Document:

exv4w1

EXHIBIT 4.1

OTTER TAIL CORPORATION

OFFICER’S CERTIFICATE AND AUTHENTICATION ORDER

     Pursuant to the Indenture (For Unsecured Debt Securities) dated as of November 1, 1997 between
OTTER TAIL CORPORATION (the “Company”) and U.S. Bank National Association (formerly First Trust
National Association), as trustee (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by a first supplemental
indenture dated as of July 1, 2009, (the “Indenture”), and resolutions adopted by the Board of
Directors of the Company effective November 25, 2009 and the Pricing Committee of the Board of
Directors of the Company on November 30, 2009, this Officer’s Certificate and Authentication Order
is being delivered to the Trustee to establish the terms of a series of Securities in accordance
with Section 301 of the Indenture, to establish the form of the Securities of such series in
accordance with Section 201 of the Indenture, to request the authentication and delivery of the
Securities of such series pursuant to Section 303 of the Indenture and to comply with the
provisions of Section 102 of the Indenture.

     Capitalized terms used but not defined herein and defined in the Indenture shall have the
respective meanings ascribed to them in the Indenture.

     A. Establishment of Series Pursuant to Section 301 of the Indenture. There is hereby
established, pursuant to Section 301 of the Indenture, a series of Securities which shall have the
following terms (the lettered clauses set forth below correspond to the lettered subsections of
Section 301 of the Indenture):

     (a) The series of Securities hereby being authorized shall bear the title “9.000% Notes Due
2016” (referred to herein as the “Notes”).

     (b) There shall be no limit on the aggregate principal amount of Notes, which may be
authenticated and delivered under the Indenture; provided, however, that the aggregate principal
amount of the Notes that may be authenticated and delivered under the Indenture pursuant to this
Officer’s Certificate and Authentication Order shall be limited to $100,000,000 (except for Notes
authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of,
other Notes pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 406 or 1206 thereof and, except for any Notes which,
pursuant to Section 303 thereof, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered
thereunder). Additional Notes having the same ranking, interest rate, maturity and other terms
(except for the issue price, the date from which interest first accrues and the first interest
payment date) as the Notes previously issued may be issued from time to time under one or more
Officer’s Certificates in accordance with the Indenture without the consent of
Holders of the Notes or any other series of Securities, and all the Notes issued will
constitute a single series of Securities under the Indenture.

 

 

     (c) Each installment of interest on the Notes shall be payable to the Person in whose name
such Notes are registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest,
which shall be the June 1 and December 1 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next
preceding the relevant Interest Payment Date for the Notes. Any installment of interest on the
Notes not punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on
such Regular Record Date, and may either be paid to the Person in whose name the Notes are
registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted
Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to the Holders of the Notes not
less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful
manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Notes may be
listed, or any book-entry system which may be applicable to the Notes and upon such notice as may
be required by such exchange or system, all as more fully provided in the Indenture.

     (d) The Notes shall mature and the principal thereof shall be due and payable on December 15,
2016, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, such date.

     (e) The Notes shall bear interest from the date of original issuance (which is anticipated to
be December 4, 2009) at the rate of 9.000% per annum payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15
and December 15 of each year commencing June 15, 2010. The amount of interest payable for any such
period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months and on
the basis of the actual number of days elapsed within any month in relation to the deemed 30 days
of such month. Interest on the Notes will accrue from the date of original issuance or from the
most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or provided for. In the event
that any Interest Payment Date is not a Business Day, then payment of interest payable on such date
will be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day (and without any interest or other
payment in respect of such delay), except that, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding
calendar year, such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day, in each case
with the same force and effect as if made on such Interest Payment Date.

     (f) The principal of and each installment of interest on each Note that is not a global
Security shall be payable, and the registration of transfer and exchanges of such Notes may be
effected, at the corporate trust office of the Trustee in New York, New York; provided, however,
that interest shall be paid, at the option of the Company, either (i) by check mailed to the
address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or
(ii) by wire transfer in immediately available funds at such place and to such account as may be
designated by the Person entitled thereto as specified in the Security Register. Payment of principal of and interest on each Note represented by a global Security shall be
made in immediately available funds to The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or its nominee, as the
case may be, as the sole registered

2

 

owner and the sole Holder of the Notes represented thereby for
all purposes under the Indenture. Notices and demands to or upon the Company with respect to the
Notes and the Indenture may be served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or at the
Company at the address of its principal office specified in the Indenture. The Trustee will
initially be the Paying Agent and the Security Registrar for the Notes.

     (g) The Notes shall be redeemable at the option of the Company prior to their Stated Maturity
as provided in the form of Note set forth in Exhibit A hereto.

     (h) There are no sinking fund or mandatory redemption provisions applicable to the Notes, and
the Company will not be subject to any obligation to redeem or repurchase the Notes at the option
of a Holder, except as provided in the form of Note set forth in Exhibit A hereto upon a “Change of
Control Triggering Event” as defined in the form of Note.

