þ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED March 31, 2006 |
o | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO |
Registrant, Address of | ||||||
Commission File | Principal Executive Offices and Telephone | I.R.S. employer | State of | |||
Number | Number | Identification Number | Incorporation | |||
|
||||||
1-08788
|
SIERRA PACIFIC RESOURCES
P.O. Box 10100 (6100 Neil Road) Reno, Nevada 89520-0400 (89511) (775) 834-4011 |
88-0198358 | Nevada | |||
|
||||||
2-28348
|
NEVADA POWER COMPANY
6226 West Sahara Avenue Las Vegas, Nevada 89146 (702) 367-5000 |
88-0420104 | Nevada | |||
|
||||||
0-00508
|
SIERRA PACIFIC POWER COMPANY
P.O. Box 10100 (6100 Neil Road) Reno, Nevada 89520-0400 (89511) (775) 834-4011 |
88-0044418 | Nevada |
|
Sierra Pacific Resources: | Large accelerated filer þ | Accelerated filer o | Non-accelerated filer o | ||||
|
Nevada Power Company: | Large accelerated filer o | Accelerated filer o | Non-accelerated filer þ | ||||
|
Sierra Pacific Power Company: | Large accelerated filer o | Accelerated filer o | Non-accelerated filer þ |
Class
|
Outstanding at May 2, 2006 | |||
Common Stock, $1.00 par value
|
200,879,752 Shares | |||
of Sierra Pacific Resources
|
March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
2006 | 2005 | |||||||
ASSETS
|
||||||||
Utility Plant at Original Cost:
|
||||||||
Plant in service
|
$ | 7,336,827 | $ | 6,801,916 | ||||
Less accumulated provision for depreciation
|
2,218,290 | 2,169,316 | ||||||
|
||||||||
|
5,118,537 | 4,632,600 | ||||||
Construction work-in-progress
|
636,416 | 765,005 | ||||||
|
||||||||
|
5,754,953 | 5,397,605 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Investments and other property, net
|
62,149 | 62,771 | ||||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
Current Assets:
|
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents
|
238,966 | 172,682 | ||||||
Restricted cash and investments
|
| 67,245 | ||||||
Accounts receivable less allowance for uncollectible accounts:
|
||||||||
2006-$36,708; 2005-$36,021
|
342,387 | 413,171 | ||||||
Deferred energy costs electric (Note 1)
|
185,729 | 253,697 | ||||||
Deferred energy costs gas (Note 1)
|
2,052 | 5,825 | ||||||
Deferred
income taxes
|
17,469 | | ||||||
Materials, supplies and fuel, at average cost
|
91,462 | 88,445 | ||||||
Risk management assets (Note 5)
|
39,609 | 50,226 | ||||||
Deposits and prepayments for energy
|
23,455 | 45,054 | ||||||
Other
|
24,986 | 26,544 | ||||||
|
||||||||
|
966,115 | 1,122,889 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Deferred Charges and Other Assets:
|
||||||||
Goodwill (Note 8)
|
22,877 | 22,877 | ||||||
Deferred energy costs electric (Note 1)
|
325,496 | 255,312 | ||||||
Deferred energy costs gas (Note 1)
|
5 | 845 | ||||||
Regulatory tax asset
|
248,353 | 249,261 | ||||||
Other regulatory assets
|
574,059 | 568,145 | ||||||
Risk management assets (Note 5)
|
298 | | ||||||
Risk management regulatory assets net (Note 5)
|
89,007 | | ||||||
Unamortized debt issuance costs
|
68,375 | 63,395 | ||||||
Other
|
107,994 | 107,330 | ||||||
|
||||||||
|
1,436,464 | 1,267,165 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Assets of Discontinued Operations
|
20,102 | 20,116 | ||||||
|
||||||||
TOTAL ASSETS
|
$ | 8,239,783 | $ | 7,870,546 | ||||
|
||||||||
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
|
||||||||
Capitalization:
|
||||||||
Common shareholders equity
|
$ | 2,061,378 | $ | 2,060,154 | ||||
Preferred stock
|
50,000 | 50,000 | ||||||
Long-term debt
|
4,122,580 | 3,817,122 | ||||||
|
||||||||
|
6,233,958 | 5,927,276 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Current Liabilities:
|
||||||||
Current maturities of long-term debt
|
196,325 | 58,909 | ||||||
Accounts payable
|
195,791 | 252,900 | ||||||
Accrued interest
|
69,858 | 58,585 | ||||||
Dividends declared
|
1,050 | 1,043 | ||||||
Accrued salaries and benefits
|
24,233 | 32,186 | ||||||
Current income taxes payable
|
| 3,159 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes
|
| 129,041 | ||||||
Risk management liabilities (Note 5)
|
98,243 | 16,580 | ||||||
Accrued taxes
|
5,982 | 6,540 | ||||||
Contract termination liabilities
|
| 129,000 | ||||||
Other current liabilities
|
58,847 | 56,724 | ||||||
|
||||||||
|
650,329 | 744,667 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6)
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:
|
||||||||
Deferred income taxes
|
600,531 | 451,924 | ||||||
Deferred investment tax credit
|
37,815 | 38,625 | ||||||
Regulatory tax liability
|
37,459 | 38,224 | ||||||
Customer advances for construction
|
182,090 | 170,061 | ||||||
Accrued retirement benefits
|
84,548 | 77,245 | ||||||
Risk management regulatory liability net (Note 5)
|
| 15,605 | ||||||
Regulatory liabilities
|
290,051 | 284,438 | ||||||
Other
|
112,802 | 112,281 | ||||||
|
||||||||
|
1,345,296 | 1,188,403 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Liabilities of Discontinued Operations
|
10,200 | 10,200 | ||||||
|
||||||||
TOTAL CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
|
$ | 8,239,783 | $ | 7,870,546 | ||||
|
3
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||
2006 | 2005 | |||||||
OPERATING REVENUES:
|
||||||||
Electric
|
$ | 620,047 | $ | 581,144 | ||||
Gas
|
86,725 | 67,538 | ||||||
Other
|
284 | 292 | ||||||
|
||||||||
|
707,056 | 648,974 | ||||||
|
||||||||
OPERATING EXPENSES:
|
||||||||
Operation:
|
||||||||
Purchased power
|
253,744 | 220,152 | ||||||
Fuel for power generation
|
143,109 | 110,002 | ||||||
Gas purchased for resale
|
67,396 | 53,480 | ||||||
Deferral of energy costs electric net
|
4,072 | 40,116 | ||||||
Deferral of energy costs gas net
|
4,731 | (328 | ) | |||||
Other
|
90,262 | 87,590 | ||||||
Maintenance
|
21,930 | 22,946 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization
|
57,461 | 52,789 | ||||||
Taxes:
|
||||||||
Income taxes
|
(6,899 | ) | (7,830 | ) | ||||
Other than income
|
11,664 | 11,109 | ||||||
|
||||||||
|
647,470 | 590,026 | ||||||
|
||||||||
OPERATING INCOME
|
59,586 | 58,948 | ||||||
|
||||||||
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
|
||||||||
Allowance for other funds used during construction
|
6,132 | 3,809 | ||||||
Interest accrued on deferred energy
|
8,716 | 6,108 | ||||||
Other income
|
13,294 | 10,139 | ||||||
Other expense
|
(4,718 | ) | (4,266 | ) | ||||
|
||||||||
Income taxes
|
(8,185 | ) | (3,264 | ) | ||||
|
||||||||
|
15,239 | 12,526 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Total Income Before Interest Charges
|
74,825 | 71,474 | ||||||
|
||||||||
INTEREST CHARGES:
|
||||||||
Long-term debt
|
73,383 | 78,427 | ||||||
Other
|
5,218 | 6,166 | ||||||
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction
|
(6,002 | ) | (4,603 | ) | ||||
|
||||||||
|
72,599 | 79,990 | ||||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
|
2,226 | (8,516 | ) | |||||
|
||||||||
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
Income (Loss) from discontinued operations (net of income taxes(benefits) of $(5)
and $3 respectively)
|
(9 | ) | 5 | |||||
|
||||||||
NET INCOME (LOSS)
|
2,217 | (8,511 | ) | |||||
Preferred stock dividend requirements of subsidiary
|
975 | 975 | ||||||
|
||||||||
EARNINGS (DEFICIT) APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCK
|
$ | 1,242 | $ | (9,486 | ) | |||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
Amount per share basic and diluted (Note 7)
|
||||||||
Income / (Loss) from continuing operations
|
$ | 0.01 | $ | (0.07 | ) | |||
Earnings / (Deficit) applicable to common stock
|
$ | 0.01 | $ | (0.08 | ) | |||
|
||||||||
Weighted Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding basic
|
200,868,612 | 117,549,912 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Weighted Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding diluted
|
201,265,472 | 117,549,912 | ||||||
|
4
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||
2006 | 2005 | |||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||
Net Income (Loss)
|
$ | 2,217 | $ | (8,511 | ) | |||
Non-cash items included in net income (loss):
|
||||||||
Depreciation and amortization
|
57,461 | 52,789 | ||||||
Deferred taxes and deferred investment tax credit
|
(1,822 | ) | (4,442 | ) | ||||
AFUDC
|
(12,134 | ) | (8,412 | ) | ||||
Amortization of deferred energy costs electric
|
32,560 | 55,854 | ||||||
Amortization of deferred energy costs gas
|
3,021 | (466 | ) | |||||
Other non-cash
|
(3,990 | ) | 511 | |||||
Changes in certain assets and liabilities:
|
||||||||
Accounts receivable
|
29,418 | 28,357 | ||||||
Deferral of energy costs electric
|
(37,085 | ) | (16,630 | ) | ||||
Deferral of energy costs gas
|
1,592 | 18 | ||||||
Deferral of energy costs terminated suppliers
|
2,309 | | ||||||
Materials, supplies and fuel
|
(3,018 | ) | (1,052 | ) | ||||
Other current assets
|
23,156 | 22,764 | ||||||
Accounts payable
|
(56,661 | ) | 16,601 | |||||
Payment to terminating supplier
|
(65,368 | ) | | |||||
Proceeds from claim on terminating supplier
|
41,365 | | ||||||
Other current liabilities
|
4,977 | 17,214 | ||||||
Discontinued operations operating activities
|
14 | (8 | ) | |||||
Risk Management assets and liabilites
|
(12,630 | ) | (12,380 | ) | ||||
Other assets
|
4,537 | 163 | ||||||
Other liabilities
|
3,278 | 5,482 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Net Cash from Operating Activities
|
13,197 | 147,852 | ||||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||
Additions to utility plant
|
(413,937 | ) | (165,101 | ) | ||||
AFUDC and other charges to utility plant
|
12,134 | 8,412 | ||||||
Customer advances for construction
|
12,028 | 5,357 | ||||||
Contributions in aid of construction
|
7,193 | 4,032 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Net cash used for utility plant
|
(382,582 | ) | (147,300 | ) | ||||
Investments in subsidiaries and other property net
|
2,838 | 4,043 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Net Cash used by Investing Activities
|
(379,744 | ) | (143,257 | ) | ||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||
Change in restricted cash and investments
|
3,612 | 12,786 | ||||||
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
|
1,030,329 | | ||||||
Retirement of long-term debt
|
(600,126 | ) | (1,167 | ) | ||||
Sale
(purchase) of common stock, net of issuance cost
|
(16 | ) | 1,174 | |||||
Dividends paid
|
(968 | ) | (977 | ) | ||||
|
||||||||
Net Cash from Financing Activities
|
432,831 | 11,816 | ||||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents
|
66,284 | 16,411 | ||||||
Beginning Balance in Cash and Cash Equivalents
|
172,682 | 266,328 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Ending Balance in Cash and Cash Equivalents
|
$ | 238,966 | $ | 282,739 | ||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:
|
||||||||
Cash paid during period for:
|
||||||||
Interest
|
$ | 75,627 | $ | 64,509 | ||||
Income taxes
|
$ | 3,159 | $ | |
5
March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
2006 | 2005 | |||||||
Common
Shareholders Equity:
|
||||||||
Common stock, $1.00 par value, authorized 250 million; issued
and outstanding 2006: 200,792,000 shares; issued and outstanding
2005: 200,792,000 shares
|
$ | 200,792 | $ | 200,792 | ||||
|
||||||||
Other paid-in capital
|
2,220,879 | 2,220,896 | ||||||
Retained Deficit
|
(354,642 | ) | (355,883 | ) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive Loss
|
(5,651 | ) | (5,651 | ) | ||||
|
||||||||
Total
Common Shareholders Equity
|
2,061,378 | 2,060,154 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Preferred Stock of Subsidiaries:
|
||||||||
Not subject to mandatory redemption; 2,000,000 shares outstanding;
$25 stated value
|
||||||||
SPPC Class A Series 1; $1.95 dividend
|
50,000 | 50,000 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Long-Term Debt:
|
||||||||
Secured Debt
|
||||||||
First Mortgage Bonds
|
||||||||
8.50% NPC Series Z due 2023
|
35,000 | 35,000 | ||||||
Debt Secured by First Mortgage Bonds
|
||||||||
Revenue Bonds
|
||||||||
Nevada Power Company
|
||||||||
6.60% NPC Series 1992B due 2019
|
39,500 | 39,500 | ||||||
6.70% NPC Series 1992A due 2022
|
105,000 | 105,000 | ||||||
7.20% NPC Series 1992C due 2022
|
78,000 | 78,000 | ||||||
Sierra Pacific Power Company
|
||||||||
6.35% SPPC Series 1992B due 2012
|
1,000 | 1,000 | ||||||
6.55% SPPC Series 1987 due 2013
|
39,500 | 39,500 | ||||||
6.30% SPPC Series 1987 due 2014
|
45,000 | 45,000 | ||||||
6.65% SPPC Series 1987 due 2017
|
92,500 | 92,500 | ||||||
6.55% SPPC Series 1990 due 2020
|
20,000 | 20,000 | ||||||
6.30% SPPC Series 1992A due 2022
|
10,250 | 10,250 | ||||||
5.90% SPPC Series 1993A due 2023
|
9,800 | 9,800 | ||||||
5.90% SPPC Series 1993B due 2023
|
30,000 | 30,000 | ||||||
6.70% SPPC Series 1992 due 2032
|
21,200 | 21,200 | ||||||
Medium Term Notes
|
||||||||
Sierra Pacific Power Company
|
||||||||
6.62% to 6.83% SPPC Series C due 2006
|
30,000 | 50,000 | ||||||
6.95% to 8.61% SPPC Series A due 2022
|
| 110,000 | ||||||
7.10% to 7.14% SPPC Series B due 2023
|
| 58,000 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Subtotal
|
556,750 | 744,750 | ||||||
|
||||||||
General and Refunding Mortgage Securities
|
||||||||
Nevada Power Company
|
||||||||
10.88% NPC Series E due 2009
|
162,500 | 162,500 | ||||||
8.25% NPC Series A due 2011
|
350,000 | 350,000 | ||||||
6.50% NPC Series I due 2012
|
130,000 | 130,000 | ||||||
9.00% NPC Series G due 2013
|
227,500 | 227,500 | ||||||
5.875% NPC Series L due 2015
|
250,000 | 250,000 | ||||||
5.95% NPC Series M due 2016
|
210,000 | | ||||||
Sierra Pacific Power Company
|
||||||||
8.00% SPPC Series A due 2008
|
320,000 | 320,000 | ||||||
6.25% SPPC Series H due 2012
|
100,000 | 100,000 | ||||||
6.00% SPPC Series M due 2016
|
300,000 | | ||||||
|
||||||||
Subtotal
|
2,050,000 | 1,540,000 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Debt Secured by General and Refunding Mortgage Securities
|
||||||||
NPC Revolving Credit Facility
|
275,000 | 150,000 | ||||||
5.00% SPPC Series 2001 due 2036
|
80,000 | 80,000 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Subtotal
|
355,000 | 230,000 | ||||||
|
6
March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
2006 | 2005 | |||||||
Unsecured Debt
|
||||||||
Revenue Bonds
|
||||||||
Nevada Power Company
|
||||||||
5.30% NPC Series 1995D due 2011
|
$ | 14,000 | $ | 14,000 | ||||
5.35% NPC Series 1995E due 2022
|
13,000 | 13,000 | ||||||
5.45% NPC Series 1995D due 2023
|
6,300 | 6,300 | ||||||
5.50% NPC Series 1995C due 2030
|
44,000 | 44,000 | ||||||
5.60% NPC Series 1995A due 2030
|
76,750 | 76,750 | ||||||
5.90% NPC Series 1995B due 2030
|
85,000 | 85,000 | ||||||
5.80% NPC Series 1997B due 2032
|
20,000 | 20,000 | ||||||
5.90% NPC Series 1997A due 2032
|
52,285 | 52,285 | ||||||
6.38% NPC Series 1996 due 2036
|
20,000 | 20,000 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Subtotal
|
331,335 | 331,335 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Variable Rate Notes
|
||||||||
NPC PCRB Series 2000B due 2009
|
15,000 | 15,000 | ||||||
NPC IDRB Series 2000A due 2020
|
100,000 | 100,000 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Subtotal
|
115,000 | 115,000 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Other Notes
|
||||||||
Sierra Pacific Resources
|
||||||||
7.803% SPR Senior Notes due 2012
|
99,142 | 99,142 | ||||||
8.625% SPR Notes due 2014
|
335,000 | 335,000 | ||||||
6.75% SPR Senior Notes due 2017
|
225,000 | 225,000 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Subtotal, excluding current portion
|
659,142 | 659,142 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Unamortized bond premium and discount, net
|
(3,556 | ) | (3,495 | ) | ||||
|
||||||||
Nevada Power Company
|
||||||||
8.2% Junior Subordinated Debentures of NPC, due 2037
|
122,548 | 122,548 | ||||||
7.75% Junior Subordinated Debentures of NPC, due 2038
|
72,165 | 72,165 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Subtotal
|
194,713 | 194,713 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Obligations under capital leases
|
53,385 | 56,921 | ||||||
Current maturities and sinking fund requirements
|
(196,325 | ) | (58,909 | ) | ||||
Other, excluding current portion
|
7,136 | 7,665 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Total Long-Term Debt
|
4,122,580 | 3,817,122 | ||||||
|
||||||||
TOTAL CAPITALIZATION
|
$ | 6,233,958 | $ | 5,927,276 | ||||
|
7
March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
2006 | 2005 | |||||||
ASSETS
|
||||||||
Utility Plant at Original Cost:
|
||||||||
Plant in service
|
$ | 4,622,317 | $ | 4,106,489 | ||||
Less accumulated provision for depreciation
|
1,162,645 | 1,128,209 | ||||||
|
||||||||
|
3,459,672 | 2,978,280 | ||||||
Construction work-in-progress
|
525,778 | 698,206 | ||||||
|
||||||||
|
3,985,450 | 3,676,486 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Investments and other property, net
|
29,412 | 29,249 | ||||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
Current Assets:
|
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents
|
47,577 | 98,681 | ||||||
Restricted cash
|
| 52,374 | ||||||
Accounts
receivable less allowance for uncollectible accounts: 2006-$30,455; 2005-$30,386
|
188,762 | 232,086 | ||||||
Accounts receivable, affiliated companies
|
18,059 | 3,738 | ||||||
Deferred energy costs electric (Note 1)
|
110,087 | 186,355 | ||||||
Materials, supplies and fuel, at average cost
|
51,421 | 46,835 | ||||||
Risk management assets (Note 5)
|
28,237 | 22,404 | ||||||
Intercompany
income taxes receivable
|
48,198 | | ||||||
Deposits and prepayments for energy
|
11,802 | 16,303 | ||||||
Other
|
14,573 | 16,075 | ||||||
|
||||||||
|
518,716 | 674,851 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Deferred Charges and Other Assets:
|
||||||||
Deferred energy costs electric (Note 1)
|
292,863 | 214,587 | ||||||
Regulatory tax asset
|
155,019 | 155,304 | ||||||
Other regulatory assets
|
363,521 | 362,567 | ||||||
Risk management regulatory assets net (Note 5)
|
53,707 | | ||||||
Unamortized debt issuance costs
|
39,762 | 37,157 | ||||||
Other
|
24,939 | 23,720 | ||||||
|
||||||||
|
929,811 | 793,335 | ||||||
|
||||||||
TOTAL ASSETS
|
$ | 5,463,389 | $ | 5,173,921 | ||||
|
||||||||
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
|
||||||||
Capitalization:
|
||||||||
Common shareholders equity
|
$ | 1,741,843 | $ | 1,762,089 | ||||
Long-term debt
|
2,388,210 | 2,214,063 | ||||||
|
||||||||
|
4,130,053 | 3,976,152 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Current Liabilities:
|
||||||||
Current maturities of long-term debt
|
163,925 | 6,509 | ||||||
Accounts payable
|
113,942 | 164,169 | ||||||
Accrued interest
|
44,482 | 33,031 | ||||||
Dividends declared
|
75 | 397 | ||||||
Accrued salaries and benefits
|
10,943 | 15,537 | ||||||
Current income taxes payable
|
| 3,159 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes
|
29,260 | 57,392 | ||||||
Risk management liabilities (Note 5)
|
61,316 | 10,125 | ||||||
Accrued taxes
|
2,667 | 2,817 | ||||||
Contract termination liabilities
|
| 89,784 | ||||||
Other current liabilities
|
48,143 | 46,425 | ||||||
|
||||||||
|
474,753 | 429,345 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6)
|
||||||||
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:
|
||||||||
Deferred income taxes
|
438,087 | 362,973 | ||||||
Deferred investment tax credit
|
16,427 | 16,832 | ||||||
Regulatory tax liability
|
14,743 | 15,068 | ||||||
Customer advances for construction
|
107,299 | 98,056 | ||||||
Accrued retirement benefits
|
27,453 | 24,614 | ||||||
Risk management regulatory liability net (Note 5)
|
| 590 | ||||||
Regulatory liabilities
|
176,400 | 173,527 | ||||||
Other
|
78,174 | 76,764 | ||||||
|
||||||||
|
858,583 | 768,424 | ||||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
TOTAL CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
|
$ | 5,463,389 | $ | 5,173,921 | ||||
|
8
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||
2006 | 2005 | |||||||
OPERATING REVENUES:
|
||||||||
Electric
|
$ | 381,275 | $ | 354,134 | ||||
|
||||||||
OPERATING EXPENSES:
|
||||||||
Operation:
|
||||||||
Purchased power
|
161,596 | 141,428 | ||||||
Fuel for power generation
|
89,822 | 55,640 | ||||||
Deferral of energy costs-net
|
3,167 | 35,823 | ||||||
Other
|
54,133 | 51,099 | ||||||
Maintenance
|
14,157 | 16,955 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization
|
34,237 | 30,402 | ||||||
Taxes:
|
||||||||
Income tax benefits
|
(8,095 | ) | (6,794 | ) | ||||
Other than income
|
6,595 | 6,316 | ||||||
|
||||||||
|
355,612 | 330,869 | ||||||
|
||||||||
OPERATING INCOME
|
25,663 | 23,265 | ||||||
|
||||||||
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
|
||||||||
Allowance for other funds used during construction
|
5,429 | 3,490 | ||||||
Interest accrued on deferred energy
|
6,783 | 4,525 | ||||||
Other income
|
8,397 | 6,913 | ||||||
Other expense
|
(1,965 | ) | (1,576 | ) | ||||
Income taxes
|
(6,409 | ) | (3,102 | ) | ||||
|
||||||||
|
12,235 | 10,250 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Total Income Before Interest Charges
|
37,898 | 33,515 | ||||||
|
||||||||
INTEREST CHARGES:
|
||||||||
Long-term debt
|
42,739 | 41,529 | ||||||
Other
|
3,827 | 4,332 | ||||||
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction
|
(5,372 | ) | (4,313 | ) | ||||
|
||||||||
|
41,194 | 41,548 | ||||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
NET LOSS
|
$ | (3,296 | ) | $ | (8,033 | ) | ||
|
9
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||
2006 | 2005 | |||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||
Net Loss
|
$ | (3,296 | ) | $ | (8,033 | ) | ||
Non-cash items included in net loss:
|
||||||||
Depreciation and amortization
|
34,237 | 30,402 | ||||||
Deferred taxes and deferred investment tax credit
|
(4,820 | ) | (3,692 | ) | ||||
AFUDC
|
(10,801 | ) | (7,803 | ) | ||||
Amortization of deferred energy costs
|
21,278 | 46,673 | ||||||
Other non-cash
|
(4,436 | ) | 6,020 | |||||
Changes in certain assets and liabilities:
|
||||||||
Accounts receivable
|
2,611 | 13,876 | ||||||
Deferral of energy costs
|
(24,893 | ) | (10,280 | ) | ||||
Deferral of energy costs terminated suppliers
|
1,607 | | ||||||
Materials, supplies and fuel
|
(4,586 | ) | 2,905 | |||||
Other current assets
|
6,004 | 7,661 | ||||||
Accounts payable
|
(46,598 | ) | 15,547 | |||||
Payment to terminating supplier
|
(37,410 | ) | | |||||
Proceeds from claim on terminating supplier
|
26,391 | | ||||||
Other current liabilities
|
8,424 | 16,976 | ||||||
Risk Management assets and liabilites
|
(8,939 | ) | (13,244 | ) | ||||
Other assets
|
3,572 | 163 | ||||||
Other liabilities
|
1,846 | (2,052 | ) | |||||
|
||||||||
Net Cash from (used by) Operating Activities
|
(39,809 | ) | 95,119 | |||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||
Additions to utility plant
|
(349,409 | ) | (140,095 | ) | ||||
AFUDC and other charges to utility plant
|
10,801 | 7,803 | ||||||
Customer advances for construction
|
9,242 | 2,970 | ||||||
Contributions in aid of construction
|
7,075 | (559 | ) | |||||
|
||||||||
Net cash used for utility plant
|
(322,291 | ) | (129,881 | ) | ||||
Investments in subsidiaries and other property net
|
(67 | ) | 1,924 | |||||
|
||||||||
Net Cash used by Investing Activities
|
(322,358 | ) | (127,957 | ) | ||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
|
541,771 | | ||||||
Retirement of long-term debt
|
(213,436 | ) | (2,917 | ) | ||||
Dividends paid
|
(17,272 | ) | (19,852 | ) | ||||
|
||||||||
Net Cash
from (used by) Financing Activities
|
311,063 | (22,769 | ) | |||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents
|
(51,104 | ) | (55,607 | ) | ||||
Beginning Balance in Cash and Cash Equivalents
|
98,681 | 243,323 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Ending Balance in Cash and Cash Equivalents
|
$ | 47,577 | $ | 187,716 | ||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:
|
||||||||
Cash paid during period for:
|
||||||||
Interest
|
$ | 40,891 | $ | 28,650 | ||||
Income taxes
|
$ | 3,159 | $ | |
10
March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
2006 | 2005 | |||||||
Common Shareholders Equity:
|
||||||||
Common stock, $1.00 par value, 1,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding
|
$ | 1 | $ | 1 | ||||
Other paid-in capital
|
1,808,848 | 1,808,848 | ||||||
Retained Deficit
|
(63,667 | ) | (43,422 | ) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive Loss
|
(3,339 | ) | (3,338 | ) | ||||
|
||||||||
Total Common Shareholders Equity
|
1,741,843 | 1,762,089 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Long-Term Debt:
|
||||||||
Secured Debt
|
||||||||
First Mortgage Bonds
|
||||||||
8.50% Series Z due 2023
|
35,000 | 35,000 | ||||||
Debt Secured by First Mortgage Bonds
|
||||||||
Revenue Bonds
|
||||||||
6.60% Series 1992B due 2019
|
39,500 | 39,500 | ||||||
6.70% Series 1992A due 2022
|
105,000 | 105,000 | ||||||
7.20% Series 1992C due 2022
|
78,000 | 78,000 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Subtotal
|
257,500 | 257,500 | ||||||
|
||||||||
General and Refunding Mortgage Securities
|
||||||||
10.88% Series E due 2009
|
162,500 | 162,500 | ||||||
8.25% Series A due 2011
|
350,000 | 350,000 | ||||||
6.50% Series I due 2012
|
130,000 | 130,000 | ||||||
9.00% Series G due 2013
|
227,500 | 227,500 | ||||||
5.875% Series L due 2015
|
250,000 | 250,000 | ||||||
5.95% Series M due 2016
|
210,000 | | ||||||
|
||||||||
Subtotal
|
1,330,000 | 1,120,000 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Debt Secured by General and Refunding Mortgage Securities
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
Revolving Credit Facility
|
275,000 | 150,000 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Unsecured Debt
|
||||||||
Revenue Bonds
|
||||||||
5.30% Series 1995D due 2011
|
14,000 | 14,000 | ||||||
5.35% Series 1995E due 2022
|
13,000 | 13,000 | ||||||
5.45% Series 1995D due 2023
|
6,300 | 6,300 | ||||||
5.50% Series 1995C due 2030
|
44,000 | 44,000 | ||||||
5.60% Series 1995A due 2030
|
76,750 | 76,750 | ||||||
5.90% Series 1995B due 2030
|
85,000 | 85,000 | ||||||
5.80% Series 1997B due 2032
|
20,000 | 20,000 | ||||||
5.90% Series 1997A due 2032
|
52,285 | 52,285 | ||||||
6.38% Series 1996 due 2036
|
20,000 | 20,000 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Subtotal
|
331,335 | 331,335 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Variable Rate Notes
|
||||||||
PCRB Series 2000B due 2009
|
15,000 | 15,000 | ||||||
IDRB Series 2000A due 2020
|
100,000 | 100,000 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Subtotal
|
115,000 | 115,000 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Unamortized bond premium and discount, net
|
(4,839 | ) | (4,942 | ) | ||||
|
||||||||
8.2% Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2037
|
122,548 | 122,548 | ||||||
7.75% Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2038
|
72,165 | 72,165 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Subtotal
|
194,713 | 194,713 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Obligations under capital leases
|
53,385 | 56,921 | ||||||
Current maturities and sinking fund requirements
|
(163,925 | ) | (6,509 | ) | ||||
Other, excluding current portion
|
41 | 45 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Total Long-Term Debt
|
2,388,210 | 2,214,063 | ||||||
|
||||||||
TOTAL CAPITALIZATION
|
$ | 4,130,053 | $ | 3,976,152 | ||||
|
11
March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
2006 | 2005 | |||||||
ASSETS
|
||||||||
Utility Plant at Original Cost:
|
||||||||
Plant in service
|
$ | 2,714,510 | $ | 2,695,427 | ||||
Less accumulated provision for depreciation
|
1,055,645 | 1,041,107 | ||||||
|
||||||||
|
1,658,865 | 1,654,320 | ||||||
Construction work-in-progress
|
110,638 | 66,799 | ||||||
|
||||||||
|
1,769,503 | 1,721,119 | ||||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
Investments and other property, net
|
829 | 842 | ||||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
Current Assets:
|
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents
|
152,911 | 38,153 | ||||||
Restricted cash
|
| 14,871 | ||||||
Accounts
receivable less allowance for uncollectible accounts: 2006-$6,252; 2005-$5,634
|
152,975 | 180,973 | ||||||
Accounts receivable, affiliated companies
|
| 40,278 | ||||||
Deferred energy costs electric (Note 1)
|
75,642 | 67,342 | ||||||
Deferred energy costs gas (Note 1)
|
2,052 | 5,825 | ||||||
Materials, supplies and fuel, at average cost
|
40,023 | 41,608 | ||||||
Risk management assets (Note 5)
|
11,372 | 27,822 | ||||||
Intercompany
income taxes receivable
|
17,295 | | ||||||
Deposits and prepayments for energy
|
11,653 | 28,751 | ||||||
Other
|
9,876 | 9,547 | ||||||
|
||||||||
|
473,799 | 455,170 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Deferred Charges and Other Assets:
|
||||||||
Deferred energy costs electric (Note 1)
|
32,633 | 40,725 | ||||||
Deferred energy costs gas (Note 1)
|
5 | 845 | ||||||
Regulatory tax asset
|
93,334 | 93,957 | ||||||
Other regulatory assets
|
210,538 | 205,578 | ||||||
Risk management assets (Note 5)
|
298 | | ||||||
Risk management regulatory assets net (Note 5)
|
35,300 | | ||||||
Unamortized debt issuance costs
|
15,372 | 12,693 | ||||||
Other
|
15,992 | 15,372 | ||||||
|
||||||||
|
403,472 | 369,170 | ||||||
|
||||||||
TOTAL ASSETS
|
$ | 2,647,603 | $ | 2,546,301 | ||||
|
||||||||
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
|
||||||||
Capitalization:
|
||||||||
Common shareholders equity
|
$ | 731,438 | $ | 727,777 | ||||
Preferred stock
|
50,000 | 50,000 | ||||||
Long-term debt
|
1,073,197 | 941,804 | ||||||
|
||||||||
|
1,854,635 | 1,719,581 | ||||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
Current Liabilities:
|
||||||||
Current maturities of long-term debt
|
32,400 | 52,400 | ||||||
Accounts payable
|
57,393 | 56,661 | ||||||
Accounts payable, affiliated companies
|
15,864 | | ||||||
Accrued interest
|
20,028 | 10,993 | ||||||
Dividends declared
|
975 | 968 | ||||||
Accrued salaries and benefits
|
11,828 | 14,032 | ||||||
Current income taxes payable
|
| 49,673 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes
|
23,245 | 21,832 | ||||||
Risk management liabilities (Note 5)
|
36,927 | 6,455 | ||||||
Accrued taxes
|
3,227 | 3,541 | ||||||
Contract termination liabilities
|
| 39,216 | ||||||
Other current liabilities
|
10,703 | 10,299 | ||||||
|
||||||||
|
212,590 | 266,070 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6)
|
||||||||
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:
|
||||||||
Deferred income taxes
|
268,143 | 244,244 | ||||||
Deferred investment tax credit
|
21,388 | 21,793 | ||||||
Regulatory tax liability
|
22,716 | 23,156 | ||||||
Customer advances for construction
|
74,791 | 72,005 | ||||||
Accrued retirement benefits
|
46,540 | 41,507 | ||||||
Risk management regulatory liability net (Note 5)
|
| 15,015 | ||||||
Regulatory liabilities
|
113,651 | 110,911 | ||||||
Other
|
33,149 | 32,019 | ||||||
|
||||||||
|
580,378 | 560,650 | ||||||
|
||||||||
TOTAL CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
|
$ | 2,647,603 | $ | 2,546,301 | ||||
|
12
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||
2006 | 2005 | |||||||
OPERATING REVENUES:
|
||||||||
Electric
|
$ | 238,772 | $ | 227,010 | ||||
Gas
|
86,725 | 67,538 | ||||||
|
||||||||
|
325,497 | 294,548 | ||||||
|
||||||||
OPERATING EXPENSES:
|
||||||||
Operation:
|
||||||||
Purchased power
|
92,148 | 78,724 | ||||||
Fuel for power generation
|
53,287 | 54,362 | ||||||
Gas purchased for resale
|
67,396 | 53,480 | ||||||
Deferral of energy costs electric net
|
905 | 4,293 | ||||||
Deferral of energy costs gas net
|
4,731 | (328 | ) | |||||
Other
|
34,175 | 34,769 | ||||||
Maintenance
|
7,773 | 5,991 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization
|
23,224 | 22,387 | ||||||
Taxes:
|
||||||||
Income taxes
|
6,849 | 6,603 | ||||||
Other than income
|
5,018 | 4,748 | ||||||
|
||||||||
|
295,506 | 265,029 | ||||||
|
||||||||
OPERATING INCOME
|
29,991 | 29,519 | ||||||
|
||||||||
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
|
||||||||
Allowance for other funds used during construction
|
703 | 319 | ||||||
Interest accrued on deferred energy
|
1,933 | 1,583 | ||||||
Other income
|
2,148 | 971 | ||||||
Other expense
|
(2,524 | ) | (1,640 | ) | ||||
Income tax benefit
|
(823 | ) | (452 | ) | ||||
|
||||||||
|
1,437 | 781 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Total Income Before Interest Charges
|
31,428 | 30,300 | ||||||
|
||||||||
INTEREST CHARGES:
|
||||||||
Long-term debt
|
17,690 | 17,307 | ||||||
Other
|
1,096 | 1,146 | ||||||
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction
|
(630 | ) | (290 | ) | ||||
|
||||||||
|
18,156 | 18,163 | ||||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
NET INCOME
|
13,272 | 12,137 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Preferred Dividend Requirements
|
975 | 975 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Earnings applicable to common stock
|
$ | 12,297 | $ | 11,162 | ||||
|
13
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||
2006 | 2005 | |||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||
Net Income
|
$ | 13,272 | $ | 12,137 | ||||
Non-cash items included in net loss:
|
||||||||
Depreciation and amortization
|
23,224 | 22,387 | ||||||
Deferred taxes and deferred investment tax credit
|
(41,878 | ) | (2,848 | ) | ||||
AFUDC
|
(1,333 | ) | (609 | ) | ||||
Amortization of deferred energy costs electric
|
11,282 | 9,181 | ||||||
Amortization of deferred energy costs gas
|
3,021 | (466 | ) | |||||
Other non-cash
|
1,090 | (1,641 | ) | |||||
Changes in certain assets and liabilities:
|
||||||||
Accounts receivable
|
53,301 | 26,595 | ||||||
Deferral of energy costs electric
|
(12,192 | ) | (6,350 | ) | ||||
Deferral of energy costs gas
|
1,592 | 18 | ||||||
Deferral of energy costs terminated suppliers
|
702 | | ||||||
Materials, supplies and fuel
|
1,584 | (3,957 | ) | |||||
Other current assets
|
16,770 | 11,472 | ||||||
Accounts payable
|
13,414 | 1,026 | ||||||
Payment to terminating supplier
|
(27,958 | ) | | |||||
Proceeds from claim on terminating supplier
|
14,974 | | ||||||
Other current liabilities
|
6,921 | 14,370 | ||||||
Risk Management assets and liabilites
|
(3,691 | ) | 864 | |||||
Other assets
|
965 | | ||||||
Other liabilities
|
4,019 | 5,726 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Net Cash from Operating Activities
|
79,079 | 87,905 | ||||||
|
||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||
Additions to utility plant
|
(64,528 | ) | (25,006 | ) | ||||
AFUDC and other charges to utility plant
|
1,333 | 609 | ||||||
Customer advances for construction
|
2,786 | 2,387 | ||||||
Contributions in aid of construction
|
118 | 4,591 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Net cash used for utility plant
|
(60,291 | ) | (17,419 | ) | ||||
Disposal of subsidiaries and other property net
|
13 | 12 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Net Cash used by Investing Activities
|
(60,278 | ) | (17,407 | ) | ||||
|
||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||
Change in restricted cash and investments
|
3,612 | 2,000 | ||||||
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
|
488,557 | | ||||||
Retirement of long-term debt
|
(386,608 | ) | (688 | ) | ||||
Dividends paid
|
(9,604 | ) | (975 | ) | ||||
|
||||||||
Net Cash from Financing Activities
|
95,957 | 337 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents
|
114,758 | 70,835 | ||||||
Beginning Balance in Cash and Cash Equivalents
|
38,153 | 19,319 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Ending Balance in Cash and Cash Equivalents
|
$ | 152,911 | $ | 90,154 | ||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:
|
||||||||
Cash paid during period for:
|
||||||||
Interest
|
$ | 12,274 | $ | 2,908 | ||||
Income taxes
|
$ | | $ | |
14
March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
2006 | 2005 | |||||||
Common Shareholders Equity:
|
||||||||
Common stock, $3.75 par value, 1,000 shares authorized, issued and
outstanding
|
$ | 4 | $ | 4 | ||||
Other paid-in capital
|
810,103 | 810,103 | ||||||
Retained Deficit
|
(76,877 | ) | (80,538 | ) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive Loss
|
(1,792 | ) | (1,792 | ) | ||||
|
||||||||
Total Common Shareholders Equity
|
731,438 | 727,777 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Cumulative Preferred Stock:
|
||||||||
Not subject to mandatory redemption; 2,000,000 shares outstanding; $25
stated value
|
50,000 | 50,000 | ||||||
|
||||||||
SPPC Class A Series 1; $1.95 dividend
|
||||||||
Long-Term Debt:
|
||||||||
Secured Debt
|
||||||||
Debt Secured by First Mortgage Bonds
|
||||||||
Revenue Bonds
|
||||||||
6.35% Series 1992B due 2012
|
1,000 | 1,000 | ||||||
6.55% Series 1987 due 2013
|
39,500 | 39,500 | ||||||
6.30% Series 1987 due 2014
|
45,000 | 45,000 | ||||||
6.65% Series 1987 due 2017
|
92,500 | 92,500 | ||||||
6.55% Series 1990 due 2020
|
20,000 | 20,000 | ||||||
6.30% Series 1992A due 2022
|
10,250 | 10,250 | ||||||
5.90% Series 1993A due 2023
|
9,800 | 9,800 | ||||||
5.90% Series 1993B due 2023
|
30,000 | 30,000 | ||||||
6.70% Series 1992 due 2032
|
21,200 | 21,200 | ||||||
Medium Term Notes
|
||||||||
6.62% to 6.83% Series C due 2006
|
30,000 | 50,000 | ||||||
6.95% to 8.61% Series A due 2022
|
| 110,000 | ||||||
7.10% to 7.14% Series B due 2023
|
| 58,000 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Subtotal
|
299,250 | 487,250 | ||||||
|
||||||||
General and Refunding Mortgage Securities
|
||||||||
8.00% Series A due 2008
|
320,000 | 320,000 | ||||||
6.25% Series H due 2012
|
100,000 | 100,000 | ||||||
6.00% Series M due 2016
|
300,000 | | ||||||
|
||||||||
Subtotal
|
720,000 | 420,000 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Debt Secured by General and Refunding Mortgage Securities
|
||||||||
5.00% Series 2001 due 2036
|
80,000 | 80,000 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Subtotal
|
80,000 | 80,000 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Unsecured Debt
|
||||||||
Unamortized bond premium and discount, net
|
(748 | ) | (666 | ) | ||||
Current maturities and sinking fund requirements
|
(32,400 | ) | (52,400 | ) | ||||
Other, excluding current portion
|
7,095 | 7,620 | ||||||
|
||||||||
Total Long-Term Debt
|
1,073,197 | 941,804 | ||||||
|
||||||||
TOTAL CAPITALIZATION
|
$ | 1,854,635 | $ | 1,719,581 | ||||
|
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
Table of Contents
March 31, 2006
NPC
SPPC
SPPC
SPR
Description
Electric
Electric
Gas
Total
$
(2,291
)
(1)
$
(2,291
)
38,805
38,805
$
19,205
19,205
61,063
61,063
3,095
3,095
$
1,434
1,434
15
15
124
124
171,447
41,180
212,627
8,645
8,645
51,540
15,741
484
67,765
82,386
20,409
102,795
$
402,950
$
108,275
$
2,057
$
513,282
$
110,087
$
75,642
$
$
185,729
2,052
2,052
292,863
32,633
325,496
5
5
$
402,950
$
108,275
$
2,057
$
513,282
(1)
Credits represent over-collections, that is, the extent to which gas or
fuel and purchased power costs recovered through rates exceed actual gas or fuel and
purchased power costs.
