Document:

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                                                                   Exhibit 10.22

                               CONSOL ENERGY INC.

                                  $250,000,000

                              7.875% Notes due 2012

                          Registration Rights Agreement

                                                              New York, New York
                                                                   March 7, 2002

Salomon Smith Barney Inc.
Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein--Grantchester, Inc.
Mellon Financial Markets, LLC
PNC Capital Markets, Inc.
Scotia Capital (USA) Inc.
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited--London Branch
NatCity Investments, Inc.
As Representatives of the Initial Purchasers

c/o Salomon Smith Barney Inc.
388 Greenwich Street
New York, New York 10013

Ladies and Gentlemen:

          CONSOL Energy Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of Delaware
(the "Company"), proposes to issue and sell to certain purchasers (the "Initial
Purchasers"), upon the terms set forth in a purchase agreement dated as of March
4, 2002 (the "Purchase Agreement"), its 7.875% Notes due 2012 (the "Securities")
relating to the initial placement of the Securities (the "Initial Placement").
To induce the Initial Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement and to
satisfy a condition of your obligations thereunder, the Company and the
Subsidiary Guarantors (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) agree with you for
your benefit and the benefit of the holders from time to time of the Securities
(including the Initial Purchasers) (each a "Holder" and, together, the
"Holders"), as follows:

          1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall
             -----------
have the respective meanings set forth in the Purchase Agreement. As used in
this Agreement, the following capitalized defined terms shall have the following
meanings:

          "Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules
and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
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                                                                               2

          "Affiliate" of any specified person shall mean any other person that,
directly or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common
control with, such specified person. For purposes of this definition, control of
a person shall mean the power, direct or indirect, to direct or cause the
direction of the management and policies of such person whether by contract or
otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" shall have meanings
correlative to the foregoing.

          "Broker-Dealer" shall mean any broker or dealer registered as such
under the Exchange Act.

          "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a
legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions or trust companies are
authorized or obligated by law to close in New York City.

          "Commission" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.

          "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

          "Exchange Offer Prospectus" shall mean the prospectus included in the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement, as amended or supplemented by any
prospectus supplement, with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion
of the New Securities covered by such Exchange Offer Registration Statement, and
all amendments and supplements thereto and all material incorporated by
reference therein.

          "Exchange Offer Registration Period" shall mean the one-year period
following the consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer, exclusive of any
period during which any stop order shall be in effect suspending the
effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement.

          "Exchange Offer Registration Statement" shall mean a registration
statement of the Company on an appropriate form under the Act with respect to
the Registered Exchange Offer, all amendments and supplements to such
registration statement, including post-effective amendments thereto, in each
case including the Exchange Offer Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits
thereto and all material incorporated by reference therein.

          "Exchanging Dealer" shall mean any Holder (which may include any
Initial Purchaser) that is a Broker-Dealer and elects to exchange for New
Securities any Securities that it acquired for its own account as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities (but not directly from the
Company or any Affiliate of the Company).

          "Holder" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
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                                                                               3

          "Indenture" shall mean the Indenture relating to the Securities, dated
as of March 7, 2002, among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and The Bank
of Nova Scotia Trust Company of New York, as trustee, as the same may be amended
from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

          "Initial Placement" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble
hereto.

          "Initial Purchaser" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble
hereto.

          "Losses" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(d) hereof.

          "Majority Holders" shall mean the Holders of a majority of the
aggregate principal amount of Securities registered under a Registration
Statement.

          "Managing Underwriters" shall mean the investment banker or investment
bankers and manager or managers that shall administer an underwritten offering.

          "New Securities" shall mean debt securities of the Company identical
in all material respects to the Securities (except that the interest rate
step-up provisions and the transfer restrictions shall be modified or
eliminated, as appropriate) and to be issued under the Indenture.

          "Prospectus" shall mean the prospectus included in any Registration
Statement (including, without limitation, a prospectus that discloses
information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective
registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A under the Act), as amended or
supplemented by any prospectus supplement, with respect to the terms of the
offering of any portion of the Securities or the New Securities covered by such
Registration Statement, and all amendments and supplements thereto and all
material incorporated by reference therein.

          "Purchase Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble
hereto.

          "Registered Exchange Offer" shall mean the proposed offer of the
Company to issue and deliver to the Holders of the Securities that are not
prohibited by any law or policy of the Commission from participating in such
offer, in exchange for the Securities, a like aggregate principal amount of the
New Securities.

          "Registration Statement" shall mean any Exchange Offer Registration
Statement or Shelf Registration Statement that covers any of the Securities or
the New Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, any amendments
and supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective
amendments (in each case including the Prospectus contained therein), all
exhibits thereto and all material incorporated by reference therein.

          "Securities" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
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                                                                               4

          "Shelf Registration" shall mean a registration effected pursuant to
Section 3 hereof.

          "Shelf Registration Period" has the meaning set forth in Section 3(b)
hereof.

          "Shelf Registration Statement" shall mean a "shelf" registration
statement of the Company pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 hereof which
covers some or all of the Securities or New Securities, as applicable, on an
appropriate form under Rule 415 under the Act, or any similar rule that may be
adopted by the Commission, amendments and supplements to such registration
statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case including the
Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all material incorporated
by reference therein.

          "Trustee" shall mean the trustee with respect to the Securities under
the Indenture.

          "underwriter" shall mean any underwriter of Securities in connection
with an offering thereof under a Shelf Registration Statement.

          2. Registered Exchange Offer. (a) The Company and the Subsidiary
             -------------------------
Guarantors shall prepare and, not later than 90 days following the date of the
original issuance of the Securities, shall file with the Commission the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement with respect to the Registered Exchange Offer. The
Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall cause the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement to become effective under the Act within 180 days of the
date of the original issuance of the Securities.

          (b) Upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement, the Company shall promptly commence the Registered Exchange Offer, it
being the objective of such Registered Exchange Offer to enable each Holder
electing to exchange Securities for New Securities (assuming that such Holder is
not an Affiliate of the Company, acquires the New Securities in the ordinary
course of such Holder's business, has no arrangements with any person to
participate in the distribution of the New Securities and is not prohibited by
any law or policy of the Commission from participating in the Registered
Exchange Offer) to trade such New Securities from and after their receipt
without any limitations or restrictions under the Act and without material
restrictions under the securities laws of a substantial proportion of the
several states of the United States.

          (c) In connection with the Registered Exchange Offer, the Company
shall:

          (i) mail to each Holder a copy of the Prospectus forming part of the
     Exchange Offer Registration Statement, together with an appropriate letter
     of transmittal and related documents;
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          (ii) keep the Registered Exchange Offer open for not less than 20
     Business Days and not more than 30 Business Days after the date notice
     thereof is mailed to the Holders (or, in each case, longer if required by
     applicable law);

          (iii) if the Company receives notice from an Exchanging Dealer on the
     letter of transmittal that such Exchanging Dealer holds Securities acquired
     for the account of such Exchanging Dealer as a result of market-making or
     other trading activities, use its best efforts to keep the Exchange Offer
     Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented and amended as
     required, under the Act to ensure that it is available for sales of New
     Securities by Exchanging Dealers during the Exchange Offer Registration
     Period;

          (iv) utilize the services of a depositary for the Registered Exchange
     Offer with an address in the Borough of Manhattan in New York City, which
     may be the Trustee or an Affiliate of the Trustee;

          (v) permit Holders to withdraw tendered Securities at any time prior
     to the close of business, New York time, on the last Business Day on which
     the Registered Exchange Offer is open;

          (vi) prior to effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration
     Statement, if requested or required by the Commission, provide a
     supplemental letter to the Commission (A) stating that the Company is
     conducting the Registered Exchange Offer in reliance on the position of the
     Commission in Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (pub. avail. May 13, 1988)
                   ----------------------------------
     and Morgan Stanley and Co., Inc. (pub. avail. June 5, 1991); and (B)
         ---------------------------
     including a representation that the Company has not entered into any
     arrangement or understanding with any person to distribute the New
     Securities to be received in the Registered Exchange Offer and that, to the
     best of the Company's information and belief, each Holder participating in
     the Registered Exchange Offer is acquiring the New Securities in the
     ordinary course of business and has no arrangement or understanding with
     any person to participate in the distribution of the New Securities; and

          (vii) comply in all respects with all applicable laws.

          (d) As soon as practicable after the close of the Registered Exchange
Offer, the Company shall:

          (i) accept for exchange all Securities tendered and not validly
     withdrawn pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer;

          (ii) deliver to the Trustee for cancelation in accordance with Section
     4(s) all Securities so accepted for exchange; and
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          (iii) cause the Trustee promptly to authenticate and deliver to each
     Holder of Securities a principal amount of New Securities equal to the
     principal amount of the Securities of such Holder so accepted for exchange.

          (e) Each Holder shall be required, by tendering Securities for
exchange for New Securities, to acknowledge and agree that any such Holder using
the Registered Exchange Offer to participate in a distribution of the New
Securities (x) could not under Commission policy as in effect on the date of
this Agreement rely on the position of the Commission in Morgan Stanley and Co.,
                                                         ---------------------
Inc. (pub. avail. June 5, 1991) and Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (pub.
---                                 ----------------------------------
avail. May 13, 1988), as interpreted in the Commission's letter to Shearman &
Sterling dated July 2, 1993 and similar no-action letters; and (y) must comply
with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Act in
connection with any secondary resale transaction which must be covered by an
effective registration statement containing the selling security holder
information required by Item 507 or 508, as applicable, of Regulation S-K under
the Act if the resales are of New Securities obtained by such Holder in exchange
for Securities acquired by such Holder directly from the Company or one of its
Affiliates. Accordingly, each Holder participating in the Registered Exchange
Offer shall be required to represent to the Company that, at the time of the
consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer:

          (i) any New Securities received by such Holder will be acquired in the
     ordinary course of business;

          (ii) such Holder will have no arrangement or understanding with any
     person to participate in the distribution of the Securities or the New
     Securities within the meaning of the Act; and

          (iii) such Holder is not an Affiliate of the Company.

          (f) If, prior to the consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer,
any Initial Purchaser determines that it is not eligible to participate in the
Registered Exchange Offer with respect to the exchange of Securities
constituting any portion of an unsold allotment, at the request of such Initial
Purchaser, the Company shall issue and deliver to such Initial Purchaser or the
person purchasing New Securities registered under a Shelf Registration Statement
as contemplated by Section 3 hereof from such Initial Purchaser, in exchange for
such Securities, a like principal amount of New Securities. The Company shall
use its best efforts to cause the CUSIP Service Bureau to issue the same CUSIP
number for such New Securities as for New Securities issued pursuant to the
Registered Exchange Offer.

          3. Shelf Registration. (a) If (i) due to any change in law or
             ------------------
applicable interpretations thereof by the Commission's staff, the Company
determines upon advice of its outside counsel that it is not permitted to effect
the Registered Exchange Offer as contemplated by Section 2 hereof; (ii) for any
other reason the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not declared effective
within 180 days of the date of original issuance of the Securities or the
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Registered Exchange Offer is not consummated within 225 days of the date of
original issuance of the Securities; provided that if the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement becomes effective after 180 days from the date of the
original issuance of the Securities and the Registered Exchange thereafter is
consummated within 30 days of the effective date thereof, then the obligation to
effect and maintain the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration pursuant solely
to this clause (ii) shall terminate; (iii) any Initial Purchaser so requests
with respect to Securities that are not eligible to be exchanged for New
Securities in the Registered Exchange Offer and that are held by it following
consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer; (iv) any Holder (other than an
Initial Purchaser) is not eligible to participate in the Registered Exchange
Offer or does not receive freely tradeable New Securities in the Registered
Exchange Offer other than by reason of such Holder being an Affiliate of the
Company; or (v) in the case of any Initial Purchaser that participates in the
Registered Exchange Offer or acquires New Securities pursuant to Section 2(f)
hereof, such Initial Purchaser does not receive freely tradeable New Securities
in exchange for Securities constituting any portion of an unsold allotment (it
being understood that (x) the requirement that an Initial Purchaser deliver a
Prospectus containing the information required by Item 507 or 508 of Regulation
S-K under the Act in connection with sales of New Securities acquired in
exchange for such Securities shall result in such New Securities being not
"freely tradeable"; and (y) the requirement that an Exchanging Dealer deliver an
Exchange Offer Prospectus in connection with sales of New Securities acquired in
the Registered Exchange Offer in exchange for Securities acquired as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities shall not result in such
New Securities being not "freely tradeable"), the Company and the Subsidiary
Guarantors shall effect a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with
subsection (b) below.

          (b) (i) The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall as promptly as
practicable (but in no event more than 30 days after so required or requested
pursuant to this Section 3), file with the Commission and thereafter shall cause
to be declared effective under the Act a Shelf Registration Statement relating
to the offer and sale of the Securities or the New Securities, as applicable, by
the Holders thereof from time to time in accordance with the methods of
distribution elected by such Holders and set forth in such Shelf Registration
Statement; provided, however, that no Holder (other than an Initial Purchaser)
           --------  -------
shall be entitled to have the Securities held by it covered by such Shelf
Registration Statement unless such Holder agrees in writing to be bound by all
of the provisions of this Agreement applicable to such Holder; and provided
                                                                   --------
further, that with respect to New Securities received by an Initial Purchaser in
-------
exchange for Securities constituting any portion of an unsold allotment, the
Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors may, if permitted by current
interpretations by the Commission's staff, file a post-effective amendment to
the Exchange Offer Registration Statement containing the information required by
Item 507 or 508 of Regulation S-K, as applicable, in satisfaction of its
obligations under this subsection with respect thereto, and any such Exchange
Offer Registration Statement, as so amended, shall be referred to herein as, and
governed by the provisions herein applicable to, a Shelf Registration Statement.
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          (ii) The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall use their best
efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective,
supplemented and amended as required by the Act, in order to permit the
Prospectus forming part thereof to be usable by Holders for a period of two
years from the date of the issuance of the Securities or such shorter period
that will terminate when all the Securities or New Securities, as applicable,
covered by the Shelf Registration Statement have been sold pursuant to the Shelf
Registration Statement (in any such case, such period being called the "Shelf
Registration Period"). The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall be deemed
not to have used their best efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement
effective during the requisite period if it voluntarily takes any action that
would result in Holders of Securities covered thereby not being able to offer
and sell such Securities during that period, unless (A) such action is required
by applicable law; or (B) such action is taken by the Company in good faith and
for valid business reasons (not including avoidance of the Company's and the
Subsidiary Guarantors' obligations hereunder), including the acquisition or
divestiture of assets, in accordance with and so long as the Company and the
Subsidiary Guarantors promptly thereafter comply with the requirements of
Section 4(k) hereof, if applicable.

          4. Additional Registration Procedures. In connection with any Shelf
             ----------------------------------
Registration Statement and, to the extent applicable, any Exchange Offer
Registration Statement, the following provisions shall apply.

          (a) The Company shall:

          (i) furnish to you, not less than five Business Days prior to the
     filing thereof with the Commission, a copy of any Exchange Offer
     Registration Statement and any Shelf Registration Statement, and each
     amendment thereof and each amendment or supplement, if any, to the
     Prospectus included therein (including all documents incorporated by
     reference therein after the initial filing) and shall use its best efforts
     to reflect in each such document, when so filed with the Commission, such
     comments as you reasonably propose;

          (ii) include the information set forth in Annex A hereto on the facing
     page of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, in Annex B hereto in the
     forepart of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in a section setting
     forth details of the Registered Exchange Offer, in Annex C hereto in the
     underwriting or plan of distribution section of the Prospectus contained in
     the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, and in Annex D hereto in the
     letter of transmittal delivered pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer;

          (iii) if requested by an Initial Purchaser, include the information
     required by Item 507 or 508 of Regulation S-K, as applicable, in the
     Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement; and

          (iv) in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, include the names
     of the Holders that propose to sell Securities pursuant to the Shelf
     Registration Statement as
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                                                                               9

     selling security holders and amend such Shelf Registration Statement, if
     necessary, to permit the sale of any Securities that could not be made
     pursuant to the initial Shelf Registration Statement; provided that the
     Company shall not be required to supplement or amend a Shelf Registration
     Statement after it has been declared effective by the Commission to reflect
     additional Holders more than twice per quarter.

          (b) The Company shall ensure that:

          (i) any Registration Statement and any amendment thereto and any
     Prospectus forming part thereof and any amendment or supplement thereto
     complies in all material respects with the Act and the rules and
     regulations thereunder;

          (ii) any Registration Statement and any amendment thereto does not,
     when it becomes effective, contain an untrue statement of a material fact
     or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
     to make the statements therein not misleading; and

          (iii) any Prospectus forming part of any Registration Statement, and
     any amendment or supplement to such Prospectus, does not include an untrue
     statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in
     order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
     under which they were made, not misleading.

          (c) The Company shall advise you, the Holders of Securities covered by
any Shelf Registration Statement and any Exchanging Dealer under any Exchange
Offer Registration Statement that has provided in writing to the Company a
telephone or facsimile number and address for notices, and, if requested by you
or any such Holder or Exchanging Dealer, shall confirm such advice in writing
(which notice pursuant to clauses (ii) through (v) hereof shall be accompanied
by an instruction to suspend the use of the Prospectus until the Company shall
have remedied the basis for such suspension):

          (i) when a Registration Statement and any amendment thereto has been
     filed with the Commission and when the Registration Statement or any
     post-effective amendment thereto has become effective;

          (ii) of any request by the Commission for any amendment or supplement
     to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or for additional
     information;

          (iii) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending
     the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the initiation of any
     proceedings for that purpose;
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                                                                              10

          (iv) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to
     the suspension of the qualification of the securities included therein for
     sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation of any proceeding for such
     purpose; and

          (v) of the happening of any event that requires any change in the
     Registration Statement or the Prospectus so that, as of such date, the
     statements therein are not misleading and do not omit to state a material
     fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
     therein (in the case of the Prospectus, in the light of the circumstances
     under which they were made) not misleading; provided that such notification
     need not specifically identify such event if notification of the event
     would, in the reasonable judgment of the Company, involve disclosure of
     confidential or nonpublic information, the disclosure of which would
     violate any confidentiality obligation of the Company.

          (d) The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall use their best
efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of
any Registration Statement or the qualification of the securities therein for
sale in any jurisdiction at the earliest possible time.

          (e) The Company shall furnish to each Holder of Securities covered by
any Shelf Registration Statement, without charge, at least one copy of such
Shelf Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, including
all material incorporated therein by reference, and, if the Holder so requests
in writing, all exhibits thereto (including exhibits incorporated by reference
therein).

          (f) The Company shall, during the Shelf Registration Period, deliver
to each Holder of Securities covered by any Shelf Registration Statement,
without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus (including each preliminary
Prospectus) included in such Shelf Registration Statement and any amendment or
supplement thereto as such Holder may reasonably request. The Company and the
Subsidiary Guarantors consent to the use of the Prospectus or any amendment or
supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders of Securities in connection
with the offering and sale of the Securities covered by the Prospectus, or any
amendment or supplement thereto, included in the Shelf Registration Statement.

          (g) The Company shall furnish to each Exchanging Dealer which so
requests, without charge, at least one copy of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, including all material
incorporated by reference therein, and, if the Exchanging Dealer so requests in
writing, all exhibits thereto (including exhibits incorporated by reference
therein).

          (h) The Company shall promptly deliver to each Initial Purchaser, each
Exchanging Dealer and each other person required to deliver a Prospectus during
the Exchange Offer Registration Period, without charge, as many copies of the
Prospectus included in such Exchange Offer Registration Statement and any
amendment or supplement thereto as any such
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                                                                              11

person may reasonably request. The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors consent
to the use of the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto by any
Initial Purchaser, any Exchanging Dealer and any such other person that may be
required to deliver a Prospectus following the Registered Exchange Offer in
connection with the offering and sale of the New Securities covered by the
Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, included in the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement.

          (i) Prior to the Registered Exchange Offer or any other offering of
Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement, the Company and the
Subsidiary Guarantors shall arrange, if necessary, for the qualification of the
Securities or the New Securities for sale under the laws of such jurisdictions
as any Holder shall reasonably request and will maintain such qualification in
effect so long as required; provided that in no event shall the Company and the
                            --------
Subsidiary Guarantors be obligated to qualify to do business in any jurisdiction
where it is not then so qualified or to take any action that would subject it to
service of process in suits, other than those arising out of the Initial
Placement, the Registered Exchange Offer or any offering pursuant to a Shelf
Registration Statement, in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so
subject.

          (j) The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall cooperate with the
Holders of Securities to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of
certificates representing New Securities or Securities to be issued or sold
pursuant to any Registration Statement free of any restrictive legends and in
such denominations and registered in such names as Holders may request.

          (k) Upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by subsections
(c)(ii) through (v) above, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall
promptly prepare a post-effective amendment to the applicable Registration
Statement or an amendment or supplement to the related Prospectus or file any
other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to Initial Purchasers
of the securities included therein, the Prospectus will not include an untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to
make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading; provided that, during the Exchange Offer Registration
Period, the Company shall not be required to amend or supplement a Registration
Statement or Prospectus, in the event that, and for a period not to exceed 60
days in any consecutive 12-month period, the Company determines in good faith
that the disclosure of any such event would be materially adverse to the Company
or otherwise relates to a pending business development that has not yet been
publicly disclosed. In such circumstances, the period of effectiveness of the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement provided for in Section 2 and the Shelf
Registration Statement provided for in Section 3(b) shall each be extended by
the number of days from and including the date of the giving of a notice of
suspension pursuant to Section 4(c) to and including the date when the Initial
Purchasers, the Holders of the Securities and any known Exchanging Dealer shall
have received such amended or supplemented Prospectus pursuant to this Section.
As soon as practicable following receipt of notice from the Company in
accordance with Section 4(c), each Holder of Securities or New Securities and
each Exchanging Dealer agree to suspend the use of the Prospectus until such
<PAGE>

                                                                              12

Holder or Exchanging Dealer receives copies of the amended or supplemented
Prospectus contemplated by this subsection (k), or until it is advised in
writing by the Company that the use of the applicable Prospectus may be resumed.

          (l) Not later than the effective date of any Registration Statement,
the Company shall provide a CUSIP number for the Securities or the New
Securities, as the case may be, registered under such Registration Statement and
provide the Trustee with printed certificates for such Securities or New
Securities, in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company.

          (m) The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall comply with all
applicable rules and regulations of the Commission and shall make generally
available to its security holders as soon as practicable after the effective
date of the applicable Registration Statement an earnings statement satisfying
the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Act.

          (n) The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall cause the
Indenture to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act in a timely manner.

          (o) The Company may require each Holder of Securities to be sold
pursuant to any Shelf Registration Statement to furnish to the Company such
information regarding the Holder and the distribution of such Securities as the
Company may from time to time reasonably require for inclusion in such
Registration Statement. The Company may exclude from such Shelf Registration
Statement the Securities of any Holder that unreasonably fails to furnish such
information within a reasonable time after receiving such request.

          (p) In the case of any Shelf Registration Statement, the Company and
the Subsidiary Guarantors shall enter into such agreements (including if
requested an underwriting agreement in customary form) and take all other
appropriate actions in order to expedite or facilitate the registration or the
disposition of the Securities, and in connection therewith, if an underwriting
agreement is entered into, cause the same to contain indemnification provisions
and procedures no less favorable than those set forth in Section 6 (or such
other provisions and procedures acceptable to the Majority Holders and the
Managing Underwriters, if any) with respect to all parties to be indemnified
pursuant to Section 6.

          (q) In the case of any Shelf Registration Statement, the Company and
the Subsidiary Guarantors, as applicable, shall:

          (i) make reasonably available for inspection by the Holders of
     Securities to be registered thereunder, any underwriter participating in
     any disposition pursuant to such Registration Statement, and any attorney,
     accountant or other agent retained by the Holders or any such underwriter
     all relevant financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and
     properties of the Company and its subsidiaries during normal business hours
     at the offices where such information is normally kept;
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                                                                              13

          (ii) cause the Company's officers, directors and employees to supply
     all relevant information reasonably requested by the Holders or any such
     underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent in connection with any such
     Registration Statement as is customary for similar due diligence
     examinations during normal business hours at the offices where such
     information is normally kept; provided, however, that any information that
                                   --------  -------
     is designated in writing by the Company, in good faith, as confidential at
     the time of delivery of such information shall be kept confidential by the
     Holders or any such underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent, unless such
     disclosure is made in connection with a court proceeding or required by
     law, or such information becomes available to the public generally through
     no fault of the Holder or through a third party without an accompanying
     obligation of confidentiality; provided, further, that prior notice shall
     be provided as soon as practicable to the Company of the potential
     disclosure of any information pursuant to a court proceeding or required by
     law to permit the Company to obtain a protective order or to take other
     appropriate action to prevent the disclosure of such information;

          (iii) make such representations and warranties to the Holders of
     Securities registered thereunder and the underwriters, if any, in form,
     substance and scope as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in
     primary underwritten offerings and covering matters including, but not
     limited to, those set forth in the Purchase Agreement;

          (iv) obtain opinions of counsel to the Company and updates thereof
     (which counsel and opinions (in form, scope and substance) shall be
     reasonably satisfactory to the Managing Underwriters, if any) addressed to
     each selling Holder and the underwriters, if any, covering such matters as
     are customarily covered in opinions requested in underwritten offerings and
     such other matters as may be reasonably requested by such Holders and
     underwriters;

          (v) obtain "cold comfort" letters and updates thereof from the
     independent certified public accountants of the Company (and, if necessary,
     any other independent certified public accountants of any subsidiary of the
     Company or of any business acquired by the Company for which financial
     statements and financial data are, or are required to be, included in the
     Registration Statement), addressed to each selling Initial Purchaser of
     Securities registered thereunder and the underwriters, if any, in customary
     form and covering matters of the type customarily covered in "cold comfort"
     letters in connection with primary underwritten offerings (provided that
     each Initial Purchaser receiving a comfort letter provides such
     confirmations as are required by SAS 72 or other pronouncements defining
     the provision of comfort by accountants); and

          (vi) deliver such documents and certificates as may be reasonably
     requested by the Majority Holders and the Managing Underwriters, if any,
     including those to evidence compliance with Section 4(k) and with any
     customary conditions contained in the underwriting agreement or other
     agreement entered into by the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors.
<PAGE>

                                                                              14

The actions set forth in clauses (iii), (iv), (v) and (vi) of this subsection
shall be performed at (A) the effectiveness of such Registration Statement and
each post-effective amendment thereto; and (B) each closing under any
underwriting or similar agreement as and to the extent required thereunder.

          (r) In the case of any Exchange Offer Registration Statement, the
Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, as applicable, shall with respect to any
Initial Purchaser who holds Securities to be included in such Exchange Offer
Registration Statement:

          (i) make reasonably available for inspection by such Initial
     Purchaser, and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by such
     Initial Purchaser, all relevant financial and other records, pertinent
     corporate documents and properties of the Company and its subsidiaries
     during normal business hours at the offices where such information is
     normally kept;

          (ii) cause the Company's officers, directors and employees to supply
     all relevant information reasonably requested by such Initial Purchaser or
     any such attorney, accountant or agent in connection with any such
     Registration Statement as is customary for similar due diligence
     examinations during normal business hours at the offices where such
     information is kept; provided, however, that any information that is
                          --------  -------
     designated in writing by the Company, in good faith, as confidential at the
     time of delivery of such information shall be kept confidential by such
     Initial Purchaser or any such attorney, accountant or agent, unless such
     disclosure is made in connection with a court proceeding or required by
     law, or such information becomes available to the public generally or
     through a third party without an accompanying obligation of
     confidentiality; provided, further, that prior notice shall be provided as
                      --------  -------
     soon as practicable to the Company of the potential disclosure of any
     information pursuant to a court proceeding or required by law to permit the
     Company to obtain a protective order or to take other appropriate action to
     prevent the disclosure of such information;

          (iii) make such representations and warranties to such Initial
     Purchaser, in form, substance and scope as are customarily made by issuers
     to underwriters in primary underwritten offerings and covering matters
     including, but not limited to, those set forth in the Purchase Agreement;

          (iv) obtain opinions of counsel to the Company and updates thereof
     (which counsel and opinions (in form, scope and substance) shall be
     reasonably satisfactory to such Initial Purchaser and its counsel,
     addressed to such Initial Purchaser, covering such matters as are
     customarily covered in opinions requested in underwritten offerings and
     such other matters as may be reasonably requested by such Initial Purchaser
     or its counsel;

          (v) obtain "cold comfort" letters and updates thereof from the
     independent certified public accountants of the Company (and, if necessary,
     any other independent
<PAGE>

                                                                              15

     certified public accountants of any subsidiary of the Company or of any
     business acquired by the Company for which financial statements and
     financial data are, or are required to be, included in the Registration
     Statement), addressed to such Initial Purchaser, in customary form and
     covering matters of the type customarily covered in "cold comfort" letters
     in connection with primary underwritten offerings, or if requested by such
     Initial Purchaser or its counsel in lieu of a "cold comfort" letter,
     subject to confirmation by the Initial Purchaser to such independent
     certified public accountants that the Initial Purchaser is of the category
     of persons to which a "cold comfort" letter is to be addressed to under SAS
     72, an agreed-upon procedures letter under Statement on Auditing Standards
     No. 35, covering matters requested by such Initial Purchaser or its
     counsel; and

          (vi) deliver such documents and certificates as may be reasonably
     requested by such Initial Purchaser or its counsel, including those to
     evidence compliance with Section 4(k) and with conditions customarily
     contained in underwriting agreements.

The foregoing actions set forth in clauses (iii), (iv), (v), and (vi) of this
subsection shall be performed at the close of the Registered Exchange Offer and
the effective date of any post-effective amendment to the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement required to be filed pursuant to Section 4(k).

          (s) If a Registered Exchange Offer is to be consummated, upon delivery
of the Securities by Holders to the Company (or to such other person as directed
by the Company) in exchange for the New Securities, the Company shall mark, or
cause to be marked, on the Securities so exchanged that such Securities are
being canceled in exchange for the New Securities. In no event shall the
Securities be marked as paid or otherwise satisfied.

          (t) The Company will use its best efforts (i) if the Securities have
been rated prior to the initial sale of such Securities, to confirm such ratings
will apply to the Securities or the New Securities, as the case may be, covered
by a Registration Statement; or (ii) if the Securities were not previously
rated, to cause the Securities covered by a Registration Statement to be rated
with at least one nationally recognized statistical rating agency, if so
requested by Majority Holders with respect to the related Registration Statement
or by any Managing Underwriters.

          (u) In the event that any Broker-Dealer shall underwrite any
Securities or participate as a member of an underwriting syndicate or selling
group or "assist in the distribution" (within the meaning of the Rules of Fair
Practice and the By-Laws of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc.) thereof, whether as a Holder of such Securities or as an underwriter, a
placement or sales agent or a broker or dealer in respect thereof, or otherwise,
assist such Broker-Dealer in complying with the requirements of such Rules and
By-Laws, including, without limitation, by:

               (i) if such Rules or By-Laws shall so require, engaging a
          "qualified independent underwriter" (as defined in such Rules) to
          participate in the
<PAGE>

                                                                              16

          preparation of the Registration Statement, to exercise usual standards
          of due diligence with respect thereto and, if any portion of the
          offering contemplated by such Registration Statement is an
          underwritten offering or is made through a placement or sales agent,
          to recommend the yield of such Securities (which may be another
          Broker-Dealer already participating in such offering);

               (ii) indemnifying any such qualified independent underwriter to
          the extent of the indemnification of underwriters provided in Section
          6 hereof; and

               (iii) providing such information to such Broker-Dealer as may be
          required in order for such Broker-Dealer to comply with the
          requirements of such Rules.

          (v) The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall use their best
efforts to take all other steps necessary to effect the registration of the
Securities or the New Securities, as the case may be, covered by a Registration
Statement.

          5. Registration Expenses. The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors
             ---------------------
shall bear all expenses incurred in connection with the performance of its
obligations under Sections 2, 3 and 4 hereof (other than any underwriting
discounts or commissions) and, in the event of any Shelf Registration Statement,
will reimburse the Holders for the reasonable fees and disbursements of one firm
or counsel designated by the Majority Holders to act as counsel for the Holders
in connection therewith, and, in the case of any Exchange Offer Registration
Statement, will reimburse the Initial Purchasers for the reasonable fees and
disbursements of counsel acting in connection therewith. Anything contained
herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall not have any
obligation whatsoever in respect of any underwriters' discounts or commissions,
brokerage commissions, dealers' selling concessions, transfer taxes or, except
as otherwise expressly set forth herein, any other selling expenses incurred in
connection with the underwriting, offering or sale of Securities or New
Securities by or on behalf of any person.

          6. Indemnification and Contribution. (a) The Company and the
             --------------------------------
Subsidiary Guarantors, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold
harmless each Holder of Securities or New Securities, as the case may be,
covered by any Registration Statement (including each Initial Purchaser and,
with respect to any Prospectus delivery as contemplated in Section 4(h) hereof,
each Exchanging Dealer), the directors, officers, employees and agents of each
such Holder and each person who controls any such Holder within the meaning of
either the Act or the Exchange Act against any and all losses, claims, damages
or liabilities, joint or several, to which they or any of them may become
subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or other Federal or state statutory law
or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims,
damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based
upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in the Registration Statement as originally filed or in any amendment
thereof, or in any preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, or in any amendment
thereof or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or
alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein
or
<PAGE>

                                                                              17

necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and agrees to reimburse
each such indemnified party, as incurred, for any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any
such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided, however, that the
                                               --------  -------
Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors will not be liable in any case to the
extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based
upon any such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or
alleged omission made therein in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of any such Holder
specifically for inclusion therein. This indemnity agreement will be in addition
to any liability which the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors may otherwise
have. The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, jointly and severally, also
agree to indemnify or contribute as provided in Section 6(d) to Losses of each
underwriter of Securities or New Securities, as the case may be, registered
under a Shelf Registration Statement, their directors, officers, employees or
agents and each person who controls such underwriter on substantially the same
basis as that of the indemnification of the Initial Purchasers and the selling
Holders provided in this Section 6(a) and shall, if requested by any Holder,
enter into an underwriting agreement reflecting such agreement, as provided in
Section 4(p) hereof; provided that each such underwriter agrees to indemnify the
Company and Subsidiary Guarantors, their officers, directors, employees and
control persons to the extent provided in Section 6(b).

          (b) Each Holder of securities covered by a Registration Statement
(including each Initial Purchaser and, with respect to any Prospectus delivery
as contemplated in Section 4(h) hereof, each Exchanging Dealer) severally and
not jointly agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its
directors, each of its officers who signs such Registration Statement and each
person who controls the Company within the meaning of either the Act or the
Exchange Act, to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company to
each such Holder, but only with reference to written information relating to
such Holder furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such Holder specifically
for inclusion in the documents referred to in the foregoing indemnity. This
indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which any such Holder
may otherwise have.