     (r) The Notes will be originally issued in global form registered in the name of DTC or its
nominee and will, unless and until the Notes are exchanged in whole or in part for certificated
Notes registered in the names of various beneficial Holders thereof, contain restrictions on
transfer, substantially as described in the form of Note, attached hereto as Exhibit A. A global
Note shall be exchangeable for certificated Notes registered in the names of persons other than DTC
or its nominee only if (i) DTC notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a
depositary for such global Note and no successor depositary shall have been appointed, or if at any
time DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, at a time when DTC is required to be so registered to act as such depositary, (ii) the
Company in its sole discretion determines that such global Note shall be so exchangeable or (iii)
there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default with respect to the Notes. Any
global Note that is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be exchangeable for
certificated Notes registered in such names as DTC shall direct.

     (v) The Notes shall have such other terms and provisions as are provided in the form of Note
set forth in Exhibit A hereto.

     B. Establishment of Form of Note Pursuant to Section 201 of the Indenture. It is hereby
established pursuant to Section 201 of the Indenture that the Notes shall be substantially in the
form attached as Exhibit A hereto.

     C. Order for the Authentication and Delivery of Debt Securities Pursuant to Section 303 of the
Indenture. It is hereby ordered pursuant to Section 303 of the Indenture that the Trustee
authenticate, in the manner provided by the
Indenture, one Note in the aggregate principal amount of $100,000,000 registered in the name
of Cede & Co., which Note has been heretofore duly executed by the proper officers of the Company
and delivered to you as provided in the Indenture,

3

 

and to deliver said authenticated Note to or
upon the order of Banc of America Securities LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., as
representatives of the several underwriters named in the Underwriting Agreement dated December 1,
2009, through the facilities of DTC against payment therefor on December 4, 2009.

4

 

     The undersigned has read the pertinent sections of the Indenture including the related
definitions contained therein. The undersigned has examined the resolutions adopted by the Board of
Directors of the Company effective November 25, 2009 and the Pricing Committee of the Board of
Directors of the Company on November 30, 2009. In the opinion of the undersigned, the undersigned
has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable the undersigned to express an
informed opinion as to whether or not the conditions precedent to (i) the establishment of a series
of Securities pursuant to Section 301 of the Indenture, (ii) the establishment of forms of such
Securities pursuant to Section 201 of the Indenture and (iii) the authentication of such series of
Securities pursuant to Section 303 of the Indenture have been complied with. In the opinion of the
undersigned, such conditions have been complied with.

Dated: December 4, 2009.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	OTTER TAIL CORPORATION

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Kevin G. Moug
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Kevin G. Moug 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Chief Financial Officer 	 

5

 

	 	 	 	 	 

Exhibit A

     [If the Notes are to be issued in book-entry form, insert the following legend — Unless this
certificate is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company, a New
York corporation (“DTC”), to the Company or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or
payment, and any certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or in such other name
as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made to Cede & Co. or to
such other entity as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR
OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the registered
owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.]

OTTER TAIL CORPORATION

9.000% Notes Due 2016

NO. R-_

$____________

CUSIP NO. 689648AR4

     OTTER TAIL CORPORATION, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of Minnesota
(herein called the “Company,” which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture referred
to below), for value received, hereby promises to pay to _________, or registered assigns, the
principal sum of ___________________________ United States Dollars ($_________) on December 15, 2016, and
to pay interest thereon from December 4, 2009, or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to
which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December
15 of each year, commencing on June 15, 2010, at the rate of 9.000% per annum, to, but not
including, the date on which the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment. The amount
of interest payable for any period will be computed on the basis of twelve, 30-day months and a
360-day year. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest
Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Note (or
one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record
Date for such interest, which shall be the June 1 and December 1 (whether or not a Business Day),
as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually
paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered Holder on such
Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name

 

 

this Note (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a
Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice
of which shall be given to Holders of Notes of this series not less than 10 days prior to such
Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the
requirements of any securities exchange on which this Note may be listed, or any book-entry system
which may be applicable to this Note, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange or
system, all as more fully provided in said Indenture.

     Payment of the principal of and interest on any Note (that is not a global Note) will be made
at the corporate trust office of the Trustee in New York, New York; provided, however, that
interest shall be paid, at the option of the Company, either (i) by check mailed to the address of
the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or (ii) by wire
transfer in immediately available funds at such place and to such account as may be designated by
the Person entitled thereto as specified in the Security Register. Payment of the principal and
interest on any Global Note will be made in immediately available funds to DTC or its nominee, as
the case may be, as the sole registered owner and the sole Holder of the global Note for all
purposes under the Indenture. Payment of the principal of and interest on this Note will be made in
such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for
payment of public and private debts.