(2)
Amounts related to claims for terminated supply contracts are discussed
in Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Commitments and
Contingencies in the 2005 10-K.
Table of Contents
permits fair value re-measurement for any hybrid financial instrument that contains
an embedded derivative that otherwise would require bifurcation;
clarifies which interest-only strips and principal-only strips are not subject to
the requirements of Statement 133,
establishes a requirement to evaluate interests in securitized financial assets to
identify interests that are freestanding derivatives or that are hybrid financial
instruments that contain an embedded derivative requiring bifurcation;
clarifies that concentrations of credit risk in the form of subordination are not
embedded derivatives; and
amends Statement 140 to eliminate the prohibition on a qualifying special-purpose
entity from holding a derivative financial instrument that pertains to a beneficial
interest other than another derivative financial instrument.
Three Months Ended
NPC
SPPC
Total
March 31, 2006
Electric
Electric
Electric
Gas
Other
Consolidated
$
381,275
$
238,772
$
620,047
$
86,725
$
284
$
707,056
$
25,663
$
24,778
$
50,441
$
5,213
$
3,932
$
59,586
Three Months Ended
NPC
SPPC
Total
March 31, 2005
Electric
Electric
Electric
Gas
Other
Consolidated
$
354,134
$
227,010
$
581,144
$
67,538
$
292
$
648,974
$
23,265
$
23,864
$
47,129
$
5,655
$
6,164
$
58,948
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Electric general revenue decrease of approximately
$14 million or 1.5% effective May 1, 2006,
Gas general revenue increase: $4.5 million or 2.3%, effective May 1, 2006
Electric Return on Equity and Rate of Return: 10.6% and 8.96% respectively
Gas Return on Equity and Rate of Return: 10.6% and 7.98% respectively
Approval to recover SPPCs allocated amount of the 1999 NPC/SPPC merger costs from Electric customers
Approval to recover an allocated amount of the 1999 NPC/SPPC merger costs from Gas customers
New depreciation rates for Gas and Electric facilities
Deferred recovery of legal expenses related to the Enron power sales contract litigation
Table of Contents
SPR Holding Co.
SPR
NPC
SPPC
and Other Subs.
Consolidated
$
163,348
(
1)
$
31,695
$
$
195,043
5,950
2,400
8,350
7,066
322,400
329,466
184,638
600
185,238
282,843
282,843
643,845
357,095
1,000,940
1,913,129
(2)
749,250
659,142
3,321,521
2,556,974
1,106,345
659,142
4,322,461
(4,839
)
(748
)
2,031
(3,556
)
$
2,552,135
$
1,105,597
$
661,173
$
4,318,905
(1)
NPCs 2006 amount of $163 million includes $157.5 million of debt that was paid
subsequent to March 31, 2006.
(2)
NPCs Thereafter amount of $1.9 billion includes $105 million of debt that was paid
subsequent to March 31, 2006. However, due to a conditional
notice of redemption, such amount remained in Thereafter.
Table of Contents
fund the early redemption of $35 million aggregate principal amount of NPCs 8.50%
Series Z First Mortgage Bonds due 2023 plus approximately $1 million of associated
redemption premiums;
fund the early redemption of $105 million aggregate principal amount of 6.70%
Industrial Development Revenue Bonds, due 2022; and
fund the early redemption of approximately $122.5 million aggregate principal amount
of NPCs 8.20% Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2037. When the debentures were
repaid upon redemption, the proceeds from the repayment were used to simultaneously
redeem an equal amount of the 8.20% Cumulative Quarterly Preferred Securities of NVP
Capital I, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NPC.
fund the early redemption of $110 million aggregate principal amount of SPPCs
Collateralized Medium Term 6.95% to 8.61% Series A Notes due 2022,
fund the early redemption of $58 million aggregate principal amount of SPPCs
Collateralized Medium Term 7.10% to 7.14% Series B Notes due 2023,
payment for maturing debt of $20 million aggregate principal amount of SPPC
Collateralized Medium Term 6.81% to 6.83% Series C Notes due 2006,
payment of approximately $51 million in connection with the redemption of SPPCs Series
A Preferred Stock on June 1, 2006. The stock will be redeemed at a redemption price per
share of $25.683, plus accrued dividends to the redemption date of $.4875 per share. As of
March 31, 2006, there were 2 million shares outstanding;
payment for maturing debt of $10 million aggregate principal amount of SPPC
Collateralized Medium Term 6.81% Series C Notes due April 2006;
payment for maturing debt of $20 million aggregate principal amount of SPPC
Collateralized Medium Term 6.62% to 6.65% Series C notes due November 2006; and
payment of related fees and for general corporate purposes.
Table of Contents
March 31,
December 31,
2006
2005
SPR
NPC
SPPC
SPR
NPC
SPPC
$
39.9
$
28.2
$
11.7
$
50.2
$
22.4
$
27.8
$
98.2
$
61.3
$
36.9
$
16.6
$
10.1
$
6.5
$
89.0
$
53.7
$
35.3
$
(15.6
)
$
(.6
)
$
(15.0
)
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Three months ended March 31,
2006
2005
$
2,226
$
(8,516
)
$
(9
)
$
5
$
1,242
$
(9,486
)
200,868,612
117,549,912
$
0.01
$
(0.07
)
$
$
$
0.01
$
(0.08
)
$
2,226
$
(8,516
)
$
(9
)
$
5
$
1,242
$
(9,486
)
200,868,612
117,549,912
73,905
112,074
25,287
2,168
183,426
201,265,472
117,549,912
$
0.01
$
(0.07
)
$
$
$
0.01
$
(0.08
)
(1)
The denominator does not include stock equivalents resulting from the options
issued under the Nonqualified stock option plan for the three months ended March 31,
2006 and 2005, due to conversion prices being higher than market prices for all
periods. Under the nonqualified stock option plan for the three months ended March 31,
2006 and 2005, 919,914 and 1.1 million shares, respectively, would be included. The
denominator does not include stock equivalents resulting from the conversion of the
Corporate PIES, for the three months ended March 31, 2005. The amounts that would
have been included in the calculation, if the conversion price were met would have
been 17.3 million shares.
Table of Contents
Pension Benefits
Other Postretirement Benefits
2006
2005
2006
2005
$
5,758
$
4,620
$
883
$
820
9,157
8,062
2,571
2,465
(10,182
)
(9,042
)
(1,230
)
(966
)
473
428
31
16
242
242
2,443
1,614
1,154
946
181
3
$
7,649
$
5,863
$
3,651
$
3,526
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
(1)
wholesale market conditions, including availability of power on the spot
market, which affect the prices NPC and SPPC (the Utilities) have to pay for power as
well as the prices at which the Utilities can sell any excess power;
(2)
whether the Utilities will be able to continue to obtain fuel and power from
their suppliers on favorable payment terms and favorable prices, particularly in the
event of unanticipated power demands (for example, due to unseasonably hot weather),
sharp increases in the prices for fuel and/or power or a ratings downgrade;
(3)
the ability of SPR, NPC and SPPC to maintain access to the capital markets to
support their requirements for working capital, including amounts necessary to finance
deferred energy costs, as well as for construction and acquisition costs and other
capital expenditures, particularly in the event of unfavorable rulings by the Public
Utilities Commission of Nevada (the PUCN), a downgrade of the current debt ratings
of SPR, NPC, or SPPC and/or adverse developments with respect to the Utilities power
and fuel suppliers;
(4)
unfavorable or untimely rulings in rate cases filed or to be filed by the
Utilities with the PUCN, including the periodic applications to recover costs for fuel
and purchased power that have been recorded by the Utilities in their deferred energy
accounts, and deferred natural gas recorded by SPPC for its gas distribution business;
(5)
unseasonable weather and other natural phenomena, which, in addition to
affecting the Utilities customers demand for power, can have a potentially serious
impact on the Utilities ability to procure adequate supplies of fuel or purchased
power to serve their respective customers and on the cost of procuring such supplies;
(6)
whether NPC will be successful in obtaining PUCN approval to recover the
outstanding balance of its other regulatory assets and other merger costs recorded in
connection with the 1999 merger between SPR and NPC in a future general rate case;
(7)
whether the Utilities will be able to continue to pay SPR dividends under the terms of their respective financing and credit agreements, their
regulatory order from the PUCN, limitations imposed by the Federal Power Act, and in
the case of SPPC, under the terms of SPPCs restated articles of incorporation;
(8)
the final outcome of SPPCs pending lawsuit in Nevada state court seeking to
reverse the PUCNs 2004 decision on SPPCs 2003 General Rate case disallowing the
recovery of a portion of SPPCs costs, expenses and investment in the Piñon Pine
Project;
(9)
the final outcome of NPCs pending lawsuit in Nevada state court seeking to
reverse portions of the PUCNs 2002 order denying the recovery of NPCs deferred energy
costs;
(10)
the effect that any future terrorist attacks, wars, threats of war, or
epidemics may have on the tourism and gaming industries in Nevada, particularly in Las
Vegas, as well as on the economy in general;
Table of Contents
(11)
industrial, commercial, and residential growth in the service territories of
the Utilities;
(12)
employee workforce factors, including changes in collective bargaining unit
agreements, strikes or work stoppages;
(13)
the effect of existing or future Nevada, California or federal legislation or
regulations affecting electric industry restructuring, including laws or regulations
which could allow additional customers to choose new electricity suppliers or change
the conditions under which they may do so;
(14)
changes in the business or power demands of the Utilities major customers,
including those engaged in gold mining or gaming, which may result in changes in the
demand for services of the Utilities, including the effect on the Nevada gaming
industry of the opening of additional Indian gaming establishments in California and
other states;
(15)
the financial decline of any significant customers;
(16)
changes in environmental laws or regulations, including the imposition of
significant new limits on mercury and other emissions from coal-fired power plants;
(17)
changes in tax or accounting matters or other laws and regulations to which SPR
or the Utilities are subject;
(18)
future economic conditions, including inflation rates and monetary policy;
(19)
financial market conditions, including changes in availability of capital or
interest rate fluctuations; and
(20)
unusual or unanticipated changes in normal business operations, including
unusual maintenance or repairs.
Table of Contents
o Results of Operations
o Analysis of Cash Flows
o Liquidity and Capital Resources
o Regulatory Proceedings (Utilities)
o Recent Pronouncements
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Issuance of $210 million of NPCs 5.95% General and Refunding Mortgage Notes, Series M, due 2016
Issuance of $300 million of SPPCs 6.0% General and Refunding Mortgage Notes, Series M, due 2016
Early redemption of $110 million of SPPCs Collateralized Medium Term 6.95% to
8.61% Series A Notes due 2022
Early redemption of $58 million of SPPCs Collateralized Medium Term 7.10% to
7.14% Series B Notes due 2023
Payment for maturing debt of $20 million for SPPCs Collateralized Medium Term
6.81% Series C Notes
Issuance of $250 million of NPCs 6.65% General and Refunding Mortgage Notes,
Series N, due 2036
Increases to both NPC and SPPC Revolving Credit facility to $600 million and $350 million, respectively
Payment of $10 million for SPPCs Collateralized Medium Term 6.81% that matured in April 2006
Redemptions of various NPC debt of approximately $262.5 million, including $35
million 8.5% First Mortgage Bonds, Series Z, due 2023; $105 million 6.7% Clark
County, Nevada, Industrial Development Revenue Bonds, due 2022; and $122.5 million
8.2% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Three Months Ended March 31,
Change from
2006
2005
Prior Year %
$
381,275
$
354,134
7.7
%
161,596
141,428
14.3
%
89,822
55,640
61.4
%
3,167
35,823
-91.2
%
254,585
232,891
9.3
%
$
126,690
$
121,243
4.5
%
Three Months
Ended March 31,
Change from
2006
2005
Prior Year %
$
157,895
$
143,005
10.4
%
87,936
82,755
6.3
%
113,955
103,332
10.3
%
359,786
329,092
9.3
%
21,489
25,042
-14.2
%
$
381,275
$
354,134
7.7
%
4,002
3,788
5.6
%
$
89.90
$
86.88
3.5
%
Three Months Ended March 31,
Change from
2006
2005
Prior Year %
$
161,596
$
141,428
14.3
%
2,300
2,240
2.7
%
$
70.26
$
63.14
11.3
%
Table of Contents
Three Months Ended March 31,
Change from
2006
2005
Prior Year %
$
89,822
$
55,640
61.4
%
1,929
1,886
2.3
%
$
46.56
$
29.50
57.8
%
Three Months Ended March 31,
Change from
2006
2005
Prior Year %
$
3,167
$
35,823
-91.2
%
$
3,167
$
35,823
-91.2
%
Three Months Ended March 31,
Change from
2006
2005
Prior Year %
$
5,429
$
3,490
55.6
%
$
5,372
$
4,313
24.6
%
$
10,801
$
7,803
38.4
%
Table of Contents
Three Months Ended March 31,
Change from
2006
2005
Prior Year %
$
54,133
$
51,099
5.9
%
$
14,157
$
16,955
-16.5
%
$
34,237
$
30,402
12.6
%
$
42,739
$
41,529
2.9
%
$
3,827
$
4,332
-11.7
%
$
(6,783
)
$
(4,525
)
49.9
%
$
(8,397
)
$
(6,913
)
-21.5
%
$
1,965
$
1,576
24.7
%
Table of Contents
fund the early redemption of $35 million aggregate principal amount of NPCs 8.50%
Series Z First Mortgage Bonds due 2023 plus approximately $1 million of associated
redemption premiums;
fund the early redemption of $105 million aggregate principal amount of 6.70%
Industrial Development Revenue Bonds, due 2022; and
fund the early redemption of approximately $122.5 million aggregate principal amount
of NPCs 8.20% Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2037. When the debentures were
repaid upon redemption, the proceeds
from the repayment were used to simultaneously redeem an equal amount of the 8.20%
Cumulative Quarterly Preferred Securities of NVP Capital I, a wholly-owned subsidiary
of NPC.
Table of Contents
1.
70% of net utility property additions,
2.
the principal amount of retired General and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, and/or
3.
the principal amount of first mortgage bonds retired after October 19, 2001.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Three Months Ended March 31,
Change from
2006
2005
Prior Year %
$
238,772
$
227,010
5.2
%
86,725
67,538
28.4
%
$
325,497
$
294,548
10.5
%
$
92,148
$
78,724
17.1
%
53,287
54,362
-2.0
%
905
4,293
-78.9
%
67,396
53,480
26.0
%
4,731
(328
)
N/A
$
218,467
$
190,531
14.7
%
$
146,340
$
137,379
6.5
%
72,127
53,152
35.7
%
$
218,467
$
190,531
14.7
%
$
92,432
$
89,631
3.1
%
14,598
14,386
1.5
%
$
107,030
$
104,017
2.9
%
Three Months Ended March 31,
Change from Prior
2006
2005
year %
$
82,363
$
73,572
11.9
%
81,834
72,543
12.8
%
66,360
73,335
-9.5
%
230,557
219,450
5.1
%
8,215
7,560
8.7
%
$
238,772
$
227,010
5.2
%
2,069
2,296
-9.9
%
$
111.43
$
95.58
16.6
%
1
Primarily wholesale, as discussed below.
Table of Contents
Three Months Ended March 31,
Change from
2006
2005
Prior year %
$
49,289
$
37,519
31.4
%
22,743
18,619
22.1
%
7,751
5,723
35.4
%
79,783
61,861
29.0
%
6,149
5,020
22.5
%
793
657
20.7
%
$
86,725
$
67,538
28.4
%
6,340
6,399
-0.9
%
$
12.58
$
9.67
30.1
%
Three Months Ended March 31,
Change from
2006
2005
Prior Year %
$
92,148
$
78,724
17.1
%
1,309
1,400
-6.5
%
$
70.40
$
56.23
25.2
%
Table of Contents
Three Months Ended March 31,
Change from
2006
2005
Prior Year %
$
53,287
$
54,362
-2.0
%
966
1,071
-9.8
%
$
55.16
$
50.76
8.7
%
Three Months Ended March 31,
Change from
2006
2005
Prior Year %
$
67,396
$
53,480
26.0
%
7,457
7,359
1.3
%
$
9.04
$
7.27
24.3
%
Three Months Ended March 31,
Change from
2006
2005
Prior Year %
$
905
$
4,293
-78.9
%
4,731
(328
)
N/A
$
5,636
$
3,965
Table of Contents
Three Months Ended March 31,
Change from Prior
2006
2005
Year %
$
703
$
319
N/A
630
290
N/A
$
1,333
$
609
N/A
Three Months Ended March 31,
Change from
2006
2005
Prior Year %
$
34,175
$
34,769
-1.7
%
$
7,773
$
5,991
29.7
%
$
23,224
$
22,387
3.7
%
$
17,690
$
17,307
2.2
%
$
1,096
$
1,146
-4.4
%
$
(1,933
)
$
(1,583
)
22.1
%
$
(2,148
)
$
(971
)
N/A
$
2,524
$
1,640
53.9
%
Table of Contents
fund the early redemption of $110 million aggregate principal amount of SPPCs
Collateralized Medium Term 6.95% to 8.61% Series A Notes due 2022,
fund the early redemption of $58 million aggregate principal amount of SPPCs
Collateralized Medium-Term 7.10% to 7.14% Series B Notes due 2023,
payment for maturing debt of $20 million aggregate principal amount of SPPC
Collateralized Medium-Term 6.81% to 6.83% Series C Notes due 2006,
payment of approximately $51 million in connection with the redemption of SPPCs Series
A Preferred Stock on June 1, 2006. The stock will be redeemed at a redemption price per
share of $25.683, plus accrued dividends to the redemption date of $.4875 per share. As of
March 31, 2006, there were 2 million shares outstanding;
payment for maturing debt of $10 million aggregate principal amount of SPPC
Collateralized Medium Term 6.81% Series C Notes due April 2006;
payment for maturing debt of $20 million aggregate principal amount of SPPC
Collateralized Medium Term 6.62% to 6.65% Series C notes due November 2006; and
payment of related fees and for general corporate purposes.
Table of Contents
1.
70% of net utility property additions,
2.
the principal amount of retired General and Refunding Mortgage bonds, and/or
3.
the principal amount of first mortgage bonds retired after April 8, 2002.
Table of Contents
NPC 2006 Deferred Energy and BTER Update Application to create a new Deferred Energy
Accounting Adjustment (DEAA) rate and to update the Base Tariff Energy Rate (BTER). Refer
to the
Recently Approved Rate Cases
for the outcome of the BTER phase of this rate case.
In the Deferred Energy phase, NPC requested changes to the DEAA rates such that on August
1, 2006 NPC would begin collecting $171.5 million of deferred costs for purchased fuel and
power. The requested DEAA rate would increase current rates by approximately 9.3%.
SPPC December 2005 Deferred Energy and BTER Update Application to create a new
Electric DEAA rate and to update the Electric BTER. Refer to the
Recently Approved Rate
Cases
for the outcome of the BTER phase of this rate case. In the Deferred Energy phase,
SPPC requested a change to the BTER rate such that on July 1, 2006 SPPC would begin
collecting $46.7 million of deferred costs for purchased fuel and power. The requested
DEAA rate would increase current rates by approximately 6.1%.
SPPC 2005 California General Rate Case (GRC) Application to reset General Rates. The
parties negotiated a settlement, which calls for a $4.1 million increase. SPPC anticipates
the CPUC will rule in June and the rates to become effective in July 2006.
SPPC 2006 California Energy Cost Adjustment Clause Rate Case Application to reset
energy rates for SPPCs California customers. The total request seeks to collect an
additional $11.2 million annually for deferred and going forward costs related to fuel and
power purchases. The two requested rate increases total 17.5%. If the CPUC approves the
application, SPPC expects the new rates will become effective in the last part of 2006.
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NPC 2006 BTER Update On April 12, 2006, the PUCN approved a new BTER, which will
increase purchased fuel and power revenues by an estimated $111.7 million.
SPPC December 2005 Electric BTER Update On April 12, 2006, the PUCN approved a new
Electric BTER, which will increase purchased fuel and power revenues by an estimated $31
million.
SPPC 2005 Electric General Rate Case On April 26, 2006, the PUCN voted to approve a
draft order authorizing a 10.6% ROE and 8.96% ROR and ordered SPPC to reduce general
revenues for electric services by approximately $14 million.
SPPC 2005 Gas General Rate Cases On April 26, 2006, the PUCN voted to approve a draft
order authorizing a 10.6% ROE and 7.98% ROR and ordered SPPC to increase general revenues
for gas services by approximately $4.5 million.
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Electric general revenue decrease approximately
$14 million or 1.5% effective May 1, 2006
Gas general revenue increase: $4.5 million or 2.3%, effective May 1, 2006
Electric Return on Equity and Rate of Return: 10.6% and 8.96% respectively
Gas Return on Equity and Rate of Return: 10.6% and 7.98% respectively
Approval to continue to recover SPPCs allocated amount of the 1999 NPC/SPPC merger
costs from Electric customers
Approval to recover an allocated amount of the 1999 NPC/SPPC merger costs from Gas customers
New depreciation rates for Gas and Electric facilities
Deferred recovery of legal expenses related to the Enron power sales contract litigation
Table of Contents
Fair
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Thereafter
Total
Value
$
$
$
$
$
$
659,142
$
659,142
$
694,335
7.86
%
7.86
%
$
157,559
$
17
$
13
$
162,500
$
$
1,793,500
$
2,113,589
$
2,175,371
8.27
%
8.17
%
8.17
%
10.88
%
6.96
%
7.36
%
$
15,000
$
275,000
$
100,000
$
390,000
$
390,000
3.00
%
5.54
%
3.00
%
4.79
%
$
31,695
$
2,400
$
322,400
$
600
$
$
749,250
$
1,106,345
$
1,119,414
6.67
%
6.40
%
7.99
%
6.40
%
6.09
%
6.66
%
$
189,254
$
2,417
$
322,413
$
178,100
$
275,000
$
3,301,892
$
4,269,076
$
4,379,120
Table of Contents
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reduce or delay capital expenditures planned for replacements, improvements and
expansions; and/or
dispose of assets on disadvantageous terms, potentially resulting in losses and adverse
effects on cash flow from their operating activities.
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Exhibit 4.1
Officers Certificate dated April 3, 2006, establishing the terms of Nevada
Power Companys 6.650% General and Refunding Mortgage Notes, Series N, due 2036.
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Exhibit 4.2
Form of Nevada Power Companys 6.650% General and Refunding Mortgage Notes,
Series N, due 2036 (filed as Appendix A to Exhibit 4.1 above).
Exhibit 4.3
Registration Rights Agreement dated April 3, 2006 among Nevada Power Company,
Lehman Brothers Inc. and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC, as representatives of the
initial purchasers.
Exhibit 10.1
Amendment and Consent, dated April 19, 2006, to the Second Amended and Restated
Credit Agreement, dated as of November 4, 2005, among Nevada Power Company, Wachovia
Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, the Lenders from time to time
party thereto and the other parties named therein.
Exhibit 4.4.
Officers Certificate dated March 23, 2006, establishing the terms of Sierra
Pacific Power Companys 6% General and Refunding Mortgage Notes, Series M, due 2016.
Exhibit 4.5
Form of Sierra Pacific Power Companys 6% General and Refunding Mortgage Notes,
Series M, due 2016 (filed as Appendix A to Exhibit 4.4 above).
Exhibit 4.6
Registration Rights Agreement dated March 23, 2006 among Sierra Pacific Power
Company, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and UBS Securities LLC, as representatives of
the initial purchasers.
Exhibit 10.2
Amendment and Consent, dated April 19, 2006, to the Amended and Restated Credit
Agreement, dated as of November 4, 2005, among Sierra Pacific Power Company, Wachovia
Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, the Lenders from time to time
party thereto and the other parties named therein.
Exhibit 31.1
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit 31.2
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit 32.1
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit 32.2
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Table of Contents
(Registrant)
Date: May 5, 2006
By:
/s/ Michael W. Yackira
Michael W. Yackira
Corporate Executive Vice President
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
Date: May 5, 2006
By:
/s/ John E. Brown
John E. Brown
Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
(Registrant)
Date: May 5, 2006
By:
/s/ Michael W. Yackira
Michael W. Yackira
Executive Vice President
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
Date: May 5, 2006
By:
/s/ John E. Brown
John E. Brown
Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
(Registrant)
Date: May 5, 2006
By:
/s/ Michael W. Yackira
Michael W. Yackira
Executive Vice President
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
Date: May 5, 2006
By:
/s/ John E. Brown
John E. Brown
Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
EXHIBIT 4.1
NEVADA POWER COMPANY
OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE
April 3, 2006
I, the undersigned officer of Nevada Power Company (the "Company"), do hereby certify that I am an Authorized Officer of the Company as such term is defined in the Indenture (as defined herein). I am delivering this certificate pursuant to the authority granted in the Board Resolutions of the Company dated November 3, 2005, and Sections 1.04, 2.01, 3.01, 4.01(a) and 4.02(b)(i) of the General and Refunding Mortgage Indenture dated as of May 1, 2001, as heretofore amended and supplemented to the date hereof (as heretofore amended and supplemented, the "Indenture"), between the Company and The Bank of New York, as Trustee (the "Trustee"). Section 1(u)(ix) of this Officer's Certificate sets forth definitions of capitalized terms used herein. Terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture. Based upon the foregoing, I hereby certify on behalf of the Company as follows:
1. The terms and conditions of the Securities described in this Officer's Certificate are as follows (the lettered subdivisions set forth in this Section 1 corresponding to the lettered subdivisions of Section 3.01 of the Indenture):
(a) The Securities of the fourteenth series to be issued under the Indenture shall be designated "6.650% General and Refunding Mortgage Notes, Series N, due 2036" (the "Series N Notes").
(b) There shall be no limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Series N Notes that may be authenticated and delivered under the Indenture. The Series N Notes shall be initially authenticated and delivered in the aggregate principal amount of $250,000,000.
(c) Interest on the Series N Notes shall be payable to the Persons in whose names such Securities are registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, except as otherwise expressly provided in the form of such Securities attached hereto as Exhibit A.
(d) The Series N Notes shall mature and the principal thereof shall be due and payable together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon on April 1, 2036.
(e) The Series N Notes shall bear interest as provided in the form of such Securities attached hereto as Exhibit A.
(f) If a Holder of Series N Notes has given wire transfer instructions to the Company prior to the fifth day preceding the related record date (or, in the case of principal or premium, the fifth day preceding the date such principal or premium is due), the Company shall pay all principal, interest and premium and Liquidated Damages (as such
term is defined herein), if any, on that Holder's Series N Notes in accordance with such instructions. The Corporate Trust Office of The Bank of New York in New York, New York shall be the place at which (i) the principal, interest and premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Series N Notes shall be payable (other than payments made in accordance with the first sentence of this paragraph (f)), (ii) registration of transfer of the Series N Notes may be effected, (iii) exchanges of the Series N Notes may be effected and (iv) notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Series N Notes and the Indenture may be served; and The Bank of New York shall be the Security Registrar for the Series N Notes; provided, however, that the Company reserves the right to change, by one or more Officer's Certificates, any such place or the Security Registrar; and provided, further, that the Company reserves the right to designate, by one or more Officer's Certificates, its principal office in Las Vegas, Nevada as any such place or itself or any of its Subsidiaries as the Security Registrar; provided, however, that there shall be only a single Security Registrar for the Series N Notes.
(g) Optional Redemption.
(i) Optional Redemption. The Company may redeem the Series N Notes at any time, either in whole or in part at a redemption price equal to the greater of (1) 100% of the principal amount of the Series N Notes being redeemed and (2) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Series N Notes being redeemed (excluding the portion of any such interest accrued to the date of redemption) discounted (for purposes of determining present value) to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate (as defined below) plus 30 basis points, plus, in each case, accrued interest thereon to the date of redemption.
"Comparable Treasury Issue" means the United States Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the Series N Notes that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of the Series N Notes.
"Comparable Treasury Price" means, with respect to any redemption date, (1) the average of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) on the third business day preceding such redemption date, as set forth in the daily statistical release (or any successor release) published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and designated "Composite 3:30 p.m. Quotations for U.S. Government Securities" or (2) if such release (or any successor release) is not published or does not contain such prices on such third business day, the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation for such redemption date.
"Independent Investment Banker" means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers
appointed by the Company.
"Reference Treasury Dealer" means a primary U.S. Government Securities Dealer selected by the Company.
"Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation" means, with respect to the
Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as
determined by the Independent Investment Banker, of the bid and asked
prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a
percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Independent
Investment Banker by such Reference Treasury Dealer at or before 5:00
p.m., New York City time, on the third business day preceding such
redemption date.
"Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any redemption date, the rate per year equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date.
(ii) Notice of Redemption. Notices of redemption shall be mailed by first class mail at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder of Series N Notes to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Series N Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the Series N Notes under the Indenture. Notices of redemption may not be conditional.
(iii) Selection of Series N Notes to be Redeemed. In accordance with
Section 5.03 of the Indenture, the following method is provided for the
selection of Series N Notes to be redeemed and these procedures shall be
followed by the Security Registrar in the event of a redemption of the Series N
Notes pursuant to the provisions of this Officer's Certificate. If less than all
of the Series N Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the Security Registrar
shall select Series N Notes for redemption as follows:
(A) if the Series N Notes are listed on any national securities exchange, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which the Series N Notes are listed; or
(B) if the Series N Notes are not listed on any national securities exchange, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such method as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate.
No Series N Notes of $1,000 principal amount or less can be redeemed in part.
(h) Mandatory Redemption/Redemption at Option of Holders/Offers to Purchase.
(i) Mandatory Redemption.
(A) Except as provided in Section 1(h)(i)(B) below or Section 1(h)(ii)
below, the Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund
payments with respect to the Series N Notes.
(B) Upon the occurrence of the events described below in clauses (1) or
(2) of this Section 1(h)(i)(B), the Company shall be required to redeem the
Series N Notes immediately, at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the aggregate
principal amount of the Series N Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest and
Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Series N Notes to the date of redemption,
without further action or notice on the part of the Trustee or the Holders of
the Series N Notes:
(1) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of Bankruptcy Law:
(I) commences a voluntary case,
(II) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,
(III) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,
(IV) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or
(V) admits in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due; or
(2) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(I) is for relief against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;
(II) appoints a custodian of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; or
(III) orders the liquidation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary;
and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days.
(ii) Redemption at the Option of the Holders.
(A) Upon the occurrence of any of the following events (each a "Triggering Event"):
(1) failure for 30 days to pay when due interest on, or Liquidated Damages with respect to, the Series N Notes;
(2) failure to pay when due the principal of, or premium, if any, on the Series N Notes;
(3) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply with the provisions described in Sections 1(u)(ii) of this Officer's Certificate (under the heading "Certain Covenants and Definitions -- Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets");
(4) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 30 days after notice to comply with the provisions described in Section 1(h)(iii) of this Officer's Certificate (under the heading "Offer to Purchase Upon Change of Control");
(5) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 60 days after notice to comply with any of the other agreements in this Officer's Certificate or the Series N Notes;
(6) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists, or is created after the original issue date of the Series N Notes, if that default:
(I) is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace period provided in such Indebtedness on the date of such default (a "Payment Default"); or
(II) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express maturity,
and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $15.0 million or more;
(7) failure by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $15.0 million, which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days; or
(8) an event of default under the First Mortgage Indenture (other than
any such matured event of default which (i) is of similar kind or
character to the Triggering Event described in (3) or (5) above and
(ii) has not resulted in the acceleration of the securities
outstanding under the First Mortgage Indenture); provided, however,
that, anything in this Officer's Certificate to the contrary
notwithstanding, the waiver or cure of such event of default under
the First Mortgage Indenture and the rescission and annulment of the
consequences thereof under the First Mortgage Indenture shall
constitute a cure of the corresponding Triggering Event and a
rescission and annulment of the consequences thereof,
the Holders of Series N Notes of at least 25% in principal amount of the Series N Notes then Outstanding may deliver a notice to the Company requiring the Company to redeem the Series N Notes immediately at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Series N Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Series N Notes to the Redemption Date.
(B) The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Series N Notes then outstanding by notice to the Company and the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Series N Notes waive any existing Triggering Event and its consequences except a continuing Triggering Event related to the payment of interest or Liquidated Damages on, or the principal of, the Series N Notes.
(C) In the case of any Triggering Event by reason of any willful action or
inaction taken or not taken by or on behalf of the Company with the intention of
avoiding payment of the premium that the Company would have had to pay if the
Company then had elected to redeem the Series N Notes pursuant to the provisions
of Section 1(g)(i), an equivalent premium equal to the premium payable under
Section 1(g)(i) shall also become and be immediately due and payable to the
extent permitted by law upon the redemption of the Series N Notes at the option
of the Holders thereof.
(D) Upon becoming aware of any Triggering Event, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Triggering Event.
(iii) Offer to Purchase Upon Change of Control.
(A) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each Holder of Series N Notes shall have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000) of that Holder's Series N Notes pursuant to the offer described below (the "Change of Control Offer") on the terms set forth in this Officer's Certificate. In the Change of Control Offer, the Company shall offer an amount in cash (the "Change of Control Payment") equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Series N Notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Series N Notes repurchased, to Change of Control Payment Date (as defined below).
(B) Within ten days following any Change of Control, the Company shall mail a notice to each Holder of Series N Notes stating:
(1) the description of the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control, that the Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 1(h)(iii), and that all Series N Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn shall be accepted for payment;
(2) the purchase price and the purchase date, which shall be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed (the "Change of Control Payment Date");
(3) that any Series N Note not tendered or accepted for payment shall continue to accrue interest and Liquidated Damages, if any;
(4) that, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Series N Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer shall cease to accrue interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, after the Change of Control Payment Date;
(5) that Holders of Series N Notes electing to have any Series N Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer shall be required to surrender the Series N Notes properly endorsed, with the form entitled "Option of Holder to Elect Purchase" on the reverse of the Series N Notes properly completed, together with other customary documents as the Company may reasonably request, to the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;
(6) that Holders of Series N Notes shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Paying Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the second Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of Series N Notes delivered for purchase,
and a statement that such Holder of Series N Notes is withdrawing its election to have the Series N Notes purchased; and
(7) that Holders of Series N Notes whose Series N Notes are being purchased only in part shall be issued new Series N Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Series N Notes surrendered, which unpurchased portion must be equal to $1,000 in principal amount or an integral multiple thereof.
(C) If any of the Series N Notes subject to a Change of Control Offer are in the form of a Global Note, then the Company shall modify such notice to the extent necessary to accord with the Applicable Procedures of the Depositary applicable to offers to purchase.
(D) On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company shall, to the extent lawful, (1) accept for payment all Series N Notes or portions thereof properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer, (2) deposit with the Paying Agent in immediately available funds an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Series N Notes or portions thereof so tendered and (3) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Series N Notes so accepted together with an Officer's Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Series N Notes or portions thereof being purchased by the Company. The Paying Agent shall promptly mail to each Holder of Series N Notes so tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Series N Notes, and the Trustee shall promptly authenticate and make available for delivery to each Holder of Series N Notes a new Series N Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Series N Notes surrendered, if any; provided that each such new Series N Note shall be in a principal amount of $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof. Any Series N Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Company to the Holder thereof. The Company shall publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date.
(E) The Change of Control provisions described above that require the Company to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control shall be applicable whether or not any other provisions of this Officer's Certificate are applicable.
(F) The Company shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth herein applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and purchases all Series N Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.
(iv) Offers to Purchase - General.
(A) If the Change of Control Payment Date is on or after a Regular Record Date and on or before the related Interest Payment Date, any accrued and unpaid interest
and Liquidated Damages, if any, shall be paid to the Person in whose name a Series N Note is registered at the close of business on such Regular Record Date, and no additional interest or Liquidated Damages shall be payable to Holders of Series N Notes who tender Series N Notes pursuant to the Change of Control Offer.
(B) The Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with a Change of Control Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control Offer provisions of this Officer's Certificate, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Change of Control Offer provisions of this Officer's Certificate by virtue of such conflict.
(i) The Series N Notes are issuable only in denominations of $100,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
(j) Not applicable.
(k) Not applicable.
(l) Not applicable.
(m) See subsection (e) above.
(n) Not applicable.
(o) Not applicable.
(p) Not applicable.
(q) Book-entry; Delivery and Form.
(i) Form and Dating.
The Series N Notes and the Trustee's certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. The Series N Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. Each Series N Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Series N Notes shall be in denominations of $100,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
The terms and provisions contained in the Series N Notes shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Officer's Certificate, and the Company, by its execution and delivery of this Officer's Certificate, expressly agrees to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Series N Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Officer's Certificate or the Indenture,
the provisions of this Officer's Certificate or the Indenture, as applicable, shall govern and be controlling.
Series N Notes issued in global form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (including the Global Note Legend and the "Schedule of Exchanges in the Global Note" attached thereto). Series N Notes issued in definitive form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (but without the Global Note Legend and without the "Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note" attached thereto). Each Global Note shall represent such aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Series N Notes as shall be specified therein and each shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Series N Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Series N Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Series N Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee, the Depositary or the Note Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 1(q)(v) of this Officer's Certificate.
The provisions of the "Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System" and "Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear" and the "General Terms and Conditions of Clearstream Bank" and "Customer Handbook" of Clearstream shall be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Notes that are held by members of, or Participants, in DTC through Euroclear or Clearstream.
(ii) Authentication.
The Trustee or an Authenticating Agent shall authenticate by delivery and
execution of a Trustee's Certificate of Authentication in the form set forth in
Section 2.02 of the Indenture (A) the Series N Notes for original issue on the
Issue Date in the aggregate principal amount of $250,000,000 (the "Original
Notes"), (B) additional Series N Notes for original issue from time to time
after the Issue Date in such principal amounts as may be set forth in a Company
Order (such additional Series N Notes, together with the Original Notes, the
"Initial Notes") and (C) any Exchange Notes from time to time for issue only in
exchange for a like principal amount of Initial Notes, in each case, upon a
Company Order, which Company Order shall specify (x) the amount of Series N
Notes to be authenticated and the date of original issue thereof, (y) whether
the Series N Notes are Initial Notes or Exchange Notes and (z) the amount of
Series N Notes to be issued in global form or definitive form. The aggregate
principal amount of Series N Notes outstanding at any time may not exceed
$250,000,000 plus such additional principal amounts as may be issued and
authenticated pursuant to clause (B) of this paragraph, except as provided in
Section 1(q)(vi) of this Officer's Certificate.
(iii) Security Registrar, Paying Agent and Depositary.
The Company initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Security
Registrar and Paying Agent for the Series N Notes. Upon the occurrence of an
event set forth under Sections 1(h)(i)(B)(1) or 1(h)(i)(B)(2) herein or an Event
of Default set forth in Sections 10.01(d) or 10.01(e) of the Indenture, the
Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Series N Notes. Pursuant to Section
6.02 of the Indenture, the Company hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office
of the Trustee as its office or agency in the City and State of New York where
payment of the Series N Notes shall be made, where the registration of transfer
or exchange of the Series N Notes may be effected and where notices and demands
to or upon the Company in respect of the Series N Notes and the Indenture may be
served. The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other
offices or agencies with respect to the Series N Notes and may from time to time
rescind any of these designations in accordance with the terms provided in
Section 6.02 of the Indenture.
The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes. The Trustee has been appointed by DTC to act as Note Custodian with respect to the Global Notes.
(iv) Liquidated Damages, if any, to be Held in Trust.
Payments of Liquidated Damages, if any, shall be subject to the provisions of Section 6.03 of the Indenture to the same extent as any payments of principal of or premium or interest on the Series N Notes.
(v) Transfer and Exchange.
(A) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. A Global Note may not be transferred as a whole except by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. All Global Notes shall be exchanged by the Company for Definitive Notes if:
(1) the Company delivers to the Trustee notice from the Depositary that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as Depositary for the Global Notes or that it is no longer a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the date of such notice from the Depositary or
(2) the Company in its sole discretion notifies the Trustee in writing that it elects to cause issuance of the Series N Notes in certificated form; or
(3) there has occurred and is continuing a Default or Event of Default with respect to the Series N Notes.