          (c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section
of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a
claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this
Section, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof;
but the failure so to notify the indemnifying party (i) will not relieve it from
liability under paragraph (a) or (b) above unless and to the extent it did not
otherwise learn of such action and such failure results in the forfeiture by the
indemnifying party of substantial rights and defenses; and (ii) will not, in any
event, relieve the indemnifying party from any obligations to any indemnified
party other than the indemnification obligation provided in paragraph (a) or (b)
above. The indemnifying party shall be entitled to appoint counsel of the
indemnifying party's choice at the indemnifying party's expense to represent the
indemnified party in any action for which indemnification is sought (in which
case the indemnifying party shall not thereafter be responsible for the fees and
expenses of any separate counsel retained by the indemnified party or parties
except as set forth below); provided, however, that such counsel shall
                            --------  -------
<PAGE>

                                                                              18

be reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party and in the case of Holders,
the Holders of majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities or
New Securities, as the case may be, determined in accordance with Sections 9 and
16. Notwithstanding the indemnifying party's election to appoint counsel to
represent the indemnified party in an action, the indemnified party shall have
the right to employ separate counsel (including local counsel), and the
indemnifying party shall bear the reasonable fees, costs and expenses of such
separate counsel if (i) the use of counsel chosen by the indemnifying party to
represent the indemnified party would present such counsel with a conflict of
interest; (ii) the actual or potential defendants in, or targets of, any such
action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the
indemnified party shall have been advised by counsel that there may be legal
defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties which are different
from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party; (iii) the
indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to
the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable
time after notice of the institution of such action; or (iv) the indemnifying
party shall authorize the indemnified party to employ separate counsel at the
expense of the indemnifying party. It is understood, however, that the Company
shall, in connection with any one such action or separate but substantially
similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same
general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the fees and expenses of
only one separate firm of attorneys (in addition to any local counsel) at any
time for all such indemnified parties. An indemnifying party will not, without
the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or
consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened
claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or
contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified parties are
actual or potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement,
compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of each indemnified
party from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding.
An indemnifying party shall not be liable under this Section 6 to any
indemnified party regarding any settlement or compromise or consent to the entry
of judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or
proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought
hereunder (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential
parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent
is consented to by such indemnifying party, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld.

          (d) In the event that the indemnity provided in paragraph (a) or (b)
of this Section is unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an
indemnified party for any reason, then each applicable indemnifying party shall
have a joint and several obligation to contribute to the aggregate losses,
claims, damages and liabilities (including legal or other expenses reasonably
incurred in connection with investigating or defending same) (collectively
"Losses") to which such indemnified party may be subject in such proportion as
is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by such indemnifying
party, on the one hand, and such indemnified party, on the other hand, from the
Initial Placement and the Registration Statement which resulted in such Losses;
provided, however, that in no case shall any Initial Purchaser or any subsequent
--------  -------
Holder of any Security or New Security be responsible, in the aggregate, for any
amount in excess of the purchase discount or commission applicable to such
Security, or in the case of a New Security,
<PAGE>

                                                                              19

applicable to the Security that was exchangeable into such New Security, as set
forth on the cover page of the Final Memorandum, nor shall any underwriter be
responsible for any amount in excess of the underwriting discount or commission
applicable to the securities purchased by such underwriter under the
Registration Statement which resulted in such Losses. If the allocation provided
by the immediately preceding sentence is unavailable for any reason, the
indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall contribute in such proportion
as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the
relative fault of such indemnifying party, on the one hand, and such indemnified
party, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions which
resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.
Benefits received by the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall be deemed
to be equal to the sum of (x) the total net proceeds from the Initial Placement
(before deducting expenses) as set forth on the cover page of the Final
Memorandum and (y) the total amount of additional interest which the Company was
not required to pay as a result of registering the securities covered by the
Registration Statement which resulted in such Losses. Benefits received by the
Initial Purchasers shall be deemed to be equal to the total purchase discounts
and commissions as set forth on the cover page of the Final Memorandum, and
benefits received by any other Holders shall be deemed to be equal to the value
of receiving Securities or New Securities, as applicable, registered under the
Act. Benefits received by any underwriter shall be deemed to be equal to the
total underwriting discounts and commissions, as set forth on the cover page of
the Prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement which resulted in
such Losses. Relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other
things, whether any alleged untrue statement or omission relates to information
provided by the indemnifying party, on the one hand, or by the indemnified
party, on the other hand, the intent of the parties and their relative
knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such
untrue statement or omission. The parties agree that it would not be just and
equitable if contribution were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the
Holders were treated as one entity for such purpose) or any other method of
allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred
to above. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph (d), no person guilty
of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act)
shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such
fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section, each person who
controls a Holder within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act and
each director, officer, employee and agent of such Holder shall have the same
rights to contribution as such Holder, and each person who controls the Company
within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act, each officer of the
Company who shall have signed the Registration Statement and each director of
the Company shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company, subject
in each case to the applicable terms and conditions of this paragraph (d).

          (e) The provisions of this Section will remain in full force and
effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Holder or
the Company or any of the directors, officers, employees, agents or controlling
persons referred to in this Section hereof, and will survive the sale by a
Holder of securities covered by a Registration Statement.
<PAGE>

                                                                              20

          7. Underwritten Registrations. (a) If any of the Securities or New
             --------------------------
Securities, as the case may be, covered by any Shelf Registration Statement are
to be sold in an underwritten offering, the Managing Underwriters shall be
selected by the Company.

          (b) No person may participate in any underwritten offering pursuant to
any Shelf Registration Statement, unless such person (i) agrees to sell such
person's Securities or New Securities, as the case may be, on the basis
reasonably provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the persons
entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements; and (ii) completes and executes
all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and
other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting
arrangements.

          8. No Inconsistent Agreements. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary
             --------------------------
Guarantor has, as of the date hereof, entered into, nor shall it, on or after
the date hereof, enter into, any agreement with respect to its securities that
is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders herein or otherwise
conflicts with the provisions hereof.

          9. Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement, including
             ----------------------
the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, qualified, modified or
supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof
may not be given, unless the Company has obtained the written consent of the
Holders of at least a majority of the then outstanding aggregate principal
amount of Securities (or, after the consummation of any Registered Exchange
Offer in accordance with Section 2 hereof, of New Securities); provided that,
                                                               --------
with respect to any matter that directly or indirectly affects the rights of any
Initial Purchaser hereunder, the Company shall obtain the written consent of
each such Initial Purchaser against which such amendment, qualification,
supplement, waiver or consent is to be effective. Notwithstanding the foregoing
(except the foregoing proviso), a waiver or consent to departure from the
provisions hereof with respect to a matter that relates exclusively to the
rights of Holders whose Securities or New Securities, as the case may be, are
being sold pursuant to a Registration Statement and that does not directly or
indirectly affect the rights of other Holders may be given by the Majority
Holders, determined on the basis of Securities or New Securities, as the case
may be, being sold rather than registered under such Registration Statement.

          10. Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or
              -------
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, first-class mail,
telex, telecopier or air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery:

          (a) if to a Holder, at the most current address given by such Holder
to the Company in accordance with the provisions of this Section, which address
initially is, with respect to each Holder, the address of such Holder maintained
by the Registrar under the Indenture, with a copy in like manner to Salomon
Smith Barney Inc.

          (b) if to you, initially at the respective addresses set forth in the
Purchase Agreement; and
<PAGE>

                                                                              21

          (c) if to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, initially at its
address set forth in the Purchase Agreement.

          All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given when received.

          The Initial Purchasers or the Company by notice to the other parties
may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or
communications.

          11. Successors. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
              ----------
binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties, including,
without the need for an express assignment or any consent by the Company and the
Subsidiary Guarantors thereto, subsequent Holders of Securities and the New
Securities. The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agree to extend the
benefits of this Agreement to any Holder of Securities and the New Securities,
and any such Holder may specifically enforce the provisions of this Agreement as
if an original party hereto.

          12. Counterparts. This Agreement may be in signed counterparts, each
              ------------
of which shall an original and all of which together shall constitute one and
the same agreement.

          13. Headings. The headings used herein are for convenience only and
              --------
shall not affect the construction hereof.

          14. Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
              --------------
in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts
made and to be performed in the State of New York.

          15. Severability. In the event that any one of more of the provisions
              ------------
contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstances, is held
invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect for any reason, the validity,
legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of
the remaining provisions hereof shall not be in any way impaired or affected
thereby, it being intended that all of the rights and privileges of the parties
shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

          16. Securities Held by the Company, etc. Whenever the consent or
              -----------------------------------
approval of Holders of a specified percentage of principal amount of Securities
or New Securities is required hereunder, Securities or New Securities, as
applicable, held by the Company or its Affiliates shall be disregarded and
deemed not to be outstanding in determining whether such consent or approval was
given by the Holders of such required percentage.
<PAGE>

          If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our
agreement, please sign and return to us the enclosed duplicate hereof, whereupon
this letter and your acceptance shall represent a binding agreement among the
Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the several Initial Purchasers.

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    CONSOL ENERGY INC.

                                       by
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:
                                          Title:

                                    Each of the Subsidiary
                                    Guarantors listed on Schedule I
                                    hereto,

                                       by
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:
                                          Title:
<PAGE>

The foregoing Agreement is hereby
confirmed and accepted as of the
date first above written.

Salomon Smith Barney Inc.
Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein--Grantchester, Inc.
Mellon Financial Markets, LLC
PNC Capital Markets, Inc.
Scotia Capital (USA) Inc.
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited--London Branch
NatCity Investments, Inc.

By: Salomon Smith Barney Inc.

by
     ------------------------------
     Name:
     Title:
<PAGE>

                                   Schedule I
                                   ----------
                              Subsidiary Guarantors
                              ---------------------

Conrhein Coal Company, a Pennsylvania general partnership
CONSOL Financial Inc., a Delaware corporation
CONSOL of Kentucky, a Delaware corporation
CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company, a Delaware corporation
Consolidation Coal Company, a Delaware corporation
Consolidation Coal Sales Company, a Delaware corporation
Eighty-Four Mining Company, a Pennsylvania corporation
IC Coal Inc., a Delaware corporation
Island Creek Coal Company, a Delaware corporation
Fairmont Supply Company, a Delaware corporation
McElroy Coal Company, a Delaware corporation
Rochester & Pittsburgh Coal Company, a Pennsylvania corporation
<PAGE>

                                                                         ANNEX A

          Each Broker-Dealer that receives New Securities for its own account
pursuant to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a
prospectus in connection with any resale of such New Securities. The Letter of
Transmittal states that by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a
Broker-Dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the
meaning of the Securities Act. This Prospectus, as it may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, may be used by a Broker-Dealer in connection
with resales of New Securities received in exchange for Securities where such
Securities were acquired by such Broker-Dealer as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities. The Company has agreed that, starting on
the Expiration Date (as defined herein) and ending on the close of business one
year after the Expiration Date, it will make this Prospectus available to any
Broker-Dealer for use in connection with any such resale. See "Plan of
Distribution".
<PAGE>

                                                                         ANNEX B

          Each Broker-Dealer that receives New Securities for its own account in
exchange for Securities, where such Securities were acquired by such
Broker-Dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading
activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection
with any resale of such New Securities. See "Plan of Distribution".
<PAGE>

                                                                         ANNEX C

                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

          Each Broker-Dealer that receives New Securities for its own account
pursuant to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a
prospectus in connection with any resale of such New Securities. This
Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used
by a Broker-Dealer in connection with resales of New Securities received in
exchange for Securities where such Securities were acquired as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities. The Company has agreed
that, starting on the Expiration Date and ending on the close of business one
year after the Expiration Date, it will make this Prospectus, as amended or
supplemented, available to any Broker-Dealer for use in connection with any such
resale.

          The Company will not receive any proceeds from any sale of New
Securities by brokers-dealers. New Securities received by Broker-Dealers for
their own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be sold from time to time
in one or more transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated
transactions, through the writing of options on the New Securities or a
combination of such methods of resale, at market prices prevailing at the time
of resale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or negotiated
prices. Any such resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or through
brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the form of commissions or
concessions from any such Broker-Dealer and/or the purchasers of any such New
Securities. Any Broker-Dealer that resells New Securities that were received by
it for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer and any broker or dealer
that participates in a distribution of such New Securities may be deemed to be
an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act and any profit
resulting from any such resale of New Securities and any commissions or
concessions received by any such persons may be deemed to be underwriting
compensation under the Securities Act. The Letter of Transmittal states that by
acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a
Broker-Dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the
meaning of the Securities Act.

          For a period of one year after the Expiration Date, the Company will
promptly send additional copies of this Prospectus and any amendment or
supplement to this Prospectus to any Broker-Dealer that requests such documents
in the Letter of Transmittal. The Company has agreed to pay all expenses
incident to the Exchange Offer (including the expenses of one counsel for the
Holders of the Securities) other than commissions or concessions of any brokers
or dealers and will indemnify the holders of the Securities (including any
Broker-Dealers) against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act.

          [If applicable, add information required by Regulation S-K Items 507
and/or 508. S-K 502(b) legend must appear on the back cover.]
<PAGE>

                                                                         ANNEX D

Rider A
-------

         /  /     CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER AND WISH TO RECEIVE
          --
                  10 ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY
                  AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO.
                  Name:
                          --------------------------------------------
                  Address:
                          --------------------------------------------

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

Rider B
-------

If the undersigned is not a Broker-Dealer, the undersigned represents that it
acquired the New Securities in the ordinary course of its business, it is not
engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of New Securities
and it has no arrangements or understandings with any person to participate in a
distribution of the New Securities. If the undersigned is a Broker-Dealer that
will receive New Securities for its own account in exchange for Securities, it
represents that the Securities to be exchanged for New Securities were acquired
by it as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities and
acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of
such New Securities; however, by so acknowledging and by delivering a
prospectus, the undersigned will not be deemed to admit that it is an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.23

                                                                  EXECUTION COPY

                                U.S. $400,000,000

              AMENDED AND RESTATED SENIOR REVOLVING LOAN AGREEMENT,

                         dated as of September 21, 2001

                                      among

                               CONSOL ENERGY INC.

                                 as the Borrower

                        THE INITIAL BANKS PARTIES HERETO

                                 CITIBANK, N.A.

                             as Administrative Agent

                                       and

              DRESDNER BANK, AG, NEW YORK AND GRAND CAYMAN BRANCHES
                                MELLON BANK, N.A.
                                       and
                             THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA

                              As Syndication Agents

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

                            SALOMON SMITH BARNEY INC.

                      As Sole Lead Arranger and Bookrunner
<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                   <C>                                                                         <C>
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS                                                                              1
   SECTION 1.1        Defined Terms                                                                1
                      -------------
   SECTION 1.2        Use of Defined Terms                                                        11
                      --------------------
   SECTION 1.3        Accounting and Financial Determinations                                     11
                      ---------------------------------------
ARTICLE II COMMITMENT                                                                             11
   SECTION 2.1        Commitment                                                                  11
                      ----------
   SECTION 2.2        Total Commitment Amount                                                     11
                      -----------------------
   SECTION 2.3        Fees                                                                        11
                      ----
   SECTION 2.4        Commitment Termination Date                                                 12
                      ---------------------------
   SECTION 2.5.       Increase in the Aggregate Commitments                                       12
                      -------------------------------------
ARTICLE III LOANS AND NOTES                                                                       13
   SECTION 3.1        Borrowing Procedure                                                         13
                      -------------------
   SECTION 3.2        Note                                                                        14
                      ----
   SECTION 3.3        Principal Payments and Prepayments                                          14
                      ----------------------------------
   SECTION 3.4        Interest                                                                    15
                      --------
   SECTION 3.5        Post-Maturity Rates                                                         15
                      -------------------
   SECTION 3.6        Payment Dates                                                               15
                      -------------
   SECTION 3.7        Payments, Computations                                                      16
                      ----------------------
   SECTION 3.8        Setoff                                                                      16
                      ------
   SECTION 3.9        Taxes                                                                       17
                      -----
ARTICLE IV BASE RATE AND LIBO RATE OPTIONS FOR THE LOANS                                          18
   SECTION 4.1        Elections                                                                   18
                      ---------
   SECTION 4.2        LIBO Rate Lending Unlawful                                                  19
                      --------------------------
   SECTION 4.3        Deposits Unavailable                                                        20
                      --------------------
   SECTION 4.4        Capital Adequacy; Increased Costs                                           20
                      ---------------------------------
   SECTION 4.5        Funding Losses                                                              20
                      --------------
   SECTION 4.6        Interest Rate Determination                                                 21
                      ---------------------------
   SECTION 4.7.       Sharing of Payments, Etc                                                    21
                      ------------------------
ARTICLE V CONDITIONS PRECEDENT                                                                    22
   SECTION 5.1        Effective Date                                                              22
                      --------------
   SECTION 5.1.1       Resolutions                                                                22
                       -----------
   SECTION 5.1.2      Delivery of Note                                                            22
                      ----------------
   SECTION 5.1.3      Opinions of Counsel                                                         22
                      -------------------
   SECTION 5.1.4      Significant Subsidiary Guaranty                                             22
                      -------------------------------
   SECTION 5.1.5      Subordination Agreement                                                     22
                      -----------------------
   SECTION 5.1.6      Satisfactory Legal Form                                                     23
                      -----------------------
   SECTION 5.1.7      Termination of Bilateral Loan Agreements                                    23
                      ----------------------------------------
   SECTION 5.2        All Loans and Each Increase Date                                            23
                      --------------------------------
   SECTION 5.2.1      Compliance with Warranties, non-Default                                     23
                      ---------------------------------------
   SECTION 5.2.2      Loan Request                                                                23
                      ------------
ARTICLE VI WARRANTIES                                                                             23
   SECTION 6.1        Organization, Power, Authority                                              23
                      ------------------------------
   SECTION 6.2        Due Authorization                                                           23
                      -----------------
   SECTION 6.3        Validity                                                                    24
                      --------
   SECTION 6.4        Financial Information                                                       24
                      ---------------------
   SECTION 6.5        Absence of Certain Default                                                  24
                      --------------------------
   SECTION 6.6        Litigation                                                                  24
                      ----------
   SECTION 6.7        Regulation U                                                                24
                      ------------
</TABLE>

                                        i
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                   <C>                                                                         <C>
   SECTION 6.8        Government Regulation                                                       24
                      ---------------------
   SECTION 6.9        Certain Contractual Obligations or Organic Documents                        25
                      ----------------------------------------------------
   SECTION 6.10       Taxes                                                                       25
                      -----
   SECTION 6.11       Pension and Welfare Plans; Multiemployer Plans                              25
                      ----------------------------------------------
   SECTION 6.12       Subsidiaries and Significant Subsidiaries                                   25
                      -----------------------------------------
   SECTION 6.13       Patents, Trademarks                                                         25
                      -------------------
   SECTION 6.14       Ownership of Properties; Liens                                              25
                      ------------------------------
   SECTION 6.15       Accuracy of Information                                                     25
                      -----------------------
   SECTION 6.16       Environmental Warranties                                                    26
                      ------------------------
   SECTION 6.17       Borrower's Solvency                                                         27
                      -------------------
   SECTION 6.18       Pari Passu                                                                  27
                      --------------
ARTICLE VII COVENANTS                                                                             27
   SECTION 7.1        Certain Affirmative Covenants                                               27
                      -----------------------------
   SECTION 7.1.1      Financial Information                                                       27
                      ---------------------
   SECTION 7.1.2      Maintenance of Corporate Existences                                         28
                      -----------------------------------
   SECTION 7.1.3      Foreign Qualification                                                       28
                      ---------------------
   SECTION 7.1.4      Payment of Taxes                                                            28
                      ----------------
   SECTION 7.1.5      Insurance                                                                   28
                      ---------
   SECTION 7.1.6      Notice of Default, Litigation                                               29
                      -----------------------------
   SECTION 7.1.7      Performance of Loan Documents                                               29
                      -----------------------------
   SECTION 7.1.8      Books and Records                                                           29
                      -----------------
   SECTION 7.1.9      Significant Subsidiary Guaranty                                             29
                      -------------------------------
   SECTION 7.1.10     Environmental Covenant                                                      29
                      ----------------------
   SECTION 7.2        Certain Negative Covenants                                                  30
                      --------------------------
   SECTION 7.2.1      Indebtedness for Borrowed Money                                             30
                      -------------------------------
   SECTION 7.2.2      Liens                                                                       30
                      -----
   SECTION 7.2.3      Consolidation, Merger                                                       31
                      ---------------------
   SECTION 7.2.4      Transactions with Affiliates                                                31
                      ----------------------------
   SECTION 7.2.5      Sale or Discount of Receivables                                             31
                      -------------------------------
   SECTION 7.2.6      Dividends                                                                   31
                      ---------
   SECTION 7.2.7      Inconsistent Agreements                                                     31
                      -----------------------
   SECTION 7.2.8      Loans, Advances and Investments                                             31
                      -------------------------------
   SECTION 7.2.9      Guaranties                                                                  32
                      ----------
   SECTION 7.2.10     Securities                                                                  32
                      ----------
   SECTION 7.2.11     Business Activities                                                         33
                      -------------------
   SECTION 7.2.12     Funded Debt Ratio                                                           33
                      -----------------
ARTICLE VIII EVENTS OF DEFAULT                                                                    33
   SECTION 8.1        Events of Default                                                           33
                      -----------------
   SECTION 8.1.1      Non-Payment of Liabilities                                                  33
                      --------------------------
   SECTION 8.1.2      Non-Performance of Certain Covenants                                        33
                      ------------------------------------
   SECTION 8.1.3      Certain Defaults on Other Indebtedness for Borrowed Money                   33
   SECTION 8.1.4      Bankruptcy, Insolvency                                                      33
                      ----------------------
   SECTION 8.1.5      Control of the Borrower                                                     34
                      -----------------------
   SECTION 8.1.6      Non-Performance of Other Obligations                                        34
                      ------------------------------------
   SECTION 8.1.7      Breach of Representation or Warranty                                        34
                      ------------------------------------
   SECTION 8.1.8      Pension Plans 34
                      -------------
   SECTION 8.1.9      Judgments                                                                   34
                      ---------
   SECTION 8.1.10     Significant Subsidiary Guaranty and Subordination Agreement                 34
   SECTION 8.1.11     Multiemployer Plans                                                         34
                      -------------------
   SECTION 8.2        Action if Bankruptcy                                                        34
                      --------------------
</TABLE>

                                       ii
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                   <C>                                                                         <C>
   SECTION 8.3        Action if Other Event of Default                                            35
                      --------------------------------
ARTICLE IX THE AGENT                                                                              35
   SECTION 9.1.       Authorization and Action                                                    35
                      ------------------------
   SECTION 9.2.       Agent's Reliance, Etc                                                       35
                      ---------------------
   SECTION 9.3.       Citibank and Affiliates                                                     35
                      -----------------------
   SECTION 9.4.       Bank Credit Decision                                                        36
                      --------------------
   SECTION 9.5.       Indemnification                                                             36
                      ---------------
   SECTION 9.6.       Successor Agent                                                             36
                      ---------------
   SECTION 9.7.       Other Agents  36
                      ------------
ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS                                                                           36
   SECTION 10.1       Waivers, Amendments                                                         36
                      -------------------
   SECTION 10.2       Notices                                                                     37
                      -------
   SECTION 10.3       Costs and Expenses                                                          37
                      ------------------
   SECTION 10.4       Indemnification                                                             37
                      ---------------
   SECTION 10.5       Survival                                                                    38
                      --------
   SECTION 10.6       Severability                                                                38
                      ------------
   SECTION 10.7       Headings                                                                    38
                      --------
   SECTION 10.8       Counterparts, Effectiveness                                                 38
                      ---------------------------
   SECTION 10.9       Governing Law; Entire Agreement                                             38
                      -------------------------------
   SECTION 10.10      Successors and Assigns                                                      38
                      ----------------------
   SECTION 10.11      Sale and Transfers of Loans and Notes; Participations in Loans and Notes    38
   SECTION 10.12      Other Transactions                                                          41
                      ------------------
   SECTION 10.13      Waiver of Jury Trial                                                        41
                      --------------------
   SECTION 10.14      Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process                              41
                      ----------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                      iii
<PAGE>

                          EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT A    -   Form of Note
EXHIBIT B    -   Loan Request
EXHIBIT C    -   Continuation/Conversion Notice
EXHIBIT D    -   Confidentiality Agreement
EXHIBIT E    -   Disclosure Schedule
EXHIBIT F    -   Opinion of Borrower's Counsel
EXHIBIT G    -   Significant Subsidiary Guaranty
EXHIBIT H    -   Assignment and Acceptance
EXHIBIT I    -   Commitment Termination Date Extension Request
EXHIBIT J    -   Subordination Agreement
EXHIBIT K    -   Permitted Investments

                          SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE I   -   List of Applicable Lending Offices

                                       iv
<PAGE>

              AMENDED AND RESTATED SENIOR REVOLVING LOAN AGREEMENT

     CONSOL ENERGY INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"), the banks,
                                                      --------
financial institutions and other institutional lenders (the "Initial Banks")
                                                             -------------
listed on the signature pages hereof, and CITIBANK, N.A. ("Citibank"), as agent
                                                           --------
(the "Agent") for the Banks (as hereinafter defined) hereby agree as follows:
      -----

     PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS.

     1. The Borrower is party to the Senior Revolving Loan Agreement dated as of
January 22, 2001 (the "Existing Credit Agreement") with the banks parties
                       -------------------------
thereto and the Agent.

     2. The Borrower has requested that the Initial Banks enter into this
Agreement to amend and restate the Existing Credit Agreement and the Banks have
indicated their willingness to so amend and restate the Existing Credit
Agreement upon the terms and conditions stated herein.

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

                                    ARTICLE I

                                   DEFINITIONS

     SECTION 1.1 Defined Terms. The following terms (whether or not underscored)
                 -------------
when used in this Agreement, including its preamble and recitals, shall, except
where the context otherwise requires, have the following meanings (such
definitions to be equally applicable to the singular and plural forms thereof):

     "Affiliate" of any Person means any other Person which, directly or
      ---------
indirectly, controls or is controlled by or under common control with such
Person (excluding any trustee under, or any committee with responsibility for
administering, any Pension Plan). A Person shall be deemed to be "controlled by"
any other Person if such other Person possesses, directly or indirectly, power:

          (a) to vote 10% or more of the securities (on a fully diluted basis)
     having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or managing
     general partners of such Person; or

          (b) to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of
     such Person whether by contract or otherwise.

     "Agent" is defined in the preamble.
      -----

     "Agent's Account" means the account of the Agent maintained by the Agent at
      ---------------
Citibank at its office at 2 Penns Way, Suite 200, New Castle, DE 19720, Account
No. 36852248, Attention: Operations.

     "Agreement" means, at any date, this loan agreement as originally in effect
      ---------
on the Effective Date, and as thereafter from time to time amended,
supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified and in effect on such
date.

     "Applicable Lending Office" means, with respect to each Bank, such Bank's
      -------------------------
Domestic Lending Office in the case of a Base Rate Loan and such Bank's LIBO
Lending Office in the case of a LIBO Rate Loan.

     "Applicable Margin" means, (a) for any Interest Period prior to the Term
      -----------------
Loan Conversion Date, the amount indicated below for each type of Loan based
upon the Credit Rating for each day during such Interest Period:
<PAGE>

                                            LIBO           Base
                                            Rate           Rate
Credit Rating                               Loans          Loans
-------------                               -----          -----

Level I                                     0.350%            0%
Level II                                    0.500%            0%
Level III                                   0.600%            0%
Level IV                                    0.700%            0%
Level V                                     1.250%         1.00%

and (b) for any Interest Period on and after the Term Loan Conversion Date, the
amount indicated below for each type of Loan based upon the Credit Rating for
each day during such Interest Period:

                                            LIBO           Base
                                            Rate           Rate
Credit Rating                               Loans          Loans
-------------                               -----          -----

Level I                                     0.750%         0.250%
Level II                                    1.000%         0.250%
Level III                                   1.125%         0.250%
Level IV                                    1.250%         0.250%
Level V                                     2.000%         1.250%

     "Approval" means each and every approval, consent, filing and registration
      --------
by or with any Federal, state or other regulatory authority or any third party
necessary to authorize or permit the execution, delivery or performance of this
Agreement, the Notes or any other Loan Document or for the validity or
enforceability hereof or thereof.

     "Assignment and Acceptance" means any assignment and acceptance,
      -------------------------
substantially in the form of Exhibit H hereto.
                             ---------

     "Assuming Bank" has the meaning specified in Section 2.5(d).
      -------------

     "Assumption Agreement" has the meaning specified in Section 2.5(d)(ii).
      --------------------

     "Authorized Officer" means, relative to any Loan Party, those of its
      ------------------
officers whose signatures and incumbency shall have been certified to the Agent.

     "Bank" means each Initial Bank, each Assuming Bank that shall become a
      ----
party hereto pursuant to Section 2.5 and each Person that shall become a party
hereto pursuant to Section 10.11.

     "Base Rate" means at any time and with respect to all Base Rate Loans, a
      ---------
fluctuating rate of interest per annum equal to the higher of:

          (a) a rate of interest equal to the base rate of interest announced by
     Citibank in New York, New York from time to time, changing when and as said
     base rate changes; and

          (b) the Federal Funds Rate plus 1/2%.

     The Base Rate is not necessarily intended to be the lowest rate of interest
charged by Citibank in connection with extensions of credit. Changes in the rate
of interest on Loans maintained as Base Rate Loans shall take effect
simultaneously with each change in the Base Rate.

     "Base Rate Loan" is defined in Section 4.1.
      --------------                -----------

     "Borrower" is defined in the preamble.
      --------

                                       2
<PAGE>

     "Borrowing" means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Loans of the same
      ---------
Type made by the Banks on any Business Day in accordance with Section 3.1.
                                                              -----------

     "Business Day" means:
      ------------

          (a) any day which is neither a Saturday or Sunday nor a legal holiday
     in the State of New York on which banks are authorized or required to be
     closed; and

          (b) relative to the date of

               (i) making or continuing any portion of any Loans as, or
          converting any portion of any Loans from or into LIBO Rate Loans,

               (ii) making any payment or prepayment of principal of or payment
          of interest on the portion of the principal amount of the Loans being
          maintained as LIBO Rate Loans, and

               (iii) the Borrower's giving any notice (or the number of Business
          Days to elapse prior to the effectiveness thereof) in connection with
          any matter referred to in clause (b)(i) or (b)(ii),
                                    -------------    -------

     a banking business day of the Agent at, and on which dealings in Dollars
     are carried on in the interbank eurodollar market of, the Agent's LIBOR
     Office.

     "CERCLA" means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
      ------
Liability Act of 1980, as amended.

     "CERCLIS" means the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation
      -------
Liability Information System List.

     "Change in Control" means with respect to the Borrower, the failure of
      -----------------
Rheinbraun AG and RG to own, directly or indirectly, a cumulative total of at
least fifty-one percent (51%) of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the
Borrower, on a fully diluted basis, in each case, free and clear of all Liens
and other encumbrances.

     "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and the regulations
      ----
thereunder, as amended from time to time.

     "Commercial Paper Indebtedness" means commercial paper issued by the
      -----------------------------
Borrower with an original maturity of not more than 270 days from the date of
issuance, incurrence or other creation thereof and, at the time any
determination thereof is to be made, means the then aggregate outstanding face
amount (if issued, incurred or created on a discount basis) or principal amount
together with interest thereon to stated maturity (if issued, incurred or
created on an interest-bearing basis) of such commercial paper.

     "Commitment" means as to any Bank (a) the amount set forth opposite such
      ----------
Bank's name on the signature pages hereof, (b) if such Bank has become a Bank
hereunder pursuant to an Assumption Agreement, the amount set forth in such
Assumption Agreement or (b) if such Bank has entered into any Assignment and
Acceptance, the amount set forth for such Bank in the Register maintained by the
Agent pursuant to Section 10.11(d), as such amount may be reduced pursuant to
Section 2.2 or increased pursuant to Section 2.5.

     "Commitment Date" has the meaning specified in Section 2.5(b).
      ---------------

     "Commitment Increase" has the meaning specified in Section 2.5(a).
      -------------------

     "Commitment Termination Date" means the earliest of
      ---------------------------

                                       3
<PAGE>

          (a) September 20, 2002 as such date may be extended pursuant to
     Section 2.4;
     -----------

          (b) five Business Days after notice is given by the Borrower to the
     Agent for purposes of designating a Commitment Termination Date pursuant to
     this clause, provided that, on such designated Commitment Termination Date,
                  --------
     no Loans are outstanding;

          (c) immediately and without further action upon the occurrence of any
     Default described in Section 8.1.4 with respect to the Borrower; and
                          -------------

          (d) immediately when any other Event of Default shall have occurred
     and be continuing and the Loans shall be declared to be due and payable
     pursuant to Section 8.3.
                 -----------

     "Commitment Termination Date Extension Request" means a request
      ---------------------------------------------
substantially in the form of Exhibit I attached hereto duly executed by an
                             ---------
Authorized Officer of the Borrower.

     "Confidentiality Agreement" means a confidentiality agreement duly executed
      -------------------------
by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower and each Bank substantially in the form
of Exhibit D attached hereto (as such may be amended, supplemented, restated or
   ---------
otherwise modified and in effect from time to time with the consent of the
Borrower and such Bank).

     "Consolidated Subsidiary" of any Person means, at any time, every
      -----------------------
Subsidiary which would be included as a consolidated subsidiary of such Person
in its consolidated financial statements as of such time; unless otherwise
specified, "Consolidated Subsidiary" means a Consolidated Subsidiary of the
Borrower.

     "Continuation/Conversion Notice" means a notice of continuation or
      ------------------------------
conversion and certificate duly executed by the chief executive or financial
Authorized Officer of the Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit C
                                                                ---------
attached hereto.

     "Contractual Obligation" means, relative to any Person, any provision of
      ----------------------
any security issued by such Person or of any Instrument or undertaking to which
such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.

     "Controlled Group" means all members of a controlled group of corporations
      ----------------
and all members of a controlled group of trades or businesses (whether or not
incorporated) under common control which, together with the Borrower or any
Subsidiary, as applicable, are treated as a single employer under Section 414 of
the Code or Section 4001 of ERISA.

