (including Section 7.4 hereof), neither a Class B Member nor a Class D Member may Transfer, directly or indirectly, all or any portion of its respective Class B Units or Class D Units except in connection with (i) a Class A Common Stock Sale or a Class C Common Stock Sale, respectively, (ii) a Transfer of such Units in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 3.2(c) or (iii) a Transfer of Class B Units or the Class D Units held by such Class B Member or Class D Member, as applicable (as an “Exchanging Class B Member” or “Exchanging Class D Member,” as applicable) to one or more Permitted Transferees in accordance with Section 7.3.  No Transfer of any Class B Units by a Class B Member or of any Class D Units by a Class D Member to a Permitted Transferee shall effect a release of the transferring Class B Member’s or Class D Member’s obligations under this Agreement to the Class A Members or the Class C Members, as applicable, and as a condition to such Transfer, each such Permitted Transferee shall expressly assume in writing all of the obligations of the transferring Class B Member or Class D Member, as applicable, whether arising prior to, on or after the date of Transfer, to the Class A Members or the Class C Members, as applicable.

 

(b)                                 Class A Common Stock or Class C Common Stock Sale.  In connection with any Class A Common Stock Sale or Class C Common Stock Sale, the Managing Member shall cause the Company to use the related net cash proceeds from such sale (upon the receipt thereof from Yield) to either (i) issue Class A Units  in the case of any Class A Common Stock Sale or issue Class C Units in the case of a Class C Common Stock Sale, in an amount equal to

 

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the number of shares of Class A Common Stock related to such Class A Common Stock Sale, to the Class A Member, or the number of shares of Class C Common Stock related to such Class C Common Stock Sale, to the Class C Member or (ii) as contemplated in the Exchange Agreement, purchase Class B Units or Class D Units from one or more “Yield LLC Unitholders” under the Exchange Agreement, which Class B Units or Class D Units, as applicable, shall automatically be reclassified into Class A Units or Class C Units, as applicable, upon the consummation of the purchase set forth in this clause (ii).  Alternatively, the Managing Member shall cause Yield to use a portion of the net cash proceeds to purchase Class B Units in the case of the sale of Class A Common Stock, or to purchase Class D Units in the case of sale of Class C Common Stock from NRG, which  Class B Units then will convert to Class A Units, or the Class D Units then will convert into the Class C Units immediately upon such purchase.  The determination of whether to apply the net cash proceeds received by the Company from any Class A Common Stock Sale or any Class C Common Stock Sale in accordance with (i) or (ii) set forth in this Section 3.2(b) shall be made in the Managing Member’s sole discretion.

 

(c)                                  Exchanges.

 

(i)                                     Step 1.  An Exchanging Class B Member or an Exchanging Class D Member shall deliver to the Managing Member the written election of exchange (an “Exchange Election”) as contemplated by Section 2.1(b) of the Exchange Agreement.  Upon the Exchange contemplated by an Exchange Election, the number of Class B Units or Class D Units designated in the Exchange Election shall be reclassified into an equal number of Class A Units, in the case of the Exchange of Class B Units, or Class C Units in the case of the Exchange of Class D Units (such Class A Units or Class C Units, the “Reclassified Units”) and such Reclassified Units shall be exchanged as contemplated by Step 2 below and the Exchange Agreement.

 

(ii)                                  Step 2.  The Reclassified Units shall be delivered to Yield in exchange for shares of Class A Common Stock or the Class C Common Stock (“Exchange Shares”) as contemplated by the Exchange Agreement, which Class A Common Stock or Class C Common Stock, as applicable, shall be delivered by or on behalf of the Company to the Exchanging Class B Member or Class D Member, as applicable (as set forth in the Exchange Election).  The Reclassified Units shall be deemed automatically issued to Yield upon the issuance of the Exchange Shares to the Exchanging Class B Member or the Class D Member.

 

(d)                                 Authorization and Issuance of Additional Units.  Subject to the limitations on issuing additional Units set forth in this Agreement (including Section 7.4), the requirements set forth in the Exchange Agreement and any applicable listing exchange requirements, the Managing Member may issue additional Classes of Units, other Equity Securities in the Company or other Company securities from time to time with such rights, obligations, powers, designations, preferences and other terms, which may be different from, including senior to, any then existing or future Classes of Units, other Equity Securities in the Company or other Company securities, as the Managing Member shall determine from time to time, in its sole discretion, without the vote or consent of any other Member or any other Person, including (i) the right of such Units, other Equity Securities in the Company or other Company securities to 

 

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share in Net Income and Net Loss or items thereof, (ii) the right of such Units, other Equity Securities in the Company or other Company securities to share in Company distributions, (iii) the rights of such Units, other Equity Securities or other Company securities upon dissolution and liquidation of the Company, (iv) whether, and the terms and conditions upon which, the Company may or shall be required to redeem such Units, other Equity Securities in the Company or other Company securities (including sinking fund provisions), (v) whether such Units, other Equity Securities in the Company or other Company securities are issued with the privilege of conversion or exchange and, if so, the terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange, (vi) the terms and conditions upon which such Units, other Equity Securities in the Company or other Company securities will be issued, evidenced by certificates or assigned or transferred, (vii) the terms and conditions of the issuance of such Units, other Equity Securities in the Company or other Company securities (including, without limitation, the amount and form of consideration, if any, to be received by the Company in respect thereof, the Managing Member being expressly authorized, in its sole discretion, to cause the Company to issue Units, other Equity Securities in the Company or other Company securities for less than Fair Market Value), and (viii) the right, if any, of the holder of such Units, other Equity Securities in the Company or other Company securities to vote on Company matters, including matters relating to the relative designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties of such Units, other Equity Securities in the Company or other Company securities.  The Managing Member, without the vote or consent of any other Member or any other Person but subject to Sections 3.1(d) and 3.1(e) and any applicable listing exchange requirements, is authorized (i) to issue any Units, other Equity Securities in the Company or other Company securities of any such newly established Class, and (ii) to amend this Agreement to reflect the creation of any such new series, the issuance of Units, other Equity Securities in the Company or other Company securities of such series, and the admission of any Person as a Member which has received Units or other Equity Securities of any such Class, in accordance with this Section 3.2, 7.3 and 9.4.  Except as expressly provided in this Agreement to the contrary, any reference to “Units” shall include the Class A Units, the Class B Units, the Class C Units, the Class D Units and any other series of Units that may be established in accordance with this Agreement.

 

Section 3.3.                                 Capital Account.

 

(a)                                 The Managing Member shall maintain for each Member owning Units a separate Capital Account with respect to such Units in accordance with the rules of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv).  Such Capital Account shall be increased by (i) the amount of all Capital Contributions made to the Company with respect to such Units pursuant to this Agreement and (ii) all items of Company income and gain (including, without limitation, income and gain exempt from tax) computed in accordance with Section 3.3(b) and allocated with respect to such Units pursuant to Section 5.1, and decreased by (x) the amount of cash or Fair Market Value of all actual and deemed distributions of cash or property made with respect to such Units pursuant to this Agreement and (y) all items of Company deduction and loss computed in accordance with Section 3.3(b) and allocated with respect to such Units pursuant to Section 5.1.  The foregoing provisions and the other provisions of this Agreement relating to the maintenance of Capital Accounts are intended to comply with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b) and shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with such Treasury Regulations.  In the event the Managing Member shall determine that it is prudent to modify the manner in which the Capital Accounts or any adjustments thereto (including, without limitation,

 

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adjustments relating to liabilities which are secured by contributed or distributed property or which are assumed by the Company or any Members) are computed in order to comply with such Treasury Regulations, the Managing Member, without the consent of any other Person, may make such modification, notwithstanding the terms of this Agreement; provided that it is not likely to have a material effect on the amounts distributed or distributable to any Person pursuant to ARTICLE VII hereof upon the dissolution of the Company.  The Managing Member, without the consent of any other Person, also shall (i) make any adjustments, notwithstanding the terms of this Agreement, that are necessary or appropriate to maintain equality among the Capital Accounts of the Members and the amount of capital reflected on the Company’s balance sheet, as computed for book purposes, in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(q), and (ii) make any appropriate modifications, notwithstanding the terms of this Agreement, in the event unanticipated events might otherwise cause this Agreement not to comply with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b).

 

(b)                                 For purposes of computing the amount of any item of income, gain, loss or deduction, which is to be allocated pursuant to ARTICLE V and is to be reflected in the Members’ Capital Accounts, the determination, recognition and classification of any such item shall be the same as its determination, recognition and classification for federal income tax purposes (including, without limitation, any method of depreciation, cost recovery or amortization used for that purpose); provided, that:

 

(i)                                     Solely for purposes of this Section 3.3, the Company shall be treated as owning directly its proportionate share (as determined by the Managing Member) of all property owned by any partnership, limited liability company, unincorporated business or other entity or arrangement that is classified as a partnership or disregarded entity for federal income tax purposes, of which the Company is, directly or indirectly, a partner (in the case of a partnership) or owner (in the case of a disregarded entity).

