Table of Contents

 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
     
þ   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2009
OR
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     
Commission file number 1-13692
AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charters)
     
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  23-2787918
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
460 North Gulph Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(610) 337-7000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
             
Large accelerated filer þ     Accelerated filer o     Non-accelerated filer   o   Smaller reporting company o  
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
At July 31, 2009, there were 57,046,388 Common Units of AmeriGas Partners, L.P. outstanding.
 
 

 

 


 

AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
         
    PAGES  
Part I Financial Information
       
 
       
Item 1. Financial Statements (unaudited)
       
 
       
    1  
 
       
    2  
 
       
    3  
 
       
    4  
 
       
    5 – 20  
 
       
    21 – 30  
 
       
    31 – 32  
 
       
    32  
 
       
       
 
       
    33  
 
       
    34  
 
       
    34  
 
       
    35  
 
       
  Exhibit 3.1
  Exhibit 31.1
  Exhibit 31.2
  Exhibit 32

 

 


Table of Contents

AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars)
                         
    June 30,     September 30,     June 30,  
    2009     2008     2008  
ASSETS
                       
 
                       
Current assets:
                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 45,950     $ 10,909     $ 10,502  
Accounts receivable (less allowances for doubtful accounts of $21,707, $20,215 and $20,415, respectively)
    152,431       218,411       234,658  
Accounts receivable — related parties
    6,246       5,130       4,686  
Inventories
    82,496       144,206       125,421  
Derivative financial instruments
    4,455       13       28,959  
Collateral deposits
          17,830        
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    8,628       28,597       9,214  
 
                 
Total current assets
    300,206       425,096       413,440  
 
                       
Property, plant and equipment (less accumulated depreciation and amortization of $788,318, $743,097 and $725,347, respectively)
    623,868       616,834       621,610  
Goodwill
    661,736       640,843       640,439  
Intangible assets (less accumulated amortization of $23,973, $20,033 and $32,764, respectively)
    30,420       27,579       27,742  
Other assets
    14,122       14,721       15,804  
 
                 
 
                       
Total assets
  $ 1,630,352     $ 1,725,073     $ 1,719,035  
 
                 
 
                       
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL
                       
Current liabilities:
                       
Current maturities of long-term debt
  $ 1,586     $ 71,466     $ 71,219  
Bank loans
                26,000  
Accounts payable — trade
    89,996       172,800       146,264  
Accounts payable — related parties
    1,428       2,017       1,373  
Customer deposits and advances
    51,473       106,946       57,008  
Derivative financial instruments
    27,720       55,792       2,558  
Other current liabilities
    82,692       123,540       82,911  
 
                 
Total current liabilities
    254,895       532,561       387,333  
 
                       
Long-term debt
    861,831       861,924       861,455  
Other noncurrent liabilities
    75,387       72,490       64,245  
 
                       
Commitments and contingencies (note 4)
                       
Minority interests
    12,399       10,723       12,076  
Partners’ capital
    425,840       247,375       393,926  
 
                 
 
                       
Total liabilities and partners’ capital
  $ 1,630,352     $ 1,725,073     $ 1,719,035  
 
                 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

- 1 -


Table of Contents

AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars, except per unit amounts)
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
Revenues:
                               
Propane
  $ 333,212     $ 488,482     $ 1,791,963     $ 2,148,458  
Other
    39,465       46,647       131,155       141,495  
 
                       
 
    372,677       535,129       1,923,118       2,289,953  
 
                       
 
                               
Costs and expenses:
                               
Cost of sales — propane (excluding depreciation shown below)
    193,206       343,561       1,081,864       1,492,705  
Cost of sales — other (excluding depreciation shown below)
    17,132       19,386       47,938       52,585  
Operating and administrative expenses
    140,794       146,265       465,897       463,805  
Depreciation and amortization
    21,040       20,158       62,677       60,004  
Gain on sale of California storage facility
                (39,887 )      
Other income, net
    (3,824 )     (3,826 )     (12,581 )     (15,976 )
 
                       
 
    368,348       525,544       1,605,908       2,053,123  
 
                       
 
                               
Operating income
    4,329       9,585       317,210       236,830  
Interest expense
    (17,181 )     (18,135 )     (53,701 )     (55,062 )
 
                       
(Loss) income before income taxes and minority interests
    (12,852 )     (8,550 )     263,509       181,768  
Income taxes
    (670 )     (176 )     (2,081 )     (953 )
Minority interests
    (3 )     (62 )     (3,155 )     (2,348 )
 
                       
Net (loss) income
  $ (13,525 )   $ (8,788 )   $ 258,273     $ 178,467  
 
                       
 
                               
General partner’s interest in net (loss) income
  $ 432     $ 217     $ 3,761     $ 2,177  
 
                       
Limited partners’ interest in net (loss) income
  $ (13,957 )   $ (9,005 )   $ 254,512     $ 176,290  
 
                       
 
                               
(Loss) income per limited partner unit — basic and diluted (note 1)
                               
Basic
  $ (0.24 )   $ (0.16 )   $ 3.50     $ 2.79  
 
                       
Diluted
  $ (0.24 )   $ (0.16 )   $ 3.49     $ 2.79  
 
                       
Average limited partner units outstanding (thousands):
                               
Basic
    57,046       57,010       57,035       57,003  
 
                       
Diluted
    57,046       57,010       57,077       57,040  
 
                       
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

- 2 -


Table of Contents

AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars)
                 
    Nine Months Ended  
    June 30,  
    2009     2008  
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
               
Net income
  $ 258,273     $ 178,467  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    62,677       60,004  
Provision for uncollectible accounts
    11,408       12,362  
Gain on sale of California LPG storage facility
    (39,887 )      
Net change in settled accumulated other comprehensive income
    (3,345 )     (2,407 )
Other, net
    2,603       5,359  
Net change in:
               
Accounts receivable
    54,802       (63,670 )
Inventories
    62,839       (395 )
Accounts payable
    (83,657 )     (19,042 )
Collateral deposits
    17,830        
Other current assets
    19,968       1,533  
Other current liabilities
    (91,387 )     (69,230 )
 
           
Net cash provided by operating activities
    272,124       102,981  
 
           
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment
    (57,421 )     (48,168 )
Proceeds from disposals of assets
    5,361       7,154  
Net proceeds from sale of California LPG storage facility
    42,426        
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired
    (40,790 )     (1,533 )
 
           
Net cash used by investing activities
    (50,424 )     (42,547 )
 
           
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Distributions
    (113,532 )     (107,496 )
Minority interest activity
    (1,814 )     (1,759 )
Increase in bank loans
          26,000  
Repayment of long-term debt
    (70,985 )     (1,485 )
Proceeds from issuance of Common Units, net of tax withheld
    (338 )     766  
Capital contributions from General Partner
    10       8  
 
           
Net cash used by financing activities
    (186,659 )     (83,966 )
 
           
 
Cash and cash equivalents increase (decrease)
  $ 35,041     $ (23,532 )
 
           
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:
               
End of period
  $ 45,950     $ 10,502  
Beginning of period
    10,909       34,034  
 
           
Increase (decrease)
  $ 35,041     $ (23,532 )
 
           
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

- 3 -


Table of Contents

AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PARTNERS’ CAPITAL
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars, except unit data)
                                         
                            Accumulated        
                            other     Total  
    Number of     Common     General     comprehensive     partners’  
    Common Units     unitholders     partner     income (loss)     capital  
Balance September 30, 2008
    57,009,951     $ 308,186     $ 3,094     $ (63,905 )   $ 247,375  
Net income
            254,512       3,761               258,273  
Net losses on derivative instruments
                            (149,776 )     (149,776 )
Reclassification of net losses on derivative instruments
                            182,905       182,905  
 
                             
Comprehensive income
            254,512       3,761       33,129       291,402  
Distributions
            (111,219 )     (2,313 )             (113,532 )
Unit-based compensation expense
            923                     923  
Common Units issued in connection with incentive compensation plans, net of tax withheld
    36,437       (338 )     10               (328 )
 
                             
Balance June 30, 2009
    57,046,388     $ 452,064     $ 4,552     $ (30,776 )   $ 425,840  
 
                             
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

- 4 -


Table of Contents

AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars, except per unit)
1.  
Basis of Presentation
The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AmeriGas Partners, L.P. (“AmeriGas Partners”) and its principal operating subsidiaries AmeriGas Propane, L.P. (“AmeriGas OLP”) and AmeriGas OLP’s subsidiary, AmeriGas Eagle Propane, L.P. (“Eagle OLP”). AmeriGas Partners, AmeriGas OLP and Eagle OLP are Delaware limited partnerships. AmeriGas OLP and Eagle OLP are collectively referred to herein as “the Operating Partnerships,” and AmeriGas Partners, the Operating Partnerships and all of their subsidiaries are collectively referred to herein as “the Partnership” or “we.” We eliminate all significant intercompany accounts and transactions when we consolidate. We account for AmeriGas Propane, Inc.’s (the “General Partner’s”) 1.01% interest in AmeriGas OLP and an unrelated third party’s approximate 0.1% limited partner interest in Eagle OLP, prior to its redemption in July 2009 (See Note 4), as minority interests in the condensed consolidated financial statements. The General Partner is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of UGI Corporation (“UGI”).
   
AmeriGas Finance Corp., AmeriGas Eagle Finance Corp. and AP Eagle Finance Corp. are wholly owned finance subsidiaries of AmeriGas Partners. Their sole purpose is to serve as co-obligors for debt securities issued by AmeriGas Partners.
 
   
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). They include all adjustments which we consider necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. Such adjustments consisted only of normal recurring items unless otherwise disclosed. The September 30, 2008 condensed consolidated balance sheet data were derived from audited financial statements, but do not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2008. Weather significantly impacts demand for propane and profitability because many customers use propane for heating purposes. Due to the seasonal nature of the Partnership’s propane business, the results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full year.
 
   
Allocation of Net Income (Loss). Net income (loss) for partners’ capital and statement of operations presentation purposes is allocated to the General Partner and the limited partners in accordance with their respective ownership percentages after giving effect to amounts distributed to the General Partner in excess of its 1% general partner interest in AmeriGas Partners (“incentive distributions”), if any, in accordance with the Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of AmeriGas Partners (“Partnership Agreement”).

 

- 5 -


Table of Contents

AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars, except per unit)
Net Income (Loss) Per Unit. Income (loss) per limited partner unit is computed in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 03-6, “Participating Securities and the Two-Class Method under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement No. 128” (“EITF 03-6”), by dividing the limited partners’ interest in net income (loss) by the weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding. The two class method requires that income per limited partner unit be calculated as if all earnings for the period were distributed and requires a separate calculation for each quarter and year-to-date period. Thus, in periods when our net income exceeds our aggregate distributions paid and undistributed earnings are above certain levels, the calculation according to the two-class method results in an increased allocation of undistributed earnings to the General Partner. Due to the seasonality of the propane business, EITF 03-6 will typically impact net income per limited partner unit for our first three fiscal quarters. Theoretical distributions of net income in accordance with EITF 03-6 for the nine months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 resulted in an increased allocation of net income to the General Partner in the computation of the income per limited partner unit which had the effect of decreasing earnings per limited partner unit by $0.97 and $0.30, respectively. There was no dilutive effect of EITF 03-6 on net loss per limited partner unit for the three months ended June 30, 2009 or 2008.
Potentially dilutive Common Units included in the diluted limited partner units outstanding computation reflect the effects of restricted Common Unit awards granted under the General Partner’s incentive compensation plans.
Comprehensive Income. The following table presents the components of comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008:
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
Net (loss) income
  $ (13,525 )   $ (8,788 )   $ 258,273     $ 178,467  
Other comprehensive income
    68,265       26,506       33,129       10,354  
                         
Comprehensive income
  $ 54,740     $ 17,718     $ 291,402     $ 188,821  
                         
Other comprehensive income is principally the result of changes in the fair value of propane commodity derivative instruments and interest rate protection agreements qualifying as cash flow hedges, net of reclassifications of net gains and losses to net income.
Reclassifications. We have reclassified certain prior-year balances to conform to the current-period presentation.
Use of Estimates. We make estimates and assumptions when preparing financial statements in conformity with GAAP. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, as well as the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

 

- 6 -


Table of Contents

AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars, except per unit)
Subsequent Events. M anagement has evaluated the impact of subsequent events through August 7, 2009, the date the financial statements were filed with the SEC, and the effects of such evaluation have been reflected in the financial statements and related disclosures.
Newly Adopted Accounting Standards. Effective with the quarter ended June 30, 2009, we adopted Financial Accounting Standards Boards (“FASB”) Staff Position (“FSP”) FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, “Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments” (“FSP 107-1 and APB 28-1”). FSP 107-1 and APB 28-1 expands the fair value disclosures required for all financial instruments by SFAS 107, “Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments,” to interim periods for public companies. It also requires disclosures regarding significant fair value assumptions used. See Note 6 for further information on interim period fair value disclosures in accordance with FSP 107-1 and APB 28-1.
Effective with the quarter ended June 30, 2009, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 165, “Subsequent Events” (“SFAS 165”). SFAS 165 provides guidance on management’s accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued including disclosure of the date through which subsequent events are evaluated. The adoption of SFAS 165 did not have a significant impact on the Partnership’s financial statements.
Effective March 31, 2009, we adopted SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“SFAS 161”). SFAS 161 requires enhanced disclosures for all derivative instruments and hedging activity accounted for under SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“SFAS 133”). SFAS 161 provides greater transparency by requiring disclosure regarding: (1) how and why an entity uses derivatives, (2) how derivatives and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS 133 and its related interpretations, and (3) how derivatives and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. See Note 6 for disclosures required by SFAS 161.
Effective October 1, 2008, we adopted SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”). SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. In February 2008, the FASB issued two FSPs amending SFAS 157. FSP FAS 157-1 amends SFAS 157 to exclude SFAS No. 13, “Accounting for Leases,” and its related interpretive accounting pronouncements that address leasing transactions. FSP FAS 157-2 delays the effective date of SFAS 157 until fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 (Fiscal 2010) for non-financial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a non-recurring basis. The adoption of the initial phase of SFAS 157 did not have a material effect on the Partnership’s financial statements and the Partnership does not anticipate that the adoption of the remainder of SFAS 157 will have a material effect on the Partnership’s consolidated financial statements. In October 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-3, “Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active” (“FSP 157-3”), which clarifies the application of SFAS 157 to financial assets in a market that is not active. In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-4, “Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly” (“FSP 157-4”), which provides additional guidance for estimating fair value in accordance with SFAS 157 when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased. FSP 157-3 and FSP 157-4 did not have an impact on our results of operations or financial condition. See Note 5 for further information on fair value measurements in accordance with SFAS 157.

 

- 7 -


Table of Contents

AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars, except per unit)
Effective October 1, 2008, we adopted FSP No. FIN 39-1, “Amendment of FASB Interpretation No. 39” (“FSP 39-1”). FSP 39-1 permits companies to offset fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral (a receivable) or the obligation to return cash collateral (a payable) against fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments executed with the same counterparty under a master netting agreement. In addition, upon the adoption, companies are permitted to change their accounting policy to offset or not offset fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments under master netting arrangements. FSP 39-1 requires retrospective application for all periods presented. We have elected to continue our policy of reflecting derivative asset or liability positions, as well as cash collateral, on a gross basis in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Accordingly, the adoption of FSP 39-1 did not impact our financial statements.
Also effective October 1, 2008, we adopted SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“SFAS 159”). Under SFAS 159, we may elect to report individual financial instruments and certain items at fair value with changes in fair value reported in earnings. Once made, this election is irrevocable for those items. The adoption of SFAS 159 did not impact our financial statements.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted. In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 168, “The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” (“SFAS 168”). SFAS 168 identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting accounting principles used in the preparation of financial statements presented in conformity with GAAP. SFAS 168 establishes the FASB Accounting Standards Codification as the source of authoritative accounting principles recognized by the FASB. The issuance of SFAS 168 will not change existing GAAP. SFAS 168 is effective for all financial statements issued after September 15, 2009.

 

- 8 -


Table of Contents

AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars, except per unit)
In April 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. SFAS 142-3, “Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets” (“FSP SFAS 142-3”). FSP SFAS 142-3 amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“SFAS 142”). The intent of FSP SFAS 142-3 is to improve the consistency between the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS 142 and the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of the asset under SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS 141R”) and other applicable accounting literature. FSP SFAS 142-3 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 (Fiscal 2010) and must be applied prospectively to intangible assets acquired after the effective date. We are currently evaluating the provisions of FSP SFAS 142-3.
In March 2008, the FASB ratified the consensus reached in EITF 07-4, “Application of the Two-Class Method under FASB Statement No. 128 to Master Limited Partnerships” (“EITF 07-4”). EITF 07-4 addresses the application of the two-class method for master limited partnerships when incentive distribution rights are present and entitle the holder of such rights to a portion of the distributions. EITF 07-4 states that when earnings exceed distributions, the computation of earnings per unit should be based on the terms of the partnership agreement. Accordingly, any contractual limitations on the distributions to incentive distribution rights holders would need to be determined for each reporting period. If distributions are contractually limited to the holder of the incentive distribution rights holders’ share of currently designated available cash as defined in the partnership agreement, undistributed earnings in excess of available cash should not be allocated with respect to the incentive distribution rights. EITF 07-4 is effective for fiscal years that begin after December 15, 2008 (Fiscal 2010), and would be accounted for as a change in accounting principle and applied retrospectively. Early adoption of EITF 07-4 is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of EITF 07-4 on our income (loss) per limited partner unit calculation.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 141R, “Business Combinations.” SFAS 141R applies to all transactions or other events in which an entity obtains control of one or more businesses. SFAS 141R establishes, among other things, principles and requirements for how the acquirer (1) recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree; (2) recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired in a business combination or gain from a bargain purchase; and (3) determines what information with respect to a business combination should be disclosed. SFAS 141R applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008 (Fiscal 2010). Among the more significant changes in accounting for acquisitions are (1) transaction costs will generally be expensed (rather than being included as costs of the acquisition), (2) contingencies, including contingent consideration, will generally be recorded at fair value with subsequent adjustments recognized in operations (rather than as adjustments to the purchase price) and (3) decreases in valuation allowances on acquired deferred tax assets will be recognized in operations (rather than decreases in goodwill). Generally, the effects of SFAS 141R will depend on future acquisitions.

 

- 9 -


Table of Contents

AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars, except per unit)
Also in December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements — an amendment of ARB No. 51” (“SFAS 160”). SFAS 160 is effective for us on October 1, 2009 (Fiscal 2010). This standard will significantly change the accounting and reporting relating to noncontrolling interests in a consolidated subsidiary. After adoption, noncontrolling interests ($12,399, $10,723 and $12,076 at June 30, 2009, September 30, 2008 and June 30, 2008, respectively) will be classified as partners’ capital, a change from its current classification as minority interests between liabilities and partners’ capital. Earnings attributable to minority interests ($3 and $3,155 in the three and nine months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, and $62 and $2,348 in the three and nine months ended June 30, 2008, respectively) will be included in net income although such income, in accordance with EITF 03-06 or EITF 07-04, when adopted, will continue to be deducted to measure income per limited partner unit. In addition, changes in a parent’s ownership interest while retaining control will be accounted for as equity transactions and any retained noncontrolling equity investments in a former subsidiary will be initially measured at fair value.
2.  
Intangible Assets
The Partnership’s intangible assets comprise the following:
                         
    June 30,     September 30,     June 30,  
    2009     2008     2008  
Subject to amortization:
                       
Customer relationships and noncompete agreements
  $ 54,393     $ 47,612     $ 60,506  
Accumulated amortization
    (23,973 )     (20,033 )     (32,764 )
 
                 
 
  $ 30,420     $ 27,579     $ 27,742  
 
                 
Not subject to amortization:
                       
Goodwill
  $ 661,736     $ 640,843     $ 640,439  
 
                 
The increase in goodwill and other intangible assets during the nine months ended June 30, 2009 principally reflects the effects of acquisitions. Amortization expense of intangible assets was $1,321 and $3,957 for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, and $1,169 and $3,519 for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2008. No amortization is included in cost of sales in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Our expected aggregate amortization expense of intangible assets for the next five fiscal years is as follows: Fiscal 2009 — $5,214; Fiscal 2010 — $4,922; Fiscal 2011 — $4,838; Fiscal 2012 — $4,768; Fiscal 2013 — $4,213.

 

- 10 -


Table of Contents

AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars, except per unit)
3.  
Related Party Transactions
Pursuant to the Partnership Agreement and a Management Services Agreement among AmeriGas Eagle Holdings, Inc., the general partner of Eagle OLP, and the General Partner, the General Partner is entitled to reimbursement for all direct and indirect expenses incurred or payments it makes on behalf of the Partnership. These costs, which totaled $83,883 and $273,125 during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, and $81,522 and $263,754 during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2008, respectively, include employee compensation and benefit expenses of employees of the General Partner and general and administrative expenses.
   
UGI provides certain financial and administrative services to the General Partner. UGI bills the General Partner for all direct and indirect corporate expenses incurred in connection with providing these services and the General Partner is reimbursed by the Partnership for these expenses. The allocation of indirect UGI corporate expenses to the Partnership utilizes a weighted, three-component formula comprising revenues, operating expenses and net assets employed and considers the Partnership’s relative percentage of such items to the total of such items for all UGI’s operating subsidiaries for which general and administrative services are provided. Management believes that this allocation method is reasonable and equitable to the Partnership. Such corporate expenses totaled $2,280 and $9,853 during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, and $2,275 and $9,062 during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2008, respectively. In addition, UGI and certain of its subsidiaries provide office space, medical stop loss coverage and automobile liability insurance to the Partnership. These costs totaled $479 and $2,087 during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, and $675 and $1,782 during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2008, respectively.
 
   
AmeriGas OLP purchases propane from UGI Energy Services, Inc. and subsidiaries (“Energy Services”), which is owned by a subsidiary of UGI. Purchases of propane by AmeriGas OLP from Energy Services totaled $2,446 and $20,358 during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, and $6,396 and $40,932 during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2008, respectively. Amounts due to Energy Services totaled $608, $1,309 and $1,002 at June 30, 2009, September 30, 2008 and June 30, 2008, respectively, and are reflected in accounts payable — related parties in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
   
On October 1, 2008, AmeriGas OLP acquired all of the assets of Penn Fuel Propane, LLC (now named UGI Central Penn Propane, LLC, “CPP”) from CPP, a second-tier subsidiary of UGI Utilities, Inc., for $32,000 cash plus estimated working capital of $1,621. UGI Utilities, Inc is a wholly owned subsidiary of UGI. CPP sold propane to customers primarily in eastern Pennsylvania. AmeriGas OLP funded the acquisition of the assets of CPP principally from borrowings under its Credit Agreement. Pursuant to the acquisition agreement, in February 2009, AmeriGas OLP reached an agreement with UGI Utilities on the working capital adjustment pursuant to which UGI Utilities paid AmeriGas OLP $1,352 plus interest.

 

- 11 -


Table of Contents

AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars, except per unit)
4.  
Commitments and Contingencies
On May 27, 2009, the General Partner was named as a defendant in a purported class action lawsuit in the Superior Court of the State of California in which plaintiffs are challenging the General Partner’s weight disclosure with regard to its portable propane grill cylinders. The complaint purports to be brought on behalf of a class of all AmeriGas consumers in the state of California during the four years prior to the date of the California complaint, who exchanged an empty cylinder and were provided with what is alleged to be only a partially-filled cylinder. The plaintiffs seek restitution, injunctive relief, interest, costs, attorneys’ fees and other appropriate relief.
   
On June 4, 2009, the General Partner, AmeriGas OLP and AmeriGas Partners were each named in a purported class action lawsuit filed in federal district court in San Francisco, California. This complaint purports to be brought on behalf of a nationwide class defined as to include all purchasers of liquefied propane gas cylinders marketed or sold by AmeriGas and another unaffiliated entity nationwide from January 1, 2008 to the present. This complaint claims that defendants’ conduct constituted an unfair and deceptive practice that injured consumers and violated the consumer protection statutes of thirty-seven states and the District of Columbia, thereby entitling the class to damages, restitution, disgorgement, injunctive relief, costs and attorneys fees. The complaint also alleges that defendants were unjustly enriched by their conduct and seeks restitution of any unjust benefits received. In addition, these plaintiffs are seeking punitive or treble damages, and pre-judgment and post-judgment interest.
 
   
In addition, five other purported class actions have been filed against us in the following federal courts: Northern District of California (two lawsuits), Central District of California, Middle District of Florida, and Eastern District of Pennsylvania. These suits, in essence, reiterate the claims made in the above-described complaints. In addition, some of the suits filed in federal court allege violation of state “slack filling” laws, as well as state consumer protection statutes, some of which contain penalty provisions if violations are proven.
 
   
A motion to consolidate all of the purported class action lawsuits is pending in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas. In the interim, defendants have filed motions to stay discovery pending the resolution of the motion to consolidate and no discovery has yet taken place. We are investigating these claims and intend to vigorously defend the lawsuits. We are currently not able to predict the outcome of the class action lawsuits and consequently no amounts have been recorded in the financial statements. It is possible that any judgment or settlement of the claims could be material to our results of operations.

 

- 12 -


Table of Contents

AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars, except per unit)
On August 21, 2001, AmeriGas Partners, through AmeriGas OLP, acquired the propane distribution businesses of Columbia Energy Group (the “2001 Acquisition”) pursuant to the terms of a purchase agreement (the “2001 Acquisition Agreement”) by and among Columbia Energy Group (“CEG”), Columbia Propane Corporation (“Columbia Propane”), Columbia Propane, L.P. (“CPLP”), CP Holdings, Inc. (“CPH,” and together with Columbia Propane and CPLP, the “Company Parties”), AmeriGas Partners, AmeriGas OLP and the General Partner (together with AmeriGas Partners and AmeriGas OLP, the “Buyer Parties”). As a result of the 2001 Acquisition, AmeriGas OLP acquired all of the stock of Columbia Propane and CPH and substantially all of the partnership interests of CPLP. Under the terms of an earlier acquisition agreement (the “1999 Acquisition Agreement”), the Company Parties agreed to indemnify the former general partners of National Propane Partners, L.P. (a predecessor company of the Columbia Propane businesses) and an affiliate (collectively, “National General Partners”) against certain income tax and other losses that they may sustain as a result of the 1999 acquisition by CPLP of National Propane Partners, L.P. (the “1999 Acquisition”) or the operation of the business after the 1999 Acquisition (“National Claims”). At June 30, 2009, the potential amount payable under this indemnity by the Company Parties was approximately $58,000. These indemnity obligations expired on July 20, 2009 when CPLP, now known as Eagle OLP, redeemed an approximate 0.1% limited partner interest held by an unrelated third party.
Samuel and Brenda Swiger and their son (the “Swigers”) sustained personal injuries and property damage as a result of a fire that occurred when propane that leaked from an underground line ignited. In July 1998, the Swigers filed a class action lawsuit against AmeriGas Propane, L.P. (named incorrectly as “UGI/AmeriGas, Inc.”), in the Circuit Court of Monongalia County, West Virginia, in which they sought to recover an unspecified amount of compensatory and punitive damages and attorney’s fees, for themselves and on behalf of persons in West Virginia for whom the defendants had installed propane gas lines, resulting from the defendants’ alleged failure to install underground propane lines at depths required by applicable safety standards. In 2003, we settled the individual personal injury and property damage claims of the Swigers. In 2004, the court granted the plaintiffs’ motion to include customers acquired from Columbia Propane in August 2001 as additional potential class members and the plaintiffs amended their complaint to name additional parties pursuant to such ruling. Subsequently, in March 2005, we filed a cross-claim against CEG, former owner of Columbia Propane, seeking indemnification for conduct undertaken by Columbia Propane prior to our acquisition. Class counsel has indicated that the class is seeking compensatory damages in excess of $12,000 plus punitive damages, civil penalties and attorneys’ fees.

 

- 13 -


Table of Contents

AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars, except per unit)
In 2005, the Swigers filed what purports to be a class action in the Circuit Court of Harrison County, West Virginia against UGI, an insurance subsidiary of UGI, certain officers of UGI and the General Partner, and their insurance carriers and insurance adjusters. In the Harrison County lawsuit, the Swigers are seeking compensatory and punitive damages on behalf of the putative class for violations of the West Virginia Insurance Unfair Trade Practice Act, negligence, intentional misconduct, and civil conspiracy. The Swigers have also requested that the Court rule that insurance coverage exists under the policies issued by the defendant insurance companies for damages sustained by the members of the class in the Monongalia County lawsuit. The Circuit Court of Harrison County has not certified the class in the Harrison County lawsuit at this time and, in October 2008, stayed that lawsuit pending resolution of the class action lawsuit in Monongalia County. We believe we have good defenses to the claims in both actions.
By letter dated March 6, 2008, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (“DEC”) notified AmeriGas OLP that DEC had placed property owned by the Partnership in Saranac Lake, New York on its Registry of Inactive Hazardous Waste Disposal Sites. A site characterization study performed by DEC disclosed contamination related to former manufactured gas plant (“MGP) operations on the site. DEC has classified the site as a significant threat to public health or environment with further action required. The Partnership has researched the history of the site and its ownership interest in the site. The Partnership has reviewed the preliminary site characterization study prepared by the DEC and the possible existence of other potentially responsible parties. The Partnership continues to seek additional information about the site. Because of the preliminary nature of available environmental information, the ultimate amount of expected clean up costs cannot be reasonably estimated. It is possible that such amount could be material to the Partnership’s results of operations.
We also have other contingent liabilities, pending claims and legal actions arising in the normal course of our business. We cannot predict with certainty the final results of these and the aforementioned matters. However, it is reasonably possible that some of them could be resolved unfavorably to us and result in losses in excess of recorded amounts. We are unable to estimate any such possible excess losses. Although management currently believes, after consultation with counsel, that damages or settlements, if any, recovered by the plaintiffs in such claims or actions will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, damages or settlements could be material to our operating results or cash flows in future periods depending on the nature and timing of future developments with respect to these matters and the amounts of future operating results and cash flows.

 

- 14 -


Table of Contents

AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars, except per unit)
5.  
Fair Value Measurement
The Partnership adopted SFAS 157 effective October 1, 2008. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. SFAS 157 clarifies that the fair value should be based upon assumptions that market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and risks inherent in valuation techniques and inputs to valuations. This includes not only the credit standing of counterparties and credit enhancements but also the impact of our own nonperformance risk on our liabilities. SFAS 157 requires fair value measurements to assume that the transaction occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset or liability (the market for which the reporting entity would be able to maximize the amount received or minimize the amount paid). We apply fair value measurements to certain assets and liabilities principally comprising commodity and interest rate derivative instruments. We evaluate the need for credit adjustments to our derivative instrument fair values in accordance with the requirements noted above. Such adjustments were not material to the fair values of our derivative instruments.
   
In accordance with SFAS 157, we maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Fair value is based upon actively-quoted market prices, if available. In the absence of actively-quoted market prices, we seek price information from external sources, including counterparty quotes and prices for similar instruments in active markets. If pricing information from external sources is not available, or if we believe that observable pricing is not indicative of fair value, judgment is required to develop estimates of fair value.
 
   
For derivative contracts where observable pricing information is not available from external sources for the specific commodity or location, we may determine fair value using a different commodity or delivery location and adjust such prices using spread approximation models, or we may use recent market price indicators and adjust such prices using historical price movements.
 