     "Credit Rating" means the credit rating of the Borrower's or Consolidation
      -------------
Coal Company's long-term unsecured debt securities without credit enhancement by
any two of S&P, Moody's or Fitch, one of which must be S&P or Moody's. "Level I"
Credit Rating means a Credit Rating of any two credit rating agencies, one of
which must be by S&P or Moody's, of at least A- in the case of S&P, at least A3
in the case of Moody's and at least A- in the case of Fitch. "Level II" Credit
Rating means a Credit Rating of any two credit rating agencies, one of which
must be by S&P or Moody's, of less than A- but at least BBB+ in the case of S&P,
less than A3 but at least Baa1 in the case of Moody's or less than A- but at
least BBB+ in the case of Fitch. "Level III" Credit Rating means a Credit Rating
of any two credit rating agencies, one of which must be by S&P or Moody's, of
less than BBB+ but at least BBB in the case of S&P, less than Baa1 but at least
Baa2 in the case of Moody's and less than BBB+ but at least BBB in the case of
Fitch. "Level IV" Credit Rating means a Credit Rating of any two credit rating
agencies, one of which must be by S&P or Moody's, of less than BBB but at least
BBB- in the case of S&P, less than Baa2 but at least Baa3 in the case of Moody's
and less than BBB but at least BBB- in the case of Fitch. "Level V" Credit
Rating means a Credit Rating of any two credit rating agencies, one of which
must be by S&P or Moody's, of less than BBB- in the case of S&P, less than Baa3
in the case of Moody's and less than BBB- in the case of Fitch, or there being
neither a Credit Rating from S&P nor Moody's, at the same time.

     "Default" means any Event of Default or any condition or event which, after
      -------
notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

                                        4
<PAGE>

     "Dollar" and the sign "$" mean lawful money of the United States of
      ------                -
America.

     "Domestic Lending Office" means, relative to any Bank, the office of such
      -----------------------
Bank specified as its "Domestic Lending Office" opposite its name on Schedule I
hereto or in the Assumption Agreement or the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant
to which it became a Bank, or such other office of such Bank within the United
States of America as such Bank may from time to time specify to the Borrower and
the Agent.

     "Effective Date" means September 21, 2001.
      --------------

     "Eligible Assignee" means (i) a Bank; (ii) an Affiliate of a Bank and (iii)
      -----------------
any other Person approved by the Agent and, unless an Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing at the time any assignment is effected in accordance
                                  ----
with Section 10.11, the Borrower, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld
or delayed; provided, however, that neither the Borrower nor an Affiliate of the
            --------  -------
Borrower shall qualify as an Eligible Assignee.

     "Environmental Laws" means all applicable federal, state or local statutes,
      ------------------
laws, ordinances, codes, rules, regulations and guidelines (including consent
decrees and administrative orders) relating to public health and safety and
protection of the environment, including CERCLA and SMCRA.

     "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
      -----
amended.

     "Event of Default" is defined in Section 8.1.
      ----------------                -----------

     "Exemption Agreement" is defined in Section 3.9(c).
      -------------------                        ------

     "Exemption Representation is defined in Section 3.9(d).
      ------------------------                       ------

     "Federal Funds Rate" means, for any day, a fluctuating interest rate per
      ------------------
annum equal to

          (a) the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds
     transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal
     funds brokers, as published for such day (or, if such day is not a Business
     Day, for the next preceding Business Day) by the Federal Reserve Bank of
     New York; or

          (b) if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business
     Day, the average of the quotations for such day on such transactions
     received by the Agent from three federal funds brokers of recognized
     standing selected by it.

     "Fiscal Quarter" means any quarter of a Fiscal Year.
      --------------

     "Fiscal Year" means any period of twelve consecutive calendar months ending
      -----------
on June 30.

     "Fitch" means Fitch IBCA, Duff & Phelps.
      -----

     "F.R.S. Board" means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
      ------------
(or any successor).

     "GAAP" means generally accepted United States accounting principles.
      ----

     "Guaranty" means any agreement, undertaking or arrangement by which any
      --------
Person guarantees, endorses or otherwise becomes or is contingently liable upon
(by direct or indirect agreement, contingent or otherwise, to provide funds for
payment, to supply funds to, or otherwise to invest in, a debtor, or otherwise
to assure a creditor against loss) the debt, obligation or other liability of
any other Person (other than by endorsements of instruments in the course of
collection), or guarantees the payment of dividends or other distributions upon
the shares of any other Person. The amount of the obligor's obligation under any
guaranty shall (subject to any limitation set forth therein) be deemed to be the
outstanding principal amount (or maximum outstanding principal amount, if
larger) of the debt, obligation or other liability thereby guaranteed.

                                        5
<PAGE>

     "Hazardous Material" means
      ------------------

          (a) any "hazardous substance", as defined by CERCLA;

          (b) any "hazardous waste", as defined by RCRA;

          (c) any petroleum product; or

          (d) any pollutant or contaminant or hazardous, dangerous or toxic
     chemical, material or substance within the meaning of any other
     Environmental Law.

     "hereof", "hereto", "hereunder" and similar terms refer to this Agreement
      ------    ------    ---------
and not to any particular Section or provision of this Agreement.

     "Impermissible Qualification" means, relative to the opinion by independent
      ---------------------------
public accountants as to any financial statement of the Borrower, any
qualification or exception to such opinion:

          (a) which is of a "going concern" or similar nature; or

          (b) which relates to the limited scope of examination of matters
     relevant to such financial information.

     "including" means including without limiting the generality of any
      ---------
description preceding such term.

     "Increase Date" has the meaning specified in Section 2.5(a).
      -------------

     "Increasing Bank" has the meaning specified in Section 2.5(b).
      ---------------

     "Indebtedness" of any Person means, without duplication:
      ------------

          (a) Indebtedness for Borrowed Money;

          (b) all items other than as described in clause (a) which, in
                                                   ----------
     accordance with GAAP, would be included as liabilities on the liability
     side of a balance sheet of such Person as of the date at which Indebtedness
     is to be determined; and

          (c) whether or not so included as liabilities in accordance with GAAP,

               (i) all indebtedness (excluding prepaid interest thereon) secured
          by a Lien on property owned or being purchased by such Person
          (including indebtedness arising under conditional sales or other title
          retention agreements) whether or not such indebtedness shall have been
          assumed by such Person, and

               (ii) all Guaranties issued by such Person.

     "Indebtedness for Borrowed Money" of any Person means, without duplication,
      -------------------------------
all obligations of such Person, and all Guaranties issued by such Person, for
borrowed money (including all notes payable and drafts accepted representing
extensions of credit and all obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes,
unpaid reimbursement obligations under drawn letters of credit or other similar
instruments) on which interest charges are customarily paid.

     "Indemnified Liabilities" is defined in Section 10.4.
      -----------------------                ------------

     "Instrument" means any document or writing (whether by formal agreement,
      ----------
letter or otherwise) under which any obligation is evidenced, assumed or
undertaken, or any right to any Lien is granted or perfected.

                                        6
<PAGE>

     "Interest Period" means, relative to any LIBO Rate Loan, the period which
      ---------------
shall begin on (and include) the date on which such LIBO Rate Loan is made or
continued as, or converted into, a LIBO Rate Loan pursuant to Section 4.1, and,
                                                              -----------
unless the final maturity of such LIBO Rate Loan is accelerated, shall end on
(but exclude) the day which numerically corresponds to such date one week or
one, two, or three months thereafter, as the Borrower may select in its relevant
notice pursuant to Section 4.1; provided, however, that:
                   -----------  --------  -------

          (a) Interest Periods commencing on the same date for LIBO Rate Loans
     comprising part of the same Borrowing shall be of the same duration;

          (b) if there exists no numerically corresponding day in such month,
     such Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day of such month;

          (c) if such Interest Period would otherwise end on a day which is not
     a Business Day, such Interest Period shall end on the Business Day next
     following such numerically corresponding day (unless such next following
     Business Day is the first Business Day of a calendar month, in which case
     such Interest Period shall end on the preceding Business Day); and

          (d) no Interest Period shall end later than the date established
     pursuant to clause (a) or (b) of the definition of Commitment Termination
                 ----------    ---
     Date or, if the Loans have been converted to a term loan pursuant to
     Section 3.3 prior to the selection of such Interest Period, later than the
     Maturity Date.

     "Liabilities" means all obligations (monetary or otherwise) of the Borrower
      -----------
under this Agreement, the Notes and each other Loan Document.

     "LIBO Rate" means, relative to each Interest Period applicable to any LIBO
      ---------
Rate Loans comprising part of any Borrowing, conversion or continuation, the
rate per annum which appears on Telerate Markets page 3750 or Telerate Markets
page 4833 as of 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the
beginning of such Interest Period, provided that (i) if more than one such
                                   --------
offered rate appears on the Telerate Markets page, the LIBO Rate will be the
arithmetic average (rounded, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100th of 1%) of such
offered rates; and (ii) if no such offered rates appear on such page, the LIBO
Rate for such Interest Period will be the arithmetic average (rounded, if
necessary, to the nearest 1/100th of 1%) of rates quoted by the Reference Banks,
at approximately 11:00 a.m., New York City time, two Business Days prior to the
beginning of such Interest Period, for delivery on the first day of such
Interest Period, for the number of days comprised therein and in an amount
substantially equal to such Reference Bank's LIBO Rate Loan comprising part of
such Borrowing to be outstanding during such Interest Period.

     "LIBO Rate Loan" is defined in Section 4.1.
      --------------                -----------

     "LIBO Rate (Reserve Adjusted)" means, relative to all Loans to be made,
      ----------------------------
continued or maintained as, or converted into, a LIBO Rate Loan comprising the
same Borrowing for any Interest Period, a rate per annum (rounded upwards, if
necessary, to the nearest 1/16 of 1%) determined pursuant to the following
formula:

         LIBO Rate       =             LIBO Rate
                            ------------------------------
(Reserve Adjusted)       1 - LIBOR Reserve Percentage

     The Agent shall determine the LIBO Rate (Reserve Adjusted) for each
Interest Period, applicable to LIBO Rate Loans comprising all or part of any
Borrowing, conversion or continuation and promptly notify the Borrower thereof
(which determination shall, in the absence of demonstrable error, be conclusive
and binding on the Borrower) and, if requested by the Borrower, deliver a
statement showing the computation used by the Agent in making such
determination.

     "LIBOR Lending Office" means the office of such Bank specified as its
      --------------------
"LIBOR Lending Office" opposite its name on Schedule I hereto or in the
Assumption Agreement or the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which it
became a Bank (or, if no such office is specified, its Domestic Lending Office),
or such

                                       7
<PAGE>

other domestic or foreign office or offices of such Bank as such Bank from time
to specify to the Borrower and the Agent.

     "LIBOR Reserve Percentage" means, relative to each Interest Period for all
      ------------------------
LIBO Rate Loans comprising the same Borrowing, a percentage (expressed as a
decimal) equal to the daily average during such Interest Period of the
percentages in effect on each day of such Interest Period, as prescribed by the
F.R.S. Board, for determining reserve requirements applicable to "Eurocurrency
Liabilities" pursuant to Regulation D or any other applicable regulation of the
F.R.S. Board which prescribes reserve requirements applicable to "Eurocurrency
Liabilities" as presently defined in Regulation D as applicable to the Bank or
any Participant of the Bank with respect to such participation.

     "Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, charge, assignment,
      ----
deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), or preference,
priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or
nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention
agreement, any financing lease involving substantially the same economic effect
as any of the foregoing, accompanied by the filing of any financing statement
under the Uniform Commercial Code or comparable law of any jurisdiction).

     "Loans" is defined in Section 2.1.
      -----                -----------

     "Loan Document" means this Agreement and each Instrument and any other
      -------------
document from time to time executed and delivered hereunder, whether or not
mentioned herein, including the Notes, the Significant Subsidiary Guaranty and
the Subordination Agreement.

     "Loan Party" means the Borrower, each Significant Subsidiary and any other
      ----------
party (other than the Agent and any Bank) that executes and delivers a Loan
Document.

     "Loan Request" means a loan request and certificate duly executed by the
      ------------
chief executive or financial Authorized Officer of the Borrower substantially in
the form of Exhibit B attached hereto.
            ---------

     "Materially Adverse Effect" means any occurrence of whatever nature
      -------------------------
(including any adverse determination in any litigation, arbitration or
governmental investigation or proceeding) which would reasonably be expected, on
a consolidated basis for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with
GAAP, to have a materially adverse effect on (a) the consolidated financial
condition, business, operations or properties of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole or (b) the ability of the Borrower or any other
Loan Party to perform any of its payment or other material obligations under
this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

     "Maturity" means, relative to any Loan, the date on which such Loan is
      --------
stated to be due and payable, in whole or in part (in accordance with the Note
evidencing such Loan, this Agreement, or otherwise), or such earlier date when
such Loan (or any portion thereof) shall be or become due and payable, in whole
or in part, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, whether by required
prepayment, declaration, or otherwise.

     "Maturity Date" means the earlier of (a) the first anniversary of the date
      -------------
established pursuant to clause (a) of the definition of Commitment Termination
                        ----------
Date and (b) the date established pursuant to clause (b), (c) or (d) of the
                                              ---------------    ---
definition of Commitment Termination Date.

     "Monthly Payment Date" means the last day of each calendar month, or if
      --------------------
such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day.

     "Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
      -------

     "Multiemployer Plan" means a multiemployer plan, as defined in Section
      ------------------
4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is making or
accruing an obligation to make contributions, or has within any of the preceding
five plan years made or accrued an obligation to make contributions.

                                        8
<PAGE>

     "Non-United States Person" means a Person who is not (i) a citizen,
      ------------------------
national or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation, partnership or
other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or
any political subdivision thereof, or (iii) an estate or trust, in each case the
income of which is subject to United States Federal income taxation regardless
of the source of its income.

     "Note" means any promissory note of the Borrower, dated the date hereof,
      ----
substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (as such promissory note
                             ---------
may be amended, endorsed, or otherwise modified from time to time) and all other
promissory notes accepted from time to time in substitution, replacement, or
renewal therefor.

     "Ongoing Indebtedness" means the Indebtedness described in Item 7.2.1(iii)
      --------------------                                      ---------------
of Exhibit E hereto.
   ---------

     "Organic Document" means, relative to any corporation, its certificate of
      ----------------
incorporation, its by-laws and all shareholder agreements, voting trusts and
similar arrangements applicable to any of its authorized shares of capital
stock.

     "Participant" is defined in Section 10.11.
      -----------                -------------

     "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, a United States
      ----
corporation and any entity succeeding to all or any of its functions under
ERISA.

     "Pension Plan" means a "pension plan", as such term is defined in section
      ------------
3(2) of ERISA, which is subject to Title IV of ERISA (other than a
multi-employer plan as defined in section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA), and to which the
Borrower, any Subsidiary or any member of the Controlled Group of any of them,
may have any liability, including any liability under section 4063 or section
4069 of ERISA.

     "Permitted Investment" means, at any time, each of the investments listed
      --------------------
on Exhibit L hereto.
   ---------

     "Person" means any natural person, corporation, firm, association,
      ------
government, governmental agency or any other entity, whether acting in an
individual, fiduciary or other capacity.

     "Purchasing Bank" is defined in Section 10.11(b).
      ---------------                ----------------

     "Quarterly Payment Date" means the last day of any Fiscal Quarter or, if
      ----------------------
such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day.

     "RCRA" means the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. Section
      ----
6901, et seq., as in effect from time to time.

     "Reference Banks" means Citibank, Bank One, NA and The Bank of Nova Scotia.
      ---------------

     "Regulatory Change" means, relative to any Bank, any change after the date
      -----------------
hereof in any (or the adoption after the date hereof of any new):

          (a) United States Federal or state law or foreign law applicable to
     such Bank; or

          (b) rule, regulation, interpretation, directive or request (whether or
     not having the force of law) applying to such Bank of any court or
     governmental authority charged with the interpretation or administration of
     any law referred to in clause a or of any fiscal, monetary or other
                            --------
     authority having jurisdiction over such Bank.

     "Release" means a "release", as such term is defined in CERCLA.
      -------

     "Reportable Event" means a "reportable event" described in Section 4043(c)
      ----------------
of ERISA and the regulations thereunder for which the 30-day notice requirement
has not been waived.

                                        9
<PAGE>

     "Required Banks" means at any time Banks owed at least a majority in
      --------------
interest of the then aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans owing to the
Banks, or, if no such principal amount is then outstanding, Banks having at
least a majority in interest of the Commitments.

     "RG" means Rheinbraun US Gmbh, a corporation existing under the laws of The
      --
Federal Republic of Germany.

     "Rheinbraun AG" means, Rheinbraun AG, a corporation existing under the laws
      -------------
of The Federal Republic of Germany.

     "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission (or any government body
      ---
or agency succeeding to the functions of such Commission).

     "Significant Subsidiary" means Consolidation Coal Company, a Delaware
      ----------------------
corporation; Conrhein Coal Company, a Pennsylvania General Partnership; CONSOL
Financial Inc., a Delaware corporation, CONSOL of Kentucky Inc., a Delaware
corporation; CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company, a Delaware corporation;
Eighty-Four Mining Company, a Pennsylvania corporation; Fairmont Supply Company,
a Delaware corporation; Greenon Coal Company, a Delaware corporation, Island
Creek Coal Company, a Delaware corporation; IC Coal Inc., a Delaware
corporation; McElroy Coal Company, a Delaware corporation; Nineveh Coal Company,
a Delaware corporation; Rochester & Pittsburgh Coal Company, a Pennsylvania
corporation and any other wholly-owned direct or indirect Subsidiary of the
Borrower whose assets exceed 5% of the consolidated assets of the Borrower and
the Consolidated Subsidiaries or whose revenues exceed 5% of the consolidated
revenues of the Borrower and the Consolidated Subsidiaries or any other direct
or indirect Subsidiary of the Borrower so designated by the Borrower after the
Effective Date.

     "Significant Subsidiary Guaranty" means that certain guaranty, executed by
      -------------------------------
each Significant Subsidiary, substantially in the form of Exhibit G attached
                                                          ---------
hereto (as such may be amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified and
in effect from time to time).

     "SMCRA" means the Federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of
      -----
1977, as in effect from time to time.

     "S&P" means Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, a division of The McGraw-Hill
      ---
Companies, Inc.

     "Subordination Agreement" means that certain subordination agreement,
      -----------------------
substantially in the form of Exhibit J attached hereto (as such may be amended,
                             ---------
supplemented, restated or otherwise modified and in effect from time to time).

     "Subsidiary" of any Person means any other corporation, partnership, joint
      ----------
venture, limited liability company, trust or estate of which (or in which) more
than 50% of (a) the outstanding shares of capital stock of which having ordinary
voting power for the election of directors such corporation, (b) the interest in
the capital or profits of such limited liability company, partnership or joint
venture or (c) the beneficial interest in such trust or estate is at the time
directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person, by such Person and
one or more of its other Subsidiaries or by one or more of such Person's other
Subsidiaries and, except as otherwise indicated herein, references to
Subsidiaries shall refer to Subsidiaries of the Borrower.

     "Taxes" is defined in Section 3.9.
      -----                -----------

     "Term Loan Conversion Date" means the Commitment Termination Date on which
      -------------------------
all Loans outstanding on such date are converted into a term loan pursuant to
Section 3.3.

     "Term Loan Election" has the meaning specified in Section 3.3.
      ------------------

     "Total Commitment Amount" means the aggregate Commitments of the Banks.
      -----------------------

     "Transferee" is defined in Section 10.11(c).
      ----------                ----------------

                                       10
<PAGE>

     "Type" refers to the distinction of any Loan as being a Base Rate Loan or a
      ----
LIBO Rate Loan.

     "United States" or "U.S." means the United States of America, its 50 States
      -------------      ----
and the District of Columbia.

     "Welfare Plan" means a "welfare plan", as such term is defined in section
      ------------
3(1) of ERISA (other than a multiemployer plan as defined in section 3(37) of
ERISA), under which the Borrower or any Subsidiary may have any liability,
including any obligation to contribute.

     "Withdrawl Liability" has the meaning specified in Part I of Subtitle I of
      -------------------
Title IV of ERISA.

     SECTION 1.2 Use of Defined Terms. Terms for which meanings are provided in
                 --------------------
this Agreement shall, unless otherwise defined or the context otherwise
requires, have such meanings when used in the Exhibits attached hereto, each
Loan Request, Continuation/Conversion Notice, notice and other communication
delivered from time to time in connection with this Agreement or any Loan
Document and the definitions of such terms are applicable to the singular as
well as the plural form of such terms, as the context requires.

     SECTION 1.3 Accounting and Financial Determinations. Where the character or
                 ---------------------------------------
amount of any asset or liability or item of income or expense is required to be
determined, or any accounting computation is required to be made, for the
purpose of this Agreement, such determination or calculation shall, to the
extent applicable and except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, be made
in accordance with GAAP used in, and consistently applied with, the financial
statements referred to in Section 6.4.
                          -----------

                                   ARTICLE II
                                   COMMITMENT

     SECTION 2.1 Commitment. Each Bank severally agrees, on the terms and
                 ----------
conditions hereinafter set forth, to make loans (the "Loans") to the Borrower
                                                      -----
from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the Effective Date
until the Commitment Termination Date in an aggregate amount not to exceed at
any time outstanding such Bank's Commitment. Each Borrowing shall be in an
aggregate amount of $5,000,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess
thereof and shall consist of Loans of the same Type made on the same day by the
Banks ratably according to their respective Commitments. Within the limits of
each Bank's Commitment, the Borrower may borrow under this Section 2.1, prepay
pursuant to Section 3.3 and reborrow under this Section 2.1.

     SECTION 2.2 Total Commitment Amount. The Borrower shall have the right,
                 -----------------------
upon at least three Business Days' notice to the Agent, to terminate in whole or
reduce ratably in part the unused portions of the respective Commitments of the
Banks, provided that each partial reduction shall be in the aggregate amount of
       --------
$5,000,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof.

     SECTION 2.3 Fees. The Borrower agrees to pay the Agent for the ratable
                 ----
account of each Bank for the period (including any portion thereof when its
Commitment is suspended by reason of the Borrower's inability to satisfy any
condition of Article V) commencing on the Effective Date and continuing through
             ---------
the Commitment Termination Date, the following fees:

          (a) a revolving credit facility fee for each day prior to the Term
     Loan Conversion Date which shall be equal to (i) the applicable percentage
     for such day, determined, based on the Credit Rating on such day, in
     accordance with the table set forth below, multiplied by (ii) 1/360,
     multiplied by (iii) the Total Commitment Amount on such day.

     Credit Rating                      Applicable Percentage
     -------------                      ---------------------
     Level I                                     0.080%
     Level II                                    0.125%
     Level III                                   0.150%
     Level IV                                    0.175%

                                       11
<PAGE>

     Level V                                     0.250%

     Such revolving credit facility fees shall be due and payable by the
     Borrower quarterly in arrears for the period ending on each Quarterly
     Payment Date, commencing with the first such day following the Effective
     Date and on the Commitment Termination Date; and

          (b) a utilization fee for each day prior to the Term Loan Conversion
     Date on which the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Loans
     exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the Total Commitment Amount on such day
     equal to (i) the applicable percentage for such day, determined, based on
     the Credit Rating on such day, in accordance with the table set forth
     below, multiplied by (ii) 1/360, multiplied by (iii) the aggregate
     principal amount of all outstanding Loans on such day.

     Credit Rating                      Applicable Percentage
     -------------                      ---------------------
     Level I                                     0.070%
     Level II                                    0.125%
     Level III                                   0.125%
     Level IV                                    0.125%
     Level V                                     0.250%

     Such utilization fees shall be due and payable by the Borrower quarterly in
     arrears to the Bank for the period ending on each Quarterly Payment Date,
     commencing with the first such day following the Effective Date and on the
     Commitment Termination Date.

          SECTION 2.4 Commitment Termination Date. The Commitment shall
                      ---------------------------
terminate and the Banks shall be relieved of their obligations to make any Loan
on the Commitment Termination Date. The Borrower may from time to time request
an extension of the Commitment Termination Date for an additional 364 days by
executing and delivering to the Agent a Commitment Termination Date Extension
Request at least thirty (30) but not more than forty-five (45) days prior to the
then current Commitment Termination Date, which the Agent shall promptly
distribute to each of the Banks; provided that the Borrower shall not have made
                                 --------
the Term Loan Election for Loans outstanding on such Commitment Termination Date
prior to such time. The Commitment Termination Date as to any Bank shall be so
extended if such Bank, on or prior to the date that is not later than 20 days
prior to the then current Commitment Termination Date, duly executes a
counterpart of such Commitment Termination Date Extension Request; provided,
                                                                   --------
that any such extension shall not be effective before the then current
Commitment Termination Date and provided, further, that the conditions precedent
                                --------  -------
set forth in Section 5.2 shall have been satisfied. Each Bank may in its sole
and absolute discretion withhold its consent to any such Commitment Termination
Date Extension Request.

          SECTION 2.5. Increase in the Aggregate Commitments. (a) The Borrower
                       -------------------------------------
may, at any time, by notice to the Agent, request that the aggregate amount of
the Commitment be increased (each a "Commitment Increase") to be effective as of
                                     -------------------
a date prior to the scheduled Commitment Termination Date then in effect (the
"Increase Date") as specified in the related notice to the Agent; provided,
 -------------                                                    --------
however that (i) in no event shall the aggregate amount of the Commitments at
-------
any time exceed $600,000,000 and (ii) on the date of any request by the Borrower
for a Commitment Increase and on the related Increase Date, the applicable
conditions set forth in Section 5.2 shall be satisfied.
                        -----------

          (b) The Agent shall promptly notify the Banks of a request by the
Borrower for a Commitment Increase, which notice shall include (i) the proposed
amount of such requested Commitment Increase, (ii) the proposed Increase Date
and (iii) the date by which Banks wishing to participate in the Commitment
Increase must commit to an increase in the amount of their respective
Commitments (the "Commitment Date"). Each Bank that is willing to participate in
                  ---------------
such requested Commitment Increase (each an "Increasing Bank") shall, in its
                                             ---------------
sole discretion, give written notice to the Agent on or prior to the Commitment
Date of the amount by which it is willing to increase its Commitment. If the
Banks notify the Agent that they are willing to increase the amount of their
respective Commitments by an aggregate amount that exceeds the amount of the
requested Commitment Increase, the requested Commitment Increase shall be

                                       12
<PAGE>

allocated among the Banks willing to participate therein in such amounts as are
agreed between the Borrower and the Agent.

          (c) Promptly following each Commitment Date, the Agent shall notify
the Borrower as to the amount, if any, by which the Banks are willing to
participate in the requested Commitment Increase. If the aggregate amount by
which the Banks are willing to participate in any requested Commitment Increase
on any such Commitment Date is less than the requested Commitment Increase, then
the Borrower may extend offers to one or more Eligible Assignees to participate
in any portion of the requested Commitment Increase that has not been committed
to by the Banks as of the applicable Commitment Date; provided, however, that
                                                      --------  -------
the Commitment of each such Eligible Assignee shall be in an amount of not less
than $5,000,000.

          (d) On each Increase Date, each Eligible Assignee that accepts an
offer to participate in a requested Commitment Increase in accordance with
Section 2.5(c) (each such Eligible Assignee, an "Assuming Bank") shall become a
                                                 -------------
Bank party to this Agreement as of such Increase Date and the Commitment of each
Increasing Bank for such requested Commitment Increase shall be so increased by
such amount (or by the amount allocated to such Bank pursuant to the last
sentence of Section 2.5(b)) as of such Increase Date; provided, however, that
                                                      --------  -------
the Agent shall have received on or before such Increase Date the following,
each dated such date:

          (i) (A) certified copies of resolutions of the Board of Directors of
     the Borrower or the Executive Committee of such Board approving the
     Commitment Increase and the corresponding modifications to this Agreement
     and (B) an opinion of counsel for the Borrower (which may be in-house
     counsel), in substantially the form of Exhibit F hereto;
                                            ---------

          (ii) an assumption agreement from each Assuming Bank, if any, in form
     and substance satisfactory to the Borrower and the Agent (each an
     "Assumption Agreement"), duly executed by such Eligible Assignee, the Agent
      --------------------
     and the Borrower; and

          (iii) confirmation from each Increasing Bank of the increase in the
     amount of its Commitment in a writing satisfactory to the Borrower and the
     Agent.

On each Increase Date, upon fulfillment of the conditions set forth in the
immediately preceding sentence of this Section 2.5(d), the Agent shall notify
the Banks (including, without limitation, each Assuming Bank) and the Borrower,
on or before 1:00 P.M. (New York City time), by telecopier or telex, of the
occurrence of the Commitment Increase to be effected on such Increase Date and
shall record in the Register the relevant information with respect to each
Increasing Bank and each Assuming Bank on such date.

                                   ARTICLE III
                                 LOANS AND NOTES

     SECTION 3.1 Borrowing Procedure. (a) Each Borrowing shall be made on
                 -------------------
notice, given not later than (x) 11:00 A.M. (New York City time) on the third
Business Day prior to the date of the proposed Borrowing in the case of a
Borrowing consisting of LIBO Rate Loans or (y) 11:00 A.M. (New York City time)
on the date of the proposed Borrowing in the case of a Borrowing consisting of
Base Rate Loans, by the Borrower to the Agent, which shall give to each Bank
prompt notice thereof by telecopier or telex. Each such notice of a Borrowing (a
"Notice of Borrowing") shall be by telephone, confirmed promptly in writing, or
 -------------------
telecopier or telex in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto, specifying
therein the requested (i) date of such Borrowing, (ii) Type of Loans comprising
such Borrowing, (iii) aggregate amount of such Borrowing, and (iv) in the case
of a Borrowing consisting of LIBO Rate Loans, initial Interest Period for each
such Loan. Each Bank shall, before 1:00 P.M. (New York City time) on the date of
such Borrowing make available for

                                       13
<PAGE>

the account of its Applicable Lending Office to the Agent at the Agent's
Account, in same day funds, such Bank's ratable portion of such Borrowing. After
the Agent's receipt of such funds and upon fulfillment of the applicable
conditions set forth in Article III, the Agent will make such funds available to
the Borrower at the Agent's address referred to in Section 10.2.

          (b) Anything in subsection (a) above to the contrary notwithstanding,
(i) the Borrower may not select LIBO Rate Loans for any Borrowing if the
aggregate amount of such Borrowing is less than $5,000,000 or if the obligation
of the Banks to make LIBO Rate Loans shall then be suspended pursuant to Section
4.2, 4.3 or 4.6 and (ii) the LIBO Rate Loans may not be outstanding as part of
more than eight separate Borrowings.

          (c) Unless the Agent shall have received notice from a Bank prior to
the time of any Borrowing that such Bank will not make available to the Agent
such Bank's ratable portion of such Borrowing, the Agent may assume that such
Bank has made such portion available to the Agent on the date of such Borrowing
in accordance with subsection (a) of this Section 3.1 and the Agent may, in
reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower on such date a
corresponding amount. If and to the extent that such Bank shall not have so made
such ratable portion available to the Agent, such Bank and the Borrower
severally agree to repay to the Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding
amount together with interest thereon, for each day from the date such amount is
made available to the Borrower until the date such amount is repaid to the
Agent, at (i) in the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable at the
time to Loans comprising such Borrowing and (ii) in the case of such Bank, the
Federal Funds Rate. If such Bank shall repay to the Agent such corresponding
amount, such amount so repaid shall constitute such Bank's Loan as part of such
Borrowing for purposes of this Agreement.

          (d) The failure of any Bank to make the Loan to be made by it as part
of any Borrowing shall not relieve any other Bank of its obligation, if any,
hereunder to make its Loan on the date of such Borrowing, but no Bank shall be
responsible for the failure of any other Bank to make the Loan to be made by
such other Bank on the date of any Borrowing.

     SECTION 3.2 Note. All Loans made by each Bank shall be evidenced by a Note
                 ----
payable to the order of the Bank in a maximum principal amount equal to such
Bank's original Commitment. The Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes each Bank
to make (or cause to be made) appropriate notations on the grid attached to such
Bank's Note (or on a continuation of such grid attached to any such Note and
made a part thereof), which notations, if made, shall evidence, inter alia, the
                                                                ----- ----
date of, the outstanding principal of, and the interest rate (including any
conversions thereof pursuant to Section 4.2) and Interest Period applicable to,
                                -----------
the Loans evidenced thereby. Any such notations on any such grid (and on any
such continuation) indicating the outstanding principal amount of each Bank's
Loans shall be rebuttable presumptive evidence of the principal amount thereof
owing and unpaid, but the failure to record any such amount on such grid (or on
such continuation) shall not limit or otherwise affect the obligations of the
Borrower hereunder or under such Note to make payments of principal of or
interest on such Loans when due.

     SECTION 3.3 Principal Payments and Prepayments. The Borrower will, subject
                 ----------------------------------
to the next succeeding sentence, repay to the Agent for the ratable account of
the Banks the outstanding principal amount of each Loan on the Commitment
Termination Date. The Borrower may, upon not less than 15 days' notice to the
Agent, elect (the "Term Loan Election") to convert all of the Loans outstanding
                   ------------------
on the Commitment Termination Date in effect at such time into a term loan which
the Borrower shall repay in full ratably to the Lenders on the Maturity Date;
provided that the Term Loan Election may not be exercised if a Default has
--------
occurred and is continuing on the date of notice of the Term loan Election or on
the date on which the Term Loan Election is effected. All Loans converted into a
term loan pursuant to this Section shall continue to constitute Loans except
that the Borrower may not reborrow pursuant to Section 2.1 after all or any
portion of such Loans have been prepaid pursuant to this Section. In addition,
the Borrower:

          (a) may make a voluntary prepayment in part in an aggregate principal
     amount of not less than $5,000,000 and an integral multiple of $1,000,000
     in excess thereof, or in full of the

                                       14
<PAGE>

     outstanding principal amount of the Loans from time to time at any
     time, in each case upon at least three Business Days' prior notice (or same
     day notice in the case of a Base Rate Loan) to the Agent;

          (b) shall, on each date when any reduction in the Total Commitment
     Amount shall become effective pursuant to Section 2.2, make a mandatory
                                               -----------
     prepayment of the Loans equal to the excess, if any, of the outstanding
     principal amount of all Loans over the Total Commitment Amount as so
     reduced; and

          (c) shall, on each date when the sum of the aggregate principal amount
     of all Loans outstanding plus the Commercial Paper Indebtedness exceeds the
     Total Commitment Amount, make a mandatory prepayment of the then aggregate
     outstanding principal amount of all Loans comprising a part of the same
     Borrowing in an aggregate amount equal to such excess.

     Each prepayment of a Loan made pursuant to this Section shall be without
     premium or penalty, except as may be required by Section 4.5. All interest
                                                      -----------
     accrued on the principal amount prepaid shall be paid on the date of such
     prepayment. No prepayment of principal pursuant to clause (a) or (c) above
                                                        ----------    ---
     prior to the Commitment Termination Date shall cause a reduction in the
     Total Commitment Amount.