 

(ii)                                  Except as otherwise provided in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), the computation of all items of income, gain, loss and deduction shall be made without regard to any election under Section 754 of the Code which may be made by the Company and, as to those items described in Section 705(a)(1) (B) or 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code, without regard to the fact that such items are not includable in gross income or are neither currently deductible nor capitalized for federal income tax purposes.  To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Company asset pursuant to Section 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment in the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain or loss.

 

(iii)                               Any income, gain or loss attributable to the taxable disposition of any Company property shall be determined as if the adjusted basis of such property as of such date of disposition were equal in amount to the Company’s Carrying Value with respect to such property as of such date.

 

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(iv)                              In accordance with the requirements of Section 704(b) of the Code, any deductions for depreciation, cost recovery or amortization attributable to any Contributed Property shall be determined in the manner described in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g)(3) as if the adjusted basis of such property on the date it was acquired by the Company were equal to the Agreed Value of such property.  Upon an adjustment pursuant to Section 3.3(c) to the Carrying Value of any Adjusted Property that is subject to depreciation, cost recovery or amortization, any further deductions for such depreciation, cost recovery or amortization attributable to such property shall be determined in the manner described in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g)(3) and 1.704-3(a)(6)(i) as if the adjusted basis of such property were equal to the Carrying Value of such property immediately following such adjustment; provided, however, that, if the asset has a zero adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes, depreciation, cost recovery or amortization deductions shall be determined using any method that the Managing Member may adopt.

 

(c)                                  If a Member transfers an interest in the Company to a new or existing Member, the transferee Member shall succeed to that portion of the transferor’s Capital Account that is attributable to the transferred interest.  Any reference in this Agreement to a Capital Contribution of, or Distribution to, a Member that has succeeded any other Member shall include any Capital Contributions or Distributions previously made by or to the former Member on account of the interest of such former Member transferred to such successor Member.  In addition, the following shall apply:

 

(i)                                     In accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), on an issuance of additional Units for cash or Contributed Property, the Capital Account of all Members and the Carrying Value of each Company property immediately prior to such issuance shall be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such Company property, as if such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss had been recognized on an actual sale of each such property immediately prior to such issuance and had been allocated to the Members at such time pursuant to Section 5.1 in the same manner as a corresponding item of gain or loss actually recognized during such period would have been allocated.  In determining such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss, the aggregate cash amount and Fair Market Value of all Company assets (including, without limitation, cash or cash equivalents) immediately prior to the issuance of additional Units shall be determined by the Managing Member using such method of valuation as it may adopt; provided, however, that the Managing Member, in arriving at such valuation, must take fully into account the Fair Market Value of the Units of all Members at such time.  The Managing Member shall allocate such aggregate value among the assets of the Company (in such manner as it determines) to arrive at a Fair Market Value for individual properties.

 

(ii)                                  In accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), immediately prior to any actual or deemed distribution to a Member of any Company property (other than a distribution of cash that is not in 

 

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redemption or retirement of a Unit), the Capital Accounts of all Members and the Carrying Value of all Company property shall be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such Company property, as if such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss had been recognized in a sale of such property immediately prior to such distribution for an amount equal to its Fair Market Value, and had been allocated to the Members, at such time, pursuant to Section 5.1 in the same manner as a corresponding item of gain or loss actually recognized during such period would have been allocated.  In determining such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss, the aggregate cash amount and Fair Market Value of all Company assets (including, without limitation, cash or cash equivalents) immediately prior to a distribution shall (A) in the case of an actual distribution that is not made pursuant to ARTICLE VII or in the case of a deemed distribution, be determined and allocated in the same manner as that provided in Section 3.3(c) or (B) in the case of a liquidating distribution pursuant to ARTICLE VII, be determined and allocated by the Person winding up the Company pursuant to Section 7.2(c) using such method of valuation as it may adopt.

 

(iii)                               The Managing Member may make the adjustments described in this Section 3.4(d) in the manner set forth herein if the Managing Member determines that such adjustments are necessary or useful to effectuate the intended economic arrangement among the Members, including Members who received Units in connection with the performance of services to or for the benefit of the Company.

 

(d)                                 Notwithstanding anything expressed or implied to the contrary in this Agreement, in the event the Managing Member shall determine, in its sole and absolute discretion, that it is prudent to modify the manner in which the Capital Accounts, or any debits or credits thereto, are computed in order to effectuate the intended economic sharing arrangement of the Members, the Managing Member may make such modification, notwithstanding any other provision hereof, without the consent of any other Person.

 

Section 3.4.                                 No Withdrawal.  No Person shall be entitled to withdraw any part of such Person’s Capital Contributions or Capital Account or to receive any distribution from the Company, except as expressly provided herein.

 

Section 3.5.                                 Loans From Members.  Loans by Members to the Company shall not be considered Capital Contributions.  If any Member shall loan funds to the Company, then the making of such loans shall not result in any increase in the Capital Account balance of such Member.  The amount of any such loans shall be a debt of the Company to such Member and shall be payable or collectible in accordance with the terms and conditions upon which such loans are made.

 

Section 3.6.                                 No Right of Partition.  To the fullest extent permitted by law, no Member shall have the right to seek or obtain partition by court decree or operation of law of any property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or the right to own or use particular or individual assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or, except as expressly contemplated by this

 

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Agreement, be entitled to distributions of specific assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Section 3.7.                                 Non-Certification of Units; Legend; Units are Securities.

 

(a)                                 Units shall be issued in non-certificated form; provided that the Managing Member may cause the Company to issue certificates to a Member representing the Units held by such Member.

 

(b)                                 If the Managing Member determines that the Company shall issue certificates representing Units to any Member, the following provisions of this Section 3.8 shall apply:

 

(i)                                     The Company shall issue one or more certificates in the name of such Person in such form as it may approve, subject to Section 3.8(b)(ii) (a “Membership Interest Certificate”), which shall evidence the ownership of the Units represented thereby.  Each such Membership Interest Certificate shall be denominated in terms of the number of Units evidenced by such Membership Interest Certificate and shall be signed by the Managing Member or an Officer on behalf of the Company.

 

(ii)                                  Each Membership Interest Certificate shall bear a legend substantially in the following form:

 

THIS CERTIFICATE EVIDENCES A CLASS            UNIT REPRESENTING AN INTEREST IN NRG YIELD LLC AND SHALL CONSTITUTE A “SECURITY” WITHIN THE MEANING OF, AND SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, (I) ARTICLE 8 OF THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE (INCLUDING SECTION 8-102(A)(15) THEREOF) AS IN EFFECT FROM TIME TO TIME IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE, AND (II) THE CORRESPONDING PROVISIONS OF THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE OF ANY OTHER APPLICABLE JURISDICTION THAT NOW OR HEREAFTER SUBSTANTIALLY INCLUDES THE 1994 REVISIONS TO ARTICLE 8 THEREOF AS ADOPTED BY THE AMERICAN LAW INSTITUTE AND THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF COMMISSIONERS ON UNIFORM STATE LAWS AND APPROVED BY THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION ON FEBRUARY 14, 1995.

 

THE INTERESTS IN NRG YIELD LLC REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER SET FORTH IN THE THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT OF NRG YIELD LLC, DATED AS OF MAY 14, 2015, BY AND AMONG EACH OF THE MEMBERS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY THERETO, AS THE SAME MAY BE AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME.

 

(iii)                               Each Unit shall constitute a “security” within the meaning of, and shall be governed by, (i) Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code (including

 

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Section 8-102(a)(15) thereof) as in effect from time to time in the State of Delaware, and (ii) the corresponding provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code of any other applicable jurisdiction that now or hereafter substantially includes the 1994 revisions to Article 8 thereof as adopted by the American Law Institute and the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws and approved by the American Bar Association on February 14, 1995.

 

(iv)                              The Company shall issue a new Membership Interest Certificate in place of any Membership Interest Certificate previously issued if the holder of the Units represented by such Membership Interest Certificate, as reflected on the books and records of the Company:

 

(A)                               makes proof by affidavit, in form and substance satisfactory to the Company, that such previously issued Membership Interest Certificate has been lost, stolen or destroyed;

 

(B)                               requests the issuance of a new Membership Interest Certificate before the Company has notice that such previously issued Membership Interest Certificate has been acquired by a purchaser for value in good faith and without notice of an adverse claim;

 

(C)                               if requested by the Company, delivers to the Company such security, in form and substance satisfactory to the Company, as the Managing Member may direct, to indemnify the Company against any claim that may be made on account of the alleged loss, destruction or theft of the previously issued Membership Interest Certificate; and

 

(D)                               satisfies any other reasonable requirements imposed by the Company.

 

(v)                                 Upon a Member’s Transfer in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement of any or all Units represented by a Membership Interest Certificate, the Transferee of such Units shall deliver such Membership Interest Certificate, duly endorsed for Transfer by the Transferee, to the Company for cancellation, and the Company shall thereupon issue a new Membership Interest Certificate to such Transferee for the number of Units being Transferred and, if applicable, cause to be issued to such Transferring Member a new Membership Interest Certificate for the number of Units that were represented by the canceled Membership Interest Certificate and that are not being Transferred.