     Additional provisions at this Note are continued below and such provisions have the same
effect as though fully if set forth in this place.

     Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by or on behalf of the
Trustee, by manual signature, this Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or
be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

2

 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed under its
corporate seal.

Dated: _________________________

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	OTTER TAIL CORPORATION

 	 
	[SEAL] 	By:  	
 	 
	 	 	Title: 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 
	Attest:

 	 	 
	
 	 	 
	Title: 	 	 
	 

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

     This is one of the Notes of the series designated herein referred to in the within mentioned
Indenture.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Trustee

 	 
	 	By:  	 	 
	 	 	Authorized Signatory 	 
	 	 	 	 

3

 

	 	 	 	 	 

OTTER TAIL CORPORATION

9.000% Notes Due 2016

     This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of Securities of the Company (such issue of
Securities being herein called the “Notes”) issued under an Indenture (For Unsecured Debt
Securities) dated as of November 1, 1997 between U.S. Bank National Association (formerly First
Trust National Association), as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee,” which term includes any
successor trustee under the Indenture), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture dated
as of July 1, 2009 (herein called the “Indenture”), to which Indenture and Officer’s Certificate
and Authentication Order filed with the Trustee on December 4, 2009 creating the series designated
herein reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights,
duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes and of
the terms upon which the Notes are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered.

     The Company will have the right to redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at its option, at
any time or from time to time prior to their Stated Maturity. The Company will provide written
notice of its intent to redeem the Notes not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the
Redemption Date. If the Company redeems all or any part of the Notes, it will pay a Redemption
Price equal to the greater of:

	 	•	 	100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed; and
	 
	 	•	 	the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal of
and interest on the Notes being redeemed (excluding the portion of any such interest
accrued to the Redemption Date), discounted to the Redemption Date on a semi-annual
basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury
Rate plus 0.50%;

plus, in each case, any accrued interest on those Notes to the Redemption Date.

     “Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, the rate per annum equal to the
semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the
Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the
Comparable Treasury Price for such Redemption Date.

     “Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by the
Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the Notes to
be redeemed that would be utilized, at the

4

 

time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues
of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of the Notes.

     “Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, (i) the average of the
Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such Redemption Date, after excluding the highest and
lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations or (ii) if the Company obtains fewer than four
such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations.

     “Independent Investment Banker” means an independent investment banking institution of
national standing appointed by the Company.

     “Reference Treasury Dealer” means a primary U.S. Government securities dealer in New York City
appointed by the Company.

     “Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation” means, with respect to the Reference Treasury Dealer and
any Redemption Date, the average, as determined by the Company, of the bid and asked prices for the
Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted
in writing to the Company by the Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m. on the third business day
preceding such Redemption Date.

     If, at the time notice of redemption is given, the redemption moneys are not held by the
Trustee, the redemption may be made subject to their receipt on or before the date fixed for
redemption and such notice shall be of no effect unless such moneys are so received. If the
redemption notice is given and the funds are deposited as required by the Indenture, then interest
will cease to accrue on and after the Redemption Date on the Notes or portions of Notes called for
redemption. If any Redemption Date is not a Business Day, the Company will pay the Redemption
Price on the next business day without any interest or other payment due to the delay. If the
Company does not deposit redemption moneys on or before the date fixed for redemption, the
principal amount of the Notes called for redemption will continue to bear interest at the rate of
9.000% per annum until paid.

     If a Change of Control Triggering Event occurs, unless the Company has exercised its option to
redeem such Notes as described above, the Company will be required to make an offer (a “Change of
Control Offer”) to each Holder of the Notes to repurchase all or any part (equal to $1,000 or an
integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of that Holder’s Notes on the terms set forth in
such Notes. In the Change of Control Offer, the Company will be required to offer payment in cash
equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid
interest, if any, on the Notes repurchased to the date of repurchase (a “Change of Control
Payment”), subject to the right of

5

 

Holders of record on the applicable record date to receive interest due on the next Interest
Payment Date.

     Within 30 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event or, at the Company’s option,
prior to any Change of Control, but after public announcement of the transaction that constitutes
or may constitute the Change of Control, a notice will be mailed to Holders of the Notes describing
the transaction that constitutes or may constitute the Change of Control Triggering Event and
offering to repurchase such Notes on the date specified in the applicable notice, which date will
be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed (a “Change
of Control Payment Date”). The notice, if mailed prior to the date of consummation of the Change
of Control, will state that the Change of Control Offer is conditioned on the Change of Control
Triggering Event occurring on or prior to the applicable Change of Control Payment Date.

     Upon the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful:

	 	•	 	accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered and not
withdrawn pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;
	 
	 	•	 	deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in
respect of all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered; and
	 
	 	•	 	deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted
together with an Officer’s Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of
Notes or portions of Notes being repurchased.