          Each prepayment shall, except as the Borrower may otherwise have
     notified the Agent, be applied, to the extent of such prepayment:

               (a) first, to the principal amount thereof being maintained as a
          Base Rate Loan; and

               (b) second, to the principal amount thereof being maintained as a
          LIBO Rate Loan.

     SECTION 3.4 Interest. The Borrower agrees to pay interest on the principal
                 --------
amount of each Loan from time to time unpaid prior to and at Maturity at a rate
per annum:

               (a) on that portion of the outstanding principal amount thereof
          maintained from time to time as a Base Rate Loan, equal to the sum of
          the Base Rate from time to time most recently announced plus the
          Applicable Margin per annum, and

               (b) on that portion of the outstanding principal amount thereof
          maintained from time to time as one or more LIBO Rate Loans during
          each applicable Interest Period, equal to the sum of the LIBO Rate
          (Reserve Adjusted) for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Margin
          per annum.

     SECTION 3.5 Post-Maturity Rates. After the Maturity of all or any portion
                 -------------------
of the principal amount of the Loans or after any other monetary Liabilities
shall have become due, the Borrower shall pay interest (after as well as before
judgment) on the principal amount of all types of Loans so matured or on such
other monetary Liabilities, as the case may be, at a rate per annum which is
determined by increasing each of the Applicable Margins set forth in clauses (a)
                                                                     -----------
and (b) of Section 3.4 by 2% per annum for Loans so matured and, to the extent
    ---    -----------
permitted by applicable law, at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus 2%
for such other monetary Liabilities.

     SECTION 3.6 Payment Dates. Interest accrued on the Loans prior to Maturity
                 -------------
(as aforesaid) shall be payable, without duplication:

               (a) on that portion of the outstanding principal amount of each
          Loan maintained as a Base Rate Loan, on each Monthly Payment Date,
          commencing with the first such Monthly Payment Date following the date
          of such Loan;

                                       15
<PAGE>

               (b) on that portion of the outstanding principal amount of each
          Loan maintained as a LIBO Rate Loan, on the last day of each
          applicable Interest Period; and

               (c) on that portion of the outstanding principal amount of each
          Loan converted into a Base Rate Loan or a LIBO Rate Loan, as the case
          may be, on a day when interest would not otherwise have been payable
          pursuant to clause (a) or (b), on the date of such conversion.
                      ----------    ---

Interest on the Loans shall be payable at Maturity (as aforesaid) and,
thereafter, on demand. The Agent shall give prompt notice to the Borrower of
each computation of accrued interest before the due date thereof.

     SECTION 3.7 Payments, Computations. (a) Unless otherwise expressly provided
                 ----------------------
in this Agreement, all payments by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement or
any other Loan Document, whether in respect of principal or interest, shall be
made by the Borrower to the Agent at the Agent's Account without set-off,
deduction, or counterclaim, not later than 1:00 P.M., New York time, on the date
due, in same day or immediately available funds. Funds received after that time
shall be deemed to have been received by the Bank on the next following Business
Day. The Agent will promptly thereafter cause to be distributed like funds
relating to the payment of principal or interest or fees ratably (other than
amounts payable pursuant to Sections 3.9, 4.4 or 4.5) to the Banks for the
account of their respective Applicable Lending Offices, and like funds relating
to the payment of any other amount payable to any Bank to such Bank for the
account of its Applicable Lending Office, in each case to be applied in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Upon any Assuming Bank becoming a
Bank hereunder as a result of a Commitment Increase pursuant to Section 2.5, and
upon the Agent's receipt of such Bank's Assumption Agreement and recording of
the information contained therein in the Register, from and after the applicable
Increase Date or Extension Date, as the case may be, the Agent shall make all
payments hereunder and under any Notes issued in connection therewith in respect
of the interest assumed thereby to the Assuming Bank. Upon its acceptance of an
Assignment and Acceptance and recording of the information contained therein in
the Register pursuant to Section 10.11(d), from and after the effective date
specified in such Assignment and Acceptance, the Agent shall make all payments
hereunder and under the Notes in respect of the interest assigned thereby to the
Bank assignee thereunder, and the parties to such Assignment and Acceptance
shall make all appropriate adjustments in such payments for periods prior to
such effective date directly between themselves. All interest and fees shall be
computed on the basis of the actual number of days (including the first day but
excluding the last day) occurring during the period for which fee is payable
over a year comprised of 360 days. Whenever any payment to be made shall
otherwise be due on a day which is not a Business Day, such payment shall
(except as otherwise required by clause (c) of the definition of the term
                                 ------
"Interest Period" with respect to payments then due of principal of or interest
 ---------------
on any Loan being maintained as LIBO Rate Loans) be made on the next succeeding
Business Day and such extension of time shall be included in computing interest,
if any, in connection with such payment.

          (b) Unless the Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower
     prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Banks hereunder that
     the Borrower will not make such payment in full, the Agent may assume that
     the Borrower has made such payment in full to the Agent on such date and
     the Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, cause to be distributed to
     each Bank on such due date an amount equal to the amount then due such
     Bank. If and to the extent the Borrower shall not have so made such payment
     in full to the Agent, each Bank shall repay to the Agent forthwith on
     demand such amount distributed to such Bank together with interest thereon,
     for each day from the date such amount is distributed to such Bank until
     the date such Bank repays such amount to the Agent, at the Federal Funds
     Rate.

     SECTION 3.8 Setoff. In addition to and not in limitation of any rights of
                 ------
any Bank or other holder of any Note under applicable law, each Bank and each of
its Affiliates shall, upon the occurrence of any Default described in Section
                                                                      -------
8.1.4 or upon the occurrence of any other Event of Default, have the right to
-----
set off, appropriate and apply to the payment of the Liabilities owing to it any
and all balances, credits, deposits, accounts, or moneys of the Borrower then
maintained with such Bank or such Affiliate and (as security for such
Liabilities) the Borrower hereby grants to each Bank a continuing security
interest in any and all balances, credits, deposits, accounts or moneys of the
Borrower then or thereafter maintained with such Bank or its Affiliates. Each
Bank agrees promptly to notify the Borrower after any such setoff and
application

                                       16
<PAGE>

made by such Bank or such Affiliate; provided, however, that the failure to give
                                     --------  -------
such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application. The
rights of each Bank and its Affiliates under this Section are in addition to
other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff under applicable law
or otherwise) which such Bank and its Affiliates may have.

     SECTION 3.9 Taxes. (a) All payments by the Borrower of principal of, and
                 -----
interest on, the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder to the Agent or
any Bank (including any Purchasing Bank) shall be made free and clear of and
without deduction or withholding for any present or future income, stamp, or
other taxes, fees, duties or other charges of any nature whatsoever imposed by
any taxing authority, other than taxes imposed on or measured by such
recipient's net income or receipts imposed by the jurisdiction in which the
Agent or such Bank is organized and the jurisdiction of such Bank's Applicable
Lending Office (such non-excluded items being hereinafter referred to as
"Taxes"), except to the extent that such deduction or withholding is required
 -----
pursuant to any applicable law, rule, or regulation. In the event that any
deduction or withholding from any payment to be made by the Borrower hereunder
is required in respect of any Taxes pursuant to any applicable law, rule, or
regulation, then the Borrower will:

          (i) pay to the relevant authority the full amount required to be so
     withheld or deducted;

          (ii) promptly forward to the Agent an official receipt or other
     documentation satisfactory to the Agent evidencing such payment to such
     authority; and

          (iii) (except to the extent that such deduction or withholding results
     from the breach, by a recipient of a payment, of its Exemption Agreement,
     or would not be required if such recipient's Exemption Representation were
     true) pay to the Agent for the benefit of each Bank or holder of a Note
     such additional amount or amounts as is necessary to ensure that the net
     amount actually received by the Agent, such Bank or such holder, taking
     into account any taxes imposed of any kind on payments made pursuant to
     this Section 3.9(a) (including any Taxes on such additional amount), will
     equal the full amount the Agent, such Bank or such holder would have
     received had no such deduction or withholding been required. The Agent,
     each Bank and each holder shall determine such additional amount or amounts
     payable to it (which determination shall, in the absence of demonstrable
     error, be conclusive and binding on the Borrower).

Moreover, if any Taxes are directly imposed on the Agent or any Bank, as a
result of any change in law or any applicable double taxation treaty of the
United States, the jurisdiction of the Bank's incorporation or the jurisdiction
in which the Bank's Domestic Lending Office or LIBOR Lending Office is located,
with respect to any payment received by the Agent or any Bank hereunder, the
Agent or such Bank may pay such Taxes and the Borrower will promptly pay such
additional amounts (including any penalties, interest or out-of-pocket expenses)
as are necessary in order that the net amount, taking into account any taxes
imposed of any kind on payments made pursuant to this Section 3.9(a), received
by the Agent or such Bank after the payment of such Taxes (including any Taxes
on such additional amount) shall equal the amount such Person would have
received had such Taxes not been imposed (except to the extent that such Taxes
result from the breach, by such payee, of its Exemption Agreement, or would not
be required if such payee's Exemption Representation were true).

     (b) If the Borrower fails to pay any Taxes when due to the appropriate
taxing authority or fails to remit to the Agent the required receipts or other
required documentary evidence, the Borrower shall indemnify the Agent and each
Bank for any incremental Taxes, interest or penalties that may become payable by
the Agent or such Bank as a result of any such failure.

     (c) Each Bank and each subsequent holder of any Note that is a Non-United
States Person agrees (such Bank's "Exemption Agreement") (to the extent it is
                                   -------------------
permitted to do so under the laws and any applicable double taxation treaties of
the United States, the jurisdiction of such Bank's incorporation, and the
jurisdictions in which such Bank's Domestic Lending Office and such Bank's LIBOR
Lending Office are located) to execute and deliver to the Borrower prior to the
first scheduled payment date in each Fiscal Year, a United States Internal
Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or Form W-8ECI (or any successor form),
appropriately completed and claiming complete (or, in the case it becomes
appropriate due to any change in

                                       17
<PAGE>

law or such applicable double taxation treaties, partial) exemption from
withholding and deduction of United States Federal Taxes.

     (d) Each Bank, each Assuming Bank and each Purchasing Bank hereby
represents and warrants (such Bank's "Exemption Representation") to the Borrower
                                      ------------------------
that on the date hereof (or, in the case of an Assuming Bank or a Purchasing
Bank, on the date on which such Assuming Bank or Purchasing Bank becomes a Bank
hereunder) (i) its Domestic Lending Office and its LIBOR Lending Office are
entitled to receive payments of principal of, and interest on, Loans made
hereunder without deduction or withholding for or on account of any Taxes
imposed by the United States or any political subdivision thereof, (ii) it is
permitted to take the actions described in clause (c) above (with respect to
                                           ---------
complete exemption from withholding and deduction of United States Federal
Taxes) under the laws and any applicable double taxation treaties of the
jurisdictions specified in such clause (c) and (iii) any payment received by
                                ---------
such Bank hereunder is not subject to any Taxes, whether or not such Taxes are
required to be deducted or withheld by the Borrower.

     (e) The Bank agrees to use reasonable efforts (consisted with its internal
policy and legal and regulatory restrictions) to change its Domestic Lending
Office or LIBOR Lending Office or prepare, execute and file any additional forms
or other documents which may be necessary or advisable to avoid or to minimize
any amounts otherwise payable under this Section 3.9, in each case solely if
                                         -----------
such change or such preparation, execution and filing can be made or done in a
manner so that the Bank, in its reasonable determination, suffers no legal,
economic, regulatory or other disadvantage.

     (f) In the event that the Borrower becomes required to pay an additional
amount pursuant to this Section 3.9 to any Bank, then the Borrower shall have
                        -----------
the right to seek a substitute bank or banks to promptly replace such Bank under
this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.11(b).
                                                    ----------------

     (g) The parties agree to cooperate with each other in connection with any
Taxes matters pertaining to this Agreement and each Bank shall promptly notify
the Borrower of any Taxes imposed on it with respect to any payment received by
such Bank hereunder, stating the reasons therefor and the amount, if any,
payable by the Borrower hereunder in respect of such Taxes.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                  BASE RATE AND LIBO RATE OPTIONS FOR THE LOANS

     SECTION 4.1 Elections. The Loans comprising any Borrowing may be made as a
                 ---------
"Base Rate Loan" or, at the Borrower's election made in accordance with this
 --------------
Section, as a loan having for each particular Interest Period a fixed rate of
interest determined by reference to the LIBO Rate (Reserve Adjusted) (a "LIBO
                                                                         ----
Rate Loan"). The Borrower may request from time to time by delivering to the
---------
Agent not later than 12:00 noon (New York City time) a Continuation/ Conversion
Notice request, on not less than one (or not less than three if a Loan is to be
continued as, or converted into, a LIBO Rate Loan) nor more than five Business
Days' notice:

          (a) that all, or any portion in a minimum amount of $5,000,000 or an
     integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, of the outstanding
     principal amount of any Borrowing be converted from Base Rate Loans into
     LIBO Rate Loans or, subject to Section 4.5, from LIBO Rate Loans into Base
                                    -----------
     Rate Loans; and

                                       18
<PAGE>

          (b) on the expiration of the Interest Period applicable to any LIBO
     Rate Loans, that all, or any portion in a minimum amount of $5,000,000 or
     an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, of the outstanding
     principal amount of such LIBO Rate Loans be converted into Base Rate Loans;

     provided, however, that:
     --------  -------

          (c) no portion of the outstanding principal amount of any Loans may be
     continued as, or be converted into, LIBO Rate Loans if, after giving effect
     to such action, the Interest Period applicable thereto shall extend beyond
     the date of any prepayment required by Section 3.3, unless a sufficient
                                            -----------
     principal amount of other Loans are being maintained as Base Rate Loans to
     permit such prepayment to be applied in full to such Base Rate Loans;

          (d) no portion of the outstanding principal amount of any Loans may be
     continued as, or be converted into, a LIBO Rate Loan when any Default has
     occurred and is continuing; and

          (e) If the Borrower shall fail to select the duration of any Interest
     Period for any LIBO Rate Loans in accordance with the provisions contained
     in the definition of "Interest Period" in Section 1.1, the Agent will
     forthwith so notify the Borrower and the Banks and such Loans will
     automatically, on the last day of the then existing Interest Period
     therefor, be Converted into Base Rate Loans.

     Each Continuation/Conversion Notice requesting that all, or any portion, of
the principal amount of the Loans be continued as, or be converted into, LIBO
Rate Loans shall specify the duration of the Interest Period commencing upon
such continuation or conversion.

     Each Bank may, if it so elects, fulfill its commitment to make or continue
any portion of the principal amount of a Loan as, or to convert any portion of
the principal amount of a Loan into, one or more LIBO Rate Loans by causing a
foreign branch or Affiliate of such Bank to make any such LIBO Rate Loan;
provided, however, that in such event such LIBO Rate Loan shall be deemed to
--------  -------
have been made by such Bank, and the obligation of the Borrower to repay such
LIBO Rate Loan shall nevertheless be to such Bank and shall be deemed to be held
by it, to the extent of such LIBO Rate Loan, for the account of such foreign
branch or Affiliate; and provided, further, that the making of such LIBO Rate
                         --------  -------
Loans by a foreign branch or Affiliate of such Bank does not result in any
additional Taxes assessable against such Bank in connection with any payments
made by the Borrower hereunder.

     Whenever any Bank makes any notations pursuant to Section 3.2 on the grid
                                                       -----------
attached to the Note (or on the continuation of such grid) held by it and
whenever a Loan is converted into a Base Rate Loan or a LIBO Rate Loan, such
Bank will make further notations on the grid attached to such Note (or on such
continuation) reflecting the portions of the outstanding principal amounts
thereof being maintained as a Base Rate Loan and LIBO Rate Loans. Failure to
record any such amounts on the grid shall not limit or otherwise affect the
obligations of the Borrower to make payments of principal and interest on each
Note when due.

     The Borrower understands that, if it elects that any portion of the
principal amount of a Borrowing be made, continued as, or converted into, a LIBO
Rate Loan, each Bank may (while being entitled to fund all or any portion of
such LIBO Rate Loan as it may see fit) wish to be able to fund such LIBO Rate
Loan by purchasing Dollar deposits in its LIBOR Office's interbank eurodollar
market. Accordingly, in connection with any determination to be made for
purposes of Section 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 or 4.5, it shall be conclusively presumed that
            -----------  ---  ---    ---
each Bank has elected to fund all LIBO Rate Loans by purchasing Dollar deposits
in such interbank eurodollar market.

     SECTION 4.2 LIBO Rate Lending Unlawful. If as the result of any Regulatory
                 --------------------------
Change any Bank shall determine (which determination shall, in the absence of
demonstrable error, be conclusive and binding on the Borrower) that it is
unlawful for any Bank to make, continue or maintain a Loan as, or to convert a
Loan into, one or more LIBO Rate Loans, the obligation of the Banks under
Section 4.1 to make, continue or maintain any portion of the principal amount of
-----------
a Loan as, or to convert such Loan into, one or more LIBO

                                       19
<PAGE>

Rate Loans shall, upon such determination (and telephonic notice thereof
confirmed in writing to the Borrower), forthwith terminate, and any portion of
the principal amount of all LIBO Rate Loans shall automatically convert into
Base Rate Loans. If circumstances subsequently change so that the Banks shall
determine that the circumstances causing such suspension no longer exist, the
obligation of the Banks under Section 4.1 to make or continue Loans as, or to
                              -----------
convert Loans into, LIBO Rate Loans shall, upon such determination (and
telephonic notice thereof confirmed in writing to the Borrower), forthwith be
reinstated.

     SECTION 4.3 Deposits Unavailable. If prior to the date on which all or any
                 --------------------
portion of the principal amount of any Loan is to be made, continued as, or
converted into, a LIBO Rate Loan, the Required Banks shall determine for any
reason whatsoever (which determination shall, in the absence of demonstrable
error, be conclusive and binding on the Borrower) that dollar deposits in the
relevant amount and for the relevant Interest Period are not available to such
Banks in their relevant markets or the LIBO Rate does not reflect the cost of
funding such Loans, the Agent shall promptly give telephonic notice of such
determination confirmed in writing to the Borrower, and the obligation under
Section 4.1 of the Banks to make, continue any Loan as, or to convert a Loan
-----------
into, one or more LIBO Rate Loans shall, upon such notification, forthwith
terminate; and the portion of all Loans then maintained as LIBO Rate Loans shall
on the expiration of the Interest Period applicable thereto automatically
convert into Base Rate Loans. If circumstances subsequently change so that the
circumstances causing such suspension no longer exist, the Agent shall promptly
give telephonic notice thereof confirmed in writing to the Borrower and the
obligations of the Banks under Section 4.1 to make or continue Loans as, or
                               -----------
convert Loans into, LIBO Rate Loans shall be reinstated.

     SECTION 4.4 Capital Adequacy; Increased Costs. The Borrower further agrees
                 ---------------------------------
to reimburse the Bank and/or its holding company for any increase in the cost of
making, continuing, maintaining or converting (or of the obligation to make,
continue, maintain or convert) any Loans hereunder (or any portion thereof) and
for any reduction in the amount of any sum receivable by such Bank hereunder in
respect of making, continuing, maintaining or converting (or of its obligation
to make, continue, maintain or convert) any Loans hereunder (or any portion
thereof) from time to time by reason of:

          (a) to the extent not included in the calculation of the LIBO Rate
     (Reserve Adjusted), the adoption or compliance with any capital adequacy,
     reserve, special deposit, or similar requirement against assets of,
     deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, such Bank
     and/or its holding company, under or pursuant to any law, treaty, rule,
     regulation (including any F.R.S. Board regulation), or requirement in
     effect on the date hereof, or as the result of any Regulatory Change; or

          (b) any Regulatory Change which shall subject such Bank and/or its
     holding company to any tax (other than taxes on net income or receipts),
     levy, impost, charge, fee, duty, deduction, or withholding of any kind
     whatsoever or change the taxation of any Loan made or maintained as a LIBO
     Rate Loan and the interest thereon (other than any change which affects,
     and to the extent that it affects, the taxation of net income or receipts).

     In any such event, each Bank shall promptly notify the Borrower (with a
copy of such notice to the Agent) thereof stating the reasons therefor and the
additional amount required fully to compensate the Bank and/or its holding
company for such increased cost or reduced amount. Such additional amounts shall
be payable on demand after receipt of such notice. A statement as to any such
increased cost or reduced amount or any change therein (including calculations
thereof in reasonable detail) shall be submitted by the Bank (with a copy of
such notice to the Agent) to the Borrower and shall, in the absence of
demonstrable error, be conclusive and binding on the Borrower. In the event that
the Borrower is required to pay an additional amount pursuant to this Section
                                                                      -------
4.4 to any Bank and/or its holding company, then the Borrower shall have the
---
right to seek a substitute bank or banks to replace such Bank under this
Agreement in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.11(b).
                                               ----------------

     SECTION 4.5 Funding Losses. In the event any Bank shall incur any loss or
                 --------------
expense (including any loss or expense incurred by reason of the liquidation, or
reemployment of deposits or other funds acquired by the Bank to make, continue
or maintain any portion of the principal amount of any Loan as, or to convert
any portion of the principal amount of any Loan into, a LIBO Rate Loan) as a
result of:

                                       20
<PAGE>

          (a) payment or prepayment of the principal amount of any LIBO Rate
     Loan on a date other than the scheduled last day of the Interest Period
     applicable thereto, whether pursuant to Section 3.3 or otherwise;
                                             -----------

          (b) any conversion of all or any portion of the outstanding principal
     amount of any LIBO Rate Loan to a Base Rate Loan pursuant to Section 4.1
                                                                  -----------
     prior to the expiration of the Interest Period then applicable thereto (but
     excluding in each case any loss or expense resulting therefrom to the
     extent such Bank is reimbursed therefor by interest payable pursuant to
     clause (c) of Section 3.6);
     ----------    -----------

          (c) a Loan not being made, continued as, or converted into, a LIBO
     Rate Loan in accordance with a Loan Request or the Continuation/Conversion
     Notice given therefor (other than as the result of a default by such Bank
     in complying with such Loan Request or such Continuation/Conversion
     Notice); or

          (d) failure to prepay after notice of prepayment is given;

then, upon the request of such Bank (with a copy to the Agent), the Borrower
shall pay directly to such Bank such amount as will (in the reasonable
determination of such Bank) reimburse such Bank for such loss or expense. A
certificate as to any such loss or expense (including calculations thereof in
reasonable detail) shall be submitted by such Bank (with a copy to the Agent) to
the Borrower and shall, in the absence of demonstrable error, be conclusive and
binding on the Borrower.

     SECTION 4.6 Interest Rate Determination. (a) if the applicable Telerate
                 ---------------------------
Markets Page is not available, each Reference Bank agrees to furnish to the
Agent timely information for the purpose of determining each LIBO Rate. If any
one or more of the Reference Banks shall not furnish such timely information to
the Agent for the purpose of determining any such interest rate, the Agent shall
determine such interest rate on the basis of timely information furnished by the
remaining Reference Banks. The Agent shall give prompt notice to the Borrower
and the Banks of the applicable interest rate determined by the Agent for
purposes of Section 3.4, and the rate, if any, furnished by each Reference Bank
for the purpose of determining the interest rate under Section 3.4.

          (b) If the applicable Telerate Markets Page is unavailable and fewer
     than two Reference Banks furnish timely information to the Agent for
     determining the LIBO Rate for any LIBO Rate Loans,

          (i) the Agent shall forthwith notify the Borrower and the Banks that
     the interest rate cannot be determined for such LIBO Rate Loans,

          (ii) with respect to LIBO Rate Loans, each such Loan will
     automatically, on the last day of the then existing Interest Period
     therefor, be prepaid by the Borrower or be automatically Converted into a
     Base Rate Loan (or if such Loan is then a Base Rate Loan, will continue as
     a Base Rate Loan), and

          (iii) the obligation of the Banks to make LIBO Rate Loans or to
     Convert Loans into LIBO Rate Loans shall be suspended until the Agent shall
     notify the Borrower and the Banks that the circumstances causing such
     suspension no longer exist.

     SECTION 4.7. Sharing of Payments, Etc. If any Bank shall obtain any payment
                  ------------------------
(whether voluntary, involuntary, through the exercise of any right of set-off,
or otherwise) on account of the Loans owing to it (other than pursuant to
Sections 3.9, 4.4 or 4.5) in excess of its ratable share of payments on account
of the Loans obtained by all the Banks, such Bank shall forthwith purchase from
the other Banks such participations in the Loans owing to them as shall be
necessary to cause such purchasing Bank to share the excess payment ratably with
each of them; provided, however, that if all or any portion of such excess
              --------  -------
payment is thereafter recovered from such purchasing Bank, such purchase from
each Bank shall be rescinded and such Bank shall repay to the purchasing Bank
the purchase price to the extent of such recovery together with an amount equal
to such Bank's ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the amount of
such Bank's required repayment to (ii) the total amount so recovered from the
purchasing Bank) of any interest or other amount paid or

                                       21
<PAGE>

payable by the purchasing Bank in respect of the total amount so recovered. The
Borrower agrees that any Bank so purchasing a participation from another Bank
pursuant to this Section 4.7 may, to the fullest extent permitted by law,
exercise all its rights of payment (including the right of set-off) with respect
to such participation as fully as if such Bank were the direct creditor of the
Borrower in the amount of such participation.

                                    ARTICLE V

                              CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

     SECTION 5.1 Effective Date. Section 2.1 of this Agreement shall become
                 --------------
effective on and as of the Effective Date, provided that the following
                                           --------
conditions precedent have been satisfied.

     SECTION 5.1.1 Resolutions. The Agent shall have received on or before the
                   -----------
Effective Date the following, each dated such day and in sufficient copies for
each Bank:

          (a) a certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the
     Borrower as to

               (i) resolutions of its Board of Directors then in full force and
          effect authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan
          Documents to be executed by it hereunder; and

               (ii) the incumbency and signatures of those of its officers
          authorized to act with respect to this Agreement and each Loan
          Document executed by it, upon which certificate the Agent may
          conclusively rely until it shall have received a further certificate
          of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Borrower canceling
          or amending such prior certificate;

          (b) a certificate of the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of each
     Significant Subsidiary and each Subsidiary party to the Subordination
     Agreement as to

               (i) resolutions of its Board of Directors then in full force and
          effect authorizing the execution, delivery and performance by such
          Loan Party of the Loan Documents to be executed and delivered by it
          hereunder; and

               (ii) the incumbency and signatures of those of its officers
          authorized to act with respect to such Loan Documents upon which
          certificate the Agent may conclusively rely until it shall have
          received a further certificate of such Loan Party canceling or
          amending such prior certificate.

     SECTION 5.1.2 Delivery of Note. Borrower shall have delivered to the Agent
                   ----------------
Notes payable to the order of each Bank, duly executed and delivered and
conforming to the requirements of Section 3.2.
                                  ------------

     SECTION 5.1.3 Opinions of Counsel. The Agent shall have received opinions
                   -------------------
from counsel to the Borrower, each Significant Subsidiary and each Subsidiary
party to the Subordination Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit F
                                                                   ---------
attached hereto.

     SECTION 5.1.4 Significant Subsidiary Guaranty. The Agent shall have
                   -------------------------------
received the Significant Subsidiary Guaranty duly executed by each Person that
is a Significant Subsidiary as of the Effective Date.

     SECTION 5.1.5 Subordination Agreement. The Agent shall have received the
                   -----------------------
Subordination Agreement duly executed by each Subsidiary that is a corporation
and the Borrower which, as of the Effective Date, is expected to make any loans
to any Significant Subsidiary or the Borrower.

     SECTION 5.1.6 Satisfactory Legal Form. All documents executed or submitted
                   -----------------------
pursuant hereto by or on behalf of the Borrower, any Significant Subsidiary or
any Subsidiary party to the Subordination

                                       22
<PAGE>

Agreement shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Agent and its
counsel; each Bank shall have received all information, and such counterpart
originals or such certified or other copies of such materials, as such Bank may
request; and all legal matters incident to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and each other Loan Document shall be satisfactory to counsel to the
Agent.

     SECTION 5.1.7 Termination of Existing Loan Agreement. The Borrower shall
                   --------------------------------------
have terminated in whole the commitments of, and paid in full all obligations
owing to, the Lenders under the Senior Revolving Loan Agreement daed as of
January 22, 2001 among the Borrower, the lenders parties thereto and Citibank,
as agent.

     SECTION 5.2 All Loans, Extension of Commitment Termination Date and Each
                 ------------------------------------------------------------
Increase Date. The obligation of the Banks to make any Loans on the occasion of
-------------
each Borrowing, each extension of the Commitment Termination Date and each
Commitment Increase shall be subject to the satisfaction of the conditions
precedent set forth in Sections 5.2.1 and, in the case of a Borrowing, Section
                       --------------                                  -------
5.2.2, and each request that a Borrowing be made hereunder, for an extension of
-----
the Commitment Termination Date or for a Commitment Increase shall constitute a
certification by the Borrower that such conditions precedent will be satisfied
on the date of such requested Borrowing, extension of Commitment Termination
Date or Increase Date (and after giving effect to such Borrowing, extension of
Commitment Termination Date or Commitment Increase, as the case may be).

     SECTION 5.2.1 Compliance with Warranties, non-Default. The representations
                   ---------------------------------------
and warranties set forth in Article VI shall have been true and correct in all
                            ----------
material respects as of the date initially made, and on the date (and after
giving effect to the incurrence) of such Loan, extension of Commitment
Termination Date or such Increase Date:

          (a) such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in
     all material respects with the same effect as if then made;

          (b) no Default shall have then occurred and be continuing; and

          (c) since the Effective Date, there shall have been no occurrence
     which, individually or in the aggregate, as of the date on which such Loan
     is to be made, would reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse
     Effect.

     SECTION 5.2.2 Loan Request. The Agent shall have received a Loan Request
                   ------------
for such Borrowing.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                                   WARRANTIES

     In order to induce the Agent and each Bank to enter into this Agreement and
to induce each Bank to make Loans hereunder, the Borrower represents and
warrants as follows:

     SECTION 6.1 Organization, Power, Authority. Each Loan Party is a
                 ------------  -----  ---------
corporation validly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws
of the state of its incorporation, is duly qualified to do business and in good
standing as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction where the nature of its
business makes such qualification necessary and where the failure to so qualify
would reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect and has full
power and authority to own and hold under lease its property and conduct its
business substantially as presently conducted by it. Each Loan Party has full
power and authority to enter into and to perform its obligations under this
Agreement and each Loan Document to which each is a party and to obtain the
Loans hereunder, in the case of the Borrower.

     SECTION 6.2 Due Authorization. The execution and delivery by each Loan
                 -----------------
Party of this Agreement and each Loan Document executed by it and the
performance by each of its respective obligations hereunder and thereunder and
the borrowings hereunder by the Borrower have been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate action, do not require any Approval, do not and will not
conflict with, result in any violation of, or

                                       23
<PAGE>

constitute any default under, any provision of any Organic Document or material
Contractual Obligation of such Loan Party (or any other material Contractual
Obligation) or any present law or governmental regulation or court decree or
order applicable to any Loan Party and will not result in or require the
creation or imposition of any Lien in any of their respective properties
pursuant to the provisions of any Contractual Obligation.

     SECTION 6.3 Validity. This Agreement is, and each Loan Document executed by
                 --------
any Loan Party will on the due execution and delivery thereof be, the legal,
valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party enforceable in accordance with
its terms, subject, as to enforcement, only to bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws at the time in effect affecting
the enforceability of the rights of creditors generally, and by general
equitable principles.

     SECTION 6.4 Financial Information. All balance sheets, statements of
                 ---------------------
operations, of total owners' equity and of changes in cash flows and other
financial information of the Borrower and the Consolidated Subsidiaries which
have been or shall hereafter be furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower for
the purposes of or in connection with this Agreement or any transaction
contemplated hereby pursuant to Section 7.1.1(a) or Section 7.1.1(b) (except
                                ---------------     ---------------
Section 7.1.1(a)(iii)) have been or will be prepared in accordance with GAAP
---------------------
consistently applied throughout the periods involved (except as disclosed
therein), and, in the case of information relating to coal reserves, have been
or will be prepared in accordance with all relevant rules and regulations
promulgated by the SEC, as in effect on the Effective Date, and do or will
present fairly the consolidated financial condition of the corporations covered
thereby as at the dates thereof and the results of their operations for the
periods then ended and the consolidated statements of earnings, of operations
and of total owners' equity, for each of the fiscal periods then ended, of the
Borrower and the Consolidated Subsidiaries (or, in the case of any such balance
sheets or statements prepared prior to the date hereof, of the Borrower and its
Consolidated Subsidiaries). Since June 30, 2001, there has been no occurrence
which, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a
Materially Adverse Effect. Except as disclosed in Item 6.6 ("Litigation") of the
                                                  --------
Disclosure Schedule, neither the Borrower nor the Consolidated Subsidiaries have
any material contingent liabilities (including any liability pursuant to the
Federal Black Lung Benefits Act of 1972, as in effect from time to time) not
provided for or disclosed in the financial statements of the Borrower and the
Consolidated Subsidiaries most recently delivered by or on behalf of the
Borrower to the Banks.

     SECTION 6.5 Absence of Certain Default. Neither the Borrower nor any
                 --------------------------
Subsidiary is in default,

          (a) in the payment of (or in the performance of any material
     obligation applicable to) any Indebtedness outstanding in a principal
     amount exceeding $10,000,000 in the aggregate; or

          (b) under any law or governmental regulation or court decree or order
     which would reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect.

     SECTION 6.6 Litigation. Except as described in Item 6.6 ("Litigation") of
                 ----------                         --------
the Disclosure Schedule, no litigation, arbitration or governmental
investigation or proceeding against the Borrower or any Subsidiary or to which
any of the properties of any thereof is subject is pending or, to the knowledge
of the Borrower, threatened which would reasonably be expected to result in a
liability in excess of $10,000,000.

     SECTION 6.7 Regulation U. Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary is
                 ------------
engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of
extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock, and
less than 25% of the assets of each consists of margin stock. Proceeds of Loans
hereunder will be used in compliance with Regulation U of the F.R.S. Board or
any regulations substituted therefore. Terms for which meanings are provided in
Regulation U of the F.R.S. Board or any regulations substituted therefor, as
from time to time in effect, are used in this Section with such meanings.

     SECTION 6.8 Government Regulation. Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary
                 ---------------------
is an "investment company" within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended, or a "holding company", or a "subsidiary company" of a
"holding company", or an "affiliate" of a "holding company" or of a

                                       24
<PAGE>

"subsidiary company" of a "holding company", within the meaning of the Public
Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended.

     SECTION 6.9 Certain Contractual Obligations or Organic Documents. Neither
                 ----------------------------------------------------
the Borrower nor any Subsidiary is a party or subject to any Contractual
Obligation or Organic Document which would reasonably be expected to have a
Materially Adverse Effect.