 

Section 3.8.                                 Outside Activities of the Members.  Any Member or any of their respective Affiliates shall be entitled to have business interests and engage in business activities in addition to those relating to the Company, including business interests and activities in direct competition with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any Person in which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has an ownership interest.  Neither the Company nor any of the other Members shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement in any business ventures of any other Member.

 

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ARTICLE IV
 DISTRIBUTIONS

 

Section 4.1.                                 Determination of Distributions.  Distributions shall be made to the Members pro rata in accordance with their Percentage Interests when and in such amounts as determined by the Managing Member, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; provided, however that in the event the Company issues Class A Units or securities convertible or exchangeable for Class A Units for less than Fair Market Value, or the Company issues Class C Units or securities convertible or exchangeable for Class C Units for less than Fair Market Value, the amount distributed on account of Class B Units relative to Class A Units, and the amount distributed on account of Class C Units relative to Class D Units shall be equitably adjusted by the Managing Member.

 

Section 4.2.                                 Successors.  For purposes of determining the amount of distributions under Section 4.1, each Member shall be treated as having made the Capital Contributions and as having received the distributions made to or received by its predecessors in respect of any of such Member’s Units.

 

Section 4.3.                                 Withholding.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Managing Member is authorized to take any action that may be required to cause the Company to comply with any withholding requirements established under the Code or any other federal, state or local law including pursuant to Sections 1441, 1442, 1445 and 1446 of the Code.  To the extent that the Company is required or elects to withhold and pay over to any taxing authority any amount resulting from the allocation or distribution of income to any Member (including by reason of Section 1446 of the Code), the Managing Member may treat the amount withheld as a distribution of cash pursuant to this ARTICLE IV in the amount of such withholding from such Member.  Each Member hereby agrees, to the maximum extent permitted by law, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and the other Members from and against any liability, claim or expense (including, without limitation, any liability for taxes, penalties, additions to tax or interest) with respect to any tax withholdings made or required to be made on behalf of or with respect to such Member.  In the event the Company is liquidated and a liability or claim is asserted against, or expense borne by, the Company or any Member for tax withholdings made or required to be made, such person shall have the right to be reimbursed from the Member on whose behalf such tax withholding was made or required to be made.

 

Section 4.4.                                 Limitation.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company, and the Managing Member on behalf of the Company, shall not be required to make a distribution (a) if such distribution to any Member or Assignee would violate the Act or other applicable law, or (b) in any form other than cash.

 

ARTICLE V
 ALLOCATIONS

 

Section 5.1.                                 Allocations for Capital Account Purposes.

 

(a)                                 Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, Net Income and Net Losses (and, to the extent necessary, individual items of income, gain or loss or deduction of the

 

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Company) shall be allocated in a manner such that the Capital Account of each Member after giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 5.1(b) is, as nearly as possible, equal (proportionately) to (i) the distributions that would be made pursuant to Section 7.2 if the Company were dissolved, its affairs wound up and its assets sold for cash equal to their Carrying Value, all Company liabilities were satisfied (limited with respect to each non-recourse liability to the Carrying Value of the assets securing such liability) and the net assets of the Company were distributed to the Members pursuant to this Agreement, minus (ii) such Member’s share of Company Minimum Gain and Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain, computed immediately prior to the hypothetical sale of assets.

 

(b)                                 Special Allocations.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 5.1, the following special allocations shall be made for such taxable period:

 

(i)                                     Company Minimum Gain Chargeback.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 5.1, if there is a net decrease in Company Minimum Gain during any Company taxable period, each Member shall be allocated items of Company income and gain for such period (and, if necessary, subsequent periods) in the manner and amounts determined according to Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(f) and 1.704-2(j)(2)(i), or any successor provision.  For purposes of this Section 5.1(b), each Member’s Adjusted Capital Account balance shall be determined, and the allocation of income and gain required hereunder shall be effected, prior to the application of any other allocations pursuant to this Section 5.1(b) with respect to such taxable period (other than an allocation pursuant to Section 5.1(b)(iii) and Section 5.1(b)(vi)).  This Section 5.1(b)(i) is intended to comply with the Company Minimum Gain chargeback requirement in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

(ii)                                  Chargeback of Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain.  Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 5.1 (other than Section 5.1(b)(i)), except as provided in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4), if there is a net decrease in Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain during any Company taxable period, any Member with a share of Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain at the beginning of such taxable period shall be allocated items of Company income and gain for such period (and, if necessary, subsequent periods) in the manner and amounts determined according to Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(i)(4), or any successor provisions.  For purposes of this Section 5.1(b), each Member’s Adjusted Capital Account balance shall be determined, and the allocation of income and gain required hereunder shall be effected, prior to the application of any other allocations pursuant to this Section 5.1(b), other than Section 5.1(b)(i) and other than an allocation pursuant to Section 5.1(b)(i)(v) and (b)(i)(vi), with respect to such taxable period.  This Section 5.1(b)(ii) is intended to comply with the chargeback of items of income and gain requirement in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

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(iii)                               Qualified Income Offset.  In the event any Member unexpectedly receives any adjustments, allocations or distributions described in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5), or (6), items of Company income and gain shall be specially allocated to such Member in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate, to the extent required by the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) of the Code, the deficit balance, if any, in its Adjusted Capital Account created by such adjustments, allocations or distributions as quickly as possible, unless such deficit balance is otherwise eliminated pursuant to Section 5.1(b)(i) or (ii).  This Section 5.1(b)(iii) is intended to qualify and be construed as a “qualified income offset” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

(iv)                              Gross Income Allocations.  In the event any Member has a deficit balance in its Capital Account at the end of any Company taxable period in excess of the sum of (A) the amount such Member is required to restore pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and (B) the amount such Member is deemed obligated to restore pursuant to Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(g) and 1.704-2(i)(5), such Member shall be specially allocated items of Company gross income and gain in the amount of such excess as quickly as possible; provided, that an allocation pursuant to this Section 5.1(b)(iv) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Member would have a deficit balance in its Capital Account as adjusted after all other allocations provided for in this Section 5.1 have been tentatively made as if this Section 5.1(b)(iv) were not in this Agreement.

 

(v)                                 Nonrecourse Deductions.  Nonrecourse Deductions for any taxable period shall be allocated to the Members in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests.  If the Managing Member determines that the Company’s Nonrecourse Deductions should be allocated in a different ratio to satisfy the safe harbor requirements of the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) of the Code, the Managing Member is authorized, upon notice to the other Members, to revise the prescribed ratio to the numerically closest ratio that does satisfy such requirements.

 

(vi)                              Member Nonrecourse Deductions.  Member Nonrecourse Deductions for any taxable period shall be allocated 100% to the Member that bears the “Economic Risk of Loss” (as defined in the Treasury Regulations) with respect to the Member Nonrecourse Debt to which such Member Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i).  If more than one Member bears the Economic Risk of Loss with respect to a Member Nonrecourse Debt, such Member Nonrecourse Deductions attributable thereto shall be allocated between or among such Members in accordance with the ratios in which they share such Economic Risk of Loss.

 

(vii)                           Nonrecourse Liabilities.  Nonrecourse Liabilities of the Company described in Treasury Regulations Section 1.752-3(a)(3) shall be allocated to the Members in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests.

 

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(viii)                        Code Section 754 Adjustments.  To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Company asset pursuant to Section 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment to the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis), and such item of gain or loss shall be specially allocated to the Members in a manner consistent with the manner in which their Capital Accounts are required to be adjusted pursuant to such Section of the Treasury Regulations.

 

(ix)                              Curative Allocation.

 

(A)                               The allocations set forth in Section 5.1(b)(i), (ii), (iii) and (viii) (the “Required Allocations”) are intended to comply with certain requirements of the Treasury Regulations.  It is the intent of the Members that, to the extent possible, all Required Allocations shall be offset either with other Required Allocations or with special allocations of other items of Company income, gain, loss or deduction pursuant to this Section 5.1(b)(ix)(A).  Therefore, notwithstanding any other provision of this ARTICLE V (other than the Required Allocations), the Managing Member shall make such offsetting special allocations of Company income, gain, loss or deduction in whatever manner it determines appropriate so that, after such offsetting allocations are made, each Member’s Capital Account balance is, to the extent possible, equal to the Capital Account balance such Member would have had if the Required Allocations were not part of this Agreement and all Company items were allocated pursuant to the economic agreement among the Members.

 

(B)                               The Managing Member shall, with respect to each taxable period, (1) apply the provisions of Section 5.1(b)(ix)(A) in whatever order is most likely to minimize the economic distortions that might otherwise result from the Required Allocations, and (2) divide all allocations pursuant to Section 5.1(b)(ix)(A) among the Members in a manner that is likely to minimize such economic distortions.

 

(x)                                 Deficit Capital Accounts.  No Member shall be required to pay to the Company, to any other Member or to any third party any deficit balance which may exist from time to time in the Member’s Capital Account.

 

Section 5.2.                                 Allocations for Tax Purposes.