     The Company will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon the occurrence of a
Change of Control Triggering Event if a third party makes such an offer in the manner, at the times
and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by the Company and the third
party repurchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under its offer. In addition, the
Company will not repurchase any Notes if there has occurred and is continuing on the Change of
Control Payment Date an Event of Default under the Indenture, other than a default in the payment
of the Change of Control Payment upon a Change of Control Triggering Event.

     The Company will comply with the applicable requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and any other securities laws and regulations
thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the
repurchase of the Notes as a result of a Change of Control Triggering Event. To the extent that
the provisions

6

 

of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control Offer provisions of
the Notes, the Company will comply with those securities laws and regulations and will not be
deemed to have breached the Company’s obligations under the Change of Control Offer provisions of
the Notes by virtue of any such conflict.

     For purposes of the Change of Control Offer provisions of the Notes, the following terms will
be applicable:

     “Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:

	 	•	 	the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition
(other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or more series of related
transactions, of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets and the assets of
the Company’s subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any person, other than to the
Company or one of the Company’s subsidiaries;
	 
	 	•	 	the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or
consolidation) the result of which is that any person becomes the beneficial owner
(as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly,
of more than 50% of the Company’s outstanding Voting Stock or other Voting Stock into
which the Company’s Voting Stock is reclassified, consolidated, exchanged or changed,
measured by voting power rather than number of shares;
	 
	 	•	 	the Company consolidates with, or merges with or into, any person, or any person
consolidates with, or merges with or into, the Company, in any such event pursuant to
a transaction in which any of the Company’s outstanding Voting Stock or the Voting
Stock of such other person is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or
other property, other than any such transaction where the shares of the Company’s
Voting Stock outstanding immediately prior to such transaction constitute, or are
converted into or exchanged for, a majority of the Voting Stock of the surviving
person or any direct or indirect parent company of the surviving person, measured by
voting power rather than number of shares, immediately after giving effect to such
transaction;
	 
	 	•	 	the first day on which a majority of the members of the Company’s board of
directors are not Continuing Directors; or
	 
	 	•	 	the adoption of a plan relating to the Company’s liquidation or dissolution.

7

 

     The term “person,” as used in this definition, has the meaning given thereto in Section
13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.

     “Change of Control Triggering Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a
Rating Event.

     “Continuing Directors” means, as of any date of determination, any member of the Company’s
board of directors who (1) was a member of such board of directors on the date the Notes were
issued or (2) was nominated for election, elected or appointed to such board of directors with the
approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such board of directors at
the time of such nomination, election or appointment (either by a specific vote or by approval of
the Company’s proxy statement in which such member was named as a nominee for election as a
director).

     “Fitch” means Fitch Ratings and its successors.

     “Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than BBB- (or the equivalent) by
Fitch, Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P, and the equivalent
investment grade credit rating from any replacement rating agency or rating agencies selected by
the Company.

     “Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and its successors.

     “Rating Agencies” means (1) each of Fitch, Moody’s and S&P and (2) if any of Fitch, Moody’s or
S&P ceases to rate the Notes or fails to make a rating of the Notes publicly available for reasons
outside of the Company’s control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within
the meaning of Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act selected by the Company (as
certified by a resolution of the Company’s board of directors) as a replacement agency for Fitch,
Moody’s or S&P, or all of them, as the case may be.

     “Rating Event” means the rating on the Notes is lowered by at least two of the three Rating
Agencies and the Notes are rated below an Investment Grade Rating by at least two of the three
Rating Agencies, in any case on any day during the period (which period will be extended so long as
the rating of the Notes is under publicly announced consideration for a possible downgrade by any
of the Rating Agencies) commencing 60 days prior to the first public notice of the occurrence of a
Change of Control or the Company’s intention to effect a Change of Control and ending 60 days
following consummation of such Change of Control.

     “S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.,
and its successors.

8

 

     “Voting Stock” means, with respect to any specified “person” (as that term is used in Section
13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) as of any date, the capital stock of such person that is at the time
entitled to vote generally in the election of the board of directors of such person.

     Unless the Company defaults in the Change of Control Payment, on and after the Change of
Control Payment Date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions of the Notes tendered
for repurchase pursuant to the Change of Control Offer.

     If an Event of Default with respect to the Notes shall occur and be continuing, the principal
of the Notes may be declared due and payable in the manner, with the effect and subject to the
conditions provided in the Indenture.

     The Indenture contains provisions for satisfaction and discharge at any time of the entire
indebtedness of this Note upon compliance by the Company with certain conditions set forth in the
Indenture.