     SECTION 6.10 Taxes. The Borrower and all Subsidiaries have filed all tax
                  -----
returns and reports required by law to have been filed by them and have paid all
taxes and governmental charges thereby shown to be owing, except any such taxes
or charges which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings
and for which adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP shall have been set
aside on their books.

     SECTION 6.11 Pension and Welfare Plans; Multiemployer Plans. During the
                  ----------------------------------------------
twelve-consecutive-month period prior to the Effective Date and prior to the
date of any Borrowing hereunder, (a) no steps have been taken to terminate any
Pension Plan the assets of which are insufficient to satisfy all benefit
liabilities thereunder (as defined in section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA) for which
the Borrower or any Subsidiary could be held liable, (b) no contribution failure
has occurred with respect to any Pension Plan sufficient to give rise to a Lien
under section 302(f) of ERISA and (c) none of the Borrower, any Subsidiary or
any member of the Controlled Group of any of them has incurred or is reasonably
likely to incur any Withdrawl Liability to any Multiemployer Plan. No condition
exists or event or transaction has occurred with respect to any Pension Plan
which might result in the incurrence by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of any
material liability, fine or penalty. Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary has
any contingent liability with respect to any post-retirement benefit under a
Welfare Plan, other than liability for continuation coverage described in Part 6
of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA.

     SECTION 6.12 Subsidiaries and Significant Subsidiaries. The Borrower has no
                  -----------------------------------------
other Subsidiaries or Significant Subsidiaries except those identified in Item
                                                                          ----
6.12 ("Existing Subsidiaries and Significant Subsidiaries") of the Disclosure
----
Schedule or those acquired or created subsequent to the date hereof.

     SECTION 6.13 Patents, Trademarks. The Borrower and each Subsidiary owns and
                  -------------------
possesses all such patents, patent rights, trademarks, trademark rights, trade
names, trade name rights, service marks, service mark rights and copyrights as
the Borrower considers necessary for the conduct of the businesses of the
Borrower or such Subsidiary as now conducted without any infringement upon
rights of others which would reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse
Effect. There is no individual patent or patent license used by the Borrower or
any Subsidiary in the conduct of its business the loss of which would reasonably
be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect.

     SECTION 6.14 Ownership of Properties; Liens. The Borrower and each
                  ------------------------------
Subsidiary has good and marketable title to or good leasehold interests in all
of its material properties and assets, real and personal, of any nature
whatsoever, free and clear of all Liens except as permitted pursuant to Section
                                                                        -------
7.2.2.
-----

     SECTION 6.15 Accuracy of Information. All factual information heretofore or
                  -----------------------
contemporaneously furnished by the Borrower to the Agent or the Banks in
connection with execution and delivery of this Agreement and the various
transactions contemplated hereby, as supplemented from time to time and when
taken as a whole, to the best of the Borrower's knowledge, has been, and all
other such factual information hereafter furnished by the Borrower or any
Subsidiary, as supplemented from time to time and when taken as a whole, will
be, true and accurate in every material respect on the date as of which such
information is dated or certified and as of the Effective Date and not
incomplete by omitting to state any material fact necessary to make such
information not misleading. All projections and pro forma financial information
contained in any materials furnished by the Borrower or any Subsidiary to the
Bank are based on good faith estimates and assumptions by the management of the
Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary, it being recognized by the Bank, however,
that projections and statements as to future events are not to be viewed as fact
and that actual results during the period or periods covered by any such
projections or statements may differ from the projected results and that the
differences may be material.

                                       25
<PAGE>

     SECTION 6.16 Environmental Warranties.

          (a) No facility or property (including underlying groundwater) owned
     or leased by the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary is out of
     compliance with any Environmental Law to the extent that such
     noncompliance, either singly or in the aggregate, has or could reasonably
     be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect;

          (b) There are no pending or threatened

               (i) claims, complaints, notices or requests for information
          received by the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary with respect to
          any alleged violation of any Environmental Law, or

               (ii) complaints, notices or inquiries to the Borrower or any
          Significant Subsidiary regarding potential liability under any
          Environmental Law,

     in each case, which singly, or in the aggregate, have or could reasonably
     be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect;

          (c) There have been no Releases of Hazardous Materials at, on or under
     any property now or previously owned or leased by the Borrower or any
     Significant Subsidiary that, singly or in the aggregate, have, or could
     reasonably be expected to have, a Materially Adverse Effect;

          (d) The Borrower and the Significant Subsidiaries have been issued and
     are in material compliance with all material permits, certificates,
     approvals, licenses and other authorizations relating to environmental
     matters and necessary or desirable for their businesses;

          (e) No property now or previously owned or leased by the Borrower or
     any Significant Subsidiary is listed or proposed for listing (with respect
     to owned property only) (i) on the CERCLIS or on any similar state list of
     sites requiring investigation or clean-up to the extent that such listing
     relates to liabilities, individually or in the aggregate, that could
     reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect, or (ii) on the
     National Priorities List pursuant to CERCLA;

          (f) There are no underground storage tanks, active or abandoned,
     including petroleum storage tanks, on or under any property now or
     previously owned or leased by the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary
     that, singly or in the aggregate, have, or could reasonably be expected to
     have, a Materially Adverse Effect;

          (g) Neither the Borrower nor any Significant Subsidiary has directly
     transported or directly arranged for the transportation of any Hazardous
     Material to any location which is listed or proposed for listing on the
     National Priorities List pursuant to CERCLA, on the CERCLIS or on any
     similar state list or which is the subject of federal, state or local
     enforcement actions or other investigations which may lead to material
     claims against the Borrower or such Significant Subsidiary for any remedial
     work, damage to natural resources or personal injury, including claims
     under CERCLA that, either singly or in the aggregate, have, or could
     reasonably be expected to have, a Materially Adverse Effect;

          (h) There are no polychlorinated biphenyls or friable asbestos present
     at any property now or previously owned or leased by the Borrower or any
     Significant Subsidiary that, singly or in the aggregate, have, or could
     reasonably be expected to have, a Materially Adverse Effect;

          (i) No conditions exist at, on or under any property now or previously
     owned or leased by the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary which, with
     the passage of time, or the giving of notice or both, would give rise to
     liability under any Environmental Law that, either singly or in the
     aggregate, have, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Materially
     Adverse Effect; and

                                       26
<PAGE>

          (j) Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary owns or leases any
     "industrial establishment" (as such term is defined in the New Jersey
     Environmental Cleanup Responsibility Act, N.J.S.A. 13:1K-6, et seq.) in the
                                                                 -- ---
     State of New Jersey.

     SECTION 6.17 Borrower's Solvency. As of the date of this Agreement, the
                  -------------------
Borrower is and will be Solvent. As used in this Section, "Solvent" means the
Borrower is able to pay its debts as they become due in the usual course of
business.

     SECTION 6.18 Pari Passu. Any Loan hereunder will be pari passu with all of
                  ----------
Borrower's other Indebtedness for Borrowed Money.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                                    COVENANTS

     SECTION 7.1 Certain Affirmative Covenants. The Borrower agrees that, until
                 -----------------------------
the Commitments shall have terminated and all of the Liabilities have been paid
and performed in full, the Borrower will perform the obligations set forth in
this Section 7.1.
     -----------

     SECTION 7.1.1 Financial Information. The Borrower will furnish, or will
                   ---------------------
cause to be furnished, to the Agent (in sufficient copies for each Bank) the
following financial statements, reports and information:

          (a) promptly when available and in any event within 90 days after the
     close of each Fiscal Year

               (i) a balance sheet at the close of such Fiscal Year, and
          statements of operations, of Total Owners' Equity and of cash flows
          for such Fiscal Year, of the Borrower and the Consolidated
          Subsidiaries certified without Impermissible Qualification by
          independent public accountants of recognized standing selected by the
          Borrower and reasonably acceptable to the Bank,

               (ii) a letter report of such accountants at the close of such
          Fiscal Year to the effect that they have reviewed the provisions of
          this Agreement and are not aware of any Default hereunder (insofar as
          any Default may relate to accounting matters) continuing at the end of
          such Fiscal Year, except such Default, if any, as may be disclosed in
          such statement,

               (iii) a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower that
          no Default has occurred and is continuing, or specifying any such
          Default and the actions, if any, being taken by the Borrower with
          respect thereto, and

               (iv) a notice that the Borrower is in compliance with the
          requirements as stated under Section 7.2.12 Funded Debt Ratio, setting
          forth in reasonable detail the calculations necessary to demonstrate
          compliance with Section 7.2.12; and
                          --------------

          (b) promptly when available and in any event within 45 days after the
     close of each of the first three Fiscal Quarters of each Fiscal Year

               (i) a balance sheet at the close of such Fiscal Quarter and
          statements of operations, of total owners' equity and of changes in
          cash flows for the period commencing at the close of the previous
          Fiscal Year and ending with the close of such Fiscal Quarter, of the
          Borrower and the Consolidated Subsidiaries;

               (ii) a notice that the Borrower is in compliance with the
          requirements as stated under Section 7.2.12 Funded Debt Ratio, setting
          forth in reasonable detail the calculations necessary to demonstrate
          compliance with Section 7.2.12; and
                          --------------

                                       27
<PAGE>

               (iii) a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower that
          no Default has occurred and is continuing, or specifying any such
          Default and the actions, if any, being taken by the Borrower with
          respect thereto,

          (c) promptly upon the incorporation or acquisition thereof,
     information regarding the creation or acquisition of any new Significant
     Subsidiary;

          (d) promptly after the sending or filing thereof, copies of all
     quarterly and annual reports and proxy solicitations that the Borrower
     sends to any of its securityholders, and copies of all reports on Form 8-K
     that the Borrower files with the Securities and Exchange Commission (other
     than reports on Form 8-K filed solely for the purpose of incorporating
     exhibits into a registration statement previously filed with the Securities
     and Exchange Commission);

          (e) such other information with respect to the financial condition,
     business, property, assets, revenues, and operations of the Borrower and
     the Subsidiaries as the Bank may from time to time reasonably request.

          Reports required to be delivered pursuant to clauses (a)(i), (b)(i)
     and (d) above shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date on which
     such report is posted on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, and such posting
                                                   -----------
     shall be deemed to satisfy the reporting requirements of clauses (a)(i),
     (b)(i) and (d) above; provided that in every instance the Borrower shall
                           --------
     provide paper copies of the certificate required by clauses (a)(iii),
     (a)(iv) and (b)(iii) above to the Agent and each of the Banks until such
     time as the Agent shall provide the Borrower written notice otherwise.

     SECTION 7.1.2 Maintenance of Corporate Existences. Except as permitted by
                   -----------------------------------
Section 7.2.3, the Borrower will cause to be done at all times all things
-------------
necessary to maintain and preserve the corporate existences of the Borrower and
each Significant Subsidiary, and to comply in all material respects with all
applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders. Except as permitted by Section
                                                                       -------
7.2.3, the Borrower will continue to own and hold directly or indirectly, free
-----
and clear of all Liens (except as permitted by Section 7.2.2), all of the
                                               -------------
outstanding ownership interest of each Subsidiary now owned or hereafter
acquired.

     SECTION 7.1.3 Foreign Qualification. The Borrower will, and will cause each
                   ---------------------
Subsidiary to, cause to be done at all times all things necessary to be duly
qualified to do business and in good standing as a foreign corporation in each
jurisdiction where the nature of its business makes such qualification necessary
and where the failure to so qualify would reasonably be expected to have a
Materially Adverse Effect, and to comply in all material respects with all
applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders.

     SECTION 7.1.4 Payment of Taxes. The Borrower will, and will cause each
                   ----------------
Subsidiary to, pay and discharge, prior to becoming delinquent, all federal,
state and local taxes, assessments and other governmental charges or levies
against or on any of its property, as well as claims of any kind which, if
unpaid, might become a Lien in a material amount upon any of its properties;
provided, however, that the foregoing shall not require the Borrower or any
--------  -------
Subsidiary to pay or discharge any such tax, assessment, charge, levy or other
Lien so long as it shall contest the validity thereof in good faith by
appropriate proceedings and shall set aside on its books adequate reserves in
accordance with GAAP with respect thereto.

     SECTION 7.1.5 Insurance. The Borrower will, and will cause each Subsidiary
                   ---------
to, maintain or cause to be maintained through self-insurance and with
responsible insurance companies insurance with respect to its properties and
business against such casualties and contingencies and of such types and in such
amounts as has been historically maintained by the Borrower and the
Subsidiaries, or which is consistent with sound business practice in the
reasonable opinion of the Borrower, and will, upon request of any Bank through
the Agent, furnish to the Agent at reasonable intervals a certificate of an
Authorized Officer setting forth the nature and extent of all insurance
maintained by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries in accordance with this Section.

                                       28
<PAGE>

     SECTION 7.1.6 Notice of Default, Litigation. The Borrower will give prompt
                   -----------------------------
notice (with a description in reasonable detail) to the Agent (in sufficient
copies for each Bank) of:

          (a) the occurrence of any Default or any Event of Default;

          (b) the occurrence of any litigation, arbitration or governmental
     investigation or proceeding not previously disclosed by the Borrower to the
     Agent which has been instituted or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, is
     threatened against the Borrower or any Subsidiary or to which any of their
     respective properties is subject which would reasonably be expected to
     result in a liability to the Borrower or any Subsidiary not covered by the
     Borrower's or such Subsidiary's insurers, as applicable, in excess of
     $10,000,000;

          (c) any material development which shall occur in any litigation,
     arbitration or governmental investigation or proceeding previously
     disclosed by the Borrower to the Agent;

          (d) the occurrence of any event which would reasonably be expected to
     have a Materially Adverse Effect;

          (e) the occurrence of (i) a Reportable Event with respect to any
     Pension Plan; (ii) the institution of steps by the Borrower or any
     Subsidiary or any member of the Controlled Group of any of them to
     terminate, any Pension Plan where the unfunded liability is in excess of
     $10,000,000; or (iii) a partial or complete withdrawal (as described in
     ERISA section 4203 or 4205) by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any member
     of the Controlled Group of any of them from a Multiemployer Plan where the
     unfunded liability is in excess of $10,000,000; and

          (f) the occurrence of (i) the institution of any steps by the PBGC to
     terminate any Pension Plan; (ii) the failure to make a required
     contribution to any Pension Plan if such failure is sufficient to give rise
     to a Lien under section 302(f) of ERISA; (iii) the adoption of an amendment
     or the application for a funding waiver that could result in a requirement
     that the Borrower or any Subsidiary furnish a bond or other security to the
     PBGC or to a Pension Plan pursuant to sections 306 or 307 of ERISA; (iv)
     the assertion of any claim with respect to any Pension Plan which could, if
     determined adversely, result in the incurrence by the Borrower or any
     Subsidiary of any material liability, fine or penalty; or (v) any material
     increase in the contingent liability of the Borrower or any Subsidiary with
     respect to post-retirement benefits under any Welfare Plan, as determined
     under Financial Accounting Standards Board No. 106.

     SECTION 7.1.7 Performance of Loan Documents. The Borrower will, and will
                   -----------------------------
cause each Loan Party to, perform promptly and faithfully all of its obligations
under each Loan Document executed by it.

     SECTION 7.1.8 Books and Records. The Borrower will, and will cause each
                   -----------------
Subsidiary to, keep books and records reflecting all of its business affairs and
transactions in accordance with GAAP and permit the Bank or any of its
representatives, at reasonable times and intervals and as arranged through the
Treasurer or chief legal officer of the Borrower, to visit all of its offices,
discuss its financial matters with its officers and independent accountants,
examine and photocopy extracts from (a) any of its financial books and records
and (b) any of its other corporate records other than such corporate records
that are reasonably determined by the Borrower to be proprietary.

     SECTION 7.1.9 Significant Subsidiary Guaranty. The Borrower agrees to
                   -------------------------------
promptly notify the Agent each time a Subsidiary becomes a Significant
Subsidiary and to cause such Significant Subsidiary to deliver to the Agent a
duly executed Significant Subsidiary Guaranty along with an opinion of counsel
and a certificate of the type required by Section 5.1.1(b) both in form and
                                          ----------------
substance acceptable to the Agent.

     SECTION 7.1.10 Environmental Covenant. The Borrower will, and will cause
                    ----------------------
each Significant Subsidiary to,

                                       29
<PAGE>

          (a) use and operate all of its facilities and properties in material
     compliance with all Environmental Laws, keep all necessary permits,
     approvals, certificates, licenses and other authorizations relating to
     environmental matters in effect and remain in material compliance
     therewith, and handle all Hazardous Materials in material compliance with
     all applicable Environmental Laws;

          (b) immediately notify the Agent and provide copies upon receipt of
     all material written claims, complaints, notices or inquiries relating to
     the condition of its facilities and properties or compliance with
     Environmental Laws, in each case which involve or could reasonably be
     expected to involve obligations of the Borrower or any Significant
     Subsidiary, as the case may be, in excess of $10,000,000; and

          (c) provide such information and certifications which any Bank through
     the Agent may reasonably request from time to time to evidence compliance
     with this Section 7.1.10.

     SECTION 7.2 Certain Negative Covenants. The Borrower agrees that, until the
                 --------------------------
Commitments shall have terminated and all of the Liabilities have been paid and
performed in full:

     SECTION 7.2.1 Indebtedness for Borrowed Money. The Borrower will not permit
                   -------------------------------
any Subsidiary to incur or permit to exist any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money,
except (i) Indebtedness for Borrowed Money of any Significant Subsidiary to the
Borrower or any Subsidiary which is subordinated to such Significant
Subsidiary's obligations under the Significant Subsidiary Guaranty pursuant to a
Subordination Agreement; (ii) Indebtedness for Borrowed Money of any Subsidiary
(other than a Significant Subsidiary) to any other Subsidiary or to the Borrower
(iii) Indebtedness for Borrowed Money outstanding on the date hereof and listed
in Item 7.2.1(iii) of the Disclosure Schedule and refinancings thereof; provided
   ---------------                                                      --------
that such Indebtedness for Borrowed Money is not increased as the result of such
refinancing; (iv) additional unsecured Indebtedness for Borrowed Money of all
Subsidiaries (other than Significant Subsidiaries) not to exceed $25,000,000 in
the aggregate at any one time outstanding; and (v) additional unsecured
Indebtedness for Borrowed Money of any Subsidiary acquired with such
indebtedness existing at the time of acquisition/merger of such Subsidiary.

     SECTION 7.2.2 Liens. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any
                   -----
Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its
property or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except:

          (a) Liens in favor of the Agent for the benefit of the Banks;

          (b) Liens which were granted prior to the date hereof in (and only in)
     assets identified in Item 7.2.1(iii) ("Ongoing Indebtedness") and Item
                          ---------------                              ----
     7.2.2(b) ("Liens") of the Disclosure Schedule;
     --------

          (c) Liens in (and only in) stock or assets permitted to be acquired
     under the terms of this Agreement granted to secure Indebtedness incurred
     at the time of such acquisition (or within one year thereof) to finance the
     acquisition of such stock or assets; provided, that the amount of
                                          --------
     Indebtedness secured thereby is not increased;

          (d) statutory and common law banker's Liens and rights of setoff on
     bank deposits;

          (e) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges or
     levies not at the time delinquent or thereafter payable without penalty or
     being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which
     adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP shall have been set aside on its
     books;

          (f) Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen and
     landlords incurred in the ordinary course of business for sums not overdue
     or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which
     adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP shall have been set aside on its
     books;

                                       30
<PAGE>

          (g) Liens incurred or existing in the ordinary course of business,
     consistent with past practice and not to secure Indebtedness for Borrowed
     Money, such as in connection with workers' compensation, unemployment
     insurance or other forms of governmental insurance or benefits, or to
     secure performance of tenders, statutory obligations, leases and contracts
     entered into in the ordinary course of business or to secure obligations on
     surety or appeal bonds;

          (h) judgment Liens in existence less than 30 days after the entry
     thereof or with respect to which execution has been stayed or the payment
     of which is covered in full (subject to a customary deductible) by
     insurance;

          (i) Liens existing on any assets at the date of acquisition of such
     assets permitted to be acquired under the terms of this Agreement acquired
     after the date of this Agreement;

          (j) Liens granted to secure Indebtedness incurred to refinance any
     Indebtedness secured by Liens permitted by clauses (b), (c) and (i) of this
     Section 7.2.2; provided, that such Indebtedness is not increased as the
     -------------  --------
     result of such refinancing and that such Liens attach only to the same
     assets subject to Lien prior to the refinancing.

     SECTION 7.2.3 Consolidation, Merger. The Borrower will not, and will not
                   ---------------------
permit any Subsidiary to, consolidate with or merge into or with any other
corporation, or sell, transfer, lease or sell and lease back or otherwise
dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to any Person, without prior
written consent of the Bank, except for (i) the voluntary liquidation or
dissolution of any wholly-owned Subsidiary into another Subsidiary or into the
Borrower, the merger of any Person with a Subsidiary, provided that after giving
                                                      --------
effect to such merger, such Subsidiary remains a "Subsidiary" as defined herein,
or the merger of any Subsidiary into another Subsidiary or into the Borrower
provided that in the case of any such merger into the Borrower, the Borrower is
--------
the surviving corporation and (ii) the sale, transfer, lease or sale and lease
back or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of one or
more Subsidiaries not to exceed in any calendar year an aggregate total of 10%
of the consolidated assets of the Borrower and the Consolidated Subsidiaries.

     SECTION 7.2.4 Transactions with Affiliates. The Borrower will not, and will
                   ----------------------------
not permit any Significant Subsidiary to, enter into, or cause, suffer or permit
to exist any transaction, arrangement or contract with any of its Affiliates
(except for Significant Subsidiaries) which would not be entered into by a
prudent Person in the position of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, or which is
on terms which are not on an arms-length basis.

     SECTION 7.2.5 Sale or Discount of Receivables. The Borrower will not, and
                   -------------------------------
will not permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, sell with recourse
any of its notes or accounts receivable in excess of $200,000,000 in the
aggregate at any one time, other than those arising from the export outside of
the United States of goods or services.

     SECTION 7.2.6 Dividends. The Borrower shall not pay any dividends to its
                   ---------
respective shareholders upon the occurrence, or during the continuance of, any
Default. No dividend shall be paid by Borrower other than in accordance with all
applicable provisions of law including, without limitation, the Delaware General
Corporation Law, as amended.

     SECTION 7.2.7 Inconsistent Agreements. The Borrower will not, and will not
                   -----------------------
permit any Subsidiary to, enter into any agreement containing any provision
which would be violated or breached by any borrowing by the Borrower made
hereunder or by the performance by the Borrower or any other Loan Party of their
respective obligations hereunder or under any Loan Document.

     SECTION 7.2.8 Loans, Advances and Investments. The Borrower will not, and
                   -------------------------------
will not permit any Subsidiary to, make or permit to remain outstanding any loan
or advance to, or own, purchase or acquire any stock, obligations or securities
of, or any other interest in, or make any capital contribution to, any Person,
except:

                                       31
<PAGE>

          (i) advances or extensions of credit on terms customary in the
     industry involved in the form of accounts or other receivables incurred,
     and investments, loans and advances made in settlement of such accounts
     receivable, all in the ordinary course of business;

          (ii) Permitted Investments;

          (iii) investments, loans or advances to or in the Borrower or in any
     Subsidiary;

          (iv) loans or advances to employees of the Borrower or any Subsidiary
     in the ordinary course of their respective businesses, consistent with past
     practices, not to exceed $1,000,000 in aggregate amount at any time
     outstanding;

          (v) investments customarily used in the management of employee benefit
     trust funds; and

          (vi) other investments, loans or advances not exceeding $100,000,000
     in the aggregate at any time outstanding.

     SECTION 7.2.9 Guaranties. Except as described in Item 7.2.9 ("Guaranties")
                   ----------                              -----
of the Disclosure Schedule, neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary will enter
into any Guaranty prior to the Commitment Termination Date, except for

          (a) Guaranties relating to operating and capital leases on which the
     Borrower or such Subsidiary is lessee;

          (b) any Significant Subsidiary Guaranty;

          (c) Guaranties (other than Guaranties described in clause (b) of this
                                                             ----------
     Section 7.2.9 and Guaranties described in Item 7.2.9 of the Disclosure
     -------------                             ----------
     Schedule) not to exceed $50,000,000 in aggregate amount at any time
     outstanding of Indebtedness for Borrowed Money;

          (d) contingent obligations arising or existing as the result of the
     sale or other disposition of assets;

          (e) Guaranties by the Borrower of any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money
     of any Subsidiary permitted under Section 7.2.1;
                                       -------------

          (f) Guaranties by the Borrower not to exceed $75,000,000 in aggregate
     amount at any time outstanding of any obligations of any Person other than
     any Subsidiary or any of its Affiliates; and

          (g) Guarantees by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of any obligation of
     the Borrower, any Subsidiary or other Guarantor incurred or existing in the
     ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice and not to
     secure indebtedness for Borrowed Money other than Commercial Paper
     Indebtedness, such as in connection with workers' compensation,
     unemployment insurance or other forms of governmental insurance or
     benefits, or to secure performance of tenders, statutory obligations,
     leases and contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business or to
     secure obligations on surety or appeal bonds.

          (h) Guarantees relating to Commercial Paper Indebtedness.

     SECTION 7.2.10 Securities. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any
                    ----------
Subsidiary to, make any distributions, redemptions, prepayments, defeasances or
repurchases of its securities upon the occurrence or during the continuance of
any Default. The Borrower will not permit any Significant Subsidiary to issue
any capital stock to any Person other than any other Significant Subsidiary or
the Borrower.

                                       32
<PAGE>

     SECTION 7.2.11 Business Activities. The Borrower will not, and will not
                    -------------------
permit any Significant Subsidiary to:

          (a) operate its business other than in the ordinary and usual course;
     and

          (b) engage in any type of business except the businesses of the type
     or substantially related to the type so operated by the Borrower or such
     Significant Subsidiary on the Effective Date.

     SECTION 7.2.12 Funded Debt Ratio. The Borrower shall maintain a ratio of
                    -----------------
the Borrower's total Indebtedness for Borrowed Money as at the last day of each
calendar quarter to total earnings for the last four consecutive complete
calendar quarters (before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and
excluding any extraordinary gains or losses) of not more than 2.5:1.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                EVENTS OF DEFAULT

     SECTION 8.1 Events of Default. The term "Event of Default" shall mean each
                 -----------------            ----------------
of the following events:

     SECTION 8.1.1 Non-Payment of Liabilities. The Borrower shall default in the
                   --------------------------
payment or prepayment when due, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration, or
otherwise, of any principal of any Loan, or the Borrower shall default (and such
default shall continue unremedied for a period of three days) in the payment
when due, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration, or otherwise, of interest
on any Loan, of any fee or of any other Liability.

     SECTION 8.1.2 Non-Performance of Certain Covenants. The Borrower shall
                   ------------------------------------
default in the due performance and observance of any of its obligations under
Section 7.1 of this Agreement and such default shall continue unremedied for 10
-----------
days after notice thereof shall have been given to the Borrower by the Agent or
any Bank or the Borrower shall default in the due performance and observance
(unless such default is capable of remedy and is remedied to the satisfaction of
the Required Banks within 10 days of such default) of any of its obligations
under Section 7.2 of this Agreement.

     SECTION 8.1.3 Certain Defaults on Other Indebtedness for Borrowed Money.
                   ---------------------------------------------------------
Any default shall occur under the terms applicable to any Indebtedness for
Borrowed Money outstanding in a principal amount exceeding individually or in
the aggregate $25,000,000 of the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary
representing any borrowing or financing or arising under any other lease or
material agreement, and such default shall:

          (a) consist of the failure to pay Indebtedness for Borrowed Money at
     the maturity thereof; or

          (b) continue without being cured or waived (so long as such cure or
     waiver did not involve any payment of principal of such Indebtedness for
     Borrowed Money) for a period of time sufficient to permit acceleration of
     Indebtedness for Borrowed Money.

     SECTION 8.1.4 Bankruptcy, Insolvency. The Borrower or any Significant
                   ----------------------
Subsidiary shall become insolvent or generally fail to pay, or admit in writing
its inability to pay, debts as they become due; or the Borrower or any
Significant Subsidiary shall apply for, consent to, or acquiesce in, the
appointment of a trustee, receiver, sequestrator or other custodian for the
Borrower or such Significant Subsidiary or any property of any thereof, or make
a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or, in the absence of such
application, consent or acquiescence, a trustee, receiver, sequestrator or other
custodian shall be appointed for the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary or
for a substantial part of the property of any thereof and not be discharged
within 60 days; or any bankruptcy, reorganization, debt arrangement, or other
case or proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency law, or any dissolution,
winding up or liquidation proceeding, shall be

                                       33
<PAGE>

commenced in respect of the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary, and, if such
case or proceeding is not commenced by the Borrower or such Significant
Subsidiary, such case or proceeding shall be consented to or acquiesced in by
the Borrower or such Significant Subsidiary or shall result in the entry of an
order for relief or shall remain for 60 days undismissed; or the Borrower or any
Significant Subsidiary shall take any corporate action to authorize, or in
furtherance of, any of the foregoing.

     SECTION 8.1.5 Control of the Borrower. Any Change in Control shall occur on
                   -----------------------
or after the Effective Date.

     SECTION 8.1.6 Non-Performance of Other Obligations. Any Loan Party shall
                   ------------------------------------
default in the due performance and observance of any other agreement, applicable
to it, contained in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document, and such
default shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after notice thereof
shall have been given to the Borrower by the Agent or any Bank.

     SECTION 8.1.7 Breach of Representation or Warranty. Any representation or
                   ------------------------------------
warranty of any Loan Party in any Loan Document or in any writing furnished
after the date of this Agreement by or on behalf of any Loan Party for the
purposes of or in connection with this Agreement is or shall be incorrect in any
material respect when made or deemed made.

     SECTION 8.1.8 Pension Plans. Any of the following events shall occur with
                   -------------
respect to any Pension Plan

          (a) the institution of any steps by the Borrower, any Subsidiary, any
     member of the Controlled Group of any of them or any other Person to
     terminate a Pension Plan if, as a result of such termination, the Borrower
     or any such member could be required to make a contribution to such Pension
     Plan, or could reasonably expect to incur a liability or obligation, in
     excess of $25,000,000; or

          (b) a contribution failure occurs with respect to any Pension Plan
     sufficient to give rise to a Lien under Section 302(f) of ERISA.

     SECTION 8.1.9 Judgments. A final judgment to the extent not covered by
                   ---------
insurance that, with other such outstanding final judgments against the Borrower
and the Subsidiaries exceeds an aggregate of $10,000,000 shall be rendered
against the Borrower or any Subsidiary and if, within 60 days after entry
thereof, such judgment shall not have been discharged or otherwise satisfied or
execution thereof stayed pending appeal, or if, within 60 days after the
expiration of any such stay, such judgment shall not have been discharged or
otherwise satisfied.

     SECTION 8.1.10 Significant Subsidiary Guaranty and Subordination Agreement.
                    -----------------------------------------------------------
The Significant Subsidiary Guaranty or any Subordination Agreement shall cease
to be in full force and effect or any Loan Party or any Person by, through or on
behalf of any Loan Party shall contest in any manner in writing the validity,
binding nature or enforceability of either the Significant Subsidiary Guaranty
or any Subordination Agreement.

     SECTION 8.1.11 Multiemployer Plans. The Borrower, any Subsidiary or any
                    -------------------
member of the Controlled Group of any of them shall incur, or shall be
reasonably likely to incur liability in excess of $10,000,000 in the aggregate
as a result of one or more of the following: (i) the partial or complete
withdrawal of the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any member of the Controlled Group
of any of them from a Multiemployer Plan; or (ii) the reorganization or
termination of a Multiemployer Plan.

     SECTION 8.2 Action if Bankruptcy. If any Event of Default described in
                 --------------------
Section 8.1.4 shall occur with respect to the Borrower, the Commitment shall
-------------
automatically terminate, and the outstanding principal amount of all outstanding
Loans and all other Liabilities shall be and become immediately due and payable,
without notice or demand.

                                       34
<PAGE>

     SECTION 8.3 Action if Other Event of Default. If any Event of Default
                 --------------------------------
(other than an Event of Default described in Section 8.1.4 with respect to the
                                             -------------
Borrower) shall occur for any reason, whether voluntary or involuntary, and be
continuing, the Agent shall at the request, or may with the consent of the
Required Banks, without notice or demand, terminate the Commitments and declare
the outstanding principal amount of the Loans to be due and payable and all
other Liabilities to be due and payable, whereupon the full unpaid amount of
such Loans and all other Liabilities shall be and become immediately due and
payable, without further demand presentment, protest or notice of any kind, all
of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                                    THE AGENT

     SECTION 9.1. Authorization and Action. Each Bank hereby appoints and
                  ------------------------
authorizes the Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise
such powers and discretion under this Agreement as are delegated to the Agent by
the terms hereof, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably
incidental thereto. As to any matters not expressly provided for by this
Agreement (including, without limitation, enforcement or collection of the
Notes), the Agent shall not be required to exercise any discretion or take any
action, but shall be required to act or to refrain from acting (and shall be
fully protected in so acting or refraining from acting) upon the instructions of
the Required Banks or, if required by Section 10.1, all Banks, and such
                                      ------------
instructions shall be binding upon all Banks and all holders of Notes; provided,
                                                                       --------
however, that the Agent shall not be required to take any action that exposes
-------
the Agent to personal liability or that is contrary to this Agreement or
applicable law. The Agent agrees to give to each Bank (x) prompt notice of each
notice given to it by the Borrower pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and
(y) copies of each certificate delivered by the Borrower in accordance with
Section 7.1.1.
-------------

     SECTION 9.2. Agent's Reliance, Etc. Neither the Agent nor any of its
                  ---------------------
directors, officers, agents or employees shall be liable for any action taken or
omitted to be taken by it or them under or in connection with this Agreement,
except for its or their own gross negligence or willful misconduct. Without
limitation of the generality of the foregoing, the Agent: (i) may treat the Bank
that made any Loan as the holder of the Debt resulting therefrom until the Agent
receives and accepts an Assumption Agreement entered into by an Assuming Bank as
provided in Section 2.5 or an Assignment and Acceptance entered into by such
Bank, as assignor, and an Eligible Assignee, as assignee, as provided in Section
10.11; (ii) may consult with legal counsel (including counsel for the Borrower),
independent public accountants and other experts selected by it and shall not be
liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken in good faith by it in
accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants or experts; (iii) makes
no warranty or representation to any Bank and shall not be responsible to any
Bank for any statements, warranties or representations (whether written or oral)
made in or in connection with this Agreement; (iv) shall not have any duty to
ascertain or to inquire as to the performance or observance of any of the terms,
covenants or conditions of this Agreement on the part of the Borrower or to
inspect the property (including the books and records) of the Borrower; (v)
shall not be responsible to any Bank for the due execution, legality, validity,
enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of this Agreement or any other
instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto; and (vi) shall incur no
liability under or in respect of this Agreement by acting upon any notice,
consent, certificate or other instrument or writing (which may be by telecopier,
telegram or telex) believed by it to be genuine and signed or sent by the proper
party or parties.