 

(a)                                 The income, gains, losses and deductions of the Company shall be allocated for federal, state and local income tax purposes among the Members in accordance with the allocation of such income, gains, losses and deductions among the Members for purposes of computing their Capital Accounts; except that if any such allocation is not permitted by the Code or other applicable law, then the Company’s subsequent income, gains, losses and

 

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deductions for tax purposes shall be allocated among the Members so as to reflect as nearly as possible the allocation set forth herein in computing their Capital Accounts.

 

(b)                                 In an attempt to eliminate Book-Tax Disparities attributable to a Contributed Property or an Adjusted Property, items of income, gain, loss, depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions shall be allocated for federal income tax purposes among the Members as follows:

 

(i)                                     In the case of a Contributed Property, such items attributable thereto shall be allocated among the Members in the manner provided under Section 704(c) of the Code that takes into account the variation between the Agreed Value of such property and its adjusted basis at the time of contribution.

 

(ii)                                  In the case of an Adjusted Property, such items shall (A) first, be allocated among the Members in a manner consistent with the principles of Section 704(c) of the Code to take into account the Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such property and the allocations thereof pursuant to Section 3.3(c)(i) or Section 3.3(c)(ii), and (B) second, in the event such property was originally a Contributed Property, be allocated among the Members in a manner consistent with Section 5.2(b)(i)(A).

 

(iii)                               In order to eliminate Book-Tax Disparities, the Managing Member may cause the Company to use any method described in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-3.

 

(c)                                  For purposes of determining the items of Company income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit allocable to any Member with respect to any period, such items shall be determined on a daily, monthly, or other basis, as determined by the Managing Member using any permissible method under Code Section 706 and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(d)                                 Tax credits, tax credit recapture and any items related thereto shall be allocated to the Members according to their interests in such items as reasonably determined by the Managing Member taking into account the principles of Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(4)(ii) and 1.704-1T(b)(4)(xi).

 

(e)                                  Allocations pursuant to this Section 5.2 are solely for the purposes of federal, state and local taxes and shall not affect, or in any way be taken into account in computing, any Member’s Capital Account or share of Income, Loss, distributions or other Company items pursuant to any provision of this Agreement.

 

(f)                                   For the proper administration of the Company, the Managing Member shall (i) adopt such conventions as it deems appropriate in determining the amount of depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions; (ii) make special allocations for federal income tax purposes of income (including, without limitation, gross income) or deductions; (iii) without the consent of any other Person being required, amend the provisions of this Agreement as appropriate to reflect the proposal or promulgation of Treasury Regulations under Section 704(b) or Section 704(c) of the Code; and (iv) adopt and employ such methods for (A) the

 

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maintenance of capital accounts for book and tax purposes, (B) the determination and allocation of adjustments under Sections 734 and 743 of the Code, (C) the determination and allocation of taxable income, tax loss and items thereof under this Agreement and pursuant to the Code, (D) the determination of the identities and tax classification of Members, (E) the provision of tax information and reports to the Members, (F) the adoption of reasonable conventions and methods for the valuation of assets and the determination of tax basis, (G) the allocation of asset values and tax basis, (H) the adoption and maintenance of accounting methods, (I) the recognition of the transfer of Units and (J) tax compliance and other tax-related requirements, including without limitation, the use of computer software, in each case, as it determines in its sole discretion are necessary and appropriate to execute the provisions of this Agreement and to comply with federal, state and local tax law.  The Managing Member may adopt such conventions and make such allocations as provided in this Section 5.2(f) without the consent of a Member only if such conventions or allocations would not have a material adverse effect on such affected Member, and if such allocations are consistent with the principles of Section 704 of the Code.

 

Section 5.3.                                 Members’ Tax Reporting.  The Members acknowledge and are aware of the income tax consequences of the allocations made pursuant to this ARTICLE V and, except as may otherwise be required by applicable law or regulatory requirements, hereby agree to be bound by the provisions of this ARTICLE V in reporting their shares of Company income, gain, loss, deduction and credit for federal, state and local income tax purposes.

 

Section 5.4.                                 Certain Costs and Expenses.  The Company shall (i) pay, or cause to be paid, all costs, fees, operating expenses and other expenses of the Company (including the costs, fees and expenses of attorneys, accountants or other professionals and the compensation of all personnel providing services to the Company) incurred in pursuing and conducting, or otherwise related to, the activities of the Company, and (ii) reimburse the Managing Member for any costs, fees or expenses incurred by it in connection with serving as the Managing Member.  To the extent that the Managing Member determines in its sole discretion that such expenses are related to the business and affairs of the Managing Member that are conducted through the Company and/or its subsidiaries (including expenses that relate to the business and affairs of the Company and/or its subsidiaries and that also relate to other activities of the Managing Member), the Managing Member may cause the Company to pay or bear all expenses of the Managing Member, including, without suggesting any limitation of any kind, costs of securities offerings not borne directly by Members, board of directors compensation and meeting costs, cost of periodic reports to its stockholders, litigation costs and damages arising from litigation, accounting and legal costs and franchise taxes, provided that the Company shall not pay or bear any income tax obligations of the Managing Member.

 

ARTICLE VI
 MANAGEMENT

 

Section 6.1.                                 Managing Member; Delegation of Authority and Duties.

 

(a)                                 Authority of Managing Member.  The business, property and affairs of the Company shall be managed under the sole, absolute and exclusive direction of the Managing Member, which may from time to time delegate authority to Officers or to others to act on behalf of the Company.  Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.1(a), the Managing

 

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Member shall have the sole power to manage or cause the management of the Company, including the power and authority to effectuate the sale, lease, transfer, exchange or other disposition of any, all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (including, but not limited to, the exercise or grant of any conversion, option, privilege or subscription right or any other right available in connection with any assets at any time held by the Company) or the merger, consolidation, reorganization or other combination of the Company with or into another entity.  Yield is the initial Managing Member of the Company.

 

(b)                                 Other Members.  No Member who is not also a Managing Member, in his or her or its capacity as such, shall participate in or have any control over the business of the Company.  Except as expressly provided herein, the Units, other Equity Securities in the Company, or the fact of a Member’s admission as a member of the Company do not confer any rights upon the Members to participate in the management of the affairs of the Company.  Except as expressly provided herein, no Member who is not also a Managing Member shall have any right to vote on any matter involving the Company, including with respect to any merger, consolidation, combination or conversion of the Company, or any other matter that a Member might otherwise have the ability to vote or consent with respect to under the Act, at law, in equity or otherwise.  The conduct, control and management of the Company shall be vested exclusively in the Managing Member.  In all matters relating to or arising out of the conduct of the operation of the Company, the decision of the Managing Member shall be the decision of the Company.  Except as required by law or expressly provided in Section 6.1(c) or by separate agreement with the Company, no Member who is not also a Managing Member (and acting in such capacity) shall take any part in the management or control of the operation or business of the Company in its capacity as a Member, nor shall any Member who is not also a Managing Member (and acting in such capacity) have any right, authority or power to act for or on behalf of or bind the Company in his or her or its capacity as a Member in any respect or assume any obligation or responsibility of the Company or of any other Member.

 

(c)                                  Delegation by Managing Member.  The Company may employ one or more Members from time to time, and such Members, in their capacity as employees or agents of the Company (and not, for clarity, in their capacity as Members of the Company), may take part in the control and management of the business of the Company to the extent such authority and power to act for or on behalf of the Company has been delegated to them by the Managing Member.  To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Managing Member shall have the power and authority to delegate to one or more other Persons the Managing Member’s rights and powers to manage and control the business and affairs of the Company, including to delegate to agents and employees of a Member or the Company (including Officers), and to delegate by a management agreement or another agreement with, or otherwise to, other Persons.  The Managing Member may authorize any Person (including any Member or Officer) to enter into and perform any document on behalf of the Company.

 

Section 6.2.                                 Officers.

 

(a)                                 Designation and Appointment.  The Managing Member may, from time to time, employ and retain Persons as may be necessary or appropriate for the conduct of the Company’s business, including employees, agents and other Persons (any of whom may be a Member) who may be designated as Officers of the Company, with such titles as and to the

 

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extent authorized by the Managing Member.  Any number of offices may be held by the same Person.  In its discretion, the Managing Member may choose not to fill any office for any period as it may deem advisable.  Officers need not be residents of the State of Delaware or Members.  Any Officers so designated shall have such authority and perform such duties as the Managing Member may from time to time delegate to them.  The Managing Member may assign titles to particular Officers.  Each Officer shall hold office until his successor shall be duly designated and shall qualify or until his death or until he shall resign or shall have been removed in the manner hereinafter provided.  The salaries or other compensation, if any, of the Officers of the Company shall be fixed from time to time by the Managing Member.  Designation of an Officer shall not of itself create any employment or, except as provided in Section 6.4, contractual rights.

 

(b)                                 Resignation and Removal.  Any Officer may resign as such at any time.  Such resignation shall be made in writing and shall take effect at the time specified therein, or if no time is specified, at the time of its receipt by the Managing Member.  The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective, unless expressly so provided in the resignation.  All employees, agents and Officers shall be subject to the supervision and direction of the Managing Member and may be removed, with or without cause, from such office by the Managing Member and the authority, duties or responsibilities of any employee, agent or Officer of the Company may be suspended by or altered the Managing Member from time to time, in each case in the sole discretion of the Managing Member.