   
We use the following fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels:
   
Level 1 — Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets and liabilities that we have the ability to access at the measurement date. The Partnership did not have any derivative financial instruments categorized as Level 1 at June 30, 2009.
   
Level 2 — Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability, including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, and inputs that are derived from observable market data by correlation or other means. Instruments categorized in Level 2 include non-exchange traded derivative financial instruments such as our over-the-counter commodity price swaps and option contracts and interest rate protection agreements.
 
   
Level 3 — Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability including situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. The Partnership did not have any derivative financial instruments categorized as Level 3 at June 30, 2009.

 

- 15 -


Table of Contents

AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars, except per unit)
The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable data (Level 3). In some cases, the inputs to measure fair value might fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. The lowest level input that is significant to a fair value measurement in its entirety determines the applicable level in the fair value hierarchy. Assessing the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, considering factors specific to the asset or liability.
SFAS 157 requires fair value measurements to be separately disclosed by level within the fair value hierarchy. The following table presents our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis for each hierarchy level, including both current and non-current portions, as of June 30, 2009:
                                 
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Derivative financial instruments:
                               
Assets
  $     $ 4,731     $     $ 4,731  
Liabilities
  $     $ (27,720 )   $     $ (27,720 )
6.  
Disclosures About Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities and Financial Instruments
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
   
The Partnership is exposed to certain market risks related to its ongoing business operations. Management uses derivative financial and commodity instruments, among other things, to manage these risks. The primary risks managed by derivative instruments are commodity price risk and interest rate risk. Although we use derivative financial and commodity instruments to reduce market risk associated with forecasted transactions, we do not use derivative financial and commodity instruments for speculative or trading purposes. The use of derivative instruments is controlled by our derivative, hedging and credit policies which govern, among other things, the derivative instruments the Partnership can use, counterparty credit limits and contract authorization limits. Because our derivative instruments generally qualify as hedges under SFAS No. 133, we expect that changes in the fair value of derivative instruments used to manage commodity or interest rate market risk would be substantially offset by gains or losses on the associated anticipated transactions.

 

- 16 -


Table of Contents

AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars, except per unit)
Commodity Price Risk
In order to manage market risk associated with the Partnership’s fixed-price programs which permit customers to lock in the prices they pay for propane principally during the heating season months of October through March, the Partnership uses over-the-counter derivative commodity instruments, principally price swap contracts. At June 30, 2009, there were 155.4 million gallons of propane hedged with over-the-counter price swap and option contracts. The maximum period over which we are currently hedging propane market price risk is 22 months. We account for commodity price risk contracts as cash flow hedges. Changes in the fair values of contracts qualifying for cash flow hedge accounting are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) and minority interest, to the extent effective in offsetting changes in the underlying commodity price risk, until earnings are affected by the hedged item.
Interest Rate Risk
Our long-term debt is typically issued at fixed rates of interest. As these long-term debt issues mature, we typically refinance such debt with new debt having interest rates reflecting then-current market conditions. In order to reduce market rate risk on the underlying benchmark rate of interest associated with near- to medium-term forecasted issuances of fixed rate debt, from time to time we may enter into interest rate protection agreements (“IRPAs”). As of June 30, 2009, the total notional amount of the Partnership’s unsettled IRPAs was $150,000. Our current unsettled IRPA contracts hedge forecasted interest payments associated with the issuance of debt forecasted to occur in June 2010. We account for IRPAs as cash flow hedges. Changes in the fair values of IRPAs are recorded in AOCI and minority interest, to the extent effective in offsetting changes in the underlying interest rate risk, until earnings are affected by the hedged interest expense.
Credit Risk Concentration
The Partnership is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to derivative financial and commodity instruments. Our counterparties principally consist of major energy companies and major U.S. financial institutions. We maintain credit policies with regard to our counterparties that we believe reduce overall credit risk. These policies include evaluating and monitoring our counterparties’ financial condition, including their credit ratings, and entering into agreements with counterparties that govern credit limits. Certain of these agreements call for the posting of collateral by the counterparty or by the Partnership in the form of letters of credit, parental guarantees or cash. We generally do not have credit-risk-related contingent features in our derivative contracts.

 

- 17 -


Table of Contents

AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars, except per unit)
The following table provides information regarding the balance sheet location and fair value of derivative assets and liabilities existing as of June 30, 2009:
                                 
    Derivative Assets     Derivative Liabilities  
    Balance Sheet     Fair     Balance Sheet     Fair  
As of June 30, 2009   Location     Value     Location     Value  
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments:
                               
Propane contracts
  Derivative financial instruments and Other assets   $ 337     Derivative financial instruments   $ (13,013 )
Interest rate contracts
  Derivative financial instruments     3,679     Derivative financial instruments     (14,107 )
 
                           
 
                               
Total Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
          $ 4,016             $ (27,120 )
 
                           
 
                               
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments:
                               
 
                               
Propane contracts
  Derivative financial instruments   $ 715     Derivative financial instruments   $ (600 )
 
                           
 
                               
Total Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
          $ 715             $ (600 )
 
                           
 
                               
Total Derivatives
          $ 4,731             $ (27,720 )
 
                           
 
                               
   
The following table provides information on the effects of derivative instruments on the consolidated statement of operations and changes in AOCI and minority interest for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2009:
                         
            Location of        
    Gain     (Loss)     (Loss)  
    Recognized in     Reclassified from     Reclassified from  
    AOCI and Minority     AOCI and Minority     AOCI and Minority  
Three Months Ended June 30, 2009   Interest     Interest into Income     Interest into Income  
 
                       
Cash Flow
                       
Hedges:
                       
Propane contracts
  $ 20,213     Cost of sales   $ (36,062 )
Interest rate contracts
    12,576     Interest expense / other income     (135 )
 
                   
Total
  $ 32,789             $ (36,197 )
 
                   

 

- 18 -


Table of Contents

AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars, except per unit)
                         
            Location of        
    Loss     Loss     Loss  
    Recognized in     Reclassified from     Reclassified from  
    AOCI and Minority     AOCI and Minority     AOCI and Minority  
Nine Months Ended June 30, 2009   Interest     Interest into Income     Interest into Income  
 
                       
Cash Flow
                       
Hedges:
                       
Propane contracts
  $ (146,656 )   Cost of sales   $ (181,914 )
Interest rate contracts
    (4,649 )   Interest expense / other income       (2,854 )
 
                 
Total
  $ (151,305 )           $ (184,768 )
 
                 
The amounts of derivative gains or losses representing ineffectiveness and the amounts of gains or losses recognized in income as a result of excluding from ineffectiveness testing were not material. The Partnership reclassified losses of $1,659 into income during the nine months ended June 30, 2009 as a result of the discontinuance of cash flow hedges. The amount of net losses associated with cash flow hedges expected to be reclassified into earnings during the next twelve months based upon current fair values is $20,007.
Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts of financial instruments included in current assets and current liabilities (excluding unsettled derivative instruments and current maturities of long-term debt) approximate their fair values because of their short-term nature. The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our remaining financial instrument assets and (liabilities) at June 30, 2009 (including unsettled derivative instruments) are as follows:
                 
    Asset (Liability)  
    Carrying     Estimated Fair  
    Amount     Value  
Derivative instruments
  $ (22,989 )   $ (22,989 )
Long-term debt
    (863,417 )     (808,523 )
We estimate the fair value of long-term debt by using current market prices and by discounting future cash flows using rates available for similar type debt. Fair values of derivative instruments are determined in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 157 as described in Footnote 5.

 

- 19 -


Table of Contents

AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars, except per unit)
7.  
Supplemental Credit Agreements
As a result of greater cash needed to fund counterparty collateral requirements resulting from rapid and precipitous declines in propane commodity prices during the three months ended December 31, 2008, on November 14, 2008, AmeriGas OLP entered into a revolving credit agreement with two major banks (“Supplemental Credit Agreement”). The Supplemental Credit Agreement was scheduled to expire on May 14, 2009 but was voluntarily terminated on April 17, 2009 concurrent with the signing of a new $75,000 revolving credit facility (as further described below). The Supplemental Credit Agreement permitted AmeriGas OLP to borrow up to $50,000 for working capital and general purposes.
   
In order to maintain increased liquidity, on April 17, 2009, AmeriGas OLP entered into a new $75,000 unsecured revolving credit facility (“2009 Supplemental Credit Agreement”) with three major banks. The 2009 Supplemental Credit Agreement expires on July 1, 2010 and permits AmeriGas OLP to borrow up to $75,000 for working capital and general purposes. Except for more restrictive covenants regarding the incurrence of additional indebtedness by AmeriGas OLP, the 2009 Supplemental Credit Agreement has restrictive covenants substantially similar to AmeriGas OLP’s $200,000 Credit Agreement expiring October 15, 2011.
8.  
Partnership Sale of Propane Storage Facility
On November 13, 2008, AmeriGas OLP sold its 600,000 barrel refrigerated, above-ground storage facility located on leased property in California for net cash proceeds of $42,426. We recorded a pre-tax gain of $39,887 associated with this transaction, which increased net income for the nine months ended June 30, 2009 by $39,485.

 

- 20 -


Table of Contents

AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
ITEM 2.  
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Information contained in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations may contain forward-looking statements. Such statements use forward-looking words such as “believe,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may,” “will,” or other similar words. These statements discuss plans, strategies, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future.
A forward-looking statement may include a statement of the assumptions or bases underlying the forward-looking statement. We believe that we have chosen these assumptions or bases in good faith and that they are reasonable. However, we caution you that actual results almost always vary from assumed facts or bases, and the differences between actual results and assumed facts or bases can be material, depending on the circumstances. When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the following important factors which could affect our future results and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements: (1) adverse weather conditions resulting in reduced demand; (2) cost volatility and availability of propane, and the capacity to transport propane to our market areas; (3) the availability of, and our ability to consummate, acquisition or combination opportunities; (4) successful integration and future performance of acquired assets or businesses; (5) changes in laws and regulations, including safety, tax and accounting matters; (6) competitive pressures from the same and alternative energy sources; (7) failure to acquire new customers thereby reducing or limiting any increase in revenues; (8) liability for environmental claims; (9) increased customer conservation measures due to high energy prices and improvements in energy efficiency and technology resulting in reduced demand; (10) adverse labor relations; (11) large customer, counter-party or supplier defaults; (12) liability in excess of insurance coverage for personal injury and property damage arising from explosions and other catastrophic events, including acts of terrorism, resulting from operating hazards and risks incidental to transporting, storing and distributing propane, butane and ammonia; (13) political, regulatory and economic conditions in the United States and foreign countries; (14) capital market conditions, including, reduced access to capital markets and interest rate fluctuations; (15) changes in commodity market prices resulting in significantly higher cash collateral requirements; and (16) the impact of pending and future legal proceedings.
These factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any of our forward-looking statements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors could also have material adverse effects on future results. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information or future events except as required by the federal securities laws.

 

- 21 -


Table of Contents

AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following analyses compare the Partnership’s results of operations for (1) the three months ended June 30, 2009 (“2009 three-month period”) with the three months ended June 30, 2008 (“2008 three-month period”) and (2) the nine months ended June 30, 2009 (“2009 nine-month period”) with the nine months ended June 30, 2008 (“2008 nine-month period”).
Executive Overview
Our net loss for the 2009 three-month period increased to $13.5 million from a loss of $8.8 million in the prior-year three-month period primarily as a result of lower total margin on lower retail volumes sold partially offset by slightly lower total operating expenses. Temperatures based upon heating degree days were approximately 3.1% warmer than normal in the 2009 three-month period compared with temperatures that were 8.1% colder than normal in the prior-year three-month period. Average wholesale propane commodity prices were approximately 57% lower for the three months ended June 30, 2009 compared with the prior year period. Retail volumes sold in the 2009 three-month period were lower than in the prior-year three-month period reflecting the effects of the significant deterioration in general economic activity, customer conservation and the effects of the warmer weather. Total margin declined due in large part to the lower retail volumes sold. However average retail propane unit margins were higher in the 2009 three-month period reflecting the significantly lower and less volatile propane product costs.
Our net income for the 2009 nine-month period increased to $258.3 million from $178.5 million in the prior-year nine-month period. The 2009 nine-month period net income includes a $39.5 million gain on the sale of our California storage facility in November 2008. As previously mentioned, wholesale propane commodity prices declined more than 50% during the first three months of Fiscal 2009 and have generally remained at lower and less volatile levels since January 2009. Average wholesale propane prices in the nine-months ended June 30, 2009 were approximately 50% lower than such prices during the prior-year nine-month period. Notwithstanding the benefits from the acquisition of the assets of Penn Fuel Propane, LLC (“Penn Fuel Acquisition”) and 2009 nine-month period temperatures that were slightly colder than last year, our retail volumes were lower reflecting the effects of the significant deterioration in general economic activity and customer conservation. Although retail volumes were lower, total margin was greater in the 2009 nine-month period reflecting higher than normal retail unit margins resulting from a rapid decline in propane product costs that occurred early in the year.

 

- 22 -


Table of Contents

AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
2009 three-month period compared with 2008 three-month period
                                 
Three Months Ended June 30,   2009     2008     Decrease  
(millions of dollars)                  
 
                               
Gallons sold (millions):
                               
Retail
    160.0       180.7       (20.7 )     (11.5 )%
Wholesale
    17.3       18.0       (0.7 )     (3.9 )%
 
                       
 
    177.3       198.7       (21.4 )     (10.8 )%
 
                       
 
                               
Revenues:
                               
Retail propane
  $ 318.7     $ 456.8     $ (138.1 )     (30.2 )%
Wholesale propane
    14.5       31.7       (17.2 )     (54.3 )%
Other
    39.5       46.6       (7.1 )     (15.2 )%
 
                       
 
  $ 372.7     $ 535.1     $ (162.4 )     (30.3 )%
 
                       
 
                               
Total margin (a)
  $ 162.3     $ 172.2     $ (9.9 )     (5.7 )%
EBITDA (b)
  $ 25.4     $ 29.7     $ (4.3 )     (14.5 )%
Operating income
  $ 4.3     $ 9.6     $ (5.3 )     (55.2 )%
Net loss
  $ (13.5 )   $ (8.8 )   $ (4.7 )     53.4 %
Heating degree days — % (warmer) colder than normal (c)
    (3.1 )%     8.1 %            
     
(a)  
Total margin represents total revenues less cost of sales — propane and cost of sales — other.
 
(b)  
Earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) should not be considered as an alternative to net income (as an indicator of operating performance) and is not a measure of performance or financial condition under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Management believes EBITDA is a meaningful non-GAAP financial measure used by investors to (1) compare the Partnership’s operating performance with other companies within the propane industry and (2) assess its ability to meet loan covenants. The Partnership’s definition of EBITDA may be different from that used by other companies. Management uses EBITDA to compare year-over-year profitability of the business without regard to capital structure as well as to compare the relative performance of the Partnership to that of other master limited partnerships without regard to their financing methods, capital structure, income taxes or historical cost basis. In view of the omission of interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization from EBITDA, management also assesses the profitability of the business by comparing net income for the relevant years. Management also uses EBITDA to assess the Partnership’s profitability because its parent, UGI Corporation, uses the Partnership’s EBITDA to assess the profitability of the Partnership. UGI Corporation discloses the Partnership’s EBITDA as the profitability measure to comply with the requirement in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” to provide profitability information about its domestic propane segment.
The following table includes reconciliations of net income to EBITDA for the periods presented:
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    June 30,  
    2009     2008  
 
               
Net loss
  $ (13.5 )   $ (8.8 )
Income tax expense
    0.7       0.2  
Interest expense
    17.2       18.1  
Depreciation
    19.7       19.0  
Amortization
    1.3       1.2  
 
           
EBITDA
  $ 25.4     $ 29.7  
 
           
     
(c)  
Deviation from average heating degree days for the 30-year period 1971-2000 based upon national weather statistics provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (“NOAA”) for 335 airports in the United States, excluding Alaska. Prior year data has been adjusted to correct a NOAA error.

 

- 23 -


Table of Contents

AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
Based upon heating degree-day data, average temperatures in our service territories were 3.1% warmer than normal during the 2009 three-month period compared with temperatures in the prior-year period that were 8.1% colder than normal. Notwithstanding the benefit of the October 1, 2008 Penn Fuel Acquisition, retail gallons sold were lower than the prior-year period reflecting, among other things, the adverse effects of the significant deterioration in general economic activity which has occurred over the last year, continued customer conservation and the warmer spring weather.
Retail propane revenues declined $138.1 million during the 2009 three-month period reflecting a $85.8 million decrease due to lower average selling prices and a $52.3 million decrease as a result of the lower retail volumes sold. Wholesale propane revenues declined $17.2 million principally reflecting the decrease in year-over-year wholesale selling prices. Average wholesale propane commodity prices at Mont Belvieu, Texas, one of the major supply points in the U.S., were approximately 57% lower in the 2009 three-month period than such prices in the 2008 three-month period reflecting a precipitous decline in such prices during the first quarter of Fiscal 2009 following a substantial increase in prices during most of the second half of Fiscal 2008. Total cost of sales decreased $152.6 million to $210.3 million principally reflecting the effects of the lower propane product costs and lower sales.
Total margin was $9.9 million lower in the 2009 three-month period as the effects on total margin from the lower retail sales were partially offset by higher than normal retail unit margins resulting from the previously mentioned significantly lower and less volatile propane product costs.
EBITDA during the 2009 three-month period was $25.4 million compared with EBITDA of $29.7 million in the 2008 three-month period. The lower 2009 three-month period EBITDA reflects the previously mentioned $9.9 million decrease in total margin partially offset by lower operating and administrative expenses. The lower operating and administrative expenses reflect in large part lower vehicle fuel expense and lower required allowances for uncollectible accounts partially offset by greater compensation and benefits expenses including incremental expenses resulting from the Penn Fuel Acquisition.
Operating income decreased $5.3 million reflecting the $4.3 million decrease in EBITDA and slightly higher depreciation and amortization expense associated with acquisitions and plant and equipment expenditures made since the prior year. Net loss increased $4.7 million during the 2009 three-month period largely reflecting the decrease in operating income and higher income tax expense partially offset by lower interest expense on bank loan borrowings.

 

- 24 -


Table of Contents

AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
2009 nine-month period compared with 2008 nine-month period
                                 
                    Increase  
Nine Months Ended June 30,   2009     2008     (Decrease)  
(millions of dollars)                  
 
                               
Gallons sold (millions):
                               
Retail
    781.1       828.2       (47.1 )     (5.7 )%
Wholesale
    99.4       90.4       9.0       10.0 %
 
                       
 
    880.5       918.6       (38.1 )     (4.1 )%
 
                       
 
                               
Revenues:
                               
Retail propane
  $ 1,694.3     $ 2,000.0     $ (305.7 )     (15.3 )%
Wholesale propane
    97.7       148.5       (50.8 )     (34.2 )%
Other
    131.1       141.5       (10.4 )     (7.3 )%
 
                       
 
  $ 1,923.1     $ 2,290.0     $ (366.9 )     (16.0 )%
 
                       
 
                               
Total margin (a)
  $ 793.3     $ 744.7     $ 48.6       6.5 %
EBITDA (b)
  $ 376.7     $ 294.5     $ 82.2       27.9 %
Operating income
  $ 317.2     $ 236.8     $ 80.4       34.0 %
Net income
  $ 258.3     $ 178.5     $ 79.8       44.7 %
Heating degree days — % (warmer) than normal (c)
    (1.9 )%     (2.2 )%            
     
(a)  
Total margin represents total revenues less cost of sales — propane and cost of sales — other.
 
(b)  
Earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) should not be considered as an alternative to net income (as an indicator of operating performance) and is not a measure of performance or financial condition under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Management believes EBITDA is a meaningful non-GAAP financial measure used by investors to (1) compare the Partnership’s operating performance with other companies within the propane industry and (2) assess its ability to meet loan covenants. The Partnership’s definition of EBITDA may be different from that used by other companies. Management uses EBITDA to compare year-over-year profitability of the business without regard to capital structure as well as to compare the relative performance of the Partnership to that of other master limited partnerships without regard to their financing methods, capital structure, income taxes or historical cost basis. In view of the omission of interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization from EBITDA, management also assesses the profitability of the business by comparing net income for the relevant years. Management also uses EBITDA to assess the Partnership’s profitability because its parent, UGI Corporation, uses the Partnership’s EBITDA to assess the profitability of the Partnership. UGI Corporation discloses the Partnership’s EBITDA as the profitability measure to comply with the requirement in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” to provide profitability information about its domestic propane segment.
The following table includes reconciliations of net income to EBITDA for the periods presented:
                 
    Nine Months Ended  
    June 30,  
    2009     2008  
 
               
Net income
  $ 258.3     $ 178.5  
Income tax expense
    2.1       0.9  
Interest expense
    53.7       55.1  
Depreciation
    58.7       56.5  
Amortization
    3.9       3.5  
             
EBITDA
  $ 376.7     $ 294.5  
             
     
(c)  
Deviation from average heating degree days for the 30-year period 1971-2000 based upon national weather statistics provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (“NOAA”) for 335 airports in the United States, excluding Alaska. Prior year data has been adjusted to correct a NOAA error.

 

- 25 -


Table of Contents

AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
Based upon heating degree-day data, average temperatures in our service territories were 1.9% warmer than normal during the 2009 nine-month period compared with temperatures in the prior-year period that were 2.2% warmer than normal. Notwithstanding the slightly colder 2009 nine-month period weather and the benefit of the Penn Fuel Acquisition on October 1, 2008, retail gallons sold were 5.7% lower than the prior-year period reflecting, among other things, the adverse effects of the significant deterioration in general economic activity which has occurred over the last year and continued customer conservation.
Retail propane revenues declined $305.7 million during the 2009 nine-month period reflecting a $192.0 million decrease due to lower average selling prices and a $113.7 million decrease as a result of the lower retail volumes sold. Wholesale propane revenues declined $50.8 million reflecting a $65.6 million decrease from lower wholesale selling prices partially offset by a $14.8 million increase from higher wholesale volumes sold. Wholesale propane commodity prices at Mont Belvieu, Texas were more than 50% lower in the 2009 nine-month period compared with such prices in the 2008 nine-month period reflecting the effects of a precipitous decline in wholesale propane prices during the first fiscal quarter of Fiscal 2009 following a substantial increase in prices during most of the second half of Fiscal 2008. Total cost of sales decreased $415.5 million to $1,129.8 million principally reflecting the effects of the lower propane product costs.
Total margin was $48.6 million greater in the 2009 nine-month period reflecting the beneficial impact of higher than normal retail unit margins resulting from the previously mentioned rapid decline in propane product costs that occurred primarily during the first quarter of the 2009 nine-month period.
EBITDA during the 2009 nine-month period was $376.7 million compared with EBITDA of $294.5 million in the 2008 nine-month period. The 2009 nine-month period EBITDA includes a $39.9 million pre-tax gain from the sale of the Partnership’s California LPG storage facility. In addition to the gain from the sale of the California LPG storage facility, the 2009 nine-month period EBITDA reflects the previously mentioned $48.6 million increase in total margin partially offset by slightly higher operating and administrative expenses and slightly lower other income. The slightly higher operating and administrative expenses reflect in large part higher compensation and benefit expenses including incremental expenses associated with the Penn Fuel Acquisition and slightly higher general insurance expenses substantially offset by lower vehicle fuel expenses.
Operating income increased $80.4 million reflecting the $82.2 million increase in EBITDA partially offset by slightly higher depreciation and amortization expense associated with acquisitions and plant and equipment expenditures made since the prior year. Net income increased $79.8 million during the 2009 nine-month period principally reflecting the increase in operating income.

 

- 26 -


Table of Contents

AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND LIQUIDITY
Financial Condition
The Partnership’s debt outstanding at June 30, 2009 totaled $863.4 million (including current maturities of long-term debt of $1.6 million) compared with total debt outstanding of $933.4 million (including current maturities of long-term debt of $71.5 million) at September 30, 2008. Total debt outstanding at June 30, 2009 includes long-term debt comprising $779.7 million of AmeriGas Partners’ Senior Notes, $80.0 million of AmeriGas OLP First Mortgage Notes and $3.7 million of other long-term debt. At June 30, 2009, there were no amounts borrowed under AmeriGas OLP’s credit agreements (as further described below). In March 2009, AmeriGas OLP repaid $70 million of its First Mortgage Notes with cash generated from operations.
AmeriGas OLP’s short-term borrowing needs are seasonal and are typically greatest during the fall and winter heating-season months due to the need to fund higher levels of working capital. In addition, a rapid and precipitous decline in commodity propane prices in late Fiscal 2008 which continued into Fiscal 2009 resulted in greater cash needed by the Partnership to fund counterparty collateral requirements primarily during the first quarter of Fiscal 2009. These collateral requirements were associated with derivative financial instruments used by the Partnership to manage market price risk associated with fixed sales price commitments to customers principally during the heating-season months of October through March. At June 30, 2009, the Partnership had no outstanding collateral deposits associated with these derivative financial instruments.
In order to meet its short-term cash needs, AmeriGas OLP has a $200 million credit agreement (“Credit Agreement”) which expires on October 15, 2011. In addition, on November 14, 2008, AmeriGas OLP entered into a $50 million revolving credit agreement with two major banks (“Supplemental Credit Agreement”) which was terminated on April 17, 2009 in conjunction with the signing of a new $75 million revolving credit facility described below. AmeriGas OLP’s Credit Agreement consists of (1) a $125 million Revolving Credit Facility and (2) a $75 million Acquisition Facility. The Revolving Credit Facility may be used for working capital and general purposes of AmeriGas OLP. The Acquisition Facility provides AmeriGas OLP with the ability to borrow up to $75 million to finance the purchase of propane businesses or propane business assets or, to the extent it is not so used, for working capital and general purposes, subject to restrictions in the AmeriGas OLP First Mortgage Notes. The Supplemental Credit Agreement permitted AmeriGas OLP to borrow up to $50 million for working capital and general purposes.
In order to maintain increased liquidity, on April 17, 2009, AmeriGas OLP voluntarily terminated its Supplemental Credit Agreement and entered into a new $75 million unsecured revolving credit facility (“2009 Supplemental Credit Agreement”) with three major banks. The 2009 Supplemental Credit Agreement expires on July 1, 2010 and permits AmeriGas OLP to borrow up to $75 million for working capital and general purposes. Except for more restrictive covenants regarding the incurrence of additional indebtedness by AmeriGas OLP, the 2009 Supplemental Credit Agreement has restrictive covenants substantially similar to AmeriGas OLP’s Credit Agreement.
There were no borrowings outstanding under the credit agreements at June 30, 2009. Issued and outstanding letters of credit under the Revolving Credit Facility, which reduce the amount available for borrowings, totaled $37.0 million at June 30, 2009. The average daily and peak bank loan borrowings outstanding under the credit agreements during the 2009 nine-month period were $58.3 million and $184.5 million, respectively. The average daily and peak bank loan borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement during the 2008 nine-month period were $47.4 million and $101 million, respectively. At June 30, 2009, the Partnership’s available borrowing capacity under the credit agreements was $238.0 million.

 

- 27 -


Table of Contents

AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
Based on existing cash balances, cash expected to be generated from operations, and borrowings available under AmeriGas OLP’s Credit Agreement and the 2009 Supplemental Credit Agreement, the Partnership’s management believes that the Partnership will be able to meet its anticipated contractual commitments and projected cash needs during Fiscal 2009.
During the nine months ended June 30, 2009, the Partnership declared and paid quarterly distributions on all limited partner units at a rate of $0.64 per Common Unit for each of the quarters ended December 31, 2008 and September 30, 2008 and at a rate of $0.67 per Common Unit for the quarter ended March 31, 2009. On July 27, 2009, the General Partners’ Board of Directors approved a distribution of $0.84 per Common Unit payable on August 18, 2009 to unitholders of record on August 10, 2009. This distribution includes the regular quarterly distribution of $0.67 per Common Unit and $0.17 per Common Unit reflecting a one-time distribution of a portion of the proceeds from the Partnership’s sale of its California storage facility in November 2008. The ability of the Partnership to declare and pay the quarterly distribution on its Common Units in the future depends upon a number of factors. These factors include (1) the level of Partnership earnings; (2) the cash needs of the Partnership’s operations (including cash needed for maintaining and increasing operating capacity); (3) changes in operating working capital; and (4) the Partnership’s ability to borrow under its credit agreements, refinance maturing debt, and increase its long-term debt. Some of these factors are affected by conditions beyond the Partnership’s control including weather, competition in markets we serve, the cost of propane and changes in capital market conditions.
Cash Flows
Operating activities. Due to the seasonal nature of the Partnership’s business, cash flows from operating activities are generally strongest during the second and third fiscal quarters when customers pay for propane consumed during the heating season months. Conversely, operating cash flows are generally at their lowest levels during the first and fourth fiscal quarters when the Partnership’s investment in working capital is generally greatest. The Partnership may use its credit agreements to satisfy its seasonal operating cash flow needs. Cash flow provided by operating activities was $272.1 million in the 2009 nine-month period compared to $103.0 million in the 2008 nine-month period. Cash flow from operating activities before changes in operating working capital was $291.7 million in the 2009 nine-month period compared with $253.8 million in the prior-year period principally reflecting the improved operating results. Cash required to fund changes in operating working capital totaled $19.6 million in the 2009 nine-month period compared with $150.8 million in the prior-year period. The decrease in cash required to fund operating working capital in the current-year period principally reflects lower net cash required to fund changes in accounts receivable and inventories due in large part to the effects of declining wholesale propane product costs. This decrease in cash used to fund changes in accounts receivable and inventory was partially offset by the impact of the timing of payments and the decrease in current-year period propane product costs on accounts payable. Cash flow from changes in operating working capital in the 2009 nine-month period also includes $17.8 million from repayments of collateral deposits.

 

- 28 -


Table of Contents

AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
Investing activities. Investing activity cash flow is principally affected by investments in property, plant and equipment, cash paid for acquisitions of businesses and proceeds from sales of assets. Cash flow used in investing activities was $50.4 million in the 2009 nine-month period compared with $42.5 million in the prior-year period. We spent $57.4 million for property, plant and equipment (comprising $25.9 million of maintenance capital expenditures and $31.5 million of growth capital expenditures) in the 2009 nine-month period compared with $48.2 million (comprising $20.9 million of maintenance capital expenditures and $27.3 million of growth capital expenditures) in the 2008 nine-month period. The greater capital expenditures in the 2009 nine-month period include expenditures associated with an ongoing system software replacement. In November 2008, the Partnership sold its California LPG storage facility for net cash proceeds of $42.4 million. Also during the 2009 nine-month period, the Partnership paid total net cash of $40.8 million for acquisitions of retail propane businesses, principally the Penn Fuel Acquisition.
Financing activities. The Partnership’s financing activities cash flows are typically the result of repayments and issuances of long-term debt, borrowings under AmeriGas OLP’s credit agreements, issuances of Common Units and distributions on partnership interests. Cash used by financing activities was $186.7 million in the 2009 nine-month period compared with $84.0 million in the prior-year period. Distributions in the 2009 nine-month period totaled $113.5 million compared with $107.5 million in the prior-year period principally reflecting a higher quarterly per-unit distribution rate. There were no borrowings outstanding under the credit agreements at June 30, 2009 compared to $26 million at June 30, 2008. The higher amount at the end of the prior-year period was required to fund higher working capital balances. Repayments of long-term debt in the 2009 nine-month period totaled $71.0 million compared to $1.5 million in the prior-year period principally reflecting the repayment of $70 million of AmeriGas OLP’s First Mortgage Notes in March 2009.
Purported Consumer Class Action Lawsuits
On May 27, 2009, the General Partner was named as a defendant in a purported class action lawsuit in the Superior Court of the State of California in which plaintiffs are challenging the General Partner’s weight disclosure with regard to its portable propane grill cylinders. The complaint purports to be brought on behalf of a class of all AmeriGas consumers in the state of California during the four years prior to the date of the California complaint, who exchanged an empty cylinder and were provided with what is alleged to be only a partially-filled cylinder. The plaintiffs seek restitution, injunctive relief, interest, costs, attorneys’ fees and other appropriate relief.
On June 4, 2009, the General Partner, AmeriGas OLP and AmeriGas Partners were each named in a purported class action lawsuit filed in federal district court in San Francisco, California. This complaint purports to be brought on behalf of a nationwide class defined as to include all purchasers of liquefied propane gas cylinders marketed or sold by AmeriGas and another unaffiliated entity nationwide from January 1, 2008 to the present. This complaint claims that defendants’ conduct constituted an unfair and deceptive practice that injured consumers and violated the consumer protection statutes of thirty-seven states and the District of Columbia, thereby entitling the class to damages, restitution, disgorgement, injunctive relief, costs and attorneys fees. The complaint also alleges that defendants were unjustly enriched by their conduct and seeks restitution of any unjust benefits received. In addition, these plaintiffs are seeking punitive or treble damages, and pre-judgment and post-judgment interest.