     The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee, with the consent of
Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Securities of all series then
Outstanding under the Indenture (including the Notes), considered as one class, to modify the
Indenture in a manner affecting the rights of the Holders of the Notes; provided, that no such
modification may, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Note, (i) change the Stated
Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, the Notes, or
reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon (or the amount of any
installment of interest thereon) or change the method of calculating such rate or reduce any
premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or change the coin or currency (or other property), in
which the Notes or any premium or the interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute
suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity of the Notes or (ii)
reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Notes, the consent of the Holders of
which is required for any such modification, or the consent of the Holders of which is required for
any waiver of compliance with any provision of the Indenture or of any default thereunder and its
consequences, or reduce the requirements of the Indenture for quorum or voting. The Indenture also
contains provisions permitting Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes at the time
Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Notes, to waive compliance by the Company with certain
provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences.
Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such
Holder and upon all future Holders of this Note and of any Notes issued upon the registration of
transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent
or waiver is made upon this Note.

9

 

     No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall
alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the
principal of and interest on this Note at the times, places and rate, and in the coin or currency,
herein prescribed.

     As set forth in, and subject to, the provisions of the Indenture, no Holder of the Notes will
have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for any remedy
thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously given to the Trustee written notice of a
continuing Event of Default with respect to the Notes, the Holders of not less than a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all series in respect of which an Event
of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, considered as one class, shall have made written
request, and offered reasonable indemnity, to the Trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee,
and the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Outstanding Securities of all series in respect of which an Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing, considered as one class, a direction inconsistent with such
request and shall have failed to institute such proceeding within 60 days; provided, however, that
such limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by the Holder hereof for the enforcement of
payment of the principal of or interest on this Note on or after the respective due dates expressed
herein.

     As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations (including, if this Note is a
global Note, the limitations set forth above) therein set forth, the transfer of this Note is
registrable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer at
the office or agency of the Company in the New York, New York maintained for such purpose, duly
endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company
and the Security Registrar, duly executed by the Holder hereof or such Holder’s attorney duly
authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Notes, of authorized denominations and for the
same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees. No
service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may
require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in
connection therewith.

     Any payment on this Note due on any day which is not a Business Day in New York, New York need
not be made on such day, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force
and effect as if made on such due date, and no interest shall accrue for the period from and after
such date, except that, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such payment
shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made
on such due date.

     Prior to due presentment of this Note for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee
and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Note is
registered as the owner hereof for all purposes,

10

 

whether or not this Note be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent
shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

     The Notes are issuable only in registered form, without coupons, in denominations of $1,000
and any integral multiple thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations
(including, if this Note is a global Note, the limitations set forth above) therein set forth,
Notes are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of a different authorized
denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.

     All terms used in this Note which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings
assigned to them in the Indenture.

     THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW
YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF.

 

11

 

ABBREVIATIONS

     The following abbreviations, when used in this instrument, shall be construed as though they
were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations.

	 	 	 	 	 
	TEN COM

	 	-	 	as tenants in common
	 
	TEN ENT

	 	-	 	as tenants by the entireties
	 
	JT TEN

	 	-	 	as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as
tenants in common
	 
	UNIF GIFT MIN ACT - ___________ Custodian _____________
	

	 	
	 	             
      
(Cust)              
                    (Minor)

                    
          under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act

 

(State)

Additional abbreviations may also be used

though not in the above list.

 

12

 

ASSIGNMENT

          FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto
______________________________

PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER

IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

 

 

(Please Print or Typewrite Name and Address,

Including Postal Zip Code, of Assignee)

	 	 	 
	 
	the within Note and all rights thereunder, and hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints
	 	 
	 

	 	 

 

to transfer said Note on the books of the Company, with full power of substitution in the premises.

Dated: __________________

Signature Guaranteed

	 	 	 	 
	 
	 

	 	 	 
	 

	 	NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as
written upon the face of the within Note in every particular, without
alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever and must be guaranteed by a
member of the Medallion Signature Program.	 

13exv4w1

Exhibit 4.1

UNLESS THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST
COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO NISOURCE FINANCE CORP. AND NISOURCE
INC. OR THEIR AGENT OR AGENTS FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY GLOBAL
NOTE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS
IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC) ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR
VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE &
CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES
OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS
GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE
INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.

			
	 	 	 
	No.: [___]
	 	[______]
	CUSIP No.: 65473Q AV5	 	 
	ISIN No.: US65473QAV59	 	 

6.125 % Notes due 2022

     NiSource Finance Corp., an Indiana corporation, promises to pay to Cede & Co, or registered
assigns, the principal sum of [______] Dollars on March 1, 2022.

     Interest Payment Dates: March 1 and September 1, commencing March 1, 2010.

     Record Dates: February 15 and August 15.

 

 

     Additional provisions of this Note are set forth on the other side of this Note.