Upon the occurrence of either of the preceding events in (1), (2) or (3)
above, Definitive Notes shall be issued in such names as the Depositary
shall instruct the Trustee. Global Notes also may be exchanged or
replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 3.06 and 3.09 of
the Indenture. Every Series N Note authenticated and delivered in exchange
for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to
Sections 3.06 and 3.09 of the Indenture, shall be authenticated and
delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note. A Global Note may
not be exchanged for another Series N Note other than as provided in this
Section 1(q)(v)(A), however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be
transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 1(q)(v)(B), (C) or (F) of
this Officer's Certificate.
(B) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes shall be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions of this Officer's Certificate and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes shall be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also shall require compliance with either subparagraph (1) or (2) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs as applicable:
(1) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note. Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend; provided, however, that prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Note by a Distributor may not be made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred only to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Security Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 1(q)(v)(B)(1).
(2) All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests (other than a transfer of a beneficial interest in a Global Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Global Note), the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Security Registrar either:
(a) both (i) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (ii) instructions
given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase or
(b) both (i) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (ii) instructions given by the Depositary to the Security Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (i) above.
Upon an Exchange Offer by the Company in accordance with Section 1(q)(v)(F) of this Officer's Certificate, the requirements of this Section 1(q)(v)(B)(2) shall be deemed to have been satisfied upon receipt by the Security Registrar of the instructions contained in the Letter of Transmittal delivered by the Holder of such beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes. Upon notification from the Security Registrar that all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Officer's Certificate, the Series N Notes and otherwise applicable under the Securities Act have been satisfied, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Notes pursuant to Section 1(q)(v)(H) of this Officer's Certificate.
(3) Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of clause (2) above and the Security Registrar receives the following:
(a) if the transferee shall take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the Rule 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (1) thereof; or
(b) if the transferee shall take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (2) thereof.
(4) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in the Unrestricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted
Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of clause (2) above and:
(a) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the holder of the beneficial interest to be transferred, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, is not (i) a broker-dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;
(b) any such transfer is effected pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;
(c) any such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or
(d) the Security Registrar receives the following:
(i) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in Item (1)(a) thereof; or
(ii) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (4) thereof;
and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (d), an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
If any such transfer is effected pursuant to subparagraph (b) or (d) above
at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company
shall issue and, upon receipt of an authentication order in accordance with
Section 1(q)(ii) of this Officer's Certificate, the Trustee shall authenticate
one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to
the principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to
subparagraph (b) or (d) above.
Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.
(C) Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes.
(1) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note, then, upon receipt by the Security Registrar of the following documentation:
(a) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in Item (2)(a) thereof;
(b) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in
accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act, a certificate to the
effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item
(1) thereof;
(c) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (2) thereof;
(d) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an
exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in
accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the
effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item
(3)(a) thereof;
(e) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to an Institutional Accredited Investor or in reliance on any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, in either case other than those listed in subparagraphs (b) through (d) above, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and any Opinion of Counsel required by Item (3) thereof, if applicable;
(f) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (3)(b) thereof; or
(g) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (3)(c) thereof,
the Trustee, upon notice of receipt of such documentation by the Security Registrar, shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 1(q)(v)(H) of this Officer's Certificate, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 1(q)(v)(C) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Security Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall make available for delivery such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Series N Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 1(q)(v)(C)(1) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.
Notwithstanding Sections 1(q)(v)(C)(1)(a) and (c) hereof, a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note may not be (a) exchanged for a Definitive Note prior to (x) the expiration of the Restricted Period and (y) the receipt by the Security Registrar of any certificates required pursuant to Rule 903(c)(3)(B) under the Securities Act or (b) transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note prior to the conditions set forth in clause (a) above or unless the transfer is pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 903 or Rule 904.
(2) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Notwithstanding Section 1(q)(v)(C)(1) hereof, a holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note only if:
(a) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to an
Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights
Agreement and the holder of such beneficial interest, in the
case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a
transfer, is not (i) a broker-dealer, (ii) a Person
participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or
(iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of
the Company;
(b) any such transfer is effected pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;
(c) any such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or
(d) the Security Registrar receives the following:
(i) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note that does not bear the Private Placement Legend, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in Item (1)(b) thereof; or
(ii) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note that does not bear the Private Placement Legend, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (4) thereof;
and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (d), an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company, to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
(3) Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note, then, upon notice by the Security Registrar of satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 1(q)(v)(B)(2) of this Officer's Certificate, the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 1(q)(v)(H) of this Officer's Certificate, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 1(q)(v)(C)(3) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Security Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall make available for delivery such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Series N Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 1(q)(v)(C)(3) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend. A beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for a Definitive Note bearing the Private Placement Legend or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.
(D) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests.
(1) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes. If any Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Series N Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note or to
transfer such Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Security Registrar of the following documentation:
(a) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Series N Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in Item (2)(b) thereof;
(b) if such Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (1) thereof;
(c) if such Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (2) thereof;
(d) if such Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (3)(a) thereof;
(e) if such Definitive Note is being transferred to an
Institutional Accredited Investor or in reliance on any other
exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act,
in either case, other than those listed in subparagraphs (b) through
(d) above, a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including
certifications, certificates, and any Opinion of Counsel required by
Item (3) thereof, if applicable;
(f) if such Definitive Note is being transferred to the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set
forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item
(3)(b) thereof; or
(g) if such Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (3)(c) thereof,
the Trustee, upon notice of receipt of such documentation by the Security Registrar, shall cancel the Definitive Note, increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in the case of subparagraph (a) above, the appropriate Restricted Global Note and, in the case of subparagraph (b) above, the Rule 144A Global Note, and, in the case of subparagraph (c) above, the Regulation S Global Note.
(2) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Series N Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note only if:
(a) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, is not (i) a broker-dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;
(b) any such transfer is effected pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;
(c) any such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or
(d) the Security Registrar receives the following:
(i) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Series N Notes for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in Item (1)(c) thereof; or
(ii) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Series N Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (4) thereof;
and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (d), an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act, that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act, and such Definitive Notes are being exchanged or transferred in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States.
Upon satisfaction of the conditions of any of the subparagraphs in this
Section 1(q)(v)(D)(2), the Trustee shall cancel the Definitive Notes and
increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the
Unrestricted Global Note.
(3) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may exchange such Series N Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in
the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee shall cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes.
If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a
beneficial interest is effected pursuant to Sections 1(q)(v)(D)(2)(b) or
(d) or the first paragraph of this Section 1(q)(v)(D)(3) at a time when an
Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue
and, upon receipt of an authentication order in accordance with Section
1(q)(ii) of this Officer's Certificate, the Trustee shall authenticate one
or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal
to the principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to
Sections 1(q)(v)(D)(2)(b) or (d) or the first paragraph of this Section
1(q)(v)(D)(3).
(E) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes. Upon
request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder's compliance with the
provisions of this Section 1(q)(v)(E), the Security Registrar shall register the
transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer
or exchange, the requesting Holder shall present or surrender to the Security
Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written
instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Security Registrar duly
executed by such Holder or by his attorney, duly authorized in writing. In
addition, the requesting Holder shall provide any additional certifications,
documents and information, as applicable, pursuant to the provisions of this
Section 1(q)(v)(E).
(1) Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. Restricted Definitive Notes may be transferred to and registered in the name of Persons who take delivery thereof if the Security Registrar receives the following:
(a) if the transfer shall be made pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (1) thereof;
(b) if the transfer shall be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904 of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (2) thereof; and
(c) if the transfer shall be made pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by Item (3) thereof, if applicable.
(2) Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note if:
(a) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder of such Series N Notes, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, is not (i) a broker-dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;
(b) any such transfer is effected pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;
(c) any such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or
(d) the Security Registrar receives the following:
(i) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Series N Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in Item (1)(b) thereof; or
(ii) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Series N Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (4) thereof;
and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (d), an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act, that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act, and such Restricted Definitive Note is being exchanged or transferred in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States.
(3) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Series N Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note. Upon receipt of a request for such a transfer, the Security Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof. Unrestricted Definitive Notes cannot be exchanged for or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note.
(F) Exchange Offer. Upon the occurrence of an Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of (a) an authentication order in accordance with Section 1(q)(ii) of this Officer's Certificate and (b) an Opinion of Counsel opining as to the enforceability of the Exchange Notes and the guarantees thereof, if any, the Trustee shall authenticate (1) one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes tendered for acceptance by Persons that are not (i) broker-dealers, (ii) Persons participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) Persons who are affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company and accepted for exchange in such Exchange Offer and (2) Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Restricted Definitive Notes accepted for exchange in such Exchange Offer, unless the Holders of such Restricted Definitive Notes shall request the receipt of Definitive Notes, in which case the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Persons designated by the Holders of such Restricted Definitive Notes one or more Definitive Notes without the Private Placement Legend in the appropriate principal amount. Concurrent with the issuance of such Unrestricted Global Notes, the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Restricted Global Notes to be reduced accordingly, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery to the Persons designated by the Holders of Definitive Notes so accepted Definitive Notes in the appropriate principal amount.
(G) Legends. The following legends shall appear on the face of all Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Officer's Certificate.
(1) Private Placement Legend.
(a) Except as permitted by subparagraph (b) below, each Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Series N Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:
"THE NOTES EVIDENCED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR OTHER SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS NOTE NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS THE TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OR (B) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING ITS NOTE IN AN "OFFSHORE TRANSACTION" PURSUANT TO RULE 903 OR 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (2) AGREES THAT IT SHALL
NOT PRIOR TO (X) THE DATE WHICH IS TWO YEARS (OR SUCH SHORTER PERIOD OF TIME AS PERMITTED BY RULE 144(k) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROVISION THEREUNDER) AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF (OR OF ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS NOTE) OR THE LAST DAY ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS NOTE (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS NOTE) AND (Y) SUCH LATER DATE, IF ANY, AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW (THE "RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE"), OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS NOTE EXCEPT (A) TO THE COMPANY, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) SO LONG AS THE NOTES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES AND, IN THE CASE OF AN OFFER OR SALE BY A DISTRIBUTOR OR AN AFFILIATE THEREOF (OR A PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF THEREOF) DURING THE APPLICABLE DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD, ONLY TO NON-U.S. PERSONS OR (E) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS NOTE IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND; PROVIDED THAT THE COMPANY, THE TRUSTEE AND THE SECURITY REGISTRAR SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER (I) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (C), (D) OR (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/ OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM, AND (II) IN EACH OF THE FOREGOING CASES, TO REQUIRE THAT A CERTIFICATION OF TRANSFER IN THE FORM APPEARING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS NOTE IS COMPLETED AND DELIVERED BY THIS TRANSFEROR TO THE TRUSTEE. THIS LEGEND SHALL BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS "DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD," "DISTRIBUTOR," "OFFSHORE TRANSACTION," "UNITED STATES" AND "U.S. PERSON" HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT."
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraph (B)(4), (C)(2), (D)(2), (D)(3), (E)(2), (E)(3) or (F) of this Section 1(q)(v) (and all Series N Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.
(2) Global Note Legend. Each Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
"THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE OFFICER'S
CERTIFICATE UNDER THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY
FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY
PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH
NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE III OF THE INDENTURE,
(II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO
SECTION 1(q)(v)(A) OF THE OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE UNDER THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS
GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION
3.09 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A
SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY OR ANY
SUCCESSOR THERETO."
Additionally, for so long as DTC is the Depositary with respect to any Global Note, each such Global Note shall also bear a legend in substantially the following form:
"UNLESS THIS NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY, TO THE COMPANY OR ANY SUCCESSOR THERETO OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE, OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN."
(H) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 3.09 of the Indenture. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Series N Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note, by the Trustee, the Note Custodian or the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee, to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly
and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note, by the Trustee, the Note Custodian or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee, to reflect such increase.
(I) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.
(1) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, subject to Section 1(q)(v) of this Officer's Certificate, the Company shall execute and, upon the Company's order, the Trustee or an Authenticating Agent shall authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes at the Security Registrar's request.
(2) All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Security Registrar pursuant to this Section 1(q)(v) to effect a transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile.
(3) The Trustee and the Security Registrar shall have no obligation or
duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to whether any Person is or is not a
Person described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of each of Sections
1(q)(v)(B)(4)(a), 1(q)(v)(C)(2)(a), 1(q)(v)(D)(2)(a), 1(q)(v)(E)(2)(a) and
1(q)(v)(F) of this Officer's Certificate or under applicable law (other than the
Trust Indenture Act) with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Series
N Note (including any transfers between or among Participants or beneficial
owners of interests in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such
certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by,
and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and
to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the
express requirements hereof.
(vi) Outstanding Series N Notes.
Notwithstanding the definition of "Outstanding" in Section 1.01 of the Indenture, Series N Notes that the Company, a Subsidiary of the Company or an Affiliate of the Company offers to purchase or acquires pursuant to an offer, exchange offer, tender offer or otherwise shall not be deemed to be owned by the Company, such Subsidiary or such Affiliate until legal title to such Series N Notes passes to the Company, such Subsidiary or such Affiliate, as the case may be.
(r) Not applicable.
(s) The Series N Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered, sold or otherwise transferred in the absence of such registration or an applicable exemption therefrom. No service charge shall be made for the registration of transfer or exchange of the Series N Notes; provided, however, that the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with the exchange or transfer (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 1.06(f), 3.04, 5.06 or 14.06 of the Indenture and Section 1(h)(iii) of this Officer's Certificate not involving any transfer).
(t) For purposes of the Series N Notes, "Business Day" shall mean any day, other than Saturday or Sunday, on which commercial banks are open for business, including dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars, in New York.
(u) Certain Covenants and Definitions.
(i) Series N Liens.
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any Series N Lien of any kind securing Indebtedness, Attributable Debt or trade payables on any of their property or assets, now owned or hereafter acquired, except Series N Permitted Liens.
(ii) Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets.
(A) The Company shall not, directly or indirectly: (1) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation); or (2) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to another Person; unless:
(1) either: (a) the Company is the surviving corporation; or (b) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made is a corporation organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia;
(2) (a) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made assumes all the obligations of the Company under the Series N Notes, the Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee; and (b) such Person executes and delivers to the Trustee a supplemental indenture that contains a grant, conveyance, transfer and mortgage by such Person confirming the lien of the Indenture on the property subject to such lien and subjecting to such lien all property thereafter acquired by such Person that shall constitute an improvement, extension or addition to the property subject to the lien of the Indenture or renewal, replacement or substitution of or for any part thereof and, at the election of such Person, subjecting to the lien of the Indenture such other property then owned or thereafter acquired by such Person as such Person shall specify;
(3) immediately after such transaction no Default or Event of Default exists; and
(4) the Company, or the Person formed by or surviving any such
consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which
such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has
been made, shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer's
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such
transaction and any supplemental indenture entered into in
connection therewith complies with all of the terms of this Section
1(u)(ii) and that all conditions precedent provided for in this
Section 1(u)(ii) relating to such transaction or series of
transactions have been complied with.
(B) In addition, the Company may not, directly or indirectly, lease all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any other Person. Clause (4) under Section 1(u)(ii)(A) shall not apply to a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of assets between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
(C) In addition, the Company shall not effect any consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition as is contemplated in this Section 1(u)(ii), unless the Company also complies with Sections 13.01 and 13.02 of the Indenture and the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made, shall be deemed a Successor Corporation under the Indenture.
(iii) Future Subsidiary Guarantees.
(A) The Company shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to guarantee the payment of any Indebtedness of the Company unless:
(1) such Restricted Subsidiary simultaneously executes and delivers to the Trustee a Subsidiary Guarantee of such Restricted Subsidiary except that with respect to a Guarantee of Indebtedness of the Company if such Indebtedness is by its express terms subordinated in right of payment to the Series N Notes, any such Guarantee of such Restricted Subsidiary with respect to such Indebtedness shall be subordinated in right of payment to such Restricted Subsidiary's Subsidiary Guarantee with respect to the Series N Notes substantially to the same extent as such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Series N Notes;
(2) such Restricted Subsidiary waives and shall not in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any rights or reimbursement, indemnity or subrogation or any other rights against the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary as a result of any payment by such Restricted Subsidiary under its Subsidiary Guarantee of the Series N Notes; and
(3) such Restricted Subsidiary shall deliver to the Trustee an Opinion
of Counsel to the effect that (a) such Subsidiary Guarantee has been
duly executed and authorized and (b) such Subsidiary Guarantee
constitutes a valid, binding and enforceable obligation of such
Restricted Subsidiary, except insofar as enforcement thereof may be
limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws (including,
without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent transfers) and
except insofar as enforcement thereof is subject to general
principles of equity; provided that this Section 1(u)(iii)(A) shall
not be applicable to any Guarantee of any Restricted Subsidiary that
(x) existed at the time such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary
of the Company and (y) was not incurred in connection with, or in
contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company.
(B) Notwithstanding the foregoing and the other provisions of this Officer's Certificate, in the event a Subsidiary Guarantor is sold or disposed of (whether by merger, consolidation, the sale of its Capital Stock or the sale of all or substantially all of its assets (other than by lease) and whether or not the Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving corporation in such transaction) to a Person which is not the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (other than a Receivables Entity), such Subsidiary Guarantor shall be released from its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee if:
(1) the sale or other disposition is in compliance with the applicable provisions of this Officer's Certificate; and
(2) the Subsidiary Guarantor is also released or discharged from its obligations under the Guarantee which resulted in the creation of such Subsidiary Guarantee, except by or as a result of payment under such Guarantee.
(iv) Sale and Leaseback Transactions.
(A) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any sale and leaseback transaction; provided that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may enter into a sale and leaseback transaction if the gross cash proceeds of that sale and leaseback transaction are at least equal to the fair market value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors and set forth in an Officer's Certificate delivered to the Trustee, of the property that is the subject of that sale and leaseback transaction.
(v) Payments for Consent.
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration to or for the benefit of any Holder of Series N Notes for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Officer's Certificate or the Series N Notes unless such
consideration is offered to be paid and is paid to all Holders of the Series N Notes that consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.
(vi) Covenant Defeasance.
(A) Option to Effect Covenant Defeasance. The Company may, at the option of the Board of Directors evidenced by a resolution set forth in an Officers' Certificate, at any time, elect to have Section 1(u)(vi)(B) hereof be applied to all outstanding Series N Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in Section 1(u)(vi)(C) hereof.
(B) Exercise of Covenant Defeasance. Upon the Company's exercise under
Section 1(u)(vi)(A) hereof of the option applicable to this Section 1(u)(vi)(B),
the Company shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in
Section 1(u)(vi)(C) hereof, be released from each of its obligations under the
covenants contained in Section 1(h)(iii), Section 1(u)(i), Section 1(u)(iii),
Section 1(u)(iv), Section 1(u)(v) hereof (under the headings: "Mandatory
Redemption/Redemption at Option of Holders/Offers to Purchase -- Offer to
Purchase Upon Change of Control," "Certain Covenants and Definitions -- Liens,"
"Certain Covenants and Definitions -- Future Subsidiary Guarantees," "Certain
Covenants and Definitions -- Sale and Leaseback Transactions," and "Certain
Covenants and Definitions -- Payment for Consents") hereof with respect to the
Outstanding Series N Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in
Section 1(u)(vi)(C) hereof are satisfied (hereinafter, "Covenant Defeasance"),
and the Series N Notes shall thereafter be deemed not Outstanding for the
purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders of
Securities, including but not limited to, Holders of Series N Notes (and the
consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but will
continue to be deemed Outstanding for all other purposes hereunder. For this
purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the Outstanding Series
N Notes, the Company may omit to comply with and will have no liability in
respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant,
whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to
any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any
other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply will
not constitute a Triggering Event under Section 1(h)(ii) hereof or a Default or
an Event of Default under Section 10.01 of the Indenture, but, except as
specified above, the remainder of the Indenture, this Officer's Certificate and
such Series N Notes will be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company's
exercise under Section 1(u)(vi)(A) hereof of the option applicable to Section
1(u)(vi)(B) hereof, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in
Section 1(u)(vi)(C) hereof, Sections 1(h)(ii)(A)(3) through 1(h)(ii)(A)(7)
hereof will not constitute Triggering Events.
(C) Conditions to Covenant Defeasance. In order to exercise Covenant Defeasance under this Section 1(u)(vi):
(1) the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company), in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Series N Notes:
(a) money (including Funded Cash not otherwise applied pursuant to the Indenture) in an amount which will be sufficient, or
(b) Eligible Obligations which do not contain provisions permitting the redemption or other prepayment thereof at the option of the issuer thereof, the principal of and the interest on which when due, without any regard to reinvestment thereof, will provide monies which, together with the money, if any, deposited with or held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent, will be sufficient, or
(c) a combination of (a) and (b) which will be sufficient, to pay when due the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, and Liquidated Damages, if any, due and to become due on the Series N Notes or portions thereof provided, that the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee and such Paying Agent: (I) a Company Order stating that the money and Eligible Obligations deposited in accordance with this Section 1(u)(vi)(C) shall be held in trust, as provided in Section 9.03 of the Indenture; and (II) if Eligible Obligations shall have been deposited, an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such obligations constitute Eligible Obligations and do not contain provisions permitting the redemption or other prepayment thereof at the option of the issuer thereof, and an opinion of an Independent public Accountant of nationally recognized standing, selected by the Company, to the effect that the other requirements set forth in Section 1(u)(vi)(C)(1)(b) above have been satisfied;
(2) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that the Holders of the Outstanding Series N Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;
(3) no Triggering Event shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Triggering Event arising from the breach of a covenant under this Officer's Certificate resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit);
(4) such Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under any material agreement or instrument (other than
this Officer's Certificate) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;
(5) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officer's Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of Series N Notes over the other creditors of the Company with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of the Company or others; and
(6) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officer's Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.
(vii) Additional Conditions to Section 9.01 of Indenture.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 9.01 of the Indenture, no Series N Note shall be deemed to have been paid pursuant to such provisions unless the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee either: (a) an Opinion of Counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that (i) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (ii) since the date of this Officer's Certificate, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the Outstanding Series N Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such satisfaction and discharge and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such satisfaction and discharge had not occurred; or (b) (i) an instrument wherein the Company, notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of the Company's Indebtedness in respect of the Series N Notes, shall assume the obligation (which shall be absolute and unconditional) to irrevocably deposit with the Trustee such additional sums of money, if any, or additional Eligible Obligations, if any, or any combination thereof, at such time or times, as shall be necessary, together with the money and/or Eligible Obligations theretofore so deposited, to pay when due the principal of and premium, if any, and interest due and to become due on such Series N Notes or portions thereof; provided, however, that such instrument may state that the Company's obligation to make additional deposits as aforesaid shall be subject to the delivery to the Company by the Trustee of a notice asserting the deficiency accompanied by an opinion of an Independent public Accountant of nationally recognized standing showing the calculation thereof; and (ii) an Opinion of Counsel of tax counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to the Trustee to the effect that the Holders of the Outstanding Series N Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such satisfaction and discharge and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such satisfaction and discharge had not occurred.
(viii) Modifications Requiring Consent.
In addition to the provisions of Section 14.02 of the Indenture, no supplemental indenture shall alter or waive any of the provisions with respect to the redemption of the Series N Notes set forth in Section 1(g) hereof without the consent of each Holder of Series N Notes affected thereby.
(ix) Certain Definitions.
Set forth below are certain defined terms used in this Officer's Certificate. Reference is made to the Indenture for the definitions of any other capitalized terms used herein for which no definition is provided herein.
"Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, "control," as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise; provided that beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the Voting Stock of a Person shall be deemed to be control. For purposes of this definition, the terms "controlling," "controlled by" and "under common control with" have correlative meanings.
"Applicable Procedures" means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary, Euroclear and Clearstream that apply to such transfer or exchange.
"Attributable Debt" in respect of a sale and leaseback transaction means, at the time of determination, the present value of the obligation of the lessee for net rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such sale and leaseback transaction including any period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the lessor, be extended. Such present value shall be calculated using a discount rate equal to the rate of interest implicit in such transaction, determined in accordance with GAAP.
"Bankruptcy Law" means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
"Beneficial Owner" has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular "person" (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such "person" shall be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such "person" has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition. The terms "Beneficially Owns" and "Beneficially Owned" have a corresponding meaning.
"Board of Directors" means:
(1) with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation or any committee of such board of directors duly authorized to act for the corporation;
(2) with respect to a partnership, the board of directors of the general partner of the partnership; and
(3) with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person serving a similar function.
"Broker-Dealer" has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.
"Capital Lease Obligation" means, at the time any determination is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP.
"Capital Stock" means:
(1) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;
(2) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;
(3) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and
(4) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.
"Change of Control" means the occurrence of any of the following:
(1) the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any "person" (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, including any "group" with the meaning of the Exchange Act);
(2) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company;
(3) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any "person" (as
defined above) becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 30% of the Voting Stock of the Company or Sierra Pacific Resources, measured by voting power rather than number of shares; or
(4) the first day on which a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company or the Board of Directors of Sierra Pacific Resources are not Continuing Directors.
"Change of Control Offer" has the meaning assigned to it in Section 1(h)(iii)(A) of this Officer's Certificate.
"Change of Control Payment" has the meaning assigned to it in Section 1(h)(iii)(A) of this Officer's Certificate.
"Change of Control Payment Date" has the meaning assigned to it in Section 1(h)(iii)(B)(2) of this Officer's Certificate.
"Clearstream" means Clearstream Banking, societe anonyme.
"Continuing Directors" means, as of any date of determination, any member of the Board of Directors of the Company who:
(1) was a member of the Board of Directors of the Company on the original issue date of the Series N Notes; or
(2) was nominated for election or elected to the Board of Directors of the Company with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of the Board of Directors at the time of such nomination or election.
"Credit Facilities" means one or more debt facilities or commercial paper facilities, in each case with banks or other institutional lenders providing for revolving credit loans, term loans or letters of credit, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time, and includes any securities issued pursuant to the Indenture in order to secure any amounts outstanding under a Credit Facility from time to time; provided that the obligation of the Company to make any payment on any such securities shall be:
(1) no greater than the amount required to be paid under such Credit Facility that is secured by such payment obligation;
(2) payable no earlier than such amount is required to be paid under such Credit Facility; and
(3) deemed to have been paid or otherwise satisfied and discharged to the extent that the Company has paid such amount under such Credit Facility.
"Default" means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default as defined in the Indenture.
"Definitive Note" means a certificated Series N Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 1(q)(v) of this Officer's Certificate, in the form of Exhibit A hereto except that such Series N Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the "Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note" attached thereto.
"Depositary" means, with respect to the Series N Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 1(q)(iii) of this Officer's Certificate as the Depositary with respect to the Series N Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Officer's Certificate or the Indenture.
"DTC" has the meaning assigned to it in Section 1(q)(iii) of this Officer's Certificate.
"Equity Interests" means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).
"Euroclear" means Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V.
"Event of Default" means an Event of Default as defined in the Indenture.
"Exchange Notes" means if and when issued, each series of the Series N Notes issued in exchange for any Initial Notes in an Exchange Offer or upon transfer pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement.
"Exchange Offer" has the meaning set forth in a corresponding Registration Rights Agreement.
"Exchange Offer Registration Statement" has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.
"First Mortgage Indenture" means the Indenture of Mortgage, dated as of October 1, 1953 by and between the Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee, as modified, amended or supplemented at any time or from time to time by supplemental indentures.
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect on the original issue date of the Series N Notes.
"Global Note Legend" means the legend set forth in Section 1(q)(v)(G)(2) of this Officer's Certificate, which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Officer's Certificate.
"Global Notes" means, individually and collectively, each of the
Series N Notes (which may be either Restricted Global Notes or
Unrestricted Global Notes) issued or issuable in the global form of
Exhibit A hereto issued in accordance with Sections 1(q)(i),
1(q)(v)(B)(4), 1(q)(v)(D)(4) or 1(q)(v)(F) of this Officer's Certificate.
"Guarantee" means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness.
"Hedging Obligations" means, with respect to any specified Person, the obligations of such Person incurred in the normal course of business and consistent with past practices and not for speculative purposes under:
(1) interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements designed to protect the person or entity entering into the agreement against fluctuations in interest rates with respect to Indebtedness incurred and not for purposes of speculation;
(2) foreign exchange contracts and currency protection agreements entered into with one of more financial institutions designed to protect the person or entity entering into the agreement against fluctuations in currency exchange rates with respect to Indebtedness incurred and not for purposes of speculation;
(3) any commodity futures contract, commodity option or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect against fluctuations in the price of commodities used by that entity at the time; and
(4) other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in interest rates or currency exchange rates.
"Indebtedness" means, with respect to any specified Person, any indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent:
(1) in respect of borrowed money;
(2) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof);
(3) in respect of banker's acceptances;
(4) representing Capital Lease Obligations;
(5) representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable; or
(6) representing any Hedging Obligations,
if and to the extent any of the preceding items (other than letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the specified Person prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the term "Indebtedness" includes all Indebtedness of others secured by a Series N Lien on any asset of the specified Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person) and, to the extent not otherwise included, the Guarantee by the specified Person of any indebtedness of any other Person.
The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date shall be:
(1) the accreted value of the Indebtedness, in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount; and
(2) the principal amount of the Indebtedness, together with any interest on the Indebtedness that is more than 30 days past due, in the case of any other Indebtedness.
"Indirect Participant" means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.
"Initial Notes" has the meaning set forth in Section 1(q)(ii) of this Officer's Certificate.
"Initial Purchaser" has the meaning set forth in the Purchase Agreement.
"Institutional Accredited Investor" means an institution that is an "accredited investor" as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act.
"Issue Date" means the first date on which any Series N Notes are issued, authenticated and delivered under the Indenture and this Officer's Certificate.
"Letter of Transmittal" means the letter of transmittal to be prepared by the Company and sent to all Holders of Initial Notes for use by such Holders in connection with an Exchange Offer.
"Liquidated Damages" means all liquidated damages then owing pursuant to Section 5 of the Registration Rights Agreement.
"Non-Recourse Debt" means Indebtedness:
(1) as to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness), (b) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise, or (c) constitutes the lender;
(2) no default with respect to which (including any rights that the holders of the Indebtedness may have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit upon notice, lapse of time or both any holder of any other Indebtedness (other than the Series N Notes) of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to declare a default on such other Indebtedness or cause the payment of the Indebtedness to be accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity; and
(3) as to which the lenders have been notified in writing that they shall not have any recourse to the stock or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
"Non-U.S. Person" means a person who is not a U.S. Person.
"Note Custodian" means the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary with respect to the Series N Notes in global form, or any successor entity thereto.
"Obligations" means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.
"Offering" means the offering of the Original Notes by the Company on the Issue Date.
"Original Notes" has the meaning set forth in Section 1(q)(ii) of this Officer's Certificate.
"Participant" means, with respect to DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream, a Person who has an account with DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream, respectively (and, with respect to DTC, shall include Euroclear and Clearstream).
"Payment Default" has the meaning assigned to it in Section 1(h)(ii)(A)(6)(I) of this Officer's Certificate.
"Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness" means any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than intercompany Indebtedness); provided that:
(1) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded (plus all accrued and unpaid interest on the Indebtedness and the amount of all expenses and premiums incurred in connection therewith);
(2) if such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is issued on or after the first anniversary of the original issue date of the Series N Notes, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded;
(3) if such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is issued on or after the first anniversary of the original issue date of the Series N Notes, and the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded is contractually subordinated in right of payment to the Series N Notes, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the final maturity date of, and is subordinated in right of payment to, the Series N Notes on terms at least as favorable to the Holders of Series N Notes as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded; and
(4) such Indebtedness is incurred either by the Company or by the Subsidiary who is the obligor on the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded.
"Private Placement Legend" means the legend set forth in Section 1(q)(v)(G)(1) of this Officer's Certificate to be placed on all Series N Notes issued under the Indenture and this Officer's Certificate except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of the Indenture and this Officer's Certificate.
"Purchase Agreement" means the Purchase Agreement dated March 29, 2006 among the Company and each Initial Purchaser relating to the Offering.
"QIB" means a "qualified institutional buyer" as defined in Rule 144A.
"Qualified Receivables Transaction" means any transaction or series of transactions that may be entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may sell, convey or otherwise transfer to (1) a Receivables Entity (in the case of a transfer by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) and (2) any other Person (in the case of a transfer by a Receivables Entity), or may grant a security interest in, any accounts receivable (whether now existing or arising in the future) of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries, and any assets related thereto including, without limitation, all collateral securing such accounts receivable, all contracts and all guarantees or other obligations in respect of such accounts receivable, the proceeds of such receivables and other assets which are customarily transferred, or in respect of which security interests are customarily granted in connection with asset securitization involving accounts receivable.
"Receivables Entity" means a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company or Sierra Pacific Resources (or another Person in which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company makes an Investment and to which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company transfers accounts receivable and related assets) which engages in no activities other than in connection with the financing of accounts receivable and which is designated by the Board of Directors (as provided below) as a Receivables Entity:
(1) no portion of the Indebtedness or any other obligations (contingent or otherwise) of which:
(a) is guaranteed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (excluding guarantees of Obligations (other than the principal of, and interest on, Indebtedness) pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings);
(b) is recourse to or obligates the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in any way other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings; or
(c) subjects any property or asset of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, to the satisfaction thereof, other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings;
(2) which is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding (except in connection with a Purchase Money Note or Qualified Receivables Transaction) with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company other than on terms no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons that are not Affiliates of the Company, other than fees payable in the ordinary course of business in connection with servicing accounts receivable; and
(3) to which neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company has any direct or indirect obligation (a) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or (b) to maintain or preserve such entity's financial condition or cause such entity to achieve certain levels of operating results.
Any such designation by the Board of Directors shall be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of the Board Resolution giving effect to such designation and an Officer's Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing conditions.
"Registration Rights Agreement" means (i) the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the Issue Date, by and among the Company and the other parties named on the signature pages thereof relating to the Original Notes and (ii) any similar agreement that the Company and other parties may enter into in relation to any other Initial Notes, in each case as such agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.
"Regulation S" means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.
"Regulation S Global Note" means a Global Note in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, issued in an initial denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes initially sold by the Initial Purchasers in reliance on Rule 903 of Regulation S.
"Restricted Definitive Note" means a Definitive Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.
"Restricted Global Note" means a Global Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.
"Restricted Period" means the applicable distribution compliance period as set forth in Regulation S.
"Restricted Subsidiary" of a Person means any Subsidiary of the referent Person that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
"Rule 144" means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.
"Rule 144A" means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.
"Rule 144A Global Note" means a Global Note in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, issued in an initial denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes initially sold by the Initial Purchasers in reliance on Rule 144A.
"Rule 903" means Rule 903 promulgated under the Securities Act.
"Rule 904" means Rule 904 promulgated under the Securities Act.
"Securities Act" means the Security Act of 1933, as amended.
"Series N Lien" means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction.
"Series N Permitted Liens" means:
(1) Series N Liens securing any Indebtedness under a Credit Facility and all Obligations and Hedging Obligations relating to such Indebtedness;
(2) Series N Liens in favor of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantors;
(3) Series N Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Series N Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such merger or consolidation and do not extend to any assets other than those of the Person merged into or consolidated with the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary;
(4) Series N Liens on property existing at the time of acquisition of the property by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, provided that such Series N Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such acquisition;
(5) Series N Liens to secure the performance of statutory or regulatory obligations, surety or appeal bonds, performance bonds or other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(6) Series N Liens existing on the original issue date of the Series N Notes (including the Series N Lien of the First Mortgage Indenture and the Series N Lien of the Indenture);
(7) Series N Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims that are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently concluded; provided that any reserve or other appropriate provision as is required in conformity with GAAP has been made therefor;
(8) Series N Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to obligations (including Hedging Obligations) that do not exceed $35.0 million at any one time outstanding;
(9) Series N Liens securing Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to refinance Indebtedness that was previously so secured; provided that any such Series N Lien is limited to all or part of the same property or assets (plus improvements, accessions, proceeds or dividends or distributions in respect thereof) that secured (or, under the written arrangements under which the original Series N Lien arose, could secure) the Indebtedness being refinanced or is in respect of property that is the security for a Series N Permitted Lien hereunder;
(10) Series N Liens on assets transferred to a Receivables Entity or on assets of a Receivables Entity, in either case, incurred in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction; and
(11) Series N Liens, including pledges, rights of offset and bankers' liens, on deposit accounts, instruments, investment accounts and investment property (including cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities) from time to time maintained with or held by any financial and/or depository institutions, in each case solely to secure any and all obligations now or hereafter existing of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with any deposit account, investment account or cash management service (including ACH, Fedwire, CHIPS, concentration and zero balance accounts, and controlled disbursement, lockbox or restricted accounts) now or hereafter provided by any financial and/or depository institutions to or for the benefit of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any special purpose entity directly or indirectly providing loans to or making receivables purchases from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
"Shelf Registration Statement" has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.
"Significant Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary that would be a "significant subsidiary" as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Regulation is in effect on the date hereof.
"Standard Securitization Undertakings" means representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities entered into by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company which are reasonably customary in securitization of accounts receivable transactions.
"Subsidiary" means, with respect to any specified Person:
(1) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees of the corporation, association or other
business entity is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and
(2) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof).
"Subsidiary Guarantee" means any Guarantee of the Series N Notes to be executed by any Subsidiary of the Company pursuant to Section 1(u)(iii) of this Officer's Certificate (under the heading "Future Subsidiary Guarantees").
"Subsidiary Guarantors" means any Subsidiary of the Company that executes a Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture, and their respective successors and assigns.
"Triggering Event" has the meaning assigned to it in Section 1(h) of this Officer's Certificate.
"Unrestricted Definitive Note" means one or more Definitive Notes that do not bear and are not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.
"Unrestricted Global Note" means a permanent Global Note in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto that bears the Global Note Legend and that has the "Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note" attached thereto, and that is deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary, representing a series of Notes that do not bear the Private Placement Legend.
"Unrestricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Company that is designated by the Board of Directors as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a Board Resolution, but only to the extent that such Subsidiary:
(1) has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt;
(2) is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company;
(3) is a Person with respect to which neither the Company nor any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect
obligation (a) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or
(b) to maintain or preserve such Person's financial condition
or to cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of
operating results;
(4) has not guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly provided credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; and
(5) has at least one director on its Board that is not a director or executive officer of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and has at least one executive officer that is not a director or executive officer of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
Any designation of a Subsidiary of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of the Board Resolution giving effect to such designation and an Officer's Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it shall thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of the Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary shall be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as of such date.
"U.S." means the United States of America.
"U.S. Person" means a U.S. person as defined in Rule 902(o) under the Securities Act.
"Voting Stock" of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of such Person.
"Weighted Average Life to Maturity" means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing:
(1) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount
of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial
maturity or other required payments of principal, including
payment at final maturity, in respect of the Indebtedness, by
(b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest
one-twelfth) that shall elapse between such date and the
making of such payment; by
(2) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.
(v) The Series N Notes shall have such other terms and provisions as are provided in the form thereof attached hereto as Exhibit A, and shall be issued in substantially such form.
2. The undersigned has read all of the covenants and conditions contained in the Indenture, and the definitions in the Indenture relating thereto, relating to the issuance of the Series N Notes and in respect of compliance with which this certificate is made.
The statements contained in this certificate are based upon the familiarity of the undersigned with the Indenture, the documents accompanying this certificate, and upon discussions by the undersigned with officers and employees of the Company familiar with the matters set forth herein.
In the opinion of the undersigned, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenants and conditions have been complied with.
In the opinion of the undersigned, such conditions and covenants have been complied with.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Officer's Certificate as of the date first written above.
Acknowledged and Received on
THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
as Trustee
Signature Page to Officer's Certificate (Terms of Note)
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF SERIES N NOTES
[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable, pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate]
[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable, pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate]
NEVADA POWER COMPANY
6.650% General and Refunding Mortgage Notes, Series N, due 2036
Original Interest Accrual Date: April 3, 2006 Redeemable: Yes [X] No [ ] Stated Maturity: April 1, 2036 Redemption Date: See Below Interest Rate: 6.650% Redemption Price: See Below Interest Payment Dates: April 1 and October 1 Record Dates: March 15 and September 15 |
The Security is not a Discount Security within the meaning of the within-mentioned Indenture.
CUSIP No. _______________
6.650% General and Refunding Mortgage Notes, Series N, due 2036
No. R- $__________
promises to pay to Cede & Co. or registered assigns, the principal sum of __________________ Dollars on April 1, 2036.
1. Interest. Nevada Power Company, a Nevada corporation (the "Company"), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Series N Note at 6.650% per annum, from April 3, 2006 until maturity and shall pay the Liquidated Damages payable pursuant to Section 5 of the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below. The Company shall pay interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each an "Interest Payment Date"). Interest on the Series N Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from Original Interest Accrual Date specified above; provided that if there is no existing Default in the payment of interest, and if this Series N Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date, except in the case of the original issuance of Series N Notes, in which case interest shall accrue from the Original Interest Accrual Date specified above; provided, further,
that the first Interest Payment Date shall be October 1, 2006. The Company shall pay interest (including postpetition interest in any proceeding under the Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at the rate borne on the Series N Notes; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under the Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
2. Method of Payment. The Company shall pay interest on the Series N Notes (except Defaulted Interest) and Liquidated Damages to the Persons who are registered Holders of Series N Notes at the close of business on the March 15 and September 15 next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Series N Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 3.07 of the Indenture with respect to Defaulted Interest. The Series N Notes shall be payable as to principal, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose within the City and State of New York, or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest and Liquidated Damages may be made by check mailed to the Holders of Series N Notes at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders, and provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds shall be required with respect to principal of, and interest, premium and Liquidated Damages on, all Global Notes and all other Series N Notes the Holders of which shall have provided wire transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent. Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.