 

- 29 -


Table of Contents

AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
In addition, five other purported class actions have been filed against us in the following federal courts: Northern District of California (two lawsuits), Central District of California, Middle District of Florida, and Eastern District of Pennsylvania. These suits, in essence, reiterate the claims made in the above-described complaints. In addition, some of the suits filed in federal court allege violation of state “slack filling” laws, as well as state consumer protection statutes, some of which contain penalty provisions if violations are proven.
A motion to consolidate all of the purported class action lawsuits is pending in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas. In the interim, defendants have filed motions to stay discovery pending the resolution of the motion to consolidate and no discovery has yet taken place. We are investigating these claims and intend to vigorously defend the lawsuits. We are currently not able to predict the outcome of the class action lawsuits and consequently no amounts have been recorded in the financial statements. Any judgment or settlement of the claims could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations.
Partnership Sale of Propane Storage Facility
On November 13, 2008, AmeriGas OLP sold its 600,000 barrel refrigerated, above-ground storage facility located on leased property in California for net cash of $42.4 million. We recorded a pre-tax gain of $39.9 million associated with this transaction, which increased net income for the nine months ended June 30, 2009 by $39.5 million.
Effect of Recent Market Conditions
The recent unprecedented volatility in credit and capital markets may create additional risks to the Partnership in the future. We are exposed to financial market risk resulting from, among other things, changes in interest rates and conditions in the credit and capital markets. Recent developments in the credit markets increase our possible exposure to the liquidity and credit risks of our suppliers, counterparties associated with derivative financial instruments and our customers.
We believe that we have sufficient liquidity in the form of revolving credit facilities, letters of credit and guarantee arrangements to fund our operations including the collateral requirements of our derivative financial instruments and our maturing long-term debt. Additionally, we do not have significant amounts of long-term debt maturing or revolving credit agreements terminating in the next several fiscal years. Accordingly, we do not believe that recent conditions in the credit and capital markets will have a significant impact on our liquidity. Although we believe that recent financial market conditions will not have a significant impact on our ability to fund our existing operations, such market conditions could restrict our ability to make a significant acquisition or limit the scope of major capital projects, if access to credit and capital markets is limited, and could adversely affect our results of operations.
We are subject to credit risk relating to the ability of counterparties to meet their contractual payment obligations or the potential non-performance of counterparties to deliver contracted commodities or services at contract prices. We monitor our counterparty credit risk exposure in order to minimize credit risk with any one supplier or financial instrument counterparty. We have a diverse customer base that spans broad geographic, economic and demographic constituencies. On an annual basis, no single customer represents more than ten percent of our revenues or operating income. Notwithstanding our diverse customer profile, current economic conditions and the conditions in the credit markets could affect the ability of some of our customers to pay timely or could result in increased customer bankruptcies which may lead to increased bad debts. The Partnership’s allowance for uncollectible accounts at June 30, 2009 reflects the estimated impact of the current economic conditions on the collectibility of its accounts receivable.

 

- 30 -


Table of Contents

AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
ITEM 3.  
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Our primary financial market risks include commodity prices for propane and interest rates on borrowings.
The risk associated with fluctuations in the prices the Partnership pays for propane is principally a result of market forces reflecting changes in supply and demand for propane and other energy commodities. The Partnership’s profitability is sensitive to changes in propane supply costs and the Partnership generally passes on increases in such costs to customers. The Partnership may not, however, always be able to pass through product cost increases fully or on a timely basis, particularly when product costs rise rapidly. In order to reduce the volatility of the Partnership’s propane market price risk, we use contracts for the forward purchase or sale of propane, propane fixed-price supply agreements, and over-the-counter derivative commodity instruments including price swap and option contracts. Over-the-counter derivative commodity instruments utilized by the Partnership to hedge forecasted purchases of propane are generally settled at expiration of the contract. These derivative financial instruments contain collateral provisions. In order to minimize our credit risk associated with derivative commodity contracts, we monitor established credit limits with our contract counterparties. Although we use derivative financial and commodity instruments to reduce market price risk associated with forecasted transactions, we do not use derivative financial and commodity instruments for speculative or trading purposes.
The Partnership has both fixed-rate and variable-rate debt. Changes in interest rates impact the cash flows of variable-rate debt but generally do not impact their fair value. Conversely, changes in interest rates impact the fair value of fixed-rate debt but do not impact their cash flows.
Our variable-rate debt includes borrowings under AmeriGas OLP’s credit agreements. These agreements have interest rates that are generally indexed to short-term market interest rates. Our long-term debt is typically issued at fixed rates of interest based upon market rates for debt having similar terms and credit ratings. As these long-term debt issues mature, we may refinance such debt with new debt having interest rates reflecting then-current market conditions. This debt may have an interest rate that is more or less than the refinanced debt. In order to reduce interest rate risk associated with forecasted issuances of fixed-rate debt, from time to time we enter into interest rate protection agreements.
The following table summarizes the fair values of unsettled market risk sensitive derivative instruments held at June 30, 2009. It also includes the changes in fair value that would result if there were a ten percent adverse change in (1) the market price of propane and (2) the three-month LIBOR:
                 
    Asset (Liability)  
            Change in  
(Millions of dollars)   Fair Value     Fair Value  
June 30, 2009:
               
Propane price swap and option contracts
  $ (12.6 )   $ (12.9 )
Interest rate protection agreements
    (10.4 )     (5.3 )

 

- 31 -


Table of Contents

AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
Because the Partnership’s derivative instruments generally qualify as hedges under SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” we expect that changes in the fair value of derivative instruments used to manage propane price or interest rate risk would be substantially offset by gains or losses on the associated anticipated transactions.
ITEM 4.  
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a)  
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
   
The Partnership’s management, with the participation of the Partnership’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report were designed and functioning effectively to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the Partnership in reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.
 
(b)  
Change in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
   
No change in the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting occurred during the Partnership’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

- 32 -


Table of Contents

AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1.  
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Purported Consumer Class Action Lawsuits. On May 27, 2009, the General Partner was named as a defendant in a purported class action lawsuit in the Superior Court of the State of California in which plaintiffs are challenging the General Partner’s weight disclosure with regard to its portable propane grill cylinders. The complaint purports to be brought on behalf of a class of all AmeriGas consumers in the state of California during the four years prior to the date of the California complaint, who exchanged an empty cylinder and were provided with what is alleged to be only a partially-filled cylinder. The plaintiffs seek restitution, injunctive relief, interest, costs, attorneys’ fees and other appropriate relief.
On June 4, 2009, the General Partner, AmeriGas OLP and AmeriGas Partners were each named in a purported class action lawsuit filed in federal district court in San Francisco, California. This complaint purports to be brought on behalf of a nationwide class defined as to include all purchasers of liquefied propane gas cylinders marketed or sold by AmeriGas and another unaffiliated entity nationwide from January 1, 2008 to the present. This complaint claims that defendants’ conduct constituted an unfair and deceptive practice that injured consumers and violated the consumer protection statutes of thirty-seven states and the District of Columbia, thereby entitling the class to damages, restitution, disgorgement, injunctive relief, costs and attorneys fees. The complaint also alleges that defendants were unjustly enriched by their conduct and seeks restitution of any unjust benefits received. In addition, these plaintiffs are seeking punitive or treble damages, and pre-judgment and post-judgment interest.
In addition, five other purported class actions have been filed against us in the following federal courts: Northern District of California (two lawsuits), Central District of California, Middle District of Florida, and Eastern District of Pennsylvania. These suits, in essence, reiterate the claims made in the above-described complaints. In addition, some of the suits filed in federal court allege violation of state “slack filling” laws, as well as state consumer protection statutes, some of which contain penalty provisions if violations are proven.
A motion to consolidate all of the purported class action lawsuits is pending in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas. In the interim, defendants have filed motions to stay discovery pending the resolution of the motion to consolidate and no discovery has yet taken place. We are investigating these claims and intend to vigorously defend the lawsuits.

 

- 33 -


Table of Contents

AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
ITEM 1A.  
RISK FACTORS
In addition to the other information set forth in this Report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 and Part II, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2009, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing the Partnership. Other unknown or unpredictable factors could also have material adverse effects on future results.
ITEM 6.  
EXHIBITS
The exhibits filed as part of this report are as follows (exhibits incorporated by reference are set forth with the name of the registrant, the type of report and registration number or last date of the period for which it was filed, and the exhibit number in such filing):
Incorporation by Reference
                     
Exhibit                
No.   Exhibit   Registrant   Filing   Exhibit
3.1
  Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of AmeriGas Partners, L.P. dated as of July 27, 2009                
 
                   
10.1
  Form of Joinder No. 2 to Restricted Subsidiary Guarantee, dated as of July 20, 2009, by AmeriGas Eagle Propane, L.P. and AmeriGas Eagle Parts & Service Inc. for the benefit of Wachovia Bank, National Associations, as agent for the Banks (as defined)   AmeriGas Partners, L.P.   Form 8-K (7/20/09)     10.1  
 
                   
10.2
  Form of Joinder No. 1 to Restricted Subsidiary Guarantee, dated as of July 20, 2009, by AmeriGas Eagle Propane, L.P. and AmeriGas Eagle Parts & Service Inc. for the benefit of Wachovia Bank, National Association and the Banks (as defined)   AmeriGas Partners, L.P.   Form 8-K (7/20/09)     10.2  
 
                   
10.3
  Restricted Security Guarantee, dated April 17, 2009, by the Restricted Subsidiaries of AmeriGas Propane, L.P. as Guarantors, for the benefit of Wachovia Bank, National Association and the Banks (as defined)   AmeriGas Partners, L.P.   Form 8-K (7/20/09)     10.3  
 
                   
31.1
  Certification by the Chief Executive Officer relating to the Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002                
 
                   
31.2
  Certification by the Chief Financial Officer relating to the Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002                
 
                   
32
  Certification by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer relating to the Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002                

 

- 34 -


Table of Contents

AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
         
  AmeriGas Partners, L.P.
(Registrant)
 
 
  By:   AmeriGas Propane, Inc.,    
    as General Partner   
       
Date: August 7, 2009  By:   /s/ Jerry E. Sheridan    
    Jerry E. Sheridan   
    Vice President – Finance and Chief Financial Officer   
     
Date: August 7, 2009  By:   /s/ William J. Stanczak    
    William J. Stanczak   
    Controller and Chief Accounting Officer   

 

- 35 -


Table of Contents

AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
EXHIBIT INDEX
         
  3.1    
Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of AmeriGas Partners, L.P. dated as of July 27, 2009
       
 
  31.1    
Certification by the Chief Executive Officer relating to the Registrant’s Report on Form10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
       
 
  31.2    
Certification by the Chief Financial Officer relating to the Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
       
 
  32    
Certification by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer relating to the Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

Exhibit 3.1
FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT
OF
LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
OF
AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
DATED AS OF JULY 27, 2009

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
         
ARTICLE I ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS
    1  
1.1 Formation
    1  
1.2 Name
    1  
1.3 Registered Office; Principal Office
    1  
1.4 Power of Attorney
    2  
1.5 Term
    3  
1.6 Possible Restrictions on Transfer
    3  
 
       
ARTICLE II DEFINITIONS
    3  
 
       
ARTICLE III PURPOSE
    14  
3.1 Purpose and Business
    14  
3.2 Powers
    15  
 
       
ARTICLE IV CONTRIBUTIONS AND UNITS
    15  
4.1 Organization Contributions and Return
    15  
4.2 General Partner and Petrolane Contributions
    15  
4.3 Contributions by Initial Limited Partners
    15  
4.4 Issuances of Additional Partnership Securities
    16  
4.5 Limitations on Issuance of Additional Partnership Securities
    16  
4.6 Conversion of Subordinated Units
    18  
4.7 Limited Preemptive Rights
    19  
4.8 Splits and Combinations
    19  
4.9 Interest and Withdrawal
    19  
 
       
ARTICLE V DISTRIBUTIONS
    20  
5.1 General Provisions
    20  
5.2 Distribution Levels
    21  
5.3 Operating Distributions During Subordination Period
    21  
5.4 Operating Distributions After Subordination Period
    21  
5.5 Capital Distributions
    22  
5.6 Liquidating Distributions During Subordination Period
    22  
5.7 Liquidating Distributions After Subordination Period
    23  
5.8 Adjustments to Distribution Levels
    23  
 
       
ARTICLE VI MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS
    24  
6.1 Management
    24  
6.2 Certificate of Limited Partnership
    26  
6.3 Restrictions on General Partner’s Authority
    26  
6.4 Reimbursement of the General Partner
    27  
6.5 Outside Activities
    28  
6.6 Loans to and from the General Partner; Contracts with Affiliates
    29  
6.7 Indemnification
    31  
6.8 Liability of Indemnitees
    32  
6.9 Resolution of Conflicts of Interest
    33  
6.10 Other Matters Concerning the General Partner
    34  
6.11 Title to Partnership Assets
    35  
6.12 Purchase or Sale of Units
    35  
6.13 Registration Rights of AmeriGas and its Affiliates
    36  
6.14 Reliance by Third Parties
    38  

 

i


 

         
ARTICLE VII RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF LIMITED PARTNERS
    38  
7.1 Limitation of Liability
    38  
7.2 Management of Business
    38  
7.3 Outside Activities
    38  
7.4 Return of Capital
    39  
7.5 Rights of Limited Partners to the Partnership
    39  
 
       
ARTICLE VIII BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS
    40  
8.1 Records and Accounting
    40  
8.2 Fiscal Year
    40  
8.3 Reports
    40  
 
       
ARTICLE IX TAX MATTERS
    41  
9.1 Tax Allocations
    41  
9.2 Tax Returns and Information
    42  
9.3 Tax Elections
    42  
9.4 Tax Controversies
    42  
 
       
ARTICLE X CERTIFICATES
    43  
10.1 Certificates
    43  
10.2 Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange
    43  
10.3 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates
    44  
10.4 Record Holder
    44  
 
       
ARTICLE XI TRANSFER OF INTERESTS
    45  
11.1 Transfer
    45  
11.2 Transfer of a General Partner’s Partnership Interest
    45  
11.3 Transfer of Units
    46  
11.4 Restrictions on Transfers
    46  
11.5 Citizenship Certificates; Non-citizen Assignees
    46  
11.6 Redemption of Interests
    47  
 
       
ARTICLE XII ADMISSION OF PARTNERS
    48  
12.1 Admission of Initial Limited Partners
    48  
12.2 Admission of Substituted Limited Partners
    49  
12.3 Admission of Successor General Partner
    49  
12.4 Admission of Additional Limited Partners
    49  
12.5 Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership
    50  
 
       
ARTICLE XIII WITHDRAWAL OR REMOVAL OF PARTNERS
    50  
13.1 Withdrawal of the General Partner
    50  
13.2 Removal of the General Partner
    51  
13.3 Interest of Departing Partner and Successor General Partner
    52  
13.4 Withdrawal of Limited Partners
    53  
 
       
ARTICLE XIV DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION
    54  
14.1 Dissolution
    54  
14.2 Continuation of the Business of the Partnership After Dissolution
    54  
14.3 Liquidator
    55  
14.4 Liquidation
    55  
14.5 Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership
    56  
14.6 Return of Contributions
    56  
14.7 Waiver of Partition
    56  

 

ii


 

         
ARTICLE XV AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; MEETINGS; RECORD DATE
    56  
15.1 Amendment to be Adopted Solely by General Partner
    56  
15.2 Amendment Procedures
    57  
15.3 Amendment Requirements
    58  
15.4 Meetings
    58  
15.5 Notice of a Meeting
    59  
15.6 Record Date
    59  
15.7 Adjournment
    59  
15.8 Waiver of Notice; Approval of Meeting; Approval of Minutes
    59  
15.9 Quorum
    60  
15.10 Conduct of Meeting
    60  
15.11 Action Without a Meeting
    60  
15.12 Voting and Other Rights
    61  
 
       
ARTICLE XVI MERGER
    61  
16.1 Authority
    61  
16.2 Procedure for Merger or Consolidation
    61  
16.3 Approval by Limited Partners of Merger or Consolidation
    62  
16.4 Certificate of Merger
    63  
16.5 Effect of Merger
    63  
 
       
ARTICLE XVII RIGHT TO ACQUIRE UNITS
    63  
17.1 Right to Acquire Units
    63  
 
       
ARTICLE XVIII GENERAL PROVISIONS
    65  
18.1 Addresses and Notices
    65  
18.2 References
    66  
18.3 Pronouns and Plurals
    66  
18.4 Further Action
    66  
18.5 Binding Effect
    66  
18.6 Integration
    66  
18.7 Creditors
    66  
18.8 Waiver
    66  
18.9 Counterparts
    66  
18.10 Applicable Law
    66  
18.11 Invalidity of Provisions
    66  
18.12 Consent of Partners
    66  
 
       
EXHIBIT A Form of Certificate Evidencing Common Units
    68  

 

iii


 

FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED
AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF
AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
THIS FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P., dated as of July 27, 2009 is entered into by and among AmeriGas Propane, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation, as the General Partner, and those persons who become Partners in the Partnership or parties hereto as provided herein. In consideration of the covenants, conditions and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS
1.1 FORMATION. The General Partner and the Organizational Limited Partner have previously formed the Partnership as a limited partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Act. The General Partner hereby amends and restates the Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of AmeriGas Partners, L.P., dated as of December 1, 2004, as amended, in its entirety. Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement, the rights and obligations of the Partners and the administration, dissolution and termination of the Partnership shall be governed by the Delaware Act. All Partnership Interests shall constitute personal property of the owner thereof for all purposes.
1.2 NAME. The name of the Partnership shall be “AmeriGas Partners, L.P.” The Partnership’s business may be conducted under any other name or names deemed necessary or appropriate by the General Partner, including the name of the General Partner. The words “Limited Partnership,” “L.P.,” “Ltd.” or similar words or letters shall be included in the Partnership’s name where necessary for the purposes of complying with the laws of any jurisdiction that so requires. The General Partner in its sole discretion may change the name of the Partnership at any time and from time to time and shall notify the Limited Partners of such change in the next regular communication to the Limited Partners.
1.3 REGISTERED OFFICE; PRINCIPAL OFFICE. Unless and until changed by the General Partner, the registered office of the Partnership in the State of Delaware shall be located at 2711 Centreville road, Suite 400, Wilmington, Delaware 19808, and the registered agent for service of process on the Partnership in the State of Delaware at such registered office shall be The Prentice-Hall Corporation System, Inc. The principal office of the Partnership shall be located at, and the address of the General Partner shall be, 460 North Gulph Road, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406, or such other place as the General Partner may from time to time designate by notice to the Limited Partners. The Partnership may maintain offices at such other place or places within or outside the State of Delaware as the General Partner deems necessary or appropriate.

 

1


 

1.4 POWER OF ATTORNEY. (a) Each Limited Partner and each Assignee hereby constitutes and appoints each of the General Partner and, if a Liquidator shall have been selected pursuant to Section 14.3, the Liquidator severally (and any successor to either thereof by merger, transfer, assignment, election or otherwise) and each of their authorized officers and attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, as his true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority in his name, place and stead, to:
(i) execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record in the appropriate public offices (A) all certificates, documents and other instruments (including this Agreement and the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all amendments or restatements thereof) that the General Partner or the Liquidator deems necessary or appropriate to form, qualify or continue the existence or qualification of the Partnership as a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability) in the State of Delaware and in all other jurisdictions in which the Partnership may conduct business or own property; (B) all certificates, documents and other instruments that the General Partner or the Liquidator deems necessary or appropriate to reflect, in accordance with its terms, any amendment, change, modification or restatement of this Agreement; (C) all certificates, documents and other instruments (including conveyances and a certificate of cancellation) that the General Partner or the Liquidator deems necessary or appropriate to reflect the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; (D) all certificates, documents and other instruments relating to the admission, withdrawal, removal or substitution of any Partner pursuant to, or other events described in, Article XI, XII, XIII or XIV; (E) all certificates, documents and other instruments relating to the determination of the rights, preferences and privileges of any class or series of Partnership Securities issued pursuant to Section 4.4; and (F) all certificates, documents and other instruments (including agreements and a certificate of merger) relating to a merger or consolidation of the Partnership pursuant to Article XVI; and
(ii) execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record all ballots, consents, approvals, waivers, certificates, documents and other instruments necessary or appropriate, in the sole discretion of the General Partner or the Liquidator, to make, evidence, give, confirm or ratify any vote, consent, approval, agreement or other action that is made or given by the Partners hereunder or is consistent with the terms of this Agreement or is necessary or appropriate, in the sole discretion of the General Partner or the Liquidator, to effectuate the terms or intent of this Agreement; provided, that when required by Section 15.3 or any other provision of this Agreement that establishes a percentage of the Limited Partners or of the Limited Partners of any class or series required to take any action, the General Partner or the Liquidator may exercise the power of attorney made in this Section 1.4(a)(ii) only after the necessary vote, consent or approval of the Limited Partners or of the Limited Partners of such class or series, as applicable.
Nothing contained in this Section 1.4(a) shall be construed as authorizing the General Partner to amend this Agreement except in accordance with Article XV or as may be otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement.

 

2


 

(b) The foregoing power of attorney is hereby declared to be irrevocable and a power coupled with an interest, and it shall survive and not be affected by the subsequent death, incompetency, disability, incapacity, dissolution, bankruptcy or termination of any Limited Partner or Assignee and the transfer of all or any portion of such Limited Partner’s or Assignee’s Partnership Interest and shall extend to such Limited Partner’s or Assignee’s heirs, successors, assigns and personal representatives. Each such Limited Partner or Assignee hereby agrees to be bound by any representation made by the General Partner or the Liquidator acting in good faith pursuant to such power of attorney; and each such Limited Partner or Assignee hereby waives any and all defenses that may be available to contest, negate or disaffirm the action of the General Partner or the Liquidator taken in good faith under such power of attorney. Each Limited Partner or Assignee shall execute and deliver to the General Partner or the Liquidator, within 15 days after receipt of the General Partner’s or the Liquidator’s request therefor, such further designation, powers of attorney and other instruments as the General Partner or the Liquidator deems necessary to effectuate this Agreement and the purposes of the Partnership.
1.5 TERM. The Partnership commenced upon the filing of the Certificate of Limited Partnership in accordance with the Delaware Act and shall continue in existence until the close of Partnership business on December 31, 2093, or until the earlier dissolution of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions of Article XIV.
1.6 POSSIBLE RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER. The General Partner may impose restrictions on the transfer of Partnership Interests if a subsequent Opinion of Counsel determines that such restrictions are necessary to avoid a substantial risk of the Partnership’s becoming taxable as a corporation or otherwise as an entity for federal income tax purposes. The restrictions may be imposed by making such amendments to this Agreement as the General Partner in its sole discretion may determine to be necessary or appropriate to impose such restrictions; provided, however, that any amendment that the General Partner believes, in the exercise of its reasonable discretion, could result in the delisting or suspension of trading of any class of Units on any National Securities Exchange on which such class of Units is then traded must be approved by the holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Units of such class.
ARTICLE II
DEFINITIONS
The following definitions shall be for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated to the contrary, applied to the terms used in this Agreement.
“ACQUISITION” means any transaction in which any Group Member acquires (through an asset acquisition, merger, stock acquisition or other form of investment) control over all or a portion of the assets, properties or business of another Person for the purpose of increasing the operating capacity of the Partnership Group from the operating capacity of the Partnership Group existing immediately prior to such transaction.
“ADDITIONAL LIMITED PARTNER” means a Person admitted to the Partnership as a Limited Partner pursuant to Section 12.4 and who is shown as such on the books and records of the Partnership.
“ADJUSTED OPERATING SURPLUS” for any period means Operating Surplus generated during such period as adjusted to (a) exclude Operating Surplus attributable to (i) any net increase in working capital borrowings during such period and (ii) any net reduction in cash reserves during such period, and (b) include any net increases in reserves to provide funds for distributions resulting from Operating Surplus generated during such period. Adjusted Operating Surplus does not include that portion of Operating Surplus included in clause (a)(i) of the definition of Operating Surplus.

 

3


 

“AFFILIATE” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Person in question. As used herein, the term “control” means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
“AGREEMENT” means this Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of AmeriGas Partners, L.P., as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.
“AMERIGAS” means AmeriGas Propane, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of AmeriGas, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation.
“ARREARAGE BALANCE” means, as to each Common Unit as of the end of a Quarter, the excess of the sum of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for an Initial Common Unit for each prior Quarter over the sum of the amounts distributed pursuant to Sections 5.3(a) and 5.3(b) for such prior Quarter and all prior Quarters in respect of an Initial Common Unit; except that no increases shall be made after the Subordination Period and all Arrearage Balances shall in all events be zero if the General Partner is removed as general partner of the Partnership upon the requisite vote by Limited Partners under circumstances where Cause does not exist.
“ASSIGNEE” means a Non-citizen Assignee or a Person to whom one or more Units have been transferred in a manner permitted under this Agreement and who has executed and delivered a Transfer Application as required by this Agreement, but who has not become a Substituted Limited Partner.
“ASSOCIATE” means, when used to indicate a relationship with any Person, (a) any corporation or organization of which such Person is a director, officer or partner or is, directly or indirectly, the owner of 20% or more of any class of voting stock; (b) any trust or other estate in which such Person has at least a 20% beneficial interest or as to which such Person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; and (c) any relative or spouse of such Person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same residence as such Person.
“AUDIT COMMITTEE” means a committee of the Board of Directors of the General Partner composed entirely of two or more directors who are neither officers nor employees of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates.
“AVAILABLE CASH,” as to any Quarter ending before the Liquidation Date, means
(a) the sum of (i) all cash of the Partnership Group on hand at the end of such Quarter and (ii) all additional cash of the Partnership Group on hand on the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter resulting from borrowings subsequent to the end of such Quarter, less

 

4


 

(b) the amount of cash reserves that is necessary or appropriate in the reasonable discretion of the General Partner to (i) provide for the proper conduct of the business of the Partnership Group (including reserves for future capital expenditures) subsequent to such Quarter, (ii) provide funds for distributions under Sections 5.3(a), (b) and (c) or 5.4(a) in respect of any one or more of the next four Quarters, or (iii) comply with applicable law or any debt instrument or other agreement or obligation to which any member of the Partnership Group is a party or its assets are subject.
“BOOK-ENTRY SYSTEM” means a direct registration system operated by a securities depository, which system meets the requirements of any National Securities Exchange on which the Common Units or any other Units are, at the time in question, listed for trading.
“BUSINESS DAY” means Monday through Friday of each week, except that a legal holiday recognized as such by the government of the United States or the states of New York or Pennsylvania shall not be regarded as a Business Day.
“CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS” means (a) additions or improvements to the capital assets owned by any Group Member or (b) the acquisition of existing or the construction of new capital assets (including retail distribution outlets, propane tanks, pipeline systems, storage facilities and related assets), made to increase the operating capacity of the Partnership Group from the operating capacity of the Partnership Group existing immediately prior to such addition, improvement, acquisition or construction.
“CAPITAL SURPLUS” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.5.
“CAUSE” means a court of competent jurisdiction has entered a final, non-appealable judgment finding the General Partner liable for actual fraud, gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct in its capacity as general partner of the Partnership.
“CERTIFICATE” means a certificate, substantially in the form of Exhibit A to this Agreement or in such other form as may be adopted by the General Partner in its sole discretion, issued by the Partnership evidencing ownership of one or more Common Units, or a certificate, in such form as may be adopted by the General Partner in its sole discretion, issued by the Partnership evidencing ownership of one or more other Units.
“CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP” means the Certificate of Limited Partnership filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as referenced in Section 6.2, as such Certificate of Limited Partnership may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.
“CITIZENSHIP CERTIFICATION” means a properly completed certificate in such form as may be specified by the General Partner by which an Assignee or a Limited Partner certifies that he (and if he is a nominee holding for the account of another Person, that to the best of his knowledge such other Person) is an Eligible Citizen.
“CLAIM” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.13(c).

 

5


 

“CLOSING DATE” means the first date on which Common Units are sold by the Partnership to the Underwriters pursuant to the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement.
“CLOSING PRICE” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 17.1(a).
“CODE” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to time. Any reference herein to a specific section or sections of the Code shall be deemed to include a reference to any corresponding provision of future law.
“COMBINED INTEREST” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 13.3(a).
“COMMISSION” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“COMMON UNIT” means a Unit representing a fractional part of the Partnership Interests of all Limited Partners and Assignees and having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Common Units in this Agreement.
“CONTRIBUTION” means any cash, cash equivalents or the Net Agreed Value of any other property or asset that a Partner contributes to the Partnership pursuant to the Conveyance and Contribution Agreement, the Merger and Contribution Agreement, Article IV or Section 13.3(c).
“CONVEYANCE AND CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT” means that certain Conveyance and Contribution Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, between Petrolane, the Partnership, the Operating Partnership and certain other parties, together with the additional conveyance documents and instruments contemplated or referenced thereunder.
“CURRENT MARKET PRICE” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 17.1(a).
“DELAWARE ACT” means the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, 6 Del C. ss. 17-101, et seq., as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, and any successor to such statute.
“DEPARTING PARTNER” means a former General Partner from and after the effective date of any withdrawal or removal of such former General Partner pursuant to Section 13.1 or 13.2.
“DISTRIBUTION LEVELS” means the levels of distribution provided in Section 5.2.
“ELIGIBLE CITIZEN” means a Person qualified to own interests in real property in jurisdictions in which any Group Member does business or proposes to do business from time to time, and whose status as a Limited Partner or Assignee does not or would not subject such Group Member to a substantial risk of cancellation or forfeiture of any of its properties or any interest therein.
“EVENT OF WITHDRAWAL” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 13.1(a).