Dated:
[______]

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	NISOURCE FINANCE CORP.	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	By:	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	Name:
	 	David J. Vajda	 	 
	 

	 	Title:
	 	Vice President, Treasurer and Chief 

Risk Officer
	 	
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	By:	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	Name:
	 	Gary W. Pottorff	 	 
	 

	 	Title:
	 	Secretary	 	 

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF

AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Notes of the series

referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON,

as Trustee

By:                                                            

                    Authorized Officer

 

 

6.125% Notes due 2022

1. Interest

     NiSource Finance Corp., an Indiana corporation (such corporation, and its successors and
assigns under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, being herein called the “Company”), promises
to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at the rate per annum shown above. The
Company will pay interest semiannually on March 1 and September 1 of each year, commencing March 1,
2010. Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid
or, if no interest has been paid, from December 4, 2009. Interest will be computed on the basis of
a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The Company will pay interest on overdue principal and
premium at the above rate and will pay interest on overdue installments of interest at such rate to
the extent lawful.

2. Method of Payment

     The Company will pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are
registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the February 15 or August 15 next preceding
the Interest Payment Date even if Notes are canceled after the Record Date and on or before the
Interest Payment Date. Holders must surrender Notes to a Paying Agent to collect principal
payments. The Company will pay principal and interest in money of the United States that at the
time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. Payments in respect of
the Notes represented by a Global Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) will be
made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by The Depository
Trust Company.

3. Guarantee

     NiSource Inc., a Delaware corporation and parent of the Company, will fully and
unconditionally guarantee to each Holder of the Notes and to The Bank of New York Mellon (as
successor in interest to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (formerly known as The Chase Manhattan Bank)),
as Trustee (the “Trustee”) under the Indenture (as defined below) and its successors all the
Obligations of the Company under the Notes, including the due and punctual payment of the principal
of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Notes (the “Security Guarantee”). The Security
Guarantee applies whether the payment is due at Stated Maturity, on an Interest Payment Date or as
a result of acceleration, redemption or otherwise. The Security Guarantee includes payment of
interest on the overdue principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Notes (if
lawful) and all other Obligations of the Company under the Indenture. The Security Guarantee will
remain valid even if the Indenture is found to be invalid. NiSource Inc. is obligated under the
Security Guarantee to pay any guaranteed amount immediately after the Company’s failure to do so.

 

 

4. Paying Agent and Security Registrar

     Initially, the Trustee will act as Paying Agent and Security Registrar. The Company may
appoint and change any Paying Agent or Security Registrar without notice to the Holders. The
Company may act as Paying Agent or Security Registrar.

5. Indenture

     The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of November 14, 2000, among the
Company, NiSource Inc. and the Trustee (as supplemented, the “Indenture”) and pursuant to an
Officers’ Certificate of the Company dated December 4, 2009 (the “Officer’s Certificate”). The
terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and the Officer’s Certificate and those
made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. sections
77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the Officer’s Certificate (the “Act”). Capitalized terms
used herein and defined in the Indenture but not defined herein have the meanings ascribed thereto
in the Indenture. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders of Notes are referred to
the Indenture and the Act for a statement of those terms.

     The Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company. The Notes issued on the Issue Date
will be treated as a single class for all purposes under the Indenture. The Indenture contains
covenants that limit the ability of the Company, NiSource Inc. and their Subsidiaries (other than
Utilities) to incur additional indebtedness and create liens on assets unless the total amount of
all the secured debt would not exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets. These covenants are
subject to important exceptions and qualifications.

6. Optional Redemption

     The Company may redeem all or part of the Notes at any time at its option at a redemption
price equal to the greater of (1) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed plus
accrued interest to the Redemption Date or (2) the Make-Whole Amount for the Notes being redeemed.
For purposes of this provision:

     “Make-Whole Amount” means the sum, as determined by a Quotation Agent, of the present values
of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, together with scheduled payments of interest
(exclusive of interest to the Redemption Date) from the Redemption Date to the Stated Maturity of
the Notes, in each case discounted to the Redemption Date on a semi-annual basis, assuming a
360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, at the Adjusted Treasury Rate, plus accrued
interest on the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed to the Redemption Date.

     “Adjusted Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, (i) the yield, under the
heading which represents the average for the immediately preceding week, appearing in the most
recently published statistical release designated “H.15 (519)” or any successor publication which
is published weekly by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and which establishes
yields on actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity under the
caption “Treasury Constant

 

 

Maturities,” for the maturity corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue (if no maturity
is within three months before or after the remaining term of the Notes, yields for the two
published maturities most closely corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue shall be
determined and the Adjusted Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated from such yields on
a straight line basis, rounding to the nearest month) or (ii) if such release (or any successor
release) is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such
yields, the rate per year equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable
Treasury Issue assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its
principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such Redemption Date, in each case
calculated on the third Business Day preceding the Redemption Date, plus 0.45%.

     “Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by the
Quotation Agent as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term from the Redemption Date to
the Stated Maturity of the Notes that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance
with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable
maturity to the remaining term of the Notes.

     “Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, if clause (ii) of the
definition of Adjusted Treasury Rate is applicable, the average of three, or such lesser number as
is obtained by the Company, Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such Redemption Date.

