Document:

exv10w85

Exhibit 10.85

AGREEMENT REGARDING PROSECUTION OF LITIGATION

          This Agreement Regarding Prosecution of Litigation is entered into on February 28, 2009 by and
among Merrill Lynch Commodities, Inc. (“MLCI”) and Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
(“ML&C” and, collectively with MLCI, “Plaintiffs”) and Reliant Energy Power Supply,
LLC, RERH Holdings, LLC, Reliant Energy Retail Holdings, LLC, Reliant Energy Retail Services, LLC,
RE Retail Receivables, LLC, and Reliant Energy Solutions East, LLC (collectively,
“Defendants”), regarding the prosecution and defense of the lawsuit styled Merrill Lynch
Commodities, Inc. and Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., plaintiffs, against Reliant Energy Power Supply,
LLC, RERH Holdings, LLC, Reliant Energy Retail Holdings, LLC, Reliant Energy Retail Services, LLC,
RE Retail Receivables, LLC, and Reliant Energy Solutions East, LLC, defendants, pending in the
Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York under Index Number 603820/2008 (the
“Litigation”).

W I T N E S S E T H

          WHEREAS, NRG Energy, Inc. and Reliant Energy, Inc. are engaged in discussions concerning the
possible acquisition (the “Transaction”) by NRG Energy, Inc. or an affiliate of certain
portions of the retail energy business of Reliant Energy, Inc. (“Reliant Retail”), to be
embodied in an LLC Membership Interest Purchase Agreement between Reliant Energy, Inc., as seller,
and NRG Retail LLC, as purchaser, to be executed contemporaneously with this Agreement (the
“Purchase Agreement”);

          WHEREAS, Plaintiffs provide credit support to Reliant Energy, Inc. for the operation of the
Reliant Retail business pursuant to, among other agreements, the Credit Sleeve and Reimbursement
Agreement between Plaintiffs and Defendants, dated

 

 

as of September 24, 2006 (as amended and restated from time-to-time thereafter) (the
“CSRA”), which credit support has been and continues to be beneficial to the Reliant Retail
business;

          WHEREAS, Plaintiffs contend that Defendants have committed a breach of the CSRA resulting in
the occurrence of an Event of Default, as defined therein, which breach is denied by Defendants;

          WHEREAS, Plaintiffs initiated the Litigation against Defendants in the Supreme Court of the
State of New York, County of New York (the “Court”), on December 24, 2008 seeking, among
other things, a declaratory judgment declaring that Defendants have committed a breach of the CSRA
resulting in the occurrence of an Event of Default thereunder;

          WHEREAS, in connection with NRG Energy, Inc.’s discussions with Reliant Energy, Inc. regarding
the Transaction, Reliant Energy, Inc., MLCI and ML&C have engaged in discussions concerning the
manner of operation of the CSRA during the period between the signing and closing of the Purchase
Agreement, to be memorialized in an agreement among Reliant Energy, Inc. and/or it affiliates, MLCI
and ML&C (the “Interim Agreement”);

          WHEREAS, in connection with NRG Energy, Inc.’s discussions with Reliant Energy, Inc. regarding
the Transaction, NRG Energy, Inc., MLCI and ML&C have engaged in discussions to determine the terms
(“Acceptable Terms”) under which MLCI and ML&C would continue to supply credit support to the
Reliant Retail business for an agreed period following the acquisition of the Reliant Retail
business by NRG Energy, Inc. or an affiliate (the “New CSRA Arrangement”), to be exhibited
to a letter

2

 

agreement between NRG Energy, Inc. and MLCI (the “NRG/ML Letter Agreement”);

          WHEREAS, NRG Energy, Inc. and Reliant Energy, Inc. believe that sufficient progress has been
made toward finalization of the Purchase Agreement, Reliant Energy, Inc., MLCI and ML&C believe
that sufficient progress has been made toward finalization of the Interim Agreement, and NRG
Energy, Inc., MLCI and ML&C believe that sufficient progress has been made in the negotiation of
Acceptable Terms, that it is in their mutual interests to ensure that the conduct of the Litigation
does not imperil the negotiation and consummation of the Transaction;