 

6


 

“FIRST TARGET DISTRIBUTION” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.2.
“GENERAL PARTNER” means AmeriGas and its successor as general partner of the Partnership.
“GROUP” means a Person that with or through any of its Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except voting pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent given to such Person in response to a proxy or consent solicitation made to 10 or more Persons) or disposing of any Partnership Securities with any other Person that beneficially owns, or whose Affiliates or Associates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, Partnership Interests.
“GROUP MEMBER” means a member of the Partnership Group.
“HOLDER” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.13(a).
“INCLUDES” means includes, without limitation, and “INCLUDING” means including, without limitation.
“INDEMNIFIED PERSONS” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.13(c).
“INDEMNITEE” means (a) the General Partner, any Departing Partner, any Person who is or was an Affiliate of the General Partner or any Departing Partner, (b) any Person who is or was an officer, director, employee, partner, agent or trustee of the General Partner or any Departing Partner or any such Affiliate, or (c) any Person who is or was serving at the request of the General Partner or any Departing Partner or any such Affiliate as a director, officer, employee, partner, agent, fiduciary or trustee of another Person; provided, that a Person shall not be an Indemnitee pursuant to this clause (c) by reason of providing, on a fee-for-services basis, trustee, fiduciary or custodial services.
“INITIAL COMMON UNITS” means the Common Units sold in the Initial Offering.
“INITIAL LIMITED PARTNERS” means AmeriGas and Petrolane (with respect to the Common Units and Subordinated Units received by them pursuant to Section 4.2) and the Underwriters, in each case upon being admitted to the Partnership in accordance with Section 12.1.
“INITIAL OFFERING” means the initial offering and sale of Common Units to the public, as described in the Registration Statement.
“INITIAL UNIT PRICE” means (a) the initial public offering price per Common Unit at which the Underwriters offered the Common Units to the public for sale as set forth on the cover page of the prospectus first issued at or after the time the Registration Statement first became effective or (b) with respect to any other class or series of Units, the price per Unit at which such class or series of Units is initially sold by the Partnership, as determined by the General Partner.

 

7


 

“INTERIM CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS” means the following transactions if they occur prior to the Liquidation Date: (a) borrowings, refinancings or refundings of indebtedness and sales of debt securities (other than for working capital purposes and other than for items purchased on open account in the ordinary course of business) by any Group Member; (b) sales of equity interests (including Common Units sold to the Underwriters pursuant to the exercise of the Overallotment Option) by any Group Member; and (c) sales or other voluntary or involuntary dispositions of any assets of any Group Member other than (x) sales or other dispositions of inventory in the ordinary course of business, (y) sales or other dispositions of other current assets, including receivables and accounts, and (z) sales or other dispositions of assets as part of normal retirements or replacements.
“INVESTMENT BALANCE” means, as to each Unit at the end of each Quarter, the Initial Unit Price for each Initial Common Unit reduced (but not below zero) by distributions of Capital Surplus under Section 5.5 and by liquidating distributions under Sections 5.6 or 5.7.
“ISSUE PRICE” means the price at which a Unit is purchased from the Partnership, after taking into account any sales commission or underwriting discount charged to the Partnership.
“LIMITED PARTNER” means, unless the context otherwise requires, (a) the Organizational Limited Partner, each Initial Limited Partner, each Substituted Limited Partner, each Additional Limited Partner and any Departing Partner upon the change of its status from General Partner to Limited Partner pursuant to Section 13.3; and (b) solely for purposes of Articles IV, V, VI and IX and Sections 14.3 and 14.4, each Assignee.
“LIQUIDATION DATE” means (a) in the case of an event giving rise to the dissolution of the Partnership of the type described in clauses (a) and (b) of the first sentence of Section 14.2, the date on which the applicable time period during which the holders of Outstanding Units have the right to elect to reconstitute the Partnership and continue its business has expired without such an election being made, and (b) in the case of any other event giving rise to the dissolution of the Partnership, the date on which such event occurs.
“LIQUIDATOR” means the General Partner or other Person approved pursuant to Section 14.3 who performs the functions described therein.
“MAINTENANCE CAPITAL EXPENDITURES” means cash capital expenditures made to maintain, up to the level thereof that existed at the time of such expenditure, the operating capacity of the capital assets of the Partnership Group, as such assets existed at the time of such expenditure and shall, therefore, not include cash capital expenditures made in respect of Acquisitions and Capital Improvements. Where cash capital expenditures are made in part to maintain the operating capacity level referred to in the immediately preceding sentence and in part for other purposes, the General Partner’s good faith allocation thereof between the portion used to maintain such operating capacity level and the portion used for other purposes shall be conclusive.

 

8


 

“MERGER AGREEMENT” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 16.1.
“MERGER AND CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT” means that certain Merger and Contribution Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, between AmeriGas, the Partnership, the Operating Partnership and certain other parties, together with the additional conveyance documents and instruments contemplated or referenced thereunder.
“MINIMUM QUARTERLY DISTRIBUTION” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.2.
“NATIONAL SECURITIES EXCHANGE” means an exchange registered with the Commission under Section 6(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, and any successor to such statute, or the NASDAQ Stock Market or any successor thereto.
“NET AGREED VALUE” means the fair market value of any asset or property contributed to the Partnership reduced by any liabilities either assumed by the Partnership upon such contribution or to which the asset or property is subject when contributed, in each case as determined by the General Partner using such reasonable method of valuation as it may adopt.
“NET LIQUIDATION GAIN” means the excess of all the gains realized after the Liquidation Date from the sale or other disposition of Partnership assets over all the losses realized from such dispositions, determined separately for each asset in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, except that the initial basis of each contributed property shall be deemed to equal its fair market value when contributed, and each intangible asset shall be amortized only if and at the rate amortizable for federal income tax purposes.
“1989 CUSTOMER LIST” means a customer list established in 1989 on the books of Petrolane Gas Services LP, a partnership which was merged into Petrolane on July 15, 1993.
“NON-CITIZEN ASSIGNEE” means a Person whom the General Partner has determined in its sole discretion does not constitute an Eligible Citizen and as to whose Partnership Interest the General Partner has become the Substituted Limited Partner, pursuant to Section 11.5.
“NOTICE OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 17.1(b).

 

9


 

“OPERATING EXPENDITURES” means all Partnership Group expenditures, including taxes, reimbursements of the General Partner, debt service payments, and capital expenditures, subject to the following:
(a) Payments (including prepayments) of principal and premium on a debt shall not be an Operating Expenditure if the payment is (i) required in connection with the sale or other disposition of assets or (ii) made in connection with the refinancing or refunding of indebtedness with the proceeds from new indebtedness or from the sale of equity interests. For purposes of the foregoing, at the election and in the reasonable discretion of the General Partner, any payment of principal or premium shall be deemed to be refunded or refinanced by any indebtedness incurred or to be incurred by the Partnership Group within 180 days before or after such payment to the extent of the principal amount of such indebtedness.
(b) Operating Expenditures shall not include (i) capital expenditures made for Acquisitions or for Capital Improvements or (ii) payment of transaction expenses relating to Interim Capital Transactions. Where capital expenditures are made in part for Acquisitions or Capital Improvements and in part for other purposes, the General Partner’s good faith allocation between the amounts paid for each shall be conclusive.
“OPERATING PARTNERSHIP” means AmeriGas Propane, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and any successors thereto.
“OPERATING PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT” means the Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Operating Partnership, as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.
“OPERATING SURPLUS,” as to any Quarter ending before the Liquidation Date, means
(a) the sum of (i) $40 million plus all cash of the Partnership Group on hand as of the close of business on the Closing Date, (ii) all the cash receipts of the Partnership Group for the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending with the last day of such Quarter, other than cash receipts from Interim Capital Transactions and (iii) all cash receipts of the Partnership Group after the end of such period but on or before the date of determination of Operating Surplus with respect to such period resulting from working capital borrowings, less
(b) the sum of (i) Operating Expenditures for the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending with the last day of such Quarter, (ii) all distributions made pursuant to Sections 5.3 or 5.4 in respect of all prior Quarters, and (iii) the amount of cash reserves that is necessary or advisable in the reasonable discretion of the General Partner to provide funds for future Operating Expenditures.
“OPINION OF COUNSEL” means a written opinion of counsel (who may be regular counsel to AmeriGas, any Affiliate of AmeriGas, the Partnership or the General Partner) acceptable to the General Partner in its reasonable discretion.
“ORGANIZATIONAL LIMITED PARTNER” means Barton D. Whitman, in his capacity as the organizational limited partner of the Partnership pursuant to this Agreement.

 

10


 

“OUTSTANDING” means, with respect to Partnership Securities, all Partnership Securities that are issued by the Partnership and reflected as outstanding on the Partnership’s books and records as of the date of determination; provided that, if at any time any Person or Group (other than AmeriGas and its Affiliates) owns beneficially 20% or more of all Common Units, such Common Units so owned shall not be voted on any matter and shall not be considered to be Outstanding when sending notices of a meeting of Limited Partners (unless otherwise required by law), calculating required votes, determining the presence of a quorum or for other similar purposes under this Agreement, except that such Common Units shall be considered to be Outstanding for purposes of Section 13.1(b)(iv) (such Common Units shall not, however, be treated as a separate class of Partnership Securities for purposes of this Agreement).
“OVERALLOTMENT OPTION” means the overallotment option granted to the Underwriters by the Partnership pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement.
“PARITY UNITS” means Common Units and all other Units having rights to distributions or in liquidation ranking on a parity with the Common Units.
“PARTNERS” means the General Partner and the Limited Partners.
“PARTNERSHIP” means AmeriGas Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and any successors thereto.
“PARTNERSHIP GROUP” means the Partnership, the Operating Partnership and any partnership Subsidiary of either such entity, treated as a single consolidated partnership.
“PARTNERSHIP INTEREST” means an interest in the Partnership, which shall include general partner interests, Common Units, Subordinated Units or other Partnership Securities, or a combination thereof or interest therein, as the case may be.
“PARTNERSHIP SECURITY” means any class or series of Unit, any option, right, warrant or appreciation rights relating thereto, or any other type of equity interest that the Partnership may lawfully issue, or any unsecured or secured debt obligation of the Partnership that is convertible into any class or series of equity interests of the Partnership.
“PERCENTAGE INTEREST” means as of the date of such determination (a) as to the General Partner, 1%, (b) as to any
Limited Partner or Assignee holding Units, the product of (i) 99% less the percentage applicable to paragraph (c) multiplied by (ii) the quotient of the number of Units held by such Limited Partner or Assignee divided by the total number of all Outstanding Units, and (c) as to the holders of additional Partnership Securities issued by the Partnership in accordance with Section 4.3, the percentage established as a part of such issuance.
“PERSON” means an individual or a corporation, partnership, trust, unincorporated organization, association or other entity.
“PETROLANE” means Petrolane Incorporated, a California corporation.
“PRO RATA”, when modifying Units or any class thereof, means apportioned equally among all designated Units, and when modifying Partners means 1% to the General Partner and 99% to the Unitholders Pro Rata.

 

11


 

“PURCHASE DATE” means the date determined by the General Partner as the date for purchase of all Outstanding Units (other than Units owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates) pursuant to Article XVII.
“QUARTER” means, unless the context requires otherwise, a three-month period of time ending on March 31, June 30, September 30, or December 31.
“RECORD DATE” means the date established by the General Partner for determining (a) the identity of the Record Holder entitled to notice of, or to vote at, any meeting of Limited Partners or entitled to vote by ballot or give approval of Partnership action in writing without a meeting or entitled to exercise rights in respect of any lawful action of Limited Partners or (b) the identity of Record Holders entitled to receive any report or distribution.
“RECORD HOLDER” means the Person in whose name a Unit is registered on the books of the Transfer Agent as of the opening of business on a particular Business Day, or with respect to a holder of a general partner interest, the Person in whose name such general partner interest is registered on the books of the General Partner as of the opening of business on such Business Day.
“REDEEMABLE UNITS” means any Units for which a redemption notice has been given, and has not been withdrawn, pursuant to Section 11.6.
“REGISTRATION STATEMENT” means the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-86028), as it has been or as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, filed by the Partnership with the Commission under the Securities Act to register the offering and sale of the Common Units in the Initial Offering.
“RESTRICTED ACTIVITIES” means the retail sales of propane to end users in the continental United States in the manner engaged in by AmeriGas and Petrolane immediately prior to the Closing Date.
“SECOND TARGET DISTRIBUTION” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.2.
“SECURITIES ACT” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time and any successor to such statute.
“SPECIAL APPROVAL” means approval by the Audit Committee.
“SPECIAL PROPANE CORPORATION” means any corporation that is engaged in Restricted Activities, is not an S Corporation within the meaning of Section 1361 of the Code, and whose tax basis in its assets is in the aggregate substantially less than the fair market value of such assets.
“SUBORDINATED UNIT” means a Unit representing a fractional part of the Partnership Interests of all Limited Partners and Assignees and having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Subordinated Units in this Agreement.

 

12


 

“SUBORDINATION PERIOD” means the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the first to occur of the following dates:
(a) the first day of any Quarter beginning on or after April 1, 2000 in respect of which (i) distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus on each of the Common Units and Subordinated Units equaled or exceeded the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for each of the four consecutive non-overlapping four-Quarter periods immediately preceding such date, (ii) the Adjusted Operating Surplus generated during both (A) each of the two immediately preceding non-overlapping four-Quarter periods and (B) the immediately preceding sixteen-Quarter period equaled or exceeded the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on each of the Common Units and Subordinated Units during such periods, and (iii) there are no Arrearage Balances on the Common Units; and
(b) the date on which the General Partner is removed as general partner of the Partnership upon the requisite vote by Limited Partners under circumstances where Cause does not exist.
“SUBSIDIARY” means, with respect to any Person, (a) a corporation of which more than 50% of the voting power of shares entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors or other governing body of such corporation is owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or a combination thereof, (b) a partnership (whether general or limited) in which such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person is, at the date of determination, a general or limited partner of such partnership, but only if more than 50% of the partnership interests of such partnership (considering all of the partnership interests of the partnership as a single class) is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination thereof, or (c) any other Person (other than a corporation or a partnership) in which such Person, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, has (i) at least a majority ownership interest or (ii) the power to elect or direct the election of a majority of the directors or other governing body of such Person.
“SUBSTITUTED LIMITED PARTNER” means a Person who is admitted as a Limited Partner to the Partnership pursuant to Section 12.2 in place of and with all the rights of a Limited Partner and who is shown as a Limited Partner on the books and records of the Partnership.
“SURVIVING BUSINESS ENTITY” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 16.2(b).
“THIRD TARGET DISTRIBUTION” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.2.
“TRADING DAY” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 17.1(a).
“TRANSFER” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.1(a).
“TRANSFER AGENT” means such bank, trust company or other Person (including the General Partner or one of its Affiliates) as shall be appointed from time to time by the Partnership to act as registrar and transfer agent for the Units.

 

13


 

“TRANSFER APPLICATION” means an application and agreement for transfer of Units in the form set forth on the back of a Certificate or in a form substantially to the same effect in a separate instrument.
“UNDERWRITER” means each Person named as an underwriter in Schedule 1 to the Underwriting Agreement who purchases Common Units pursuant thereto.
“UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT” means the Underwriting Agreement dated April 12, 1995, among the Underwriters, the Partnership and other parties providing for the purchase of Common Units by such Underwriters.
“UNIT” means a Partnership Interest of a Limited Partner or Assignee in the Partnership representing a fractional part of the Partnership Interests of all Limited Partners and Assignees and shall include, without limitation, Common Units and Subordinated Units; provided, that each Common Unit at any time Outstanding shall represent the same fractional part of the Partnership Interests of all Limited Partners and Assignees holding Common Units as each other Common Unit and each Subordinated Unit at any time Outstanding shall represent the same fractional part of the Partnership Interests of all Limited Partners and Assignees holding Subordinated Units as each other Subordinated Unit.
“UNIT MAJORITY” means, during the Subordination Period, at least a majority of the Outstanding Units of each class and, thereafter, at least a majority of the Outstanding Units.
“WITHDRAWAL OPINION OF COUNSEL” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 13.1(b).
ARTICLE III
PURPOSE
3.1 PURPOSE AND BUSINESS. The purpose and nature of the business to be conducted by the Partnership shall be to (a) serve as a limited partner in the Operating Partnership and, in connection therewith, to exercise all the rights and powers conferred upon the Partnership as a limited partner in the Operating Partnership pursuant to the Operating Partnership Agreement or otherwise, (b) engage directly in, or to enter into or form any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other arrangement to engage indirectly in, any business activity that the Operating Partnership is permitted to engage in by the Operating Partnership Agreement and, in connection therewith, to exercise all of the rights and powers conferred upon the Partnership pursuant to the agreements relating to such business activity, (c) engage directly in, or to enter into or form any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other arrangement to engage indirectly in, any business activity that is approved by the General Partner and which lawfully may be conducted by a limited partnership organized pursuant to the Delaware Act and, in connection therewith, to exercise all of the rights and powers conferred upon the Partnership pursuant to the agreements relating to such business activity, and (d) do anything necessary or appropriate to the foregoing, including the making of capital contributions or loans to the Operating Partnership. The General Partner has no obligation or duty to the Partnership, the Limited Partners, or the Assignees to propose or approve, and in its sole discretion may decline to propose or approve, the conduct by the Partnership of any business.

 

14


 

3.2 POWERS. The Partnership shall be empowered to do any and all acts and things necessary, appropriate, proper, advisable, incidental to or convenient for the furtherance and accomplishment of the purposes and business described in Section 3.1 and for the protection and benefit of the Partnership.
ARTICLE IV
CONTRIBUTIONS AND UNITS
4.1 ORGANIZATION CONTRIBUTIONS AND RETURN. In connection with the formation of the Partnership under the Delaware Act, the General Partner made a Contribution to the Partnership in the amount of $10 for an interest in the Partnership and has been admitted as the general partner of the Partnership, and the Organizational Limited Partner made a Contribution to the Partnership in the amount of $990 for an interest in the Partnership and has been admitted as a limited partner of the Partnership. As of the Closing Date, after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by Sections 4.2 and 4.3, the interest of the Organizational Limited Partner shall be terminated; the Contributions of each partner shall be refunded; and the Organizational Limited Partner shall cease to be a Limited Partner of the Partnership. Ninety-nine percent of any interest or other profit that may have resulted from the investment or other use of such initial Contributions shall be allocated and distributed to the Organizational Limited Partner, and the balance thereof shall be allocated and distributed to the General Partner.
4.2 GENERAL PARTNER AND PETROLANE CONTRIBUTIONS. (a) On the Closing Date and pursuant to the Merger and Contribution Agreement, the General Partner shall contribute to the Partnership a limited partner interest in the Operating Partnership in exchange for (i) the continuation of its Partnership Interest as general partner in the Partnership, (ii) 2,922,235 Common Units, and (iii) 13,350,146 Subordinated Units. On the Closing Date and pursuant to the Conveyance and Contribution Agreement, Petrolane, or Petrolane and one of its Subsidiaries, shall contribute to the Partnership limited partner interests in the Operating Partnership in exchange for an aggregate of 1,407,911 Common Units and 6,432,000 Subordinated Units. The limited partner interests in the Operating Partnership contributed by the General Partner and Petrolane, together with the interest previously held by the Partnership, will represent a 98.9899% Percentage Interest (as defined in the Operating Partnership Agreement) in the Operating Partnership.
(b) Upon the making of any Contribution to the Partnership by any person, the General Partner shall be required to make an additional Contribution in an amount equal to 1/99th of the Net Agreed Value of the additional Contribution made by such Person.
4.3 CONTRIBUTIONS BY INITIAL LIMITED PARTNERS. On the Closing Date, subject to completion of the Contributions referred to in Section 4.2, each Underwriter shall contribute to the Partnership cash in an amount equal to the Issue Price per Common Unit, multiplied by the number of Common Units specified in the Underwriting Agreement to be purchased by such Underwriter at the “First Closing Date,” as such term is defined in the Underwriting Agreement. In exchange for such Contributions by the Underwriters, the Partnership shall issue Common Units to each Underwriter on whose behalf such Contribution is made in an amount equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the cash contribution to the Partnership by or on behalf of such Underwriter by (ii) the Issue Price per Common Unit.

 

15


 

4.4 ISSUANCES OF ADDITIONAL PARTNERSHIP SECURITIES. (a) Subject to Section 4.5, the General Partner is authorized to cause the Partnership to issue additional Partnership Securities for any Partnership purpose at any time and from time to time to such Persons for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as shall be established by the General Partner in its sole discretion, all without the approval of any Limited Partners.
(b) Each additional Partnership Security authorized to be issued by the Partnership pursuant to Section 4.4(a) may be issued in one or more classes, or one or more series of any such classes, with such designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties (which may be senior to existing classes and series of Partnership Securities), as shall be fixed by the General Partner in the exercise of its sole discretion, including (i) the right to share Partnership profit and losses or items thereof; (ii) the right to share in Partnership distributions; (iii) the rights upon dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership; (iv) whether, and the terms and conditions upon which, the Partnership may redeem the Partnership Security; (v) whether such Partnership Security is issued with the privilege of conversion and, if so, the terms and conditions of such conversion; (vi) the terms and conditions upon which each Partnership Security will be issued, evidenced by certificates and assigned or transferred; and (vii) the right, if any, of each such Partnership Security to vote on Partnership matters, including matters relating to the relative rights, preferences and privileges of such Partnership Security.
(c) The General Partner is hereby authorized and directed to take all actions that it deems necessary or appropriate in connection with each issuance of Partnership Securities pursuant to Section 4.4 and to amend this Agreement in any manner that it deems necessary or appropriate to provide for each such issuance, to admit Additional Limited Partners in connection therewith and to specify the relative rights, powers and duties of the holders of the Units or other Partnership Securities being so issued. The General Partner shall do all things necessary to comply with the Delaware Act and is authorized and directed to do all things it deems to be necessary or advisable in connection with any future issuance of Partnership Securities, including compliance with any statute, rule, regulation or guideline of any federal, state or other governmental agency or any National Securities Exchange on which the Units or other Partnership Securities are listed for trading.
4.5 LIMITATIONS ON ISSUANCE OF ADDITIONAL PARTNERSHIP SECURITIES. The issuance of Partnership Securities pursuant to Section 4.4 shall be subject to the following restrictions and limitations:
(a) During the Subordination Period, the Partnership shall not issue an aggregate of more than 9,400,000 additional Parity Units without the prior approval of holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units, except as provided in Sections 4.5(b) and (c). In applying this limitation, there shall be excluded Common Units issued in connection with (i) the exercise of the Overallotment Option, (ii) conversion of Subordinated Units pursuant to Section 4.6, and (iii) any employee benefit plan, employee program or employee practice maintained or sponsored by the Partnership or the General Partner or any of its Affiliates as provided in Section 6.4(c).

 

16


 

(b) The Partnership may also issue an unlimited number of Parity Units prior to the end of the Subordination Period and without the approval of the Unitholders if such issuance occurs (i) in connection with an Acquisition or a Capital Improvement or (ii) within 270 days of, and the net proceeds from such issuance are used to repay debt incurred in connection with, an Acquisition or a Capital Improvement, in each case where such Acquisition or Capital Improvement involves assets that, if acquired by the Partnership as of the date that is one year prior to the first day of the Quarter in which such Acquisition is to be consummated or such Capital Improvement is to be completed, would have resulted in an increase in
(i) the amount of Adjusted Operating Surplus generated by the Partnership on a per-Unit basis (for all Outstanding Units) with respect to each of the four most recently completed Quarters over
(ii) the actual amount of Adjusted Operating Surplus generated by the Partnership on a per-Unit basis (for all Outstanding Units) with respect to each of such four Quarters.
The amount in clause (i) shall be determined on a pro forma basis assuming that (A) all of the Parity Units to be issued in connection with or within 270 days of such Acquisition or Capital Addition and Improvement had been issued and outstanding, (B) all indebtedness for borrowed money to be incurred or assumed in connection with such Acquisition or Capital Improvement (other than any such indebtedness that is to be repaid with the proceeds of such offering) had been incurred or assumed, in each case as of the commencement of such four-Quarter period, (C) the personnel expenses that would have been incurred by the Partnership in the operation of the acquired assets are the personnel expenses for employees to be retained by the Partnership in the operation of the acquired assets, and (D) the non-personnel costs and expenses are computed on the same basis as those incurred by the Partnership in the operation of the Partnership’s business at similarly situated Partnership facilities.
(c) The Partnership may also issue an unlimited number of Parity Units prior to the end of the Subordination Period and without the approval of the Unitholders if the use of proceeds from such issuance is exclusively to repay up to an aggregate of $150,000,000 of long-term indebtedness of the Partnership or the Operating Partnership, in each case only where the aggregate amount of distributions that would have been paid with respect to such newly issued Units and the related additional distributions that would have been made to the General Partner in respect of the four-Quarter period ending prior to the first day of the Quarter in which the issuance is to be consummated (assuming such Units had been outstanding throughout such period and that distributions equal to the distributions that were actually paid on the outstanding Units during the period were paid on such Units) did not exceed the interest costs actually incurred during such period on the indebtedness that is to be repaid (or, if such indebtedness was not outstanding throughout the entire period, would have been incurred had such indebtedness been outstanding for the entire period).

 

17


 

(d) During the Subordination Period, the Partnership shall not issue additional Partnership Securities having rights to distributions or in liquidation ranking prior or senior to the Common Units, without the prior approval of holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units.
(e) No fractional Units shall be issued by the Partnership.
4.6 CONVERSION OF SUBORDINATED UNITS. (a) A total of 4,945,537 Subordinated Units will convert into Common Units on the first day after the Record Date for distribution in respect of any Quarter ending on or after March 31, 1998, and an additional 4,945,537 Subordinated Units will convert into Common Units on the first day after the Record Date for distributions in respect of any Quarter ending on or after March 31, 1999, in respect of which
(i) for each of the three consecutive non-overlapping four-Quarter periods immediately preceding such date, distributions under Section 5.3 at least equal the sum of the Minimum Quarterly Distributions for each Quarter (as prorated for the actual length of the period from the Closing Date through March 30, 1996) on all Outstanding Common Units and Subordinated Units during such period;
(ii) the Adjusted Operating Surplus generated during the immediately preceding twelve-Quarter period at least equals the sum of the Minimum Quarterly Distributions for each Quarter (as prorated for the actual length of the period from the Closing Date through March 30, 1996) on all Outstanding Common Units and Subordinated Units during such period;
(iii) the Arrearages Balances on the Common Units are zero;
(iv) the General Partner makes a good faith estimate (in connection with which the General Partner shall be entitled to make such assumptions as in its sole discretion it believes are reasonable) that the Partnership will, with respect to the four-Quarter period commencing with such date, generate Adjusted Operating Surplus in an amount at least equal to the sum of the Minimum Quarterly Distributions on all Outstanding Common Units and Subordinated Units; and
(v) the General Partner shall obtain Special Approval that it has complied with the provisions of Section 4.6(a)(iv).
In the event less than all of the Outstanding Subordinated Units shall convert into Common Units pursuant to this Section 4.6(a) at a time when there shall be more than one holder of Subordinated Units, then, unless all of the holders of Subordinated Units shall agree to a different allocation, the Subordinated Units that are to be converted into Common Units shall be allocated among the holders of Subordinated Units pro rata in respect of the number of Subordinated Units held by each such holder.
(b) The remaining Subordinated Units shall convert into Common Units on the first day following the Record Date for distributions in respect of the final quarter of the Subordination Period.

 

18


 

(c) On the date a Subordination Unit is converted, it shall possess all the rights and obligations of Common Units. Prior to such time, a Subordinated Unit shall have all of the rights and obligations of a Common Unit, except with respect to the right to vote on or approve matters requiring the vote or approval of a percentage of the holders of Outstanding Common Units and the right to participate in distributions made with respect to Common Units.
4.7 LIMITED PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS. No Person shall have any preemptive, preferential or other similar right with respect to the issuance of any Partnership Security, whether unissued, held in the treasury or hereafter created, except that the General Partner shall have the right, which it may from time to time assign in whole or in part to any of its Affiliates, to purchase Partnership Securities from the Partnership whenever, and on the same terms that, the Partnership issues Partnership Securities to Persons other than the General Partner and its Affiliates, to the extent necessary to maintain the Percentage Interests of the General Partner and its Affiliates equal to that which existed immediately prior to the issuance of such Partnership Securities.
4.8 SPLITS AND COMBINATIONS. (a) Subject to Sections 4.8(d) and 5.8 (dealing with adjustments of distribution levels), the General Partner may make a pro rata distribution of Partnership Securities to all Record Holders or may effect a subdivision or combination of Partnership Securities so long as, after any such event, each Partner shall have the same Percentage Interest in the Partnership as before such event, and the Investment Balance, Arrearage Balance, Initial Unit Price and other amounts calculated on a per Unit basis are proportionately adjusted retroactive to the beginning of the Partnership.
(b) Whenever such a distribution, subdivision or combination of Partnership Securities is declared, the General Partner shall select a Record Date as of which the distribution, subdivision or combination shall be effective and shall send notice thereof at least 20 days prior to such Record Date to each Record Holder as of the date not less than 10 days prior to the date of such notice. The General Partner also may cause a firm of independent public accountants selected by it to calculate the number of Units to be held by each Record Holder after giving effect to such distribution, subdivision or combination. The General Partner shall be entitled to rely on any certificate provided by such firm as conclusive evidence of the accuracy of such calculation.
(c) Promptly following any such distribution, subdivision or combination, the General Partner may cause Certificates to be issued to the Record Holders of Units as of the applicable Record Date representing the new number of Units held by such Record Holders, or the General Partner may adopt such other procedures as it may deem appropriate to reflect such changes. If any such combination results in a smaller total number of Units Outstanding, the General Partner shall require, as a condition to the delivery to a Record Holder of such new Certificate, the surrender of any Certificate held by such Record Holder immediately prior to such Record Date.
(d) The Partnership shall not issue fractional Units upon any distribution, subdivision or combination of Units. If a distribution, subdivision or combination of Units would result in the issuance of fractional Units but for the provisions this Section 4.8(d), each fractional Unit shall be rounded to the nearest whole Unit (and a 0.5 Unit shall be rounded to the next higher Unit).
4.9 INTEREST AND WITHDRAWAL. No interest shall be paid by the Partnership on Contributions, and no Partner shall be entitled to withdraw any part of its Contributions or otherwise to receive any distribution from the Partnership, except as provided in Section 4.1 and Articles V, VII, XIII and XIV.

 

19


 

ARTICLE V
DISTRIBUTIONS
5.1 GENERAL PROVISIONS. The General Partner shall determine each date on which a distribution will be made, the Available Cash or other applicable amount to be distributed on such date, and the Record Holders for such distribution, subject to the following:
(a) Amount of Available Cash and Operating Surplus. The General Partner shall determine the amount of Available Cash and Operating Surplus with respect to each Quarter ending before the Liquidation Date within 45 days following the end of such Quarter. Such determination shall be made by reference to the books and records of the Partnership Group and, if made in good faith, shall be conclusive. Promptly following such determination, the amount distributable pursuant to Section 5.3, 5.4 or 5.5 hereof with respect to such prior Quarter shall be distributed to the Partners.
(b) Source of Distributions. All distributions for each Quarter prior to the Liquidation Date shall be deemed to be out of Operating Surplus until such surplus is reduced to zero. Available Cash in excess of Operating Surplus shall be distributed as provided in Section 5.5.
(c) Payments Other Than Distributions. Amounts payable as compensation or reimbursement to the General Partner, or amounts payable to any person other than in his capacity as a Partner, such as for goods or services, shall not be treated as distributions.
(d) Record Holder Identification. Any amount otherwise distributable to a Record Holder may be withheld without interest until ten days after such Record Holder has provided the Partnership with his taxpayer identification number (and if such Record Holder is a nominee holding for the account of another Person, the taxpayer identification number of such other Person).
(e) Gross Income Limitation. Distributions for a Quarter shall be made other than to the Partners Pro Rata only if and to the extent that the Partnership has gross income for such Quarter equal to the amount that is not being distributed to the Partners Pro Rata. Any amount not distributed for a Quarter because of the foregoing limitation shall be distributed in the next succeeding Quarter(s) in which gross income exceeds non-Pro Rata distributions.
(f) Entity-Level Tax Payments. The General Partner is authorized to take any action it determines in its sole discretion to be necessary or appropriate to cause the Partnership to comply with any withholding requirements established under the Code or any other law. Whether or not pursuant to any withholding requirement, if the Partnership is required or elects to pay any tax on behalf of the General Partner, current Unitholder, or former Unitholder that is attributable to the Partnership, the General Partner is authorized to pay such taxes from Partnership funds. To the extent feasible, each such payment shall be treated as a distribution pursuant to Article V in respect of the person on whose behalf the payment was made. If the payment is made on behalf of a person whose identity cannot be determined, the General Partner is authorized to treat the payment as a distribution to current Unitholders of the same class as the obligor, or if the class is not known, to all Unitholders. Alternatively, the General Partner may elect to treat an amount paid on behalf of the General Partner and Unitholders as an expenditure of the Partnership if the amount paid on behalf of the General Partner is not substantially greater per Percentage Interest than that paid on behalf of Unitholders.