3. Paying Agent and Security Registrar. Initially, The Bank of New York, the Trustee under the Indenture, shall act as Paying Agent and Security Registrar. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Security Registrar without notice to any Holder of Series N Notes. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.
4. Indenture; Security. This Series N Note is one of a duly authorized issue of Securities of the Company, issued and issuable in one or more series under and equally secured by a General and Refunding Mortgage Indenture, dated as of May 1, 2001 (such Indenture as originally executed and delivered and as supplemented or amended from time to time thereafter, together with any constituent instruments establishing the terms of particular Securities, being herein called the "Indenture"), between the Company and The Bank of New York, Trustee (herein called the "Trustee," which term includes any successor Trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of the property mortgaged, pledged and held in trust, the nature and extent of the security and the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities thereunder and of the terms and conditions upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered and secured. The acceptance of this Series N Note shall be deemed to constitute the consent and agreement by the Holder hereof to all of the terms and provisions of the Indenture. This Series N Note is one of the series designated above. The terms of the Series N Notes include those stated in the Indenture, the Officer's Certificate dated April 3, 2006 (the "Officer's Certificate") and those made part of the
Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act. The Series N Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders of Series N Notes are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Series N Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture or the Officer's Certificate, the provisions of the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate shall govern and be controlling. The Series N Notes are general obligations of the Company initially limited to $250,000,000 aggregate principal amount in the case of Series N Notes issued on the Issue Date.
All Outstanding Securities, including the Series N Notes, issued under the Indenture are secured by the lien of the Indenture on the properties of the Company described in the Indenture. The lien of the Indenture is junior, subject and subordinate to the prior lien of the Indenture of Mortgage dated as of October 1, 1953 by and between the Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee.
5. Optional Redemption.
(a) The Company may redeem the notes at any time, either in whole or in part at a redemption price equal to the greater of (1) 100% of the principal amount of the Series N Notes being redeemed and (2) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Series N Notes being redeemed (excluding the portion of any such interest accrued to the date of redemption) discounted (for purposes of determining present value) to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate (as defined below) plus 30 basis points, plus, in each case, accrued interest thereon to the date of redemption.
"Comparable Treasury Issue" means the United States Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the Series N Notes that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of the Series N Notes.
"Comparable Treasury Price" means, with respect to any redemption date, (1) the average of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) on the third business day preceding such redemption date, as set forth in the daily statistical release (or any successor release) published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and designated "Composite 3:30 p.m. Quotations for U.S. Government Securities" or (2) if such release (or any successor release) is not published or does not contain such prices on such third business day, the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation for such redemption date.
"Independent Investment Banker" means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers appointed by the Company.
"Reference Treasury Dealer" means a primary U.S. Government Securities Dealer selected by the Company.
"Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation" means, with respect to the
Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as
determined by the Independent Investment Banker, of the bid and asked
prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a
percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Independent
Investment Banker by such Reference Treasury Dealer at or before 5:00
p.m., New York City time, on the third business day preceding such
redemption date.
"Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any redemption date, the rate per year equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date.
6. Notice of Optional Redemption. Notice of optional redemption shall be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder whose Series N Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address. Series N Notes in denominations larger than $1,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1,000, unless all of the Series N Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed. Notices of redemption may not be conditional. On and after the redemption date, interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, cease to accrue on Series N Notes or portions thereof called for redemption.
7. Mandatory Redemption.
(a) Other than in connection with clause (b) below or in connection with a redemption at the option of the Holders of the Series N Notes in Section 8 below, the Company shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Series N Notes.
(b) Upon the occurrence of the events described below in clauses
(1) or (2) of this paragraph 7(b), the Company shall be required to redeem the
Series N Notes immediately, at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the aggregate
principal amount of the Series N Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest and
Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Series N Notes to the date of redemption,
without further action or notice on the part of the Trustee or the Holders of
the Series N Notes:
(1) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of Bankruptcy Law:
(I) commences a voluntary case,
(II) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,
(III) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,
(IV) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or
(V) admits in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due; or
(2) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(I) is for relief against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;
(II) appoints a custodian of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; or
(III) orders the liquidation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary;
and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days.
8. Redemption at the Option of Holders. Upon the occurrence of any of the following Triggering Events: (a) failure for 30 days to pay when due interest on, or Liquidated Damages with respect to, the Series N Notes; (b) failure to pay when due the principal of, or premium, if any, on the Series N Notes; (c) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply with the provisions described in Section 1(u)(ii) of the Officer's Certificate; (d) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 30 days after notice to comply with the provisions described in Section 1(h)(iii) of the Officer's Certificate; (e) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 60 days after notice to comply with any of the other agreements in the Officer's Certificate or the Series N Notes; (f) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists, or is created after the original issue date of the Series N Notes, if that default (i) is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of the
grace period provided in such Indebtedness on the date of such default (a
"Payment Default") or (ii) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness
prior to its express maturity, and, in each case, the principal amount of any
such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such
Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of
which has been so accelerated, aggregates $15.0 million or more; (g) failure by
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to pay final judgments aggregating in
excess of $15.0 million, which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for
a period of 60 days; or (h) an event of default under the First Mortgage
Indenture (other than any such matured event of default which (i) is of similar
kind or character to the Triggering Event described in (c) or (e) above and (ii)
has not resulted in the acceleration of the securities outstanding under the
First Mortgage Indenture); provided, however, that, anything in the Officer's
Certificate to the contrary notwithstanding, the waiver or cure of such event of
default under the First Mortgage Indenture and the rescission and annulment of
the consequences thereof under the First Mortgage Indenture shall constitute a
cure of the corresponding Triggering Event and a rescission and annulment of the
consequences thereof, the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the
Series N Notes then Outstanding may deliver a notice to the Company requiring
the Company to redeem the Series N Notes immediately at a Redemption Price equal
to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Series N Notes plus accrued and
unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Series N Notes to the
Redemption Date. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Series N Notes then Outstanding by notice to the Company and the Trustee may on
behalf of the Holders of all of the Series N Notes waive any existing Triggering
Event and its consequences except a continuing Triggering Event related to the
payment of interest or Liquidated Damages on, or the principal of, the Series N
Notes. In the case of any Triggering Event by reason of any willful action or
inaction taken or not taken by or on behalf of the Company with the intention of
avoiding payment of the premium that the Company would have had to pay if the
Company then had elected to redeem the Series N Notes pursuant to the provisions
of Section 1(g)(i) of the Officer's Certificate relating to redemption at the
option of the Company, an equivalent premium equal to the premium payable under
Section 1(g)(i) shall also become and be immediately due and payable to the
extent permitted by law upon the redemption of the Series N Notes at the option
of the Holders thereof.
9. Denominations, Transfer, Exchange. The Series N Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $100,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Series N Notes may be registered and Series N Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate. The Security Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder of Series N Notes, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder of Series N Notes to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Series N Note or portion of a Series N Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Series N Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Series N Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Series N Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record date and the corresponding Interest Payment Date.
10. Persons Deemed Owners. The registered Holder of a Series N Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.
11. Amendment, Supplement and Waiver. The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the Trustee to enter into one or more supplemental indentures for the purpose of adding any provisions to, or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of, the Indenture with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all series then Outstanding under the Indenture, considered as one class; provided, however, that if there shall be Securities of more than one series Outstanding under the Indenture and if a proposed supplemental indenture shall directly affect the rights of the Holders of Securities of one or more, but less than all, of such series, then the consent only of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all series so directly affected, considered as one class, shall be required; and provided, further, that if the Securities of any series shall have been issued in more than one Tranche and if the proposed supplemental indenture shall directly affect the rights of the Holders of Securities of one or more, but less than all, of such Tranches, then the consent only of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all Tranches so directly affected, considered as one class, shall be required; and provided, further, that the Indenture permits the Trustee to enter into one or more supplemental indentures for limited purposes without the consent of any Holders of Securities. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities then Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Series N Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Series N Note and of any Series N Note issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Series N Note.
12. Events of Default. If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the principal of this Series N Note may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.
13. No Recourse Against Others. As provided in the Indenture, no recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any Securities, or any part thereof, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, or of the indebtedness represented thereby, or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement under the Indenture, against, and no personal liability whatsoever shall attach to, or be incurred by, any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future of the Company or of any predecessor or successor corporation (either directly or through the Company or a predecessor or successor corporation), whether by virtue of any constitutional provision, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly agreed and understood that the Indenture and all the Securities are solely corporate obligations and that any such personal liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as part of the consideration for, the execution of the Indenture and the issuance of the Securities.
14. Authentication. Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee or an Authenticating Agent by manual signature, this Series N Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
15. Transfer and Exchange.
(a) As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Series N Note is registrable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Series N Note for registration of transfer at the Corporate Trust Office of The Bank of New York in New York, New York or such other office or agency as may be designated by the Company from time to time, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Series N Notes of this series of authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.
(b) No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
(c) Prior to due presentment of this Series N Note for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Series N Note is registered as the absolute owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Series N Note be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
16. Governing Law. THE SERIES N NOTES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
17. Definition of "Business Day" and Other Terms. As used herein, "Business Day" shall mean any day, other than Saturday or Sunday, on which commercial banks are open for business, including dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars, in New York. All other terms used in this Series N Note which are defined in the Indenture or the Officer's Certificate shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture or the Officer's Certificate, as applicable, unless otherwise indicated.
18. Abbreviations. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder of Series N Notes or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).
19. Additional Rights of Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes. In addition to the rights provided to Holders of Series N Notes under the Indenture, Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes shall have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of April 3, 2006 between Nevada Power Company and the parties named on the signature pages thereof (the "Registration Rights Agreement").
20. CUSIP Numbers. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Series N Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption
as a convenience to Holders of Series N Notes. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Series N Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.
The Company shall furnish to any Holder of Series N Notes upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture and/or the Registration Rights Agreement. Requests may be made to:
Nevada Power Company P.O. Box 230 6226 W. Sahara Avenue Las Vegas, Nevada 89146 Attention: Chief Financial Officer
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.
NEVADA POWER COMPANY
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
Dated: ___________________
THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee
SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE***
The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF AMOUNT OF AMOUNT OF THIS SIGNATURE OF DECREASE IN INCREASE IN GLOBAL NOTE AUTHORIZED PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL FOLLOWING SUCH SIGNATORY OF DATE OF AMOUNT OF THIS AMOUNT OF THIS DECREASE (OR TRUSTEE OR NOTE EXCHANGE GLOBAL NOTE GLOBAL NOTE INCREASE) CUSTODIAN -------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- |
ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Series N Note, fill in the form below: (I) or (we) assign and transfer this Series N Note to
Signatures must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" meeting the requirements of the Security Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Security Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you want to elect to have this Series N Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 1(h)(iii) (Offer to Purchase upon Change of Control) of the Officer's Certificate, check the box below:
[ ] Section 1(h)(iii) (Offer to Purchase upon Change of Control)
If you want to elect to have only part of the Series N Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 1(h)(iii) (Offer to Purchase upon Change of Control) of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:
$________________
Date:
Signatures must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" meeting the requirements of the Security Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Security Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
Nevada Power Company
P.O. Box 230
6226 W. Sahara Avenue
Las Vegas, Nevada 89146
Attention: Treasurer
The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street, Floor 8W
New York, New York 10286
Attention: Corporate Trust Division - Corporate Finance Unit
Re: Nevada Power Company 6.650% General and Refunding Mortgage Notes, Series N, due 2036
Reference is hereby made to the General and Refunding Mortgage Indenture, dated as of May 1, 2001, as amended and supplemented (the "Indenture"), between Nevada Power Company, as issuer (the "Company") and The Bank of New York, as trustee and the Officer's Certificate dated April 3, 2006 governing the Note[s] (the "Officer's Certificate"). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate.
____________________, (the "Transferor") owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $__________ in such Note[s] or interests (the "Transfer"), to ____________________ (the "Transferee"), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:
[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]
1. [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE SHALL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE 144A GLOBAL NOTE OR A RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believed and believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a "qualified institutional buyer" within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note shall be subject to the restrictions
on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the 144A Global Note and/or the Definitive Note and in the Officer's Certificate and the Securities Act.
2. [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE SHALL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE OR A RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO REGULATION S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act and (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed transfer is being made by a "distributor" (within the meaning of Regulation S) prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note shall be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Regulation S Global Note and/or the Definitive Note and in the Officer's Certificate and the Securities Act.
3. [ ] CHECK AND COMPLETE IF TRANSFEREE SHALL TAKE DELIVERY OF A DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO ANY PROVISION OF THE SECURITIES ACT OTHER THAN RULE 144A OR REGULATION S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):
(a) [ ] such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act;
or
(b) [ ] such Transfer is being effected to the Company or a subsidiary thereof;
or
(c) [ ] such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act; or
(d) [ ] such Transfer is being effected to an accredited investor within the meaning of Rule (501)(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act ("Institutional Accredited Investor") or pursuant to another exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A, Rule 144 or Rule 904, and the Transferor hereby certifies that the Transfer complies with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in a Restricted Global Note or Restricted Definitive Notes and the requirements of the exemption claimed, which certification is supported by (1) if the Transfer is to an Institutional Accredited Investor, a certificate executed by the Transferee in the form of Exhibit D to the Officer's Certificate and (2) an Opinion of Counsel provided by the Transferor or the Transferee (a copy of which the Transferor has attached to this certificate) to the effect that such Transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note shall be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Global Note and/or the Definitive Note and in the Officer's Certificate and the Securities Act.
4. [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE SHALL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE OR OF AN UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE.
(a) [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO RULE 144. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture, the Officer's Certificate and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note shall no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Officer's Certificate.
(b) [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO REGULATION S. (i) The transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note shall no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Officer's Certificate.
(c) [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO OTHER EXEMPTION. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance
with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note shall not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Officer's Certificate.
This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.
ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
1. The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:
[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)]
(a) [ ] a beneficial interest in the:
(ii) [ ] 144A Global Note (CUSIP ___________), or
(ii) [ ] Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP ___________); or
(b) [ ] a Restricted Definitive Note.
2. After the Transfer the Transferee shall hold:
[CHECK ONE]
(a) [ ] a beneficial interest in the:
(i) [ ] 144A Global Note (CUSIP ___________), or
(ii) [ ] Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP ___________), or
(iii) [ ] Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP ___________); or
(b) [ ] a Restricted Definitive Note.
(c) [ ] an Unrestricted Definitive Note,
in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate.
EXHIBIT C
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE
Nevada Power Company
P.O. Box 230
6226 W. Sahara Avenue
Las Vegas, Nevada 89146
Attention: Treasurer
The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street, Floor 8W
New York, New York 10286
Attention: Corporate Trust Division - Corporate Finance Unit
Re: Nevada Power Company 6.650% General and Refunding Mortgage Notes, Series N, due 2036
(CUSIP ____________)
Reference is hereby made to the General and Refunding Mortgage Indenture, dated as of May 1, 2001, as amended and supplemented (the "Indenture"), between Nevada Power Company, as issuer (the "Company") and The Bank of New York, as trustee, and the Officer's Certificate dated April 3, 2006 governing the Note[s] (the "Officer's Certificate"). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate.
____________________ (the "Owner") owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of $______________ in such Note[s] or interests (the "Exchange"). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:
1. EXCHANGE OF RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE FOR UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE
(a) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner's beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner's own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture, the Officer's Certificate and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain
compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
(b) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner's beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner's own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture, the Officer's Certificate and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
(c) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Owner's Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficiary interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner's own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture, the Officer's Certificate and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
(d) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Owner's Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner's own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture, the Officer's Certificate and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
2. EXCHANGE OF RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES FOR RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES
(a) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner's beneficial
interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner's own account without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate, the Restricted Definitive Note issued shall continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Officer's Certificate and the Securities Act.
(b) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner's Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the
[CHECK ONE]
[ ] 144A Global Note [ ] Regulation S Global Note
with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner's own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate, the beneficial interest issued shall be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the Officer's Certificate and the Securities Act.
This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.
EXHIBIT D
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF ACQUIRING INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR
Nevada Power Company
P.O. Box 230
6226 W. Sahara Avenue
Las Vegas, Nevada 89146
Attention: Treasurer
The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street, Floor 8W
New York, New York 10286
Attention: Corporate Trust Division - Corporate Finance Unit
Re: Nevada Power Company 6.650% General and Refunding Mortgage Notes, Series N, due 2036
Reference is hereby made to the General and Refunding Mortgage Indenture, dated as of May 1, 2001, as amended and supplemented (the "Indenture"), among Nevada Power Company, as issuer (the "Company") and The Bank of New York, as trustee, and the Officer's Certificate dated April 3, 2006 governing the Notes (the "Officer's Certificate"). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate.
In connection with our proposed purchase of $______________ aggregate principal amount of:
(a) [ ] a beneficial interest in a Global Note, or
(b) [ ] a Definitive Note,
we confirm that:
1. we are an "accredited investor" within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2),
(3) or (7) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), or an entity in which all of the equity owners are accredited
investors within the meaning of Rule (501)(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under
the Securities Act (an "institutional accredited investor");
2. (i)(A) any purchase of the Notes by us shall be for our own account or for the account of one or more other institutional accredited investors or as fiduciary for the account of one or more trusts, each of which is an "accredited investor" within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(7) under the Securities Act and for each of which we exercise sole investment discretion or (B) we are a "bank," within the meaning of Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act, or a "savings and loan association" or other institution described in Section
3(a)(5)(A) of the Securities Act that is acquiring Notes as fiduciary for the account of one or more institutions for which we exercise sole investment discretion;
3. in the event that we purchase any Notes, we shall acquire Notes having a minimum purchase price of not less than $250,000 for our own account and for each separate account for which we are acting;
4. we have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that we are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of purchasing Notes;
5. we are not acquiring the Notes with a view to any distribution thereof in a transaction that would violate the Securities Act or the securities laws of any State of the United States or any other applicable jurisdictions, provided that the disposition of our property and the property of any accounts for which we are acting as fiduciary shall remain at all times within our control;
6. we have received a copy of the Offering Memorandum relating to the offering of the Notes and acknowledge that we have had access to such financial and other information, and have been afforded the opportunity to ask such questions of representatives of the Company and receive answers thereto, as we deem necessary in connection with our decision to purchase the Notes; and
7. (vii)(a) we are not an employee benefit plan or other arrangement that is subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or an entity whose underlying assets include assets of such a plan or arrangement (pursuant to 29 C.F.R. Section 2510.3-101 or otherwise), and we are not purchasing (and shall not hold) the Notes on behalf of, or with the assets of, any such plan, arrangement or entity; or (b) our purchase and holding of the Notes are completely covered by the full exemptive relief provided by U.S. Department of Labor Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 or 84-14.
We understand that the Notes were offered in a transaction not involving any public offering in the United States within the meaning of the Securities Act and that the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws, and they were offered for resale in transactions not requiring registration under the Securities Act. We agree on our own behalf and on behalf of any investor account for which we are purchasing the Notes, and each subsequent holder of the Notes by its acceptance of the Notes will agree, to offer, sell or otherwise transfer such notes prior to (x) the date which is two years (or such shorter period of time as permitted by Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act or any successor provision thereunder) after the later of the date of the original issue of the Notes and the last date on which the Company or any of its affiliates were the owner of such Notes (or any predecessor thereto) or (y) such later date, if any, as may be required by applicable law (the "Resale Restriction Termination Date") only: (1) to the Company; (2) pursuant to a registration statement which has been declared effective under the Securities Act; (3) for so long as the Notes are eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A, to a person it reasonably believes is a "qualified institutional buyer" (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act) that purchases for its own account or for the account of a qualified institutional buyer to whom notice is given that the transfer is being made
in reliance on Rule 144A; (4) pursuant to offers and sales to Non-U.S. Persons that occur outside the United States within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act; or (5) pursuant to any other available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, subject in each of the foregoing cases to any requirements of law that the disposition of its property or the property of such investor account or accounts be at all times within its or their control and in compliance with any applicable state securities laws. Subject to the procedures set forth under Section 1(q)(v) of the Officer's Certificate, prior to any proposed transfer of the Notes (otherwise than pursuant to an effective registration statement) within the period referred to in Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act with respect to such transfer, the Holder of the Notes must check the appropriate box set forth on the reverse of its Notes relating to the manner of such transfer and submit the Notes to the trustee. The foregoing restrictions on resale will not apply subsequent to the Resale Restriction Termination Date. We acknowledge that the Company, the trustee and the transfer agent and security registrar reserve the right prior to any offer, sale or other transfer pursuant this paragraph, prior to the end of the restrictive periods described in clauses (x) and (y) above, to require the delivery of an opinion of counsel, certifications and/or other information satisfactory to the Company, the trustee and the security registrar. We further understand that any Notes we receive shall be in the form of definitive physical certificates and that such certificates shall bear a legend reflecting the substance of this paragraph.
THIS LETTER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH,
THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
We acknowledge that you and the Company shall rely upon the truth and accuracy of our acknowledgments, confirmations and agreements in this letter. Further, we acknowledge and agree that you and the Company are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or, official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.
[Insert Name of Accredited Investor]
Title:
EXHIBIT 4.2
FORM OF SERIES N NOTES
[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable, pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate]
[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable, pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate]
NEVADA POWER COMPANY
6.650% General and Refunding Mortgage Notes, Series N, due 2036
Original Interest Accrual Date: April 3, 2006 Redeemable: Yes [X] No [ ] Stated Maturity: April 1, 2036 Redemption Date: See Below Interest Rate: 6.650% Redemption Price: See Below Interest Payment Dates: April 1 and October 1 Record Dates: March 15 and September 15 |
The Security is not a Discount Security within the meaning of the within-mentioned Indenture.
CUSIP No. _______________
6.650% General and Refunding Mortgage Notes, Series N, due 2036
No. R- $__________
promises to pay to Cede & Co. or registered assigns, the principal sum of __________________ Dollars on April 1, 2036.
1. Interest. Nevada Power Company, a Nevada corporation (the "Company"), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Series N Note at 6.650% per annum, from April 3, 2006 until maturity and shall pay the Liquidated Damages payable pursuant to Section 5 of the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below. The Company shall pay interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each an "Interest Payment Date"). Interest on the Series N Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from Original Interest Accrual Date specified above; provided that if there is no existing Default in the payment of interest, and if this Series N Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date, except in the case of the original issuance of Series N Notes, in which case interest shall accrue from the Original Interest Accrual Date specified above; provided, further, that the first Interest Payment Date shall be October 1, 2006. The Company shall pay interest (including postpetition interest in any proceeding under the Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at the rate borne on the Series N
Notes; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under the Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
2. Method of Payment. The Company shall pay interest on the Series N Notes (except Defaulted Interest) and Liquidated Damages to the Persons who are registered Holders of Series N Notes at the close of business on the March 15 and September 15 next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Series N Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 3.07 of the Indenture with respect to Defaulted Interest. The Series N Notes shall be payable as to principal, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose within the City and State of New York, or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest and Liquidated Damages may be made by check mailed to the Holders of Series N Notes at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders, and provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds shall be required with respect to principal of, and interest, premium and Liquidated Damages on, all Global Notes and all other Series N Notes the Holders of which shall have provided wire transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent. Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.
3. Paying Agent and Security Registrar. Initially, The Bank of New York, the Trustee under the Indenture, shall act as Paying Agent and Security Registrar. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Security Registrar without notice to any Holder of Series N Notes. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.
4. Indenture; Security. This Series N Note is one of a duly authorized issue of Securities of the Company, issued and issuable in one or more series under and equally secured by a General and Refunding Mortgage Indenture, dated as of May 1, 2001 (such Indenture as originally executed and delivered and as supplemented or amended from time to time thereafter, together with any constituent instruments establishing the terms of particular Securities, being herein called the "Indenture"), between the Company and The Bank of New York, Trustee (herein called the "Trustee," which term includes any successor Trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of the property mortgaged, pledged and held in trust, the nature and extent of the security and the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities thereunder and of the terms and conditions upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered and secured. The acceptance of this Series N Note shall be deemed to constitute the consent and agreement by the Holder hereof to all of the terms and provisions of the Indenture. This Series N Note is one of the series designated above. The terms of the Series N Notes include those stated in the Indenture, the Officer's Certificate dated April 3, 2006 (the "Officer's Certificate") and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act. The Series N Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders of Series N Notes are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Series N Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture or the Officer's Certificate, the provisions of the Indenture and the
Officer's Certificate shall govern and be controlling. The Series N Notes are general obligations of the Company initially limited to $250,000,000 aggregate principal amount in the case of Series N Notes issued on the Issue Date.
All Outstanding Securities, including the Series N Notes, issued under the Indenture are secured by the lien of the Indenture on the properties of the Company described in the Indenture. The lien of the Indenture is junior, subject and subordinate to the prior lien of the Indenture of Mortgage dated as of October 1, 1953 by and between the Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee.
5. Optional Redemption.
(a) THE COMPANY MAY REDEEM THE NOTES AT ANY TIME, EITHER IN WHOLE OR IN PART AT A REDEMPTION PRICE EQUAL TO THE GREATER OF (1) 100% OF THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THE SERIES N NOTES BEING REDEEMED AND (2) THE SUM OF THE PRESENT VALUES OF THE REMAINING SCHEDULED PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ON THE SERIES N NOTES BEING REDEEMED (EXCLUDING THE PORTION OF ANY SUCH INTEREST ACCRUED TO THE DATE OF REDEMPTION) DISCOUNTED (FOR PURPOSES OF DETERMINING PRESENT VALUE) TO THE REDEMPTION DATE ON A SEMI-ANNUAL BASIS (ASSUMING A 360-DAY YEAR CONSISTING OF TWELVE 30-DAY MONTHS) AT THE TREASURY RATE (AS DEFINED BELOW) PLUS 30 BASIS POINTS, PLUS, IN EACH CASE, ACCRUED INTEREST THEREON TO THE DATE OF REDEMPTION.
"Comparable Treasury Issue" means the United States Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the Series N Notes that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of the Series N Notes.
"Comparable Treasury Price" means, with respect to any redemption date, (1) the average of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) on the third business day preceding such redemption date, as set forth in the daily statistical release (or any successor release) published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and designated "Composite 3:30 p.m. Quotations for U.S. Government Securities" or (2) if such release (or any successor release) is not published or does not contain such prices on such third business day, the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation for such redemption date.
"Independent Investment Banker" means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers appointed by the Company.
"Reference Treasury Dealer" means a primary U.S. Government Securities Dealer selected by the Company.
"Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation" means, with respect to the
Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as
determined by the Independent Investment Banker, of the bid and asked
prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a
percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Independent
Investment Banker by such Reference Treasury Dealer at or before 5:00
p.m., New York City time, on the third business day preceding such
redemption date.
"Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any redemption date, the rate per year equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date.
6. Notice of Optional Redemption. Notice of optional redemption shall be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder whose Series N Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address. Series N Notes in denominations larger than $1,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1,000, unless all of the Series N Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed. Notices of redemption may not be conditional. On and after the redemption date, interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, cease to accrue on Series N Notes or portions thereof called for redemption.
7. Mandatory Redemption.
(a) Other than in connection with clause (b) below or in connection with a redemption at the option of the Holders of the Series N Notes in Section 8 below, the Company shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Series N Notes.
(b) Upon the occurrence of the events described below in clauses (1) or (2) of this paragraph 7(b), the Company shall be required to redeem the Series N Notes immediately, at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Series N Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Series N Notes to the date of redemption, without further action or notice on the part of the Trustee or the Holders of the Series N Notes:
THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES THAT IS A SIGNIFICANT
SUBSIDIARY OR ANY GROUP OF SUBSIDIARIES THAT, TAKEN AS A WHOLE, WOULD CONSTITUTE A SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARY PURSUANT TO OR WITHIN THE MEANING OF BANKRUPTCY LAW:
(I) commences a voluntary case,
(II) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,
(III) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,
(IV) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or
(V) admits in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due; or
A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION ENTERS AN ORDER OR DECREE
UNDER ANY BANKRUPTCY LAW THAT:
(I) is for relief against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;
(II) appoints a custodian of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; or
(III) orders the liquidation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary;
and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days.
8. Redemption at the Option of Holders. Upon the occurrence of any of the following Triggering Events: (a) failure for 30 days to pay when due interest on, or Liquidated Damages with respect to, the Series N Notes; (b) failure to pay when due the principal of, or premium, if any, on the Series N Notes; (c) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply with the provisions described in Section 1(u)(ii) of the Officer's Certificate; (d) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 30 days after notice to comply with the provisions described in Section 1(h)(iii) of the Officer's Certificate; (e) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 60 days after notice to comply with any of the other agreements in the Officer's Certificate or the Series N Notes; (f) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists, or is created after the original issue date of the Series N Notes, if that default (i) is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of the
grace period provided in such Indebtedness on the date of such default (a
"Payment Default") or (ii) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness
prior to its express maturity, and, in each case, the principal amount of any
such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such
Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of
which has been so accelerated, aggregates $15.0 million or more; (g) failure by
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to pay final judgments aggregating in
excess of $15.0 million, which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for
a period of 60 days; or (h) an event of default under the First Mortgage
Indenture (other than any such matured event of default which (i) is of similar
kind or character to the Triggering Event described in (c) or (e) above and (ii)
has not resulted in the acceleration of the securities outstanding under the
First Mortgage Indenture); provided, however, that, anything in the Officer's
Certificate to the contrary notwithstanding, the waiver or cure of such event of
default under the First Mortgage Indenture and the rescission and annulment of
the consequences thereof under the First Mortgage Indenture shall constitute a
cure of the corresponding Triggering Event and a rescission and annulment of the
consequences thereof, the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the
Series N Notes then Outstanding may deliver a notice to the Company requiring
the Company to redeem the Series N Notes immediately at a Redemption Price equal
to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Series N Notes plus accrued and
unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Series N Notes to the
Redemption Date. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Series N Notes then Outstanding by notice to the Company and the Trustee may on
behalf of the Holders of all of the Series N Notes waive any existing Triggering
Event and its consequences except a continuing Triggering Event related to the
payment of interest or Liquidated Damages on, or the principal of, the Series N
Notes. In the case of any Triggering Event by reason of any willful action or
inaction taken or not taken by or on behalf of the Company with the intention of
avoiding payment of the premium that the Company would have had to pay if the
Company then had elected to redeem the Series N Notes pursuant to the provisions
of Section 1(g)(i) of the Officer's Certificate relating to redemption at the
option of the Company, an equivalent premium equal to the premium payable under
Section 1(g)(i) shall also become and be immediately due and payable to the
extent permitted by law upon the redemption of the Series N Notes at the option
of the Holders thereof.
9. Denominations, Transfer, Exchange. The Series N Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $100,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Series N Notes may be registered and Series N Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate. The Security Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder of Series N Notes, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder of Series N Notes to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Series N Note or portion of a Series N Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Series N Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Series N Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Series N Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record date and the corresponding Interest Payment Date.
10. Persons Deemed Owners. The registered Holder of a Series N Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.
11. Amendment, Supplement and Waiver. The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the Trustee to enter into one or more supplemental indentures for the purpose of adding any provisions to, or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of, the Indenture with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all series then Outstanding under the Indenture, considered as one class; provided, however, that if there shall be Securities of more than one series Outstanding under the Indenture and if a proposed supplemental indenture shall directly affect the rights of the Holders of Securities of one or more, but less than all, of such series, then the consent only of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all series so directly affected, considered as one class, shall be required; and provided, further, that if the Securities of any series shall have been issued in more than one Tranche and if the proposed supplemental indenture shall directly affect the rights of the Holders of Securities of one or more, but less than all, of such Tranches, then the consent only of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all Tranches so directly affected, considered as one class, shall be required; and provided, further, that the Indenture permits the Trustee to enter into one or more supplemental indentures for limited purposes without the consent of any Holders of Securities. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities then Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Series N Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Series N Note and of any Series N Note issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Series N Note.
12. Events of Default. If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the principal of this Series N Note may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.
13. No Recourse Against Others. As provided in the Indenture, no recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any Securities, or any part thereof, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, or of the indebtedness represented thereby, or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement under the Indenture, against, and no personal liability whatsoever shall attach to, or be incurred by, any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future of the Company or of any predecessor or successor corporation (either directly or through the Company or a predecessor or successor corporation), whether by virtue of any constitutional provision, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly agreed and understood that the Indenture and all the Securities are solely corporate obligations and that any such personal liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as part of the consideration for, the execution of the Indenture and the issuance of the Securities.
14. Authentication. Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee or an Authenticating Agent by manual signature, this Series N Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
15. Transfer and Exchange.
(a) As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Series N Note is registrable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Series N Note for registration of transfer at the Corporate Trust Office of The Bank of New York in New York, New York or such other office or agency as may be designated by the Company from time to time, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Series N Notes of this series of authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.
(b) No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
(c) Prior to due presentment of this Series N Note for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Series N Note is registered as the absolute owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Series N Note be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
16. Governing Law. THE SERIES N NOTES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
17. Definition of "Business Day" and Other Terms. As used herein, "Business Day" shall mean any day, other than Saturday or Sunday, on which commercial banks are open for business, including dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars, in New York. All other terms used in this Series N Note which are defined in the Indenture or the Officer's Certificate shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture or the Officer's Certificate, as applicable, unless otherwise indicated.
18. Abbreviations. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder of Series N Notes or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).
19. Additional Rights of Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes. In addition to the rights provided to Holders of Series N Notes under the Indenture, Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes shall have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of April 3, 2006 between Nevada Power Company and the parties named on the signature pages thereof (the "Registration Rights Agreement").
20. CUSIP Numbers. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Series N Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders of Series N Notes. No representation is made as to the accuracy of
such numbers either as printed on the Series N Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.
The Company shall furnish to any Holder of Series N Notes upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture and/or the Registration Rights Agreement. Requests may be made to:
Nevada Power Company P.O. Box 230 6226 W. Sahara Avenue Las Vegas, Nevada 89146 Attention: Chief Financial Officer
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.
NEVADA POWER COMPANY
By: ____________________________
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
Dated: ___________________
THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee
By: __________________________
Authorized Signatory
SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE***
The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SIGNATURE OF AMOUNT OF DECREASE AMOUNT OF INCREASE FOLLOWING SUCH AUTHORIZED SIGNATORY IN PRINCIPAL AMOUNT IN PRINCIPAL AMOUNT DECREASE (OR OF TRUSTEE OR NOTE DATE OF EXCHANGE OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE INCREASE) CUSTODIAN ---------------- ------------------- ------------------- ------------------- -------------------- |
ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Series N Note, fill in the form below: (I) or (we) assign and transfer this Series N Note to
and irrevocably appoint ________________________________________________________ to transfer this Series N Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.
Date:
Your Signature:________________________________________________________________
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Series N Note)
SIGNATURE GUARANTEE
Signatures must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" meeting the requirements of the Security Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Security Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you want to elect to have this Series N Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 1(h)(iii) (Offer to Purchase upon Change of Control) of the Officer's Certificate, check the box below:
[ ] Section 1(h)(iii) (Offer to Purchase upon Change of Control)
If you want to elect to have only part of the Series N Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 1(h)(iii) (Offer to Purchase upon Change of Control) of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:
$_____________________
Date:
Your Signature: _______________________________________________________________
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of the Series N Note)
Tax Identification No.:________________________________________________________
SIGNATURE GUARANTEE
Signatures must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" meeting the requirements of the Security Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Security Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
EXHIBIT 4.3
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
DATED APRIL 3, 2006
AMONG
NEVADA POWER COMPANY
AND
LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.
AND
WACHOVIA CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC,
AS REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
INITIAL PURCHASERS
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Registration Rights Agreement (the "Agreement") is made and entered into this 3rd day of April, 2006, by and between Nevada Power Company, a Nevada corporation (the "Company"), and Lehman Brothers Inc. and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC, as representatives (the "Representatives") of the Initial Purchasers (the "Initial Purchasers"), as contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, dated March 29, 2006 (the "Purchase Agreement"), by and between the Company and the Initial Purchasers, which provides for the sale by the Company to the Initial Purchasers of an aggregate of $250,000,000 in principal amount of the Company's 6.650% General and Refunding Mortgage Notes, Series N, due 2036 (the "Securities"). In order to induce the Initial Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide the registration rights set forth in this Agreement. The execution of this Agreement is a condition to the closing under the Purchase Agreement.
The Company agrees with the Representatives, for the benefit of the Initial Purchasers and for the benefit of the beneficial owners (including the Initial Purchasers) from time to time of the Registrable Securities (as hereinafter defined), as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS.
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
"1933 Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.
"1934 Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.
"Closing Date" means the Closing Time as defined in the Purchase Agreement.
"Company" has the meaning set forth in the preamble and shall also include the Company's successors.
"Depositary" means The Depository Trust Company, or any other depositary appointed by the Company; provided, however, that such depositary must have an address in the Borough of Manhattan, in the City of New York.
"Exchange Offer" means the exchange offer by the Company of Exchange Securities for Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof.
"Exchange Offer Registration" means a registration under the 1933 Act effected pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof.
"Exchange Offer Registration Statement" means an exchange offer registration statement on Form S-4 (or, if applicable, on another appropriate form), and all amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all documents incorporated by reference therein.
"Exchange Period" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1 hereof.
"Exchange Securities" means the notes issued by the Company under the Indenture containing terms identical to the Securities in all material respects (except for references to provisions relating to liquidated damages, restrictions on transfers and restrictive legends), to be offered to Holders of Securities in exchange for Registrable Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
"Holder" means an Initial Purchaser, for so long as it owns any Registrable Securities, and any other beneficial owner of Registrable Securities.
"Indenture" means the General and Refunding Mortgage Indenture, dated as of May 1, 2001, between the Company and the Trustee, as amended and supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.
"Initial Purchaser" or "Initial Purchasers" has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
"Majority Holders" means the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Outstanding (as defined in the Indenture) Registrable Securities; provided, however, that whenever the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Securities is required hereunder, Registrable Securities held by the Company and other obligors on the Securities or any Affiliate (as defined in the Indenture) of the Company or of such other obligor (unless the Company, such obligor or such Affiliate owns all Registrable Securities then Outstanding) shall be disregarded in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage.
"Participating Broker-Dealer" means any of the Initial Purchasers and any other broker-dealer which makes a market in the Securities and exchanges Registrable Securities in the Exchange Offer for Exchange Securities.
"Person" means an individual, partnership (general or limited), corporation, limited liability company, trust or unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or political subdivision thereof.
"Private Exchange" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1 hereof.
"Private Exchange Securities" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1 hereof.
"Prospectus" means the prospectus included in a Registration Statement, including, without limitation, a prospectus that discloses information previously omitted
from a prospectus filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 415 under the 1933 Act), as amended or supplemented, including all documents incorporated by reference therein.
"Purchase Agreement" has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
"Registrable Securities" means the Securities and, if issued, the
Private Exchange Securities; provided, however, that Securities and, if issued,
the Private Exchange Securities, shall cease to be Registrable Securities when
(i) (except in the case of Securities purchased from the Company and continued
to be held by the Initial Purchasers) the Exchange Offer is consummated, (ii) a
Registration Statement with respect to such Securities shall have been declared
effective under the 1933 Act and such Securities shall have been disposed of
pursuant to such Registration Statement, (iii) such Securities have been sold to
the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the 1933 Act, (iv) the applicable holding
period under rule 144(k) under the 1933 Act shall have expired or (v) such
Securities shall have ceased to be outstanding.
"Registration Expenses" means any and all expenses incident to performance of or compliance by the Company with this Agreement, including, without limitation: (i) all SEC, stock exchange or National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") registration and filing fees, including, if applicable, the fees and expenses of any "qualified independent underwriter" (and its counsel) that is required to be retained by any holder of Registrable Securities in accordance with the rules and regulations of the NASD, (ii) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with compliance with state securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for any underwriters or Holders in connection with blue sky qualification of any of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities), (iii) all printing and other expenses in preparing, and distributing any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, any amendments or supplements thereto, any underwriting agreements, securities sales agreements and other documents relating to the performance of and compliance with this Agreement, (iv) all rating agency fees, (v) all fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and of the independent public accountants of the Company, (vi) the fees and expenses of the Trustee and its counsel (vii) the reasonable fees and expenses, if any, of the Initial Purchasers in connection with the Exchange Offer, including the reasonable fees and expenses, if any, of not more than one counsel to the Initial Purchasers in connection therewith, which shall be Dewey Ballantine LLP, (viii) the reasonable fees and disbursements of not more than one counsel representing the Holders of Registrable Securities which shall be Dewey Ballantine LLP, unless another firm shall be chosen by the Majority Holders and identified to the Company and (ix) any fees and disbursements of the underwriters customarily required to be paid by issuers or sellers of securities, but excluding underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of Registrable Securities by a Holder.
"Registration Statement" means any registration statement of the Company which covers any of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, and all amendments and supplements to any such
Registration Statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all documents incorporated by reference therein.
"SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor agency or government body performing the functions currently performed by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Securities" has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
"Shelf Registration" means a registration effected pursuant to
Section 2.2 hereof.
"Shelf Registration Statement" means a "shelf" registration statement of the Company pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.2 of this Agreement which covers all of the Registrable Securities or all of the Private Exchange Securities on an appropriate form under Rule 415 under the 1933 Act, or any similar rule that may be adopted by the SEC, and all amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all material incorporated by reference therein.
"TIA" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended from time to time.
"Trustee" means the trustee with respect to the Securities under the Indenture.