          NOW THEREFORE, Plaintiffs and Defendants agree as follows:

          1. If, and only if, Reliant Energy, Inc. and NRG Retail LLC execute the Purchase Agreement on
or before March 1, 2009 (the actual date of such execution hereinafter referred to as the
“Execution Date”), then immediately upon being advised of (i) the Execution Date and
(ii) the execution of the Interim Agreement, Plaintiffs and Defendants shall enter into and jointly
file with the Court a stipulation in the Litigation, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the
“Joint Stipulation to Stay Litigation”), providing that the Litigation be placed on the
Court’s Suspense Docket and further providing that the Litigation be removed from the Suspense
Docket and reactivated upon notification by either Plaintiffs or Defendants that one or more
enumerated contingencies permitting reactivation of the Litigation has occurred.

          2. If, notwithstanding the execution of the Joint Stipulation to Stay Litigation, the Court
declines to place the Litigation on the Suspense Docket or otherwise stay the progress of the
Litigation, then, pending the occurrence of the contingency set forth in Paragraph 3 of this
Agreement, Plaintiffs shall be entitled to and may continue to

3

 

prosecute the Litigation actively in all respects, and Defendants shall be entitled to and may
continue to defend the Litigation actively in all respects, except that, pending the occurrence of
any of the contingencies set forth in clauses (i) through (v) of Paragraph 5 of this Agreement,
neither Plaintiffs nor Defendants will seek to enforce any ruling on the merits in their favor or
any award of judgment in their favor with respect to the Litigation.

          3. If, on or before June 1, 2009, or, if the contingency set forth in Paragraph 4 is
satisfied, July 1, 2009 (the “Closing Deadline”), the New CSRA Arrangement is reduced to an
executed writing and NRG Energy, Inc. or an affiliate completes the acquisition of Reliant Retail
pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement as they existed on the date of execution of this
Agreement, except as those terms may have been amended with the prior written consent of
Plaintiffs, which consent shall not have been unreasonably withheld or delayed (collectively,
“Deal Completion”), then, upon being informed of Deal Completion, Plaintiffs and Defendants
shall immediately jointly file with the Court a stipulation and release in the form annexed hereto
as Exhibit B effecting the dismissal with prejudice of the Litigation, without costs or liability
in any party against any other and providing mutual releases with respect to the subject matter of
the Litigation.

          4. The Closing Deadline may be extended until not later than July 1, 2009 if Deal Completion
does not occur on or before June 1, 2009, and, on or before June 1, 2009, NRG Energy, Inc.
certifies to Plaintiffs in writing that the reason the Purchase Agreement has not closed is that
despite using commercially reasonable efforts, NRG Energy, Inc. and Reliant Energy, Inc. have been
unable to obtain all required

4

 

regulatory approvals for the sale of the Reliant Retail business to NRG Energy, Inc. or an
affiliate.

          5. If the Joint Stipulation for Stay of Litigation has been executed and the Court has placed
the Litigation on its Suspense Docket or otherwise stayed the progress of the Litigation, either
Plaintiffs or Defendants can request that the Litigation be removed from the Suspense Docket and
returned to the Court’s Active Docket or otherwise be returned to active status by affirming to the
Court that one or more of the following has occurred:

               (i) either party thereto terminates or purports to terminate the Purchase Agreement;

               (ii) the Purchase Agreement is modified or amended without the prior written consent of MLCI,
which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed;

               (iii) the NRG/ML Letter Agreement is terminated;

               (iv) the Purchase Agreement is not closed by the Closing Deadline;

               (v) the New CSRA Arrangement is not reduced to an executed writing at or prior to the closing
of the Purchase Agreement.