 

20


 

5.2 DISTRIBUTION LEVELS. Subject to the adjustments provided in Section 5.8, each defined distribution level (“Distribution Level”) for a Quarter means the following:
(a) Minimum Quarterly Distribution means $.550 per Unit.
(b) First Target Distribution means $.055 per Unit.
(c) Second Target Distribution means $.091 per Unit.
(d) Third Target Distribution means $.208 per Unit.
5.3 OPERATING DISTRIBUTIONS DURING SUBORDINATION PERIOD. Subject to Section 5.1, for each Quarter during the Subordination Period and prior to the Liquidation Date, Available Cash not in excess of Operating Surplus shall be distributed in the following priorities:
(a) first, 1% to the General Partner and 99% in respect of Common Units Pro Rata until the amount distributed per Common Unit equals the Minimum Quarterly Distribution;
(b) then, 1% to the General Partner and 99% in respect of Common Units Pro Rata until the amount distributed for each Common Unit equals its Arrearage Balance as of the end of such Quarter;
(c) then, 1% to the General Partner and 99% in respect of Subordinated Units until the amount distributed per Subordinated Unit equals the Minimum Quarterly Distribution; and
(d) thereafter, in the percentages, priorities and amounts provided in Sections 5.4(b) through (e).
5.4 OPERATING DISTRIBUTIONS AFTER SUBORDINATION PERIOD. Subject to Section 5.1, for each Quarter after the Subordination Period and before the Liquidation Date, Available Cash not in excess of Operating Surplus shall be distributed in the following priorities:
(a) first, 1% to the General Partner and 99% in respect of all Units Pro Rata until the amount distributed per Unit equals the Minimum Quarterly Distribution;
(b) then, 1% to the General Partner and 99% in respect of all Units Pro Rata until the amount distributed per Unit pursuant to this Section 5.4(b) equals the First Target Distribution;

 

21


 

(c) then, 14.1327% to the General Partner and 85.8673% in respect of all Units Pro Rata until the amount distributed per Unit pursuant to this Section 5.4(c) equals the Second Target Distribution;
(d) then, 24.2347% to the General Partner and 75.7653% in respect of all Units Pro Rata until the amount distributed per Unit pursuant to this Section 5.4(d) equals the Third Target Distribution; and
(e) then, 49.4898% to the General Partner and 50.5102% in respect of all Units Pro Rata.
5.5 CAPITAL DISTRIBUTIONS. Available Cash in excess of Operating Surplus as of the end of a Quarter ending prior to the Liquidation Date (“Capital Surplus”) shall be distributed to the Partners Pro Rata until the aggregate amount distributed under this Section 5.5 with respect to an Initial Common Unit equals the Initial Unit Price. Thereafter, all Available Cash shall be distributed pursuant to Sections 5.3 and 5.4, as applicable.
5.6 LIQUIDATING DISTRIBUTIONS DURING SUBORDINATION PERIOD. If the Liquidation Date occurs before the end of the Subordination Period, the amounts available for distribution pursuant to Section 14.4(c) shall be distributed after the Liquidation Date in the following priorities:
(a) first, 1% to the General Partner and 99% in respect of Common Units Pro Rata until the amounts distributed for all Quarters after the Liquidation Date in respect of each Common Unit equals
(i) the sum of its Investment Balance, Arrearage Balance, and Minimum Quarterly Distribution for the current Quarter, or, if less,
(ii) the sum of (A) the amount that would be distributable in respect of a Common Unit if 99% of all distributions were made in respect of all Units Pro Rata, plus (B) the amount that would be allocable to a Common Unit if 99% of the Net Liquidation Gain were allocated to all Common Units Pro Rata;
(b) then, 1% to the General Partner and 99% in respect of Subordinated Units Pro Rata until the amounts distributed in respect of each Subordinated Unit equals the amount distributed to each Common Unit under Section 5.6(a) to the extent of the Common Unit’s Investment Balance and the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter; and
(c) thereafter, in the percentages, priorities and amounts provided in Sections 5.7(c) through (f).

 

22


 

5.7 LIQUIDATING DISTRIBUTIONS AFTER SUBORDINATION PERIOD. If the Liquidation Date occurs after the Subordination Period, the amounts available for distribution pursuant to Section 14.4(c) shall be distributed after the Liquidation Date in the following priorities:
(a) first, 1% to the General Partner and 99% in respect of all Units Pro Rata until the amounts distributed in respect of each Common Unit equals its Investment Balance;
(b) then, 1% to the General Partner and 99% in respect of all Units Pro Rata until the aggregate amount distributed in respect of all Units outstanding on the Liquidation Date equals the sum of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for each Quarter that each such Unit has been outstanding, less the amounts previously distributed pursuant to Section 5.3(a) or (b) or Section 5.4(a) (Minimum Quarterly Distributions and Arrearage Balances) or this Section 5.7(b) in respect of all such Units for all such Quarters;
(c) then, 1% to the General Partner and 99% in respect of all Units Pro Rata until the aggregate amount distributed in respect of all Units outstanding on the Liquidation Date equals the sum of the First Target Distribution for each Quarter that each such Unit has been outstanding, less the amounts previously distributed pursuant to Section 5.4(b) (First Target Distributions) or this Section 5.7(c) in respect of all such Units for all such Quarters;
(d) then, 14.1327% to the General Partner and 85.8673% in respect of all Units Pro Rata until the aggregate amount distributed in respect of all Units outstanding on the Liquidation Date equals the sum of the Second Target Distribution for each Quarter that each such Unit has been outstanding, less the amounts previously distributed pursuant to Section 5.4(c) (Second Target Distributions) or this Section 5.7(d) in respect of all such Units for all such Quarters;
(e) then, 24.2347% to the General Partner and 75.7653% in respect of all Units Pro Rata until the aggregate amount distributed in respect of all Units outstanding on the Liquidation Date equals the sum of the Third Target Distribution for each Quarter that each such Unit has been outstanding, less the amounts previously distributed pursuant to Section 5.4(d) (Third Target Distributions) or this Section 5.7(e) in respect of all such Units for all such Quarters; and
(f) then, 49.4898% to the General Partner and 50.5102% in respect of all Units Pro Rata.
5.8 ADJUSTMENTS TO DISTRIBUTION LEVELS.
(a) First Quarter Proration. For the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on June 30, 1995, the stated amount for each Distribution Level shall be multiplied by a fraction whose numerator is the number of days in such period and whose denominator is 90.
(b) Capital Distribution Adjustment. Upon a distribution under Section 5.5, each Distribution Level shall be multiplied by a fraction whose numerator is the Investment Balance of the Common Units immediately after giving effect to such distribution and whose denominator is such Investment Balance immediately before giving effect to such distribution. Each reduction shall apply to the Quarter following the Quarter in which the distribution is made and to each Quarter thereafter until further adjusted, but shall not reduce the level applicable to any prior Quarter.

 

23


 

(c) Splits and Combinations. Upon any distribution, split or combination of Units provided under Section 4.8, each Distribution Level shall be proportionately adjusted retroactive to the beginning of the Partnership.
(d) Entity Level Taxation. If any federal, state or local income tax is at any time imposed on the Partnership as a result of the enactment of legislation or a modification in the interpretation by the relevant governmental authority of existing language, then, beginning with the Quarter for which such tax is first imposed, each Distribution Level will be multiplied by a percentage equal to one minus the sum of (i) the maximum marginal federal income tax rate to which the Partnership is subject as an entity plus (ii) any increase in the effective overall state and local income tax rate to which the Partnership is subject as a result of the new imposition of the entity level tax (after taking into account the benefit of any deduction allowable for federal income tax purposes with respect to the payment of state and local income taxes).
ARTICLE VI
MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS
6.1 MANAGEMENT. (a) The General Partner shall conduct, direct and manage all activities of the Partnership. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, all management powers over the business and affairs of the Partnership shall be exclusively vested in the General Partner, and no Limited Partner or Assignee shall have any management power over the business and affairs of the Partnership. In addition to the powers now or hereafter granted a general partner of a limited partnership under applicable law or which are granted to the General Partner under any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner, subject to Section 6.3, shall have full power and authority to do all things and on such terms as it, in its sole discretion, may deem necessary or appropriate to conduct the business of the Partnership, to exercise all powers set forth in Section 3.2 and to effectuate the purposes set forth in Section 3.1, including the following:
(i) the making of any expenditures, the lending or borrowing of money, the assumption or guarantee of, or other contracting for, indebtedness and other liabilities, the issuance of evidences of indebtedness and the incurring of any other obligations;
(ii) the making of tax, regulatory and other filings, or rendering of periodic or other reports to governmental or other agencies having jurisdiction over the business or assets of the Partnership;
(iii) the acquisition, disposition, mortgage, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or exchange of any or all of the assets of the Partnership or the merger or other combination of the Partnership with or into another Person;
(iv) the use of the assets of the Partnership (including cash on hand) for any purpose consistent with the terms of this Agreement, including the financing of the conduct of the operations of the Partnership or the Operating Partnership, the lending of funds to other Persons (including the Operating Partnership, the General Partner and its Affiliates), the repayment of obligations of the Partnership and the Operating Partnership and the making of capital contributions to the Operating Partnership;

 

24


 

(v) the negotiation, execution and performance of any contracts, conveyances or other instruments (including instruments that limit the liability of the Partnership under contractual arrangements to all or particular assets of the Partnership, with the other party to the contract to have no recourse against the General Partner or its assets other than its interest in the Partnership, even if same results in the terms of the transaction being less favorable to the Partnership than would otherwise be the case);
(vi) the distribution of Partnership cash;
(vii) the selection and dismissal of employees (including employees having titles such as “president,” “vice president,” “secretary” and “treasurer”) and agents, outside attorneys, accountants, consultants and contractors and the determination of their compensation and other terms of employment or hiring;
(viii) the maintenance of such insurance for the benefit of the Partnership Group and the Partners as it deems necessary or appropriate;
(ix) the formation of, or acquisition of an interest in, and the contribution of property and the making of loans to, any further limited or general partnerships, joint ventures, corporations or other relationships (including the acquisition of interests in, and the contributions of property to, the Operating Partnership from time to time);
(x) the control of any matters affecting the rights and obligations of the Partnership, including the bringing and defending of actions at law or in equity and otherwise engaging in the conduct of litigation and the incurring of legal expense and the settlement of claims and litigation;
(xi) the indemnification of any Person against liabilities and contingencies to the extent permitted by law;
(xii) the entering into of listing agreements with The New York Stock Exchange, Inc. and any other National Securities Exchange and the delisting of some or all of the Units from, or requesting that trading be suspended on, any such exchange (subject to any prior approval that may be required under Section 1.6);
(xiii) the purchase, sale or other acquisition or disposition of Units; and
(xiv) the undertaking of any action in connection with the Partnership’s participation in the Operating Partnership as the limited partner.

 

25


 

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Operating Partnership Agreement, the Delaware Act or any applicable law, rule or regulation, each of the Partners and Assignees and each other Person who may acquire an interest in Units hereby (i) approves, ratifies and confirms the execution, delivery and performance by the parties thereto of the Operating Partnership Agreement, the Underwriting Agreement, the Conveyance and Contribution Agreement, the Merger and Contribution Agreement, the agreements and other documents filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement, and the other agreements described in or filed as a part of the Registration Statement; (ii) agrees that the General Partner (on its own or through any officer of the Partnership) is authorized to execute, deliver and perform the agreements referred to in clause (i) of this sentence and the other agreements, acts, transactions and matters described in or contemplated by the Registration Statement on behalf of the Partnership without any further act, approval or vote of the Partners or the Assignees or the other Persons who may acquire an interest in Units; and (iii) agrees that the execution, delivery or performance by the General Partner, any Group Member or any Affiliate of any of them, of this Agreement or any agreement authorized or permitted under this Agreement (including the exercise by the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner of the rights accorded pursuant to Article XVII), shall not constitute a breach by the General Partner of any duty that the General Partner may owe the Partnership or the Limited Partners or the Assignees or any other Persons under this Agreement (or any other agreements) or of any duty stated or implied by law or equity.
6.2 CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP. The General Partner has caused the Certificate of Limited Partnership to be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as required by the Delaware Act and shall use all reasonable efforts to cause to be filed such other certificates or documents as may be determined by the General Partner in its sole discretion to be reasonable and necessary or appropriate for the formation, continuation, qualification and operation of a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability) in the State of Delaware or any other state in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property. To the extent that such action is determined by the General Partner in its sole discretion to be reasonable and necessary or appropriate, the General Partner shall file amendments to and restatements of the Certificate of Limited Partnership and do all things to maintain the Partnership as a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability) under the laws of the State of Delaware or of any other state in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property. Subject to the terms of Section 7.5(a), the General Partner shall not be required, before or after filing, to deliver or mail a copy of the Certificate of Limited Partnership, any qualification document or any amendment thereto to any Limited Partner or Assignee.
6.3 RESTRICTIONS ON GENERAL PARTNER’S AUTHORITY. (a) The General Partner may not, without written approval of the specific act by all of the Outstanding Units or by other written instrument executed and delivered by all of the Outstanding Units subsequent to the date of this Agreement, take any action in contravention of this Agreement, including, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, (i) committing any act that would make it impossible to carry on the ordinary business of the Partnership; (ii) possessing Partnership property, or assigning any rights in specific Partnership property, for other than a Partnership purpose; (iii) admitting a Person as a Partner; (iv) amending this Agreement in any manner; or (v) transferring its interest as general partner of the Partnership.

 

26


 

(b) Except as provided in Articles XIV and XVI, the General Partner may not sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the Partnership’s assets in a single transaction or a series of related transactions or approve on behalf of the Partnership the sale, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Operating Partnership, without the approval of holders of at least a Unit Majority; provided, however, that this provision shall not preclude or limit the General Partner’s ability to mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or grant a security interest in all or substantially all of the Partnership’s assets and shall not apply to any forced sale of any or all of the Partnership’s assets pursuant to the foreclosure of, or other realization upon, any such encumbrance. Without the approval of holders of at least a Unit Majority, the General Partner shall not, on behalf of the Partnership, (i) consent to any amendment to the Operating Partnership Agreement or, except as expressly permitted by Section 6.9(d), take any action permitted to be taken by a partner of the Operating Partnership, in either case, that would have a material adverse effect on the Partnership as a partner of the Operating Partnership or (ii) except as permitted under Sections 11.2, 13.1 and 13.2, elect or cause the Partnership to elect a successor general partner of the Operating Partnership.
(c) At all times while serving as the general partner of the Partnership, the General Partner shall not make any dividend or distribution on, or repurchase any shares of, its stock or take any other action within its control if the effect of such action would cause its net worth, independent of its interest in the Partnership Group, to be less than $10 million.
6.4 REIMBURSEMENT OF THE GENERAL PARTNER. (a) Except as provided in this Section 6.4 and elsewhere in this Agreement or in the Operating Partnership Agreement, the General Partner shall not be compensated for its services as general partner of any Group Member.
(b) The General Partner shall be reimbursed on a monthly basis, or such other basis as the General Partner may determine in its sole discretion, for (i) all direct and indirect expenses it incurs or payments it makes on behalf of the Partnership (including salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to any Person to perform services for the Partnership or for the General Partner in the discharge of its duties to the Partnership), and (ii) all other necessary or appropriate expenses allocable to the Partnership or otherwise reasonably incurred by the General Partner in connection with operating the Partnership’s business (including expenses allocated to the General Partner by its Affiliates). The General Partner shall determine the expenses that are allocable to the Partnership in any reasonable manner determined by the General Partner in its sole discretion. Reimbursements pursuant to this Section 6.4 shall be in addition to any reimbursement to the General Partner as a result of indemnification pursuant to Section 6.7.
(c) Subject to Section 4.5, the General Partner, in its sole discretion and without the approval of the Limited Partners (who shall have no right to vote in respect thereof), may propose and adopt on behalf of the Partnership employee benefit plans, employee programs and employee practices (including plans, programs and practices involving the issuance of Units), or issue Partnership Securities pursuant to any employee benefit plan, employee program or employee practice maintained or sponsored by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, in each case for the benefit of employees of the General Partner, any Group Member or

 

27


 

any Affiliate, or any of them, in respect of services performed, directly or indirectly, for the benefit of the Partnership Group. The Partnership agrees to issue and sell to the General Partner or any of its Affiliates any Units or other Partnership Securities that the General Partner or such Affiliate is obligated to provide to any employees pursuant to any such employee benefit plans, employee programs or employee practices. Expenses incurred by the General Partner in connection with any such plans, programs and practices (including the net cost to the General Partner or such Affiliate of Units or other Partnership Securities purchased by the General Partner or such Affiliate from the Partnership to fulfill options or awards under such plans, programs and practices) shall be reimbursed in accordance with Section 6.4(b). Any and all obligations of the General Partner under any employee benefit plans, employee programs or employee practices adopted by the General Partner as permitted by this Section 6.4(c) shall constitute obligations of the General Partner hereunder and shall be assumed by any successor General Partner approved pursuant to Section 13.1 or 13.2 or the transferee of or successor to all of the General Partner’s Partnership Interest as a general partner in the Partnership pursuant to Section 11.2.
6.5 OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES. (a) After the Closing Date, the General Partner, for so long as it is the general partner of the Partnership, shall not engage in any business or activity or incur any debts or liabilities except in connection with or incidental to (i) its performance as general partner of one or more Group Members or as described in or contemplated by the Registration Statement, (ii) the acquiring, owning or disposing of debt or equity securities in any Group Member, (iii) engaging in an activity permitted by Section 6.5(b), and (iv) permitting its employees to perform services for its Affiliates, including Affiliates engaging in an activity permitted by Section 6.5(b).
(b) The General Partner or any of its Affiliates may engage in an activity that is a Restricted Activity only if
(i) the General Partner determines, prior to commencing such activity, that it is inadvisable for the Partnership to engage in such activity either because (A) of the financial commitments associated with such activity or (B) such activity is not consistent with the Partnership’s business strategy or cannot otherwise be integrated with the Partnership’s operations on a beneficial basis, and such determination is approved by Special Approval;
(ii) such activity arises as a result of an acquisition utilizing primarily equity securities of a corporate Affiliate of the Partnership, and the aggregate consideration paid in connection with such acquisition and all other acquisitions of then-owned entities made pursuant to the exception provided by this Section 6.5(b)(ii) does not exceed $50 million; or
(iii) such activity arises as a result of an acquisition of stock of one or more Special Propane Corporations, and the aggregate total assets of all then-owned Special Propane Corporations acquired pursuant to the exception provided by this Section 6.5(b)(iii) and owned for more than 24 months does not exceed 10% of the total assets of the Partnership (in each case as such assets shall be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles).
Subject to the restrictions of Section 6.5(c), the General Partner or its Affiliates may engage in the activity described in Section 6.5(b), either through the direct ownership of the assets of a business or indirectly through the ownership of equity interests in a business, may sell or otherwise transfer such assets or equity interests to any Group Member or any third person, and may retain all the profits derived from any of the foregoing.

 

28


 

(c) During the period the activity being undertaken pursuant to Section 6.5(b), is being carried on directly or indirectly by the General Partner or an Affiliate, the personnel engaged in such activity shall not (A) attempt to sell propane to persons to whom any Group Member is selling propane or (B) seek new customers in geographical areas in which any Group Member is engaged in the retail propane business and in which the business was not engaged at the time it was acquired by the General Partner or an Affiliate.
(d) Except as restricted by Sections 6.5(a), (b) or (c), each Indemnitee shall have the right to engage in businesses of every type and description and other activities for profit and to engage in and possess an interest in other business ventures of any and every type or description, whether in businesses engaged in or anticipated to be engaged in by any Group Member, independently or with others, including business interests and activities in direct competition with the business and activities of any Group Member, and none of the same shall constitute a breach of this Agreement or any duty to any Group Member or any Partner or Assignee. Neither any Group Member, any Limited Partner nor any other Person shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement, the Operating Partnership Agreement or the partnership relationship established hereby or thereby in any business ventures of any Indemnitee.
(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, (i) the engaging in competitive activities by any Indemnitees in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.5 is hereby approved by the Partnership and all Partners and (ii) it shall be deemed not to be a breach of the General Partner’s fiduciary duty or any other obligation of any type whatsoever of the General Partner for the Indemnitees to engage in such business interests and activities in preference to or to the exclusion of the Partnership.
(f) The General Partner and any of its Affiliates may acquire Units or other Partnership Securities in addition to those acquired on the Closing Date and, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, shall be entitled to exercise all rights of an Assignee or Limited Partner, as applicable, relating to such Units or Partnership Securities.
(g) The term “Affiliates” when used in Section 6.5(b) or (c) with respect to the General Partner shall not include any Group Member or any Subsidiary of the Group Member.
6.6 LOANS TO AND FROM THE GENERAL PARTNER; CONTRACTS WITH AFFILIATES. (a) The General Partner or any Affiliate thereof may lend to any Group Member, and any Group Member may borrow, funds needed or desired by the Group Member for such periods of time as the General Partner may determine, and the General Partner or any Affiliate thereof may borrow from any Group Member, and any Group Member may lend to the General Partner or such Affiliate, excess funds of the Group Member for such periods of time and in such amounts as the General Partner may determine; provided, however, that in either such case the lending party may not charge the borrowing party interest at a rate greater than the rate that would be charged the borrowing party (without reference to the lending party’s financial abilities or guarantees), by the unrelated lenders on comparable loans. The borrowing party shall reimburse the lending party for any costs (other than any additional interest costs) incurred by the lending party in connection with the borrowing of such funds. For purposes of this Section 6.6(a) and Section 6.6(b), the term “Group Member” shall include any Affiliate of the Group Member that is controlled by the Group Member.

 

29


 

(b) The Partnership may lend or contribute to any Group Member, and any Group Member may borrow, funds on terms and conditions established in the sole discretion of the General Partner; provided, however, that the Partnership may not charge the Group Member interest at a rate greater than the rate that would be charged to the Group Member (without reference to the General Partner’s financial abilities or guarantees), by unrelated lenders on comparable loans. The foregoing authority shall be exercised by the General Partner in its sole discretion and shall not create any right or benefit in favor of any Group Member or any other Person.
(c) The General Partner may itself, or may enter into an agreement with any of its Affiliates to, render services to the Partnership or to the General Partner in the discharge of its duties as general partner of the Partnership. Any services rendered to the Partnership by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates shall be on terms that are fair and reasonable to the Partnership; provided, however, that the requirements of this Section 6.6(c) shall be deemed satisfied as to (i) any transaction approved by Special Approval, (ii) any transaction, the terms of which are no less favorable to the Partnership than those generally being provided to or available from unrelated third parties or (iii) any transaction that, taking into account the totality of the relationships between the parties involved (including other transactions that may be particularly favorable or advantageous to the Partnership), is equitable to the Partnership. The provisions of Section 6.4 shall apply to the rendering of services described in this Section 6.6(c).
(d) The Partnership may transfer assets to joint ventures, other partnerships, corporations, limited liability companies or other business entities in which it is or thereby becomes a participant upon such terms and subject to such conditions as are consistent with this Agreement and applicable law.
(e) Neither the General Partner nor any of its Affiliates shall sell, transfer or convey any property to, or purchase any property from, the Partnership, directly or indirectly, except pursuant to transactions that are fair and reasonable to the Partnership; provided, however, that the requirements of this Section 6.6(e) shall be deemed to be satisfied as to (i) the transactions effected pursuant to Sections 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3, the Conveyance and Contribution Agreement, the Merger and Contribution Agreement and any other transactions described in or contemplated by the Registration Statement, (ii) any transaction approved by Special Approval, (iii) any transaction, the terms of which are no less favorable to the Partnership than those generally being provided to or available from unrelated third parties, or (iv) any transaction that, taking into account the totality of the relationships between the parties involved (including other transactions that may be particularly favorable or advantageous to the Partnership), is equitable to the Partnership. With respect to any contribution of assets to the Partnership in exchange for Units, the Audit Committee, in determining whether the appropriate number of Units are being issued, should take into account, among other things, the fair market value of the assets, the liquidated and contingent liabilities assumed, the tax basis in the assets, the extent to which tax-only allocations to the transferor will protect the existing partners of the Partnership against a low tax basis, and such other factors as the Audit Committee deems relevant under the circumstances.

 

30


 

(f) The General Partner and its Affiliates will have no obligation to permit any Group Member to use any facilities or assets of the General Partner and its Affiliates, except as may be provided in contracts entered into from time to time specifically dealing with such use and except as set forth in the Registration Statement with respect to the “FAST” propane purchase optimization and fuel accounting system, nor shall there be any obligation on the part of the General Partner or its Affiliates to enter into such contracts.
(g) Without limitation of Sections 6.6(a) through 6.6(f), and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the existence of the conflicts of interest described in the Registration Statement are hereby approved by all Partners.
6.7 INDEMNIFICATION. (a) To the fullest extent permitted by law but subject to the limitations expressly provided in this Agreement, all Indemnitees shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Partnership from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which any Indemnitee may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, by reason of its status as an Indemnitee, provided, that in each case the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner that such Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Partnership and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe its conduct was unlawful; provided, further, no indemnification pursuant to this Section 6.7 shall be available to the General Partner with respect to its obligations incurred pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement or the Merger and Contribution Agreement (other than obligations incurred by the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership or the Operating Partnership), or to Petrolane with respect to its obligations incurred pursuant to the Conveyance and Contribution Agreement. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere, or its equivalent, shall not create a presumption that the Indemnitee acted in a manner contrary to that specified above. Any indemnification pursuant to this Section 6.7 shall be made only out of the assets of the Partnership, it being agreed that the General Partner shall not be personally liable for such indemnification and shall have no obligation to contribute or loan any monies or property to the Partnership to enable it to effectuate such indemnification.
(b) To the fullest extent permitted by law, expenses (including legal fees and expenses) incurred by an Indemnitee who is indemnified pursuant to Section 6.7(a) in defending any claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding shall, from time to time, be advanced by the Partnership prior to the final disposition of such claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding upon receipt by the Partnership of any undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay such amount if it shall be determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized in this Section 6.7.
(c) The indemnification provided by this Section 6.7 shall be in addition to any other rights to which an Indemnitee may be entitled under any agreement, pursuant to any vote of the holders of Outstanding Units, as a matter of law or otherwise, both as to actions in the Indemnitee’s capacity as an Indemnitee and as to actions in any other capacity (including any capacity under the Underwriting Agreement), and shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to serve in such capacity and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, successors, assigns and administrators of the Indemnitee.

 

31


 

(d) The Partnership may purchase and maintain (or reimburse the General Partner or its Affiliates for the cost of) insurance, on behalf of the General Partner and such other Persons as the General Partner shall determine, against any liability that may be asserted against or expense that may be incurred by such Person in connection with the Partnership’s activities, regardless of whether the Partnership would have the power to indemnify such Person against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement.
(e) For purposes of this Section 6.7, the Partnership shall be deemed to have requested an Indemnitee to serve as fiduciary of an employee benefit plan whenever the performance by it of its duties to the Partnership also imposes duties on, or otherwise involves services by, it to the plan or participants or beneficiaries of the plan; excise taxes assessed on an Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan pursuant to applicable law shall constitute “fines” within the meaning of Section 6.7(a); and action taken or omitted by it with respect to any employee benefit plan in the performance of its duties for a purpose reasonably believed by it to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of the plan shall be deemed to be for a purpose which is in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Partnership.
(f) In no event may an Indemnitee subject the Limited Partners to personal liability by reason of the indemnification provisions set forth in this Agreement.
(g) An Indemnitee shall not be denied indemnification in whole or in part under this Section 6.7 because the Indemnitee had an interest in the transaction with respect to which the indemnification applies if the transaction was otherwise permitted by the terms of this Agreement.
(h) The provisions of this Section 6.7 are for the benefit of the Indemnitees, their heirs, successors, assigns and administrators and shall not be deemed to create any rights for the benefit of any other Persons.
(i) No amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 6.7 or any provision hereof shall in any manner terminate, reduce or impair the right of any past, present or future Indemnitee to be indemnified by the Partnership, nor the obligations of the Partnership to indemnify any such Indemnitee under and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.7 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.
6.8 LIABILITY OF INDEMNITEES. (a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, no Indemnitee shall be liable for monetary damages to the Partnership, the Limited Partners, the Assignees or any other Persons who have acquired interests in the Units, for losses sustained or liabilities incurred as a result of any act or omission if such Indemnitee acted in good faith.

 

32


 

(b) Subject to its obligations and duties as General Partner set forth in Section 6.1(a), the General Partner may exercise any of the powers granted to it by this Agreement and perform any of the duties imposed upon it hereunder either directly or by or through its agents, and the General Partner shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent appointed by the General Partner in good faith.
(c) Any amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 6.8 or any provision hereof shall be prospective only and shall not in any way affect the limitations on the liability to the Partnership and the Limited Partners of the General Partner, its directors, officers and employees and any other Indemnitees under this Section 6.8 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.
6.9 RESOLUTION OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. (a) Unless otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or the Operating Partnership Agreement, whenever a potential conflict of interest exists or arises between the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Partnership, the Operating Partnership, any Partner or any Assignee, on the other, any resolution or course of action in respect of such conflict of interest shall be permitted and deemed approved by all Partners, and shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement, of the Operating Partnership Agreement, of any agreement contemplated herein or therein, or of any duty stated or implied by law or equity, if the resolution or course of action is, or by operation of this Agreement is deemed to be, fair and reasonable to the Partnership. The General Partner shall resolve such conflict and be authorized but not required in connection with its resolution of such conflict of interest to seek Special Approval of a resolution of such conflict or course of action. Any conflict of interest and any resolution of such conflict of interest shall be conclusively deemed fair and reasonable to the Partnership if such conflict of interest or resolution is (i) approved by Special Approval, (ii) on terms no less favorable to the Partnership than those generally being provided to or available from unrelated third parties or (iii) fair to the Partnership, taking into account the totality of the relationships between the parties involved (including other transactions that may be particularly favorable or advantageous to the Partnership). The General Partner may also adopt a resolution or course of action that has not received Special Approval. The General Partner (including the Audit Committee in connection with Special Approval) shall be authorized in connection with its determination of what is “fair and reasonable” to the Partnership and in connection with its resolution of any conflict of interest to consider (A) the relative interests of any party to such conflict, agreement, transaction or situation and the benefits and burdens relating to such interest; (B) any customary or accepted industry practices and any customary or historical dealings with a particular Person; (C) any applicable generally accepted accounting or engineering practices or principles; and (D) such additional factors as the General Partner (including the Audit Committee) determines in its sole discretion to be relevant, reasonable or appropriate under the circumstances. Nothing contained in this Agreement, however, is intended to nor shall it be construed to require the General Partner (including the Audit Committee) to consider the interests of any Person other than the Partnership. In the absence of bad faith by the General Partner, the resolution, action or terms so made, taken or provided by the General Partner with respect to such matter shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated herein or a breach of any standard of care or duty imposed herein or therein or, to the extent permitted by law, under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation.