     SECTION 9.3. Citibank and Affiliates. With respect to its Commitment, the
                  -----------------------
Loans made by it and the Note issued to it, Citibank shall have the same rights
and powers under this Agreement as any other Bank and may exercise the same as
though it were not the Agent; and the term "Bank" or "Banks" shall, unless
otherwise expressly indicated, include Citibank in its individual capacity.
Citibank and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as
trustee under indentures of, accept investment banking engagements from and
generally engage in any kind of business with, the Borrower, any of its
Subsidiaries and any Person who may do business with or own securities of the
Borrower or any such Subsidiary, all as if Citibank were not the Agent and
without any duty to account therefor to the Banks.

                                       35
<PAGE>

     SECTION 9.4. Bank Credit Decision. Each Bank acknowledges that it has,
                  --------------------
independently and without reliance upon the Agent or any other Bank and based on
the financial statements referred to in Section 6.4 and such other documents and
information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and
decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Bank also acknowledges that it will,
independently and without reliance upon the Agent or any other Bank and based on
such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time,
continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under
this Agreement.

     SECTION 9.5. Indemnification. The Banks agree to indemnify the Agent (to
                  ---------------
the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower), ratably according to the respective
principal amounts of the Loans then owed to each of them (or if no Loans are at
the time outstanding, ratably according to the respective amounts of their
Commitments), from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses,
damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements
of any kind or nature whatsoever that may be imposed on, incurred by, or
asserted against the Agent in any way relating to or arising out of this
Agreement or any action taken or omitted by the Agent under this Agreement
(collectively, the "Indemnified Costs"), provided that no Bank shall be liable
                    -----------------    --------
for any portion of the Indemnified Costs resulting from the Agent's gross
negligence or willful misconduct. Without limitation of the foregoing, each Bank
agrees to reimburse the Agent promptly upon demand for its ratable share of any
out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable counsel fees) incurred by the Agent
in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration,
modification, amendment or enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal
proceedings or otherwise) of, or legal advice in respect of rights or
responsibilities under, this Agreement, to the extent that the Agent is not
reimbursed for such expenses by the Borrower. In the case of any investigation,
litigation or proceeding giving rise to any Indemnified Costs, this Section 9.5
applies whether any such investigation, litigation or proceeding is brought by
the Agent, any Bank or a third party.

     SECTION 9.6. Successor Agent. The Agent may resign at any time by giving
                  ---------------
written notice thereof to the Banks and the Borrower and may be removed at any
time with or without cause by the Required Banks. Upon any such resignation or
removal, the Required Banks shall have the right to appoint a successor Agent
with the consent, so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing, of the
Borrower, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. If no
successor Agent shall have been so appointed by the Required Banks, and shall
have accepted such appointment, within 30 days after the retiring Agent's giving
of notice of resignation or the Required Banks' removal of the retiring Agent,
then the retiring Agent may, on behalf of the Banks, appoint a successor Agent,
which shall be a commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States
of America or of any State thereof and having a combined capital and surplus of
at least $500,000,000. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Agent hereunder
by a successor Agent, such successor Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become
vested with all the rights, powers, discretion, privileges and duties of the
retiring Agent, and the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and
obligations under this Agreement. After any retiring Agent's resignation or
removal hereunder as Agent, the provisions of this Article IX shall inure to its
benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent
under this Agreement.

     SECTION 9.7. Other Agents. Each Bank hereby acknowledges that neither the
                  ------------
documentation agent nor any other Bank designated as any "Agent" on the
signature pages hereof has any liability hereunder other than in its capacity as
a Bank.

                                    ARTICLE X

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

     SECTION 10.1 Waivers, Amendments. The provisions of this Agreement and of
                  -------------------
each Loan Document may from time to time be amended, modified, or waived, if
such amendment, modification or waiver is in writing and consented to by the
Borrower and the Required Banks; provided, however, that no amendment, waiver or
                                 --------  -------
consent shall, unless in writing and signed by all the Banks, do any of the
following:

                                       36
<PAGE>

(a) waive any of the conditions specified in Section 5.1, (b) increase the
Commitments of the Banks or subject the Banks to any additional obligations, (c)
reduce the principal of, or interest on, the Loans or any fees or other amounts
payable hereunder, (d) postpone any date fixed for any payment of principal of,
or interest on, the Loans or any fees or other amounts payable hereunder, (e)
change the percentage of the Commitments or of the aggregate unpaid principal
amount of the Loans, or the number of Banks, that shall be required for the
Banks or any of them to take any action hereunder, (f) release any Significant
Subsidiary from its obligations under the Significant Subsidiary Guaranty, (g)
release any Person from its obligations under the Subordination Agreement or (h)
amend this Section 10.1; and provided further that no amendment, waiver or
                             -------- -------
consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Agent in addition to the
Banks required above to take such action, affect the rights or duties of the
Agent under this Agreement or any Note.

     No failure or delay on the part of the Banks or the holder of any Note in
exercising any power or right under this Agreement or any other Loan Document
shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of
any such power or right preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the
exercise of any other power or right. No notice to or demand on the Borrower in
any case shall entitle it to any notice or demand in similar or other
circumstances. No waiver or approval by the Banks, or the holder of any Note
under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall, except as may be
otherwise stated in such waiver or approval, be applicable to subsequent
transactions. No waiver or approval hereunder shall require any similar or
dissimilar waiver or approval thereafter to be granted hereunder.

     SECTION 10.2 Notices All notices and other communications provided for
                  -------
hereunder shall be in writing (including telecopier, telegraphic or telex
communication) and mailed, telecopied, telegraphed, telexed or delivered, if to
the Borrower, at its address at CONSOL Plaza, 1800 Washington Road, Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania 15241-1421, Attention: Treasury (Fax No. 412 831-4151); if to any
Initial Bank, at its Domestic Lending Office specified opposite its name on
Schedule I hereto; if to any other Bank, at its Domestic Lending Office
specified in the Assumption Agreement or the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant
to which it became a Bank; and if to the Agent, at its address at Two Penns Way,
New Castle, Delaware 19720, Attention: Bank Loan Syndications Department; or, as
to the Borrower or the Agent, at such other address as shall be designated by
such party in a written notice to the other parties and, as to each other party,
at such other address as shall be designated by such party in a written notice
to the Borrower and the Agent. All such notices and communications shall, when
mailed, telecopied, telegraphed or telexed, be effective when deposited in the
mails, telecopied, delivered to the telegraph company or confirmed by telex
answerback, respectively, except that notices and communications to the Agent
pursuant to Article II, III, IV, V or IX shall not be effective until received
by the Agent. Delivery by telecopier of an executed counterpart of any amendment
or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or the Notes or of any Exhibit
hereto to be executed and delivered hereunder shall be effective as delivery of
a manually executed counterpart thereof.

     SECTION 10.3 Costs and Expenses. The Borrower agrees to pay on demand all
                  ------------------
costs and expenses of the Agent in connection with the preparation, execution,
delivery, administration, modification and amendment of this Agreement, the
Notes and the other documents to be delivered hereunder, including, without
limitation, (A) all due diligence, syndication (including printing, distribution
and bank meetings), transportation, computer, duplication, appraisal,
consultant, and audit expenses and (B) the reasonable fees and expenses of
counsel for the Agent with respect thereto and with respect to advising the
Agent as to its rights and responsibilities under this Agreement. The Borrower
agrees to reimburse the Agent and each Bank upon demand for all reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses (including attorneys' fees and legal expenses and the
allocated costs of in-house counsel and legal staff) incurred by the Agent or
such Bank in enforcing the obligations of the Borrower or any Significant
Subsidiary under this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

     SECTION 10.4 Indemnification. In consideration of the execution and
                  ---------------
delivery of this Agreement by the Agent and each Bank and the extension of the
Commitments, the Borrower hereby indemnifies, exonerates and holds the Agent and
each Bank and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, and
agents (the "Bank Parties") free and harmless from and against any and all
             ------------
actions, causes of action, suits, losses, costs, liabilities and damages, and
expenses actually incurred in connection therewith (irrespective of whether such
Bank Party is a party to the action for which indemnification hereunder is
sought), including reasonable attorneys' fees and disbursements (the
"Indemnified Liabilities"), incurred by the Bank Parties or any of them as a
 -----------------------
result of, or arising out of, or relating to the entering into and performance
of this Agreement

                                       37
<PAGE>

and any other Loan Document by any of the Bank Parties or the actual or proposed
use of the proceeds of the Loans; except for any such Indemnified Liabilities
arising for the account of a particular Bank Party by reason of the relevant
Bank Party's breach of this Agreement or of any Loan Document or gross
negligence or willful misconduct, and if and to the extent that the foregoing
undertaking may be unenforceable for any reason, the Borrower hereby agrees to
make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of the
Indemnified Liabilities which is permissible under applicable law. The Borrower
also agrees not to assert any claim for special, indirect, consequential or
punitive damages against the Agent, any Bank, any of their Affiliates, or any of
their respective directors, officers, employees, attorneys and agents, on any
theory of liability, arising out of or otherwise relating to the Notes, this
Agreement, any of the transactions contemplated herein or the actual or proposed
use of the proceeds of the Loans.

     SECTION 10.5 Survival. The obligations of the Borrower under Sections 4.4,
                  --------                                        ------------
4.5, 10.3, and 10.4 shall in each case survive any termination of this
---  ----      ----
Agreement. The representations and warranties made by each Loan Party in this
Agreement and in each other Loan Document shall survive the execution and
delivery of this Agreement and each such other Loan Document.

     SECTION 10.6 Severability. Any provision of this Agreement or any other
                  ------------
Loan Document which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as
to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or
unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement
or such Loan Document or affecting the validity or enforceability of such
provision in any other jurisdiction.

     SECTION 10.7 Headings. The various headings of this Agreement and of each
                  --------
other Loan Document are inserted for convenience only and shall not affect the
meaning or interpretation of this Agreement or such Loan Document or any
provisions hereof or thereof.

     SECTION 10.8 Counterparts, Effectiveness. This Agreement may be executed by
                  ---------------------------
the parties hereto in several counterparts, each of which shall be executed by
the Borrower, the Agent and each Bank and be deemed to be an original and all of
which shall constitute together but one and the same agreement.

     SECTION 10.9 Governing Law; Entire Agreement. THIS AGREEMENT, THE NOTE, AND
                  -------------------------------
EACH OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL EACH BE DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACT MADE UNDER AND
GOVERNED BY THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. THIS AGREEMENT, THE
NOTE, AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS CONSTITUTE THE ENTIRE UNDERSTANDING AMONG THE
PARTIES HERETO WITH RESPECT TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF AND SUPERSEDE ANY PRIOR
AGREEMENTS, WRITTEN OR ORAL, WITH RESPECT THERETO.

     SECTION 10.10 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon
                   ----------------------
and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors and assigns; provided, however, that:
                        --------  -------

          (a) the Borrower may not assign or transfer its rights or obligations
     hereunder without the prior written consent of the Banks; and

          (b) the rights of sale, assignment, participation and transfer by the
     Banks are subject to Section 10.11.
                          -------------

     SECTION 10.11 Sale and Transfers of Loans and Notes; Participations in
                   --------------------------------------------------------
Loans and Notes.
---------------

          (a) Each Bank may at any time sell to one or more banks or other
     entities ("Participants") participating interests in all or any portion of
                ------------
     its Commitment and Loans or any other rights or interest of such Bank
     hereunder (its "Credit Exposure"). In the event of any such sale by a Bank
                     ---------------
     of participating interests to a Participant, such Bank shall notify the
     Borrower of the identity of such Participant, such Bank's obligations under
     this Agreement shall remain unchanged, such Bank shall remain solely
     responsible for the performance thereof, such Bank shall remain the holder
     of any such Note for all purposes under this Agreement, and the Borrower
     and the Agent shall continue to

                                       38
<PAGE>

     deal solely and directly with such Bank in connection with such Bank's
     rights and obligations under this Agreement. Except in the case of the sale
     of a participation to an Affiliate of a Bank, any participation permitted
     hereunder shall be in a minimum amount of at least $5,000,000, and the
     relevant participation agreement shall not permit the Participant to
     transfer, pledge, assign, sell participations in or otherwise encumber its
     portion of the Commitment or Loans. Each Bank agrees that any agreement
     between such Bank and any such Participant in respect of such participating
     interest shall not restrict such Bank's right to agree to any amendment,
     supplement or modification to the Agreement or any of the Loan Documents
     except to extend the final maturity of any Note, reduce the rate or extend
     the time of payment of interest thereon or any fees owed to such Bank under
     this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents, reduce the principal amount of
     any Note or release any Guaranty. The Borrower hereby acknowledges and
     agrees that any such disposition described in this Section will give rise
     to a direct obligation of the Borrower to the Participant, and such
     Participant shall, for purposes of Sections 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.4 and 4.5, be
                                        ------------  ---  ---  ---     ---
     considered a Bank and may rely on, and possess all rights under, any
     opinions, certificates, or other Instruments delivered under or in
     connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document; provided,
                                                                --------
     however, that, the Borrower shall only be required to deliver information
     -------
     and data required pursuant to this Agreement to the Bank selling or
     granting a participation in (in whole or in part) its Credit Exposure; and
     provided, further, that no Participant shall be entitled to payment of any
     --------  -------
     amount under Section 3.9 in excess of that which would have been at the
                  -----------
     date of such participation required to be paid to the selling Bank had no
     participation occurred. Concurrently with the sale of any participation,
     the Participant shall execute and deliver to the Borrower and the selling
     Bank an instrument in writing specifying its Domestic Lending Office and
     its LIBOR Lending Office and containing an Exemption Representation, and,
     if such Participant is a Non-United States Person, an Exemption Agreement.

          (b) Each Bank (in such capacity the "Assigning Bank") may at any time
                                               --------------
     assign to one or more banks or other entities (each a "Purchasing Bank")
                                                            ---------------
     all or any part of its Credit Exposure, provided, that (i) each such
                                             --------
     assignment shall be of a constant, and not a varying, percentage of all
     rights and obligations under this Agreement and the Notes, (ii) except in
     the case of an assignment to a Person that, immediately prior to such
     assignment, was a Bank or an assignment of all of a Bank's rights and
     obligations under this Agreement, the amount of the Commitment of the
     assigning Bank being assigned pursuant to each such assignment (determined
     as of the date of the Assignment and Acceptance with respect to such
     assignment) shall in no event be less than $10,000,000 or an integral
     multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, (iii) any Purchasing Bank (other
     than an Affiliate of the Assigning Bank) must be acceptable to the Borrower
     and the Agent, whose consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, and the
     Agent's and the Borrower's decisions respecting the same shall be made
     promptly, provided that the Borrower's consent shall not be required if an
               --------
     Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; (iv) each such assignment
     made as a result of a demand by the Borrower shall be arranged by the
     Borrower after consultation with the Agent and shall be either an
     assignment of all of the rights and obligations of the assigning Bank under
     this Agreement or an assignment of a portion of such rights and obligations
     made concurrently with another such assignment or other such assignments
     that together cover all of the rights and obligations of the assigning Bank
     under this Agreement, (v) no Bank shall be obligated to make any such
     assignment as a result of a demand by the Borrower unless and until such
     Bank shall have received one or more payments from either the Borrower or
     one or more Purchasing Banks in an aggregate amount at least equal to the
     aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Loans owing to such Bank,
     together with accrued interest thereon to the date of payment of such
     principal and all other amounts payable to such Bank under this Agreement
     and (vi) the parties to each such assignment shall execute and deliver to
     the Agent, for its acceptance and recording in the Register, an Assignment
     and Acceptance, together with any Notes subject to such assignment and,
     except in the case of an assignment to an Affiliate of such Lender, a
     processing and recordation fee of $3,500 (which shall be paid by Persons
     other than the Borrower unless such assignment is made as a result of a
     demand by the Borrower). In the event of any assignment, the Assigning Bank
     shall give notice to the Borrower and the Agent and shall deliver to the
     Agent, for its acceptance and recording in its records, an Assignment and
     Acceptance, which shall include an Exemption Representation and, if such
     Purchasing Bank is a Non-United States Person, its Exemption Agreement. The
     Borrower and each Bank agrees that to the extent of any assignment, the
     Purchasing Bank shall be deemed to have the same rights and benefits with
     respect to the Borrower under this Agreement and any Notes as it would have
     had if it were a Bank hereunder; provided that
                                      --------

                                       39
<PAGE>

     the Borrower and the Agent shall be entitled to continue to deal solely and
     directly with the Assigning Bank in connection with the interests so
     assigned to the Purchasing Bank until the Assignment and Acceptance shall
     have been delivered to the Agent collectively by the Assigning Bank and the
     Purchasing Bank. Upon the assignment of Credit Exposure provided for
     hereby, the Assigning Bank shall be relieved of its obligations hereunder
     to the extent of such assignment. In the event of any assignment, the
     Borrower shall, at its sole cost and expense, prepare and deliver to the
     Assigning Bank and to the Purchasing Bank new Notes reflecting the effect
     of such assignment.

          By executing and delivering an Assignment and Acceptance, the
     Assigning Bank thereunder and the assignee thereunder confirm to and agree
     with each other and the other parties hereto as follows: (i) other than as
     provided in such Assignment and Acceptance, such Assigning Bank makes no
     representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to
     any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with
     this Agreement or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability,
     genuineness, sufficiency or value of this Agreement or any other instrument
     or document furnished pursuant hereto; (ii) such Assigning Bank makes no
     representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to
     the financial condition of the Borrower or the performance or observance by
     the Borrower of any of its obligations under this Agreement or any other
     instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto; (iii) such Purchasing
     Bank confirms that it has received a copy of this Agreement, together with
     copies of the financial statements referred to in Section 6.4 or the most
     recent financial statements required to be delivered pursuant to Section
     7.1.1 and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate
     to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into such Assignment
     and Acceptance; (iv) such Purchasing Bank will, independently and without
     reliance upon the Agent, such Assigning Bank or any other Bank and based on
     such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time,
     continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action
     under this Agreement; (v) such Purchasing Bank appoints and authorizes the
     Agent to take such action as agent on behalf of such assignee and to
     exercise such powers and discretion under this Agreement as are delegated
     to the Agent by the terms hereof, together with such powers and discretion
     as are reasonably incidental thereto; and (vi) such Purchasing Bank agrees
     that it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations
     that by the terms of this Agreement are required to be performed by it as a
     Bank.

          (c) The Borrower authorizes each Bank to disclose to any Participant
     or Purchasing Bank (each, a "Transferee") and any prospective Transferee
                                  ----------
     any and all financial information in the Bank's possession concerning the
     Borrower and any Subsidiary which has been delivered to such Bank by the
     Borrower or any Subsidiary pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan
     Document or which has been delivered to such Bank by the Borrower or any
     Subsidiary in connection with such Bank's credit evaluation of the Borrower
     or any Subsidiary prior to entering into this Agreement; provided, that
                                                              --------
     such Transferee or prospective Transferee shall first have executed and
     delivered to the Borrower a Confidentiality Agreement.

          (d) The Agent shall maintain at its address referred to in Section
     10.2 a copy of each Assumption Agreement and each Assignment and Acceptance
     delivered to and accepted by it and a register for the recordation of the
     names and addresses of the Banks and the Commitment of, and principal
     amount of the Loans owing to, each Bank from time to time (the "Register").
                                                                     --------
     The entries in the Register shall be conclusive and binding for all
     purposes, absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Agent and the Banks
     may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as a Bank
     hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be
     available for inspection by the Borrower or any Bank at any reasonable time
     and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

          (e) Each Bank shall have the right to collaterally assign its rights
     hereunder or under any other Loan Document to any Federal Reserve Bank in
     accordance with applicable law.

          (f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any
     Bank (a "Granting Bank") may grant to a special purpose funding vehicle (a
              -------------
     "SPC"), identified as such in writing from time to time by the Granting
      ---
     Bank to the Agent and the Borrower, the option to provide to the

                                       40
<PAGE>

     Borrower all or any part of any Loan that such Granting Bank would
     otherwise be obligated to make to the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement;
     provided that (A) nothing herein shall constitute a commitment by any SPC
     --------
     to make any Loan and (B) if an SPC elects not to exercise such option or
     otherwise fails to provide all or any part of such Loan, the Granting Bank
     shall be obligated to make such Loan pursuant to the terms hereof. The
     making of an Loan by an SPC hereunder shall utilize the Commitment of the
     Granting Bank to the same extent, and as if, such Loan were made by such
     Granting Bank. Each party hereto hereby agrees that no SPC shall be liable
     for any indemnity or similar payment obligation under this Agreement (all
     liability for which shall remain with the Granting Bank). In furtherance of
     the foregoing, each party hereto hereby agrees (which agreement shall
     survive the termination of this Agreement) that, prior to the date that is
     one year and one day after the payment in full of all outstanding
     commercial paper or other senior indebtedness of any SPC, it will not
     institute against, or join any other person in instituting against, such
     SPC any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation
     proceedings under the laws of the United States or any State thereof. In
     addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
     Section 10.11, any SPC may (x) with notice to, but without the prior
     written consent of, the Borrower and the Agent and without paying any
     processing fee therefor, assign all or a portion of its interests in any
     Loans to the Granting Bank or to any financial institutions (consented to
     by the Borrower and Agent) providing liquidity and/or credit support to or
     for the account of such SPC to support the funding or maintenance of Loans
     and (y) disclose on a confidential basis any non-public information
     relating to its Loans to any rating agency, commercial paper dealer or
     provider of any surety, guarantee or credit or liquidity enhancement to
     such SPC. This section may not be amended without the written consent of
     the SPC.

     SECTION 10.12 Other Transactions. Nothing contained herein shall preclude
                   ------------------
the Bank from engaging in any transaction, in addition to those contemplated by
this Agreement or any other Loan Document, with the Borrower or any of its
Affiliates in which the Borrower or such Affiliate is not restricted hereby from
engaging with any other Person.

     SECTION 10.13 Waiver of Jury Trial. THE BANKS, THE AGENT, AND THE BORROWER
                   --------------------
HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY, AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVE ANY RIGHTS THEY MAY HAVE
TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION BASED HEREON, OR ARISING OUT OF,
UNDER, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR ANY
COURSE OF CONDUCT, COURSE OF DEALING, STATEMENTS (WHETHER VERBAL OR WRITTEN), OR
ACTIONS OF THE BANK, OR THE BORROWER. THIS PROVISION IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT
FOR THE BANKS AND THE AGENT ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT.

     SECTION 10.14 Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process. Any judicial
                   ----------------------------------------------
proceedings brought against the Borrower with respect to this Agreement or any
Note may be brought in any state or federal court of competent jurisdiction in
the State of New York and by the execution and delivery of this Agreement the
Borrower accepts the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts. Service
of process may be made by any means authorized by federal law or the law of New
York. A copy of any such process so served shall be mailed by registered mail to
the Borrower at its address set forth below its signature hereto or at such
other address as may be designated by the Borrower in a notice to the Bank.
Nothing herein shall limit the right of any Bank to bring proceedings against
the Borrower in the courts of any other jurisdiction.

                                       41
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the day
and year first above written.

                                    CONSOL ENERGY INC.

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

                                    CITIBANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent

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

                                           Lenders
                                           -------
Commitment
----------

$74,000,000                         CITIBANK, N.A.

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

$67,000,000                         THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA

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

$67,000,000                         DRESDNER BANK, AG, NEW YORK AND GRAND CAYMAN
                                    BRANCHES

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

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

$67,000,000                         MELLON BANK, N.A.

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

                                       42
<PAGE>

$50,000,000                         AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP
                                    LIMITED

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

$50,000,000                         PNC BANK, N.A.

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

$25,000,000                         NATIONAL CITY BANK

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

                                       43
<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT A

                                      NOTE

$                                                                         , 2001
 ------------                                                   ----------

          FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, CONSOL ENERGY INC., a Delaware
corporation (the "Borrower"), promises to pay to the order of               ,
                  --------                                    --------------
(the "Bank") on the Commitment Termination Date the principal sum of
      ----
             ($        ) or, if less, the outstanding principal amount of all
------------   --------
Loans made by the Bank to the Borrower outstanding from time to time pursuant to
that certain Amended and Restated Senior Revolving Loan Agreement, dated as of
September 21, 2001 (together with all amendments, if any, hereafter from time to
time made thereto, the "Loan Agreement"; the terms defined in the Loan Agreement
                        --------------
are used herein as therein defined), among the Borrower, the Bank and certain
other lenders parties thereto and Citibank, N.A., as Agent for the Bank and such
other Lenders, as such Loans are entered by the holder hereof in its records or
in the appropriate column of the grid (the "Grid") attached to this Note. All
                                            ----
payments on account of the principal hereof shall also be endorsed by the holder
hereof on the Grid or otherwise entered on the records of the Bank. Failure to
record any such amounts on the Grid shall not limit or otherwise affect the
obligations of the Borrower to make payments of principal or interest on this
Note when due.

          The unpaid principal amount of this Note from time to time outstanding
shall bear interest as provided in Section 3.4 and Section 3.5 of the Loan
                                   -----------     -----------
Agreement.

          All payments of principal of and interest on this Note shall be
payable in lawful currency of the United States of America to Citibank, N.A., as
Agent, at its offices at 399 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10043 in
immediately available funds.

          This Note is one of the Notes referred to in, and is entitled to the
benefits of, the Loan Agreement, to which reference is made for a statement of
the terms and conditions on which the Borrower is permitted and required to make
prepayments of principal of this Note and on which the indebtedness evidenced
hereby may be declared to be immediately due and payable.

                                                  CONSOL ENERGY INC.

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

                                       A-1
<PAGE>

                                      GRID

Loans made by the Bank to CONSOL Energy Inc. described in that certain Amended
and Restated Senior Revolving Loan Agreement, dated as of September 21, 2001,
and payments of principal of such Loans.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Portion of Principal
                                                                     Balance Maintained
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         Amount of   Outstanding                                           Applicable Fixed
                         Principal    Principal                                              Rate Interest    Notation Made
Date    Amount of Loan    Payment      Balance     Base Rate Loan      LIBO Rate Loan           Period             By
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>     <C>              <C>         <C>           <C>                 <C>                 <C>                <C>

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                       A-2
<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT B

                                  LOAN REQUEST

Citibank, N.A., as Agent for
the Banks parties to the Loan
Agreement referred to below
Two Penns Way
New Castle, DE  19720

Attention:  Bank Loan Syndications Department

     RE:  Amended and Restated Senior Revolving Loan Agreement, dated as of
          September 21, 2001 (together with all amendments, if any, thereafter
          from time to time made thereto, the "Loan Agreement"), among CONSOL
                                               --------------
          Energy Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"), the Banks party
                                                    --------
          thereto and Citibank, N.A., as agent

Gentlemen:

          The Borrower hereby irrevocably requests, pursuant to Section     of
                                                                        ---
the Loan Agreement, that Advances be made to the Borrower in the aggregate
principal amount of $          on           , 200 . The Borrower hereby also
                     ---------    ----------     -
requests that such Borrowing be made as [   ] a LIBO Rate Loan in the amount of
                                         ---
$          having an Interest Period of [   ] one week or [   ] months or [   ]
 ---------                               ---               ---             ---
a Base Rate Loan in the amount of $         .
                                   ---------

          The Borrower hereby certifies and warrants that:

          (a) the representations and warranties set forth in Article VI of the
                                                              ----------
     Loan Agreement were true and correct as of the date made,

          (b) on the date of the Borrowing requested hereby and after giving
     effect to the incurrence thereof,

               (i) the representations and warranties set forth in Article VI of
                                                                   ----------
          the Loan Agreement will be true and correct in all material respects
          as if then made,

               (ii) no Default will have occurred and be continuing,

               (iii) since the Effective Date, there will have been no
          occurrence which, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably
          be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect, and

               (iv) no litigation, arbitration or governmental investigation or
          proceeding will be pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower,
          threatened against the Borrower, any Guarantor or any Subsidiary or
          will affect the business,

                                       B-1
<PAGE>

          operations or prospects of any thereof which was not disclosed by the
          Borrower to the Banks pursuant to Section 6.6 of the Loan Agreement
                                            -----------
          and no development not so disclosed will have occurred in any
          litigation, arbitration or governmental investigation or proceeding so
          disclosed, which, in either event, would reasonably be expected to
          have a Materially Adverse Effect.

          The Borrower agrees that if prior to the time of the making of the
Borrowing requested hereby any matter certified to herein by it will not be true
and correct at such time as if then made, it will immediately so notify the
Agent. Except to the extent, if any, that prior to the time of the making of the
Borrowing requested hereby the Agent shall receive written notice to the
contrary from the Borrower, each matter certified to herein shall be deemed to
be certified at the date of such Borrowing as if then made.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has caused this Certificate to be
executed and delivered by its duly Authorized Officer this     day of
                                                           ---
               , 200 .
---------------     -

                                                  CONSOL ENERGY INC.

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

                                       B-2
<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT C

                                      LOAN
                         CONTINUATION/CONVERSION NOTICE

Citibank, N.A., as Agent for
the Banks parties to the Loan
Agreement referred to below
Two Penns Way
New Castle, DE  19720

Attention:  Bank Loan Syndications Department

     RE:  Amended and Restated Senior Revolving Loan Agreement, dated as of
          September 21, 2001 (together with all amendments, if any, thereafter
          from time to time made thereto, the "Loan Agreement"), among CONSOL
                                               --------------
          Energy Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"), the Banks party
                                                    --------
          thereto and Citibank, N.A., as agent

Gentlemen/Ladies:

          The Borrower hereby requests that on          , 200  , a Borrowing in
                                               ---------     --
an outstanding principal amount of $          ,
                                    ----------

          (1)  which is presently being maintained as

               [ ] a Base Rate Borrowing or
               [ ] a LIBO Rate Borrowing

          (2)  be

               [ ] converted into, or
               [ ] continued as

               [ ] a LIBO Rate Borrowing having an Interest Period of

               [ ] 1 week in the amount of $            ,
                                            ------------

               [ ] 1 month in the amount of $             ,
                                             -------------

               [ ] 2 months in the amount of $             ,
                                              -------------

               [ ] 3 months in the amount of $             , or
                                              -------------

                                       C-1
<PAGE>

               [ ] a Base Rate Borrowing.

          In the event that the Borrowing is to be converted into, or continued
as, a Fixed Rate Borrowing, the Borrower hereby:

          (a) certifies and warrants that no Default has occurred and is
     continuing;

          (b) agrees that if prior to the time of such continuation or
     conversion any matter certified to herein by it will not be true and
     correct at such time as if then made, it will immediately so notify the
     Agent; and

          (c) certifies that no prepayment of Loans is required (after giving
     effect to such continuation or conversion) pursuant to Section 3.3 of the
     Loan Agreement.

          Except to the extent, if any, that prior to the time of the
continuation or conversion requested hereby the Agent shall receive written
notice to the contrary from the Borrower, each matter certified to herein shall
be deemed to be certified at the date of such continuation or conversion as if
then made.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has caused this Certificate to be
executed and delivered by its Authorized Officer this     day of             ,
                                                      ---        ------------
200 .
   -

                                                  CONSOL ENERGY INC.

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

                                       C-2
<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT D

                            CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT

                               CONSOL ENERGY INC.
                              1800 Washington Road
                       Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241-1421

                                               , 200
                           --------------------     -

Citibank, N.A., as Agent for
the Banks parties to the Loan
Agreement referred to below
Two Penns Way
New Castle, DE  19720

Dear:

          CONSOL Energy Inc. (the "Borrower"), the Banks party thereto and
                                   --------
Citibank, N.A., as agent, have entered into that certain U.S.$400,000,000
Amended and Restated Senior Revolving Loan Agreement dated as of September 21,
2001 (as such may be amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified and
in effect from time to time, the "Loan Agreement"). Capitalized terms used but
                                  --------------
not defined herein have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Loan
Agreement.

          This letter (the "Agreement") acknowledges and confirms all agreements
                            ---------
and understandings between             (the "Bank") and the Borrower with
                           -----------       ----
respect to maintaining the confidentiality of certain documentation, information
and other materials (collectively, the "Information") previously disclosed or
                                        -----------
made available, or hereafter to be disclosed or made available, to the Bank by
the Borrower in connection with any due diligence or otherwise in connection
with the Loan Agreement. Such Information may include, without limitation, any
financial statements and other financial data, and any other information and
material concerning the business, operations, properties, assets, and financial
affairs of the Borrower and its Affiliates, as well as any and all information
and material developed from inspection of the properties and records of the
Borrower and its Affiliates and from discussions with officers and employees
thereof.

          In consideration of the disclosure by the Borrower, through its
officers, employees, and representatives, of the Information, and intending to
be legally bound, the Bank hereby agrees with the Borrower as follows:

          1. The Bank will maintain a secret and confidential status for any and
     all of the Information. The Bank will refrain from using any of the
     Information for its own use or commercial purposes and from directly or
     indirectly disclosing or making available any of the Information to any
     person, firm, company, entity or other party for any use, except as
     expressly permitted by the Loan Agreement or this Agreement.

                                       D-1
<PAGE>

          2. The Bank will restrict disclosures of any and all of the
     Information only to those of its affiliates and those of the directors,
     officers, employees, representatives and advisors of itself and its
     affiliates as may be reasonably necessary and will advise all such persons
     of the strict obligations of confidentiality hereunder. The Bank will
     further take all such other measures as may be necessary to protect the
     confidentiality of such disclosures and will use its reasonable efforts to
     require its directors, officers, employees, representatives and advisors to
     refrain from using any such Information for their own, or for any other
     person's or entity's, use.

          3. If the Bank is required in connection with judicial or governmental
     proceedings or by applicable law (by oral questions, interrogatories,
     requests for information or documents, subpoena, civil investigative demand
     or similar process) to disclose any of the Information, it is agreed, to
     the extent permissible under applicable law and to the extent practicable,
     that the Bank will provide the Borrower with prompt notice of such
     request(s) so that the Borrower may seek an appropriate protective order
     and/or waive the Bank's compliance with the provisions of this Agreement;
     provided, the Bank may allow bank regulators to examine the Information. It
     --------
     is further agreed that if, in the absence of a protective order or the
     receipt of a waiver hereunder, the Bank is nonetheless, in the opinion of
     the Bank's counsel, compelled by a court order or other legal requirement
     to disclose any of the Information or else stand liable for contempt or
     suffer other censure or penalty, the Bank may disclose such Information to
     such tribunal without liability hereunder.