          6. Upon the occurrence of any of the contingencies set forth in Paragraph 5 of this Agreement,
Plaintiffs and Defendants shall cease to operate under any constraints with respect to the
prosecution and defense of the Litigation.

          7. For the avoidance of doubt, this Agreement shall have no effect at all upon the conduct of
the Litigation or the rights of Plaintiffs and Defendants with

5

 

respect thereto unless and until both (i) the Purchase Agreement is executed by Reliant
Energy, Inc. and NRG Energy, Inc. or an affiliate on or before March 1, 2009, and (ii) the Interim
Agreement is executed.

          8. This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to
the conflict of laws principles thereof. Any dispute relating to this Agreement shall be submitted
for disposition solely to the Court, which shall have exclusive jurisdiction of any and all
disputes arising out of or relating to this Agreement. Each party agrees that venue in the Court
for purposes of such a dispute is proper and convenient, and each party waives any objection to
venue and any right, on any basis whatsoever, to seek to change or otherwise challenge venue. The
party seeking disposition of a dispute shall request or otherwise undertake that the matter be
referred to the Justice before whom the Litigation is then, or if the same has been dismissed, most
recently was, pending.

          9. EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL
PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.

6

 

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Merrill Lynch Commodities, Inc.	 	 	 	Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	By:

	 	/s/ Dennis Albrecht
 

Name: Dennis Albrecht
	 	 	 	By:
	 	/s/ Marlene Debel
 

Name: Marlene Debel
	 	 
	 

	 	Title: Managing Director, COO
	 	 	 	 	 	Title	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Reliant Energy Power Supply, LLC	 	 	 	RERH Holdings, LLC	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	By:

	 	/s/ Lloyd A. Whittington
 

Name: Lloyd A. Whittington
	 	 	 	By:
	 	/s/ Lloyd A. Whittington
 

Name: Lloyd A. Whittington
	 	 
	 

	 	Title: Vice President and Treasurer
	 	 	 	 	 	Title: Assistant Treasurer	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Reliant Energy Retail Holdings, LLC	 	 	 	Reliant Energy Retail Services, LLC	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	By:

	 	/s/ Lloyd A. Whittington
 

Name: Lloyd A. Whittington
	 	 	 	By:
	 	/s/ Lloyd A. Whittington
 

Name: Lloyd A. Whittington
	 	 
	 

	 	Title: Assistant Treasurer
	 	 	 	 	 	Title: Vice President and Treasurer	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	RE Retail Receivables, LLC	 	 	 	Reliant Energy Solutions East, LLC	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	By:

	 	/s/ Lloyd A. Whittington
 

Name: Lloyd A. Whittington
	 	 	 	By:
	 	/s/ Lloyd A. Whittington
 

Name: Lloyd A. Whittington
	 	 
	 

	 	Title: Assistant Treasurer
	 	 	 	 	 	Title: Vice President and Treasurer	 	 

7

 

(Exhibit A to Stay Agreement)

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

COUNTY OF NEW YORK

	 	 	 
	MERRILL LYNCH COMMODITIES, INC. and
	 	 
	MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.,

	 	 
	 
	 	 
	Plaintiffs,

	 	 
	 
	 	 
	-against-
	 	 
	 

	 	Index No.: 603820/2008
	RELIANT ENERGY POWER SUPPLY, LLC, RERH
	 	 
	HOLDINGS, LLC, RELIANT ENERGY RETAIL
	 	 
	HOLDINGS, LLC, RELIANT ENERGY RETAIL
	 	 
	SERVICES, LLC, RE RETAIL RECEIVABLES, LLC
	 	 
	AND RELIANT ENERGY SOLUTIONS EAST, LLC,
	 	 
	 
	 	 
	Defendants.
	 	 