 

(c)                                  Officers as Agents.  The Officers, to the extent of their powers, authority and duties set forth in this Agreement or an Employment Agreement or otherwise vested in them by the Managing Member, are agents of the Company for the purposes of the Company’s business and the actions of the Officers taken in accordance with such powers shall bind the Company.

 

Section 6.3.                                 Liability of Members.

 

(a)                                 No Personal Liability.  Except as otherwise required by applicable law and as expressly set forth in this Agreement, no Member shall have any personal liability whatsoever in such Person’s capacity as a Member, whether to the Company, to any of the other Members, to the creditors of the Company or to any other third party, for the debts, liabilities, commitments or any other obligations of the Company or for any losses of the Company.  Except as otherwise required by the Act, each Member shall be liable only to make such Member’s Capital Contribution to the Company, if applicable, and the other payments provided for expressly herein.

 

(b)                                 Return of Distributions.  In accordance with the Act and the laws of the State of Delaware, a Member may, under certain circumstances, be required to return amounts previously distributed to such Member.  It is the intent of the Members that no distribution to any Member pursuant to ARTICLE IV shall be deemed a return of money or other property paid or distributed in violation of the Act.  The payment of any such money or distribution of any such property to a Member shall be deemed to be a compromise within the meaning of Section 18-502(b) of the Act, and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any Member receiving any such money or property shall not be required to return any such money or property to the Company or any other Person.  However, if any court of competent jurisdiction holds that, notwithstanding

 

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the provisions of this Agreement, any Member is obligated to make any such payment, such obligation shall be the obligation of such Member and not of any other Member.

 

(c)                                  No Duties.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any duty otherwise existing at law, in equity or otherwise, the parties hereby agree that the Members (including without limitation, the Managing Member), shall, to the maximum extent permitted by law, including Section 18-1101(c) of the Act, owe no duties (including fiduciary duties) to the Company, the other Members or any other Person who is a party to or otherwise bound by this Agreement; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section 6.3(c) shall eliminate the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing.  To the extent that, at law or in equity, any Member (including without limitation, the Managing Member) has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Company, to another Member or to another Person who is a party to or otherwise bound by this Agreement, the Members (including without limitation, the Managing Member) acting under this Agreement will not be liable to the Company, to any such other Member or to any such other Person who is a party to or otherwise bound by this Agreement, for their good faith reliance on the provisions of this Agreement.  The provisions of this Agreement, to the extent that they restrict or eliminate the duties and liabilities relating thereto of any Member (including without limitation, the Managing Member) otherwise existing at law, in equity or otherwise, are agreed by the parties hereto to replace to that extent such other duties and liabilities of the Members (including without limitation, the Managing Member) relating thereto.  The Managing Member may consult with legal counsel, accountants and financial or other advisors and any act or omission suffered or taken by the Managing Member on behalf of the Company or in furtherance of the interests of the Company in good faith in reliance upon and in accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants or financial or other advisors will be full justification for any such act or omission, and the Managing Member will be fully protected in so acting or omitting to act so long as such counsel or accountants or financial or other advisors were selected with reasonable care.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or otherwise applicable provision of law or equity, whenever in this Agreement the Managing Member is permitted or required to make a decision (i) in its “sole discretion” or “discretion” or under a grant of similar authority or latitude, the Managing Member shall be entitled to consider only such interests and factors as it desires, including its own interests, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, have no duty or obligation to give any consideration to any interest of or factors affecting the Company or the other Members, or (ii) in its “good faith” or under another expressed standard, the Managing Member shall act under such express standard and shall not be subject to any other or different standards.

 

Section 6.4.                                 Indemnification by the Company.

 

(a)                                 To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law (as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Company to provide broader indemnification rights than such law permitted the Company to provide prior to such amendment)) but subject to the limitations expressly provided in this Agreement, all Indemnitees shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties (including excise and similar taxes and punitive damages), interest, settlements or other amounts arising from any and

 

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all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which any Indemnitee may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, by reason of its acting in the capacity that gave rise to its status as an Indemnitee (a “Proceeding”); provided, that the Indemnitee shall not be indemnified and held harmless if there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter for which the Indemnitee is seeking indemnification pursuant to this Section 6.4, the Indemnitee acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud, willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.  Any indemnification pursuant to this Section 6.4 shall be made only out of the assets of the Company, it being agreed that the Managing Member shall not be personally liable for such indemnification and shall have no obligation to contribute or loan any monies or property to the Company to enable it to effectuate such indemnification.

 

(b)                                 To the fullest extent permitted by law, expenses (including legal fees and expenses) incurred by an Indemnitee who is indemnified pursuant to Section 6.4(a) in defending any Proceeding shall, from time to time, be advanced by the Company prior to a determination that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified upon receipt by the Company of any undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay such amount if it shall be determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized in this Section 6.4.

 

(c)                                  The rights provided by this Section 6.4 shall be deemed contract rights and shall be in addition to any other rights to which an Indemnitee may be entitled under any agreement, pursuant to any vote of the holders of the Membership Interests, as a matter of law or otherwise, both as to actions in the Indemnitee’s capacity as an Indemnitee and as to actions in any other capacity and shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to serve in such capacity and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, successors, assigns and administrators of the Indemnitee.

 

(d)                                 The Company may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of the Company and its Subsidiaries and such other Persons as the Managing Member shall determine, against any liability that may be asserted against, or expense that may be incurred by, such Person in connection with the Company’s activities or such Person’s activities on behalf of the Company, regardless of whether the Company would have the power to indemnify such Person against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement.

 

(e)                                  For purposes of this Section 6.4, the Company shall be deemed to have requested an Indemnitee to serve as fiduciary of an employee benefit plan whenever the performance by it of its duties to the Company also imposes duties on, or otherwise involves services by, it to the plan or participants or beneficiaries of the plan; excise taxes assessed on an Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan pursuant to applicable law shall constitute “fines” within the meaning of Section 6.4(a); and action taken or omitted by it with respect to any employee benefit plan in the performance of its duties for a purpose reasonably believed by it to be in the best interest of the participants and beneficiaries of the plan shall be deemed to be for a purpose that is in the best interests of the Company.

 

(f)                                   In no event may an Indemnitee subject the Members to personal liability by reason of the indemnification provisions set forth in this Agreement.

 

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(g)                                  An Indemnitee shall not be denied indemnification in whole or in part under this Section 6.4 because the Indemnitee had an interest in the transaction with respect to which the indemnification applies if the transaction was otherwise permitted by the terms of this Agreement.

 

(h)                                 The provisions of this Section 6.4 are for the benefit of the Indemnitees, their heirs, successors, assigns and administrators and shall not be deemed to create any rights for the benefit of any other Persons.

 

(i)                                     No amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 6.4 or any provision hereof shall in any manner terminate, reduce or impair the right of any past, present or future Indemnitee to be indemnified by the Company, nor the obligations of the Company to indemnify any such Indemnitee under and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.4 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.  It is expressly acknowledged that the indemnification provided in this Section 6.4 could involve indemnification for negligence or under theories of strict liability.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Indemnitee shall be entitled to any indemnity or advancement of expenses in connection with any Proceeding brought (i) by such Indemnified Person against the Company (other than to enforce the rights of such Indemnitee pursuant to this Section 6.4), any Member or any Officer, or (ii) by or in the right of the Company, without the prior written consent of the Managing Member.

 

Section 6.5.                                 Liability of Indemnitees.

 

(a)                                 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, no Indemnitee shall be liable for monetary damages to the Company, the Members or any other Persons who have acquired interests in the Company, for losses sustained or liabilities incurred as a result of any act or omission of an Indemnitee unless there has been a final and nonappealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter in question, the Indemnitee acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud, willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the Indemnitee’s conduct was criminal.

 

(b)                                 The Managing Member may exercise any of the powers granted to it by this Agreement and perform any of the duties imposed upon it hereunder either directly or by or through its agents, and the Managing Member shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent appointed by the Managing Member in good faith.

 

(c)                                  To the extent that, at law or in equity, an Indemnitee has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Company or to the Members, the Managing Member and any other Indemnitee acting in connection with the Company’s business or affairs shall not be liable to the Company or to any Member for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Agreement.

 

(d)                                 Any amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 6.5 or any provision hereof shall be prospective only and shall not in any way affect the limitations on the

 

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liability of the Indemnitees under this Section 6.5 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.

 

Section 6.6.                                 Investment Representations of Members.  Each Member hereby represents, warrants and acknowledges to the Company that:  (a) such Member has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters and is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Company and is making an informed investment decision with respect thereto; (b) such Member is acquiring interests in the Company for investment only and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any distribution to the public or public offering thereof; and (c) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement have been duly authorized by such Member.

 

ARTICLE VII
 WITHDRAWAL; DISSOLUTION; TRANSFER OF MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS; ADMISSION OF NEW MEMBERS

 

Section 7.1.                                 Member Withdrawal.  No Member shall have the power or right to withdraw or otherwise resign or be expelled from the Company prior to the dissolution and winding up of the Company except pursuant to a Transfer permitted under this Agreement.