          4. It is understood that this Agreement shall in no way be deemed to
     require the disclosure or making available to the Bank of any
     documentation, information or other material, which shall be solely in the
     discretion of the Borrower but subject to the requirements of the Loan
     Agreement in that regard.

          5. The Bank has been informed that (a) all Information disclosed or
     made available to the Bank hereunder is of a confidential or proprietary
     nature, or both, (b) the covenants of this Agreement and the Information
     disclosed or made available to the Bank are special, unique, and of
     extraordinary character, (c) the Borrower and/or its Affiliates will be
     irreparably harmed by violation of this Agreement, and (d) the use of any
     of the Information which is subject to this Agreement for the business
     purposes of any party other than the Borrower and its Affiliates would
     enable such party to compete unfairly with the Borrower. In the event that
     the Bank shall have knowledge of any potential or actual breach of the
     confidentiality of, or the misappropriation of, any of the Information
     which is subject to this Agreement, the Bank will promptly give notice
     thereof to the Borrower. In addition, the Borrower shall be entitled,
     without limitation of any other remedies to which it may be entitled by
     law, to injunctive relief (without proof of the lack of an adequate remedy
     at law), to enforcement of specific performance of this Agreement, and to
     damages in the event of any violation of this Agreement.

          6. The provisions of this Agreement shall not apply to any information
     or material which (a) is or becomes known to the public generally through
     no wrongful act of the Bank, its directors, officers, employees,
     representatives and advisors, (b) is, to the best of the Bank's knowledge
     when such information is received, rightfully received from

                                       D-2
<PAGE>

     a third party without breach of this Agreement, (c) is approved for release
     by written authorization of the Borrower, or (d) was in the Bank's rightful
     possession or that of the Bank's directors, officers, employees,
     representatives and advisors at the time of disclosure hereunder.

          7. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefits of
     the parties hereto and their respective successors, and shall not be
     assigned by the Bank without the written consent of the Borrower.

          8. The Borrower makes no warranty, expressed or implied, other than as
     provided in the Loan Agreement, regarding the accuracy, completeness or
     usefulness of the Information furnished hereunder, and the Bank shall
     consider and use such Information at its risk and discretion.

          9. All provisions of this Agreement shall be binding and take effect
     from the date the Bank signs this Agreement.

          10. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED, INTERPRETED AND ENFORCED IN
     ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

          11. This Agreement represents the entire agreement between the
     Borrower and the Bank with respect to the subject matter hereof and
     supersedes any and all prior negotiations, communications, agreements or
     understandings pertaining thereto. This Agreement may be modified only by a
     written amendment executed by both parties.

          If the foregoing is accepted and agreed to by the Bank as a correct
expression of the Borrower's and the Bank's mutual understanding, then please
acknowledge that this Agreement is binding between the Borrower and the Bank by
signing and returning to the Borrower the attached copy of this Agreement.

                                                  Very truly yours,

                                                  CONSOL ENERGY INC.

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

Accepted and Agreed to this
     day of                , 2001
-----       ---------------

[ BANK ]

By
   --------------------------------------
Its
    -------------------------------------

                                       D-3
<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT E

                               DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE

ITEM 6.6. Litigation.
          ----------

Buckeye Reclamation Landfill Site
---------------------------------

Consolidation Coal Company is a member of the steering committee and a
potentially responsible party for environmental remediation at the Buckeye
Reclamation Landfill Site, a current CERCLA Superfund site situate near St.
Clairsville, Belmont County, Ohio. Under terms of the Interim Allocation
Agreement entered into by potentially responsible parties, Consolidation Coal
Company is currently responsible for twenty-three percent (23%) of the Remedial
Design costs. Allocation of responsibility for the final remediation will be
resolved by negotiation or litigation. The maximum estimated total remediation
cost is Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000), although there is reason to believe
that the ultimate cost will be approximately Twenty-Five Million Dollars
($25,000,000).

                                       E-1
<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT E

ITEM 6.12 Existing Subsidiaries and Significant Subsidiaries
          --------------------------------------------------

                       SUBSIDIARIES OF CONSOL ENERGY INC.

                                                  Jurisdiction of    Percentage
Subsidiary                                         Incorporation       Owned
----------                                        ----------------   ----------
Buchanan Production Company (Partnership)         Virginia              100%
Cardinal River Coals Ltd.                         Alberta, Canada        50%
Cardinal States Gathering Company (Partnership)   Virginia              100%
Cargo Dockers Ltd.                                Ontario               100%
Central Ohio Coal Company                         Ohio                  100%
Church Street Holdings, Inc.                      Delaware              100%
CNX Gas Company LLC                               Virginia (LLC)        100%
CNX Land Resources LLP                            Delaware              100%
Conrhein Coal Company (Partnership)               Pennsylvania          100%
CONSOL Docks Inc.                                 Delaware              100%
CONSOL Energy Canada Ltd.                         New Brunswick,        100%
                                                  Canada
CONSOL Financial Inc.                             Delaware              100%
CONSOL Foreign Sales Corporation                  Barbados              100%
CONSOL - Godfroid Europe S.A.                     Belgium               100%
Consolidation Coal Company                        Delaware              100%
Consolidation Coal Company, Inc.                  Nevada                100%
Consolidation Coal Operating Company              Delaware              100%
Consolidation Coal Sales Company                  Delaware              100%

                                       E-2
<PAGE>

                                                  Jurisdiction of    Percentage
Subsidiary                                         Incorporation       Owned
----------                                        ----------------   ----------

CONSOL of Canada Inc.                             Delaware              100%
CONSOL of Kentucky Inc.                           Delaware              100%
Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company                  Delaware              100%
CONSOL Sales Company                              Delaware              100%
Cordin Ltd.                                       Ottawa                100%
DUPECH Inc.                                       Delaware              100%
Eighty-Four Mining Company                        Pennsylvania          100%
Fairmont Supply Company                           Delaware              100%
Greene Energy, LLC.                               Pennsylvania           50%
Greenon Coal Company                              Delaware              100%
Hammer Coal Company                               Delaware              100%
Helvetia Coal Company                             Pennsylvania          100%
IC Coal Inc.                                      Delaware              100%
Island Creek Coal Company                         Delaware              100%
Jeffco Coal Company                               Pennsylvania          100%
Kent Coal Mining Company                          Pennsylvania          100%
Keystone Coal Mining Corporation                  Pennsylvania          100%
Laurel Run Mining Company                         Virginia              100%
Leatherwood, Inc.                                 Pennsylvania          100%
Line Creek Mine Ltd.                              British Columbia       50%
Lucerne Land Company                              Pennsylvania          100%
McElroy Coal Company                              Delaware              100%
MTB Inc.                                          Delaware              100%

                                       E-3
<PAGE>

                                                  Jurisdiction of    Percentage
Subsidiary                                         Incorporation       Owned
----------                                        ----------------   ----------
Neptune Bulk Terminals (Canada) Ltd.              British Columbia    18.81%
New Century Holdings, Inc.                        Delaware              100%
Nineveh Coal Company                              Delaware              100%
Pocahontas Gas Partnership                        Virginia              100%
Potomac Coal Company                              West Virginia         100%
Quarto Mining Company                             Ohio                  100%
Reserve Coal Properties Company                   Delaware              100%
Rochester & Pittsburgh Coal Company               Pennsylvania          100%
Rochester & Pittsburgh Coal Co. (Canada) Limited  Ottawa                100%
Southern Ohio Coal Company                        West Virginia         100%
The White Star Coal Co., Inc.                     New York              100%
Twin Rivers Towing Company                        Delaware              100%
United Eastern Coal Sales Corporation             Pennsylvania          100%
Universal Aggregates, LLC                         Pennsylvania           50%
Westco Coal Company                               Pennsylvania          100%
Windsor Coal Company                              West Virginia         100%
Wolfpen Knob Development Company                  Virginia              100%

                            SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARIES

                                                  Jurisdiction of    Percentage
Subsidiary                                         Incorporation       Owned
----------                                        ----------------   ----------
Conrhein Coal Company (Partnership)               Pennsylvania          100%
Consolidation Coal Company                        Delaware              100%

                                       E-4
<PAGE>

                                                  Jurisdiction of    Percentage
Subsidiary                                         Incorporation       Owned
----------                                        ----------------   ----------
CONSOL Financial Inc.                             Delaware              100%
CONSOL of Kentucky Inc.                           Delaware              100%
Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company                  Delaware              100%
Eighty-Four Mining Company                        Pennsylvania          100%
Fairmont Supply Company                           Delaware              100%
Greenon Coal Company                              Delaware              100%
IC Coal Inc.                                      Delaware              100%
Island Creek Coal Company                         Delaware              100%
McElroy Coal Company                              Delaware              100%
Nineveh Coal Company                              Delaware              100%
Rochester & Pittsburgh Coal Company               Pennsylvania          100%

                                       E-5
<PAGE>

ITEM 7.2.1(iii). Ongoing Indebtedness.
                 --------------------

          (1) $102.9MM Industrial Revenue Bonds issued by City of Baltimore for
Consolidation Coal Sales Company. Principal and interest guaranteed by E. I.
DuPont de Nemours and Company. These bonds have been issued in two series, 1984A
and B Series totalling $72MM, and 1985 Series totalling $30.9MM. Maturities of
the 1984 and 1985 Series are October 1, 2011 and December 1, 2010, respectively.
These bonds are at a fixed annual rate of 6.50%. The Borrower has the option to
call the bonds on a restricted basis. The Bondholders do not have the option to
require the Borrower to redeem the bonds.

          (2) $156MM Guaranteed Medium Term Notes issued by Consolidation Coal
Company. Principal and interest jointly guaranteed by CONSOL Inc. and CONSOL
Energy Inc. These notes mature and bear interest as follows:

Notes due 2002 at average of 8.28%                $66MM

Notes due 2004 at average of 8.21%                 45MM

Notes due 2007 at average of 8.25%                 45MM

These notes are not redeemable prior to maturity and are not subject to any
sinking fund.

                                       E-6
<PAGE>

ITEM Section 7.2.2(b). Liens.
                       -----

None.

                                       E-7
<PAGE>

ITEM 7.2.9. Guaranties.
            ----------

                               CONSOL ENERGY INC.

                GUARANTEES OF SECURITIES OF OTHER ISSUERS AND OF
                       OTHER OBLIGATIONS AT JUNE 30, 2001
                       ----------------------------------
                              (Dollars in Millions)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 Title of Issue of Each
Name of Issuer of Securities     Class of Securities      Nature of Guarantee (e.g.,
Guaranteed by CONSOL and         Guaranteed               guarantee as to principal    Total Amount Guaranteed
Consolidation Subsidiaries       (e.g., bank loan)        and interest)                and Outstanding (1)
------------------------------   ----------------------   --------------------------   -----------------------
Affiliated Companies
--------------------
<S>                              <C>                      <C>                          <C>
(I)  Cardinal River Coals Ltd.   Letter of Credit         Principal and Interest       7.378 Canadian $

CONSOL Energy Canada Ltd.        Letter of Credit         Principal and Interest       2.000 Canadian $
</TABLE>

----------
(1) CONSOL does not anticipate that it will have to perform under any of the
guarantees listed.
(I) Indirect Guarantees

                                       E-8
<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT F

                                     , 2001
                          -----------

To the Banks parties to the
Loan Agreement referred to
below and Citibank, N.A., as agent

     RE: Amended and Restated Senior Revolving Loan Agreement, dated as of
     September 21, 2001

Dear:

          I am senior counsel of CONSOL Energy Inc., a Delaware corporation, and
have acted as such and as counsel to (a) CONSOL Energy Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Borrower"), and (b) Consolidation Coal Company, a Delaware
                  --------
corporation; Conrhein Coal Company, a Pennsylvania General Partnership; CONSOL
Financial Inc., a Delaware corporation; CONSOL of Kentucky Inc., a Delaware
corporation; CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company, a Delaware corporation;
Eighty-Four Mining Company, a Pennsylvania corporation; Fairmont Supply Company,
a Delaware corporation; Greenon Coal Company, a Delaware corporation, Island
Creek Coal Company, a Delaware corporation; IC Coal Inc., a Delaware
corporation; McElroy Coal Company, a Delaware corporation; Nineveh Coal Company,
a Delaware corporation; Rochester & Pittsburgh Coal Company, a Pennsylvania
corporation, each a "Significant Subsidiary" and collectively, the "Significant
                     ----------------------                         -----------
Subsidiaries", (the Borrower and the Significant Subsidiaries, collectively, the
------------
"Subordinating Parties"), in connection with the negotiation, execution and
 ---------------------
delivery of the following agreements and documents:

          (a) Amended and Restated Senior Revolving Loan Agreement, dated as of
     September 21, 2001 (the "Loan Agreement"), among the Borrower, the Banks
                              --------------
     parties thereto and Citibank, N.A., as agent;

          (b) Separate promissory notes, each dated September 21, 2001 (the
     "Notes"), issued by the Borrower pursuant to the Loan Agreement and payable
      -----
     to the order of the respective Banks;

          (c) Significant Subsidiary Guaranty, dated as of September 21, 2001
     (the "Significant Subsidiary Guaranty"), executed by each Significant
           -------------------------------
     Subsidiary in favor of the Agent and the Banks; and

          (d) Subordination Agreement, dated as of September 21, 2001 (the
     "Subordination Agreement"), executed by each Subordinating Party in favor
      -----------------------
     of the Agent and the Banks.

          Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used herein shall
have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Loan Agreement.

                                      F-1
<PAGE>

          I am familiar with the corporate proceedings taken by the Borrower and
the Significant Subsidiaries in connection with the foregoing agreements and
documents and the transactions contemplated thereby. In addition, I have
examined such corporate records, certificates and other documents and such
questions of law as I have considered necessary or appropriate for the basis of
the opinions hereinafter expressed.

          In making the examination of all documents and agreements in
connection with the opinions expressed herein, I have assumed the genuineness of
all signatures and the authenticity of all documents submitted to me as
originals and the conformity with the originals of all documents submitted to me
as copies.

          Based upon, and subject to, the foregoing, I am of the opinion that:

          1. The Borrower is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing
     and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. The Borrower
     is duly qualified and in good standing as a foreign corporation authorized
     to do business in each jurisdiction where its ownership or leasing of real
     estate, ownership of substantial assets other than real estate, conduct of
     substantial business or location of employees require it to be so qualified
     and where the failure so to qualify would reasonably be expected to have a
     Materially Adverse Effect.

          2. Each Significant Subsidiary is a corporation duly incorporated,
     validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of
     its incorporation. Each Significant Subsidiary is duly qualified and in
     good standing as a foreign corporation authorized to do business in each
     jurisdiction where its ownership or leasing of real estate, ownership of
     substantial assets other than real estate, conduct of substantial business,
     or location of employees require it to be so qualified and where the
     failure so to qualify would reasonably be expected to have a Materially
     Adverse Effect.

          3. The Borrower has full corporate power and authority to own and
     operate its properties and assets, carry on its business as currently
     conducted, and enter into and perform its obligations under the Loan
     Agreement and each other Loan Document executed by it.

          4. Each Significant Subsidiary has full corporate power and authority
     to own and operate its properties and assets, carry on its business as
     currently conducted, and enter into and perform its obligations under the
     Significant Subsidiary Guaranty.

          5. Each Subordinating Party has full corporate power and authority to
     enter into and perform its obligations under the Subordination Agreement.

          6. The execution and delivery of the Loan Agreement and the Notes, and
     the performance by the Borrower of its obligations thereunder, have been
     duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the
     Borrower, and all of said documents and instruments have been duly executed
     and delivered on behalf of the Borrower.

          7. The execution and delivery of the Significant Subsidiary Guaranty,
     and the performance by each Significant Subsidiary of its obligations
     thereunder, have been

                                      F-2
<PAGE>

     duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of such
     Significant Subsidiary and have been duly executed and delivered on behalf
     of each Significant Subsidiary.

          8. The execution and delivery of the Subordination Agreement, and the
     performance by each Subordinating Party of its obligations thereunder, have
     been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of such
     Subordinating Party and have been duly executed and delivered on behalf of
     each Subordinating Party.

          9. There is no provision in the articles of incorporation or the
     by-laws of the Borrower, nor any provision in any indenture, mortgage,
     contract, voting trust or agreement known to me after due inquiry to which
     the Borrower is a party or by which it or its properties may be bound, nor
     any law, statute, rule or regulation, nor any writ, order or decision known
     to me after due inquiry of any court or governmental instrumentality
     binding on the Borrower which would be contravened by the execution and
     delivery of the Loan Agreement or the Notes, nor do any of the foregoing
     prohibit performance by the Borrower of any term, provision, condition,
     covenant or any other obligation of the Borrower contained therein.

          10. There is no provision in the articles of incorporation or the
     by-laws of any Significant Subsidiary, nor any provision in any indenture,
     mortgage, contract, voting trust or agreement known to me after due inquiry
     to which any Significant Subsidiary is a party or by which it or its
     properties may be bound, nor any law, statute, rule or regulation, nor any
     writ, order or decision known to me after due inquiry of any court or
     governmental instrumentality binding on any Significant Subsidiary which
     would be contravened by the execution and delivery of the Significant
     Subsidiary Guaranty, nor do any of the foregoing prohibit performance by
     any Significant Subsidiary of any term, provision, condition, covenant or
     any other obligation of any Significant Subsidiary contained therein.

          11. There is no provision in the articles of incorporation or the
     by-laws of any of the Subordinating Parties, nor any provision in any
     indenture, mortgage, contract, voting trust or agreement known to me after
     due inquiry to which any Subordinating Party is a party or by which it or
     its properties may be bound, nor any law, statute, rule or regulation, nor
     any writ, order or decision known to me after due inquiry of any court or
     governmental instrumentality binding on any Subordinating Party, which
     would be contravened by the execution and delivery of the Subordination
     Agreement, nor do any of the foregoing prohibit performance by any
     Subordinating Party of any term, provision, condition, covenant or any
     other obligation of any Subordinating Party contained therein.

          12. The Loan Agreement is, and each Loan Document executed by any Loan
     Party will on the due execution and delivery thereof be, the legal, valid
     and binding obligation of such Loan Party enforceable in accordance with
     its terms, subject, as to enforcement, only to bankruptcy, insolvency,
     reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws at the time in effect
     affecting the enforceability of the rights of creditors generally, and by
     general equitable principles.

                                      F-3
<PAGE>

          13. The execution and delivery by the Borrower of the Loan Agreement
     and each other Loan Document to which it is a party and the performance
     thereof and borrowing thereunder by the Borrower will not result in or
     require the creation or imposition of any Lien on any of its properties
     pursuant to the provisions of any Contractual obligation.

          14. Except as described in the financial statements of the Borrower
     referred to in Section 6.4 of the Loan Agreement or in the Disclosure
     Schedule, there are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the
     best of my knowledge after due inquiry, threatened against or affecting the
     Borrower or any Subsidiary before any court or arbitrator(s) or by or
     before any administrative agency or governmental authority, which has a
     reasonable likelihood of being adversely determined and would reasonably be
     expected to result in a liability in excess of $10,000,000.

          15. Neither the making nor the performance of the Loan Agreement, the
     Notes, the Significant Subsidiary Guaranty or the Subordination Agreement
     requires the consent or approval of any governmental instrumentality under
     any law, statute, rule or regulation or under any indenture, mortgage,
     contract or agreement known to me after due inquiry.

          I am licensed to practice law only in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
and the foregoing opinions are limited solely to the laws of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, the corporate law of the State of Delaware and federal law.

          This opinion letter is being furnished to the Banks and their
Transferees for their use and the use of their respective counsel. No other use
or distribution of this opinion may be made without prior written consent.

                                                           Very truly yours,

                                                           Rowland H. Burns, Jr.
                                                           Senior Counsel

                                      F-4
<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT G

                         SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY

                                      From

                           CONSOLIDATION COAL COMPANY
                             CONRHEIN COAL COMPANY,
                              CONSOL FINANCIAL INC.
                            CONSOL OF KENTUCKY INC.,
                        CONSOL PENNSYLVANIA COAL COMPANY,
                           EIGHTY-FOUR MINING COMPANY,
                            FAIRMONT SUPPLY COMPANY,
                              GREENON COAL COMPANY,
                           ISLAND CREEK COAL COMPANY,
                                  IC COAL INC.,
                              McELROY COAL COMPANY,
                              NINEVEH COAL COMPANY,
                       ROCHESTER & PITTSBURGH COAL COMPANY

                                       To

                                 CITIBANK, N.A.,
                                    as Agent

                                      G-1
<PAGE>

                         SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY
                         -------------------------------

          1. Guaranty of Payment. FOR VALUE RECEIVED, and in consideration of
             -------------------
any loan or other financial accommodation heretofore or hereafter at any time
made or granted to CONSOL Energy Inc., a Delaware corporation (herein called the
"Debtor") under the Amended and Restated Senior Revolving Loan Agreement dated
 ------
as of September 21, 2001 (the "Loan Agreement"; terms defined in the Loan
                               --------------
Agreement are used herein as therein defined), each of the undersigned, hereby
unconditionally guarantees to the Agent for the benefit of the Banks the full
and prompt payment when due, whether by acceleration or otherwise, and at all
times thereafter, of all obligations of the Debtor to the Agent and the Banks,
howsoever created, arising or evidenced, whether direct or indirect, primary or
secondary, absolute or contingent, joint or several, or now or hereafter
existing, or due or to become due, including, without limitation, any and all
interest accruing on any of such obligations after the commencement of any suit
or proceeding related to the dissolution, winding up, liquidation, insolvency,
bankruptcy or reorganization of the Debtor or any of its assets or properties,
whether or not allowed or allowable in such proceeding and notwithstanding any
provision or rule of law which might restrict the rights of the Agent or any
Bank, as against the Debtor or anyone else, to collect any of such interest (all
such obligations, together with any extensions or renewals thereof, being
hereinafter collectively called the "Liabilities"), under and in connection with
                                     -----------
the Loan Agreement, and each of the undersigned further agrees to pay all
reasonable expenses (including attorneys' fees and legal expenses) paid or
incurred by the Agent or any Bank in endeavoring to collect the Liabilities, or
any part thereof, and in enforcing this guaranty.

          2. Acceleration of the Time of Payment of Amount Payable Under
             -----------------------------------------------------------
Guaranty. Each of the undersigned agrees that, in the event of the dissolution
--------
or insolvency of the Debtor or such undersigned, or the inability or failure of
the Debtor or such undersigned to pay debts as they become due, or an assignment
by the Debtor or such undersigned for the benefit of creditors, or the
commencement of any case or proceeding in respect of the Debtor or such
undersigned under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws, and, if such case
or proceeding is not commenced by the Debtor or such undersigned, such case or
proceeding shall be consented to or acquiesced in by the Debtor or such
undersigned, or shall result in the entry of an order for relief or shall remain
for 60 days undismissed, and if such event shall occur at a time when any of the
Liabilities may not then be due and payable, such undersigned will pay to the
Agent and the Banks forthwith the full amount which would be payable hereunder
by such undersigned if all Liabilities were then due and payable.

          3. Right of Setoff in Deposits and Other Property. The Agent and each
             ----------------------------------------------
Bank shall have a right of set off against (and may, without demand or notice of
any kind, at any time and from time to time when any amount shall be due and
payable by such undersigned hereunder, set off, appropriate and apply toward the
payment of such amount, in such order of application as the Agent and each Bank
may elect) any and all balances, credits, deposits (general or special, time or
demand, provisional or final), accounts or moneys of or in the name of such
undersigned now or hereafter with the Agent or such Bank.

          4. Continuing Guaranty. This guaranty shall in all respects be a
             -------------------
continuing, absolute and unconditional guaranty, and shall remain in full force
and effect (notwithstanding, without limitation, the dissolution of any of the
undersigned or that at any time or from time to

                                       1
<PAGE>

time all Liabilities may have been paid in full), until all Liabilities
(including any extensions or renewals of any thereof) and all interest thereon
and all expenses (including attorneys' fees and legal expenses) reasonably paid
or incurred by the Agent or any Bank in endeavoring to collect the Liabilities
and in enforcing this guaranty shall have been finally paid in full and all
other obligations of each of the undersigned under this guaranty shall have been
satisfied.

          5. Rescission or Return of Payment on Liabilities. Each of the
             ----------------------------------------------
undersigned further agrees that, if at any time all or any part of any payment
theretofore applied by the Agent or any Bank to any of the Liabilities is or
must be rescinded or returned by the Agent or such Bank for any reason
whatsoever (including, without limitation, the insolvency, bankruptcy or
reorganization of the Debtor), such Liabilities shall, for the purposes of this
guaranty, to the extent that such payment is or must be rescinded or returned,
be deemed to have continued in existence, notwithstanding such application by
the Agent or such Bank, and this guaranty shall continue to be effective or be
reinstated, as the case may be, as to such Liabilities, all as though such
application by the Agent or such Bank had not been made.

          6. Agent and Banks Permitted to Take Certain Actions. The Agent and
             -------------------------------------------------
the Banks may, from time to time, at its sole discretion and without notice to
the undersigned (or any of them), take any or all of the following actions
without impairing the obligations of the undersigned under this guaranty: (a)
retain or obtain a lien upon or a security interest in any property to secure
any of the Liabilities or any obligation hereunder, (b) retain or obtain the
primary or secondary obligation of any obligor or obligors, in addition to the
undersigned, with respect to any of the Liabilities, (c) extend or renew for one
or more periods (whether or not longer than the original period), alter or
exchange any of the Liabilities, or release or compromise any obligation of any
of the undersigned hereunder or any obligation of any nature of any other
obligor with respect to any of the Liabilities, (d) release or fail to perfect
its lien upon or security interest in, or impair, surrender, release or permit
any substitution or exchange for, all or any part of any property securing any
of the Liabilities or any obligation hereunder, or extend or renew for one or
more periods (whether or not longer than the original period) or release,
compromise, alter or exchange any obligations of any nature of any obligor with
respect to any such property, and (e) resort to the undersigned (or any of them)
for payment of any of the Liabilities, whether or not the Agent or any Bank (i)
shall have resorted to any property securing any of the Liabilities or any
obligation hereunder or (ii) shall have proceeded against any other of the
undersigned or any other obligor primarily or secondarily obligated with respect
to any of the Liabilities (all of the actions referred to in preceding clauses
(i) and (ii) being hereby expressly waived by the undersigned).

          7. Application of Payments. Any amounts received by the Agent or any
             -----------------------
Bank from whatsoever source on account of the Liabilities may be applied by the
Agent or such Bank, toward the payment of such of the Liabilities, and in such
order of application, as the Agent or such Bank may from time to time elect.

          8. Waiver of Subrogation. Each of the undersigned hereby waives any
             ---------------------
claim or other right which such of the undersigned may now have or hereafter
acquire against the Debtor or any other obligor primarily or secondarily
obligated with respect to any of the Liabilities that arises from the existence
or performance of the obligations of such of the undersigned under this
guaranty, including, without limitation, any right of indemnification or

                                       2
<PAGE>

any right of subrogation or other right to participate in any claim or remedy of
the Agent or any Bank against the Debtor or any property securing any of the
Liabilities, which the Agent or any Bank now has or hereafter acquires, whether
or not such claim, right or remedy arises in equity or under contract, statute
or common law. The provisions of this paragraph are for the express benefit of
the Debtor and each other obligor primarily or secondarily obligated with
respect to any of the Liabilities as well as the Bank and may be enforced
independently by the Debtor and each such other obligor.

          9. Waiver of Notice and Other Matters. Each of the undersigned hereby
             ----------------------------------
expressly waives: (a) notice of the acceptance by the Agent or any Bank of this
guaranty, (b) notice of the existence or creation or non-payment of all or any
of the Liabilities, (c) presentment, demand, notice of dishonor, protest, and
all other notices whatsoever, and (d) all diligence in collection or protection
of or realization upon the Liabilities or any thereof, any obligation hereunder,
or any security for or guaranty of any of the foregoing.

          10. Additional Liabilities of the Debtor Authorized. The creation or
              -----------------------------------------------
existence, with or without notice to the undersigned, from time to time of
Liabilities in excess of the amount to which the right of recovery under this
guaranty is limited shall not in any way affect or impair the rights of the
Agent or any Bank and the obligations of the undersigned under this guaranty.

          11. Assignment of Liabilities. The Agent or any Bank may, from time to
              -------------------------
time to the extent permitted under the Loan Agreement, without notice to the
undersigned (or any of them), assign or transfer any or all of the Liabilities
or any interest therein; and, notwithstanding any such assignment or transfer or
any subsequent assignment or transfer thereof, such Liabilities shall be and
remain Liabilities for the purposes of this guaranty, and each and every
immediate and successive assignee or transferee of any of the Liabilities or of
any interest therein shall, to the extent of the interest of such assignee or
transferee in the Liabilities, be entitled to the benefits of this guaranty to
the same extent as if such assignee or transferee were the Agent or such Bank.

          12. Waiver and Modifications. No delay on the part of the Agent or any
              ------------------------
Bank in the exercise of any right or remedy shall operate as a waiver thereof,
and no single or partial exercise by the Agent or such Bank of any right or
remedy shall preclude other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any
other right or remedy; nor shall any modification or waiver of any of the
provisions of this guaranty be binding upon the Agent or any Bank except as
expressly set forth in a writing duly signed and delivered on behalf of the
Agent or such Bank.

          13. Obligations Under Guaranty. No action of the Agent or any Bank
              --------------------------
permitted hereunder shall in any way affect or impair the rights of the Agent or
any Bank and the obligations of the undersigned under this guaranty. For the
purposes of this guaranty, Liabilities shall include all obligations of the
Debtor to the Agent or any Bank under and in connection with the Loan Agreement,
notwithstanding any right or power of the Debtor or anyone else to assert any
claim or defense as to the invalidity or unenforceability of any such
obligation, and no such claim or defense shall affect or impair the obligations
of the undersigned hereunder. The obligations of the undersigned under this
guaranty shall be absolute and unconditional irrespective of any circumstance
whatsoever which might constitute a legal or equitable

                                       3
<PAGE>

discharge or defense of the undersigned (or any of them). Each of the
undersigned hereby acknowledges that there are no conditions to the
effectiveness of this guaranty.

          14. Information Concerning Debtor. Each of the undersigned hereby
              -----------------------------
warrants and represents to the Agent and each Bank that such undersigned now has
and will continue to have independent means of obtaining information concerning
the affairs, financial condition and business of the Debtor. Neither the Agent
nor any Bank shall have any duty or responsibility to provide the undersigned
(or any of them) with any credit or other information concerning the affairs,
financial condition or business of the Debtor which may come into the Agent or
such Bank's possession.

          15. Senior Indebtedness. Each of the undersigned hereby further
              -------------------
warrants and represents that the obligations of such undersigned under this
Guaranty and under each other Loan Document constitutes indebtedness senior to
any subordinated indebtedness of such undersigned.

          16. Certain Representations. The undersigned hereby further warrant
              -----------------------
and represent to the Agent and each Bank that (a) the execution and delivery of
this guaranty, and the performance by each of the undersigned of its obligations
hereunder, are within the corporate right, power, authority and capacity of such
undersigned and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on
the part of such undersigned, and (b) this guaranty has been duly executed and
delivered on behalf of each of the undersigned and is the legal, valid and
binding obligation of such undersigned, enforceable in accordance with its
terms, the making and performance of which do not and will not contravene or
conflict with the charter or by-laws of such undersigned or violate or
constitute a default under any law, any presently existing requirement or
restriction imposed by judicial, arbitral or any governmental instrumentality or
any agreement, instrument or indenture by which such undersigned is bound.

          17. Liabilities Limited. Anything else in this guaranty
              -------------------
notwithstanding, each of the undersigned shall be liable under this guaranty
only for the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred
without rendering this guaranty, as it relates to such undersigned, voidable
under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer,
and not for any greater amount.

          18. Successors. This guaranty shall be binding upon the undersigned,
              ----------
and upon the successors and assigns of the undersigned; and all references
herein to the Debtor and to such of the undersigned, respectively, shall be
deemed to include any successor or successors, whether immediate or remote, to
the Debtor or such undersigned. The term "undersigned" as used herein shall mean
all parties executing this guaranty and each of them, and all such parties shall
be jointly and severally obligated hereunder.

          19. Law; Severability. THIS GUARANTY SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE
              -----------------
WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. Wherever possible each
provision of this guaranty shall be interpreted in such manner as to be
effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this guaranty
shall be prohibited by or invalid under such law, such provision shall be
ineffective to the extent of such

                                       4
<PAGE>

prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision
or the remaining provisions of this guaranty.

          20. Captions. Section captions used in this guaranty are for
              --------
convenience only, and shall not affect the construction of this guaranty.

          21. Waiver of Jury Trial. THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVE ANY
              --------------------
RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING TO ENFORCE OR DEFEND ANY
RIGHTS UNDER THIS GUARANTY OR UNDER ANY AMENDMENT, INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT OR
AGREEMENT DELIVERED OR WHICH MAY IN THE FUTURE BE DELIVERED IN CONNECTION
HEREWITH, AND AGREE THAT ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE TRIED BEFORE A
COURT AND NOT BEFORE A JURY.

          22. Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process. Each of the
              ----------------------------------------------
undersigned agrees that any judicial proceedings brought against such
undersigned with respect to this guaranty may be brought in any state or federal
court of competent jurisdiction in the State of New York and by the execution
and delivery of this guaranty, each of the undersigned accepts the nonexclusive
jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts. Service of process may be made by any
means authorized by federal law or the law of New York, as the case may be. A
copy of any such process so served shall be mailed by registered mail to such
undersigned at its address set forth opposite its name on the signature page
hereto or at such other address as may be designated by such undersigned in a
notice to the Agent. Nothing herein shall limit the right of the Bank to bring
proceedings against any of the undersigned in the courts of any other
jurisdiction.

          SIGNED AND DELIVERED as of this       day of                   , 2001.
                                          -----        ------------------

                                           CONSOLIDATION COAL COMPANY

                                           By
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Title: Treasurer

                                           CONRHEIN COAL COMPANY

                                           By
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Title: Treasurer

                                           CONSOL FINANCIAL INC.

                                           By
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Title: Treasurer

                                       5
<PAGE>

                                           CONSOL OF KENTUCKY INC.

                                           By
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Title: Treasurer

                                           CONSOL PENNSYLVANIA COAL COMPANY

                                           By
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Title: Treasurer

                                           EIGHTY-FOUR MINING COMPANY

                                           By
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Title: Treasurer

                                           FAIRMONT SUPPLY COMPANY

                                           By
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Title: Controller

                                           GREENON COAL COMPANY

                                           By
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Title: Treasurer

                                           ISLAND CREEK COAL COMPANY

                                           By
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Title: Treasurer

                                           IC COAL INC.