JOINT STIPULATION TO STAY LITIGATION

          WHEREAS, Reliant Energy, Inc. and NRG Retail LLC have executed an agreement (the “Purchase
Agreement”) for the sale of certain portions of the retail energy business (“Reliant
Retail”) conducted by Defendants, Reliant Energy Power Supply, LLC, RERH Holdings, LLC, Reliant
Energy Retail Holdings, LLC, Reliant Energy Retail Services, LLC, RE Retail Receivables, LLC, and
Reliant Energy Solutions East, LLC, to an NRG Retail LLC, an affiliate of NRG Energy, Inc., which
agreement is acceptable to Plaintiffs, Merrill Lynch Commodities, Inc. (“MLCI”) and Merrill Lynch &
Co., Inc. (“ML&C”);

          WHEREAS, Plaintiffs and Defendants are parties to the Credit Sleeve and Reimbursement
Agreement between Plaintiffs and Defendants, dated as of September 24, 2006 (as amended and
restated from time-to-time thereafter) (the “CSRA”), which credit support has been and
continues to be beneficial to the Reliant Retail business;

          WHEREAS, Reliant Energy, Inc. and its affiliates and Plaintiffs have

 

 

entered into an agreement concerning the manner of operation of the CSRA during the period
between the signing and closing of the Purchase Agreement;

          WHEREAS, NRG Energy, Inc. and MLCI have entered into a letter agreement to which are exhibited
the terms under which MLCI and ML&C would continue to supply credit support to the Reliant Retail
business for an agreed period following the acquisition of the Reliant Retail business by NRG
Energy, Inc. (the “NRG/ML Letter Agreement”);

          NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY STIPULATED and agreed, by and among Plaintiffs and Defendants,
acting through their undersigned attorneys, subject to the approval of the Court, as follows:

          1. All proceedings in this action are hereby stayed and the action shall be assigned to the
Court’s Suspense Docket, pending further events described below.

          2. The aforementioned stay shall dissolve and the action shall be removed from the Court’s
Suspense Docket and returned to the Court’s Active Docket upon any party to the action affirming to
the Court, with notice to all other parties, that any of the following contingencies has occurred:

               (i) either party thereto terminates or purports to terminate the Purchase Agreement;

               (ii) the Purchase Agreement is modified or amended without the prior written consent of MLCI,
which consent was not unreasonably withheld or delayed;

               (iii) the NRG/ML Letter Agreement is terminated;

 

 

               (iv) the Purchase Agreement is not closed (i) by June 1, 2009, or (ii) by July 1, 2009 in the
event the Purchase Agreement does not close on or before June 1, 2009 and, on or before June 1,
2009, NRG Energy, Inc. certifies to Plaintiffs in writing that the reason the Purchase Agreement
has not closed is that despite using commercially reasonable efforts, NRG Energy, Inc. and Reliant
Energy, Inc. have been unable to obtain all required regulatory approvals for the sale of the
Reliant Retail business to NRG Energy, Inc. or an affiliate;

               (v) Plaintiffs and NRG Energy, Inc. or affiliate(s) of NRG Energy, Inc. do not, at or prior to
the closing of the Purchase Agreement, execute an amended, restated, or otherwise revised and
modified version of the CSRA setting forth the terms under which Plaintiffs will continue to supply
credit support to the Reliant Retail business for an agreed period following the closing of the
Purchase Agreement.

 

 

Dated: New York, New York

             February 28, 2009

	 	 	 
	SUSMAN GODFREY L.L.P.

	 	MILBANK, TWEED, HADLEY &
	 

	 	MCCLOY LLP
	 
	 	 
	By:                                                             
	 	 
	Arun S. Subramanian

	 	By:                                                            
	Tibor L. Nagy, Jr.