 

Section 7.2.                                 Dissolution.

 

(a)                                 Events.  The Company shall be dissolved and its affairs shall be wound up on the first to occur of (i) the determination of the Managing Member, (ii) the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Company under Section 18-802 of the Act or (iii) the termination of the legal existence of the last remaining Member or the occurrence of any other event which terminates the continued membership of the last remaining Member in the Company unless the Company is continued without dissolution in a manner permitted by the Act.  In the event of a dissolution pursuant to clause (i) of the immediately preceding sentence, the relative economic rights of each Class of Units immediately prior to such dissolution shall be preserved to the greatest extent practicable with respect to distributions made to Members pursuant to Section 7.2 (c) below in connection with the winding up of the Company, taking into consideration tax and other legal constraints that may adversely affect one or more parties hereto and subject to compliance with applicable laws and regulations, unless, with respect to any Class of Units, holders of not less than 90% of the Units of such Class consent in writing to a treatment other than as described above.

 

(b)                                 Actions Upon Dissolution.  When the Company is dissolved, the business and property of the Company shall be wound up and liquidated by the Managing Member or, in the event of the unavailability of the Managing Member or if the Managing Member shall so determine, such Member or other liquidating trustee as shall be named by the Managing Member.

 

(c)                                  Priority.  A reasonable time shall be allowed for the orderly winding up of the business and affairs of the Company and the liquidation of its assets pursuant to Section 7.2

 

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to minimize any losses otherwise attendant upon such winding up.  Upon dissolution of the Company, the assets of the Company shall be applied in the following manner and order of priority:  (i) to creditors, including Members who are creditors, to the extent otherwise permitted by law, in satisfaction of liabilities of the Company (including all contingent, conditional or unmatured claims), whether by payment or the making of reasonable provision for payment thereof; and (ii) the balance shall be distributed to the Members in accordance with ARTICLE IV.

 

(d)                                 Cancellation of Certificate.  The Company shall terminate when (i) all of the assets of the Company, after payment of or due provision for all debts liabilities and obligations of the Company, shall have been distributed to the Members in the manner provided for in this Agreement and (ii) the Certificate shall have been canceled in the manner required by the Act.

 

(e)                                  Return of Capital.  The liquidators of the Company shall not be personally liable for the return of Capital Contributions or any portion thereof to the Members (it being understood that any such return shall be made solely from Company assets).

 

(f)                                   Hart Scott Rodino.  Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, in the event the Hart Scott Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the “HSR Act”), is applicable to any Member by reason of the fact that any assets of the Company will be distributed to such Member in connection with the dissolution of the Company, the distribution of any assets of the Company shall not be consummated until such time as the applicable waiting periods (and extensions thereof) under the HSR Act have expired or otherwise been terminated with respect to each such Member.

 

Section 7.3.                                 Transfer by Members.  No Member may Transfer all or any portion of its Units or other interests or rights in the Company except as provided in Section 3.2 or otherwise with the written consent of the Managing Member in its sole discretion; provided, however, that, subject to the provisions of Section 7.4(c) (other than the provisions of Section 7.4 (c)(v) to the extent that such provisions relate to the delivery of legal and/or tax opinions), without the consent of the Managing Member, a Member may, at any time, Transfer any of such Member’s Units pursuant to the Exchange Agreement.  In addition, unless the Managing Member determines in good faith that a proposed Transfer would violate Section 7.4(c) below, the Managing Member shall be deemed to have consented to a Transfer (i) by a Class B Member of Class B Units then held by such Member to a Permitted Transferee or (ii) to a Successor in Interest; provided, that in connection with any such Transfer, the transferor shall transfer an equivalent number of shares of Class B Common Stock to the transferee, in accordance with the terms of the Yield Charter.  Any purported Transfer of all or a portion of a Member’s Units or other interests in the Company not complying with this Section 7.3 shall be void and shall not create any obligation on the part of the Company or the other Members to recognize that Transfer or to deal with the Person to which the Transfer purportedly was made.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Class A Units shall not be Transferable, except to a transferring Class A Member’s Successor in Interest or pursuant to the Exchange Agreement.

 

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Section 7.4.                                 Admission or Substitution of New Members.

 

(a)                                 Admission.  Without the consent of any other Person, the Managing Member shall have the right to admit as a Substituted Member or an Additional Member, any Person who acquires an interest in the Company, or any part thereof, from a Member or from the Company.  Concurrently with the admission of a Substituted Member or an Additional Member, the Managing Member shall forthwith (i) amend the Schedule of Members to reflect the name and address of such Substituted Member or Additional Member and to eliminate or modify, as applicable, the name and address of the Transferring Member with regard to the Transferred Units and (ii) cause any necessary papers to be filed and recorded and notice to be given wherever and to the extent required showing the substitution of a Transferee as a Substituted Member in place of the Transferring Member, or the admission of an Additional Member, in each case, at the expense, including payment of any professional and filing fees incurred, of such Substituted Member or Additional Member.

 

(b)                                 Conditions and Limitations.  The admission of any Person as a Substituted Member or an Additional Member shall be conditioned upon such Person’s written acceptance and adoption of all the terms and provisions of this Agreement by execution and delivery of the Adoption Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A or such other written instrument(s) in form and substance satisfactory to the Managing Member on behalf of the Company.

 

(c)                                  Prohibited Transfers.  Notwithstanding any contrary provision in this Agreement, unless each of the Members agrees otherwise in writing, in no event may any Transfer of a Unit or other interest in the Company be made by any Member or Assignee if:

 

(i)                                     such Transfer is made to any Person who lacks the legal right, power or capacity to own such Unit or other interest in the Company;

 

(ii)                                  except as otherwise provided pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, such Transfer (which solely for purposes of this Section 7.4(c) shall include the issuance of Units upon the exercise of an option or warrant to acquire such Unit) would not be within (or would cause the Company to fail to qualify for) one or more of the safe harbors described in paragraphs (e), (f), (g), (h) or (j) of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1 or otherwise would pose a material risk that the Company could be treated as a “publicly traded partnership” within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder;

 

(iii)                               such Transfer would require the registration of such transferred Unit or other interest in the Company or of any Class of Unit or other interest in the Company pursuant to any applicable United States federal or state securities laws (including, without limitation, the Securities Act or the Exchange Act) or other non-U.S.  securities laws (including Canadian provincial or territorial securities laws) or would constitute a non-exempt distribution pursuant to applicable provincial or state securities laws;

 

(iv)                              such Transfer would cause any portion of the assets of the Company to become “plan assets” of any “benefit plan investor” within the

 

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meaning of regulations issued by the U.S.  Department of Labor at Section 2510.3-101 of Part 2510 of Chapter XXV, Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations as modified by Section 3(42) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time; or

 

(v)                                 to the extent requested by the Managing Member, the Company does not receive such legal and/or tax opinions and written instruments (including, without limitation, copies of any instruments of Transfer and such Assignee’s consent to be bound by this Agreement as an Assignee) that are in a form satisfactory to the Managing Member, as determined in the Managing Member’s sole discretion.

 

In addition, notwithstanding any contrary provision in this Agreement, to the extent the Managing Member shall determine that interests in the Company do not meet or will not meet the requirements of Treasury Regulation section 1.7704-1(h) or could cause the Company to be treated as a publicly traded partnership within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code, the Managing Member may impose such restrictions on the Transfer of Units or other interests in the Company as the Managing Member may determine to be necessary or advisable so that the Company is not treated as a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation under Section 7704 of the Code.

 

Any Transfer in violation of Section 7.3 or this Section 7.4(c) shall be null and void ab initio and of no effect.

 

(d)                                 Effect of Transfer to Substituted Member.  Following the Transfer of any Unit or other interest in the Company that is permitted under Sections 7.3 and 7.4, the Transferee of such Unit or other interest in the Company shall be treated as having made all of the Capital Contributions in respect of, and received all of the distributions received in respect of, such Unit or other interest in the Company, shall succeed to the Capital Account balance associated with such Unit or other interest in the Company, shall receive allocations and distributions under ARTICLE IV and ARTICLE V in respect of such Unit or other interest in the Company and otherwise shall become a Substituted Member entitled to all the rights of a Member with respect to such Unit or other interest in the Company.

 

Section 7.5.                                 Additional Requirements.  Notwithstanding any contrary provision in this Agreement, for the avoidance of doubt, the Managing Member may impose such vesting requirements, forfeiture provisions, Transfer restrictions, minimum retained ownership requirements or other similar provisions with respect to any interests in the Company that are outstanding as of the date of this Agreement or are created hereafter, with the written consent of the holder of such interests in the Company.  Such requirements, provisions and restrictions need not be uniform among holders of interests in the Company and may be waived or released by the Managing Member in its sole discretion with respect to all or a portion of the interests in the Company owned by any one or more Members or Assignees at any time and from time to time, and such actions or omissions by the Managing Member shall not constitute the breach of this Agreement or of any duty hereunder or otherwise existing at law, in equity or otherwise.

 

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Section 7.6.                                 Bankruptcy.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Bankruptcy of a Member shall not cause such Member to cease to be a member of the Company and upon the occurrence of such an event, the Company shall continue without dissolution.