                                           By
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Title: Treasurer

                                           McELROY COAL COMPANY

                                           By
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Title: Treasurer

                                       6
<PAGE>

                                           NINEVEH COAL COMPANY

                                           By
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Title: Treasurer

                                           ROCHESTER & PITTSBURGH COAL COMPANY

                                           By
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Title: Treasurer

                                       7
<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT H

                            ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE

          THIS ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE (this "Assignment") is delivered
                                                ----------
pursuant to Section 10.11(b) of the Amended and Restated Senior Revolving Loan
            ----------------
Agreement, dated as of September 21, 2001 (as it may be amended or modified and
in effect from time to time, the "Loan Agreement"), among CONSOL Energy Inc.
                                  --------------
(the "Borrower"), the Banks parties thereto and Citibank, N.A., as agent. Unless
      --------
otherwise defined herein or the context otherwise requires, terms used herein
have the meanings provided in the Loan Agreement.

          The undersigned hereby agree as follows:

          1. The party listed below under the caption "Purchasing Bank" hereby
certifies it is an eligible Purchasing Bank and indicates its desire to become a
Purchasing Bank pursuant to Section 10.11(b) of the Loan Agreement.
                            ----------------

          2. Following the execution of this Assignment and Acceptance, it will
be delivered to the Agent for acceptance and recording by the Agent. The date on
which such Purchasing Bank shall purchase its Loans and assume its Commitment
under the Loan Agreement is        , 200   (the "Adjustment Date"), subject to
                            -------     --       ---------------
compliance with the terms and conditions of this Assignment.

          3. The respective amounts of the Purchasing Bank's Commitment being
assumed by it from the Bank assigning and transferring such Commitment (the
"Assigning Bank") is set forth below opposite such Purchasing Bank's name under
 --------------
the caption "Commitment" and the amount of the Purchasing Bank's purchased Loans
are set forth below opposite such Purchasing Bank's name under the caption
"Purchased Loans." The purchase price shall be in an amount as agreed between
the Assigning Bank and the Purchasing Bank and shall be paid in same day or
immediately available funds on or before 11:00 a.m. on the Adjustment Date to
the Assigning Bank pursuant to Section 10.11(b) of the Loan Agreement.
                               ----------------

          4. Upon the Adjustment Date referred to in Section 2 above, the amount
                                                     ---------
of the Purchasing Bank's Percentage shall be equal to the respective percentage
set forth below opposite such Purchasing Bank's name under the caption
"Percentage."

          5. After giving effect to the assigning and transferring of Loans
and/or Commitments to the Purchasing Bank on the Adjustment Date as set forth
above, (a) the adjusted Percentage, if any, of the Assigning Bank shall be the
percentage set forth below opposite the Assigning Bank's name under the caption
"Adjusted Percentage" (and the Assigning Bank shall be relieved of all
obligations under the Loan Agreement to the extent of the reduction effected to
its Percentage in accordance herewith), (b) the respective principal amount of
the Loans owing to the Assigning Bank shall be equal to the amounts, set forth
below opposite the Assigning Bank's name under the caption "Retained Loans" and
(c) the Assigning Bank's adjusted Commitment, shall be equal to the amount set
forth below opposite the Assigning Bank's name under the caption "Adjusted
Commitment."

                                      H-1
<PAGE>

          6. The Purchasing Bank and the Assigning Bank hereby certify that the
Loans and the Commitment being assigned or retained by each are being assigned
or retained pro rata.
            --- ----

          7. Upon or after the acceptance and recording of this Assignment and
Acceptance by the Agent, the Purchasing Bank shall be entitled to receive
interest on the outstanding principal amount of all Loans made by it (including
purchased Loans contemplated hereby) from and after the Adjustment Date.

          8. Upon or after the acceptance and recording of this Assignment and
Acceptance by the Agent, this Assignment will become effective, as to the
Purchasing Bank, upon the payment to the Assigning Bank by such Purchasing Bank
of the amounts required to be paid, if any, in accordance with the purchased
Loans as provided above. If the proposed Purchasing Bank does not execute this
Assignment, or if this Assignment does not become effective as to the Purchasing
Bank, appropriate adjustments will be made (confirmed to each of the parties
hereto by telex or telecopier notice) to reflect such circumstance.

          9. Concurrently with the execution and delivery hereof, the Borrower
will issue substitute or replacement Notes to the Assigning Bank, as applicable,
and to the Purchasing Bank. The Borrower agrees that such substitute or
replacement Notes shall be delivered to the Purchasing Bank and to the Assigning
Bank, as applicable, promptly after the Adjustment Date. The Assigning Bank
agrees to deliver to the Borrower, the replaced Note payable to the Assigning
Bank under the Loan Agreement promptly after the occurrence of the Adjustment
Date, such Note to be marked "Replaced."

          10. Upon the effectiveness of this Assignment with respect to the
Purchasing Bank as specified in Section 8 above, the Assigning Bank has hereby
                                ---------
transferred and assigned to the Purchasing Bank, and the Purchasing Bank has
hereby purchased and assumed from the Assigning Bank a portion of the Assigning
Bank's Commitment and Loans as provided for herein, and the Purchasing Bank
shall be a party to the Loan Agreement and a Bank thereunder and (a) shall be
entitled to all rights, benefits and privileges accorded to a Bank in the Loan
Agreement and each other Loan Document, and (b) shall be subject to all
obligations of a Bank thereunder (including, without limitation, the obligation
to fund its Percentage of Loans hereafter requested.

          11. The Purchasing Bank acknowledges and confirms that it has received
a copy of the Loan Agreement and the Exhibits thereto. The Purchasing Bank
further confirms and agrees that in making its Commitment and Loans under the
Loan Agreement, such actions have and will be made without recourse to, or
representation or warranty by, the Assigning Bank, the Agent or any other Bank.

          12. The Purchasing Bank acknowledges and confirms that other than as
provided herein none of the Assigning Bank, the Agent or any other Bank makes
any representation or warranty and assumes any responsibility with respect to
any statement, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the
Loan Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other instrument or document
furnished pursuant thereto, or the execution,

                                      H-2
<PAGE>

legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the
Loan Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other instrument or document
furnished pursuant thereto.

          13. The Purchasing Bank acknowledges and confirms that the Assigning
Bank, the Agent or any other Bank makes no representation or warranty and
assumes no responsibility with respect to the financial condition of the
Borrower, either Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary or the performance or
observance by the Borrower, either Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary of
any of their respective obligations under the Loan Agreement, any other Loan
Document or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto.

          14. The Purchasing Bank acknowledges and confirms that it has received
copies of the financial statements referred to in Section 6.4 of the Loan
                                                  -----------
Agreement or the financial statements, if any, theretofore delivered by the
Borrower pursuant to Section 7.1.1 of the Loan Agreement and such other
                     -------------
documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit
analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment.

          15. The Purchasing Bank will, independently and without reliance upon
the Assigning Bank, the Agent or any other Bank and based on such documents and
information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own
credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Agreement and the
other Loan Documents.

          16. The Purchasing Bank agrees (to the extent it is permitted to do so
under the laws and any applicable double taxation treaties of the United States,
the jurisdiction of such Purchasing Bank's incorporation, and the jurisdictions
in which such Purchasing Bank's Domestic Office and LIBOR Office are located) to
execute and deliver to the Borrower prior to the first scheduled payment date in
each Fiscal Year, a United States Internal Revenue Form W-8BEN or Form W-8ECI
(or any successor form), appropriately completed and claiming complete or
partial, as the case may be, exemption from withholding and deduction of United
States Federal Taxes. Attached hereto is such an executed form so completed.]*

          17. The Purchasing Bank hereby represents and warrants to the Borrower
that on the date hereof (i) its Domestic Office and its LIBOR Office are
entitled to receive payments of principal of, and interest on, Loans made under
the Loan Agreement without deduction or withholding for or on account of any
Taxes imposed by the United States or any political subdivision thereof, (ii)
any payment received by it under the Loan Agreement is not subject to any Taxes,
whether or not such Taxes are required to be deducted or withheld by the
Borrower [, and (iii) it is permitted to take the actions described in paragraph
16 above (with respect to complete exemption from withholding and deduction of
United States Federal Taxes) under the laws and any applicable double taxation
treaties of the jurisdictions specified in such paragraph 16].

          18. The Purchasing Bank hereby appoints and authorized the Agent to
take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers and
discretion under the Loan Agreement as are delegated to the Agent by the terms
thereof, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental
thereto.

                                      H-3
<PAGE>

          19. The Assigning Bank warrants to the Purchasing Bank and the
Purchasing Bank warrants to the Assigning Bank that this Assignment has been
duly executed and delivered by such bank and constitutes the legal, valid and
binding obligation of such party enforceable against such party in accordance
with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar
laws affecting such party and general equitable principles.

          20. Each of the parties to this Assignment agrees that at any time and
from time to time upon the written request of any party, it will execute and
deliver such further documents and do such further acts and things as such party
may reasonably request in order to effect the purpose of this Assignment.

          21. This Assignment may be executed in any number of counterparts by
the parties hereto, each of which counterparts shall be deemed to be an original
and all of which shall together constitute one and the same Assignment.

          22. MATTERS RELATING TO THIS ASSIGNMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK,
WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES.

                                      H-4
<PAGE>

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Assignment as
of the Adjustment Date.

                                                CONSOL ENERGY INC.

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

                                                Address:  1800 Washington Road
                                                          Pittsburgh, PA 15241

                                                [BANK]

                                                By:
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                Title:
                                                        ------------------------
                                                Address:
                                                          ----------------------

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

                                                Attention:
                                                            --------------------
                                                Telephone:
                                                            --------------------
                                                Telecopy No.:
                                                               -----------------

                                      H-5
<PAGE>

ASSIGNING BANK

Retained                     Adjusted                 Adjusted
Loans                        Percentage               Commitment
--------                     ----------               ----------
$                            %                        $

                                  [Name of Assigning Bank]

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

                                    Address:
                                              ----------------------------------

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

                                    Attention:
                                                --------------------------------

                                    Telephone:
                                                --------------------------------

                                    Facsimile:
                                                --------------------------------

Accepted this    day of         , 200_
              ---       --------

CITIBANK, N.A., as Agent

By:
    -------------------------

     Title:
            -----------------

                                      H-6
<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT I

                  COMMITMENT TERMINATION DATE EXTENSION REQUEST

                                                                          , 2001
                                                     ---------------------

[Bank]

[address]

Attention:
            ---------------------

RE:  Amended and Restated Senior Revolving Loan Agreement, dated as of September
     21, 2001 (together with all amendments, if any, hereafter from time to time
     made thereto, the "Loan Agreement"), between CONSOL Energy Inc., a Delaware
                        --------------
     corporation ("Borrower"), the Banks party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as
                   --------
     agent

Gentlemen/Ladies:

          In accordance with the Loan Agreement, the Borrower hereby requests
that you consent to the extension of the Commitment Termination Date, in
accordance with the definition of such term contained in the Loan Agreement, for
an additional three hundred sixty (360) days to                 , 200 .
                                                ----------------     -

          Please indicate your consent to such extension by signing the enclosed
copy of this letter in the space provided below and returning the same to the
Borrower (with a copy to the Agent) no later than                , 200 .
                                                  ---------------     -

          The extension shall be effective when executed consents are received
from all the Banks by the Borrower or otherwise in accordance with Section 2.4
                                                                   -----------
of the Loan Agreement, but not in any case prior to                  , 200 .
                                                    -----------------     -

                                       I-1
<PAGE>

 The Borrower hereby certifies that no Default has occurred and is continuing.

                                             Very truly yours,

                                             CONSOL ENERGY INC.

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

                                             CONSOLIDATION COAL COMPANY

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

                                             CONRHEIN COAL COMPANY

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

                                             CONSOL FINANCIAL INC.

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

                                             CONSOL OF KENTUCKY INC.

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

                                             CONSOL PENNSYLVANIA COAL COMPANY

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

                                             EIGHTY-FOUR MINING COMPANY

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

                                       I-2
<PAGE>

                                             FAIRMONT SUPPLY COMPANY

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

                                             GREENON COAL COMPANY

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

                                             ISLAND CREEK COAL COMPANY

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

                                             IC COAL INC.

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

                                             McELROY COAL COMPANY

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

                                             NINEVEH COAL COMPANY

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

                                             ROCHESTER & PITTSBURGH COAL COMPANY

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

                                       I-3
<PAGE>

                                    The undersigned hereby consents on this
                                                                            ----
                                    day of            , 200  to the
                                           -----------     -
                                    above-requested extension of the Commitment
                                    Termination Date.

                                                 [NAME OF BANK]

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

                                       I-4
<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT J

                             SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT

          This Agreement, dated as of                   , is entered into by and
                                      ------------------
between each of CONSOL ENERGY INC. ("CEI")(the "Borrower"), CHURCH STREET
                                     ---        --------
HOLDINGS, INC. ("CSH"), CONSOLIDATION COAL COMPANY ("CCC"), CONRHEIN COAL
                 ---                                 ---
COMPANY ("CONRHEIN"), CONSOL FINANCIAL INC. ("CFI"), CONSOL OF KENTUCKY INC.
          --------                            ---
("COK"), CONSOL PENNSYLVANIA COAL COMPANY ("CPCC"), EIGHTY-FOUR MINING COMPANY
  ---                                       ----
("EFMC"), FAIRMONT SUPPLY COMPANY ("FSC"), GREENON COAL COMPANY ("GCC"), ISLAND
  ----                              ---                           ---
CREEK COAL COMPANY ("ICCC"), IC COAL INC. ("ICCI"), McELROY COAL COMPANY
                                            ----
("MCC"), NEW CENTURY HOLDINGS, INC. ("NCH"), NINEVEH COAL COMPANY ("NCC") and
  ---                                 ---                           ---
ROCHESTER & PITTSBURGH COAL COMPANY ("R&P"); the Borrower, CCC, CSH, CONRHEIN,
                                      ---
CFI, COK, CPCC, EFMC, FSC, GCC, ICCC, ICCI, MCC, NCH, NCC and R&P are
collectively referred to herein as the "Subordinated Lenders") for the benefit
                                        --------------------
of the Agent and the Banks under the Loan Agreement referred to below;

                                   W I T N E S S E T H:
                                   - - - - - - - - - -

          WHEREAS, the Borrower, the Banks parties thereto and Citibank, N.A.,
as agent, have entered into a Amended and Restated Senior Revolving Loan
Agreement, dated as of September 21, 2001, (as the same may at any time be
amended or modified and in effect, the "Loan Agreement"), pursuant to which,
                                        --------------
among other things, the Bank has agreed to extend credit to the Borrower;

          WHEREAS, each of the Subordinated Lenders acknowledges that the loans
and other extensions of financial accommodations or credit to the Borrower and
the Agent and the Banks pursuant to the Loan Agreement is of value to the
Subordinated Lenders;

          WHEREAS, capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall
have the meanings assigned thereto in the Loan Agreement;

          NOW, THEREFORE, to induce the Agent and the Banks to enter into the
Loan Agreement, and for other valuable consideration, receipt whereof is hereby
acknowledged, each of the Subordinated Lenders hereby agrees as follows:

          SECTION 1. Definitions. All claims by or belonging to any Person
                     -----------
against the Borrower, CCC, CSH, CONRHEIN, CFI, COK, CPCC, EFMC, FSC, GCC, ICCC,
ICCI, MCC, NCH, NCC and R&P and any other Person that from time to time is a
Significant Subsidiary (individually, a "Debtor" and collectively, the
                                         ------
"Debtors"), howsoever created, arising or evidenced, whether direct or indirect,
 -------
absolute or contingent or now or hereafter existing, are hereinafter called the
"Claims". All Claims of the Agent or any Bank under the Loan Agreement, the
Notes and each other Loan Document are hereinafter called the "Senior Claims",
and all Claims of each of the Subordinated Lenders are hereinafter called the
"Junior Claims"; it being expressly understood and agreed that the term "Senior
Claims", as used herein, shall include, without limitation, any and all interest
accruing on any of the Senior Claims after the

                                       J-1
<PAGE>

commencement of any suits or proceedings referred to in Section 5,
                                                        ---------
notwithstanding any provision or rule of law which might restrict the rights of
the Agent or any Bank, as against any of the Debtors or anyone else, to collect
such interest.

          SECTION 2. Notice of Junior Liabilities, etc. At any time when a
                     ---------------------------------
Default shall be existing, each of the Subordinated Lenders will promptly notify
the Agent of the creation of any Junior Claims and of the issuance of any
promissory note or other instrument of any of the Debtors to evidence any Junior
Claims.

          SECTION 3. Subordination. Except as expressly provided in Section 4 of
                     -------------
this Agreement, the payment of all Junior Claims shall be postponed and
subordinated to the payment in full of all Senior Claims, and each Subordinated
Lender agrees not to seek to collect any amounts owing to it by any of the
Debtors under or in connection with any settlement of any Junior Claim or any
judgment entered in favor of any or all Claimants with respect to a Junior
Claim, or to seek to obtain any other distributions in money or property or of
any other kind whatsoever in respect of any Junior Claims, nor shall any
property or assets of any of the Debtors be applied to the purchase or other
acquisition or retirement of any Junior Claims.

          SECTION 4. Permitted Payments. Provided that both before and after
                     ------------------
giving effect to any such payment, no Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, notwithstanding Section 3 above, any of the Debtors may pay to the
Subordinated Lenders, and the Subordinated Lenders may accept from such Debtors,
any payments of principal and interest on all Junior Claims. In the event that a
Default shall be existing, none of the Subordinated Lenders shall ask, demand,
take or receive from any Debtor by setoff or in any other manner any payment in
respect of any Junior Claims until such Default ceases to exist or all Senior
Claims shall have been fully paid in cash and performed and all of the
Commitments shall have been terminated.

          SECTION 5. Bankruptcy, Insolvency, etc. In the event of any
                     ---------------------------
dissolution, winding up, liquidation, readjustment, reorganization or other
similar proceedings relating to (a) any Debtor or (b) the respective assets or
properties of any Debtor, whether such proceeding or proceedings are voluntary
or involuntary, partial or complete, and whether in bankruptcy, insolvency or
receivership, or upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or any other
marshalling of the assets and liabilities of any Debtor or any sale of all or
substantially all of the assets of any Debtor, or otherwise, the Subordinated
Lenders hereby acknowledge and agree that the Senior Claims shall first be paid
in full before any Subordinated Lender shall be entitled to receive and/or to
retain any payment or distribution in respect of any of the Junior Claims. In
order to implement the foregoing, (i) all payments and distributions of any kind
or character in respect of any of the Junior Claims to which any Subordinated
Lender would be entitled if the Junior Claims were not subordinated pursuant to
this Agreement shall be made directly to the Bank, (ii) each Subordinated Lender
shall promptly file a claim or claims, in the form required in such proceedings,
for the full outstanding amount of the Junior Claims, if any, by or belonging to
such Subordinated Lender, and shall cause said claim or claims to be approved
and all payments and other distributions in respect thereof to be made directly
to the Agent, and (iii) each Subordinated Lender hereby irrevocably agrees that,
if such Subordinated Lender shall fail to file any such claim referred to in the
preceding clause (ii), the Agent may, at its sole discretion, in the name of
each Subordinated Lender or otherwise, demand, sue for, collect, receive and
accept receipt for any and all such payments or distributions, and file, prove,
and vote or consent in any

                                       J-2
<PAGE>

such proceedings with respect to, any and all claims of each Subordinated Lender
relating to the Junior Claims.

          SECTION 6. Payments Held in Trust. In the event that any Subordinated
                     ----------------------
Lender receives any payment or other distribution of any kind or character from
any source whatsoever in respect of any of the Junior Claims, other than as
expressly permitted by the terms of this Agreement, such payment or other
distribution shall be received in trust for the Agent and the Banks, and each
Subordinated Lender shall promptly turn over any such payment or distribution to
the Agent. Each of the Subordinated Lenders will keep, and cause each Debtor to
keep, this Agreement with and as part of its respective books and records, and
will cause to be clearly inserted in any promissory note or other instrument
which at any time evidences any of the Junior Claims a statement to the effect
that the payment thereof is subordinated in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement. Each of the Subordinated Lenders will execute such further documents
or instruments and take such further action as the Agent may from time to time
reasonably request to carry out the intent of this Agreement.

          SECTION 7. Application of Payments; No Subrogation. All payments and
                     ---------------------------------------
distributions received by the Agent in respect of the Junior Claims, to the
extent received in or converted into cash, may be applied by the Agent first to
the payment of any and all expenses (including attorneys' fees and legal
expenses) paid or incurred by the Agent or any Bank in enforcing this Agreement
or in endeavoring to collect or realize upon any of the Senior Claims or the
Junior Claims or any security therefor, and any balance thereof may, solely as
between each of the Subordinated Lenders and the Agent, be applied by the Agent
in such order of application as the Agent, in its sole discretion, may elect
from time to time, toward the payment of the Senior Claims remaining unpaid;
provided, however, as among the Debtors on the one hand and each of the
--------  -------
Subordinated Lenders on the other hand, and their respective creditors, no such
payments or distributions of any kind or character shall be deemed to be
payments or distributions in respect of the Senior Claims. Notwithstanding any
such payments or distributions received by the Agent in respect of the Senior
Claims or the Junior Claims, which payments or distributions are applied by the
Agent toward the payment of the Senior Claims, each of the Subordinated Lenders
shall be subrogated to the then existing rights of the Agent, if any, in respect
of the Senior Claims only at such time as this Agreement shall have been
discontinued and the Agent shall have received payment of the full amount of the
Senior Claims.

          SECTION 8. Waivers by the Subordinated Lenders. Each of the
                     -----------------------------------
Subordinated Lenders hereby waives: (a) notice of acceptance by the Agent or any
Bank of this Agreement; (b) notice of the existence or creation or non-payment
of all or any of the Claims; and (c) all diligence in collection or protection
of or realization upon the Claims or any thereof or any security therefor.

          SECTION 9. Obligations of the Subordinated Lenders. None of the
                     ---------------------------------------
Subordinated Lenders will, without the Agent's prior written consent: (a) after
the occurrence of and during the continuation of a Default, cancel, waive,
forgive, transfer or assign, or attempt to enforce or collect, any Junior Claims
or any rights in respect thereof; (b) take any collateral security for any
Junior Claims or subordinate any Junior Claims or any rights in respect thereof
to any Claims other than Senior Claims; or (c) after the occurrence of and
during the continuation of a Default, convert any Junior Claims into stock of
any Debtor.

                                       J-3
<PAGE>

          SECTION 10. Continuing Subordination. This Agreement shall in all
                      ------------------------
respects be a continuing agreement and shall remain in full force and effect,
notwithstanding, without limitation, the dissolution or insolvency of the
Borrower, any Debtor or any of the Subordinated Lenders. All of the agreements
and obligations of each of the Subordinated Lenders under this Agreement shall
remain in effect in full until all such Senior Claims (including without
limitation any extensions, renewals or refinancings of any thereof and all
interest and expenses relating to such Senior Claims) shall have been finally
paid in cash in full and all of the Commitments shall have been terminated
(subject to reinstatement if any such Senior Claims shall thereafter cease to
have been paid in full in cash).

          SECTION 11. Representations and Warranties. Each of the Subordinated
                      ------------------------------
Lenders represents and warrants unto the Agent and each Bank as set forth below.

          a. Each of the Subordinated Lenders is a corporation duly organized,
     validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its state of
     incorporation.

          b. The execution, delivery and performance by each of the Subordinated
     Lenders of this Agreement are within their respective corporate powers,
     have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of each such
     Subordinated Lender (including, without limitation, stockholder approval),
     have received all necessary governmental approvals (if any shall be
     required) and other consents or approvals and do not and will not
     contravene or conflict with, or create a lien under, (i) any provision of
     law, (ii) the constituent documents of such Subordinated Lender, (iii), any
     court or administrative decree applicable to such Subordinated Lender or
     (iv) any contractual restriction binding upon such Subordinated Lender.

          c. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each of the
     Subordinated Lenders, and is the legal, valid and binding obligation of
     each of the Subordinated Lenders enforceable against such Subordinated
     Lender in accordance with its terms, subject, as to enforcement, only to
     bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws at
     the time in effect affecting the enforceability of the rights of creditors
     generally, and by general equitable principles.

          SECTION 12. Rights of the Agent. The Agent may, from time to time, at
                      -------------------
its sole discretion and without notice to any or all of the Subordinated
Lenders, take any or all of the following actions: (a) retain or obtain a
security interest in any property to secure any of the Senior Claims, (b) retain
or obtain the primary or secondary obligation of any other obligor or obligors
with respect to any of the Senior Claims, (c) extend or renew for one or more
periods (whether or not longer than the original period), alter or exchange any
of the Senior Claims, or release or compromise any obligation of any nature of
any obligor with respect to any of the Senior Claims, and (d) release its
security interest in, or surrender, release or permit any substitution or
exchange for, all or any part of any property securing any of the Senior Claims,
or extend or renew for one or more periods (whether or not longer than the
original period) or release, compromise, alter or exchange any obligations of
any nature of any obligor with respect to any such property.

                                       J-4
<PAGE>

          SECTION 13. Transfer of Senior Liabilities. The Agent or any Bank may,
                      ------------------------------
from time to time, without notice to any or all of the Subordinated Lenders,
assign or transfer any or all of the Senior Claims or any interest therein.
Notwithstanding any such assignment or transfer or any subsequent assignment or
transfer of any Senior Claims, such Senior Claims shall be and remain Senior
Claims for the purpose of this Agreement, and every immediate and successive
assignee or transferee of any of the Senior Claims or of any interest therein
shall, to the extent of the interest of such assignee or transferee in the
Senior Claims, be entitled to the benefits of this Agreement to the same extent
as if such assignee or transferee were the Agent or such Bank.

          SECTION 14. Miscellaneous. The Agent and the Banks shall not be
                      -------------
prejudiced in their rights under this Agreement by any act or failure to act of
any or all of the Subordinated Lenders or by any noncompliance of any or all of
the Subordinated Lenders with any agreement or obligation, regardless of any
knowledge thereof which the Agent or any Bank may have or with which the Agent
or any Bank may be charged. No action of the Subordinated Lenders permitted
hereunder shall in any way affect or impair the rights of the Agent or any Bank
and the obligations of each of the Subordinated Lenders under this Agreement. No
delay on the part of the Agent or any Bank in the exercise of any right or
remedy shall operate as a waiver thereof, and no single or partial exercise by
the Agent or any Bank of any right or remedy shall preclude other or further
exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or remedy; nor shall any
modification or waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement be binding
upon the Agent or any Bank unless such modification or waiver is expressly set
forth in a writing duly signed and delivered on behalf of the Agent and the
Banks. For purposes of this Agreement, the Senior Claims shall include all
obligations of each Debtor to the Agent and the Banks, notwithstanding any right
or power of any Debtor or anyone else to assert any claim or defense as to the
invalidity or unenforceability of any such obligation, and no such claim or
defense shall affect or impair the agreements and obligations of the
Subordinated Lenders hereunder.

          SECTION 15. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding
                      ----------------------
upon each of the Subordinated Lenders and upon the legal representatives,
successors and assigns of each of the Subordinated Lenders, whether immediate or
remote. The term "Subordinated Lenders" as used herein shall mean all of the
Subordinated Lenders and each of them obligated hereunder.

          SECTION 16. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in
                      -------------
accordance with and governed by the internal laws of the State of New York,
without regard to principles of conflicts of law. Wherever 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
shall be prohibited by or invalid under such law, such provision shall be
ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without
invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this
Agreement.

          SECTION 17. Waiver of Jury Trial; Submission to Jurisdiction. Each of
                      ------------------------------------------------
the Subordinated Lenders waives any right to a trial by jury in any action or
proceeding to enforce or defend any rights under or relating to this Agreement
or arising from or relating to any banking relationship existing in connection
with this Agreement or otherwise between each of the Subordinated Lenders, and
agrees that any such action or proceeding shall be tried before a court and not
before a jury.

                                       J-5
<PAGE>

          Each of the Subordinated Lenders hereby agrees that any judicial
proceedings brought against such Subordinated Lender with respect to this
Agreement may be brought in any state or federal court of competent jurisdiction
in the State of New York and by the execution and delivery of this Agreement,
each Subordinated Lender accepts the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the aforesaid
courts. Service of process may be made by any means authorized by federal law or
the law of New York. A copy of such process so served shall be mailed by
registered mail to such Subordinated Lender at its address set forth opposite
its name or the signature page hereto or at such other address as may be
designated by such Subordinated Lender in a notice to the Bank.

          Nothing in this paragraph 17 shall affect the right of the Agent or
any Bank to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by law or affect
the right of the Agent or any Bank to bring any action or proceeding against any
of the Subordinated Lenders or their respective property in the courts of any
other jurisdictions.

          SECTION 18. Severability. Wherever 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 shall be prohibited by or
invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent
of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such
provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement.

          SECTION 19. Section Titles. The section tiles contained in this
                      --------------
Agreement are and shall be without substantive meaning or content of any kind
whatsoever and are not a part of the agreement between the parties hereto.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been made and delivered at
                 as of the date and year first written above.
----------------

                                    CONSOL ENERGY INC.

                                    By:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Title:  Senior Vice President and Chief
                                                 Financial Officer

                                    CONSOLIDATION COAL COMPANY

                                    By:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Title:  Treasurer

                                    CHURCH STREET HOLDINGS, INC.

                                    By:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Title:  Treasurer

                                    CONRHEIN COAL COMPANY

                                       J-6
<PAGE>

                                    By:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Title:  Treasurer

                                    CONSOL FINANCIAL INC.

                                    By:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Title:  Treasurer

                                    CONSOL OF KENTUCKY INC.

                                    By:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Title:  Treasurer

                                    CONSOL PENNSYLVANIA COAL COMPANY

                                    By:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Title:  Treasurer

                                    EIGHTY-FOUR MINING COMPANY

                                    By:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Title:  Treasurer

                                    FAIRMONT SUPPLY COMPANY

                                    By:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Title:  Controller

                                    GREENON COAL COMPANY

                                    By:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Title:  Treasurer

                                    ISLAND CREEK COAL COMPANY

                                    By:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Title:  Treasurer

                                    IC COAL INC.

                                    By:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Title:  Treasurer

                                       J-7
<PAGE>

                                    McELROY COAL COMPANY

                                    By:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Title:  Treasurer

                                    NEW CENTURY HOLDINGS, INC.

                                    By:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Title:  Treasurer

                                    NINEVEH COAL COMPANY

                                    By:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Title:  Treasurer

                                    ROCHESTER & PITTSBURGH COAL COMPANY

                                    By:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Title:  Treasurer

                                       J-8
<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT K

                              PERMITTED INVESTMENTS

          1.   Direct obligations of the U. S. Government.

          2. Obligations of any foreign government or obligations which possess
a guarantee of the full faith and credit of any foreign government.

          3. Obligations of any of the following:

          (a) U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises, federal agencies and
     federal financing banks which are not otherwise authorized including, but
     not limited to, the following:

               (i) U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises such as:

                    .    Instrumentalities of the Federal Credit System (Bank
                         for Cooperatives, Federal Land Banks);
                    .    Federal Home Loan Banks;
                    .    Federal National Mortgage Association; and

               (ii) Federal agencies such as:

                    .    Instrumentalities of the Department of Housing and
                         Urban Development (Federal Housing Administration,
                         Government National Mortgage Association);
                    .    Export-Import Bank;
                    .    Farmers Home Administration;
                    .    Tennessee Valley Authority,

          4. Obligations of states, counties and municipalities of the United
States.

          5. Debt Obligations (other than Commercial Paper) of domestic or
foreign corporations.

          6. Preferred stock obligations with a floating rate dividend which is
reset periodically at auction.

          7. Investments in repurchase agreements collateralized by any of the
above securities eligible for outright purchase, provided the collateral is
delivered to a bank custody account in accordance with the terms of a written
repurchase agreement with a dealer or bank.

          8. Certificates of Deposit, Time Deposits, Banker Acceptance and other
obligations issued by domestic and foreign banks which have stockholder equity
of $100 million or more.

                                       K-1
<PAGE>

          9. Commercial paper rated either P-1 by Moody's or A-1 by Standard &
Poor's.

          10. Investments in shares of institutional mutual funds whose
investment policies are essentially in agreement with the above policies.

          11. Investments described in point 1, 3, 4, 5 and 7 above are
restricted to obligations rated no lower than AA-3 by Moody's or AA- by S&P.

                                       K-2
<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT L

                     LIBOR AND DOMESTIC OFFICES OF BANKS AND
                              ADDRESSES FOR NOTICES

BORROWER:   CONSOL Energy Inc.
            1800 Washington Road
            Pittsburgh, PA  15241-1421
            Attn:  Mr. John M. Reilly
            Telephone No.: (412) 831-4128
            Telecopy No.: (412) 831-4151

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Bank                         Domestic Lending Office          LIBOR Lending Office
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                         <C>                              <C>
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group     1177 Avenue of the Americas      1177 Avenue of the Americas
                                            New York, NY  10036              New York, NY  10036
                                            Attn:  Peter Gray                Attn:  Doreen Klingenbeck
                                            T:  212 801-9739                 T:  212 801-9726
                                            F:  212 556-4839                 F:  212 556-4826
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Bank of Nova Scotia
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Citibank, N.A.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dresdner Bank, AG, New York and Grand       75 Wall Street                   75 Wall Street
Cayman Branches                             New York, NY  10005              New York, NY  10005
                                            Attn:  Dominik Rohe              Attn:  Dominik Rohe
                                            T:  212 429-2223                 T:  212 429-2223
                                            F:  212 429-3012                 F:  212 429-3012
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mellon Bank, N.A.                           One Mellon Center, Room 370      One Mellon Center, Room 370
                                            Pittsburgh, PA  15258            Pittsburgh, PA  15258
                                            Attn:  William Feathers          Attn:  William Feathers
                                            T:  412 234-4598                 T:  412 234-4598
                                            F:  412 234-8888                 F:  412 234-8888
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
National City Bank                          National City Center             National City Center
                                            20 Stanwix Street                20 Stanwix Street
                                            Pittsburgh, PA  15222            Pittsburgh, PA  15222
                                            Attn:  Michael Heinricher        Attn:  Michael Heinricher
                                            T:  412 644-8127                 T:  412 644-8127
                                            F:  412 471-4883                 F:  412 471-4883
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PNC Bank, N.A.                              One PNC Plaza, 3rd Floor         One PNC Plaza, 3rd Floor
                                            249 Fifth Avenue                 249 Fifth Avenue
                                            Pittsburgh, PA  15222            Pittsburgh, PA  15222
                                            Attn:  Joseph Micka              Attn:  Joseph Micka
                                            T:  412 762-4313                 T:  412 762-4313
                                            F:  412 705-3231                 F:  412 705-3231
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                       L-1

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