     “Quotation Agent” means the Reference Treasury Dealer selected by the Company.

     “Reference Treasury Dealer” means a primary U.S. Government securities dealer selected by the
Company.

     “Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer
and any Redemption Date, the average, as determined by a Reference Treasury Dealer, of the bid and
asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue, expressed in each case as a percentage of its
principal amount, quoted in writing to the Company by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m.,
New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such Redemption Date.

7. Notice of Redemption

     If the Company is redeeming less than all the Notes at any time, the Trustee will select the
Notes to be redeemed using a method it considers fair and appropriate. Notice of redemption will
be mailed by first-class mail at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date
to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed in accordance with Section 106 of the Indenture. Notes in
denominations larger than $1,000 principal amount may be redeemed in part but only in integral
multiples of $1,000. The Company will not know the exact Redemption Price until three Business
Days before the Redemption Date. Therefore, the notice of redemption will

 

 

only describe how the Redemption Price will be calculated. If money sufficient to pay the
Redemption Price of and accrued interest on all Notes (or portions thereof) to be redeemed on the
Redemption Date is deposited with the Paying Agent on or before the Redemption Date and certain
other conditions are satisfied, on and after such Redemption Date interest will cease to accrue on
such Notes (or such portions thereof) called for redemption.

8. Additional Notes

     The Company may, without the consent of the Holders of the Notes, create and issue Additional
Notes ranking equally with the Notes in all respects, including having the same CUSIP number, so
that such Additional Notes shall be consolidated and form a single series with the Notes and shall
have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as the Notes. No Additional Notes may be
issued if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Notes.

9. Denominations; Transfer; Exchange

     The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 principal amount
and integral multiples of $1,000. A Holder may transfer or exchange Notes in accordance with the
Indenture. The Security Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate
endorsements or transfer documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by
the Indenture. The Security Registrar need not register the transfer or exchange of any Notes
selected for redemption (except, in the case of a Note to be redeemed in part, the portion of the
Note not to be redeemed) for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed.

10. Persons Deemed Owners

     The registered Holder of this Note may be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.

11. Unclaimed Money

     If money for the payment of principal or interest remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee
or Paying Agent shall pay the money back to the Company at its request. After any such payment,
Holders entitled to the money must look only to the Company and not to the Trustee, the Paying
Agent or NiSource Inc., as guarantor, for payment.

12. Satisfaction and Discharge

     Under the Indenture, the Company can terminate its obligations with respect to the Notes not
previously delivered to the Trustee for cancellation when those Notes have become due and payable
or will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year or are to be called for
redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for giving notice of
redemption. The Company may terminate its obligations with respect to the Notes by depositing with
the Trustee, as

 

 

funds in trust dedicated solely for that purpose, an amount sufficient to pay and discharge
the entire indebtedness on the Notes. In that case, the Indenture will cease to be of further
effect and the Company’s obligations will be satisfied and discharged with respect to the Notes
(except as to the Company’s obligations to pay all other amounts due under the Indenture and to
provide certain Officers’ Certificates and Opinions of Counsel to the Trustee). At the expense of
the Company, the Trustee will execute proper instruments acknowledging the satisfaction and
discharge.

13. Amendment, Waiver

     Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (i) the Indenture and the Notes may
be amended with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount
outstanding of the Notes and (ii) any default or noncompliance with any provision may be waived
with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount outstanding of the Notes.
Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, without the consent of any Holder, the
Company and the Trustee shall be entitled to amend the Indenture to cure any ambiguity, omission,
defect or inconsistency, or to evidence the succession of another Person as obligor under the
Indenture, or to add to the Company’s or NiSource Inc.’s covenants or to surrender any right or
power conferred on the Company or NiSource Inc. under the Indenture, or to add events of default,
or to secure the Notes, or to evidence or provide for the acceptance or appointment by a successor
Trustee or facilitate the administration of the trusts under the Indenture by more than one
trustee, or to effect assumption by NiSource Inc. or one of its Subsidiaries of the Company’s
obligations under the Indenture, or to conform the Indenture to any amendment of the Trust
Indenture Act.

14. Defaults and Remedies

     Under the Indenture, Events of Default include: (i) default by the Company in the payment of
any interest upon any Note and the continuance of such default for 60 days; (ii) default by the
Company in the payment of principal of or any premium on any Note when due at Stated Maturity, on
redemption, by declaration or otherwise, and the continuance of such default for three Business
Days; (iii) default by the Company or NiSource Inc. in the performance of or breach of any covenant
or warranty in the Indenture and continuance of such default for 90 days after written notice to
the Company or NiSource Inc. from the Trustee or to the Company, NiSource Inc. and the Trustee from
the Holders of at least 33% in principal amount of the Outstanding Notes; (iv) default by the
Company or NiSource Capital Markets, Inc. under any bond, debenture, note or other evidence of
indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or NiSource Capital Markets, Inc., or the Company or
NiSource Capital Markets, Inc. defaults under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which
there may be issued, secured or evidenced indebtedness constituting a failure to pay in excess of
$50,000,000 of the principal or interest when due and payable, subject to certain cure rights; (v)
the guarantee by NiSource Inc. ceases to be in full force and effect or is disaffirmed or denied
(other than according to its terms), or is found to be unenforceable or invalid; or (vi) certain
events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company, NiSource Capital Markets, Inc.
or NiSource Inc. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing,