 

Section 7.7.                                 Mandatory Exchange.  The Managing Member may, with the consent of each of the Class B Members and Class D Members who, together with its Affiliates and Permitted Transferees, beneficially own at least 75% of the Class B Units and Class D Units in the aggregate, require all Members holding Class B Units or Class D Units to exchange all such Units held by them pursuant to the Exchange Agreement.  Any exchange of Class B Units and Class D Units pursuant to this Section 7.8 shall be treated as a transfer of Units governed by Section 3.2(c).

 

ARTICLE VIII
 BOOKS AND RECORDS; FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND OTHER INFORMATION; TAX MATTERS

 

Section 8.1.                                 Books and Records.  The Company shall keep at its principal executive office (i) correct and complete books and records of account (which, in the case of financial records, shall be kept in accordance with GAAP), (ii) minutes of the proceedings of meetings of the Members, (iii) a current list of the directors and officers of the Company and its Subsidiaries and their respective residence addresses, and (iv) a record containing the names and addresses of all Members, the total number of Units held by each Member, and the dates when they respectively became the owners of record thereof.  Any of the foregoing books, minutes or records may be in written form or in any other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time.  Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, notwithstanding the rights set forth in Section 18-305 of the Act, no Member shall have the right to obtain information from the Company.

 

Section 8.2.                                 Information.

 

(a)                                 The Members shall be supplied at the Company’s expense with all other Company information reasonably necessary to enable each Member to prepare its federal, state, and local income tax returns on a timely basis.

 

(b)                                 All determinations, valuations and other matters of judgment required to be made for ordinary course accounting purposes under this Agreement shall be made by the Managing Member and shall be conclusive and binding on all Members, their Successors in Interest and any other Person who is a party to or otherwise bound by this Agreement, and to the fullest extent permitted by law or as otherwise provided in this Agreement, no such Person shall have the right to an accounting or an appraisal of the assets of the Company or any successor thereto.

 

Section 8.3.                                 Fiscal Year.  The Fiscal Year of the Company shall end on December 31st unless otherwise determined by the Managing Member in its sole discretion in accordance with Section 706 of the Code.

 

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Section 8.4.                                 Certain Tax Matters.

 

(a)                                 Preparation of Returns.  The Managing Member shall cause to be prepared all federal, state and local tax returns of the Company for each year for which such returns are required to be filed and shall cause such returns to be timely filed.  The Managing Member shall determine the appropriate treatment of each item of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of the Company and the accounting methods and conventions under the tax laws of the United States of America, the several states and other relevant jurisdictions as to the treatment of any such item or any other method or procedure related to the preparation of such tax returns.  Except as specifically provided otherwise in this Agreement, the Managing Member may cause the Company to make or refrain from making any and all elections permitted by such tax laws.  As promptly as practicable after the end of each Fiscal Year, the Managing Member shall cause the Company to provide to each Member a Schedule K-1 for such Fiscal Year.  Additionally, the Managing Member shall cause the Company to provide on a timely basis to each Member, to the extent commercially reasonable and available to the Company without undue cost, any information reasonably required by the Member to prepare, or in connection with an audit of, such Member’s income tax returns.

 

(b)                                 Consistent Treatment.  Each Member agrees that it shall not, except as otherwise required by applicable law or regulatory requirements, (i) treat, on its individual income tax returns, any item of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit relating to its interest in the Company in a manner inconsistent with the treatment of such item by the Company as reflected on the Form K-1 or other information statement furnished by the Company to such Member for use in preparing its income tax returns or (ii) file any claim for refund relating to any such item based on, or which would result in, such inconsistent treatment.

 

(c)                                  Duties of the Tax Matters Member.  In respect of an income tax audit of any tax return of the Company, the filing of any amended return or claim for refund in connection with any item of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit reflected on any tax return of the Company, or any administrative or judicial proceedings arising out of or in connection with any such audit, amended return, claim for refund or denial of such claim, (i) the Managing Member shall direct the Tax Matters Member to act for, and such action shall be final and binding upon, the Company and all Members except to the extent a Member shall properly elect to be excluded from such proceeding pursuant to the Code, (ii) all expenses incurred by the Tax Matters Member in connection therewith (including attorneys’, accountants’ and other experts’ fees and disbursements) shall be expenses of, and payable by, the Company, (iii) no Member shall have the right to (A) participate in the audit of any Company tax return, (B) file any amended return or claim for refund in connection with any item of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit (other than items which are not partnership items within the meaning of Code Section 6231(a) (4) or which cease to be partnership items under Code Section 6231(b)) reflected on any tax return of the Company, (C) participate in any administrative or judicial proceedings conducted by the Company or the Tax Matters Member arising out of or in connection with any such audit, amended return, claim for refund or denial of such claim, or (D) appeal, challenge or otherwise protest any adverse findings in any such audit conducted by the Company or the Tax Matters Member or with respect to any such amended return or claim for refund filed by the Company or the Tax Matters Member or in any such administrative or judicial proceedings conducted by the Company or the Tax Matters Member and (iv) the Tax Matters Member shall

 

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keep the Members reasonably apprised of the status of any such proceeding.  Notwithstanding the previous sentence, if a petition for a readjustment to any partnership item included in a final partnership administrative adjustment is filed with a District Court or the Court of Claims and the IRS has elected to assess income tax against a Member with respect to that final partnership administrative adjustment (rather than suspending assessments until the District Court or Court of Claims proceedings become final), such Member shall be permitted to file a claim for refund within such period of time as to avoid application of any statute of limitations which would otherwise prevent the Member from having any claim based on the final outcome of that review.

 

(d)                                 Tax Matters Member.  The Company and each Member hereby designate the Managing Member as the “tax matters partner” for purposes of Code Section 6231(a)(7) (the “Tax Matters Member”).

 

(e)                                  Certain Filings.  Upon the Transfer of an interest in the Company (within the meaning of the Code), a sale of Company assets or a liquidation of the Company, the Members shall provide the Managing Member with information and shall make tax filings as reasonably requested by the Managing Member and required under applicable law.

 

(f)                                   Section 754 Election.  The Managing Member shall cause the Company to make and to maintain and keep in effect at all times, in accordance with Sections 734, 743 and 754 of the Code and applicable Treasury Regulations and comparable state law provisions, an election to adjust basis in the event (i) any Class B Unit is Transferred in accordance with this Agreement or the Exchange Agreement or (ii) any Company property is distributed to any Member.

 

ARTICLE IX
 MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 9.1.                                 Separate Agreements; Schedules.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, including Section 9.4, or of any other binding agreement between the Company and any Member, the Managing Member may, or may cause the Company to, without the approval of any other Member or other Person, enter into separate agreements with individual Members with respect to any matter, which have the effect of establishing rights under, or altering, supplementing or amending the terms of, this Agreement or any such separate agreement.  The parties hereto agree that any terms contained in any such separate agreement shall govern with respect to such Member(s) party thereto notwithstanding the provisions of this Agreement.  The Managing Member may from time to time execute and deliver to the Members schedules which set forth information contained in the books and records of the Company and any other matters deemed appropriate by the Managing Member.  Such schedules shall be for information purposes only and shall not be deemed to be part of this Agreement for any purpose whatsoever.

 

Section 9.2.                                 Governing Law; Disputes.

 

(a)                                 THIS AGREEMENT IS GOVERNED BY AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, EXCLUDING ANY CONFLICT OF LAWS RULE OR PRINCIPLE THAT MIGHT REFER

 

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THE GOVERNANCE OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS AGREEMENT TO THE LAW OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION.

 

(b)                                 Any dispute, controversy or claim solely arising out of, relating to or in connection with rights or obligations of any Member holding Units of a Class vis-à-vis a Member holding Units of another Class shall be finally settled by arbitration.  The arbitration shall take place in Wilmington, Delaware and be conducted in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association (the “AAA”) then in effect (except as they may be modified by mutual agreement of the Member holding Units of a Class and the affected Member holding Units of another Class.).  The arbitration shall be conducted by three neutral, impartial and independent arbitrators, who shall be appointed by the AAA, at least one of whom shall be a retired judge or a senior partner at one of the nationally recognized Delaware-based law firms.  The arbitration award shall be final and binding on the parties.  Judgment upon the award may be entered by any court having jurisdiction thereof or having jurisdiction over the relevant party or its assets.  The costs of the arbitration shall be borne by the Company.  Performance under this Agreement shall continue if reasonably possible during any arbitration proceedings.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties hereto may bring an action or special proceeding in any court of competent jurisdiction for the purpose of compelling a party to arbitrate and/or seeking temporary or preliminary relief in aid of an arbitration hereunder.

 

(c)                                  Each party agrees that it shall bring any action, suit, demand or proceeding (including counterclaims) in respect of any claim arising out of or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, exclusively in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware or any Delaware State court, in each case, sitting in the City of Wilmington, Delaware (the “Chosen Courts”), and solely in connection with claims arising under this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby (i) irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Chosen Courts, (ii) waives any objection to laying venue in any such action, suit, demand or proceeding in the Chosen Courts, (iii) waives any objection that the Chosen Courts are an inconvenient forum or do not have jurisdiction over any Party and (iv) agrees that service of process upon such party in any such action, suit, demand or proceeding shall be effective if notice is given in accordance with Section 9.5.