2. Registration Under the 1933 Act.
2.1 Exchange Offer. the Company shall, for the benefit of the Holders, at the Company's cost,
(A) prepare and, as soon as reasonably practicable but not later than the 180th day after the Closing Date, file with the SEC an Exchange Offer Registration Statement on an appropriate form under the 1933 Act with respect to a proposed Exchange Offer and the issuance and delivery to the Holders, in exchange for the Registrable Securities (other than Private Exchange Securities), of a like principal amount of Exchange Securities,
(B) use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be declared effective under the 1933 Act on or prior to the 270th day after the Closing Date,
(C) to commence the Exchange Offer as promptly as reasonably practicable after the effective date of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement,
(D) use all commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement effective until the closing of the Exchange Offer, and
(E) use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Exchange Offer to be consummated not later than the 40th day after such effective date. It is the objective of the Exchange Offer to enable each Holder eligible and electing to exchange Registrable Securities for Exchange Securities (assuming that such Holder (a) is not an affiliate of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the 1933 Act, (b) is not a broker-dealer tendering Registrable Securities acquired directly from the Company for its own account, (c) acquired the Exchange Securities in the ordinary course of such Holder's business and (d) has no arrangements or understandings with any Person to participate in the Exchange Offer for the purpose of distributing the Exchange Securities) to transfer such Exchange Securities from and after their receipt without any limitations or restrictions under the 1933 Act or under state securities or blue sky laws.
In connection with the Exchange Offer, the Company shall:
(a) mail as promptly as reasonably practicable to each Holder a copy of the Prospectus forming part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, together with an appropriate letter of transmittal and related documents;
(b) keep the Exchange Offer open for acceptance for a period of not less than 30 calendar days after the date notice thereof is mailed to the Holders (or longer if required by applicable law) (such period referred to herein as the "Exchange Period");
(c) utilize the services of the Depositary for the Exchange Offer;
(d) permit Holders to withdraw tendered Registrable Securities at any time prior to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time), on the last business day of the Exchange Period, by sending to the institution specified in the notice, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of such Holder, the principal amount of Registrable Securities delivered for exchange, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing such Holder's election to have such Securities exchanged;
(e) notify each Holder that any Registrable Security not tendered will remain Outstanding and continue to accrue interest, but will not retain any rights under this Agreement (except in the case of the Initial Purchasers and Participating Broker-Dealers, as provided herein); and
(f) otherwise comply in all respects with all applicable laws relating to the Exchange Offer.
If, prior to consummation of the Exchange Offer, the Initial Purchasers hold any Securities acquired by them and having the status of an unsold allotment in the initial distribution, the Company upon the request of any Initial Purchaser shall, simultaneously with the delivery of the Exchange Securities in the Exchange Offer, issue and deliver to such Initial Purchaser in exchange (the "Private Exchange") for the Securities held by such Initial Purchaser, a like principal amount of debt securities (the "Private Exchange Securities") of the Company issued under the Indenture and identical (except that such securities shall bear appropriate transfer restrictions) to the Exchange Securities.
The Company shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to have the Private Exchange Securities bear the same CUSIP number as the Exchange Securities; provided, however, that the Company shall not have any liability under this Agreement solely as a result of the Private Exchange Securities not bearing the same CUSIP number as the Exchange Securities.
As soon as practicable after the consummation of the Exchange Offer and/or the Private Exchange, as the case may be, the Company shall:
(ii) accept for exchange all Registrable Securities duly tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and the letter of transmittal which shall be an exhibit thereto;
(iii) accept for exchange all Securities properly tendered pursuant to the Private Exchange;
(iv) deliver to the Trustee for cancellation all Registrable Securities so accepted for exchange; and
(v) cause the Trustee promptly to authenticate and deliver Exchange Securities or Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be, to each Holder of Registrable Securities so accepted for exchange in a principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Registrable Securities of such Holder so accepted for exchange.
Interest on each Exchange Security and Private Exchange Security will accrue from the last date on which interest was paid on the Registrable Securities surrendered in exchange therefor or, if no interest has been paid on the Registrable Securities, from the date as of which interest on such Registrable Securities commenced to accrue, all as provided in the Indenture. The Exchange Offer and the Private Exchange shall not be subject to any conditions, other than the following:
(i) the Exchange Offer or the Private Exchange, or the making of any exchange by a Holder, shall not be in violation of applicable law or any applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC,
(ii) the Registrable Securities to be exchanged shall have been duly tendered in accordance with the Exchange Offer and the Private Exchange,
(iii) each Holder of Registrable Securities to be exchanged in the Exchange Offer shall have represented that all Exchange Securities to be received by it shall be acquired in the ordinary course of its business and that at the time of the consummation of the Exchange Offer it shall have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the 1933 Act) of the Exchange Securities and shall have made such other representations as may be reasonably necessary under applicable SEC rules, regulations or interpretations to render the use of Form S-4 or other appropriate form under the 1933 Act available, and
(iv) no action or proceeding shall have been instituted or threatened in any court or by or before any governmental agency with respect to the Exchange Offer or the Private Exchange which, in the Company's judgment, would reasonably be expected to impair the ability of the Company to proceed with the Exchange Offer or the Private Exchange. The Company shall inform the Initial Purchasers of the names and addresses of the Holders to whom the Exchange Offer is made, and the Initial Purchasers shall have the right (but shall have no obligation hereunder) to contact such Holders and otherwise facilitate the tender of Registrable Securities in the Exchange Offer.
2.2 Shelf Registration. (i) If, because of any changes in law, SEC rules or regulations or applicable interpretations thereof by the staff of the SEC, the Company is not permitted to effect the Exchange Offer as contemplated by Section 2.1 hereof, (ii) if for any other reason the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not declared effective on or prior to the 270th day after the Closing Date or the Exchange Offer is not consummated on or prior to the 40th day after the effective date of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, or (iii) if any Holder is not permitted to participate in the Exchange Offer or does not receive fully tradeable Exchange Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer, then in case of each of clauses (i) through (iii) the Company shall, at its cost:
(a) File with the SEC, as promptly as reasonably practicable but no later than the 30th day after such filing obligation arises, a Shelf Registration Statement relating to the offer and sale of the Registrable Securities by the Holders from time to time in accordance with the methods of distribution elected by the Holders participating in the Shelf Registration and set forth in such Shelf Registration Statement, and shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective as promptly as reasonably practicable but no later than the 90th day after the filing thereof.
(b) Use all commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective in order to permit the Prospectus forming part thereof to be usable by Holders for a period of two years from the date the Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC, or for such shorter period as will terminate when all Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement have been sold pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement or cease to be Outstanding or otherwise to be Registrable Securities (the "Effectiveness Period"); provided, however, that the Effectiveness Period in respect of the Shelf Registration Statement shall be extended to the extent required to permit dealers to comply with the applicable prospectus delivery requirements of Rule 174 under the 1933 Act and as otherwise provided herein.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, use its best efforts to ensure that (i) any Shelf Registration Statement and any amendment thereto and any Prospectus forming part thereof and any supplement thereto complies in all material respects with the 1933 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, (ii) any Shelf Registration Statement and any amendment thereto does not, when it becomes effective, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading and (iii) any Prospectus forming part of any Shelf Registration Statement, and any supplement to such Prospectus (as amended or supplemented from time to time), does not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
The Company shall not permit any securities other than Registrable Securities to be included in the Shelf Registration Statement. The Company further agrees, if necessary, to supplement or amend the Shelf Registration Statement, as required by Section 3(b) below, and to furnish to the Holders of Registrable Securities copies of any such supplement or amendment promptly after its being used or filed with the SEC.
2.3 Expenses. The Company shall pay all Registration Expenses in connection with the registration pursuant to Section 2.1 or 2.2. Each Holder shall pay all underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of such Holder's Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement.
2.4 Effectiveness. (a) The Company will be deemed not to have used all commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be, to become, or to remain, effective during the requisite period if the Company voluntarily takes any action that would, or omits to take any action the omission of which would, result in any such Registration Statement not being declared effective or in the Holders of Registrable
Securities covered thereby not being able to exchange or offer and sell such Registrable Securities during that period as and to the extent contemplated hereby, unless such action is required or prohibited, as the case may be, by applicable law.
(b) An Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof or a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof will not be deemed to have become effective unless it has been declared effective by the SEC; provided, however, that if, after it has been declared effective, the offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement or a Shelf Registration Statement is interfered with by any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement of the SEC or any other governmental agency or court, such Registration Statement will be deemed not to have become effective during the period of such interference, until the offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement may legally resume.
2.5 Liquidated Damages. In the event that either (a) the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not filed with the SEC at or prior to the deadline therefor specified in Section 2.1, (b) the Exchange Offer Registration Statement has not been declared effective at or prior to the deadline therefor specified in Section 2.1, (c) the Exchange Offer is not consummated at or prior to the deadline therefor specified in Section 2.1, (d) the Shelf Registration Statement is not filed with the SEC at or prior to the deadline therefor specified in Section 2.2 or (e) the Shelf Registration Statement has not been declared effective at or prior to the deadline therefor specified in Section 2.2 (each such event referred to in clauses (a) through (e) above, a "Registration Default"), then the Company shall pay to each Holder of Registrable Securities affected thereby liquidated damages in an amount equal to $0.05 per $1,000 in principal amount of Registrable Securities held by such Holder for each week (or portion thereof) in the first 90-day period immediately following the occurrence of such Registration Default. The amount of such liquidated damages payable per week shall increase by $0.05 per $1,000 in principal amount of such Registrable Securities with respect to each subsequent 90-day period until all Registration Defaults have been cured, up to a maximum amount of liquidated damages of $0.50 per week per $1,000 in principal amount of Registrable Securities; provided that the Company shall in no event be required to pay liquidated damages for more than one Registration Default at any given time. Following the cure of all Registration Defaults liquidated damages will cease to accrue.
If the Shelf Registration Statement is unusable by the Holders for any reason (other than by reason of a prohibition, condition or other requirement (not relating to information contained therein or omitted therefrom) not in effect at the date hereof imposed by any statute or governmental regulation), and the aggregate number of days in any consecutive twelve-month period for which the Shelf Registration Statement shall not be usable exceeds 30 days in the aggregate, then the Company shall pay to each Holder of Registrable Securities affected thereby liquidated damages in an amount equal to $0.05 per $1,000 in principal amount of Registrable Securities held by such Holder for each week (or portion thereof) in the first 90-day period beginning on the 31st day on which the Shelf Registration Statement ceases to be usable. The amount of such liquidated damages shall increase by $0.05 per $1,000 in principal amount of such Registrable Securities with respect to each subsequent 90-day period in which the Shelf
Registration Statement is not usable, up to a maximum amount of liquidated damages of $0.50 per week per $1,000 in principal amount of Registrable Securities. Upon the Shelf Registration Statement once again becoming usable, liquidated damages will cease to accrue.
Liquidated damages shall be computed based on the actual number of days elapsed in each 90-day period in which a Registration Default is continuing or in which the Shelf Registration Statement is unusable, as the case may be.
All accrued liquidated damages shall be paid to the Holders entitled thereto, in the manner provided in the Indenture for the payment of interest, on each interest payment date, as more fully set forth in the Indenture and the Securities. Notwithstanding the fact that any Securities in respect of which liquidated damages are due cease to be Registrable Securities, all obligations of the Company to pay such liquidated damages shall survive until such time as such obligations in respect of such Securities shall have been satisfied in full.
3. Registration Procedures.
In connection with the obligations of the Company with respect to Registration Statements pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.2 hereof, the Company shall:
(a) prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement,
within the relevant time period specified in Section 2, on the appropriate
form under the 1933 Act, which form (i) shall be selected by the Company,
(ii) shall, in the case of a Shelf Registration, be available for the sale
of the Registrable Securities by the selling Holders thereof and, (iii)
shall comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of
the 1933 Act and TIA, and the rules and regulation of the SEC thereunder,
and use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration
Statement to become effective and remain effective in accordance with
Section 2 hereof;
(b) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective amendments to each Registration Statement as may be necessary under applicable law to keep such Registration Statement effective for the applicable period; and cause each Prospectus to be supplemented by any required prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the 1933 Act and comply with the provisions of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to them with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by each Registration Statement during the applicable period in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution by the selling Holders thereof (including sales by any Participating Broker-Dealer);
(c) in the case of a Shelf Registration, (i) notify each Holder of Registrable Securities, at least five business days prior to filing, that a Shelf Registration Statement with respect to the Registrable Securities is being filed and advise such Holders that the distribution of Registrable Securities will be made in
accordance with the methods selected by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Registrable Securities the Holders of which are participating in such Shelf Registration, (ii) furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities and to each underwriter of an underwritten offering of Registrable Securities, if any, without charge, as many copies of each Prospectus, including each preliminary Prospectus, and any amendment or supplement thereto and such other documents as such Holder or underwriter may reasonably request, and, if the Holder so requests, all exhibits in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities and (iii) be deemed to have consented to the use of the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders of Registrable Securities in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto;
(d) use all commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the Registrable Securities under all applicable state securities or "blue sky" laws of such jurisdictions as any Holder of Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement and each underwriter of an underwritten offering of Registrable Securities shall reasonably request by the time the applicable Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC, and do any and all other acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable each such Holder and such underwriter to consummate the disposition in each such jurisdiction of such Registrable Securities owned by such Holder; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to (i) qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 3(d) or (ii) take any action which would subject it to general service of process or taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject;
(e) notify promptly each Holder of Registrable Securities under a Shelf Registration or any Participating Broker-Dealer who has notified the Company that it is utilizing the Exchange Offer Registration Statement as provided in paragraph (f) below and, if requested in writing by such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer, confirm such advice in writing promptly (i) when a Registration Statement has become effective and when any post-effective amendments thereto become effective and any supplements thereto are filed, (ii) of any request by the SEC or any state securities authority for post-effective amendments to a Registration Statement and supplements to a Prospectus or for additional information after the Registration Statement has become effective, (iii) of the issuance by the SEC or any state securities authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, (iv) in the case of a Shelf Registration, if, between the effective date of a Registration Statement and the closing of any sale of Registrable Securities covered thereby, the representations and warranties of the Company contained in any underwriting agreement, securities sales agreement or other similar agreement, if any, relating to the offering cease to be true and correct in all material respects, (v) of the happening of any event or the discovery of any
facts during any period in which a Registration Statement is effective which makes any statement made in such Registration Statement or the related Prospectus untrue in any material respect or which requires the making of any change in such Registration Statement or Prospectus in order to make the statements therein not misleading, (vi) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Registrable Securities or the Exchange Securities, as the case may be, for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose and (vii) of any determination by the Company that a post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement would be appropriate;
(f) (A) in the case of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement, (i) include in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement a
section entitled "Plan of Distribution" which section shall be reasonably
acceptable to the Representatives, on behalf of the Participating
Broker-Dealers, and which shall contain a summary statement of the
positions taken or policies made by the staff of the SEC with respect to
the potential "underwriter" status of any broker-dealer that holds
Registrable Securities acquired for its own account as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities and that will be the
beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of
Exchange Securities to be received by such broker-dealer in the Exchange
Offer, whether such positions or policies have been publicly disseminated
by the staff of the SEC or such positions or policies, in the reasonable
judgment of the Representatives on behalf of the Participating
Broker-Dealers and its counsel, represent the prevailing views of the
staff of the SEC, including a statement that any such broker-dealer who
receives Exchange Securities for Registrable Securities pursuant to the
Exchange Offer may be deemed a statutory underwriter and must deliver a
prospectus meeting the requirements of the 1933 Act in connection with any
resale of such Exchange Securities, (ii) furnish to each Participating
Broker-Dealer who has delivered to the Company the written notice referred
to in Section 3(e), without charge, as many copies of each Prospectus
included in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, including any
preliminary prospectus, and any amendment or supplement thereto, as such
Participating Broker-Dealer may reasonably request, (iii) be deemed to
have consented to the use of the Prospectus forming part of the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto, by
any Person subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the SEC,
including all Participating Broker-Dealers, in connection with the sale or
transfer of the Exchange Securities covered by the Prospectus or any
amendment or supplement thereto and to have agreed to keep the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement effective during the period of such use (up
to a maximum of 180 days after the consummation of the Exchange Offer) and
(iv) include in the transmittal letter or functionally equivalent
documentation to be executed by or on behalf of an exchange offeree in
order to participate in the Exchange Offer (x) a statement to the
following effect:
"If the exchange offeree is a broker-dealer holding Registrable Securities acquired for its own account as a
result of market-making activities or other trading activities, it will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the 1933 Act in connection with any resale of Exchange Securities received in respect of such Registrable Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer." and
(y) a statement to the effect that by a broker-dealer making the acknowledgment described in clause (x) and by delivering a Prospectus in connection with the exchange of Registrable Securities, the broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an underwriter within the meaning of the 1933 Act; and
(B) in the case of any Exchange Offer Registration Statement and solely upon the written request of the Representatives, deliver to the Initial Purchasers on behalf of the Participating Broker-Dealers, prior to the commencement of the Exchange Offer (i) an opinion of counsel or opinions of counsel substantially to the effect set forth in Exhibit A, (ii) officers' certificates substantially in the form customarily delivered in a public offering of debt securities and (iii) a comfort letter or comfort letters in customary form to the extent permitted by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 72 of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (or if such a comfort letter is not permitted, an agreed upon procedures letter in customary form) from the Company's independent certified public accountants (and, if necessary, any other independent certified public accountants of any subsidiary of the Company or of any business acquired by the Company for which financial statements are, or are required to be, included in the Registration Statement) at least as broad in scope and coverage as the comfort letter or comfort letters delivered to the Initial Purchasers in connection with the initial sale of the Securities to the Initial Purchasers;
(g) (i) in the case of an Exchange Offer, furnish counsel for the Initial Purchasers and (ii) in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish counsel for the Holders of Registrable Securities copies of any comment letters received from the SEC or any other request by the SEC or any state securities authority for amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement and Prospectus or for additional information;
(h) make all commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement at the earliest possible moment;
(i) in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities, and each underwriter, if any, without charge, at least one conformed copy of each Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, including financial statements and schedules (without documents incorporated therein by reference and all exhibits thereto, unless requested);
(j) in the case of a Shelf Registration, cooperate with the selling Holders of Registrable Securities to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive legends; and enable such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations (consistent with the provisions of the Indenture) and registered in such names as the selling Holders or the underwriters, if any, may reasonably request at least five business days prior to the closing of any sale of Registrable Securities;
(k) upon the occurrence of any event or the discovery of any facts, each as contemplated by Sections 3(e)(v) and 3(e)(vi) hereof, as promptly as practicable after the occurrence of such an event, use all commercially reasonable efforts to prepare a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement, a supplement to the related Prospectus or an amendment to any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Securities or Participating Broker-Dealers, the Prospectus will not contain at the time of such delivery any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. At such time as such public disclosure is otherwise made or the Company determines that such disclosure is not necessary, in each case to correct any misstatement of a material fact or to include any omitted material fact, the Company agrees promptly to notify each Holder of such determination and to furnish each Holder such number of copies of the Prospectus as amended or supplemented, as such Holder may reasonably request;
(l) in the case of a Shelf Registration, a reasonable time prior to the filing of any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, any amendment to a Registration Statement or amendment or supplement to a Prospectus (excluding, in any case, any document which is to be incorporated by reference into a Registration Statement or a Prospectus after the initial filing of a Registration Statement), provide copies of such document to the Holders participating in such Shelf Registration and make such representatives of the Company as shall be reasonably requested by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Registrable Securities the Holders of which are participating in such Shelf Registration, available for discussion of such document;
(m) obtain a CUSIP number for all Exchange Securities, Private Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities, as the case may be, not later than the effective date of a Registration Statement, and provide the Trustee with printed certificates for the Exchange Securities, Private Exchange Securities or the Registrable Securities, as the case may be, in a form eligible for deposit with the Depositary;
(n) (i) use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Indenture to be qualified under the TIA in connection with the registration of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities, as the case may be, (ii) cooperate
with the Trustee and the Holders to effect such changes to the Indenture as may be required for the Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of the TIA and (iii) execute, and use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Trustee to execute, all documents which may be required to effect such changes, and all other forms and documents required to be filed with the SEC to enable the Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner;
(o) in the case of a Shelf Registration and at the request of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Registrable Securities the Holders of which are participating in such Shelf Registration, enter into agreements (including underwriting agreements) and take all other customary and appropriate actions in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities and in such connection whether or not an underwriting agreement is entered into and whether or not the registration is an underwritten registration:
(i) make such representations and warranties to such Holders and the underwriters, if any, in form, substance and scope as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in similar underwritten offerings as may be reasonably requested by them;
(ii) obtain opinions of counsel to the Company and updates thereof (which counsel and opinions (in form, scope and substance) shall be reasonably satisfactory to the managing underwriters, if any, and the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Registrable Securities being sold) addressed to each selling Holder and the underwriters, if any, covering the matters customarily covered in opinions requested in sales of securities or underwritten offerings and such other matters as may be reasonably requested by such Holders and underwriters;
(iii) obtain "cold comfort" letters and updates thereof from the Company's independent certified public accountants (and, if necessary, any other independent certified public accountants of any subsidiary of the Company or of any business acquired by the Company for which financial statements are, or are required to be, included in the Registration Statement) addressed to the underwriters, if any, and use reasonable efforts to have such letter addressed to the selling Holders of Registrable Securities (to the extent consistent with Statement on Auditing Standards No. 72 of the American Institute of Certified Public Accounts), such letters to be in customary form and covering matters of the type customarily covered in "cold comfort" letters to underwriters in connection with similar underwritten offerings;
(iv) enter into a securities sales agreement with the Holders and an agent of the Holders providing for, among other things, the appointment of such agent for the selling Holders for the purpose of
soliciting purchases of Registrable Securities, which agreement shall be in form, substance and scope customary for similar offerings;
(v) if an underwriting agreement is entered into, cause the same to set forth indemnification provisions and procedures substantially equivalent to the indemnification provisions and procedures set forth in Section 4 hereof with respect to the underwriters and all other parties to be indemnified pursuant to said Section or, at the request of any underwriters, in the form customarily provided to such underwriters in similar types of transactions; and
(vi) deliver such documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested and as are customarily delivered in similar offerings to the Holders of the Registrable Securities being sold and the managing underwriters, if any.
The above shall be done at (i) the effectiveness of such Registration Statement (and each post-effective amendment thereto) and (ii) each closing under any underwriting or similar agreement as and to the extent required thereunder;
(p) in the case of a Shelf Registration or if a Prospectus is required to be delivered by any Participating Broker-Dealer in the case of an Exchange Offer, make available for inspection by representatives of the Holders of the Registrable Securities, any underwriters participating in any disposition pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement, any Participating Broker-Dealer and any counsel or accountant retained by any of the foregoing, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company reasonably requested by any such persons, and cause the respective officers, directors, employees, and any other agents of the Company to supply all information reasonably requested by any such representative, underwriter, special counsel or accountant in connection with a Registration Statement, and make such representatives of the Company available for discussion of such documents as shall be reasonably requested by the Initial Purchasers;
(q) (i) in the case of an Exchange Offer Registration Statement and upon the written request of the Representatives, a reasonable time prior to the filing of any Exchange Offer Registration Statement, any Prospectus forming a part thereof, any amendment to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement or amendment or supplement to such Prospectus, provide copies of such document to the Representatives and/or counsel to the Initial Purchasers and make such changes in any such document prior to the filing thereof as the Representatives or such counsel may reasonably request and, except as otherwise required by applicable law, not file any such document in a form to which the Representatives or counsel to the Initial Purchasers shall not have previously been advised and furnished a copy of or to which the Representatives or such counsel shall reasonably object, and make the representatives of the Company available for
discussion of such documents as shall be reasonably requested by the Representatives; and
(ii) in the case of a Shelf Registration, a reasonable time prior to filing any Shelf Registration Statement, any Prospectus forming a part thereof, any amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement or amendment or supplement to such Prospectus, provide copies of such document to the Holders of Registrable Securities, to counsel for such Holders and to the underwriter or underwriters of an underwritten offering of Registrable Securities, if any, and, upon the written request of the Representatives, to the Representatives and/or counsel to the Initial Purchasers, make such changes in any such document prior to the filing thereof as the Initial Purchasers, counsel to the Holders of Registrable Securities or the underwriter or underwriters shall reasonably request and not file any such document in a form to which the Representatives, the Majority Holders, counsel for the Holders of Registrable Securities or any underwriter shall not have previously been advised and furnished a copy of or to which the Representatives, the Majority Holders, counsel to the Holders of Registrable Securities or any underwriter shall reasonably object, and make the representatives of the Company available for discussion of such document as shall be reasonably requested by the Representatives, the Majority Holders, counsel for the Holders of Registrable Securities or any underwriter;
(r) in the case of a Shelf Registration, use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause all Registrable Securities to be listed on any securities exchange on which similar debt securities issued by the Company are then listed if requested by the Majority Holders, or if requested by the underwriter or underwriters of an underwritten offering of Registrable Securities, if any;
(s) in the case of a Shelf Registration, use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registrable Securities to be rated by the appropriate rating agencies, if so requested by the Majority Holders, or if requested by the underwriter or underwriters of an underwritten offering of Registrable Securities, if any;
(t) otherwise comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earning statement covering at least 12 months which shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the 1933 Act and Rule 158 thereunder; and
(u) cooperate and assist in any filings required to be made with the NASD and, in the case of a Shelf Registration, in the performance of any due diligence investigation by any underwriter and its counsel (including any "qualified independent underwriter" that is required to be retained in accordance with the rules and regulations of the NASD).
Each Holder will be deemed to have agreed that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event or the discovery of any facts,
each of the kind described in Section 3(e)(v) or 3(e)(vi) (in the event that such notice pursuant to 3(e)(vi) relates to the jurisdiction in which such Holder plans to dispose of Registrable Securities) hereof, such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement until such Holder's receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 3(k) hereof, and, if so directed by the Company, such Holder will deliver to the Company (at its expense) all copies in such Holder's possession, other than permanent file copies then in such Holder's possession, of the Prospectus covering such Registrable Securities current at the time of receipt of such notice.
In the event that the Company fails to effect the Exchange Offer or
file any Shelf Registration Statement and maintain the effectiveness of any
Shelf Registration Statement as provided herein (other than by reason of a
prohibition, condition or other requirement not in effect at the date hereof
imposed by any statute or governmental regulation), the Company shall not file
any Registration Statement with respect to any securities (within the meaning of
Section 2(1) of the 1933 Act) of the Company other than Registrable Securities.
If any of the Registrable Securities covered by any Shelf Registration Statement are to be sold in an underwritten offering, the underwriter or underwriters and manager or managers that will manage such offering will be selected by the Majority Holders of such Registrable Securities included in such offering and shall be reasonably acceptable to the Company. No Holder of Registrable Securities may participate in any underwritten registration hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder's Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.
In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Company may require each Holder of Registrable Securities to furnish to the Company, and update, such information regarding such Holder and the proposed distribution by such Holder as the Company may from time to time reasonably request. Such information may include such Holder's name and address and any relationships between such Holder and the Company, any of the Initial Purchasers or any underwriter proposing to participate in such proposed distribution. In order to obtain such information, the Company shall, at least fifteen business days prior to the filing of such Shelf Registration Statement, commence commercially reasonable efforts, in cooperation with the Depositary and the Initial Purchasers, (a) to inform the Holders of Registrable Securities that a Shelf Registration Statement is being filed and (b) to specify the information regarding such Holders which the Company requires in connection with the preparation thereof.
Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, any Holder of Registrable Securities which shall not have timely furnished to the Company the information so requested with respect to any Shelf Registration Statement:
(a) shall not be entitled to have the Registrable Securities held by it covered by such Shelf Registration Statement or to receive copies of such Shelf Registration Statement or the Prospectus relating thereto;
(b) shall not be entitled to any liquidated damages contemplated in clause (d) or (e) of the first sentence in the first paragraph, or in the second paragraph, of Section 2.5 hereof;
(c) shall not be entitled to receive any notices from the Company as provided in this Section 3 or elsewhere in this Agreement; and
(d) shall not otherwise be deemed a Holder of Registrable Securities for purposes of this Agreement with respect to such Shelf Registration Statement.
All Holders of Registrable Securities, by their payment for and acceptance of such Securities, shall be deemed to have consented and agreed to the terms and provisions of this Agreement including, without limitation, the terms and provisions of this Section 3.
4. Indemnification; Contribution.
(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Initial
Purchasers, each Holder, each Participating Broker-Dealer, each Person who
participates as an underwriter (any such Person being an "Underwriter") and each
Person, if any, who controls any Holder or Underwriter within the meaning of
Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act as follows:
(i) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement (or any amendment or supplement thereto) pursuant to which Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities were registered under the 1933 Act, including all documents incorporated therein by reference, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
(ii) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or
any such alleged untrue statement or omission; provided that (subject to Section 4(d) below) any such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Company; and
(iii) against any and all expense whatsoever (including the fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by any indemnified party), as incurred, which is reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission, to the extent that any such expense is not paid under subparagraph (i) or (ii) above;
provided, however, that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Holder or Underwriter expressly for use in a Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or any Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto); and provided, further, that this indemnity agreement shall not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter or any person who controls such Underwriter on account of any such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense arising out of any such defect or alleged defect in any preliminary prospectus if a copy of the Prospectus (exclusive of the documents incorporated by reference therein) shall not have been given or sent by such Underwriter with or prior to the written confirmation of the sale involved to the extent that (i) the Prospectus would have cured such defect or alleged defect and (ii) sufficient quantities of the Prospectus were timely made available to such Underwriter.
(b) Each Holder severally, but not jointly, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Initial Purchasers, each Underwriter and the other selling Holders, and each of their respective directors and officers, and each Person, if any, who controls the Company, the Initial Purchasers, any Underwriter or any other selling Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act, against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the indemnity contained in Section 4(a) hereof, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the Shelf Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or any Prospectus included therein (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with written information with respect to such Holder furnished to the Company by such Holder expressly for use in the Shelf Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or such Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto); provided, however, that no such Holder shall be liable for any claims hereunder in excess of the amount of net proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement.
(c) Each indemnified party shall give notice as promptly as reasonably practicable to each indemnifying party of any action or proceeding commenced against it
in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, but failure so to notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability hereunder to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a result thereof and in any event shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have otherwise than on account of this indemnity agreement. An indemnifying party may participate at its own expense in the defense of such action; provided, however, that counsel to the indemnifying party shall not (except with the consent of the indemnified party) also be counsel to the indemnified party. In no event shall the indemnifying party or parties be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) separate from their own counsel for all indemnified parties in connection with any one action or separate but similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever in respect of which indemnification or contribution could be sought under this Section 4 (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.
(d) If at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel, such indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of the nature contemplated by Section 4(a)(ii) effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 45 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request, (ii) such indemnifying party shall have received notice of the terms of such settlement at least 30 days prior to such settlement being entered into and (iii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed such indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement.
(e) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 4 is for any reason unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by such indemnified party, as incurred, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Holders and the Initial Purchasers on the other hand in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.
The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Holders and the Initial Purchasers on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company, the Holders or the Initial Purchasers and the parties' relative intent,
knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
The Company, the Holders and the Initial Purchasers agree that it
would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 4 were
determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Initial Purchasers were treated
as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does
not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this
Section 4. The aggregate amount of losses, liabilities, claims, damages and
expenses incurred by an indemnified party and referred to above in this Section
4 shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by
such indemnified party in investigating, preparing or defending against any
litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or
body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such
untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 4, no Initial Purchaser shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Securities sold by it were offered exceeds the amount of any damages which such Initial Purchaser has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.
No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
For purposes of this Section 4, each Person, if any, who controls an
Initial Purchaser or Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or
Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such
Initial Purchaser or Holder, and each director of the Company, and each Person,
if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933
Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as
the Company. The Initial Purchasers' respective obligations to contribute
pursuant to this Section 7 are several in proportion to the principal amount of
Securities set forth opposite their respective names in Schedule A to the
Purchase Agreement and not joint.
5. Miscellaneous.
5.1 Rule 144 and Rule 144A. So long as the Company is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15 of the 1934 Act, the Company covenants that it will file the reports required to be filed by it under the 1933 Act and Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations adopted by the SEC thereunder. If the Company ceases to be so required to file such reports, the Company covenants that it will upon the request of any Holder of Registrable Securities (a) make publicly available such information as is necessary to permit sales pursuant to Rule 144 under the 1933 Act, (b) deliver such information to a prospective purchaser as is necessary to permit sales pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act and it will take such further action as any Holder of Registrable Securities may reasonably request, and (c) take such further action
that is reasonable in the circumstances, in each case, to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell its Registrable Securities without registration under the 1933 Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by (i) Rule 144 under the 1933 Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, (ii) Rule 144A under the 1933 Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or (iii) any similar rules or regulations hereafter adopted by the SEC. Upon the request of any Holder of Registrable Securities, the Company will deliver to such Holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with such requirements.
5.2 No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company has not entered into and the Company will not after the date of this Agreement enter into any agreement which is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. The rights granted to the Holders hereunder do not and will not for the term of this Agreement in any way conflict with the rights granted to the holders of the Company's other issued and outstanding securities under any such agreements.
5.3 Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given unless the Company has obtained the written consent of Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Registrable Securities affected by such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or departure.
5.4 Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand delivery, registered
first-class mail, telex, telecopier, or any courier guaranteeing overnight
delivery (a) if to a Holder, at the most current address given by such Holder to
the Company by means of a notice given in accordance with the provisions of this
Section 5.4, which address initially is the address set forth in the Purchase
Agreement with respect to the Initial Purchasers; and (b) if to the Company,
initially at the Company's address set forth in the Purchase Agreement, and
thereafter at such other address of which notice is given in accordance with the
provisions of this Section 5.4.
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; two business days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when answered back, if telexed; when receipt is acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next business day if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery.
Copies of all such notices, demands, or other communications shall be concurrently delivered by the person giving the same to the Trustee under the Indenture, at the address specified in such Indenture.
5.5 Successor and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors, assigns and transferees of each of the parties, including, without limitation and without the need for an express assignment, subsequent
Holders; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be deemed to permit any assignment, transfer or other disposition of Registrable Securities in violation of the terms of the Purchase Agreement or the Indenture. If any transferee of any Holder shall acquire Registrable Securities, in any manner, whether by operation of law or otherwise, such Registrable Securities shall be held subject to all of the terms of this Agreement, and by taking and holding such Registrable Securities such person shall be conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to perform all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement, including the restrictions on resale set forth in this Agreement and, if applicable, the Purchase Agreement, and such person shall be entitled to receive the benefits hereof.
5.6 Third Party Beneficiaries. The Initial Purchasers (even if the Initial Purchasers are not Holders of Registrable Securities) shall be third party beneficiaries to the agreements made hereunder between the Company, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, and shall have the right to enforce such agreements directly to the extent they deem such enforcement necessary or advisable to protect their rights or the rights of Holders hereunder. Each Holder of Registrable Securities shall be a third party beneficiary to the agreements made hereunder between the Company, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, and shall have the right to enforce such agreements directly to the extent it deems such enforcement necessary or advisable to protect its rights hereunder.
5.7 Specific Enforcement. Without limiting the remedies available to the Initial Purchasers and the Holders, the Company acknowledges that any failure by the Company to comply with its obligations under Sections 2.1 through 2.4 hereof may result in material irreparable injury to the Initial Purchasers or the Holders for which there is no adequate remedy at law, that it would not be possible to measure damages for such injuries precisely and that, in the event of any such failure, the Initial Purchasers or any Holder may obtain such relief as may be required to specifically enforce the Company's obligations under Sections 2.1 through 2.4 hereof.
5.8 Restriction on Resales. Until the expiration of two years after the Closing Date, the Company will not, and will cause its "affiliates" (as such term is defined in Rule 144(a)(1) under the 1933 Act) not to, resell any Securities which are "restricted securities" (as such term is defined under Rule 144(a)(3) under the 1933 Act) that have been reacquired by any of them and shall immediately upon any purchase of any such Securities submit such Securities to the Trustee for cancellation.
5.9 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
5.10 Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
5.11 GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO THE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICT OF LAWS THEREOF.
5.12 Severability. In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
NEVADA POWER COMPANY
By: ______________________________
Name:
Title:
Confirmed and accepted as
of the date first above written:
LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.
WACHOVIA CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC
By: LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.
By: _______________________________
Name:
Title:
As Representatives of the Initial Purchasers
Signature Page to the Registration Rights Agreement
Exhibit A
CONTENTS OF OPINION OF COUNSEL
1. The Exchange Offer Registration Statement and the Prospectus (other than the financial statements, notes or schedules thereto and other financial data and supplemental schedules included or incorporated by reference therein or omitted therefrom and the Form T-1, as to which such counsel need express no opinion), comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the applicable rules and regulations promulgated under the 1933 Act.
2. Nothing has come to our attention that would lead us to believe that the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (except for financial statements and schedules and other financial data included therein as to which we make no statement), when it became effective, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or that the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented (except for financial statements and schedules and other financial data included therein, as to which such counsel need make no statement), at the date of such opinion includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
EXHIBIT 4.4
SIERRA PACIFIC POWER COMPANY
OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE
March 23, 2006
I, the undersigned officer of Sierra Pacific Power Company (the "Company"), do hereby certify that I am an Authorized Officer of the Company as such term is defined in the Indenture (as defined herein). I am delivering this certificate pursuant to the authority granted in the Board Resolutions of the Company dated November 3, 2005, and Sections 1.04, 2.01, 3.01, 4.01(a) and 4.03(b)(i) of the General and Refunding Mortgage Indenture dated as of May 1, 2001, as heretofore supplemented to the date hereof (as heretofore supplemented, the "Indenture"), between the Company and The Bank of New York, as Trustee (the "Trustee"). Section 1(u)(ix) of this Officer's Certificate sets forth definitions of capitalized terms used herein. Terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture. Based upon the foregoing, I hereby certify on behalf of the Company as follows:
1. The terms and conditions of the Securities described in this Officer's Certificate are as follows (the lettered subdivisions set forth in this Section 1 corresponding to the lettered subdivisions of Section 3.01 of the Indenture):
(a) The Securities of the twelfth series to be issued under the Indenture shall be designated "6% General and Refunding Mortgage Notes, Series M, due 2016" (the "Series M Notes").
(b) There shall be no limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Series M Notes that may be authenticated and delivered under the Indenture. The Series M Notes shall be initially authenticated and delivered in the aggregate principal amount of $300,000,000.
(c) Interest on the Series M Notes shall be payable to the Persons in whose names such Securities are registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, except as otherwise expressly provided in the form of such Securities attached hereto as Exhibit A.
(d) The Series M Notes shall mature and the principal thereof shall be due and payable together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon on May 15, 2016.
(e) The Series M Notes shall bear interest as provided in the form of such Securities attached hereto as Exhibit A.
(f) If a Holder of Series M Notes has given wire transfer instructions to the Company prior to the fifth day preceding the related record date (or, in the case of principal or premium, the fifth day preceding the date such principal or premium is due), the Company shall pay all principal, interest and premium and Liquidated Damages (as such
term is defined herein), if any, on that Holder's Series M Notes in accordance with such instructions. The Corporate Trust Office of The Bank of New York in New York, New York shall be the place at which (i) the principal, interest and premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Series M Notes shall be payable (other than payments made in accordance with the first sentence of this paragraph (f)), (ii) registration of transfer of the Series M Notes may be effected, (iii) exchanges of the Series M Notes may be effected and (iv) notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Series M Notes and the Indenture may be served; and The Bank of New York shall be the Security Registrar for the Series M Notes; provided, however, that the Company reserves the right to change, by one or more Officer's Certificates, any such place or the Security Registrar; and provided, further, that the Company reserves the right to designate, by one or more Officer's Certificates, its principal office in Reno, Nevada as any such place or itself or any of its Subsidiaries as the Security Registrar; provided, however, that there shall be only a single Security Registrar for the Series M Notes.
(g) Optional Redemption.
(i) Optional Redemption. The Company may redeem the Series M Notes at any time, either in whole or in part at a redemption price equal to the greater of (1) 100% of the principal amount of the Series M Notes being redeemed and (2) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Series M Notes being redeemed (excluding the portion of any such interest accrued to the date of redemption) discounted (for purposes of determining present value) to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate (as defined below) plus 30 basis points, plus, in each case, accrued interest thereon to the date of redemption.
"Comparable Treasury Issue" means the United States Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the Series M Notes that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of the Series M Notes.
"Comparable Treasury Price" means, with respect to any redemption date, (1) the average of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) on the third business day preceding such redemption date, as set forth in the daily statistical release (or any successor release) published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and designated "Composite 3:30 p.m. Quotations for U.S. Government Securities" or (2) if such release (or any successor release) is not published or does not contain such prices on such third business day, the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation for such redemption date.
"Independent Investment Banker" means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers appointed by the Company.
"Reference Treasury Dealer" means a primary U.S. Government Securities Dealer selected by the Company.
"Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation" means, with respect to the Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the Independent Investment Banker, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Independent Investment Banker by such Reference Treasury Dealer at or before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third business day preceding such redemption date.
"Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any redemption date, the rate per year equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date.
(ii) Notice of Redemption. Notices of redemption shall be mailed by first class mail at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder of Series M Notes to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Series M Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the Series M Notes under the Indenture. Notices of redemption may not be conditional.
(iii) Selection of Series M Notes to be Redeemed. In accordance with
Section 5.03 of the Indenture, the following method is provided for the
selection of Series M Notes to be redeemed and these procedures shall be
followed by the Security Registrar in the event of a redemption of the
Series M Notes pursuant to the provisions of this Officer's Certificate.
If less than all of the Series M Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the
Security Registrar shall select Series M Notes for redemption as follows:
(A) if the Series M Notes are listed on any national securities exchange, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which the Series M Notes are listed; or
(B) if the Series M Notes are not listed on any national securities exchange, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such method as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate.