	 	Michael L. Hirschfeld
	Stephen D. Susman

	 	Thomas A. Arena
	654 Madison Avenue, 5th Floor

	 	1 Chase Manhattan Plaza
	New York, New York 10065

	 	New York, New York 10005-1448
	(212) 336-8342

	 	(212) 530-5000
	 
	 	 
	and

	 	Attorney for Plaintiffs
	 
	 	 
	 
	 	 
	Eric J. Mayer
	 	 
	1000 Louisiana, Suite 5100
	 	 
	Houston, TX 77002-5096
	 	 
	(713) 651-9366
	 	 
	 
	 	 
	Attorneys for Defendants
	 	 

So Ordered:

	 	 	 
	 

Hon. Melvin L. Schweitzer, J.S.C.

	 	 

 

 

(Exhibit B to Stay Agreement)

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

COUNTY OF NEW YORK

	 	 	 
	MERRILL LYNCH COMMODITIES, INC. and
	 	 
	MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.,
	 	 
	 
	 	 
	Plaintiffs,
	 	 
	 
	 	 
	-against-
	 	 
	 

	 	Index No.: 603820/2008
	RELIANT ENERGY POWER SUPPLY, LLC, RERH
	 	 
	HOLDINGS, LLC, RELIANT ENERGY RETAIL
	 	 
	HOLDINGS, LLC, RELIANT ENERGY RETAIL
	 	 
	SERVICES, LLC, RE RETAIL RECEIVABLES, LLC
	 	 
	AND RELIANT ENERGY SOLUTIONS EAST, LLC,
	 	 
	 
	 	 
	Defendants.
	 	 

STIPULATION OF DISMISSAL AND RELEASE

          IT IS HEREBY STIPULATED and agreed, by and among Plaintiffs, Merrill Lynch Commodities, Inc.
and Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and Defendants, Reliant Energy Power Supply, LLC, RERH Holdings, LLC,
Reliant Energy Retail Holdings, LLC, Reliant Energy Retail Services, LLC, RE Retail Receivables,
LLC, and Reliant Energy Solutions East, LLC, acting through their undersigned attorneys, as
follows:

          1. This action is dismissed with prejudice and without costs or liability in any party as
against any other party.

          2. Plaintiffs and their present and former stockholders, partners, subsidiaries, affiliates,
successors and assigns (the “Merrill Releasors”) hereby fully release and forever discharge the
Defendants, their predecessors, successors, parents, members, affiliates, divisions, subsidiaries,
and any and all present or former officers, directors, employees, stockholders, agents, affiliates,
attorneys, representatives, and assigns (the “Reliant Releasees”) from any and all claims, demands,
causes of action,

 

 

suits, debts, dues, sums of money, accounts, reckonings, bonds, bills, specialties, covenants,
contracts, controversies, agreements, promises, variances, trespasses, damages, judgments, extents,
executions, claims, rights, obligations, losses, liabilities, costs, expenses, attorneys fees and
demands whatsoever, whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, fixed or contingent,
disclosed or undisclosed, asserted or unasserted, matured or unmatured, material or immaterial,
whether individual, class, derivative or representative, whether in law, admiralty or equity, or of
any other type or in any other capacity, that the Merrill Releasors ever had, now have or
hereinafter can, shall, or may have against the Reliant Releasees for, upon or by reason of the
facts alleged in the Complaint in this action which Plaintiffs contend, and which Defendants deny,
constitute a breach of, or Event of Default under, the Credit Sleeve and Reimbursement Agreement
executed on or about September 24, 2006 (as amended and restated from time to time thereafter but
not including any amendment and restatement in connection with the Purchase Agreement between
Defendants and their affiliates and NRG Retail LLC) by and among the Plaintiffs and the Defendants
(the “CSRA”).