 

33


 

(b) Whenever this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated hereby provides that the General Partner or any of its Affiliates is permitted or required to make a decision (i) in its “sole discretion” or “discretion,” that it deems “necessary or appropriate” or “necessary or advisable” or under a grant of similar authority or latitude, the General Partner or such Affiliate shall be entitled to consider only such interests and factors as it desires and shall have no duty or obligation to give any consideration to any interest of, or factors affecting, the Partnership, the Operating Partnership, any Limited Partner or any Assignee, (ii) it may make such decision in its sole discretion (regardless of whether there is a reference to “sole discretion” or “discretion”) unless another express standard is provided for, or (iii) in “good faith” or under another express standard, the General Partner or such Affiliate shall act under such express standard and shall not be subject to any other or different standards imposed by this Agreement, the Operating Partnership Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation. In addition, any actions taken by the General Partner or such Affiliate consistent with the standards of “reasonable discretion” set forth in the definitions of Available Cash or Operating Surplus shall not constitute a breach of any duty of the General Partner to the Partnership or the Limited Partners. The General Partner shall have no duty, express or implied, to sell or otherwise dispose of any asset of the Partnership Group, other than in the ordinary course of business. No borrowing by any Group Member or the approval thereof by the General Partner shall be deemed to constitute a breach of any duty of the General Partner to the Partnership or the Limited Partners by reason of the fact that the purpose or effect of such borrowing is directly or indirectly to (A) enable distributions in respect of the general partner interest to exceed 1% of the total amount distributed or (B) hasten the expiration of the Subordination Period or the conversion of any Subordinated Units into Common Units.
(c) Whenever a particular transaction, arrangement or resolution of a conflict of interest is required under this Agreement to be “fair and reasonable” to any Person, the fair and reasonable nature of such transaction, arrangement or resolution shall be considered in the context of all similar or related transactions.
(d) The Limited Partners hereby authorize the General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership as a partner of a Group Member, to approve of actions by the general partner of such Group Member similar to those actions permitted to be taken by the General Partner pursuant to this Section 6.9.
6.10 OTHER MATTERS CONCERNING THE GENERAL PARTNER. (a) The General Partner may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture, or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.
(b) The General Partner may consult with legal counsel, accountants, appraisers, management consultants, investment bankers and other consultants and advisers selected by it, and any act taken or omitted to be taken in reliance upon the opinion (including an Opinion of Counsel) of such Persons as to matters that the General Partner reasonably believes to be within such Person’s professional or expert competence shall be conclusively presumed to have been done or omitted in good faith and in accordance with such opinion.

 

34


 

(c) The General Partner shall have the right, in respect of any of its powers or obligations hereunder, to act through any of its duly authorized officers, a duly appointed attorney or attorneys-in-fact or the duly authorized officers of the Partnership.
(d) Any standard of care and duty imposed by this Agreement or under the Delaware Act or any applicable law, rule or regulation shall be modified, waived or limited, to the extent permitted by law, as required to permit the General Partner to act under this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated by this Agreement and to make any decision pursuant to the authority prescribed in this Agreement, so long as such action is reasonably believed by the General Partner to be in, or not inconsistent with, the best interests of the Partnership.
6.11 TITLE TO PARTNERSHIP ASSETS. Title to Partnership assets, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, shall be deemed to be owned by the Partnership as an entity, and no Partner or Assignee, individually or collectively, shall have any ownership interest in such Partnership assets or any portion thereof. Title to any or all of the Partnership assets may be held in the name of the Partnership, the General Partner, one or more of its Affiliates or one or more nominees, as the General Partner may determine. The General Partner hereby declares and warrants that any Partnership assets for which record title is held in the name of the General Partner or one or more of its Affiliates or one or more nominees shall be held by the General Partner or such Affiliate or nominee for the use and benefit of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement; provided, however, that the General Partner shall use its reasonable efforts to cause record title to such assets (other than those assets in respect of which the General Partner determines that the expense and difficulty of conveyancing makes transfer of record title to the Partnership impracticable) to be vested in the Partnership as soon as reasonably practicable; provided that, prior to the withdrawal or removal of the General Partner or as soon thereafter as practicable, the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts to effect the transfer of record title to the Partnership and, prior to any such transfer, will provide for the use of such assets in a manner satisfactory to the Partnership. All Partnership assets shall be recorded as the property of the Partnership in its books and records, irrespective of the name in which record title to such Partnership assets is held. The General Partner covenants and agrees that at the Closing Date, the Partnership Group shall have all licenses, permits, certificates, franchises, or other governmental authorizations or permits necessary for the ownership of their properties or for the conduct of their businesses, except for such licenses, permits, certificates, franchises, or other governmental authorizations or permits, failure to have obtained which will not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Partnership Group.
6.12 PURCHASE OR SALE OF UNITS. The General Partner may cause the Partnership to purchase or otherwise acquire Units; provided that, except as permitted pursuant to Section 11.6, the General Partner may not cause the Partnership to purchase Subordinated Units during the Subordination Period. As long as Units are held by any Group Member, such Units shall not be considered Outstanding for any purpose, except as otherwise provided herein. The General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner may also purchase or otherwise acquire and sell or otherwise dispose of Units for its own account, subject to the provisions of Articles XI and XII.

 

35


 

6.13 REGISTRATION RIGHTS OF AMERIGAS AND ITS AFFILIATES. (a) If (i) AmeriGas or any Affiliate of AmeriGas (including for purposes of this Section 6.13, any Person that is an Affiliate of AmeriGas at the date hereof notwithstanding that it may later cease to be an Affiliate of AmeriGas) holds Units or other Partnership Securities that it desires to sell and (ii) Rule 144 of the Securities Act (or any successor rule or regulation to Rule 144) or another exemption from registration is not available to enable such holder of Units (the “HOLDER”) to dispose of the number of Units or other securities it desires to sell at the time it desires to do so without registration under the Securities Act, then upon the request of AmeriGas or any of its Affiliates, the Partnership shall file with the Commission as promptly as practicable after receiving such request, and use all reasonable efforts to cause to become effective and remain effective for a period of not less than six months following its effective date or such shorter period as shall terminate when all Units or other Partnership Securities covered by such registration statement have been sold, a registration statement under the Securities Act registering the offering and sale of the number of Units or other securities specified by the Holder; provided, however, that the Partnership shall not be required to effect more than three registrations pursuant to this Section 6.13(a); and provided further, however, that if the Audit Committee determines in its good faith judgment that a postponement of the requested registration for up to six months would be in the best interests of the Partnership and its Partners due to a pending transaction, investigation or other event, the filing of such registration statement or the effectiveness thereof may be deferred for up to six months, but not thereafter. In connection with any registration pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence, the Partnership shall promptly prepare and file (x) such documents as may be necessary to register or qualify the securities subject to such registration under the securities laws of such states as the Holder shall reasonably request; provided, however, that no such qualification shall be required in any jurisdiction where, as a result thereof, the Partnership would become subject to general service of process or to taxation or qualification to do business as a foreign corporation or partnership doing business in such jurisdiction, and (y) such documents as may be necessary to apply for listing or to list the securities subject to such registration on such National Securities Exchange as the Holder shall reasonably request, and do any and all other acts and things that may reasonably be necessary or advisable to enable the Holder to consummate a public sale of such Units in such states. Except as set forth in Section 6.13(c), all costs and expenses of any such registration and offering (other than the underwriting discounts and commissions) shall be paid by the Partnership, without reimbursement by the Holder.
(b) If the Partnership shall at any time propose to file a registration statement under the Securities Act for an offering of equity securities of the Partnership for cash (other than an offering relating solely to an employee benefit plan), the Partnership shall use all reasonable efforts to include such number or amount of securities held by the Holder in such registration statement as the Holder shall request. If the proposed offering pursuant to this Section 6.13(b) shall be an underwritten offering, then, in the event that the managing underwriter of such offering advises the Partnership and the Holder in writing that in its opinion the inclusion of all or some of the Holder’s securities would adversely and materially affect the success of the offering, the Partnership shall include in such offering only that number or amount, if any, of securities held by the Holder which, in the opinion of the managing underwriter, will not so adversely and materially affect the offering. Except as set forth in Section 6.13(c), all costs and expenses of any such registration and offering (other than the underwriting discounts and commissions) shall be paid by the Partnership, without reimbursement by the Holder.

 

36


 

(c) If underwriters are engaged in connection with any registration referred to in this Section 6.13, the Partnership shall provide indemnification, representations, covenants, opinions and other assurance to the underwriters in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such underwriters. Further, in addition to and not in limitation of the Partnership’s obligation under Section 6.7, the Partnership shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify and hold harmless the Holder, its officers, directors and each Person who controls the Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) and any agent thereof (collectively, “INDEMNIFIED PERSONS”) against any losses, claims, demands, actions, causes of action, assessments, damages, liabilities (joint or several), costs and expenses (including interest, penalties and reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements), resulting to, imposed upon, or incurred by the Indemnified Persons, directly or indirectly, under the Securities Act or otherwise (hereinafter referred to in this Section 6.13(c) as a “CLAIM” and in the plural as “CLAIMS”), based upon, arising out of, or resulting from any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any registration statement under which any Units were registered under the Securities Act or any state securities or Blue Sky laws, in any preliminary prospectus (if used prior to the effective date of such registration statement), or in any summary or final prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto (if used during the period the Partnership is required to keep the registration statement current), or arising out of, based upon or resulting from the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein not misleading; provided, however, that the Partnership shall not be liable to any Indemnified Person to the extent that any such claim arises out of, is based upon or results from an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in such registration statement, such preliminary, summary or final prospectus or such amendment or supplement, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Partnership by or on behalf of such Indemnified Person specifically for use in the preparation thereof.
(d) The provisions of Section 6.13(a) and 6.13(b) shall continue to be applicable with respect to AmeriGas (and any of AmeriGas’ Affiliates) after it ceases to be a Partner of the Partnership, during a period of two years subsequent to the effective date of such cessation and for so long thereafter as is required for the Holder to sell all of the Units or other securities of the Partnership with respect to which it has requested during such two-year period that a registration statement be filed; provided, however, that the Partnership shall not be required to file successive registration statements covering the same securities for which registration was demanded during such two-year period. The provisions of Section 6.13(c) shall continue in effect thereafter.
(e) Any request to register Partnership Securities pursuant to this Section 6.13 shall (i) specify the Partnership Securities intended to be offered and sold by the Person making the request, (ii) express such Person’s present intent to offer such shares for distribution, (iii) describe the nature or method of the proposed offer and sale of Partnership Securities, and (iv) contain the undertaking of such Person to provide all such information and materials and take all action as may be required in order to permit the Partnership to comply with all applicable requirements in connection with the registration of such Partnership Securities.

 

37


 

6.14 RELIANCE BY THIRD PARTIES. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Person dealing with the Partnership shall be entitled to assume that the General Partner and any officer of the Partnership authorized by the General Partner to act on behalf and in the name of the Partnership has full power and authority to encumber, sell or otherwise use in any manner any and all assets of the Partnership and to enter into any contracts on behalf of the Partnership, and such Person shall be entitled to deal with the General Partner or any such officer as if it were the Partnership’s sole party in interest, both legally and beneficially. Each Limited Partner hereby waives any and all defenses or other remedies that may be available against such Person to contest, negate or disaffirm any action of the General Partner or any such officer in connection with any such dealing. In no event shall any Person dealing with the General Partner or any such officer or its representatives be obligated to ascertain that the terms of the Agreement have been complied with or to inquire into the necessity or expedience of any act or action of the General Partner or any such officer or its representatives. Each and every certificate, document or other instrument executed on behalf of the Partnership by the General Partner or any such officer or its representatives shall be conclusive evidence in favor of any and every Person relying thereon or claiming thereunder that (a) at the time of the execution and delivery of such certificate, document or instrument, this Agreement was in full force and effect, (b) the Person executing and delivering such certificate, document or instrument was duly authorized and empowered to do so for and on behalf of the Partnership and (c) such certificate, document or instrument was duly executed and delivered in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement and is binding upon the Partnership.
ARTICLE VII
RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF LIMITED PARTNERS
7.1 LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. The Limited Partners, the Organizational Limited Partner and the Assignees shall have no liability under this Agreement except as expressly provided in this Agreement or the Delaware Act.
7.2 MANAGEMENT OF BUSINESS. No Limited Partner or Assignee (other than the General Partner, any of its Affiliates or any officer, director, employee, partner, agent or trustee of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, in its capacity as such, if such Person shall also be a Limited Partner or Assignee) shall participate in the operation, management or control (within the meaning of the Delaware Act) of the Partnership’s business, transact any business in the Partnership’s name or have the power to sign documents for or otherwise bind the Partnership. The transaction of any such business by the General Partner, any of its Affiliates or any officer, director, employee, partner, agent or trustee of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, in its capacity as such, shall not affect, impair or eliminate the limitations on the liability of the Limited Partners or Assignees under this Agreement.
7.3 OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES. Subject to the provisions of Section 6.5, which shall continue to be applicable to the Persons referred to therein, regardless of whether such Persons shall also be Limited Partners or Assignees, any Limited Partner or Assignee shall be entitled to and may have business interests and engage in business activities in addition to those relating to the Partnership, including business interests and activities in direct competition with the Partnership Group. Neither the Partnership nor any of the other Partners or Assignees shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement in any business ventures of any Limited Partner or Assignee.

 

38


 

7.4 RETURN OF CAPITAL. No Limited Partner or Assignee shall be entitled to the withdrawal or return of its Contribution, except to the extent, if any, that distributions made pursuant to this Agreement or upon termination of the Partnership may be considered as such by law and then only to the extent provided for in this Agreement. Except to the extent provided by Article V or as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, no Limited Partner or Assignee shall have priority over any other Limited Partner or Assignee either as to the return of Contributions or as to profits, losses or distributions. Any such return shall be a compromise to which all Partners and Assignees agree within the meaning of Section 17-502(b) of the Delaware Act.
7.5 RIGHTS OF LIMITED PARTNERS TO THE PARTNERSHIP. (a) In addition to other rights provided by this Agreement or by applicable law, and except as limited by Section 7.5(b), each Limited Partner shall have the right, for a purpose reasonably related to such Limited Partner’s interest as a limited partner in the Partnership, upon reasonable demand and at such Limited Partner’s own expense:
(i) to obtain true and full information regarding the status of the business and financial condition of the Partnership;
(ii) promptly after becoming available, to obtain a copy of the Partnership’s federal, state and local tax returns for each year;
(iii) to have furnished to him, upon notification of the General Partner, a current list of the name and last known business, residence or mailing address of each Partner;
(iv) to have furnished to him, upon notification to the General Partner, a copy of this Agreement and the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all amendments thereto, together with a copy of the executed copies of all powers of attorney pursuant to which this Agreement, the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all amendments thereto have been executed;
(v) to obtain true and full information regarding the amount of cash and a description and statement of the Net Agreed Value of any other Contribution by each Partner and which each Partner has agreed to contribute in the future, and the date on which each became a Partner; and
(vi) to obtain such other information regarding the affairs of the Partnership as is just and reasonable.
(b) The General Partner may keep confidential from the Limited Partners and Assignees, for such period of time as the General Partner deems reasonable, (i) any information that the General Partner reasonably believes to be in the nature of trade secrets or (ii) other information the disclosure of which the General Partner in good faith believes (A) is not in the best interests of the Partnership Group, (B) could damage the Partnership Group or (C) that any Group Member is required by law or by agreements with third parties to keep confidential (other than agreements with Affiliates the primary purpose of which is to circumvent the obligations set forth in this Section 7.5).

 

39


 

ARTICLE VIII
BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS
8.1 RECORDS AND ACCOUNTING. The General Partner shall keep or cause to be kept at the principal office of the Partnership appropriate books and records with respect to the Partnership’s business, including all books and records necessary to provide to the Limited Partners any information required to be provided pursuant to Section 7.5(a). Any books and records maintained by or on behalf of the Partnership in the regular course of its business, including the record of the Record Holders and Assignees of Units or other Partnership Securities, books of account and records of Partnership proceedings, may be kept on, or be in the form of, computer disks, hard drives, punch cards, magnetic tape, photographs, micrographics or any other information storage device, provided, that the books and records so maintained are convertible into clearly legible written form within a reasonable period of time. The books of the Partnership shall be maintained, for financial reporting purposes, on an accrual basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
8.2 FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year of the Partnership for financial accounting purposes shall be October 1 to September 30.
8.3 REPORTS. (a) As soon as practicable, but in no event later than 120 days after the close of each fiscal year of the Partnership, the General Partner shall cause to be furnished or made available to each Record Holder of a Unit as of a date selected by the General Partner in its sole discretion, in a manner (including posting on or accessible through the Partnership’s website) permitted by applicable law, rule or regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission or of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed for trading, an annual report containing financial statements of the Partnership for such fiscal year of the Partnership, presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, including a balance sheet and statements of operations, Partners’ equity and cash flows, such statements to be audited by a firm of independent public accountants selected by the General Partner.
(b) As soon as practicable, but in no event later than 90 days after the close of each Quarter, except the last Quarter of each fiscal year, the General Partner shall cause to be furnished or made available to each Record Holder of a Unit as of a date selected by the General Partner in its sole discretion, in a manner (including posting on or accessible through the Partnership’s website) permitted by applicable law, rule or regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission or of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed for trading, unaudited selected summary financial information of the Partnership for such Quarter and such other information as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.

 

40


 

ARTICLE IX
TAX MATTERS
9.1 TAX ALLOCATIONS. The Partnership shall allocate all taxable items of income, deduction, and credit of the Partnership among the Partners Pro Rata at the time such items are taken into account by the Partnership, subject to the following:
(a) Non-Pro Rata Operating Distributions. For any quarter in which the per-Unit amount to be distributed in respect of Common Units as of a Record Date exceeds the per-Unit amount to be distributed in respect of Subordinated Units as of such Record Date, income of the Partnership for such Quarter otherwise allocable to Unitholders Pro Rata shall be allocated in respect of the Common Units in an amount equal to such excess.
(b) Non-Pro Rata Liquidating Distributions. If the per-Unit amounts distributable in liquidation pursuant to Section 5.6 in respect of the Common Units exceeds the per-Unit amount distributable in respect of the Subordinated Units, income shall be allocated to the Common Units, and deductions shall be allocated to the Subordinated Units until the net income per-Unit allocated to the Common Units exceeds the net income per-Unit allocated to the Subordinated Units by an amount equal to such excess.
(c) Incentive General Partner Distributions. For any Quarter in respect of which the amount distributed to the General Partner exceeds 1% of total distributions, income of the Partnership for such Quarter and any subsequent Quarter that would otherwise be allocated to the Partners Pro Rata shall be allocated to the General Partner in an amount equal to such excess.
(d) Special Intangibles Allocation. There shall be allocated to the General Partner all deductions attributable to the ownership of, and any gain or loss on the distribution or other disposition of, the 1989 Customer List and the rights of the Partnership Group to use without cost the “FAST” propane purchase optimization and fuel accounting system, the trademark, trade name, or similar intangible rights of Petrolane, the General Partner or its other Affiliates.
(e) Section 754 Election. Income and deductions of the Partnership that are attributable to the Section 754 Election (“754 allocations”) shall be allocated to the Partners entitled thereto. However, if the amounts allocable to the Unitholder depend on the person from whom he bought his Units, the Unitholder will be responsible for tracing Unit ownership. Otherwise, the General Partner may make such assumption as it decides is appropriate in computing the Unitholder’s 754 allocations.
(f) Assignor-Assignee Allocations. Taxable items attributable to a Unit that is assigned during a year shall be allocated between the assignor and assignee of such Unit in accordance with the method selected from time to time by the General Partner.

 

41


 

(g) Contributed Property. Income and deductions attributable to each property contributed to the Partnership shall be shared among the Partners so as to take into account the variation between the tax basis of such property to the Partnership at the time of contribution and its fair market value at such time (“704(c) allocations”). In addition, the General Partner will make curative allocations permitted by the Code with respect to the assets contributed to the Partnership on the Closing Date to the extent that the General Partner determines, as of the Closing Date and in light of the General Partner’s estimates of its other income and deductions and its expected distributions, are necessary to cause the cumulative taxable income allocated in respect of the Common Units during the first four taxable years of the Partnership not to exceed 30% of the cumulative distributions in respect of such Units during such period. Subject to the foregoing, the General Partner will from time to time make curative, remedial, or reverse 704(c) allocations that are permitted but not required by the Code only if and to the extent that the General Partner determines that one or more such allocations are in the best interest of the Partnership and will not cause material adverse tax consequences to the General Partner. In any event, the General Partner may change the method if necessary to avoid or settle a controversy with the Internal Revenue Service.
(h) General Partner Authority. The General Partner may change any of the above allocations if and to the extent it determines that such change is required by the Code. Moreover, if, as to one or more classes of tax items, the General Partner determines that more than one method is permitted or that the correct method is uncertain, the General Partner may adopt such method for reporting purposes that it thinks is in the best interest of the Partnership, taking into account ease of administration, the desire to match taxable income and deductions with economic income and deductions, the economic interests of the Partners in the Partnership, and the risk of proposed adjustments by the Internal Revenue Service and the consequences thereof.
9.2 TAX RETURNS AND INFORMATION. The General Partner shall timely file all returns of the Partnership that are required for federal, state and local income tax purposes on the basis of the accrual method and a taxable year ending on December 31. The General Partner shall use all reasonable efforts to furnish all Record Holders the tax information reasonably required by them for federal and state income tax reporting purposes with respect to a taxable year within 90 days of the close of the calendar year in which the Partnership’s taxable year ends.
9.3 TAX ELECTIONS.
(a) The Partnership shall make the Section 754 Election in accordance with applicable regulations thereunder, subject to the reservation of the right to seek to revoke any such election upon the General Partner’s determination that such revocation is in the best interests of the Limited Partners.
(b) The Partnership shall elect to deduct expenses incurred in organizing the Partnership ratably over a sixty-month period as provided in Section 709 of the Code.
(c) Except as otherwise provided herein, the General Partner shall determine whether the Partnership should make any other elections permitted by the Code.
9.4 TAX CONTROVERSIES. Subject to the provisions hereof, the General Partner is designated as the Tax Matters Partner (as defined in the Code) and is authorized and required to represent the Partnership (at the Partnership’s expense) in connection with all examinations of the Partnership’s affairs by tax authorities, including resulting administrative and judicial proceedings, and to expend Partnership funds for professional services and costs associated therewith. Each Partner agrees to cooperate with the General Partner and to do or refrain from doing any or all things reasonably required by the General Partner to conduct such proceedings.

 

42


 

ARTICLE X
CERTIFICATES
10.1 CERTIFICATES. Upon the Partnership’s issuance of Common Units or Subordinated Units to any Person, the Partnership shall issue, upon the request of such Person, one or more Certificates in the name of such Person evidencing the number of such Units being so issued. Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Partnership by the General Partner. No Common Unit Certificate shall be valid for any purpose until it has been countersigned by the Transfer Agent; provided , however , that if the General Partner elects to issue Common Units in global form, the Common Unit Certificates shall be valid upon receipt of a certificate from the Transfer Agent certifying that the Common Units have been duly registered in accordance with the directions of the Partnership. The Partners holding Certificates evidencing Subordinated Units may exchange such Certificates for Certificates evidencing Common Units on or after the date on which such Subordinated Units are converted into Common Units pursuant to the terms of Section 4.6. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 10.1 or any other provision of this Agreement, the Partnership may allow interests in Common Units and any other Units listed for trading on a National Securities Exchange to be recorded and maintained in a Book-Entry System without the issuance of a Certificate.
10.2 REGISTRATION, REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE. (a) The General Partner shall cause to be kept on behalf of the Partnership a register in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe and subject to the provisions of Section 10.2(b), the General Partner will provide for the registration and transfer of Units. The Transfer Agent is hereby appointed registrar and transfer agent for the purpose of registering Units and transfers of such Units as herein provided. The Partnership shall not recognize transfers of Certificates representing Units, or transfers of Units recorded in a Book-Entry System, unless such transfers are effected in the manner described in this Section 10.2. Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Units evidenced by a Certificate, and subject to the provisions of Section 10.2(b), the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership shall execute, and the Transfer Agent shall countersign and deliver, in the name of the holder or the designated transferee or transferees, if and as required pursuant to the holder’s instructions, one or more new Certificates evidencing the same aggregate number of Units as was evidenced by the Certificate so surrendered.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in Section 11.5, the Partnership shall not recognize any transfer of Units until the Certificates evidencing such Units, if any, are surrendered for registration of transfer and such Certificates, or a request for transfer of such Units made in accordance with the rules of the Book-Entry System, are accompanied by a Transfer Application duly executed by the transferee (or the transferee’s attorney-in-fact duly authorized in writing). No charge shall be imposed by the Partnership for such transfer; provided, that as a condition to the issuance of any new Certificate or to a transfer of Units recorded in a Book-Entry System under this Section 10.2, the General Partner may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed with respect thereto.

 

43


 

10.3 MUTILATED, DESTROYED, LOST OR STOLEN CERTIFICATES. (a) If any mutilated Certificate is surrendered to the Transfer Agent, the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership shall execute, and upon its request the Transfer Agent shall countersign and deliver in exchange therefor, a new Certificate evidencing the same number of Units as the Certificate so surrendered.
(b) The General Partner on behalf of the Partnership shall execute, and upon its request the Transfer Agent shall countersign and deliver a new Certificate in place of any Certificate previously issued if the Record Holder of the Certificate:
(i) makes proof by affidavit, in form and substance satisfactory to the General Partner, that a previously issued Certificate has been lost, destroyed or stolen;
(ii) requests the issuance of a new Certificate before the Partnership has notice that the Certificate has been acquired by a purchaser for value in good faith and without notice of an adverse claim;
(iii) if requested by the General Partner, delivers to the Partnership a bond, in form and substance satisfactory to the General Partner, with surety or sureties and with fixed or open penalty as the General Partner may reasonably direct, in its sole discretion, to indemnify the Partnership, the General Partner and the Transfer Agent against any claim that may be made on account of the alleged loss, destruction or theft of the Certificate; and
(iv) satisfies any other reasonable requirements imposed by the General Partner.
If a Limited Partner or Assignee fails to notify the Partnership within a reasonable time after he has notice of the loss, destruction or theft of a Certificate, and a transfer of the Units represented by the Certificate is registered before the Partnership, the General Partner or the Transfer Agent receives such notification, the Limited Partner or Assignee shall be precluded from making any claim against the Partnership, the General Partner or the Transfer Agent for such transfer or for a new Certificate.
(c) As a condition to the issuance of any new Certificate under this Section 10.3, the General Partner may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Transfer Agent) reasonably connected therewith.
10.4 RECORD HOLDER. In accordance with Section 10.2(b), the Partnership shall be entitled to recognize the Record Holder as the Limited Partner or Assignee with respect to any Units and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such Units on the part of any other Person, regardless of whether the Partnership shall have actual or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by law or any applicable rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed for trading. Without limiting the foregoing, when a Person (such as a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation or an agent of any of the foregoing) is acting as nominee, agent or in some other representative capacity for another Person in acquiring and/or holding Units, as between the Partnership on the one hand, and such other Persons, on the other, such representative Person (a) shall be the Limited Partner or Assignee (as the case may be) of record and beneficially, (b) must execute and deliver a Transfer Application and (c) shall be bound by this Agreement and shall have the rights and obligations of a Limited Partner or Assignee (as the case may be) hereunder and as provided for herein.

 

44


 

ARTICLE XI
TRANSFER OF INTERESTS
11.1 TRANSFER. (a) The term “transfer,” when used in this Article XI with respect to a Partnership Interest, shall be deemed to refer to a transaction by which the General Partner assigns its Partnership Interest as a general partner in the Partnership to another Person or by which the holder of a Unit assigns such Unit to another Person who is or becomes an Assignee, and includes a sale, assignment, gift, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation, mortgage, exchange or any other disposition by law or otherwise.
(b) No Partnership Interest shall be transferred, in whole or in part, except in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Article XI. Any transfer or purported transfer of a Partnership Interest not made in accordance with this Article XI shall be null and void.
(c) Nothing contained in this Article XI shall be construed to prevent a disposition by the parent entity of the General Partner of any or all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the General Partner.
(d) Nothing contained in this Article XI, or elsewhere in this Partnership Agreement, shall preclude the settlement of any transactions involving Common Units entered into through the facilities of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units listed for trading.
11.2 TRANSFER OF A GENERAL PARTNER’S PARTNERSHIP INTEREST. Except for a transfer by the General Partner of all, but not less than all, of its Partnership Interest as a general partner in the Partnership to (a) an Affiliate of the General Partner or (b) another Person in connection with the merger or consolidation of the General Partner with or into another Person, the transfer by the General Partner of all or any part of its Partnership Interest as a general partner in the Partnership to a Person prior to December 31, 2004 shall be subject to the prior approval of holders of at least a Unit Majority. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no transfer by the General Partner of all or any part of its Partnership Interest as a general partner in the Partnership to another Person shall be permitted unless (i) the transferee agrees to assume the rights and duties of the General Partner under this Agreement and the Operating Partnership Agreement and to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement and the Operating Partnership Agreement, (ii) the Partnership receives an Opinion of Counsel that such transfer would not result in the loss of limited liability of any Limited Partner or of any limited partner of any Group Member or cause any Group Member to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes and (iii) such transferee also agrees to purchase all (or the appropriate portion thereof, if applicable) of the partnership interest of the General Partner as the general partner of each Group Member. In the case of a transfer pursuant to and in compliance with this Section 11.2, the transferee or successor (as the case may be) shall, subject to compliance with the terms of Section 12.3, be admitted to the Partnership as a General Partner immediately prior to the transfer of the Partnership Interest, and the business of the Partnership shall continue without dissolution.