No Series M Notes of $1,000 principal amount or less can be redeemed in part.
(h) Mandatory Redemption/Redemption at Option of Holders/Offers to Purchase.
(i) Mandatory Redemption.
(A) Except as provided in Section 1(h)(i)(B) below or Section 1(h)(ii) below, the Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Series M Notes.
(B) Upon the occurrence of the events described below in clauses (1)
or (2) of this Section 1(h)(i)(B), the Company shall be required to redeem
the Series M Notes immediately, at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the
aggregate principal amount of the Series M Notes plus accrued and unpaid
interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Series M Notes to the date
of redemption, without further action or notice on the part of the Trustee
or the Holders of the Series M Notes:
(1) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of Bankruptcy Law:
(I) commences a voluntary case,
(II) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,
(III) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,
(IV) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or
(V) admits in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due; or
(2) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(I) is for relief against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;
(II) appoints a custodian of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of
Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; or
(III) orders the liquidation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted
Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary;
and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days.
(ii) Redemption at the Option of the Holders.
(A) Upon the occurrence of any of the following events (each a "Triggering Event"):
(1) failure for 30 days to pay when due interest on, or Liquidated Damages with respect to, the Series M Notes;
(2) failure to pay when due the principal of, or premium, if any, on the Series M Notes;
(3) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply with the provisions described in Sections 1(u)(ii) of this Officer's Certificate (under the heading "Certain Covenants and Definitions -- Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets");
(4) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 30 days after notice to comply with the provisions described in Section 1(h)(iii) of this Officer's Certificate (under the heading "Offer to Purchase Upon Change of Control");
(5) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 60 days after notice to comply with any of the other agreements in this Officer's Certificate or the Series M Notes;
(6) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists, or is created after the original issue date of the Series M Notes, if that default:
(I) is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace
period provided in such Indebtedness on the date of such default (a "Payment Default"); or
(II) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express maturity,
and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $15.0 million or more;
(7) failure by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $15.0 million, which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days; or
(8) an event of default under the First Mortgage Indenture (other
than any such matured event of default which (i) is of similar
kind or character to the Triggering Event described in (3) or
(5) above and (ii) has not resulted in the acceleration of the
securities outstanding under the First Mortgage Indenture);
provided, however, that, anything in this Officer's
Certificate to the contrary notwithstanding, the waiver or
cure of such event of default under the First Mortgage
Indenture and the rescission and annulment of the consequences
thereof under the First Mortgage Indenture shall constitute a
cure of the corresponding Triggering Event and a rescission
and annulment of the consequences thereof,
the Holders of Series M Notes of at least 25% in principal amount of the Series M Notes then Outstanding may deliver a notice to the Company requiring the Company to redeem the Series M Notes immediately at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Series M Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Series M Notes to the Redemption Date.
(B) The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Series M Notes then outstanding by notice to the Company and the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Series M Notes waive any existing Triggering Event and its consequences except a continuing Triggering Event related to the payment of interest or Liquidated Damages on, or the principal of, the Series M Notes.
(C) In the case of any Triggering Event by reason of any willful action or inaction taken or not taken by or on behalf of the Company with the intention of avoiding payment of the premium that the Company would have had to pay if the Company then had elected to redeem the Series M Notes pursuant to the provisions of Section 1(g)(i), an equivalent premium equal to the premium payable under Section 1(g)(i) shall also become and be immediately due and payable to the extent permitted by law upon the redemption of the Series M Notes at the option of the Holders thereof.
(D) Upon becoming aware of any Triggering Event, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Triggering Event.
(iii) Offer to Purchase Upon Change of Control.
(A) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each Holder of Series M Notes shall have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000) of that Holder's Series M Notes pursuant to the offer described below (the "Change of Control Offer") on the terms set forth in this Officer's Certificate. In the Change of Control Offer, the Company shall offer an amount in cash (the "Change of Control Payment") equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Series M Notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Series M Notes repurchased, to Change of Control Payment Date (as defined below).
(B) Within ten days following any Change of Control, the Company shall mail a notice to each Holder of Series M Notes stating:
(1) the description of the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control, that the Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 1(h)(iii), and that all Series M Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn shall be accepted for payment;
(2) the purchase price and the purchase date, which shall be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed (the "Change of Control Payment Date");
(3) that any Series M Note not tendered or accepted for payment shall continue to accrue interest and Liquidated Damages, if any;
(4) that, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Series M Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer shall cease to accrue interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, after the Change of Control Payment Date;
(5) that Holders of Series M Notes electing to have any Series M Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer shall be required to surrender the Series M Notes properly endorsed, with the form entitled "Option of Holder to Elect Purchase" on the reverse of the Series M Notes properly completed, together with other customary documents as the Company may reasonably request, to the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;
(6) that Holders of Series M Notes shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Paying Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the
second Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of Series M Notes delivered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder of Series M Notes is withdrawing its election to have the Series M Notes purchased; and
(7) that Holders of Series M Notes whose Series M Notes are being purchased only in part shall be issued new Series M Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Series M Notes surrendered, which unpurchased portion must be equal to $1,000 in principal amount or an integral multiple thereof.
(C) If any of the Series M Notes subject to a Change of Control Offer are in the form of a Global Note, then the Company shall modify such notice to the extent necessary to accord with the Applicable Procedures of the Depositary applicable to offers to purchase.
(D) On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company shall, to the extent lawful, (1) accept for payment all Series M Notes or portions thereof properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer, (2) deposit with the Paying Agent in immediately available funds an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Series M Notes or portions thereof so tendered and (3) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Series M Notes so accepted together with an Officer's Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Series M Notes or portions thereof being purchased by the Company. The Paying Agent shall promptly mail to each Holder of Series M Notes so tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Series M Notes, and the Trustee shall promptly authenticate and make available for delivery to each Holder of Series M Notes a new Series M Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Series M Notes surrendered, if any; provided that each such new Series M Note shall be in a principal amount of $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof. Any Series M Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Company to the Holder thereof. The Company shall publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date.
(E) The Change of Control provisions described above that require the Company to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control shall be applicable whether or not any other provisions of this Officer's Certificate are applicable.
(F) The Company shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth herein applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and purchases all Series M Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.
(iv) Offers to Purchase - General.
(A) If the Change of Control Payment Date is on or after a Regular Record Date and on or before the related Interest Payment Date, any accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, shall be paid to the Person in whose name a Series M Note is registered at the close of business on such Regular Record Date, and no additional interest or Liquidated Damages shall be payable to Holders of Series M Notes who tender Series M Notes pursuant to the Change of Control Offer.
(B) The Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with a Change of Control Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control Offer provisions of this Officer's Certificate, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Change of Control Offer provisions of this Officer's Certificate by virtue of such conflict.
(i) The Series M Notes are issuable only in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
(j) Not applicable.
(k) Not applicable.
(l) Not applicable.
(m) See subsection (e) above.
(n) Not applicable.
(o) Not applicable. (p) Not applicable.
(q) Book-entry; Delivery and Form.
(i) Form and Dating.
The Series M Notes and the Trustee's certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. The Series M Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. Each Series M Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Series M Notes shall be in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof.
The terms and provisions contained in the Series M Notes shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Officer's Certificate, and the Company, by its execution and delivery of this Officer's Certificate, expressly agrees to such terms and
provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Series M Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Officer's Certificate or the Indenture, the provisions of this Officer's Certificate or the Indenture, as applicable, shall govern and be controlling.
Series M Notes issued in global form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (including the Global Note Legend and the "Schedule of Exchanges in the Global Note" attached thereto). Series M Notes issued in definitive form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (but without the Global Note Legend and without the "Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note" attached thereto). Each Global Note shall represent such aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Series M Notes as shall be specified therein and each shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Series M Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Series M Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Series M Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee, the Depositary or the Note Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 1(q)(v) of this Officer's Certificate.
The provisions of the "Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System" and "Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear" and the "General Terms and Conditions of Clearstream Bank" and "Customer Handbook" of Clearstream shall be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Notes that are held by members of, or Participants, in DTC through Euroclear or Clearstream.
(ii) Authentication.
The Trustee or an Authenticating Agent shall authenticate by delivery and execution of a Trustee's Certificate of Authentication in the form set forth in Section 2.02 of the Indenture (A) the Series M Notes for original issue on the Issue Date in the aggregate principal amount of $300,000,000 (the "Original Notes"), (B) additional Series M Notes for original issue from time to time after the Issue Date in such principal amounts as may be set forth in a Company Order (such additional Series M Notes, together with the Original Notes, the "Initial Notes") and (C) any Exchange Notes from time to time for issue only in exchange for a like principal amount of Initial Notes, in each case, upon a Company Order, which Company Order shall specify (x) the amount of Series M Notes to be authenticated and the date of original issue thereof, (y) whether the Series M Notes are Initial Notes or Exchange Notes and (z) the amount of Series M Notes to be issued in global form or definitive form. The aggregate principal amount of Series M Notes outstanding at any time may not exceed $300,000,000 plus such additional principal amounts as may be issued and authenticated pursuant to clause (B) of this paragraph, except as provided in Section 1(q)(vi) of this Officer's Certificate.
(iii) Security Registrar, Paying Agent and Depositary.
The Company initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Security Registrar and Paying Agent for the Series M Notes. Upon the occurrence of an event set forth under Sections 1(h)(i)(B)(1) or 1(h)(i)(B)(2) herein or an Event of Default set forth in Sections 10.01(d) or 10.01(e) of the Indenture, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Series M Notes. Pursuant to Section 6.02 of the Indenture, the Company hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as its office or agency in the City and State of New York where payment of the Series M Notes shall be made, where the registration of transfer or exchange of the Series M Notes may be effected and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Series M Notes and the Indenture may be served. The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies with respect to the Series M Notes and may from time to time rescind any of these designations in accordance with the terms provided in Section 6.02 of the Indenture.
The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes. The Trustee has been appointed by DTC to act as Note Custodian with respect to the Global Notes.
(iv) Liquidated Damages, if any, to be Held in Trust.
Payments of Liquidated Damages, if any, shall be subject to the provisions of Section 6.03 of the Indenture to the same extent as any payments of principal of or premium or interest on the Series M Notes.
(v) Transfer and Exchange.
(A) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. A Global Note may not be transferred as a whole except by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. All Global Notes shall be exchanged by the Company for Definitive Notes if:
(1) the Company delivers to the Trustee notice from the Depositary that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as Depositary for the Global Notes or that it is no longer a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the date of such notice from the Depositary or
(2) the Company in its sole discretion notifies the Trustee in writing that it elects to cause issuance of the Series M Notes in certificated form; or
(3) there has occurred and is continuing a Default or Event of Default with respect to the Series M Notes.
Upon the occurrence of either of the preceding events in (1), (2) or
(3) above, Definitive Notes shall be issued in such names as the
Depositary shall instruct the Trustee. Global Notes also may be
exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections
3.06 and 3.09 of the Indenture. Every Series M Note authenticated
and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any
portion thereof, pursuant to Sections 3.06 and 3.09 of the
Indenture, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and
shall be, a Global Note. A Global Note may not be exchanged for
another Series M Note other than as provided in this Section
1(q)(v)(A), however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be
transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 1(q)(v)(B), (C) or
(F) of this Officer's Certificate.
(B) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global
Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global
Notes shall be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the
provisions of this Officer's Certificate and the Applicable Procedures.
Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes shall be subject to
restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the
extent required by the Securities Act. Transfers of beneficial interests
in the Global Notes also shall require compliance with either subparagraph
(1) or (2) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other
following subparagraphs as applicable:
(1) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note.
Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be
transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a
beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance
with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement
Legend; provided, however, that prior to the expiration of the
Restricted Period transfers of beneficial interests in the
Regulation S Global Note by a Distributor may not be made to a U.S.
Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an
Initial Purchaser). Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global
Note may be transferred only to Persons who take delivery thereof in
the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. No
written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to
the Security Registrar to effect the transfers described in this
Section 1(q)(v)(B)(1).
(2) All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests (other than a transfer of a beneficial interest in a Global Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Global Note), the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Security Registrar either:
(a) both (i) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (ii) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase or
(b) both (i) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (ii) instructions given by the Depositary to the Security Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (i) above.
Upon an Exchange Offer by the Company in accordance with Section
1(q)(v)(F) of this Officer's Certificate, the requirements of this
Section 1(q)(v)(B)(2) shall be deemed to have been satisfied upon
receipt by the Security Registrar of the instructions contained in
the Letter of Transmittal delivered by the Holder of such beneficial
interests in the Restricted Global Notes. Upon notification from the
Security Registrar that all of the requirements for transfer or
exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this
Officer's Certificate, the Series M Notes and otherwise applicable
under the Securities Act have been satisfied, the Trustee shall
adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Notes pursuant to
Section 1(q)(v)(H) of this Officer's Certificate.
(3) Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of clause (2) above and the Security Registrar receives the following:
(a) if the transferee shall take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the Rule 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (1) thereof; or
(b) if the transferee shall take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (2) thereof.
(4) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in the Unrestricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of clause (2) above and:
(a) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the holder of the beneficial interest to be transferred, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, is not (i) a broker-dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;
(b) any such transfer is effected pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;
(c) any such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or
(d) the Security Registrar receives the following:
(i) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in Item (1)(a) thereof; or
(ii) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (4) thereof;
and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (d), an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
If any such transfer is effected pursuant to subparagraph (b) or (d) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an authentication order in accordance with Section 1(q)(ii) of this Officer's Certificate, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global
Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to subparagraph (b) or (d) above.
Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.
(C) Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes.
(1) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note, then, upon receipt by the Security Registrar of the following documentation:
(a) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted
Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a
Restricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the
form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in Item
(2)(a) thereof;
(b) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (1) thereof;
(c) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (2) thereof;
(d) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (3)(a) thereof;
(e) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to an
Institutional Accredited Investor or in reliance on any other
exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act,
in either case other than those listed in subparagraphs (b) through
(d) above, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the
form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates
and any Opinion of Counsel required by Item (3) thereof, if
applicable;
(f) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set
forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item
(3)(b) thereof; or
(g) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (3)(c) thereof,
the Trustee, upon notice of receipt of such documentation by the Security Registrar, shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 1(q)(v)(H) of this Officer's Certificate, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 1(q)(v)(C) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Security Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall make available for delivery such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Series M Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 1(q)(v)(C)(1) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.
Notwithstanding Sections 1(q)(v)(C)(1)(a) and (c) hereof, a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note may not be (a) exchanged for a Definitive Note prior to (x) the expiration of the Restricted Period and (y) the receipt by the Security Registrar of any certificates required pursuant to Rule 903(c)(3)(B) under the Securities Act or (b) transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note prior to the conditions set forth in clause (a) above or unless the transfer is pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 903 or Rule 904.
(2) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Notwithstanding Section 1(q)(v)(C)(1) hereof, a holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note only if:
(a) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the holder of such beneficial interest, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, is not (i) a broker-dealer, (ii) a Person
participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or
(iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of
the Company;
(b) any such transfer is effected pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;
(c) any such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or
(d) the Security Registrar receives the following:
(i) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note that does not bear the Private Placement Legend, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in Item (1)(b) thereof; or
(ii) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note that does not bear the Private Placement Legend, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (4) thereof;
and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (d), an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company, to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
(3) Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note, then, upon notice by the Security Registrar of satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 1(q)(v)(B)(2) of this Officer's Certificate, the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 1(q)(v)(H) of this Officer's Certificate, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 1(q)(v)(C)(3) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Security Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall make available for delivery such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Series M Notes are so registered. Any
Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 1(q)(v)(C)(3) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend. A beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for a Definitive Note bearing the Private Placement Legend or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.
(D) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests.
(1) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes. If any Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Series M Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note or to transfer such Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Security Registrar of the following documentation:
(a) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Series M Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in Item (2)(b) thereof;
(b) if such Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (1) thereof;
(c) if such Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (2) thereof;
(d) if such Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (3)(a) thereof;
(e) if such Definitive Note is being transferred to an
Institutional Accredited Investor or in reliance on any other
exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities
Act, in either case, other than those listed in subparagraphs
(b) through (d) above, a certificate in the form of Exhibit B
hereto, including certifications, certificates, and any
Opinion of Counsel required by Item (3) thereof, if
applicable;
(f) if such Definitive Note is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (3)(b) thereof; or
(g) if such Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (3)(c) thereof,
the Trustee, upon notice of receipt of such documentation by the Security Registrar, shall cancel the Definitive Note, increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in the case of subparagraph (a) above, the appropriate Restricted Global Note and, in the case of subparagraph (b) above, the Rule 144A Global Note, and, in the case of subparagraph (c) above, the Regulation S Global Note.
(2) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Series M Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note only if:
(a) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, is not (i) a broker-dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;
(b) any such transfer is effected pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;
(c) any such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or
(d) the Security Registrar receives the following:
(i) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Series M Notes for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in Item (1)(c) thereof; or
(ii) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Series M Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (4) thereof;
and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (d), an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act, that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act, and such Definitive Notes are being exchanged or transferred in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States.
Upon satisfaction of the conditions of any of the subparagraphs in this Section 1(q)(v)(D)(2), the Trustee shall cancel the Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.
(3) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may exchange such Series M Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee shall cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes.
If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a
beneficial interest is effected pursuant to Sections
1(q)(v)(D)(2)(b) or (d) or the first paragraph of this Section
1(q)(v)(D)(3) at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet
been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an
authentication order in accordance with Section 1(q)(ii) of this
Officer's Certificate, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more
Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to
the principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to
Sections 1(q)(v)(D)(2)(b) or (d) or the first paragraph of this
Section 1(q)(v)(D)(3).
(E) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes. Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder's compliance with the provisions of this Section 1(q)(v)(E), the Security Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder shall present or surrender to the Security Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Security Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by his attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, pursuant to the provisions of this Section 1(q)(v)(E).
(1) Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. Restricted Definitive Notes may be transferred to and registered in the name of Persons who take delivery thereof if the Security Registrar receives the following:
(a) if the transfer shall be made pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (1) thereof;
(b) if the transfer shall be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904 of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (2) thereof; and
(c) if the transfer shall be made pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by Item (3) thereof, if applicable.
(2) Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note if:
(a) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder of such Series M Notes, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, is not (i) a broker-dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;
(b) any such transfer is effected pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;
(c) any such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or
(d) the Security Registrar receives the following:
(i) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Series M Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in Item (1)(b) thereof; or
(ii) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Series M Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (4) thereof;
and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (d), an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act, that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act, and such Restricted Definitive Note is being exchanged or transferred in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States.
(3) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Series M Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note. Upon receipt of a request for such a transfer, the Security Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof. Unrestricted Definitive Notes cannot be exchanged for or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note.
(F) Exchange Offer. Upon the occurrence of an Exchange Offer in
accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company shall issue
and, upon receipt of (a) an authentication order in accordance with
Section 1(q)(ii) of this Officer's Certificate and (b) an Opinion of
Counsel opining as to the enforceability of the Exchange Notes and the
guarantees thereof, if any, the Trustee shall authenticate (1) one or more
Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the
principal amount of the beneficial interests in the Restricted Global
Notes tendered for acceptance by Persons that are not (i) broker-dealers,
(ii) Persons participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or
(iii) Persons who are affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company
and accepted for exchange in such Exchange Offer and (2) Definitive Notes
in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the
Restricted Definitive Notes accepted for exchange in such Exchange Offer,
unless the Holders of such Restricted Definitive Notes shall request the
receipt of Definitive Notes, in which case the Company shall execute and
the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Persons designated by
the Holders of such Restricted Definitive Notes one or more Definitive
Notes without the Private Placement Legend in the appropriate principal
amount. Concurrent with the issuance of such Unrestricted Global Notes,
the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable
Restricted Global Notes to be reduced accordingly, and the Company shall
execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery
to the Persons designated by the Holders of Definitive Notes so accepted
Definitive Notes in the appropriate principal amount.
(G) Legends. The following legends shall appear on the face of all Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Officer's Certificate.
(1) Private Placement Legend.
(a) Except as permitted by subparagraph (b) below, each Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Series M Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:
"THE NOTES EVIDENCED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR OTHER SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS NOTE NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS THE TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OR (B) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING ITS NOTE IN AN "OFFSHORE TRANSACTION" PURSUANT TO RULE 903 OR 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (2) AGREES THAT IT SHALL NOT PRIOR TO (X) THE DATE WHICH IS TWO YEARS (OR SUCH SHORTER PERIOD OF TIME AS PERMITTED BY RULE 144(k) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROVISION THEREUNDER) AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF (OR OF ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS NOTE) OR THE LAST DAY ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS NOTE (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS NOTE) AND (Y) SUCH LATER DATE, IF ANY, AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW (THE "RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE"), OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS NOTE EXCEPT (A) TO THE COMPANY, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) SO LONG AS THE NOTES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES AND, IN THE CASE OF AN OFFER OR SALE BY A DISTRIBUTOR OR AN AFFILIATE THEREOF (OR A PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF THEREOF) DURING THE APPLICABLE DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD, ONLY TO NON-U.S. PERSONS OR (E) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS NOTE IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND; PROVIDED THAT THE COMPANY, THE TRUSTEE AND THE SECURITY REGISTRAR SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER (I) PURSUANT
TO CLAUSE (C), (D) OR (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/ OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM, AND (II) IN EACH OF THE FOREGOING CASES, TO REQUIRE THAT A CERTIFICATION OF TRANSFER IN THE FORM APPEARING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS NOTE IS COMPLETED AND DELIVERED BY THIS TRANSFEROR TO THE TRUSTEE. THIS LEGEND SHALL BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS "DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD," "DISTRIBUTOR," "OFFSHORE TRANSACTION," "UNITED STATES" AND "U.S. PERSON" HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT."
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraph (B)(4), (C)(2), (D)(2), (D)(3), (E)(2), (E)(3) or (F) of this Section 1(q)(v) (and all Series M Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.
(2) Global Note Legend. Each Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
"THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE UNDER THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE III OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 1(q)(v)(A) OF THE OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE UNDER THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 3.09 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY OR ANY SUCCESSOR THERETO."
Additionally, for so long as DTC is the Depositary with respect to any Global Note, each such Global Note shall also bear a legend in substantially the following form:
"UNLESS THIS NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY, TO THE COMPANY OR ANY SUCCESSOR THERETO OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE, OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN."
(H) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 3.09 of the Indenture. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Series M Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note, by the Trustee, the Note Custodian or the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee, to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note, by the Trustee, the Note Custodian or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee, to reflect such increase.
(I) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.
(1) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, subject to
Section 1(q)(v) of this Officer's Certificate, the Company shall execute
and, upon the Company's order, the Trustee or an Authenticating Agent
shall authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes at the Security
Registrar's request.
(2) All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel
required to be submitted to the Security Registrar pursuant to this
Section 1(q)(v) to effect a transfer or exchange may be submitted by
facsimile.
(3) The Trustee and the Security Registrar shall have no obligation
or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to whether any Person is or is
not a Person described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of each of Sections
1(q)(v)(B)(4)(a), 1(q)(v)(C)(2)(a), 1(q)(v)(D)(2)(a), 1(q)(v)(E)(2)(a) and
1(q)(v)(F) of this Officer's Certificate or under applicable law (other
than the Trust Indenture Act) with respect to any transfer of any interest
in any Series M Note (including any transfers between or among
Participants or beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note) other
than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or
evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly
required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to
determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements
hereof.
(vi) Outstanding Series M Notes.
Notwithstanding the definition of "Outstanding" in Section 1.01 of the Indenture, Series M Notes that the Company, a Subsidiary of the Company or an Affiliate of the Company offers to purchase or acquires pursuant to an offer, exchange offer, tender offer or otherwise shall not be deemed to be owned by the Company, such Subsidiary or such Affiliate until legal title to such Series M Notes passes to the Company, such Subsidiary or such Affiliate, as the case may be.
(r) Not applicable.
(s) The Series M Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act
and may not be offered, sold or otherwise transferred in the absence of
such registration or an applicable exemption therefrom. No service charge
shall be made for the registration of transfer or exchange of the Series M
Notes; provided, however, that the Company may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in
connection with the exchange or transfer (other than any such transfer
taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer
pursuant to Sections 1.06(f), 3.04, 5.06 or 14.06 of the Indenture and
Section 1(h)(iii) of this Officer's Certificate not involving any
transfer).
(t) For purposes of the Series M Notes, "Business Day" shall mean any day, other than Saturday or Sunday, on which commercial banks are open for business, including dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars, in New York.
(u) Certain Covenants and Definitions.
(i) Series M Liens.
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any Series M Lien of any kind securing Indebtedness, Attributable Debt or trade payables on any of their property or assets, now owned or hereafter acquired, except Series M Permitted Liens.
(ii) Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets.
(A) The Company shall not, directly or indirectly: (1) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation); or (2) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to another Person; unless:
(1) either: (a) the Company is the surviving corporation; or (b) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made is a corporation organized or existing
under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia;
(2) (a) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made assumes all the obligations of the Company under the Series M Notes, the Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee; and (b) such Person executes and delivers to the Trustee a supplemental indenture that contains a grant, conveyance, transfer and mortgage by such Person confirming the lien of the Indenture on the property subject to such lien and subjecting to such lien all property thereafter acquired by such Person that shall constitute an improvement, extension or addition to the property subject to the lien of the Indenture or renewal, replacement or substitution of or for any part thereof and, at the election of such Person, subjecting to the lien of the Indenture such other property then owned or thereafter acquired by such Person as such Person shall specify;
(3) immediately after such transaction no Default or Event of Default exists; and
(4) the Company, or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made, shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer's Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such transaction and any supplemental indenture entered into in connection therewith complies with all of the terms of this Section 1(u)(ii) and that all conditions precedent provided for in this Section 1(u)(ii) relating to such transaction or series of transactions have been complied with.
(B) In addition, the Company may not, directly or indirectly, lease all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any other Person. Clause (4) under Section 1(u)(ii)(A) shall not apply to a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of assets between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
(C) In addition, the Company shall not effect any consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition as is contemplated in this Section 1(u)(ii), unless the Company also complies with Sections 13.01 and 13.02 of the Indenture and the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made, shall be deemed a Successor Corporation under the Indenture.
(iii) Future Subsidiary Guarantees.
(A) The Company shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to guarantee the payment of any Indebtedness of the Company unless:
(1) such Restricted Subsidiary simultaneously executes and delivers to the Trustee a Subsidiary Guarantee of such Restricted Subsidiary except that with respect to a Guarantee of Indebtedness of the Company if such Indebtedness is by its express terms subordinated in right of payment to the Series M Notes, any such Guarantee of such Restricted Subsidiary with respect to such Indebtedness shall be subordinated in right of payment to such Restricted Subsidiary's Subsidiary Guarantee with respect to the Series M Notes substantially to the same extent as such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Series M Notes;
(2) such Restricted Subsidiary waives and shall not in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any rights or reimbursement, indemnity or subrogation or any other rights against the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary as a result of any payment by such Restricted Subsidiary under its Subsidiary Guarantee of the Series M Notes; and
(3) such Restricted Subsidiary shall deliver to the Trustee an
Opinion of Counsel to the effect that (a) such Subsidiary
Guarantee has been duly executed and authorized and (b) such
Subsidiary Guarantee constitutes a valid, binding and
enforceable obligation of such Restricted Subsidiary, except
insofar as enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy,
insolvency or similar laws (including, without limitation, all
laws relating to fraudulent transfers) and except insofar as
enforcement thereof is subject to general principles of
equity; provided that this Section 1(u)(iii)(A) shall not be
applicable to any Guarantee of any Restricted Subsidiary that
(x) existed at the time such Person became a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company and (y) was not incurred in
connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming
a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.
(B) Notwithstanding the foregoing and the other provisions of this Officer's Certificate, in the event a Subsidiary Guarantor is sold or disposed of (whether by merger, consolidation, the sale of its Capital Stock or the sale of all or substantially all of its assets (other than by lease) and whether or not the Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving corporation in such transaction) to a Person which is not the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (other than a Receivables Entity), such Subsidiary Guarantor shall be released from its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee if:
(1) the sale or other disposition is in compliance with the applicable provisions of this Officer's Certificate; and
(2) the Subsidiary Guarantor is also released or discharged from its obligations under the Guarantee which resulted in the creation of such
Subsidiary Guarantee, except by or as a result of payment under such Guarantee.
(iv) Sale and Leaseback Transactions.
(A) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any sale and leaseback transaction; provided that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may enter into a sale and leaseback transaction if the gross cash proceeds of that sale and leaseback transaction are at least equal to the fair market value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors and set forth in an Officer's Certificate delivered to the Trustee, of the property that is the subject of that sale and leaseback transaction.
(v) Payments for Consent.
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration to or for the benefit of any Holder of Series M Notes for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Officer's Certificate or the Series M Notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid and is paid to all Holders of the Series M Notes that consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.
(vi) Covenant Defeasance.
(A) Option to Effect Covenant Defeasance. The Company may, at the option of the Board of Directors evidenced by a resolution set forth in an Officers' Certificate, at any time, elect to have Section 1(u)(vi)(B) hereof be applied to all outstanding Series M Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in Section 1(u)(vi)(C) hereof.
(B) Exercise of Covenant Defeasance. Upon the Company's exercise
under Section 1(u)(vi)(A) hereof of the option applicable to this Section
1(u)(vi)(B), the Company shall, subject to the satisfaction of the
conditions set forth in Section 1(u)(vi)(C) hereof, be released from each
of its obligations under the covenants contained in Section 1(h)(iii),
Section 1(u)(i), Section 1(u)(iii), Section 1(u)(iv), Section 1(u)(v)
hereof (under the headings: "Mandatory Redemption/Redemption at Option of
Holders/Offers to Purchase -- Offer to Purchase Upon Change of Control,"
"Certain Covenants and Definitions -- Liens," "Certain Covenants and
Definitions -- Future Subsidiary Guarantees," "Certain Covenants and
Definitions -- Sale and Leaseback Transactions," and "Certain Covenants
and Definitions -- Payment for Consents") hereof with respect to the
Outstanding Series M Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth
in Section 1(u)(vi)(C) hereof are satisfied (hereinafter, "COVENANT
DEFEASANCE"), and the Series M Notes shall thereafter be deemed not
Outstanding for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or
declaration or act of Holders of Securities, including but not limited to,
Holders of Series M Notes (and the consequences of any thereof) in
connection with such covenants, but will continue to be deemed Outstanding
for all other
purposes hereunder. For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with
respect to the Outstanding Series M Notes, the Company may omit to comply
with and will have no liability in respect of any term, condition or
limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly,
by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by
reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein
or in any other document and such omission to comply will not constitute a
Triggering Event under Section 1(h)(ii) hereof or a Default or an Event of
Default under Section 10.01 of the Indenture, but, except as specified
above, the remainder of the Indenture, this Officer's Certificate and such
Series M Notes will be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company's
exercise under Section 1(u)(vi)(A) hereof of the option applicable to
Section 1(u)(vi)(B) hereof, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions
set forth in Section 1(u)(vi)(C) hereof, Sections 1(h)(ii)(A)(3) through
1(h)(ii)(A)(7) hereof will not constitute Triggering Events.
(C) Conditions to Covenant Defeasance. In order to exercise Covenant Defeasance under this Section 1(u)(vi):
(1) the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company), in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Series M Notes:
(a) money (including Funded Cash not otherwise applied pursuant to the Indenture) in an amount which will be sufficient, or
(b) Eligible Obligations which do not contain provisions permitting the redemption or other prepayment thereof at the option of the issuer thereof, the principal of and the interest on which when due, without any regard to reinvestment thereof, will provide monies which, together with the money, if any, deposited with or held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent, will be sufficient, or
(c) a combination of (a) and (b) which will be sufficient, to pay when due the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, and Liquidated Damages, if any, due and to become due on the Series M Notes or portions thereof provided, that the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee and such Paying Agent: (I) a Company Order stating that the money and Eligible Obligations deposited in accordance with this Section 1(u)(vi)(C) shall be held in trust, as provided in Section 9.03 of the Indenture; and (II) if Eligible Obligations shall have been deposited, an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such obligations constitute Eligible Obligations and do not contain provisions permitting the redemption or other prepayment thereof at the option of the issuer thereof, and an opinion of an Independent public Accountant of nationally recognized standing, selected by the Company, to the effect that
the other requirements set forth in Section 1(u)(vi)(C)(1)(b) above have been satisfied;
(2) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that the Holders of the Outstanding Series M Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;
(3) no Triggering Event shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Triggering Event arising from the breach of a covenant under this Officer's Certificate resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit);
(4) such Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under any material agreement or instrument (other than this Officer's Certificate) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;
(5) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officer's Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of Series M Notes over the other creditors of the Company with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of the Company or others; and
(6) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officer's Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.
(vii) Additional Conditions to Section 9.01 of Indenture.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 9.01 of the Indenture, no Series M Note shall be deemed to have been paid pursuant to such provisions unless the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee either: (a) an Opinion of Counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that (i) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (ii) since the date of this Officer's Certificate, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the Outstanding Series M Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such satisfaction and discharge and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such satisfaction and discharge had not occurred; or (b) (i) an instrument wherein the Company, notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of the Company's Indebtedness in respect of the Series M Notes, shall assume the obligation (which shall be absolute and unconditional) to irrevocably deposit
with the Trustee such additional sums of money, if any, or additional Eligible Obligations, if any, or any combination thereof, at such time or times, as shall be necessary, together with the money and/or Eligible Obligations theretofore so deposited, to pay when due the principal of and premium, if any, and interest due and to become due on such Series M Notes or portions thereof; provided, however, that such instrument may state that the Company's obligation to make additional deposits as aforesaid shall be subject to the delivery to the Company by the Trustee of a notice asserting the deficiency accompanied by an opinion of an Independent public Accountant of nationally recognized standing showing the calculation thereof; and (ii) an Opinion of Counsel of tax counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to the Trustee to the effect that the Holders of the Outstanding Series M Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such satisfaction and discharge and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such satisfaction and discharge had not occurred.
(viii) Modifications Requiring Consent.
In addition to the provisions of Section 14.02 of the Indenture, no supplemental indenture shall alter or waive any of the provisions with respect to the redemption of the Series M Notes set forth in Section 1(g) hereof without the consent of each Holder of Series M Notes affected thereby.
(ix) Certain Definitions.
Set forth below are certain defined terms used in this Officer's Certificate. Reference is made to the Indenture for the definitions of any other capitalized terms used herein for which no definition is provided herein.
"Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, "control," as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise; provided that beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the Voting Stock of a Person shall be deemed to be control. For purposes of this definition, the terms "controlling," "controlled by" and "under common control with" have correlative meanings.
"Applicable Procedures" means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary, Euroclear and Clearstream that apply to such transfer or exchange.
"Attributable Debt" in respect of a sale and leaseback transaction means, at the time of determination, the present value of the obligation of the lessee for net rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such sale and leaseback transaction including any period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the
option of the lessor, be extended. Such present value shall be calculated using a discount rate equal to the rate of interest implicit in such transaction, determined in accordance with GAAP.
"Bankruptcy Law" means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
"Beneficial Owner" has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular "person" (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such "person" shall be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such "person" has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition. The terms "Beneficially Owns" and "Beneficially Owned" have a corresponding meaning.
"Board of Directors" means:
(1) with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation or any committee of such board of directors duly authorized to act for the corporation;
(2) with respect to a partnership, the board of directors of the general partner of the partnership; and
(3) with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person serving a similar function.
"Broker-Dealer" has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.
"Capital Lease Obligation" means, at the time any determination is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP.
"Capital Stock" means:
(1) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;
(2) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;
(3) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and
(4) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.
"Change of Control" means the occurrence of any of the following:
(1) the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any "person" (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, including any "group" with the meaning of the Exchange Act);
(2) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company;
(3) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any "person" (as defined above) becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 30% of the Voting Stock of the Company or Sierra Pacific Resources, measured by voting power rather than number of shares; or
(4) the first day on which a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company or the Board of Directors of Sierra Pacific Resources are not Continuing Directors.
"Change of Control Offer" has the meaning assigned to it in Section 1(h)(iii)(A) of this Officer's Certificate.
"Change of Control Payment" has the meaning assigned to it in
Section 1(h)(iii)(A) of this Officer's Certificate.
"Change of Control Payment Date" has the meaning assigned to it in
Section 1(h)(iii)(B)(2) of this Officer's Certificate.
"Clearstream" means Clearstream Banking, societe anonyme.
"Continuing Directors" means, as of any date of determination, any member of the Board of Directors of the Company who:
(1) was a member of the Board of Directors of the Company on the original issue date of the Series M Notes; or
(2) was nominated for election or elected to the Board of Directors of the Company with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who
were members of the Board of Directors at the time of such nomination or election.
"Credit Facilities" means one or more debt facilities or commercial paper facilities, in each case with banks or other institutional lenders providing for revolving credit loans, term loans or letters of credit, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time, and includes any securities issued pursuant to the Indenture in order to secure any amounts outstanding under a Credit Facility from time to time; provided that the obligation of the Company to make any payment on any such securities shall be:
(1) no greater than the amount required to be paid under such Credit Facility that is secured by such payment obligation;
(2) payable no earlier than such amount is required to be paid under such Credit Facility; and
(3) deemed to have been paid or otherwise satisfied and discharged to the extent that the Company has paid such amount under such Credit Facility.
"Default" means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default as defined in the Indenture.
"Definitive Note" means a certificated Series M Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 1(q)(v) of this Officer's Certificate, in the form of Exhibit A hereto except that such Series M Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the "Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note" attached thereto.
"Depositary" means, with respect to the Series M Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 1(q)(iii) of this Officer's Certificate as the Depositary with respect to the Series M Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Officer's Certificate or the Indenture.
"DTC" has the meaning assigned to it in Section 1(q)(iii) of this Officer's Certificate.
"Equity Interests" means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).
"Euroclear" means Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V.
"Event of Default" means an Event of Default as defined in the Indenture.
"Exchange Notes" means if and when issued, each series of the Series M Notes issued in exchange for any Initial Notes in an Exchange Offer or upon transfer pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement.
"Exchange Offer" has the meaning set forth in a corresponding Registration Rights Agreement.
"Exchange Offer Registration Statement" has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.
"First Mortgage Indenture" means the Indenture of Mortgage, dated as of December 1, 1940 by and between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association and Gerald R. Wheeler, as successor trustees, as modified, amended or supplemented at any time or from time to time by supplemental indentures.
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect on the original issue date of the Series M Notes.
"Global Note Legend" means the legend set forth in Section 1(q)(v)(G)(2) of this Officer's Certificate, which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Officer's Certificate.
"Global Notes" means, individually and collectively, each of the
Series M Notes (which may be either Restricted Global Notes or
Unrestricted Global Notes) issued or issuable in the global form of
Exhibit A hereto issued in accordance with Sections 1(q)(i),
1(q)(v)(B)(4), 1(q)(v)(D)(4) or 1(q)(v)(F) of this Officer's Certificate.
"Guarantee" means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness.
"Hedging Obligations" means, with respect to any specified Person, the obligations of such Person incurred in the normal course of business and consistent with past practices and not for speculative purposes under:
(1) interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements designed to protect the person or entity entering into the agreement against fluctuations in interest rates with respect to Indebtedness incurred and not for purposes of speculation;
(2) foreign exchange contracts and currency protection agreements entered into with one of more financial institutions designed to protect the person or entity entering into the agreement against fluctuations in currency exchange rates with respect to Indebtedness incurred and not for purposes of speculation;
(3) any commodity futures contract, commodity option or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect against fluctuations in the price of commodities used by that entity at the time; and
(4) other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in interest rates or currency exchange rates.
"Indebtedness" means, with respect to any specified Person, any indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent:
(1) in respect of borrowed money;
(2) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof);
(3) in respect of banker's acceptances;
(4) representing Capital Lease Obligations;
(5) representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable; or
(6) representing any Hedging Obligations,
if and to the extent any of the preceding items (other than letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the specified Person prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the term "Indebtedness" includes all Indebtedness of others secured by a Series M Lien on any asset of the specified Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person) and, to the extent not otherwise included, the Guarantee by the specified Person of any indebtedness of any other Person.
The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date shall be:
(1) the accreted value of the Indebtedness, in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount; and
(2) the principal amount of the Indebtedness, together with any interest on the Indebtedness that is more than 30 days past due, in the case of any other Indebtedness.
"Indirect Participant" means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.
"Initial Notes" has the meaning set forth in Section 1(q)(ii) of this Officer's Certificate.
"Initial Purchaser" has the meaning set forth in the Purchase Agreement.
"Institutional Accredited Investor" means an institution that is an "accredited investor" as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act.
"Issue Date" means the first date on which any Series M Notes are issued, authenticated and delivered under the Indenture and this Officer's Certificate.
"Letter of Transmittal" means the letter of transmittal to be prepared by the Company and sent to all Holders of Initial Notes for use by such Holders in connection with an Exchange Offer.
"LIEN" means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction.
"Liquidated Damages" means all liquidated damages then owing pursuant to Section 5 of the Registration Rights Agreement.
"Non-Recourse Debt" means Indebtedness:
(1) as to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness), (b) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise, or (c) constitutes the lender;
(2) no default with respect to which (including any rights that the holders of the Indebtedness may have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit upon notice, lapse of time or both any holder of any other Indebtedness (other than the Series M Notes) of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to declare a default on
such other Indebtedness or cause the payment of the Indebtedness to be accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity; and
(3) as to which the lenders have been notified in writing that they shall not have any recourse to the stock or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
"Non-U.S. Person" means a person who is not a U.S. Person.
"Note Custodian" means the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary with respect to the Series M Notes in global form, or any successor entity thereto.