 

(d)                                 EACH PARTY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, DEMAND OR PROCEEDING (INCLUDING COUNTERCLAIMS) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

Section 9.3.                                 Parties in Interest.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective Successors in Interest; provided that no Person claiming by, through or under a Member (whether as such Member’s Successor in Interest or otherwise), as distinct from such Member itself, shall have any rights as, or in respect to, a Member (including the right to approve or vote on any matter or to notice thereof), and nothing in this Agreement (express or implied) is intended to confer upon any other Person any rights or remedies of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

Section 9.4.                                 Amendments and Waivers.  This Agreement may be amended, supplemented, waived or modified by the written consent of the Managing Member in its sole

 

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discretion without the approval of any other Member or other Person; provided that except as otherwise provided herein (including, without limitation, in Section 3.2), no amendment may (i) modify the limited liability of any Member, or increase the liabilities or obligations of any Member, in each case, without the consent of each such affected Member; or (ii) materially and adversely affect the rights of a holder of Class A Units or Class B Units, in their capacity as holders of Class A Units or Class B Units, in relation to other classes of Equity Securities of the Company, without the consent of the holders of a majority of such classes of Units; and provided, further that so long as the Managing Member is Yield, any such amendment, supplement or waiver must be approved by a majority of Yield’s independent directors (as determined in accordance with the applicable listing rules of the exchange on which Yield’s common stock is listed as of the time of such amendment, supplement or waiver).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Managing Member may, without the written consent of any other Member or any other Person, amend, supplement, waive or modify any provision of this Agreement and execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record whatever documents may be required in connection therewith, to:  (1) reflect any amendment, supplement, waiver or modification that the Managing Member determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with the creation, authorization or issuance of any Class of Units or other Equity Securities in the Company or other Company securities in accordance with this Agreement; (2) reflect the admission, substitution, withdrawal or removal of Members in accordance with this Agreement; (3) reflect a change in the name of the Company, the location of the principal place of business of the Company, the registered agent of the Company or the registered office of the Company; (4) reflect any amendment, supplement, waiver or modification that the Managing Member determines in its sole discretion to be necessary or appropriate to address changes in tax laws; (5) reflect a change in the Fiscal Year or taxable year of the Company and any other changes that the Managing Member determines to be necessary or appropriate as a result of a change in the Fiscal Year or taxable year of the Company, including a change in the dates on which distributions are to be made by the Company; or (6) cure any ambiguity, mistake, defect or inconsistency; provided further, that the books and records of the Company (including the Schedule of Members) shall be deemed amended from time to time to reflect the admission of a new Member, the withdrawal or resignation of a Member, the adjustment of the Units or other interests in the Company resulting from any issuance, Transfer or other disposition of Units or other interests in the Company, in each case that is made in accordance with the provisions hereof.  If an amendment has been approved in accordance with this Agreement, such amendment shall be adopted and effective with respect to all Members.  Upon obtaining such approvals as may be required by this Agreement, and without further action or execution on the part of any other Member or other Person, any amendment to this Agreement may be implemented and reflected in a writing executed solely by the Managing Member and the other Members shall be deemed a party to and bound by such amendment.

 

No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder (other than a failure or delay beyond a period of time specified herein) shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

 

The rights and remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.

 

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Section 9.5.                                 Notices.  Whenever notice is required or permitted by this Agreement to be given, such notice shall be in writing and shall be given to any Member at such Member’s address or facsimile number shown in the Company’s books and records, or, if given to the Company, at the following address:

 

NRG Yield LLC
 211 Carnegie Center
 Princeton, New Jersey 08540
 Attention:  General Counsel
 Fax:  (609) 524-4501

 

With a copy (which shall not constitute notice to the Company) to:

 

Kirkland & Ellis LLP
 300 North LaSalle
 Chicago, Illinois 60654
 Attention:  Gerald T.  Nowak, P.C.
 Facsimile:  (312) 862-2000

 

Each proper notice shall be effective upon any of the following:  (a) personal delivery to the recipient, (b) when sent by facsimile to the recipient (with confirmation of receipt), (c) one Business Day after being sent to the recipient by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid) or (d) three Business Days after being deposited in the mails (first class or airmail postage prepaid).

 

Section 9.6.                                 Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more separate counterparts, any one of which need not contain the signatures of more than one party, but each of which shall be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement binding on all the parties hereto.

 

Section 9.7.                                 Power of Attorney.  Each Member hereby irrevocably appoints the Managing Member as such Member’s true and lawful representative and attorney in fact, each acting alone, in such Member’s name, place and stead, (a) to make, execute, sign and file all instruments, documents and certificates which, from time to time, may be required to set forth any amendment to this Agreement or which may be required by this Agreement or by the laws of the United States of America, the State of Delaware or any other state in which the Company shall determine to do business, or any political subdivision or agency thereof and (b) to execute, implement and continue the valid and subsisting existence of the Company or to qualify and continue the Company as a foreign limited liability company in all jurisdictions in which the Company may conduct business.  Such power of attorney is coupled with an interest and shall survive and continue in full force and effect notwithstanding the subsequent withdrawal from the Company of any Member for any reason and shall survive and shall not be affected by the disability, incapacity, bankruptcy or dissolution of such Member.  No power of attorney granted in this Agreement shall revoke any previously granted power of attorney.

 

Section 9.8.                                 Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, the Exchange Agreement and the other documents and agreements referred to herein or entered into concurrently herewith embody

 

41

 

the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein; provided that such other agreements and documents shall not be deemed to be a part of, a modification of or an amendment to this Agreement.  There are no restrictions, promises, representations, warranties, covenants or undertakings, other than those expressly set forth or referred to herein.  This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter, including the Original LLC Agreement.

 

Section 9.9.                                 Remedies.  Each Member shall have all rights and remedies set forth in this Agreement and all rights and remedies that such Person has been granted at any time under any other agreement or contract and all of the rights that such Person has under any applicable law.  Any Person having any rights under any provision of this Agreement or any other agreements contemplated hereby shall be entitled to enforce such rights specifically (without posting a bond or other security) to recover damages by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights granted by applicable law.

 

Section 9.10.                          Severability.  Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

 

Section 9.11.                          Creditors.  None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of or enforceable by any creditors of the Company or any of its Affiliates, and no creditor who makes a loan to the Company or any of its Affiliates may have or acquire (except pursuant to the terms of a separate agreement executed by the Company in favor of such creditor) at any time as a result of making the loan any direct or indirect interest in Company profits, losses, distributions, capital or property other than as a secured creditor.

 

Section 9.12.                          Waiver.  No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute a waiver of any such breach or any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.

 

Section 9.13.                          Further Action.  The parties agree to execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and take or refrain from taking such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.

 

Section 9.14.                          Delivery by Facsimile or Email.  This Agreement, the agreements referred to herein, and each other agreement or instrument entered into in connection herewith or therewith or contemplated hereby or thereby, and any amendments hereto or thereto, to the extent signed and delivered by means of a facsimile machine or email with scan or facsimile attachment, shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original agreement or instrument and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person.  At the request of any party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument, each other party hereto or thereto shall re execute original forms thereof and deliver

 

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them to all other parties.  No party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument shall raise the use of a facsimile machine or email to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of a facsimile machine or email as a defense to the formation or enforceability of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement.

 

	
 
    	
MANAGING   MEMBER
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
NRG   YIELD, INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Kirkland Andrews
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    	
Kirkland   Andrews
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Executive   Vice President and
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Chief   Financial Officer
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
OTHER   MEMBERS
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
NRG   ENERGY, INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   G. Gary Garcia
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    	
G.   Gary Garcia
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Senior   Vice President and Treasurer
    

 

[Signature Page to Third A&R Yield LLC Agreement]

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Adoption Agreement

 

This Adoption Agreement is executed by the undersigned pursuant to the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of NRG Yield LLC (the “Company”), dated as of May 14, 2015, as amended, restated or supplemented from time to time, a copy of which is attached hereto and is incorporated herein by reference (the “Agreement”).  By the execution of this Adoption Agreement, the undersigned agrees as follows:

 

1.                                      Acknowledgment.  The undersigned acknowledges that he/she is acquiring [                    ] Class      Units of the Company as a Class       Member, subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement (including the Exhibits thereto), as amended from time to time.  Capitalized terms used herein without definition are defined in the Agreement and are used herein with the same meanings set forth therein.

 

2.                                      Agreement.  The undersigned hereby joins in, and agrees to be bound by, subject to, and enjoy the benefit of the applicable rights set forth in, the Agreement (including the Exhibits thereto), as amended from time to time, with the same force and effect as if he/she were originally a party thereto.

 

3.                                      Notice.  Any notice required or permitted by the Agreement shall be given to the undersigned at the address listed below.

 

EXECUTED AND DATED on this            day of                     , 20    .

 

	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
[Name]
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Notice   Address:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Facsimile:
    

 

A-1

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