          3 The Defendants and their present and former stockholders, members, partners, subsidiaries,
affiliates, successors and assigns (the “Reliant Releasors”) hereby fully release and forever
discharge the Plaintiffs, their predecessors, successors, parents, affiliates, divisions,
subsidiaries, and any and all present or former officers, directors, employees, stockholders,
agents, affiliates, attorneys, representatives, and assigns (the “Merrill Releasees”) from any and
all claims, demands, causes of action, suits, debts, dues, sums of money, accounts, reckonings,
bonds, bills, specialties, covenants, contracts, controversies, agreements, promises, variances,
trespasses,

 

 

damages, judgments, extents, executions, claims, rights, obligations, losses, liabilities,
costs, expenses, attorneys fees and demands whatsoever, whether known or unknown, suspected or
unsuspected, fixed or contingent, disclosed or undisclosed, asserted or unasserted, matured or
unmatured, material or immaterial, whether individual, class, derivative or representative, whether
in law, admiralty or equity, or of any other type or in any other capacity, that the Reliant
Releasors ever had, now have or hereafter can, shall, or may have against the Merrill Releasees
for, upon or by reason of the facts alleged in the Complaint in this action which Plaintiffs
contend, and which Defendants deny, constitute a breach of the CSRA.

Dated: New York, New York

             [            ], 2009

	 	 	 
	SUSMAN GODFREY L.L.P.

	 	MILBANK, TWEED, HADLEY &
	 

	 	MCCLOY LLP
	 
	 	 
	By:                                                             
	 	 
	Arun S. Subramanian

	 	By:                                                             
	Tibor L. Nagy, Jr.

	 	Michael L. Hirschfeld
	Stephen D. Susman

	 	Thomas A. Arena
	654 Madison Avenue, 5th Floor

	 	1 Chase Manhattan Plaza
	New York, New York 10065

	 	New York, New York 10005-1448
	(212) 336-8342

	 	(212) 530-5000
	 
	 	 
	and

	 	Attorney for Plaintiffs
	 
	 	 
	Eric J. Mayer
	 	 
	1000 Louisiana, Suite 5100
	 	 
	Houston, TX 77002-5096
	 	 
	(713) 651-9366
	 	 
	 
	 	 
	Attorneys for Defendants
	 	 

So Ordered:

	 	 	 
	 

Hon. Melvin L. Schweitzer, J.S.C.exv10w19

Exhibit 10.19

Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy

Employee directors shall not receive any compensation for their service as members of the
Board of Directors. Expenses of employee directors incurred in connection with attending
any meetings of the Board of Directors or any of its Committees that are conducted in
person shall be reimbursed in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policies
applicable to employees.

Non-employee directors shall receive the following for each year they are elected or
appointed to serve as a director:

	•	 	Annual Cash Retainer — An annual cash retainer of $50,000 payable in
advance in two installments on the day of their election and on the six month
anniversary of such date. In the event of appointment during a service year, the
amount shall be prorated by months of service.
	 
	•	 	Annual Equity Grant – A Restricted Stock Award of 10,000 shares issued on
the date of election or appointment to the Board of Directors the forfeiture
restrictions on which shall lapse on the first anniversary of the date of grant. Such
award shall be authorized and approved annually by the Compensation Committee under
the Company’s 2005 Equity Incentive Plan or any subsequent plan and shall be issued
pursuant to a form of Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Agreement approved by the
Compensation Committee. In the event a Director’s service ends during a service year
the forfeiture restrictions shall lapse pro rata for the time of service provided
during the service year.
	 
	•	 	Committee Chair Retainer – Each chairman of a standing Committee of the
Board of Directors (other than the chairman of the Audit Committee) and any director
appointed as the “lead director” or similar position shall be paid an annual cash
Committee retainer of $7,500 payable in the same manner as the Annual Cash Retainer.
The chairman of the Audit Committee shall be paid an annual cash Committee retainer of
$15,000 payable in the same manner as the Annual Cash Retainer.
	 
	•	 	Meeting Attendance Fees – None
	 
	•	 	Expense Reimbursement – The Company shall reimburse non-employee directors
for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending any meetings of the
Board of Directors or any of its Committees that are conducted in person.
	 
	•	 	Annual Physical – The Company shall pay or reimburse each non-employee
director and his or her spouse for the cost of an annual physical at a medical
facility to be selected or approved from time to time by the Company.

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