 

45


 

11.3 TRANSFER OF UNITS. (a) Units may be transferred only in the manner described in Section 10.2. The transfer of any Units and the admission of any new Partner shall not constitute an amendment to this Agreement.
(b) Until admitted as a Substituted Limited Partner pursuant to Article XII, the Record Holder of a Unit shall be an Assignee in respect of such Unit. Limited Partners may include custodians, nominees, or any other individual or entity in its own or any representative capacity.
(c) Each distribution in respect of Units shall be paid by the Partnership, directly or through the Transfer Agent or through any other Person or agent, only to the Record Holders thereof as of the Record Date set for the distribution. Such payment shall constitute full payment and satisfaction of the Partnership’s liability in respect of such payment, regardless of any claim of any Person who may have an interest in such payment by reason of an assignment or otherwise.
(d) A transferee who has completed and delivered a Transfer Application shall be deemed to have (i) requested admission as a Substituted Limited Partner, (ii) agreed to comply with and be bound by and to have executed this Agreement, (iii) represented and warranted that such transferee has the right, power and authority and, if an individual, the capacity to enter into this Agreement, (iv) granted the powers of attorney set forth in this Agreement and (v) given the consents and approvals and made the waivers contained in this Agreement.
11.4 RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERS. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Article XI, no transfer of any Unit or interest therein of any Limited Partner or Assignee shall be made if such transfer would (a) violate the then applicable federal or state securities laws or rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities commission or any other governmental authorities with jurisdiction over such transfer, (b) affect any Group Member’s existence or qualification as a limited partnership under the laws of the jurisdiction of its formation, or (c) result in entity-level taxation for federal income tax purposes of the Partnership or the Operating Partnership.
11.5 CITIZENSHIP CERTIFICATES; NON-CITIZEN ASSIGNEES. (a) If any Group Member is or becomes subject to any federal, state or local law or regulation that, in the reasonable determination of the General Partner, creates a substantial risk of cancellation or forfeiture of any property in which the Group Member has an interest based on the nationality, citizenship or other related status of a Limited Partner or Assignee, the General Partner may request any Limited Partner or Assignee to furnish to the General Partner, within 30 days after receipt of such request, an executed Citizenship Certification or such other information concerning his nationality, citizenship or other related status (or, if the Limited Partner or Assignee is a nominee holding for the account of another Person, the nationality, citizenship or other related status of such Person) as the General Partner may request. If a Limited Partner or Assignee fails to furnish to the General Partner within the aforementioned 30-day period such Citizenship Certification or other requested information or if upon receipt of such Citizenship Certification or other requested information the General Partner determines, with the advice of counsel, that a Limited Partner or Assignee is not an Eligible Citizen, the Units owned by such Limited Partner or Assignee shall be subject to redemption in accordance with the provisions of Section 11.6. In addition, the General Partner may require that the status of any such Limited Partner or Assignee be changed to that of a Non-citizen Assignee and, thereupon, the General Partner shall be substituted for such Non-citizen Assignee as the Limited Partner in respect of his Units.

 

46


 

(b) The General Partner shall, in exercising voting rights in respect of Units held by it on behalf of Non-citizen Assignees, distribute the votes in the same ratios as the votes of Limited Partners in respect of Units other than those of Non-citizen Assignees are cast, either for, against or abstaining as to the matter.
(c) Upon dissolution of the Partnership, a Non-citizen Assignee shall have no right to receive a distribution in kind pursuant to Section 14.4 but shall be entitled to the cash equivalent thereof, and the General Partner shall provide cash in exchange for an assignment of the Non-citizen Assignee’s share of the distribution in kind. Such payment and assignment shall be treated for Partnership purposes as a purchase by the General Partner from the Non-citizen Assignee of his Partnership Interest (representing his right to receive his share of such distribution in kind).
(d) At any time after he can and does certify that he has become an Eligible Citizen, a Non-citizen Assignee may, upon application to the General Partner, request admission as a Substituted Limited Partner with respect to any Units of such Non-citizen Assignee not redeemed pursuant to Section 11.6, and upon his admission pursuant to Section 12.2, the General Partner shall cease to be deemed to be the Limited Partner in respect of the Non-citizen Assignee’s Units.
11.6 REDEMPTION OF INTERESTS. (a) If at any time a Limited Partner or Assignee fails to furnish a Citizenship Certification or other information requested within the 30-day period specified in Section 11.5(a), or if upon receipt of such Citizenship Certification or other information the General Partner determines, with the advice of counsel, that a Limited Partner or Assignee is not an Eligible Citizen, the Partnership may, unless the Limited Partner or Assignee establishes to the satisfaction of the General Partner that such Limited Partner or Assignee is an Eligible Citizen or has transferred his Units to a Person who furnishes a Citizenship Certification to the General Partner prior to the date fixed for redemption as provided below, redeem the Partnership Interest of such Limited Partner or Assignee as follows:
(i) The General Partner shall, not later than the 30th day before the date fixed for redemption, give notice of redemption to the Limited Partner or Assignee, at his last address designated on the records of the Partnership or the Transfer Agent, by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid. The notice shall be deemed to have been given when so mailed. The notice shall specify the Redeemable Units, the date fixed for redemption, the place of payment, that payment of the redemption price will be made upon the transfer of the Redeemable Units being reflected in the register of the Partnership or upon surrender of the Certificate evidencing the Redeemable Units (if such Redeemable Units are evidenced by a Certificate) and that on and after the date fixed for redemption no further allocations or distributions to which the Limited Partner or Assignee would otherwise be entitled in respect of the Redeemable Units will accrue or be made.

 

47


 

(ii) The aggregate redemption price for Redeemable Units shall be an amount equal to the Current Market Price (the date of determination of which shall be the date fixed for redemption) of Units of the class to be so redeemed multiplied by the number of Units of each such class included among the Redeemable Units. The redemption price shall be paid, in the sole discretion of the General Partner, in cash or by delivery of a promissory note of the Partnership in the principal amount of the redemption price, bearing interest at the rate of 10% annually and payable in three equal annual installments of principal together with accrued interest, commencing one year after the redemption date.
(iii) Upon surrender by or on behalf of the Limited Partner or Assignee, at the place specified in the notice of redemption, of the Certificate, if any, evidencing the Redeemable Units, duly endorsed in blank or accompanied by an assignment duly executed in blank, or upon the reflection of the redemption in the register of the Partnership, the Limited Partner or Assignee or his duly authorized representative shall be entitled to receive the payment therefor.
(iv) After the redemption date, Redeemable Units shall no longer constitute issued and Outstanding Units.
(b) The provisions of this Section 11.6 shall also be applicable to Units held by a Limited Partner or Assignee as nominee of a Person determined to be other than an Eligible Citizen.
(c) Nothing in this Section 11.6 shall prevent the recipient of a notice of redemption from transferring his Units before the redemption date if such transfer is otherwise permitted under this Agreement. Upon receipt of notice of such a transfer, the General Partner shall withdraw the notice of redemption, provided the transferee of such Units certifies in the Transfer Application that he is an Eligible Citizen. If the transferee fails to make such certification, such redemption shall be effected from the transferee on the original redemption date.
ARTICLE XII
ADMISSION OF PARTNERS
12.1 ADMISSION OF INITIAL LIMITED PARTNERS. Upon the issuance by the Partnership of Common Units and Subordinated Units to the General Partner and Petrolane as described in Section 4.2, the General Partner and Petrolane shall each be deemed to have been admitted to the Partnership as a Limited Partner in respect of the Common Units and the Subordinated Units issued to it. Upon the issuance by the Partnership of Common Units to the Underwriters as described in Section 4.2 in connection with the Initial Offering and the execution by each Underwriter of a Transfer Application, the General Partner shall admit the Underwriters to the Partnership as Initial Limited Partners in respect of the Common Units purchased by them.

 

48


 

12.2 ADMISSION OF SUBSTITUTED LIMITED PARTNERS. By transfer of a Unit in accordance with Article XI, the transferor shall be deemed to have given the transferee the right to seek admission as a Substituted Limited Partner subject to the conditions of, and in the manner permitted under, this Agreement. A transferor of a Certificate shall, however, only have the authority to convey to a purchaser or other transferee who does not execute and deliver a Transfer Application (a) the right to negotiate such Certificate to a purchaser or other transferee and (b) the right to transfer the right to request admission as a Substituted Limited Partner to such purchaser or other transferee in respect of the transferred Units. Each transferee of a Unit (including any nominee holder or an agent acquiring such Unit for the account of another Person) who executes and delivers a Transfer Application shall, by virtue of such execution and delivery, be an Assignee and be deemed to have applied to become a Substituted Limited Partner with respect to the Units so transferred to such Person. Such Assignee shall become a Substituted Limited Partner (x) at such time as the General Partner consents thereto, which consent may be given or withheld in the General Partner’s sole discretion, and (y) when any such admission is shown on the books and records of the Partnership. If such consent is withheld, such transferee shall be an Assignee. An Assignee shall have an interest in the Partnership equivalent to that of a Limited Partner with respect to allocations and distributions, including liquidating distributions, of the Partnership. With respect to voting rights attributable to Units that are held by Assignees, the General Partner shall be deemed to be the Limited Partner with respect thereto and shall, in exercising the voting rights in respect of such Units on any matter, vote such Units at the written direction of the Assignee who is the Record Holder of such Units. If no such written direction is received, such Units will not be voted. An Assignee shall have no other rights of a Limited Partner.
12.3 ADMISSION OF SUCCESSOR GENERAL PARTNER. A successor General Partner approved pursuant to Section 13.1 or 13.2 or the transferee of or successor to all of the General Partner’s Partnership Interest as a general partner in the Partnership pursuant to Section 11.2 who is proposed to be admitted as a successor General Partner shall be admitted to the Partnership as the General Partner, effective immediately prior to the withdrawal or removal of the General Partner pursuant to Section 13.1 or 13.2 or the transfer of the General Partner’s Partnership Interest as a general partner in the Partnership pursuant to Section 11.2; provided, however, that no such successor shall be admitted to the Partnership until compliance with the terms of Section 11.2 has occurred and such successor has executed and delivered such other documents or instruments as may be required to effect such admission. Any such successor shall, subject to the terms hereof, carry on the business of the Partnership and Operating Partnership without dissolution.
12.4 ADMISSION OF ADDITIONAL LIMITED PARTNERS. (a) A Person (other than the General Partner, an Initial Limited Partner or a Substituted Limited Partner) who makes a Contribution to the Partnership in accordance with this Agreement shall be admitted to the Partnership as an Additional Limited Partner only upon furnishing to the General Partner (i) evidence of acceptance in form satisfactory to the General Partner of all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including the power of attorney granted in Section 1.4, and (ii) such other documents or instruments as may be required in the discretion of the General Partner to effect such Person’s admission as an Additional Limited Partner.
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 12.4, no Person shall be admitted as an Additional Limited Partner without the consent of the General Partner, which consent may be given or withheld in the General Partner’s sole discretion. The admission of any Person as an Additional Limited Partner shall become effective on the date upon which the name of such Person is recorded as such in the books and records of the Partnership, following the consent of the General Partner to such admission.

 

49


 

12.5 AMENDMENT OF AGREEMENT AND CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP. To effect the admission to the Partnership of any Partner, the General Partner shall take all steps necessary and appropriate under the Delaware Act to amend the records of the Partnership to reflect such admission and, if necessary, to prepare as soon as practical an amendment of this Agreement and, if required by law, to prepare and file an amendment to the Certificate of Limited Partnership, and the General Partner may for this purpose, among others, exercise the power of attorney granted pursuant to Section 1.4.
ARTICLE XIII
WITHDRAWAL OR REMOVAL OF PARTNERS
13.1 WITHDRAWAL OF THE GENERAL PARTNER. (a) The General Partner shall be deemed to have withdrawn from the Partnership upon the occurrence of any one of the following events (each such event herein referred to as an “EVENT OF WITHDRAWAL”);
(i) the General Partner voluntarily withdraws from the Partnership by giving written notice to the other Partners (and it shall be deemed that the General Partner has withdrawn pursuant to this Section 13.l(a)(i) if the General Partner voluntarily withdraws as general partner of the Operating Partnership);
(ii) the General Partner transfers all of its rights as General Partner pursuant to Section 11.2;
(iii) the General Partner is removed pursuant to Section 13.2;
(iv) the General Partner (A) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; (B) files a voluntary bankruptcy petition for relief under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code; (C) files a petition or answer seeking for itself a liquidation, dissolution or similar relief (but not a reorganization) under any law; (D) files an answer or other pleading admitting or failing to contest the material allegations of a petition filed against the General Partner in a proceeding of the type described in clauses (A)-(C) of this Section 13.1(a)(iv); or (E) seeks, consents to or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee (but not a debtor in possession), receiver or liquidator of the General Partner or of all or any substantial part of its properties;
(v) a final and non-appealable order of relief under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code is entered by a court with appropriate jurisdiction pursuant to a voluntary or involuntary petition by or against the General Partner; or
(vi) a certificate of dissolution or its equivalent is filed for the General Partner, or 90 days expire after the date of notice to the General Partner of revocation of its charter without a reinstatement of its charter, under the laws of its state of incorporation.
If an Event of Withdrawal specified in Section 13.1(a)(iv), (v) or (vi) occurs, the withdrawing General Partner shall give notice to the Limited Partners within 30 days after such occurrence. The Partners hereby agree that only the Events of Withdrawal described in this Section 13.1 shall result in the withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership.

 

50


 

(b) Withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership upon the occurrence of an Event of Withdrawal shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement under the following circumstances: (i) at any time during the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending at 12:00 midnight, Eastern Standard Time, on December 31, 2004, the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days’ advance notice of its intention to withdraw to the Limited Partners, provided that prior to the effective date of such withdrawal, the withdrawal is approved by Limited Partners holding at least a Unit Majority and the General Partner delivers to the Partnership an Opinion of Counsel (“WITHDRAWAL OPINION OF COUNSEL”) that such withdrawal (following the selection of the successor General Partner) would not result in the loss of the limited liability of any Limited Partner or of the limited partner of any Group Member or cause any Group Member to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes; (ii) at any time after 12:00 midnight, Eastern Standard Time, on December 31, 2004, the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days’ advance notice to the Limited Partners, such withdrawal to take effect on the date specified in such notice; (iii) at any time that the General Partner ceases to be a General Partner pursuant to Section 13.1(a)(ii) or is removed pursuant to Section 13.2; or (iv) notwithstanding clause (i) of this sentence, at any time that the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days’ advance notice of its intention to withdraw to the Limited Partners, such withdrawal to take effect on the date specified in the notice, if at the time such notice is given one Person and its Affiliates (other than the General Partner and its Affiliates) own beneficially or of record or control at least 50% of the Outstanding Units. The withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership upon the occurrence of an Event of Withdrawal shall also constitute the withdrawal of the General Partner as general partner of the other Group Members. If the General Partner gives a notice of withdrawal pursuant to Section 13.1(a)(i), holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Units (excluding for purposes of such determination Units owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates) may, prior to the effective date of such withdrawal, elect a successor General Partner. The Person so elected as successor General Partner shall automatically become the successor general partner of the other Group Members. If, prior to the effective date of the General Partner’s withdrawal, a successor is not selected by the Limited Partners as provided herein or the Partnership does not receive a Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel, the Partnership shall be dissolved in accordance with Section 14.1. Any successor General Partner elected in accordance with the terms of this Section 13.1 shall be subject to the provisions of Section 12.3.
13.2 REMOVAL OF THE GENERAL PARTNER. The General Partner may be removed if such removal is approved by Limited Partners holding at least two-thirds of the Outstanding Units. Any such action by such Limited Partners for removal of the General Partner must also provide for the election of a successor General Partner by Limited Partners holding at least a majority of the Outstanding Units. Such removal shall be effective immediately following the admission of a successor General Partner pursuant to Article XII. The removal of the General Partner shall also automatically constitute the removal of the General Partner as general partner of the other Group Members. If a person is elected as a successor General Partner in accordance with the terms of this Section 13.2, such person shall, upon admission pursuant to Article XII, automatically become the successor general partner of the other Group Members. The right of the Limited Partners holding Outstanding Units to remove the General Partner shall not exist or be exercised unless the Partnership has received an opinion opining as to the matters covered by a Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel. Any successor General Partner elected in accordance with the terms of this Section 13.2 shall be subject to the provisions of Section 12.3.

 

51


 

13.3 INTEREST OF DEPARTING PARTNER AND SUCCESSOR GENERAL PARTNER. (a) In the event of (i) withdrawal of the General Partner under circumstances where such withdrawal does not violate this Agreement or (ii) removal of the General Partner by the Limited Partners under circumstances where Cause does not exist, if a successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section 13.1 or 13.2, the Departing Partner shall have the option exercisable prior to the effective date of the departure of such Departing Partner to require its successor to purchase its Partnership Interest as a general partner in the Partnership and its partnership interest as the general partner in the other Group Members (collectively, the “COMBINED INTEREST”) in exchange for an amount in cash equal to the fair market value of such Combined Interest, such amount to be determined and payable as of the effective date of its departure. If the General Partner is removed by the Limited Partners under circumstances where Cause exists or if the General Partner withdraws under circumstances where such withdrawal violates this agreement, and if a successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section 13.1 or 13.2, such successor shall have the option, exercisable prior to the effective date of the departure of such Departing Partner, to purchase the Combined Interest of the Departing Partner for such fair market value of such Combined Interest. In either event, the Departing Partner shall be entitled to receive all reimbursements due such Departing Partner pursuant to Section 6.4, including any employee-related liabilities (including severance liabilities), incurred in connection with the termination of any employees employed by the General Partner for the benefit of the Partnership or the other Group Members.
For purposes of this Section 13.3(a), the fair market value of the Departing Partner’s Combined Interest shall be determined by agreement between the Departing Partner and its successor or, failing agreement within 30 days after the effective date of such Departing Partner’s departure, by an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert selected by the Departing Partner and its successor, which, in turn, may rely on other experts, and the determination of which shall be conclusive as to such matter. If such parties cannot agree upon one independent investment banking firm or other independent expert within 45 days after the effective date of such departure, then the Departing Partner shall designate an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert, the Departing Partner’s successor shall designate an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert, and such firms or experts shall mutually select a third independent investment banking firm or independent expert, which shall determine the fair market value of the Combined Interest. In making its determination, such independent investment banking firm or other independent expert shall consider the then current trading price of Units on any National Securities Exchange on which Units are then listed, the value of the Partnership’s assets, the rights and obligations of the General Partner and other factors it may deem relevant.

 

52


 

(b) If the Combined Interest is not purchased in the manner set forth in Section 13.3(a), the Departing Partner shall become a Limited Partner and the Combined Interest shall be converted into Common Units pursuant to a valuation made by an investment banking firm or other independent expert selected pursuant to Section 13.3(a), without reduction in such Partnership Interest (but subject to proportionate dilution by reason of the admission of its successor). Any successor General Partner shall indemnify the Departing Partner as to all debts and liabilities of the Partnership arising on or after the date on which the Departing Partner becomes a Limited Partner. For purposes of this Agreement, conversion of the General Partner’s Combined Interest to Common Units will be characterized as if the General Partner contributed its Combined Interest to the Partnership in exchange for the newly issued Common Units.
(c) If a successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section 13.1 or 13.2 and the option described in Section 13.3(a) is not exercised by the party entitled to do so, the successor General Partner shall, at the effective date of its admission to the Partnership, contribute to the Partnership cash in an amount equal to 1.01% of the Net Agreed Value of the Partnership’s assets on such date. In such event, such successor General Partner shall, subject to the following sentence, be entitled to such Percentage Interest of all Partnership allocations and distributions and any other allocations and distributions to which the Departing Partner was entitled. In addition, such successor General Partner shall cause this Agreement to be amended to reflect that, from and after the date of such successor General Partner’s admission, the successor General Partner’s interest in all Partnership distributions and allocations shall be 1%, and that of the holders of Outstanding Unit shall be 99%.
(d) If the General Partner is removed as general partner of the Partnership under circumstances where Cause does not exist, the General Partner will, at the option of the Partnership, license its proprietary propane purchase optimization and fuel accounting system, known as “FAST” (and any successor technology of a similar nature utilized in the day-to-day operations of the Partnership) to the Partnership on a royalty-free basis for a nine-month period. If the General Partner ceases to serve as the general partner of the Partnership for any other reason, such royalty-free licensing period will be increased to 36 months and thereafter the Partnership will have the option to continue licensing such technology upon payment of a fee equal to the fair market value of the license.
13.4 WITHDRAWAL OF LIMITED PARTNERS. No Limited Partner shall have any right to withdraw from the Partnership; provided, however, that when a transferee of a Limited Partner’s Units becomes a Record Holder, such transferring Limited Partner shall cease to be a Limited Partner with respect to the Units so transferred.

 

53


 

ARTICLE XIV
DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION
14.1 DISSOLUTION. The Partnership shall not be dissolved by the admission of Substituted Limited Partners or Additional Limited Partners or by the admission of a successor General Partner in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Upon the removal or withdrawal of the General Partner, if a successor General Partner is elected pursuant to Section 13.1 or 13.2, the Partnership shall not be dissolved and such successor General Partner shall continue the business of the Partnership. The Partnership shall dissolve, and (subject to Section 14.2) its affairs shall be wound up, upon:
(a) the expiration of its term as provided in Section 1.5;
(b) an Event of Withdrawal of the General Partner as provided in Section 13.1(a) (other than Section 13.1(a)(ii)), unless a successor is elected and an Opinion of Counsel is received as provided in Section 13.1(b) or 13.2 and such successor is admitted to the Partnership pursuant to Section 12.3;
(c) an election to dissolve the Partnership by the General Partner that is approved by holders of at least a Unit Majority;
(d) entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Act; or
(e) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets and properties of the Partnership Group.
14.2 CONTINUATION OF THE BUSINESS OF THE PARTNERSHIP AFTER DISSOLUTION. Upon (a) dissolution of the Partnership following an Event of Withdrawal caused by the withdrawal or removal of the General Partner as provided in Section 13.1(a)(i) or (iii) and the failure of the Partners to select a successor to such Departing Partner pursuant to Section 13.1 or 13.2, then within 90 days thereafter, or (b) dissolution of the Partnership upon an event constituting an Event of Withdrawal as defined in Section 13.1(a)(iv), (v) or (vi), then within 180 days thereafter, holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Units may elect to reconstitute the Partnership and continue its business on the same terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement by forming a new limited partnership on terms identical to those set forth in this Agreement and having as the successor general partner a Person approved by holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Units. Unless such an election is made within the applicable time period as set forth above, the Partnership shall conduct only activities necessary to wind up its affairs. If such an election is so made, then:
(i) the reconstituted Partnership shall continue until the end of the term set forth in Section 1.5 unless earlier dissolved in accordance with this Article XIV;
(ii) if the successor General Partner is not the former General Partner, then the interest of the former General Partner shall be dealt with in the manner provided in Section 13.3(b); and
(iii) all necessary steps shall be taken to cancel this Agreement and the Certificate of Limited Partnership and to enter into and, as necessary, to file a new partnership agreement and certificate of limited partnership, and the successor general partner may for this purpose exercise the powers of attorney granted the General Partner pursuant to Section 1.4; provided, that the right of holders of at least a majority of Outstanding Units to approve a successor General Partner and to reconstitute and to continue the business of the Partnership shall not exist and may not be exercised unless the Partnership has received an Opinion of Counsel that (x) the exercise of the right would not result in the loss of limited liability of any Limited Partner and (y) neither the Partnership, the reconstituted limited partnership nor any other Group Member would be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise be taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes upon the exercise of such right to continue.

 

54


 

14.3 LIQUIDATOR. Upon dissolution of the Partnership, unless the Partnership is continued under an election to reconstitute and continue the Partnership pursuant to Section 14.2, the General Partner, or in the event the dissolution is the result of an Event of Withdrawal, a liquidator or liquidating committee approved by holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Units, shall be the Liquidator. The Liquidator (if other than the General Partner) shall be entitled to receive such compensation for its services as may be approved by holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Units. The Liquidator shall agree not to resign at any time without 15 days’ prior notice and (if other than the General Partner) may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by notice of removal approved by holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Units. Upon dissolution, removal or resignation of the Liquidator, a successor and substitute Liquidator (who shall have and succeed to all rights, powers and duties of the original Liquidator) shall within 30 days thereafter be approved by holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Units. The right to approve a successor or substitute Liquidator in the manner provided herein shall be deemed to refer also to any such successor or substitute Liquidator approved in the manner herein provided. Except as expressly provided in this Article XIV, the Liquidator approved in the manner provided herein shall have and may exercise, without further authorization or consent of any of the parties hereto, all of the powers conferred upon the General Partner under the terms of this Agreement (but subject to all of the applicable limitations, contractual and otherwise, upon the exercise of such powers, other than the limitation on sale set forth in Section 6.3(b)) to the extent necessary or desirable in the good faith judgment of the Liquidator to carry out the duties and functions of the Liquidator hereunder for and during such period of time as shall be reasonably required in the good faith judgment of the Liquidator to complete the winding up and liquidation of the Partnership as provided for herein.
14.4 LIQUIDATION. The Liquidator shall proceed to dispose of the assets of the Partnership, discharge its liabilities, and otherwise wind up its affairs in such manner and over such period as the Liquidator determines to be in the best interest of the Partners, subject to the following:
(a) Disposition of Assets. The assets may be disposed of by public or private sale or by distribution in kind to one or more Partners on such terms as the Liquidator and the receiving Partner may agree. If any property is distributed in kind, the Partner receiving the property shall be deemed for purposes of Section 14.4(c) to have received cash equal to its fair market value; and contemporaneously therewith, appropriate cash distributions must be made to the other Partners. For purposes of computing Net Liquidation Gain, gain or loss on distributed property shall be recognized as if such property had been sold for its fair market value.
(b) Discharge of Liabilities. Liabilities of the Partnership include amounts owed to Partners otherwise in respect of their distribution rights under Article V. With respect to any liability that is contingent or is otherwise not yet due and payable, the Liquidator shall either settle such claim for such amount as it thinks appropriate or establish a reserve of cash or other assets to provide for its payment. When paid, any unused portion of the reserve shall be distributed as additional liquidation proceeds.

 

55


 

(c) Liquidation Distributions. The Liquidator shall reassign the 1989 Customer List and other assets described in Section 9.1(d) to the General Partner. Subject to Section 14.4(a), all other property and all cash in excess of that required to discharge liabilities as provided in Section 14.4(b) shall be distributed to the Partners in the priorities provided in Section 5.6 or Section 5.7, as applicable. The distribution may be made in one or more Quarters, but the amount distributed in respect of each priority shall be determined on a cumulative basis.
14.5 CANCELLATION OF CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP. Upon the completion of the distribution of Partnership cash and property as provided in Sections 14.3 and 14.4 in connection with the liquidation of the Partnership, the Partnership shall be terminated and the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all qualifications of the Partnership as a foreign limited partnership in jurisdictions other than the State of Delaware shall be cancelled and such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the Partnership shall be taken.
14.6 RETURN OF CONTRIBUTIONS. The General Partner shall not be personally liable for, and shall have no obligation to contribute or loan any monies or property to the Partnership to enable it to effectuate, the return of the Contributions of the Limited Partners, or any portion thereof, it being expressly understood that any such return shall be made solely from Partnership assets.
14.7 WAIVER OF PARTITION. Each Partner hereby waives any right to partition of the Partnership property.
ARTICLE XV
AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT;
MEETINGS; RECORD DATE
15.1 AMENDMENT TO BE ADOPTED SOLELY BY GENERAL PARTNER. Each Limited Partner agrees that the General Partner (pursuant to its powers of attorney from the Limited Partners and Assignees), without the approval of any Limited Partner or Assignee, may amend any provision of this Agreement, and execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record whatever documents may be required in connection therewith, to reflect:
(a) a change in the name of the Partnership, the location of the principal place of business of the Partnership, the registered agent of the Partnership or the registered office of the Partnership;
(b) admission, substitution, withdrawal or removal of Partners in accordance with this Agreement;
(c) a change that, in the sole discretion of the General Partner, is necessary or advisable to qualify or continue the qualification of the Partnership as a limited partnership or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability under the laws of any state or to ensure that the Partnership and the Operating Partnership will not be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes;

 

56


 

(d) a change that, in the sole discretion of the General Partner, (i) does not adversely affect the Limited Partners in any material respect, (ii) is necessary or advisable to (A) satisfy any requirements, conditions or guidelines contained in any opinion, directive, order, ruling or regulation of any federal or state agency or judicial authority or contained in any federal or state statute (including the Delaware Act) or (B) facilitate the trading of the Units (including the division of Outstanding Units into different classes to facilitate uniformity of tax consequences within such classes of Units) or comply with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are or will be listed for trading, compliance with any of which the General Partner determines in its sole discretion to be in the best interests of the Partnership and the Limited Partners, (iii) is necessary or advisable in connection with action taken by the General Partner pursuant to Section 4.8, or (iv) is required to effect the intent of the provisions of this Agreement or is otherwise contemplated by this Agreement;
(e) a change in the fiscal year and taxable year of the Partnership and any changes that, in the sole discretion of the General Partner, are necessary or advisable as a result of a change in the fiscal year and taxable year of the Partnership including, if the General Partner shall so determine, a change in the definition of “Quarter” and the dates on which distributions are to be made by the Partnership;
(f) an amendment that is necessary, in the Opinion of Counsel, to prevent the Partnership or the General Partner or its directors or officers from in any manner being subjected to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, or “plan asset” regulations adopted under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, regardless of whether such are substantially similar to plan asset regulations currently applied or proposed by the United States Department of Labor;
(g) subject to the terms of Section 4.4, an amendment that, in the sole discretion of the General Partner, is necessary or advisable in connection with the authorization of issuance of any class or series of Partnership Securities pursuant to Section 4.4;
(h) any amendment expressly permitted in this Agreement to be made by the General Partner acting alone;
(i) an amendment effected, necessitated or contemplated by a Merger Agreement approved in accordance with Section 16.3;
(j) an amendment that, in the sole discretion of the General Partner, is necessary or advisable to reflect, account for and deal with appropriately the formation by the Partnership of, or investment by the Partnership in, any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity other than the Operating Partnership, in connection with the conduct by the Partnership of activities permitted by the terms of Section 3.1; or
(k) any other amendments substantially similar to the foregoing.
15.2 AMENDMENT PROCEDURES. Except as provided in Sections 15.1 and 15.3, all amendments to this Agreement shall be made in accordance with the following requirements. Amendments to this Agreement may be proposed only by or with the consent of the General Partner. A proposed amendment shall be effective upon its approval by the holders of at least a Unit Majority, unless a greater or different percentage is required under this Agreement. Each proposed amendment that requires the approval of the holders of a specified percentage of Outstanding Units shall be set forth in a writing that contains the text of the proposed amendment. If such an amendment is proposed, the General Partner shall seek the written approval of the requisite percentage of Outstanding Units or call a meeting of the Limited Partners to consider and vote on such proposed amendment. The General Partner shall notify all Record Holders upon final adoption of any such proposed amendments.