"Obligations" means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.
"Offering" means the offering of the Original Notes by the Company on the Issue Date.
"Original Notes" has the meaning set forth in Section 1(q)(ii) of this Officer's Certificate.
"Participant" means, with respect to DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream, a Person who has an account with DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream, respectively (and, with respect to DTC, shall include Euroclear and Clearstream).
"Payment Default" has the meaning assigned to it in Section 1(h)(ii)(A)(6)(I) of this Officer's Certificate.
"Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness" means any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than intercompany Indebtedness); provided that:
(1) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded (plus all accrued and unpaid interest on the Indebtedness and the amount of all expenses and premiums incurred in connection therewith);
(2) if such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is issued on or after the first anniversary of the original issue date of the Series M Notes, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or
greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded;
(3) if such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is issued on or after the first anniversary of the original issue date of the Series M Notes, and the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded is contractually subordinated in right of payment to the Series M Notes, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the final maturity date of, and is subordinated in right of payment to, the Series M Notes on terms at least as favorable to the Holders of Series M Notes as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded; and
(4) such Indebtedness is incurred either by the Company or by the Subsidiary who is the obligor on the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded.
"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company or government or other entity.
"Private Placement Legend" means the legend set forth in Section 1(q)(v)(G)(1) of this Officer's Certificate to be placed on all Series M Notes issued under the Indenture and this Officer's Certificate except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of the Indenture and this Officer's Certificate.
"Purchase Agreement" means the Purchase Agreement dated March 20, 2006 among the Company and each Initial Purchaser relating to the Offering.
"QIB" means a "qualified institutional buyer" as defined in Rule 144A.
"Qualified Receivables Transaction" means any transaction or series of transactions that may be entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may sell, convey or otherwise transfer to (1) a Receivables Entity (in the case of a transfer by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) and (2) any other Person (in the case of a transfer by a Receivables Entity), or may grant a security interest in, any accounts receivable (whether now existing or arising in the future) of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, and any assets related thereto including, without limitation, all collateral securing such accounts receivable, all contracts and all guarantees or other obligations in respect of such accounts receivable, the proceeds of such receivables and other assets which are customarily transferred, or in respect of which security interests are customarily granted in connection with asset securitization involving accounts receivable.
"Receivables Entity" means a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company or Sierra Pacific Resources (or another Person in which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company makes an Investment and to which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company transfers accounts receivable and related assets) which engages in no activities other than in connection with the financing of accounts receivable and which is designated by the Board of Directors (as provided below) as a Receivables Entity:
(1) no portion of the Indebtedness or any other obligations (contingent or otherwise) of which:
(a) is guaranteed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (excluding guarantees of Obligations (other than the principal of, and interest on, Indebtedness) pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings);
(b) is recourse to or obligates the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in any way other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings; or
(c) subjects any property or asset of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, to the satisfaction thereof, other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings;
(2) which is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding (except in connection with a Purchase Money Note or Qualified Receivables Transaction) with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company other than on terms no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons that are not Affiliates of the Company, other than fees payable in the ordinary course of business in connection with servicing accounts receivable; and
(3) to which neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company has any direct or indirect obligation (a) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or (b) to maintain or preserve such entity's financial condition or cause such entity to achieve certain levels of operating results.
Any such designation by the Board of Directors shall be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of the Board Resolution giving effect to such designation and an Officer's Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing conditions.
"Registration Rights Agreement" means (i) the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the Issue Date, by and among the Company and the other parties named on the signature pages thereof relating to the Original Notes and (ii) any similar agreement that the Company and other parties may enter into in relation to any other Initial Notes, in each case as such agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.
"Regulation S" means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.
"Regulation S Global Note" means a Global Note in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, issued in an initial denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes initially sold by the Initial Purchasers in reliance on Rule 903 of Regulation S.
"Restricted Definitive Note" means a Definitive Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.
"Restricted Global Note" means a Global Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.
"Restricted Period" means the applicable distribution compliance period as set forth in Regulation S.
"Restricted Subsidiary" of a Person means any Subsidiary of the referent Person that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
"Rule 144" means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.
"Rule 144A" means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.
"Rule 144A Global Note" means a Global Note in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, issued in an initial denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes initially sold by the Initial Purchasers in reliance on Rule 144A.
"Rule 903" means Rule 903 promulgated under the Securities Act.
"Rule 904" means Rule 904 promulgated under the Securities Act.
"Securities Act" means the Security Act of 1933, as amended.
"Series M Lien" means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional
sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction.
"Series M Permitted Liens" means:
(1) Series M Liens securing any Indebtedness under a Credit Facility and all Obligations and Hedging Obligations relating to such Indebtedness;
(2) Series M Liens in favor of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantors;
(3) Series M Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Series M Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such merger or consolidation and do not extend to any assets other than those of the Person merged into or consolidated with the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary;
(4) Series M Liens on property existing at the time of acquisition of the property by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, provided that such Series M Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such acquisition;
(5) Series M Liens to secure the performance of statutory or regulatory obligations, surety or appeal bonds, performance bonds or other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(6) Series M Liens existing on the original issue date of the Series M Notes (including the Series M Lien of the First Mortgage Indenture and the Series M Lien of the Indenture);
(7) Series M Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims that are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently concluded; provided that any reserve or other appropriate provision as is required in conformity with GAAP has been made therefor;
(8) Series M Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to obligations (including Hedging Obligations) that do not exceed $35.0 million at any one time outstanding;
(9) Series M Liens securing Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to refinance Indebtedness that was previously so secured; provided that any such Series M Lien is limited to all or part of the same property or assets
(plus improvements, accessions, proceeds or dividends or distributions in respect thereof) that secured (or, under the written arrangements under which the original Series M Lien arose, could secure) the Indebtedness being refinanced or is in respect of property that is the security for a Series M Permitted Lien hereunder;
(10) Series M Liens on assets transferred to a Receivables Entity or on assets of a Receivables Entity, in either case, incurred in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction; and
(11) Series M Liens, including pledges, rights of offset and bankers' liens, on deposit accounts, instruments, investment accounts and investment property (including cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities) from time to time maintained with or held by any financial and/or depository institutions, in each case solely to secure any and all obligations now or hereafter existing of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with any deposit account, investment account or cash management service (including ACH, Fedwire, CHIPS, concentration and zero balance accounts, and controlled disbursement, lockbox or restricted accounts) now or hereafter provided by any financial and/or depository institutions to or for the benefit of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any special purpose entity directly or indirectly providing loans to or making receivables purchases from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
"Shelf Registration Statement" has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.
"Significant Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary that would be a "significant subsidiary" as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Regulation is in effect on the date hereof.
"Standard Securitization Undertakings" means representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities entered into by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company which are reasonably customary in securitization of accounts receivable transactions.
"Subsidiary" means, with respect to any specified Person:
(1) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees of the corporation, association or other business entity is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and
(2) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof).
"Subsidiary Guarantee" means any Guarantee of the Series M Notes to be executed by any Subsidiary of the Company pursuant to Section 1(u)(iii) of this Officer's Certificate (under the heading "Future Subsidiary Guarantees").
"Subsidiary Guarantors" means any Subsidiary of the Company that executes a Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture, and their respective successors and assigns.
"Triggering Event" has the meaning assigned to it in Section 1(h) of this Officer's Certificate.
"Unrestricted Definitive Note" means one or more Definitive Notes that do not bear and are not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.
"Unrestricted Global Note" means a permanent Global Note in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto that bears the Global Note Legend and that has the "Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note" attached thereto, and that is deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary, representing a series of Notes that do not bear the Private Placement Legend.
"Unrestricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Company that is designated by the Board of Directors as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a Board Resolution, but only to the extent that such Subsidiary:
(1) has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt;
(2) is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company;
(3) is a Person with respect to which neither the Company nor any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect
obligation (a) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or
(b) to maintain or preserve such Person's financial condition
or to cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of
operating results;
(4) has not guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly provided credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; and
(5) has at least one director on its Board that is not a director or executive officer of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and has at least one executive officer that is not a director or executive officer of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
Any designation of a Subsidiary of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of the Board Resolution giving effect to such designation and an Officer's Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it shall thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of the Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary shall be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as of such date.
"U.S." means the United States of America.
"U.S. Person" means a U.S. person as defined in Rule 902(o) under the Securities Act.
"Voting Stock" of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of such Person.
"Weighted Average Life to Maturity" means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing:
(1) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount
of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial
maturity or other required payments of principal, including
payment at final maturity, in respect of the Indebtedness, by
(b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest
one-twelfth) that shall elapse between such date and the
making of such payment; by
(2) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.
(v) The Series M Notes shall have such other terms and provisions as are provided in the form thereof attached hereto as Exhibit A, and shall be issued in substantially such form.
2. The undersigned has read all of the covenants and conditions contained in the Indenture, and the definitions in the Indenture relating thereto, relating to the issuance of the Series M Notes and in respect of compliance with which this certificate is made.
The statements contained in this certificate are based upon the familiarity of the undersigned with the Indenture, the documents accompanying this certificate, and upon discussions by the undersigned with officers and employees of the Company familiar with the matters set forth herein.
In the opinion of the undersigned, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenants and conditions have been complied with.
In the opinion of the undersigned, such conditions and covenants have been complied with.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Officer's Certificate as of the date first written above.
Acknowledged and Received on
March ___, 2006
THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
as Trustee
Signature Page to Officer's Certificate (Terms of Note)
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF SERIES M NOTES
[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable, pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate]
[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable, pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate]
SIERRA PACIFIC POWER COMPANY
6% General and Refunding Mortgage Notes, Series M, due 2016
Original Interest Accrual Date: March 23, 2006 Redeemable: Yes [ ] No [ ] Stated Maturity: May 15, 2016 Redemption Date: See Below Interest Rate: 6% Redemption Price: See Below Interest Payment Dates: May 15 and November 15 Record Dates: May 1 and November 1 |
The Security is not a Discount Security within the meaning of the within-mentioned Indenture.
CUSIP No. _____________
6% General and Refunding Mortgage Notes, Series M, due 2016
No. R- $__________
promises to pay to Cede & Co. or registered assigns, the principal sum of __________________ Dollars on May 15, 2016.
1. Interest. Sierra Pacific Power Company, a Nevada corporation (the "company"), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Series M Note at 6% per annum, from March 23, 2006 until maturity and shall pay the Liquidated Damages payable pursuant to Section 5 of the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below. The Company shall pay interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, semi-annually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each an "Interest Payment Date"). Interest on the Series M Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from Original Interest Accrual Date specified above; provided that if there is no existing Default in the payment of interest, and if this Series M Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date, except in the case of the original issuance of Series M Notes, in which case interest shall accrue from the Original Interest Accrual Date specified above; provided, further,
that the first Interest Payment Date shall be November 15, 2006. The Company shall pay interest (including postpetition interest in any proceeding under the Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at the rate borne on the Series M Notes; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under the Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
2. Method of Payment. The Company shall pay interest on the Series M Notes (except Defaulted Interest) and Liquidated Damages to the Persons who are registered Holders of Series M Notes at the close of business on the May 1 and November 1 next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Series M Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 3.07 of the Indenture with respect to Defaulted Interest. The Series M Notes shall be payable as to principal, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose within the City and State of New York, or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest and Liquidated Damages may be made by check mailed to the Holders of Series M Notes at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders, and provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds shall be required with respect to principal of, and interest, premium and Liquidated Damages on, all Global Notes and all other Series M Notes the Holders of which shall have provided wire transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent. Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.
3. Paying Agent and Security Registrar. Initially, The Bank of New York, the Trustee under the Indenture, shall act as Paying Agent and Security Registrar. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Security Registrar without notice to any Holder of Series M Notes. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.
4. Indenture; Security. This Series M Note is one of a duly authorized issue of Securities of the Company, issued and issuable in one or more series under and equally secured by a General and Refunding Mortgage Indenture, dated as of May 1, 2001 (such Indenture as originally executed and delivered and as supplemented or amended from time to time thereafter, together with any constituent instruments establishing the terms of particular Securities, being herein called the "Indenture"), between the Company and The Bank of New York, Trustee (herein called the "Trustee," which term includes any successor Trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of the property mortgaged, pledged and held in trust, the nature and extent of the security and the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities thereunder and of the terms and conditions upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered and secured. The acceptance of this Series M Note shall be deemed to constitute the consent and agreement by the Holder hereof to all of the terms and provisions of the Indenture. This Series M Note is one of the series designated above. The terms of the Series M Notes include those stated in the Indenture, the Officer's Certificate dated March 23, 2006 (the "Officer's Certificate") and those made part of
the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act. The Series M Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders of Series M Notes are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Series M Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture or the Officer's Certificate, the provisions of the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate shall govern and be controlling. The Series M Notes are general obligations of the Company initially limited to $300,000,000 aggregate principal amount in the case of Series M Notes issued on the Issue Date.
All Outstanding Securities, including the Series M Notes, issued under the Indenture are secured by the lien of the Indenture on the properties of the Company described in the Indenture. The lien of the Indenture is junior, subject and subordinate to the prior lien of the Indenture of Mortgage dated as of December 1, 1940 by and between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association and Gerald R. Wheeler, as successor trustees.
5. Optional Redemption.
(a) The Company may redeem the notes at any time, either in whole or in part at a redemption price equal to the greater of (1) 100% of the principal amount of the Series M Notes being redeemed and (2) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Series M Notes being redeemed (excluding the portion of any such interest accrued to the date of redemption) discounted (for purposes of determining present value) to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate (as defined below) plus 30 basis points, plus, in each case, accrued interest thereon to the date of redemption.
"Comparable Treasury Issue" means the United States Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the Series M Notes that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of the Series M Notes.
"Comparable Treasury Price" means, with respect to any redemption date, (1) the average of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) on the third business day preceding such redemption date, as set forth in the daily statistical release (or any successor release) published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and designated "Composite 3:30 p.m. Quotations for U.S. Government Securities" or (2) if such release (or any successor release) is not published or does not contain such prices on such third business day, the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation for such redemption date.
"Independent Investment Banker" means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers appointed by the Company.
"Reference Treasury Dealer" means a primary U.S. Government Securities Dealer selected by the Company.
"Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation" means, with respect to the
Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as
determined by the Independent Investment Banker, of the bid and asked
prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a
percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Independent
Investment Banker by such Reference Treasury Dealer at or before 5:00
p.m., New York City time, on the third business day preceding such
redemption date.
"Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any redemption date, the rate per year equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date.
6. Notice of Optional Redemption. Notice of optional redemption shall be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder whose Series M Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address. Series M Notes in denominations larger than $1,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1,000, unless all of the Series M Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed. Notices of redemption may not be conditional. On and after the redemption date, interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, cease to accrue on Series M Notes or portions thereof called for redemption.
7. Mandatory Redemption.
(a) Other than in connection with clause (b) below or in connection with a redemption at the option of the Holders of the Series M Notes in Section 8 below, the Company shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Series M Notes.
(b) Upon the occurrence of the events described below in clauses (1) or (2) of this paragraph 7(b), the Company shall be required to redeem the Series M Notes immediately, at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Series M Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Series M Notes to the date of redemption, without further action or notice on the part of the Trustee or the Holders of the Series M Notes:
(1) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of Bankruptcy Law:
(I) commences a voluntary case,
(II) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,
(III) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,
(IV) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or
(V) admits in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due; or
(2) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(I) is for relief against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;
(II) appoints a custodian of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; or
(III) orders the liquidation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary;
and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days.
8. Redemption at the Option of Holders. Upon the occurrence of any of the following Triggering Events: (a) failure for 30 days to pay when due interest on, or Liquidated Damages with respect to, the Series M Notes; (b) failure to pay when due the principal of, or premium, if any, on the Series M Notes; (c) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply with the provisions described in Section 1(u)(ii) of the Officer's Certificate; (d) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 30 days after notice to comply with the provisions described in Section 1(h)(iii) of the Officer's Certificate; (e) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 60 days after notice to comply with any of the other agreements in the Officer's Certificate or the Series M Notes; (f) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists, or is created after the original issue date of the Series M Notes, if that default (i) is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of the
grace period provided in such Indebtedness on the date of such
default (a "PAYMENT DEFAULT") or (ii) results in the acceleration of such
Indebtedness prior to its express maturity, and, in each case, the principal
amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other
such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity
of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $15.0 million or more; (g) failure
by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to pay final judgments aggregating in
excess of $15.0 million, which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for
a period of 60 days; or (h) an event of default under the First Mortgage
Indenture (other than any such matured event of default which (i) is of similar
kind or character to the Triggering Event described in (c) or (e) above and (ii)
has not resulted in the acceleration of the securities outstanding under the
First Mortgage Indenture); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, anything in the Officer's
Certificate to the contrary notwithstanding, the waiver or cure of such event of
default under the First Mortgage Indenture and the rescission and annulment of
the consequences thereof under the First Mortgage Indenture shall constitute a
cure of the corresponding Triggering Event and a rescission and annulment of the
consequences thereof, the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the
Series M Notes then Outstanding may deliver a notice to the Company requiring
the Company to redeem the Series M Notes immediately at a Redemption Price equal
to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Series M Notes plus accrued and
unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Series M Notes to the
Redemption Date. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Series M Notes then Outstanding by notice to the Company and the Trustee may on
behalf of the Holders of all of the Series M Notes waive any existing Triggering
Event and its consequences except a continuing Triggering Event related to the
payment of interest or Liquidated Damages on, or the principal of, the Series M
Notes. In the case of any Triggering Event by reason of any willful action or
inaction taken or not taken by or on behalf of the Company with the intention of
avoiding payment of the premium that the Company would have had to pay if the
Company then had elected to redeem the Series M Notes pursuant to the provisions
of Section 1(g)(i) of the Officer's Certificate relating to redemption at the
option of the Company, an equivalent premium equal to the premium payable under
Section 1(g)(i) shall also become and be immediately due and payable to the
extent permitted by law upon the redemption of the Series M Notes at the option
of the Holders thereof.
9. Denominations, Transfer, Exchange. The Series M Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. The transfer of Series M Notes may be registered and Series M Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate. The Security Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder of Series M Notes, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder of Series M Notes to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Series M Note or portion of a Series M Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Series M Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Series M Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Series M Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record date and the corresponding Interest Payment Date.
10. Persons Deemed Owners. The registered Holder of a Series M Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.
11. Amendment, Supplement and Waiver. The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the Trustee to enter into one or more supplemental indentures for the purpose of adding any provisions to, or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of, the Indenture with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all series then Outstanding under the Indenture, considered as one class; provided, however, that if there shall be Securities of more than one series Outstanding under the Indenture and if a proposed supplemental indenture shall directly affect the rights of the Holders of Securities of one or more, but less than all, of such series, then the consent only of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all series so directly affected, considered as one class, shall be required; and provided, further, that if the Securities of any series shall have been issued in more than one Tranche and if the proposed supplemental indenture shall directly affect the rights of the Holders of Securities of one or more, but less than all, of such Tranches, then the consent only of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all Tranches so directly affected, considered as one class, shall be required; and provided, further, that the Indenture permits the Trustee to enter into one or more supplemental indentures for limited purposes without the consent of any Holders of Securities. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities then Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Series M Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Series M Note and of any Series M Note issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Series M Note.
12. Events of Default. If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the principal of this Series M Note may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.
13. No Recourse Against Others. As provided in the Indenture, no recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any Securities, or any part thereof, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, or of the indebtedness represented thereby, or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement under the Indenture, against, and no personal liability whatsoever shall attach to, or be incurred by, any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future of the Company or of any predecessor or successor corporation (either directly or through the Company or a predecessor or successor corporation), whether by virtue of any constitutional provision, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly agreed and understood that the Indenture and all the Securities are solely corporate obligations and that any such personal liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as part of the consideration for, the execution of the Indenture and the issuance of the Securities.
14. Authentication. Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee or an Authenticating Agent by manual signature, this Series M Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
15. Transfer and Exchange.
(a) As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Series M Note is registrable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Series M Note for registration of transfer at the Corporate Trust Office of The Bank of New York in New York, New York or such other office or agency as may be designated by the Company from time to time, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Series M Notes of this series of authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.
(b) No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
(c) Prior to due presentment of this Series M Note for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Series M Note is registered as the absolute owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Series M Note be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
16. Governing Law. THE SERIES M NOTES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
17. Definition of "Business Day" and Other Terms. As used herein, "BUSINESS DAY" shall mean any day, other than Saturday or Sunday, on which commercial banks are open for business, including dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars, in New York. All other terms used in this Series M Note which are defined in the Indenture or the Officer's Certificate shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture or the Officer's Certificate, as applicable, unless otherwise indicated.
18. Abbreviations. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder of Series M Notes or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).
19. Additional Rights of Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes. In addition to the rights provided to Holders of Series M Notes under the Indenture, Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes shall have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of March 23, 2006 between Sierra Pacific Power Company and the parties named on the signature pages thereof (the "Registration Rights Agreement").
20. Cusip Numbers. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Series M Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption a
as a convenience to Holders of Series M Notes. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Series M Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.
The Company shall furnish to any Holder of Series M Notes upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture and/or the Registration Rights Agreement. Requests may be made to:
Sierra Pacific Power Company 6100 Neil Road P.O. Box 10100 Reno, Nevada 89520-0400 Attention: Chief Financial Officer
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.
SIERRA PACIFIC POWER COMPANY
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
Dated: _____________, _____
THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee
SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE* **
The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SIGNATURE OF AMOUNT OF DECREASE AMOUNT OF INCREASE FOLLOWING SUCH AUTHORIZED SIGNATORY IN PRINCIPAL AMOUNT IN PRINCIPAL AMOUNT DECREASE (OR OF TRUSTEE OR NOTE DATE OF EXCHANGE OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE INCREASE) CUSTODIAN ---------------- ------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------- |
ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Series M Note, fill in the form below: (I) or (we) assign and transfer this Series M Note to
and irrevocably appoint_________________________________________________________ to transfer this Series M Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.
Date:
Your Signature:_______________________________________________________________
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Series M Note)
Signatures must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" meeting the requirements of the Security Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Security Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you want to elect to have this Series M Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 1(h)(iii) (Offer to Purchase upon Change of Control) of the Officer's Certificate, check the box below:
[ ] Section 1(h)(iii) (Offer to Purchase upon Change of Control)
If you want to elect to have only part of the Series M Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 1(h)(iii) (Offer to Purchase upon Change of Control) of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:
$______________________________
Date:
Your Signature:_______________________________________________________________
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of the Series M Note)
Tax Identification No.:________________________________________________________
SIGNATURE GUARANTEE
Signatures must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" meeting the requirements of the Security Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Security Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
Sierra Pacific Power Company
6100 Neil Road
P.O. Box 10100
Reno, Nevada 89520-0400
Attention: Treasurer
The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street, Floor 8W
New York, New York 10286
Attention: Corporate Trust Division - Corporate Finance Unit
Re: Sierra Pacific Power Company 6% General and Refunding Mortgage Notes, Series M, due 2016
Reference is hereby made to the General and Refunding Mortgage Indenture, dated as of May 1, 2001, as supplemented (the "Indenture"), between Sierra Pacific Power Company, as issuer (the "Company") and The Bank of New York, as trustee and the Officer's Certificate dated March 23, 2006 governing the Note[s] (the "Officer's Certificate"). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate.
____________________, (the "Transferor") owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $__________ in such Note[s] or interests (the "Transfer"), to ____________________ (the "Transferee"), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:
[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]
1. [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE SHALL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE 144A GLOBAL NOTE OR A RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believed and believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a "qualified institutional buyer" within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note shall be subject to the restrictions
on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the 144A Global Note and/or the Definitive Note and in the Officer's Certificate and the Securities Act.
2. [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE SHALL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE OR A RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO REGULATION S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act and (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed transfer is being made by a "distributor" (within the meaning of Regulation S) prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note shall be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Regulation S Global Note and/or the Definitive Note and in the Officer's Certificate and the Securities Act.
3. [ ] CHECK AND COMPLETE IF TRANSFEREE SHALL TAKE DELIVERY OF A DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO ANY PROVISION OF THE SECURITIES ACT OTHER THAN RULE 144A OR REGULATION S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):
(a) [ ] such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act;
or
(b) [ ] such Transfer is being effected to the Company or a subsidiary thereof;
or
(c) [ ] such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act; or
(d) [ ] such Transfer is being effected to an accredited investor within the meaning of Rule (501)(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act ("Institutional Accredited Investor") or pursuant to another exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A, Rule 144 or Rule 904, and the Transferor hereby certifies that the Transfer complies with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in a Restricted Global Note or Restricted Definitive Notes and the requirements of the exemption claimed, which certification is supported by (1) if the Transfer is to an Institutional Accredited Investor, a certificate executed by the Transferee in the form of Exhibit D to the Officer's Certificate and (2) an Opinion of Counsel provided by the Transferor or the Transferee (a copy of which the Transferor has attached to this certificate) to the effect that such Transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note shall be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Global Note and/or the Definitive Notes and in the Officer's Certificate and the Securities Act.
4. [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE SHALL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE OR OF AN UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE.
(a) [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO RULE 144. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture, the Officer's Certificate and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note shall no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Officer's Certificate.
(b) [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO REGULATION S. (i) The transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note shall no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Officer's Certificate.
(c) [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO OTHER EXEMPTION. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance
with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note shall not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Officer's Certificate.
This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.
ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
1. The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:
[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)]
(a) [ ] a beneficial interest in the:
(ii) [ ] 144A Global Note (CUSIP ___________), or
(ii) [ ] Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP ___________);
or
(b) [ ] a Restricted Definitive Note.
2. After the Transfer the Transferee shall hold:
[CHECK ONE]
(a) [ ] a beneficial interest in the:
(i) [ ] 144A Global Note (CUSIP ___________), or
(ii) [ ] Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP ___________), or
(iii) [ ] Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP ___________); or
(b) [ ] a Restricted Definitive Note.
(c) [ ] an Unrestricted Definitive Note,
in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate.
EXHIBIT C
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE
Sierra Pacific Power Company
6100 Neil Road
P.O. Box 10100
Reno, Nevada 89520-0400
Attention: Treasurer
The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street, Floor 8W
New York, New York 10286
Attention: Corporate Trust Division - Corporate Finance Unit
Re: Sierra Pacific Power Company 6% General and Refunding Mortgage Notes, Series M, due 2016
(CUSIP ____________)
Reference is hereby made to the General and Refunding Mortgage Indenture, dated as of May 1, 2001, as supplemented (the "Indenture"), between Sierra Pacific Power Company, as issuer (the "Company") and The Bank of New York, as trustee, and the Officer's Certificate dated March 23, 2006 governing the Note[s] (the "Officer's Certificate"). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate.
____________________ (the "Owner") owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of $______________ in such Note[s] or interests (the "Exchange"). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:
1. EXCHANGE OF RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE FOR UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE
(a) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner's beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner's own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture, the Officer's Certificate and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain
compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
(b) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner's beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner's own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture, the Officer's Certificate and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
(c) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Owner's Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficiary interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner's own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture, the Officer's Certificate and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
(d) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Owner's Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner's own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture, the Officer's Certificate and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
2. EXCHANGE OF RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES FOR RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES
(a) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner's beneficial
interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner's own account without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate, the Restricted Definitive Note issued shall continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Officer's Certificate and the Securities Act.
(b) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner's Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the
[CHECK ONE]
[ ] 144A Global Note [ ] Regulation S Global Note
with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner's own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate, the beneficial interest issued shall be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the Officer's Certificate and the Securities Act.
This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.
Title:
EXHIBIT D
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF ACQUIRING INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR
Sierra Pacific Power Company
6100 Neil Road
P.O. Box 10100
Reno, Nevada 89520-0400
Attention: Treasurer
The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street, Floor 8W
New York, New York 10286
Attention: Corporate Trust Division - Corporate Finance Unit
Re: Sierra Pacific Power Company 6% General and Refunding Mortgage Notes, Series M, due 2016
Reference is hereby made to the General and Refunding Mortgage Indenture, dated as of May 1, 2001, as supplemented (the "Indenture"), among Sierra Pacific Power Company, as issuer (the "Company") and The Bank of New York, as trustee, and the Officer's Certificate dated March 23, 2006 governing the Notes (the "Officer's Certificate"). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate.
In connection with our proposed purchase of $______________ aggregate principal amount of:
(a) [ ] a beneficial interest in a Global Note, or
(b) [ ] a Definitive Note,
we confirm that:
1. we are an "accredited investor" within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2),
(3) or (7) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "SECURITIES
ACT"), or an entity in which all of the equity owners are accredited
investors within the meaning of Rule (501)(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under
the Securities Act (an "Institutional Accredited Investor");
2. (i)(A) any purchase of the Notes by us shall be for our own account or for the account of one or more other institutional accredited investors or as fiduciary for the account of one or more trusts, each of which is an "accredited investor" within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(7) under the Securities Act and for each of which we exercise sole investment discretion or (B) we are a "bank," within the meaning of Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act, or a "savings and loan association" or other institution described in Section
3(a)(5)(A) of the Securities Act that is acquiring Notes as fiduciary for the account of one or more institutions for which we exercise sole investment discretion;
3. in the event that we purchase any Notes, we shall acquire Notes having a minimum purchase price of not less than $250,000 for our own account and for each separate account for which we are acting;
4. we have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that we are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of purchasing Notes;
5. we are not acquiring the Notes with a view to any distribution thereof in a transaction that would violate the Securities Act or the securities laws of any State of the United States or any other applicable jurisdictions, provided that the disposition of our property and the property of any accounts for which we are acting as fiduciary shall remain at all times within our control;
6. we have received a copy of the Offering Memorandum relating to the offering of the Notes and acknowledge that we have had access to such financial and other information, and have been afforded the opportunity to ask such questions of representatives of the Company and receive answers thereto, as we deem necessary in connection with our decision to purchase the Notes; and
7. (vii)(a) we are not an employee benefit plan or other arrangement that is subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or an entity whose underlying assets include assets of such a plan or arrangement (pursuant to 29 C.F.R. Section 2510.3-101 or otherwise), and we are not purchasing (and shall not hold) the Notes on behalf of, or with the assets of, any such plan, arrangement or entity; or (b) our purchase and holding of the Notes are completely covered by the full exemptive relief provided by U.S. Department of Labor Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 or 84-14.
We understand that the Notes were offered in a transaction not involving any public offering in the United States within the meaning of the Securities Act and that the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws, and they were offered for resale in transactions not requiring registration under the Securities Act. We agree on our own behalf and on behalf of any investor account for which we are purchasing the Notes, and each subsequent holder of the Notes by its acceptance of the Notes will agree, to offer, sell or otherwise transfer such notes prior to (x) the date which is two years (or such shorter period of time as permitted by Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act or any successor provision thereunder) after the later of the date of the original issue of the Notes and the last date on which the Company or any of its affiliates were the owner of such Notes (or any predecessor thereto) or (y) such later date, if any, as may be required by applicable law (the "RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE") only: (1) to the Company; (2) pursuant to a registration statement which has been declared effective under the Securities Act; (3) for so long as the Notes are eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A, to a person it reasonably believes is a "qualified institutional buyer" (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act) that purchases for its own account or for the account of a qualified institutional buyer to whom notice is given that the transfer is being made
in reliance on Rule 144A; (4) pursuant to offers and sales to Non-U.S. Persons that occur outside the United States within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act; or (5) pursuant to any other available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, subject in each of the foregoing cases to any requirements of law that the disposition of its property or the property of such investor account or accounts be at all times within its or their control and in compliance with any applicable state securities laws. Subject to the procedures set forth under Section 1(q)(v) of the Officer's Certificate, prior to any proposed transfer of the Notes (otherwise than pursuant to an effective registration statement) within the period referred to in Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act with respect to such transfer, the Holder of the Notes must check the appropriate box set forth on the reverse of its Notes relating to the manner of such transfer and submit the Notes to the trustee. The foregoing restrictions on resale will not apply subsequent to the Resale Restriction Termination Date. We acknowledge that the Company, the trustee and the transfer agent and security registrar reserve the right prior to any offer, sale or other transfer pursuant this paragraph, prior to the end of the restrictive periods described in clauses (x) and (y) above, to require the delivery of an opinion of counsel, certifications and/or other information satisfactory to the Company, the trustee and the security registrar. We further understand that any Notes we receive shall be in the form of definitive physical certificates and that such certificates shall bear a legend reflecting the substance of this paragraph.
THIS LETTER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH,
THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
We acknowledge that you and the Company shall rely upon the truth and accuracy of our acknowledgments, confirmations and agreements in this letter. Further, we acknowledge and agree that you and the Company are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or, official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.
Title:
EXHIBIT 4.5
FORM OF SERIES M NOTES
[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable, pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate]
[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable, pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate]
SIERRA PACIFIC POWER COMPANY
6% General and Refunding Mortgage Notes, Series M, due 2016
Original Interest Accrual Date: March 23, 2006 Redeemable: Yes [X] No [ ] Stated Maturity: May 15, 2016 Redemption Date: See Below Interest Rate: 6% Redemption Price: See Below Interest Payment Dates: May 15 and November 15 Record Dates: May 1 and November 1 |
The Security is not a Discount Security within the meaning of the within-mentioned Indenture.
CUSIP No. _____________
6% General and Refunding Mortgage Notes, Series M, due 2016
No. R- $__________
promises to pay to Cede & Co. or registered assigns, the principal sum of __________________ Dollars on May 15, 2016.
1. Interest. Sierra Pacific Power Company, a Nevada corporation (the "Company"), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Series M Note at 6% per annum, from March 23, 2006 until maturity and shall pay the Liquidated Damages payable pursuant to Section 5 of the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below. The Company shall pay interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, semi-annually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each an "Interest Payment Date"). Interest on the Series M Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from Original Interest Accrual Date specified above; provided that if there is no existing Default in the payment of interest, and if this Series M Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date, except in the case of the original issuance of Series M Notes, in which case interest shall accrue from the Original Interest Accrual Date specified above; provided, further, that the first Interest Payment Date shall be November 15, 2006. The Company shall pay interest (including postpetition interest in any proceeding under the Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at the rate borne on the Series M
Notes; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under the Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
2. Method of Payment. The Company shall pay interest on the Series M Notes (except Defaulted Interest) and Liquidated Damages to the Persons who are registered Holders of Series M Notes at the close of business on the May 1 and November 1 next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Series M Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 3.07 of the Indenture with respect to Defaulted Interest. The Series M Notes shall be payable as to principal, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose within the City and State of New York, or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest and Liquidated Damages may be made by check mailed to the Holders of Series M Notes at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders, and provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds shall be required with respect to principal of, and interest, premium and Liquidated Damages on, all Global Notes and all other Series M Notes the Holders of which shall have provided wire transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent. Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.
3. Paying Agent and Security Registrar. Initially, The Bank of New York, the Trustee under the Indenture, shall act as Paying Agent and Security Registrar. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Security Registrar without notice to any Holder of Series M Notes. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.
4. Indenture; Security. This Series M Note is one of a duly authorized issue of Securities of the Company, issued and issuable in one or more series under and equally secured by a General and Refunding Mortgage Indenture, dated as of May 1, 2001 (such Indenture as originally executed and delivered and as supplemented or amended from time to time thereafter, together with any constituent instruments establishing the terms of particular Securities, being herein called the "Indenture"), between the Company and The Bank of New York, Trustee (herein called the "Trustee," which term includes any successor Trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of the property mortgaged, pledged and held in trust, the nature and extent of the security and the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities thereunder and of the terms and conditions upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered and secured. The acceptance of this Series M Note shall be deemed to constitute the consent and agreement by the Holder hereof to all of the terms and provisions of the Indenture. This Series M Note is one of the series designated above. The terms of the Series M Notes include those stated in the Indenture, the Officer's Certificate dated March 23, 2006 (the "Officer's Certificate") and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act. The Series M Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders of Series M Notes are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Series M Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture or the Officer's Certificate, the provisions of the Indenture and the
Officer's Certificate shall govern and be controlling. The Series M Notes are general obligations of the Company initially limited to $300,000,000 aggregate principal amount in the case of Series M Notes issued on the Issue Date.
All Outstanding Securities, including the Series M Notes, issued under the Indenture are secured by the lien of the Indenture on the properties of the Company described in the Indenture. The lien of the Indenture is junior, subject and subordinate to the prior lien of the Indenture of Mortgage dated as of December 1, 1940 by and between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association and Gerald R. Wheeler, as successor trustees.
5. Optional Redemption.
(a) The Company may redeem the notes at any time, either in whole or in part at a redemption price equal to the greater of (1) 100% of the principal amount of the Series M Notes being redeemed and (2) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Series M Notes being redeemed (excluding the portion of any such interest accrued to the date of redemption) discounted (for purposes of determining present value) to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate (as defined below) plus 30 basis points, plus, in each case, accrued interest thereon to the date of redemption.
"Comparable Treasury Issue" means the United States Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the Series M Notes that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of the Series M Notes.
"Comparable Treasury Price" means, with respect to any redemption date, (1) the average of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) on the third business day preceding such redemption date, as set forth in the daily statistical release (or any successor release) published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and designated "Composite 3:30 p.m. Quotations for U.S. Government Securities" or (2) if such release (or any successor release) is not published or does not contain such prices on such third business day, the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation for such redemption date.
"Independent Investment Banker" means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers appointed by the Company.
"Reference Treasury Dealer" means a primary U.S. Government Securities Dealer selected by the Company.
"Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation" means, with respect to the
Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as
determined by the Independent Investment Banker, of the bid and asked
prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a
percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Independent
Investment Banker by such Reference Treasury Dealer at or before 5:00
p.m., New York City time, on the third business day preceding such
redemption date.
"Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any redemption date, the rate per year equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date.
6. Notice of Optional Redemption. Notice of optional redemption shall be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder whose Series M Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address. Series M Notes in denominations larger than $1,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1,000, unless all of the Series M Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed. Notices of redemption may not be conditional. On and after the redemption date, interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, cease to accrue on Series M Notes or portions thereof called for redemption.
7. Mandatory Redemption.
(a) Other than in connection with clause (b) below or in connection with a redemption at the option of the Holders of the Series M Notes in Section 8 below, the Company shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Series M Notes.
(b) Upon the occurrence of the events described below in clauses (1) or (2) of this paragraph 7(b), the Company shall be required to redeem the Series M Notes immediately, at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Series M Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Series M Notes to the date of redemption, without further action or notice on the part of the Trustee or the Holders of the Series M Notes:
(1) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of Bankruptcy Law:
(I) commences a voluntary case,
(II) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,
(III) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,
(IV) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or
(V) admits in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due; or
(2) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(I) is for relief against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;
(II) appoints a custodian of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; or
(III) orders the liquidation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary;
and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days.
8. Redemption at the Option of Holders. Upon the occurrence of any of the following Triggering Events: (a) failure for 30 days to pay when due interest on, or Liquidated Damages with respect to, the Series M Notes; (b) failure to pay when due the principal of, or premium, if any, on the Series M Notes; (c) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply with the provisions described in Section 1(u)(ii) of the Officer's Certificate; (d) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 30 days after notice to comply with the provisions described in Section 1(h)(iii) of the Officer's Certificate; (e) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 60 days after notice to comply with any of the other agreements in the Officer's Certificate or the Series M Notes; (f) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists, or is created after the original issue date of the Series M Notes, if that default (i) is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace period provided in such Indebtedness on the date of such default (a "Payment Default") or
(ii) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express
maturity, and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness,
together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which
there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so
accelerated, aggregates $15.0 million or more; (g) failure by the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $15.0
million, which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60
days; or (h) an event of default under the First Mortgage Indenture (other than
any such matured event of default which (i) is of similar kind or character to
the Triggering Event described in (c) or (e) above and (ii) has not resulted in
the acceleration of the securities outstanding under the First Mortgage
Indenture); provided, however, that, anything in the Officer's Certificate to
the contrary notwithstanding, the waiver or cure of such event of default under
the First Mortgage Indenture and the rescission and annulment of the
consequences thereof under the First Mortgage Indenture shall constitute a cure
of the corresponding Triggering Event and a rescission and annulment of the
consequences thereof, the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the
Series M Notes then Outstanding may deliver a notice to the Company requiring
the Company to redeem the Series M Notes immediately at a Redemption Price equal
to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Series M Notes plus accrued and
unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Series M Notes to the
Redemption Date. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Series M Notes then Outstanding by notice to the Company and the Trustee may on
behalf of the Holders of all of the Series M Notes waive any existing Triggering
Event and its consequences except a continuing Triggering Event related to the
payment of interest or Liquidated Damages on, or the principal of, the Series M
Notes. In the case of any Triggering Event by reason of any willful action or
inaction taken or not taken by or on behalf of the Company with the intention of
avoiding payment of the premium that the Company would have had to pay if the
Company then had elected to redeem the Series M Notes pursuant to the provisions
of Section 1(g)(i) of the Officer's Certificate relating to redemption at the
option of the Company, an equivalent premium equal to the premium payable under
Section 1(g)(i) shall also become and be immediately due and payable to the
extent permitted by law upon the redemption of the Series M Notes at the option
of the Holders thereof.
9. Denominations, Transfer, Exchange. The Series M Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. The transfer of Series M Notes may be registered and Series M Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture and the Officer's Certificate. The Security Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder of Series M Notes, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder of Series M Notes to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Series M Note or portion of a Series M Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Series M Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Series M Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Series M Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record date and the corresponding Interest Payment Date.