 

 

the Trustee or the Holders of at least 33% in principal amount of the Notes may declare all
the Notes to be due and payable immediately. Certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency are Events
of Default which will result in the Notes being due and payable immediately upon the occurrence of
such Events of Default.

     Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. The
Trustee may refuse to enforce the Indenture or the Notes unless it receives indemnity or security
satisfactory to it. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of
the Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold
from Holders notice of any continuing default (except a default in payment of principal or
interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the Holders.

15. Trustee Dealings with the Company

     Subject to certain limitations imposed by the Act, the Trustee under the Indenture, in its
individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal
with and collect obligations owed to it by the Company or its Affiliates and may otherwise deal
with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.

16. No Recourse Against Others

     A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company, NiSource Inc. or the
Trustee shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Notes or the
Indenture, or any obligations of NiSource Inc. under the Security Guarantee or the Indenture, or
for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. By
accepting a Note, each Holder waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are
part of the consideration for the issue of the Notes and the Security Guarantee.

17. Authentication

     This Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or an
Authenticating Agent) manually signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this
Note.

18. Abbreviations

     Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as TEN COM
(=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with rights of
survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (=custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to Minors
Act).

19. CUSIP, ISIN and Common Code Numbers

     Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification
Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be

 

 

printed on the Notes and has directed the Trustee to use CUSIP numbers in notices of
redemption as a convenience to Holders. To the extent such numbers have been issued, the Company
has caused ISIN and Common Code numbers to be similarly printed on the Notes and has similarly
instructed the Trustee. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as
printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on
the other identification numbers placed thereon.

     20. Governing Law.

     THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE
OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO CONTRARY CONFLICT OF LAWS OR CHOICE OF LAWS PROVISIONS OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.

     The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge to the Holder a
copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to:

NiSource Finance Corp.

801 East 86th Avenue

Merrillville, Indiana 46410

Attention: Secretary

 

 

ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

I or we assign and transfer this Note to

 

      

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

 

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.)

and irrevocably appoint                                         agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may
substitute another to act for him.

	 	 	 	 	 
	Date:                                         

	 	Your Signature:	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	Sign exactly as your name appears
	 

	 	 	 	on the other side of this Note.

Signature Guarantee:

	 	 	 
	 

	 	 
	Signature must be guaranteed

	 	Signature

Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of
the Security Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security
Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be
determined by the Security Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in
accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

 

SECURITY GUARANTEE

     NiSource Inc. irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees the Obligations of NiSource Finance
Corp., an Indiana corporation (the “Company”) under the 6.125% Notes due 2022 (the “Notes”) of the
Company, including that (i) the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes shall be
promptly paid in full when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration, redemption or
otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes, if
lawful, and all other Obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee shall be promptly
paid in full or performed, and (ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any
Notes or any such other Obligations, that the same will be promptly paid in full when due or
performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at Stated Maturity, by
acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance
so guaranteed, NiSource Inc. shall be obligated to pay or perform the same immediately.

     The obligations of NiSource Inc. to the Holders and to the Trustee pursuant to this Security
Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article Fifteen of the Indenture, and
reference is hereby made to such Indenture for the precise terms of this Security Guarantee.

     No stockholder, employee, officer, director or incorporator, as such, past, present or future,
of NiSource Inc. shall have any liability under this Security Guarantee by reason of his or its
status as such stockholder, employee, officer, director or incorporator.

     This Security Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect and continue notwithstanding any
petition filed by or against the Company for liquidation or reorganization.

     This Security Guarantee shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose until the certificate
of authentication on the Note upon which this Security Guarantee is noted shall have been executed
by the Trustee under the Indenture by the manual signature of one of its authorized officers.

     THE TERMS OF ARTICLE FIFTEEN OF THE INDENTURE ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE.

 

 

     Capitalized terms used herein have the same meanings given in the Indenture unless otherwise
indicated.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	NISOURCE INC.

 	 
	 	By:  	 	 
	 	Name:  	David J. Vajda 	 
	 	Title:  	Vice President, Treasurer and Chief 

Risk Officer 	 
	 
	 	 	 
	 	By:  	
 	 
	 	Name:  	Jeffrey W. Grossman 	 
	 	Title:  	Vice President and Controller

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00166-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00166-of-00352.parquet"}]]