 

57


 

15.3 AMENDMENT REQUIREMENTS. (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 15.1 and 15.2, no provision of this Agreement that establishes a percentage of Outstanding Units required to take any action shall be amended, altered, changed, repealed or rescinded in any respect that would have the effect of reducing such voting requirement unless such amendment is approved by the written consent or the affirmative vote of holders of Outstanding Units whose aggregate Outstanding Units constitute not less than the voting requirement sought to be reduced.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 15.1 and 15.2, no amendment to this Agreement may (i) enlarge the obligations of any Limited Partner without its consent, unless such shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of an amendment approved pursuant to Section 15.3(c), (ii) enlarge the obligations of, restrict in any way any action by or rights of, or reduce in any way the amounts distributable, reimbursable or otherwise payable to, the General Partner without its consent, which may be given or withheld in its sole discretion, (iii) change Section 14.1(a) or (c), or (iv) change the term of the Partnership or, except as set forth in Section 14.1(c), give any Person the right to dissolve the Partnership.
(c) Except as otherwise provided, and without limitation of the General Partner’s authority to adopt amendments to this Agreement as contemplated in Section 15.1, any amendment that would have a material adverse effect on the rights or preferences of any class of Outstanding Units in relation to other classes of Units must be approved by the holders of not less than a majority of the Outstanding Units of the class affected (excluding, during the Subordination Period, Common Units owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates).
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, except for amendments pursuant to Section 6.3 or 15.1 and except as otherwise provided by Section 16.3(b), no amendments shall become effective without the approval of the holders of at least 90% of the Outstanding Units unless the Partnership obtains an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such amendment will not affect the limited liability of any Limited Partner or any limited partner of the other Group Members under applicable law.
(e) This Section 15.3 shall only be amended with the approval of the holders of at least 90% of the Outstanding Units.
15.4 MEETINGS. All acts of Limited Partners to be taken pursuant to this Agreement shall be taken in the manner provided in this Article XV. Meetings of the Limited Partners may be called by the General Partner or by Limited Partners owning 20% or more of the Outstanding Units of the class or classes for which a meeting is proposed. Limited Partners shall call a meeting by delivering to the General Partner one or more requests in writing stating that the signing Limited Partners wish to call a meeting and indicating the general or specific purposes for which the meeting is to be called. Within 60 days after receipt of such a call

 

58


 

from Limited Partners or within such greater time as may be reasonably necessary for the Partnership to comply with any statutes, rules, regulations, listing agreements or similar requirements governing the holding of a meeting or the solicitation of proxies for use at such a meeting, the General Partner shall send a notice of the meeting to the Limited Partners either directly or indirectly through the Transfer Agent. A meeting shall be held at a time and place determined by the General Partner on a date not more than 60 days after notice of the meeting has been given or made pursuant to Section 18.1. Limited Partners shall not vote on matters that would cause the Limited Partners to be deemed to be taking part in the management and control of the business and affairs of the Partnership so as to jeopardize the Limited Partners’ limited liability under the Delaware Act or the law of any other state in which the Partnership is qualified to do business.
15.5 NOTICE OF A MEETING. Notice of a meeting called pursuant to Section 15.4 shall be given to the Record Holders pursuant to Section 18.1. The notice shall be deemed to have been given at the time when deposited in the mail or when given or made pursuant to Section 18.1.
15.6 RECORD DATE. For purposes of determining the Limited Partners entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of the Limited Partners or to give approvals without a meeting as provided in Section 15.11, the General Partner may set a Record Date, which shall not be less than 10 nor more than 60 days before (a) the date of the meeting (unless such requirement conflicts with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed for trading, in which case the rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of such exchange shall govern) or (b) in the event that approvals are sought without a meeting, the date by which Limited Partners are requested in writing by the General Partner to give such approvals.
15.7 ADJOURNMENT. When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting and a new Record Date need not be fixed, if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, unless such adjournment shall be for more than 45 days. At the adjourned meeting, the Partnership may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 45 days or if a new Record Date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given in accordance with this Article XV.
15.8 WAIVER OF NOTICE; APPROVAL OF MEETING; APPROVAL OF MINUTES. The transactions of any meeting of Limited Partners, however called and noticed, and whenever held, shall be as valid as if had at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum is present either in person or by proxy, and if, either before or after the meeting, Limited Partners representing such quorum who were present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote, sign a written waiver of notice or an approval of the holding of the meeting or an approval of the minutes thereof. All waivers and approvals shall be filed with the Partnership records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting. Attendance of a Limited Partner at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of the meeting, except when the Limited Partner does not approve, at the beginning of the meeting, of the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened; and except that attendance at a meeting is not a waiver of any right to disapprove the consideration of matters required to be included in the notice of the meeting, but not so included, if the disapproval is expressly made at the meeting.

 

59


 

15.9 QUORUM. The holders of a majority of the Outstanding Units of the class or classes for which a meeting has been called represented in person or by proxy shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of Limited Partners of such class or classes unless any such action by the Limited Partners requires approval by holders of a greater percentage of such Units, in which case the quorum shall be such greater percentage (excluding, in either case, if such are to be excluded from the vote, Outstanding Units owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates). At any meeting of the Limited Partners duly called and held in accordance with this Agreement at which a quorum is present, the act of Limited Partners holding Outstanding Units that in the aggregate represent a majority of the Outstanding Units entitled to vote and be present in person or by proxy at such meeting shall be deemed to constitute the act of all Limited Partners, unless a greater or different percentage is required with respect to such action under the provisions of this Agreement, in which case the act of the Limited Partners holding Outstanding Units that in the aggregate represent at least such greater or different percentage shall be required. The Limited Partners present at a duly called or held meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough Limited Partners to leave less than a quorum, if any action taken (other than adjournment) is approved by the required percentage of Outstanding Units specified in this Agreement. In the absence of a quorum, any meeting of Limited Partners may be adjourned from time to time by the affirmative vote of holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Units represented either in person or by proxy, but no other business may be transacted, except as provided in Section 15.7.
15.10 CONDUCT OF MEETING. The General Partner shall have full power and authority concerning the manner of conducting any meeting of the Limited Partners or solicitation of approvals in writing, including the determination of Persons entitled to vote, the existence of a quorum, the satisfaction of the requirements of Section 15.4, the conduct of voting, the validity and effect of any proxies and the determination of any controversies, votes or challenges arising in connection with or during the meeting or voting. The General Partner shall designate a Person to serve as chairman of any meeting and shall further designate a Person to take the minutes of any meeting. All minutes shall be kept with the records of the Partnership maintained by the General Partner. The General Partner may make such other regulations consistent with the applicable law and this Agreement as it may deem advisable concerning the conduct of any meeting of the Limited Partners or solicitation of approvals in writing, including regulations in regard to the appointment of proxies, the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes and approvals, the submission and examination of proxies and other evidence of the right to vote, and the revocation of approvals in writing.
15.11 ACTION WITHOUT A MEETING. Any action that may be taken at a meeting of the Limited Partners may be taken without a meeting if an approval in writing setting forth the action so taken is signed by Limited Partners owning not less than the minimum percentage of the Outstanding Units that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all the Limited Partners were present and voted. Prompt notice of the taking of action without a meeting shall be given to the Limited Partners who have not approved in writing. The General Partner may specify that any written ballot submitted to Limited Partners for the purpose of taking any action without a meeting shall be returned to the Partnership within the time period, which shall be not less than 20 days, specified by the General Partner. If a ballot returned to the Partnership does not vote

 

60


 

all of the Units held by the Limited Partner, the Partnership shall be deemed to have failed to receive a ballot for the Units that were not voted. If approval of the taking of any action by the Limited Partners is solicited by any Person other than by or on behalf of the General Partner, the written approvals shall have no force and effect unless and until (a) they are deposited with the Partnership in care of the General Partner, (b) approvals sufficient to take the action proposed are dated as of a date not more than 90 days prior to the date sufficient approvals are deposited with the Partnership and (c) an Opinion of Counsel is delivered to the General Partner to the effect that the exercise of such right and the action proposed to be taken with respect to any particular matter (i) will not cause the Limited Partners to be deemed to be taking part in the management and control of the business and affairs of the Partnership so as to jeopardize the Limited Partners’ limited liability, and (ii) is otherwise permissible under the state statutes then governing the rights, duties and liabilities of the Partnership and the Partners.
15.12 VOTING AND OTHER RIGHTS. (a) Only those Record Holders of the Units on the Record Date set pursuant to Section 15.6 (and also subject to the limitations contained in the definition of “Outstanding”) shall be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, a meeting of Limited Partners or to act with respect to matters as to which the holders of the Outstanding Units have the right to vote or to act. All references in this Agreement to votes of, or other acts that may be taken by, the Outstanding Units shall be deemed to be references to the votes or acts of the Record Holders of such Outstanding Units.
(b) With respect to Units that are held for a Person’s account by another Person (such as a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation, or an agent of any of the foregoing), in whose name such Units are registered, such other Person shall, in exercising the voting rights in respect of such Units on any matter, and unless the arrangement between such Persons provides otherwise, vote such Units in favor of, and at the direction of, the Person who is the beneficial owner, and the Partnership shall be entitled to assume it is so acting without further inquiry. The provisions of this Section 15.12(b) (as well as all other provisions of this Agreement) are subject to the provisions of Section 10.4.
ARTICLE XVI
MERGER
16.1 AUTHORITY. The Partnership may merge or consolidate with one or more corporations, business trusts or associations, real estate investment trusts, common law trusts or unincorporated businesses, including a general partnership or limited partnership, formed under the laws of the State of Delaware or any other state of the United States of America, pursuant to a written agreement of merger or consolidation (“MERGER AGREEMENT”) in accordance with this Article XVI.
16.2 PROCEDURE FOR MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION. Merger or consolidation of the Partnership pursuant to this Article XVI requires the prior approval of the General Partner. If the General Partner shall determine, in the exercise of its sole discretion, to consent to the merger or consolidation, the General Partner shall approve the Merger Agreement, which shall set forth:
(a) The names and jurisdictions of formation or organization of each of the business entities proposing to merge or consolidate;

 

61


 

(b) The name and jurisdictions of formation or organization of the business entity that is to survive the proposed merger or consolidation (the “SURVIVING BUSINESS ENTITY”);
(c) The terms and conditions of the proposed merger or consolidation;
(d) The manner and basis of exchanging or converting the equity securities of each constituent business entity for, or into, cash, property or general or limited partner interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity; and (i) if any general or limited partner interests, securities or rights of any constituent business entity are not to be exchanged or converted solely for, or into, cash, property or general or limited partner interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity, the cash, property or general or limited partner interests, rights, securities or obligations of any limited partnership, corporation, trust or other entity (other than the Surviving Business Entity) which the holders of such general or limited partner interests, securities or rights are to receive in exchange for, or upon conversion of, their general or limited partner interests, securities or rights, and (ii) in the case of securities represented by certificates, upon the surrender of such certificates, which cash, property or general or limited partner interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity or any general or limited partnership, corporation, trust or other entity (other than the Surviving Business Entity), or evidences thereof, are to be delivered;
(e) A statement of any changes in the constituent documents or the adoption of new constituent documents (the articles or certificate of incorporation, articles of trust, declaration of trust, certificate or agreement of limited partnership or other similar charter or governing document) of the Surviving Business Entity to be effected by such merger or consolidation;
(f) The effective time of the merger, which may be the date of the filing of the certificate of merger pursuant to Section 16.4 or a later date specified in or determinable in accordance with the Merger Agreement (provided, that if the effective time of the merger is to be later than the date of the filing of the certificate of merger, the effective time shall be fixed no later than the time of the filing of the certificate of merger and stated therein); and
(g) Such other provisions with respect to the proposed merger or consolidation as are deemed necessary or appropriate by the General Partner.
16.3 APPROVAL BY LIMITED PARTNERS OF MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION. (a) The General Partner, upon its approval of the Merger Agreement, shall direct that the Merger Agreement be submitted to a vote of Limited Partners, whether at a meeting or by written consent, in either case in accordance with the requirements of Article XV. A copy or a summary of the Merger Agreement shall be included in or enclosed with the notice of a meeting or the written consent.
(b) The Merger Agreement shall be approved upon receiving the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least a Unit Majority unless the Merger Agreement contains any provision that, if contained in an amendment to this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement or the Delaware Act would require the vote or consent of a greater percentage of the Outstanding Units or of any class of Limited Partners, in which case such greater percentage vote or consent shall be required for approval of the Merger Agreement.

 

62


 

(c) After such approval by vote or consent of the Limited Partners, and at any time prior to the filing of the certificate of merger pursuant to Section 16.4, the merger or consolidation may be abandoned pursuant to provisions therefor, if any, set forth in the Merger Agreement.
16.4 CERTIFICATE OF MERGER. Upon the required approval by the General Partner and the Limited Partners of a Merger Agreement, a certificate of merger shall be executed and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in conformity with the requirements of the Delaware Act.
16.5 EFFECT OF MERGER. (a) At the effective time of the certificate of merger:
(i) all of the rights, privileges and powers of each of the business entities that has merged or consolidated, and all property, real, personal and mixed, and all debts due to any of those business entities and all other things and causes of action belonging to each of those business entities shall be vested in the Surviving Business Entity and after the merger or consolidation shall be the property of the Surviving Business Entity to the extent they were of each constituent business entity;
(ii) the title to any real property vested by deed or otherwise in any of those constituent business entities shall not revert and is not in any way impaired because of the merger or consolidation;
(iii) all rights of creditors and all liens on or security interests in property of any of those constituent business entities shall be preserved unimpaired; and
(iv) all debts, liabilities and duties of those constituent business entities shall attach to the Surviving Business Entity, and may be enforced against it to the same extent as if the debts, liabilities and duties had been incurred or contracted by it.
(b) A merger or consolidation effected pursuant to this Article shall not be deemed to result in a transfer or assignment of assets or liabilities from one entity to another having occurred.
ARTICLE XVII
RIGHT TO ACQUIRE UNITS
17.1 RIGHT TO ACQUIRE UNITS. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if at any time not more than 20% of the total Units of any class then Outstanding are held by Persons other than the General Partner and its Affiliates, the General Partner shall then have the right, which right it may assign and transfer to the Partnership or any Affiliate of the General Partner, exercisable in its sole discretion, to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Units of such class then Outstanding held by Persons other than the General Partner and its Affiliates, at the greater of (x) the Current Market Price as of the date three days prior to the date that the notice described in Section 17.1(b) is mailed, and (y) the highest cash price paid by the General Partner

 

63


 

or any of its Affiliates for any such Unit purchased during the 90-day period preceding the date that the notice described in Section 17.1(b) is mailed. As used in this Agreement, (i) “CURRENT MARKET PRICE” as of any date of any class of Units listed or admitted to trading on any National Securities Exchange means the average of the daily Closing Prices (as hereinafter defined) per Unit of such class for the 20 consecutive Trading Days (as hereinafter defined) immediately prior to such date; (ii) “CLOSING PRICE” for any day means the last sale price on such day, regular way, or in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day, regular way, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal National Securities Exchange on which the Units of such class are listed or admitted to trading or, if the Units of such class are not listed or admitted to trading on any National Securities Exchange, the last quoted price on such day or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices on such day in the over the counter market, as reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System or such other system then in use, or, if on any such day the Units of such class are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the Units of such class selected by the Board of Directors of the General Partner, or if on any such day no market maker is making a market in the Units of such class, the fair value of such Units on such day as determined reasonably and in good faith by the Board of Directors of the General Partner; and (iii) “TRADING DAY” means a day on which the principal National Securities Exchange on which the Units of any class are listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business or, if Units of a class are not listed or admitted to trading on any National Securities Exchange, a day on which banking institutions in New York City generally are open.
(b) If the General Partner, any Affiliate of the General Partner or the Partnership elects to exercise the right to purchase Units granted pursuant to Section 17.1(a), the General Partner shall deliver to the Transfer Agent notice of such election to purchase (the “NOTICE OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE”) and shall cause the Transfer Agent to mail a copy of such Notice of Election to Purchase to the Record Holders of Units (as of a Record Date selected by the General Partner) at least 10, but not more than 60, days prior to the Purchase Date. Such Notice of Election to Purchase shall also be published for a period of at least three consecutive days in at least two daily newspapers of general circulation printed in the English language and published in the Borough of Manhattan, New York. The Notice of Election to Purchase shall specify the Purchase Date and the price (determined in accordance with Section 17.1(a)) at which Units will be purchased and state that the General Partner, its Affiliate or the Partnership, as the case may be, elects to purchase such Units, upon surrender of Certificates, if any, representing such Units in exchange for payment, at such office or offices of the Transfer Agent as the Transfer Agent may specify, or as may be required by any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed or admitted to trading. Any such Notice of Election to Purchase mailed to a Record Holder of Units at his address as reflected in the records of the Transfer Agent shall be conclusively presumed to have been given regardless of whether the owner receives such notice. On or prior to the Purchase Date, the General Partner, its Affiliate or the Partnership, as the case may be, shall deposit with the Transfer Agent cash in an amount sufficient to pay the aggregate purchase price of all of the Units to be purchased in accordance with this Section 17.1. If the Notice of Election to Purchase shall have been duly given as aforesaid at least 10 days prior to the Purchase Date, and if on or prior to the

 

64


 

Purchase Date the deposit described in the preceding sentence has been made for the benefit of the holders of Units subject to purchase as provided herein, then from and after the Purchase Date, notwithstanding that any Certificate shall not have been surrendered for purchase, all rights of the holders of such Units (including any rights pursuant to Articles IV, V and XIV) shall thereupon cease, except the right to receive the purchase price (determined in accordance with Section 17.1(a)) for Units therefore, without interest, upon surrender to the Transfer Agent of the Certificates, if any, representing such Units, and such Units shall thereupon be deemed to be transferred to the General Partner, its Affiliate or the Partnership, as the case may be, on the record books of the Transfer Agent and the Partnership, and the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner, or the Partnership, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be the owner of all such Units from and after the Purchase Date and shall have all rights as the owner of such Units (including all rights as owner of such Units pursuant to Articles IV, V and XIV).
(c) At any time from and after the Purchase Date, a holder of an Outstanding Unit subject to purchase as provided in this Section 17.1 may surrender the Certificate, if any, evidencing such Unit to the Transfer Agent in exchange for payment of the amount described in Section 17.1(a), therefor, without interest thereon.
ARTICLE XVIII
GENERAL PROVISIONS
18.1 ADDRESSES AND NOTICES. Any notice, demand, request, report or proxy materials required or permitted to be given or made to a Partner or Assignee under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given or made when delivered to the Partner or Assignee in person or when sent by first class United States mail or by any manner (including posting on or accessible through the Partnership’s website) permitted for such notice, demand, request, report or proxy materials by applicable law, rule or regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission or any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed for trading. Any notice, payment or report to be given or made to a Partner or Assignee hereunder shall be deemed conclusively to have been given or made, and the obligation to give such notice or report or to make such payment shall be deemed conclusively to have been fully satisfied, upon sending of such notice, payment or report to the Record Holder of such Unit at the address as shown on the records of the Transfer Agent or as otherwise shown on the records of the Partnership, regardless of any claim of any Person who may have an interest in such Unit or the Partnership Interest of a General Partner by reason of any assignment or otherwise. An affidavit or certificate of making of any notice, payment or report in accordance with the provisions of this Section 18.1 executed by the General Partner, the Transfer Agent or the mailing organization shall be prima facie evidence of the giving or making of such notice, payment or report. If any notice, payment or report addressed to a Record Holder at the address of such Record Holder appearing on the books and records of the Transfer Agent or the Partnership is returned by the United States Postal Service marked to indicate that the United States Postal Service is unable to deliver it, such notice, payment or report and any subsequent notices, payments and reports shall be deemed to have been duly given or made without further mailing (until such time as such Record Holder or another Person notifies the Transfer Agent or the Partnership of a change in address) if they are available for the Partner or Assignee at the principal office of the Partnership for a period of one year from the date of the giving or making of such notice, payment or report to the other Partners and Assignees. Any notice to the Partnership shall be deemed given if received by the General Partner at the principal office of the Partnership designated pursuant to Section 1.3. The General Partner may rely and shall be protected in relying on any notice or other document from a Partner, Assignee or other Person if believed by it to be genuine.

 

65


 

18.2 REFERENCES. Except as specifically provided otherwise, references to “Articles” and “Sections” are to Articles and Sections of this Agreement.
18.3 PRONOUNS AND PLURALS. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa.
18.4 FURTHER ACTION. The parties shall execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and take or refrain from taking action as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.
18.5 BINDING EFFECT. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns.
18.6 INTEGRATION. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings pertaining thereto.
18.7 CREDITORS. None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of, or shall be enforceable by, any creditor of the Partnership.
18.8 WAIVER. No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute waiver of any such breach of any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.
18.9 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute an agreement binding on all the parties hereto, notwithstanding that all such parties are not signatories to the original or the same counterpart. Each party shall become bound by this Agreement immediately upon affixing its signature hereto or, in the case of a Person acquiring a Unit, upon accepting the certificate evidencing such Unit or executing and delivering a Transfer Application as herein described, independently of the signature of any other party.
18.10 APPLICABLE LAW. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law.
18.11 INVALIDITY OF PROVISIONS. If any provision of this Agreement is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected thereby.
18.12 CONSENT OF PARTNERS. Each Partner hereby expressly consents and agrees that, whenever in this Agreement it is specified that an action may be taken upon the affirmative vote or consent of less than all of the Partners, such action may be so taken upon the concurrence of less than all of the Partners and each Partner shall be bound by the results of such action.

 

66


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
GENERAL PARTNER:
AMERIGAS PROPANE, INC.
         
  By:    /s/ Robert H. Knauss    
    Robert H. Knauss    
    Title:    Vice President Law and General Counsel    
LIMITED PARTNERS:
All Limited Partners now and hereafter admitted as limited partners of the Partnership, pursuant to Powers of Attorney now and hereafter executed in favor of, and granted and delivered to, the General Partner.
By: AMERIGAS PROPANE, INC. General
Partner, as attorney-in-fact for all Limited
Partners pursuant to the Powers of Attorney
granted pursuant to Section 1.4.
         
  By:    /s/ Robert H. Knauss    
    Name:    Robert H. Knauss    
    Title:    Vice President Law and General Counsel    

 

67


 

EXHIBIT A
TO THE FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF
LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF
AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
CERTIFICATE EVIDENCING COMMON UNITS
REPRESENTING LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS
AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
No. Common Units
AMERIGAS PROPANE, INC., a Pennsylvania corporation, as the General Partner of AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), hereby certifies that (the “Holder”) is the registered owner of Common Units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (the “Common Units”) transferable on the books of the Partnership, in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed and accompanied by a properly executed application for transfer of the Common Units represented by this Certificate. The rights, preferences and limitations of the Common Units are set forth in, and this Certificate and the Common Units represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the terms and provisions of, the Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P., as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time (the “Partnership Agreement”). Copies of the Partnership Agreement are on file at, and will be furnished without charge on delivery of written request to the Partnership at, the principal office of the Partnership located at 460 North Gulph Road, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, 19406. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meaning given them in the Partnership Agreement.
The Holder, by accepting this Certificate, is deemed to have (i) requested admission as, and agreed to become, a Limited Partner and to have agreed to comply with and be bound by and to have executed the Partnership Agreement, (ii) represented and warranted that the Holder has all right, power and authority and, if an individual, the capacity necessary to enter into the Partnership Agreement, (iii) granted the powers of attorney provided for in the Partnership Agreement and (iv) made the waivers and given the consents and approvals contained in the Partnership Agreement.
This Certificate shall not be valid for any purpose unless it has been countersigned and registered by the Transfer Agent and Registrar. Witness the facsimile signatures of the duly authorized officers of the General Partner of the Partnership.
Dated:                                           

 

68


 

AMERIGAS PROPANE, INC.,
as General Partner
Countersigned and Registered by:
             
 
  By:        
 
     
 
President
   
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
             
 
  By:        
 
     
 
   
as Transfer Agent and Registrar
Treasurer
         
By:
       
 
 
 
Authorized Signature
   
[REVERSE OF CERTIFICATE]
ABBREVIATIONS
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this Certificate, shall be construed as follows according to applicable laws or regulations:
     
TEN COM- as tenants in common
  UNIF GIFT MIN ACT-
TEN ENT- as tenants by the entireties
  Custodian
 
   
          as joint tenants with right of
  (Cust) (Minor)
JT TEN- survivorship and not as tenants in common
  under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act
 
State 
 
Additional abbreviations, though not in the above list, may also be used.

 

69


 

ASSIGNMENT OF COMMON UNITS
IN
AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING INVESTOR RESPONSIBILITIES
DUE TO TAX SHELTER STATUS OF AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
You have acquired an interest in AmeriGas Partners, L.P., 460 North Gulph Road, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, 19406, whose taxpayer identification number is 23-2787918. The Internal Revenue Service has issued AmeriGas Partners, L.P. the following tax shelter registration number:
YOU MUST REPORT THIS REGISTRATION NUMBER TO THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE IF YOU CLAIM ANY DEDUCTION, LOSS, CREDIT, OR OTHER TAX BENEFIT OR REPORT ANY INCOME BY REASON OF YOUR INVESTMENT IN AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
You must report the registration number as well as the name and taxpayer identification number of AmeriGas Partners, L.P., on Form 8271. FORM 8271 MUST BE ATTACHED TO THE RETURN ON WHICH YOU CLAIM THE DEDUCTION, LOSS, CREDIT, OR OTHER TAX BENEFIT OR REPORT ANY INCOME BY REASON OF YOUR INVESTMENT IN AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
If you transfer your interest in AmeriGas Partners, L.P. to another person, you are required by the Internal Revenue Service to keep a list containing (a) that person’s name, address and taxpayer identification number, (b) the date on which you transferred the interest and (c) the name, address and tax shelter registration number of AmeriGas Partners, L.P. If you do not want to keep such a list, you must (1) send the information specified above to the Partnership, which will keep the list for this tax shelter, and (2) give a copy of this notice to the person to whom you transfer your interest. Your failure to comply with any of the above-described responsibilities could result in the imposition of a penalty under Section 6707(b) or 6708(a) of the Internal Revenue Service Code of 1986, as amended, unless such failure is shown to be due to reasonable cause.
ISSUANCE OF A REGISTRATION NUMBER DOES NOT INDICATE THAT THIS INVESTMENT OR THE CLAIMED TAX BENEFITS HAVE BEEN REVIEWED, EXAMINED, OR APPROVED BY THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE.
FOR VALUE RECEIVED,                                           hereby assigns, conveys, sells and transfers unto
     
(Please print or typewrite name and address of Assignee)   (Please insert Social Security or other
identifying number of Assignee)

 

70


 

Common Units representing limited partner interests evidenced by this Certificate, subject to the Partnership Agreement, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint  _____  as its attorney-in-fact with full power of substitution to transfer the same on the books of AmeriGas Partners, L.P.
             
    Date:   NOTE: The signature to any endorsement hereon must correspond with the name as written upon the face of this Certificate in every particular, without alteration, enlargement or change.
 
    SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED BY A MEMBER FIRM OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SECURITIES DEALERS, INC. OR BY A COMMERCIAL BANK OR TRUST   (Signature)
 
  COMPANY       (Signature)
SIGNATURE(S) GUARANTEED
No transfer of the Common Units evidenced hereby will be registered on the books of the Partnership, unless the Certificate evidencing the Common Units to be transferred is surrendered for registration or transfer and an Application for Transfer of Common Units has been executed by a transferee either (a) on the form set forth below or (b) on a separate application that the Partnership will furnish on request without charge. A transferor of the Common Units shall have no duty to the transferee with respect to execution of the transfer application in order for such transferee to obtain registration of the transfer of the Common Units.
APPLICATION FOR TRANSFER OF COMMON UNITS
The undersigned (“Assignee”) hereby applies for transfer to the name of the Assignee of the Common Units evidenced hereby.
The Assignee (a) requests admission as a Substituted Limited Partner and agrees to comply with and be bound by, and hereby executes, the Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of AmeriGas Partners, L.P. (the “Partnership”), as amended, supplemented or restated to the date hereof (the “Partnership Agreement”), (b) represents and warrants that the Assignee has all right, power and authority and, if an individual, the capacity necessary to enter into the Partnership Agreement, (c) grants the powers of attorney provided for in the Partnership Agreement and (d) makes the waivers and gives the consents and approvals contained in the Partnership Agreement.
Capitalized terms not defined herein have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Partnership Agreement.
Date: ________________

 

71


 

Signature of Assignee
Social Security or other Name and Address of Assignee identifying number of Assignee
Purchase Price including
commissions, if any
Type of Entity (check one)
                                          Individual                                           Partnership                                           Corporation
                                          Trust                                            Other (specify)
Nationality (Check One)
                                          U.S. Citizen, Resident or Domestic Entity
                     Foreign Corporation, or                                           Non-resident alien
If the U.S. Citizen, Resident or Domestic Entity box is checked, the following certification must be completed.
Under Section 1445(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the Partnership must withhold tax with respect to certain transfers of property if a holder of an interest in the Partnership is a foreign person. To inform the Partnership that no withholding is required with respect to the undersigned interest holder’s interest in it, the undersigned hereby certifies the following (or, if applicable, certifies the following on behalf of the interest holder).
Complete Either A or B:
A. Individual Interest Holder
1. I am not a non-resident alien for purposes of U.S. income taxation.
 
2. My U.S. taxpayer identification number (Social Security Number) is
 
3. My home address is
 

 

72


 

B. Partnership, Corporate or Other Interest-Holder
1.                                            is not a foreign corporation, foreign partnership, foreign trust
(Name of Interest-Holder)
or foreign estate (as those terms are defined in the Code and Treasury Regulations).
2. The interest-holder’s U.S. employer identification number is
 
3. The interest-holder’s office address and place of incorporation (if applicable) is
 
The interest-holder agrees to notify the Partnership within 60 days of the date the interest-holder becomes a foreign person.
The interest-holder understands that this certificate may be disclosed to the Internal Revenue Service by the Partnership and that any false statement contained herein could be punishable by fine, imprisonment or both.
Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this certification and to the best of my knowledge and belief it is true, correct and complete and, if applicable, I further declare that I have authority to sign this document on behalf of
 
(Name of Interest-Holder)
 
Signature and Date
 
Title (if applicable)
Note: If the Assignee is a broker, dealer, bank, trust company, clearing corporation, other nominee holder or an agent of any of the foregoing, and is holding for the account of any other person, this application should be completed by an officer thereof or, in the case of a broker or dealer, by a registered representative who is a member of a registered national securities exchange or a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or, in the case of any other nominee holder, a person performing a similar function. If the Assignee is a broker, dealer, bank, trust company, clearing corporation, other nominee owner or an agent of any of the foregoing, the above certification as to any person for whom the Assignee will hold the Common Units shall be made to the best of the Assignee’s knowledge.

 

73

EXHIBIT 31.1
CERTIFICATION
I, Eugene V.N. Bissell, certify that:
1.  
I have reviewed this periodic report on Form 10-Q of AmeriGas Partners, L.P;
2.  
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.  
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.  
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
  (a)  
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
  (b)  
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
  (c)  
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
  (d)  
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.  
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
  (a)  
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
  (b)  
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: August 7, 2009
         
  /s/ Eugene V. N. Bissell    
  Eugene V.N. Bissell   
  President and Chief Executive Officer of AmeriGas Propane, Inc.   

 

 

EXHIBIT 31.2
CERTIFICATION
I, Jerry E. Sheridan, certify that:
1.  
I have reviewed this periodic report on Form 10-Q of AmeriGas Partners, L.P;
2.  
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.  
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.  
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
  (a)  
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
  (b)  
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
  (c)  
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
  (d)  
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.  
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
  (a)  
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
  (b)  
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: August 7, 2009
         
  /s/ Jerry E. Sheridan    
  Jerry E. Sheridan   
  Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial Officer
of AmeriGas Propane, Inc. 
 

 

 

EXHIBIT 32
Certification by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
Relating to a Periodic Report Containing Financial Statements
I, Eugene V. N. Bissell, Chief Executive Officer, and I, Jerry E. Sheridan, Chief Financial Officer, of AmeriGas Propane, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation, the General Partner of AmeriGas Partners, L.P. (the “Company”), hereby certify that to our knowledge:
  (1)  
The Company’s periodic report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2009 (the “Form 10-Q”) containing the financial statements fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
  (2)  
The information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
*       *       *
     
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
  CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
 
   
/s/ Eugene V. N. Bissell
  /s/ Jerry E. Sheridan
 
   
Eugene V.N. Bissell
  Jerry E. Sheridan
 
   
Date: August 7, 2009
  Date: August 7, 2009