10. Persons Deemed Owners. The registered Holder of a Series M Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.
11. Amendment, Supplement and Waiver. The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the Trustee to enter into one or more supplemental indentures for the purpose of adding any provisions to, or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of, the Indenture with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all series then Outstanding under the Indenture, considered as one class; provided, however, that if there shall be Securities of more than one series Outstanding under the Indenture and if a proposed supplemental indenture shall directly affect the rights of the Holders of Securities of one or more, but less than all, of such series, then the consent only of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all series so directly affected, considered as one class, shall be required; and provided, further, that if the Securities of any series shall have been issued in more than one Tranche and if the proposed supplemental indenture shall directly affect the rights of the Holders of Securities of one or more, but less than all, of such Tranches, then the consent only of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all Tranches so directly affected, considered as one class, shall be required; and provided, further, that the Indenture permits the Trustee to enter into one or more supplemental indentures for limited purposes without the consent of any Holders of Securities. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities then Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Series M Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Series M Note and of any Series M Note issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Series M Note.
12. Events of Default. If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the principal of this Series M Note may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.
13. No Recourse Against Others. As provided in the Indenture, no recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any Securities, or any part thereof, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, or of the indebtedness represented thereby, or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement under the Indenture, against, and no personal liability whatsoever shall attach to, or be incurred by, any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future of the Company or of any predecessor or successor corporation (either directly or through the Company or a predecessor or successor corporation), whether by virtue of any constitutional provision, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly agreed and understood that the Indenture and all the Securities are solely corporate obligations and that any such personal liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as part of the consideration for, the execution of the Indenture and the issuance of the Securities.
14. Authentication. Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee or an Authenticating Agent by manual signature, this Series M Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
15. Transfer and Exchange.
(a) As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Series M Note is registrable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Series M Note for registration of transfer at the Corporate Trust Office of The Bank of New York in New York, New York or such other office or agency as may be designated by the Company from time to time, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Series M Notes of this series of authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.
(b) No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
(c) Prior to due presentment of this Series M Note for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Series M Note is registered as the absolute owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Series M Note be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
16. Governing Law. THE SERIES M NOTES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
17. Definition of "Business Day" and Other Terms. As used herein, "Business Day" shall mean any day, other than Saturday or Sunday, on which commercial banks are open for business, including dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars, in New York. All other terms used in this Series M Note which are defined in the Indenture or the Officer's Certificate shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture or the Officer's Certificate, as applicable, unless otherwise indicated.
18. Abbreviations. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder of Series M Notes or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).
19. Additional Rights of Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes. In addition to the rights provided to Holders of Series M Notes under the Indenture, Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes shall have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of March 23, 2006 between Sierra Pacific Power Company and the parties named on the signature pages thereof (the "Registration Rights Agreement").
20. CUSIP Numbers. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Series M Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders of Series M Notes. No representation is made as to the accuracy of
such numbers either as printed on the Series M Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.
The Company shall furnish to any Holder of Series M Notes upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture and/or the Registration Rights Agreement. Requests may be made to:
Sierra Pacific Power Company 6100 Neil Road P.O. Box 10100 Reno, Nevada 89520-0400 Attention: Chief Financial Officer
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.
SIERRA PACIFIC POWER COMPANY
By: ____________________________
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
Dated: ______________, _____
THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee
By: ______________________________
Authorized Signatory
SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE***
The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF AMOUNT OF AMOUNT OF THIS SIGNATURE OF DECREASE IN INCREASE IN GLOBAL NOTE AUTHORIZED PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL FOLLOWING SUCH SIGNATORY OF DATE OF AMOUNT OF THIS AMOUNT OF THIS DECREASE (OR TRUSTEE OR NOTE EXCHANGE GLOBAL NOTE GLOBAL NOTE INCREASE) CUSTODIAN -------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- |
ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Series M Note, fill in the form below: (I) or (we) assign and transfer this Series M Note to
and irrevocably appoint ______________________________________________________ to transfer this Series M Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.
Date:
Your Signature:____________________________________________________
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Series M Note)
SIGNATURE GUARANTEE
Signatures must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" meeting the requirements of the Security Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Security Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you want to elect to have this Series M Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 1(h)(iii) (Offer to Purchase upon Change of Control) of the Officer's Certificate, check the box below:
[ ] Section 1(h)(iii) (Offer to Purchase upon Change of Control)
If you want to elect to have only part of the Series M Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 1(h)(iii) (Offer to Purchase upon Change of Control) of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:
$_________________________
Date:
Your Signature: _____________________________________________________________
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of the Series M Note)
Tax Identification No.: ______________________________________________________
SIGNATURE GUARANTEE
Signatures must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" meeting the requirements of the Security Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Security Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
EXHIBIT 4.6
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
DATED MARCH 23, 2006
AMONG
SIERRA PACIFIC POWER COMPANY
AND
CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.
AND
UBS SECURITIES LLC,
AS REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
INITIAL PURCHASERS
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Registration Rights Agreement (the "Agreement") is made and entered into this 23rd day of March, 2006, by and between Sierra Pacific Power Company, a Nevada corporation (the "Company"), and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and UBS Securities LLC as representatives (the "Representatives") of the Initial Purchasers (the "Initial Purchasers"), as contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, dated March 20, 2006 (the "Purchase Agreement"), by and between the Company and the Initial Purchasers, which provides for the sale by the Company to the Initial Purchasers of an aggregate of $300,000,000 in principal amount of the Company's 6.00% General and Refunding Mortgage Notes, Series M, due 2016 (the "Securities"). In order to induce the Initial Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide the registration rights set forth in this Agreement. The execution of this Agreement is a condition to the closing under the Purchase Agreement.
The Company agrees with the Representatives, for the benefit of the Initial Purchasers and for the benefit of the beneficial owners (including the Initial Purchasers) from time to time of the Registrable Securities (as hereinafter defined), as follows:
1. Definitions.
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
"1933 Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.
"1934 Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.
"Closing Date" means the Closing Time as defined in the Purchase Agreement.
"Company" has the meaning set forth in the preamble and shall also include the Company's successors.
"Depositary" means The Depository Trust Company, or any other depositary appointed by the Company; provided, however, that such depositary must have an address in the Borough of Manhattan, in the City of New York.
"Exchange Offer" means the exchange offer by the Company of Exchange Securities for Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof.
"Exchange Offer Registration" means a registration under the 1933 Act effected pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof.
"Exchange Offer Registration Statement" means an exchange offer registration statement on Form S-4 (or, if applicable, on another appropriate form), and all amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all documents incorporated by reference therein.
"Exchange Period" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1 hereof.
"Exchange Securities" means the notes issued by the Company under the Indenture containing terms identical to the Securities in all material respects (except for references to provisions relating to liquidated damages, restrictions on transfers and restrictive legends), to be offered to Holders of Securities in exchange for Registrable Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
"Holder" means an Initial Purchaser, for so long as it owns any Registrable Securities, and any other beneficial owner of Registrable Securities.
"Indenture" means the General and Refunding Mortgage Indenture, dated as of May 1, 2001, between the Company and the Trustee, as amended and supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.
"Initial Purchaser" or "Initial Purchasers" has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
"Majority Holders" means the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Outstanding (as defined in the Indenture) Registrable Securities; provided, however, that whenever the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Securities is required hereunder, Registrable Securities held by the Company and other obligors on the Securities or any Affiliate (as defined in the Indenture) of the Company or of such other obligor (unless the Company, such obligor or such Affiliate owns all Registrable Securities then Outstanding) shall be disregarded in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage.
"Participating Broker-Dealer" means any of the Initial Purchasers and any other broker-dealer which makes a market in the Securities and exchanges Registrable Securities in the Exchange Offer for Exchange Securities.
"Person" means an individual, partnership (general or limited), corporation, limited liability company, trust or unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or political subdivision thereof.
"Private Exchange" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1 hereof.
"Private Exchange Securities" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1 hereof.
"Prospectus" means the prospectus included in a Registration Statement, including, without limitation, a prospectus that discloses information previously omitted
from a prospectus filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 415 under the 1933 Act), as amended or supplemented, including all documents incorporated by reference therein.
"Purchase Agreement" has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
"Registrable Securities" means the Securities and, if issued, the
Private Exchange Securities; provided, however, that Securities and, if issued,
the Private Exchange Securities, shall cease to be Registrable Securities when
(i) (except in the case of Securities purchased from the Company and continued
to be held by the Initial Purchasers) the Exchange Offer is consummated, (ii) a
Registration Statement with respect to such Securities shall have been declared
effective under the 1933 Act and such Securities shall have been disposed of
pursuant to such Registration Statement, (iii) such Securities have been sold to
the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the 1933 Act, (iv) the applicable holding
period under rule 144(k) under the 1933 Act shall have expired or (v) such
Securities shall have ceased to be outstanding.
"Registration Expenses" means any and all expenses incident to performance of or compliance by the Company with this Agreement, including, without limitation: (i) all SEC, stock exchange or National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") registration and filing fees, including, if applicable, the fees and expenses of any "qualified independent underwriter" (and its counsel) that is required to be retained by any holder of Registrable Securities in accordance with the rules and regulations of the NASD, (ii) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with compliance with state securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for any underwriters or Holders in connection with blue sky qualification of any of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities), (iii) all printing and other expenses in preparing, and distributing any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, any amendments or supplements thereto, any underwriting agreements, securities sales agreements and other documents relating to the performance of and compliance with this Agreement, (iv) all rating agency fees, (v) all fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and of the independent public accountants of the Company, (vi) the fees and expenses of the Trustee and its counsel (vii) the reasonable fees and expenses, if any, of the Initial Purchasers in connection with the Exchange Offer, including the reasonable fees and expenses, if any, of not more than one counsel to the Initial Purchasers in connection therewith, which shall be Dewey Ballantine LLP, (viii) the reasonable fees and disbursements of not more than one counsel representing the Holders of Registrable Securities which shall be Dewey Ballantine LLP, unless another firm shall be chosen by the Majority Holders and identified to the Company and (ix) any fees and disbursements of the underwriters customarily required to be paid by issuers or sellers of securities, but excluding underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of Registrable Securities by a Holder.
"Registration Statement" means any registration statement of the Company which covers any of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, and all amendments and supplements to any such
Registration Statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all documents incorporated by reference therein.
"SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor agency or government body performing the functions currently performed by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Securities" has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
"Shelf Registration" means a registration effected pursuant to
Section 2.2 hereof.
"Shelf Registration Statement" means a "shelf" registration statement of the Company pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.2 of this Agreement which covers all of the Registrable Securities or all of the Private Exchange Securities on an appropriate form under Rule 415 under the 1933 Act, or any similar rule that may be adopted by the SEC, and all amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all material incorporated by reference therein.
"TIA" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended from time to time.
"Trustee" means the trustee with respect to the Securities under the Indenture.
2. Registration Under the 1933 Act.
2.1 Exchange Offer. The Company shall, for the benefit of the Holders, at the Company's cost,
(A) prepare and, as soon as reasonably practicable but not later than the 180th day after the Closing Date, file with the SEC an Exchange Offer Registration Statement on an appropriate form under the 1933 Act with respect to a proposed Exchange Offer and the issuance and delivery to the Holders, in exchange for the Registrable Securities (other than Private Exchange Securities), of a like principal amount of Exchange Securities,
(B) use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be declared effective under the 1933 Act on or prior to the 270th day after the Closing Date,
(C) to commence the Exchange Offer as promptly as reasonably practicable after the effective date of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement,
(D) use all commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement effective until the closing of the Exchange Offer, and
(E) use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Exchange Offer to be consummated not later than the 40th day after such effective date. It is the objective of the Exchange Offer to enable each Holder eligible and electing to exchange Registrable Securities for Exchange Securities (assuming that such Holder (a) is not an affiliate of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the 1933 Act, (b) is not a broker-dealer tendering Registrable Securities acquired directly from the Company for its own account, (c) acquired the Exchange Securities in the ordinary course of such Holder's business and (d) has no arrangements or understandings with any Person to participate in the Exchange Offer for the purpose of distributing the Exchange Securities) to transfer such Exchange Securities from and after their receipt without any limitations or restrictions under the 1933 Act or under state securities or blue sky laws.
In connection with the Exchange Offer, the Company shall:
(a) mail as promptly as reasonably practicable to each Holder a copy of the Prospectus forming part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, together with an appropriate letter of transmittal and related documents;
(b) keep the Exchange Offer open for acceptance for a period of not less than 30 calendar days after the date notice thereof is mailed to the Holders (or longer if required by applicable law) (such period referred to herein as the "Exchange Period");
(c) utilize the services of the Depositary for the Exchange Offer;
(d) permit Holders to withdraw tendered Registrable Securities at any time prior to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time), on the last business day of the Exchange Period, by sending to the institution specified in the notice, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of such Holder, the principal amount of Registrable Securities delivered for exchange, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing such Holder's election to have such Securities exchanged;
(e) notify each Holder that any Registrable Security not tendered will remain Outstanding and continue to accrue interest, but will not retain any rights under this Agreement (except in the case of the Initial Purchasers and Participating Broker-Dealers, as provided herein); and
(f) otherwise comply in all respects with all applicable laws relating to the Exchange Offer.
If, prior to consummation of the Exchange Offer, the Initial Purchasers hold any Securities acquired by them and having the status of an unsold allotment in the initial distribution, the Company upon the request of any Initial Purchaser shall, simultaneously with the delivery of the Exchange Securities in the Exchange Offer, issue and deliver to such Initial Purchaser in exchange (the "Private Exchange") for the Securities held by such Initial Purchaser, a like principal amount of debt securities (the "Private Exchange Securities") of the Company issued under the Indenture and identical (except that such securities shall bear appropriate transfer restrictions) to the Exchange Securities.
The Company shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to have the Private Exchange Securities bear the same CUSIP number as the Exchange Securities; provided, however, that the Company shall not have any liability under this Agreement solely as a result of the Private Exchange Securities not bearing the same CUSIP number as the Exchange Securities.
As soon as practicable after the consummation of the Exchange Offer and/or the Private Exchange, as the case may be, the Company shall:
(ii) accept for exchange all Registrable Securities duly tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and the letter of transmittal which shall be an exhibit thereto;
(iii) accept for exchange all Securities properly tendered pursuant to the Private Exchange;
(iv) deliver to the Trustee for cancellation all Registrable Securities so accepted for exchange; and
(v) cause the Trustee promptly to authenticate and deliver Exchange Securities or Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be, to each Holder of Registrable Securities so accepted for exchange in a principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Registrable Securities of such Holder so accepted for exchange.
Interest on each Exchange Security and Private Exchange Security will accrue from the last date on which interest was paid on the Registrable Securities surrendered in exchange therefor or, if no interest has been paid on the Registrable Securities, from the date as of which interest on such Registrable Securities commenced to accrue, all as provided in the Indenture. The Exchange Offer and the Private Exchange shall not be subject to any conditions, other than the following:
(i) the Exchange Offer or the Private Exchange, or the making of any exchange by a Holder, shall not be in violation of applicable law or any applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC,
(ii) the Registrable Securities to be exchanged shall have been duly tendered in accordance with the Exchange Offer and the Private Exchange,
(iii) each Holder of Registrable Securities to be exchanged in the Exchange Offer shall have represented that all Exchange Securities to be received by it shall be acquired in the ordinary course of its business and that at the time of the consummation of the Exchange Offer it shall have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the 1933 Act) of the Exchange Securities and shall have made such other representations as may be reasonably necessary under applicable SEC rules, regulations or interpretations to render the use of Form S-4 or other appropriate form under the 1933 Act available, and
(iv) no action or proceeding shall have been instituted or threatened in any court or by or before any governmental agency with respect to the Exchange Offer or the Private Exchange which, in the Company's judgment, would reasonably be expected to impair the ability of the Company to proceed with the Exchange Offer or the Private Exchange. The Company shall inform the Initial Purchasers of the names and addresses of the Holders to whom the Exchange Offer is made, and the Initial Purchasers shall have the right (but shall have no obligation hereunder) to contact such Holders and otherwise facilitate the tender of Registrable Securities in the Exchange Offer.
2.2 Shelf Registration. (i) If, because of any changes in law, SEC rules or regulations or applicable interpretations thereof by the staff of the SEC, the Company is not permitted to effect the Exchange Offer as contemplated by Section 2.1 hereof, (ii) if for any other reason the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not declared effective on or prior to the 270th day after the Closing Date or the Exchange Offer is not consummated on or prior to the 40th day after the effective date of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, or (iii) if any Holder is not permitted to participate in the Exchange Offer or does not receive fully tradeable Exchange Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer, then in case of each of clauses (i) through (iii) the Company shall, at its cost:
(a) File with the SEC, as promptly as reasonably practicable but no later than the 30th day after such filing obligation arises, a Shelf Registration Statement relating to the offer and sale of the Registrable Securities by the Holders from time to time in accordance with the methods of distribution elected by the Holders participating in the Shelf Registration and set forth in such Shelf Registration Statement, and shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective as promptly as reasonably practicable but no later than the 90th day after the filing thereof.
(b) Use all commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective in order to permit the Prospectus forming part thereof to be usable by Holders for a period of two years from the date the Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC, or for such shorter period as will terminate when all Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement have been sold pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement or cease to be Outstanding or otherwise to be Registrable Securities (the "Effectiveness Period"); provided, however, that the Effectiveness Period in respect of the Shelf Registration Statement shall be extended to the extent required to permit dealers to comply with the applicable prospectus delivery requirements of Rule 174 under the 1933 Act and as otherwise provided herein.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, use its best efforts to ensure that (i) any Shelf Registration Statement and any amendment thereto and any Prospectus forming part thereof and any supplement thereto complies in all material respects with the 1933 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, (ii) any Shelf Registration Statement and any amendment thereto does not, when it becomes effective, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading and (iii) any Prospectus forming part of any Shelf Registration Statement, and any supplement to such Prospectus (as amended or supplemented from time to time), does not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
The Company shall not permit any securities other than Registrable Securities to be included in the Shelf Registration Statement. The Company further agrees, if necessary, to supplement or amend the Shelf Registration Statement, as required by Section 3(b) below, and to furnish to the Holders of Registrable Securities copies of any such supplement or amendment promptly after its being used or filed with the SEC.
2.3 Expenses. The Company shall pay all Registration Expenses in connection with the registration pursuant to Section 2.1 or 2.2. Each Holder shall pay all underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of such Holder's Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement.
2.4 Effectiveness. (a) The Company will be deemed not to have used all commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be, to become, or to remain, effective during the requisite period if the Company voluntarily takes any action that would, or omits to take any action the omission of which would, result in any such Registration Statement not being declared effective or in the Holders of Registrable Securities covered thereby not being able to exchange or offer and sell such Registrable
Securities during that period as and to the extent contemplated hereby, unless such action is required or prohibited, as the case may be, by applicable law.
(b) An Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof or a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof will not be deemed to have become effective unless it has been declared effective by the SEC; provided, however, that if, after it has been declared effective, the offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement or a Shelf Registration Statement is interfered with by any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement of the SEC or any other governmental agency or court, such Registration Statement will be deemed not to have become effective during the period of such interference, until the offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement may legally resume.
2.5 Liquidated Damages. In the event that either (a) the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not filed with the SEC at or prior to the deadline therefor specified in Section 2.1, (b) the Exchange Offer Registration Statement has not been declared effective at or prior to the deadline therefor specified in Section 2.1, (c) the Exchange Offer is not consummated at or prior to the deadline therefor specified in Section 2.1, (d) the Shelf Registration Statement is not filed with the SEC at or prior to the deadline therefor specified in Section 2.2 or (e) the Shelf Registration Statement has not been declared effective at or prior to the deadline therefor specified in Section 2.2 (each such event referred to in clauses (a) through (e) above, a "Registration Default"), then the Company shall pay to each Holder of Registrable Securities affected thereby liquidated damages in an amount equal to $0.05 per $1,000 in principal amount of Registrable Securities held by such Holder for each week (or portion thereof) in the first 90-day period immediately following the occurrence of such Registration Default. The amount of such liquidated damages payable per week shall increase by $0.05 per $1,000 in principal amount of such Registrable Securities with respect to each subsequent 90-day period until all Registration Defaults have been cured, up to a maximum amount of liquidated damages of $0.50 per week per $1,000 in principal amount of Registrable Securities; provided that the Company shall in no event be required to pay liquidated damages for more than one Registration Default at any given time. Following the cure of all Registration Defaults liquidated damages will cease to accrue.
If the Shelf Registration Statement is unusable by the Holders for any reason (other than by reason of a prohibition, condition or other requirement (not relating to information contained therein or omitted therefrom) not in effect at the date hereof imposed by any statute or governmental regulation), and the aggregate number of days in any consecutive twelve-month period for which the Shelf Registration Statement shall not be usable exceeds 30 days in the aggregate, then the Company shall pay to each Holder of Registrable Securities affected thereby liquidated damages in an amount equal to $0.05 per $1,000 in principal amount of Registrable Securities held by such Holder for each week (or portion thereof) in the first 90-day period beginning on the 31st day on which the Shelf Registration Statement ceases to be usable. The amount of such liquidated damages shall increase by $0.05 per $1,000 in principal amount of such Registrable Securities with respect to each subsequent 90-day period in which the Shelf
Registration Statement is not usable, up to a maximum amount of liquidated damages of $0.50 per week per $1,000 in principal amount of Registrable Securities. Upon the Shelf Registration Statement once again becoming usable, liquidated damages will cease to accrue.
Liquidated damages shall be computed based on the actual number of days elapsed in each 90-day period in which a Registration Default is continuing or in which the Shelf Registration Statement is unusable, as the case may be.
All accrued liquidated damages shall be paid to the Holders entitled thereto, in the manner provided in the Indenture for the payment of interest, on each interest payment date, as more fully set forth in the Indenture and the Securities. Notwithstanding the fact that any Securities in respect of which liquidated damages are due cease to be Registrable Securities, all obligations of the Company to pay such liquidated damages shall survive until such time as such obligations in respect of such Securities shall have been satisfied in full.
3. Registration Procedures.
In connection with the obligations of the Company with respect to Registration Statements pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.2 hereof, the Company shall:
(a) prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement,
within the relevant time period specified in Section 2, on the appropriate
form under the 1933 Act, which form (i) shall be selected by the Company,
(ii) shall, in the case of a Shelf Registration, be available for the sale
of the Registrable Securities by the selling Holders thereof and, (iii)
shall comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of
the 1933 Act and TIA, and the rules and regulation of the SEC thereunder,
and use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration
Statement to become effective and remain effective in accordance with
Section 2 hereof;
(b) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective amendments to each Registration Statement as may be necessary under applicable law to keep such Registration Statement effective for the applicable period; and cause each Prospectus to be supplemented by any required prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the 1933 Act and comply with the provisions of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to them with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by each Registration Statement during the applicable period in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution by the selling Holders thereof (including sales by any Participating Broker-Dealer);
(c) in the case of a Shelf Registration, (i) notify each Holder of Registrable Securities, at least five business days prior to filing, that a Shelf Registration Statement with respect to the Registrable Securities is being filed and advise such Holders that the distribution of Registrable Securities will be made in
accordance with the methods selected by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Registrable Securities the Holders of which are participating in such Shelf Registration, (ii) furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities and to each underwriter of an underwritten offering of Registrable Securities, if any, without charge, as many copies of each Prospectus, including each preliminary Prospectus, and any amendment or supplement thereto and such other documents as such Holder or underwriter may reasonably request, and, if the Holder so requests, all exhibits in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities and (iii) be deemed to have consented to the use of the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders of Registrable Securities in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto;
(d) use all commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the Registrable Securities under all applicable state securities or "blue sky" laws of such jurisdictions as any Holder of Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement and each underwriter of an underwritten offering of Registrable Securities shall reasonably request by the time the applicable Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC, and do any and all other acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable each such Holder and such underwriter to consummate the disposition in each such jurisdiction of such Registrable Securities owned by such Holder; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to (i) qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 3(d) or (ii) take any action which would subject it to general service of process or taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject;
(e) notify promptly each Holder of Registrable Securities under a Shelf Registration or any Participating Broker-Dealer who has notified the Company that it is utilizing the Exchange Offer Registration Statement as provided in paragraph (f) below and, if requested in writing by such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer, confirm such advice in writing promptly (i) when a Registration Statement has become effective and when any post-effective amendments thereto become effective and any supplements thereto are filed, (ii) of any request by the SEC or any state securities authority for post-effective amendments to a Registration Statement and supplements to a Prospectus or for additional information after the Registration Statement has become effective, (iii) of the issuance by the SEC or any state securities authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, (iv) in the case of a Shelf Registration, if, between the effective date of a Registration Statement and the closing of any sale of Registrable Securities covered thereby, the representations and warranties of the Company contained in any underwriting agreement, securities sales agreement or other similar agreement, if any, relating to the offering cease to be true and correct in all material respects, (v) of the happening of any event or the discovery of any
facts during any period in which a Registration Statement is effective which makes any statement made in such Registration Statement or the related Prospectus untrue in any material respect or which requires the making of any change in such Registration Statement or Prospectus in order to make the statements therein not misleading, (vi) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Registrable Securities or the Exchange Securities, as the case may be, for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose and (vii) of any determination by the Company that a post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement would be appropriate;
(f) (A) in the case of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement, (i) include in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement a
section entitled "Plan of Distribution" which section shall be reasonably
acceptable to the Representatives, on behalf of the Participating
Broker-Dealers, and which shall contain a summary statement of the
positions taken or policies made by the staff of the SEC with respect to
the potential "underwriter" status of any broker-dealer that holds
Registrable Securities acquired for its own account as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities and that will be the
beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of
Exchange Securities to be received by such broker-dealer in the Exchange
Offer, whether such positions or policies have been publicly disseminated
by the staff of the SEC or such positions or policies, in the reasonable
judgment of the Representatives on behalf of the Participating
Broker-Dealers and its counsel, represent the prevailing views of the
staff of the SEC, including a statement that any such broker-dealer who
receives Exchange Securities for Registrable Securities pursuant to the
Exchange Offer may be deemed a statutory underwriter and must deliver a
prospectus meeting the requirements of the 1933 Act in connection with any
resale of such Exchange Securities, (ii) furnish to each Participating
Broker-Dealer who has delivered to the Company the written notice referred
to in Section 3(e), without charge, as many copies of each Prospectus
included in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, including any
preliminary prospectus, and any amendment or supplement thereto, as such
Participating Broker-Dealer may reasonably request, (iii) be deemed to
have consented to the use of the Prospectus forming part of the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto, by
any Person subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the SEC,
including all Participating Broker-Dealers, in connection with the sale or
transfer of the Exchange Securities covered by the Prospectus or any
amendment or supplement thereto and to have agreed to keep the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement effective during the period of such use (up
to a maximum of 180 days after the consummation of the Exchange Offer) and
(iv) include in the transmittal letter or functionally equivalent
documentation to be executed by or on behalf of an exchange offeree in
order to participate in the Exchange Offer (x) a statement to the
following effect:
"If the exchange offeree is a broker-dealer holding Registrable Securities acquired for its own account as a
result of market-making activities or other trading activities, it will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the 1933 Act in connection with any resale of Exchange Securities received in respect of such Registrable Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer." and
(y) a statement to the effect that by a broker-dealer making the acknowledgment described in clause (x) and by delivering a Prospectus in connection with the exchange of Registrable Securities, the broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an underwriter within the meaning of the 1933 Act; and
(B) in the case of any Exchange Offer Registration Statement and solely upon the written request of the Representatives, deliver to the Initial Purchasers on behalf of the Participating Broker-Dealers, prior to the commencement of the Exchange Offer (i) an opinion of counsel or opinions of counsel substantially to the effect set forth in Exhibit A, (ii) officers' certificates substantially in the form customarily delivered in a public offering of debt securities and (iii) a comfort letter or comfort letters in customary form to the extent permitted by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 72 of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (or if such a comfort letter is not permitted, an agreed upon procedures letter in customary form) from the Company's independent certified public accountants (and, if necessary, any other independent certified public accountants of any subsidiary of the Company or of any business acquired by the Company for which financial statements are, or are required to be, included in the Registration Statement) at least as broad in scope and coverage as the comfort letter or comfort letters delivered to the Initial Purchasers in connection with the initial sale of the Securities to the Initial Purchasers;
(g) (i) in the case of an Exchange Offer, furnish counsel for the Initial Purchasers and (ii) in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish counsel for the Holders of Registrable Securities copies of any comment letters received from the SEC or any other request by the SEC or any state securities authority for amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement and Prospectus or for additional information;
(h) make all commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement at the earliest possible moment;
(i) in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities, and each underwriter, if any, without charge, at least one conformed copy of each Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, including financial statements and schedules (without documents incorporated therein by reference and all exhibits thereto, unless requested);
(j) in the case of a Shelf Registration, cooperate with the selling Holders of Registrable Securities to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive legends; and enable such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations (consistent with the provisions of the Indenture) and registered in such names as the selling Holders or the underwriters, if any, may reasonably request at least five business days prior to the closing of any sale of Registrable Securities;
(k) upon the occurrence of any event or the discovery of any facts, each as contemplated by Sections 3(e)(v) and 3(e)(vi) hereof, as promptly as practicable after the occurrence of such an event, use all commercially reasonable efforts to prepare a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement, a supplement to the related Prospectus or an amendment to any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Securities or Participating Broker-Dealers, the Prospectus will not contain at the time of such delivery any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. At such time as such public disclosure is otherwise made or the Company determines that such disclosure is not necessary, in each case to correct any misstatement of a material fact or to include any omitted material fact, the Company agrees promptly to notify each Holder of such determination and to furnish each Holder such number of copies of the Prospectus as amended or supplemented, as such Holder may reasonably request;
(l) in the case of a Shelf Registration, a reasonable time prior to the filing of any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, any amendment to a Registration Statement or amendment or supplement to a Prospectus (excluding, in any case, any document which is to be incorporated by reference into a Registration Statement or a Prospectus after the initial filing of a Registration Statement), provide copies of such document to the Holders participating in such Shelf Registration and make such representatives of the Company as shall be reasonably requested by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Registrable Securities the Holders of which are participating in such Shelf Registration, available for discussion of such document;
(m) obtain a CUSIP number for all Exchange Securities, Private Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities, as the case may be, not later than the effective date of a Registration Statement, and provide the Trustee with printed certificates for the Exchange Securities, Private Exchange Securities or the Registrable Securities, as the case may be, in a form eligible for deposit with the Depositary;
(n) (i) use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Indenture to be qualified under the TIA in connection with the registration of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities, as the case may be, (ii) cooperate
with the Trustee and the Holders to effect such changes to the Indenture as may be required for the Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of the TIA and (iii) execute, and use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Trustee to execute, all documents which may be required to effect such changes, and all other forms and documents required to be filed with the SEC to enable the Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner;
(o) in the case of a Shelf Registration and at the request of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Registrable Securities the Holders of which are participating in such Shelf Registration, enter into agreements (including underwriting agreements) and take all other customary and appropriate actions in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities and in such connection whether or not an underwriting agreement is entered into and whether or not the registration is an underwritten registration:
(i) make such representations and warranties to such Holders and the underwriters, if any, in form, substance and scope as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in similar underwritten offerings as may be reasonably requested by them;
(ii) obtain opinions of counsel to the Company and updates thereof (which counsel and opinions (in form, scope and substance) shall be reasonably satisfactory to the managing underwriters, if any, and the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Registrable Securities being sold) addressed to each selling Holder and the underwriters, if any, covering the matters customarily covered in opinions requested in sales of securities or underwritten offerings and such other matters as may be reasonably requested by such Holders and underwriters;
(iii) obtain "cold comfort" letters and updates thereof from the Company's independent certified public accountants (and, if necessary, any other independent certified public accountants of any subsidiary of the Company or of any business acquired by the Company for which financial statements are, or are required to be, included in the Registration Statement) addressed to the underwriters, if any, and use reasonable efforts to have such letter addressed to the selling Holders of Registrable Securities (to the extent consistent with Statement on Auditing Standards No. 72 of the American Institute of Certified Public Accounts), such letters to be in customary form and covering matters of the type customarily covered in "cold comfort" letters to underwriters in connection with similar underwritten offerings;
(iv) enter into a securities sales agreement with the Holders and an agent of the Holders providing for, among other things, the appointment of such agent for the selling Holders for the purpose of
soliciting purchases of Registrable Securities, which agreement shall be in form, substance and scope customary for similar offerings;
(v) if an underwriting agreement is entered into, cause the same to set forth indemnification provisions and procedures substantially equivalent to the indemnification provisions and procedures set forth in Section 4 hereof with respect to the underwriters and all other parties to be indemnified pursuant to said Section or, at the request of any underwriters, in the form customarily provided to such underwriters in similar types of transactions; and
(vi) deliver such documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested and as are customarily delivered in similar offerings to the Holders of the Registrable Securities being sold and the managing underwriters, if any.
The above shall be done at (i) the effectiveness of such Registration Statement (and each post-effective amendment thereto) and (ii) each closing under any underwriting or similar agreement as and to the extent required thereunder;
(p) in the case of a Shelf Registration or if a Prospectus is required to be delivered by any Participating Broker-Dealer in the case of an Exchange Offer, make available for inspection by representatives of the Holders of the Registrable Securities, any underwriters participating in any disposition pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement, any Participating Broker-Dealer and any counsel or accountant retained by any of the foregoing, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company reasonably requested by any such persons, and cause the respective officers, directors, employees, and any other agents of the Company to supply all information reasonably requested by any such representative, underwriter, special counsel or accountant in connection with a Registration Statement, and make such representatives of the Company available for discussion of such documents as shall be reasonably requested by the Initial Purchasers;
(q) (i) in the case of an Exchange Offer Registration Statement and upon the written request of the Representatives, a reasonable time prior to the filing of any Exchange Offer Registration Statement, any Prospectus forming a part thereof, any amendment to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement or amendment or supplement to such Prospectus, provide copies of such document to the Representatives and/or counsel to the Initial Purchasers and make such changes in any such document prior to the filing thereof as the Representatives or such counsel may reasonably request and, except as otherwise required by applicable law, not file any such document in a form to which the Representatives or counsel to the Initial Purchasers shall not have previously been advised and furnished a copy of or to which the Representatives or such counsel shall reasonably object, and make the representatives of the Company available for
discussion of such documents as shall be reasonably requested by the Representatives; and
(ii) in the case of a Shelf Registration, a reasonable time prior to filing any Shelf Registration Statement, any Prospectus forming a part thereof, any amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement or amendment or supplement to such Prospectus, provide copies of such document to the Holders of Registrable Securities, to counsel for such Holders and to the underwriter or underwriters of an underwritten offering of Registrable Securities, if any, and, upon the written request of the Representatives, to the Representatives and/or counsel to the Initial Purchasers, make such changes in any such document prior to the filing thereof as the Initial Purchasers, counsel to the Holders of Registrable Securities or the underwriter or underwriters shall reasonably request and not file any such document in a form to which the Representatives, the Majority Holders, counsel for the Holders of Registrable Securities or any underwriter shall not have previously been advised and furnished a copy of or to which the Representatives, the Majority Holders, counsel to the Holders of Registrable Securities or any underwriter shall reasonably object, and make the representatives of the Company available for discussion of such document as shall be reasonably requested by the Representatives, the Majority Holders, counsel for the Holders of Registrable Securities or any underwriter;
(r) in the case of a Shelf Registration, use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause all Registrable Securities to be listed on any securities exchange on which similar debt securities issued by the Company are then listed if requested by the Majority Holders, or if requested by the underwriter or underwriters of an underwritten offering of Registrable Securities, if any;
(s) in the case of a Shelf Registration, use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registrable Securities to be rated by the appropriate rating agencies, if so requested by the Majority Holders, or if requested by the underwriter or underwriters of an underwritten offering of Registrable Securities, if any;
(t) otherwise comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earning statement covering at least 12 months which shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the 1933 Act and Rule 158 thereunder; and
(u) cooperate and assist in any filings required to be made with the NASD and, in the case of a Shelf Registration, in the performance of any due diligence investigation by any underwriter and its counsel (including any "qualified independent underwriter" that is required to be retained in accordance with the rules and regulations of the NASD).
Each Holder will be deemed to have agreed that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event or the discovery of any facts,
each of the kind described in Section 3(e)(v) or 3(e)(vi) (in the event that such notice pursuant to 3(e)(vi) relates to the jurisdiction in which such Holder plans to dispose of Registrable Securities) hereof, such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement until such Holder's receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 3(k) hereof, and, if so directed by the Company, such Holder will deliver to the Company (at its expense) all copies in such Holder's possession, other than permanent file copies then in such Holder's possession, of the Prospectus covering such Registrable Securities current at the time of receipt of such notice.
In the event that the Company fails to effect the Exchange Offer or
file any Shelf Registration Statement and maintain the effectiveness of any
Shelf Registration Statement as provided herein (other than by reason of a
prohibition, condition or other requirement not in effect at the date hereof
imposed by any statute or governmental regulation), the Company shall not file
any Registration Statement with respect to any securities (within the meaning of
Section 2(1) of the 1933 Act) of the Company other than Registrable Securities.
If any of the Registrable Securities covered by any Shelf Registration Statement are to be sold in an underwritten offering, the underwriter or underwriters and manager or managers that will manage such offering will be selected by the Majority Holders of such Registrable Securities included in such offering and shall be reasonably acceptable to the Company. No Holder of Registrable Securities may participate in any underwritten registration hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder's Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.
In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Company may require each Holder of Registrable Securities to furnish to the Company, and update, such information regarding such Holder and the proposed distribution by such Holder as the Company may from time to time reasonably request. Such information may include such Holder's name and address and any relationships between such Holder and the Company, any of the Initial Purchasers or any underwriter proposing to participate in such proposed distribution. In order to obtain such information, the Company shall, at least fifteen business days prior to the filing of such Shelf Registration Statement, commence commercially reasonable efforts, in cooperation with the Depositary and the Initial Purchasers, (a) to inform the Holders of Registrable Securities that a Shelf Registration Statement is being filed and (b) to specify the information regarding such Holders which the Company requires in connection with the preparation thereof.
Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, any Holder of Registrable Securities which shall not have timely furnished to the Company the information so requested with respect to any Shelf Registration Statement:
(a) shall not be entitled to have the Registrable Securities held by it covered by such Shelf Registration Statement or to receive copies of such Shelf Registration Statement or the Prospectus relating thereto;
(b) shall not be entitled to any liquidated damages contemplated in clause (d) or (e) of the first sentence in the first paragraph, or in the second paragraph, of Section 2.5 hereof;
(c) shall not be entitled to receive any notices from the Company as provided in this Section 3 or elsewhere in this Agreement; and
(d) shall not otherwise be deemed a Holder of Registrable Securities for purposes of this Agreement with respect to such Shelf Registration Statement.
All Holders of Registrable Securities, by their payment for and acceptance of such Securities, shall be deemed to have consented and agreed to the terms and provisions of this Agreement including, without limitation, the terms and provisions of this Section 3.
4. Indemnification; Contribution.
(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Initial
Purchasers, each Holder, each Participating Broker-Dealer, each Person who
participates as an underwriter (any such Person being an "Underwriter") and each
Person, if any, who controls any Holder or Underwriter within the meaning of
Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act as follows:
(i) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement (or any amendment or supplement thereto) pursuant to which Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities were registered under the 1933 Act, including all documents incorporated therein by reference, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
(ii) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or
any such alleged untrue statement or omission; provided that (subject to Section 4(d) below) any such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Company; and
(iii) against any and all expense whatsoever (including the fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by any indemnified party), as incurred, which is reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission, to the extent that any such expense is not paid under subparagraph (i) or (ii) above;
provided, however, that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Holder or Underwriter expressly for use in a Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or any Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto); and provided, further, that this indemnity agreement shall not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter or any person who controls such Underwriter on account of any such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense arising out of any such defect or alleged defect in any preliminary prospectus if a copy of the Prospectus (exclusive of the documents incorporated by reference therein) shall not have been given or sent by such Underwriter with or prior to the written confirmation of the sale involved to the extent that (i) the Prospectus would have cured such defect or alleged defect and (ii) sufficient quantities of the Prospectus were timely made available to such Underwriter.
(b) Each Holder severally, but not jointly, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Initial Purchasers, each Underwriter and the other selling Holders, and each of their respective directors and officers, and each Person, if any, who controls the Company, the Initial Purchasers, any Underwriter or any other selling Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act, against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the indemnity contained in Section 4(a) hereof, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the Shelf Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or any Prospectus included therein (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with written information with respect to such Holder furnished to the Company by such Holder expressly for use in the Shelf Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or such Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto); provided, however, that no such Holder shall be liable for any claims hereunder in excess of the amount of net proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement.
(c) Each indemnified party shall give notice as promptly as reasonably practicable to each indemnifying party of any action or proceeding commenced against it
in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, but failure so to notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability hereunder to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a result thereof and in any event shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have otherwise than on account of this indemnity agreement. An indemnifying party may participate at its own expense in the defense of such action; provided, however, that counsel to the indemnifying party shall not (except with the consent of the indemnified party) also be counsel to the indemnified party. In no event shall the indemnifying party or parties be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) separate from their own counsel for all indemnified parties in connection with any one action or separate but similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever in respect of which indemnification or contribution could be sought under this Section 4 (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.
(d) If at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel, such indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of the nature contemplated by Section 4(a)(ii) effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 45 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request, (ii) such indemnifying party shall have received notice of the terms of such settlement at least 30 days prior to such settlement being entered into and (iii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed such indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement.
(e) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 4 is for any reason unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by such indemnified party, as incurred, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Holders and the Initial Purchasers on the other hand in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.
The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Holders and the Initial Purchasers on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company, the Holders or the Initial Purchasers and the parties' relative intent,
knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
The Company, the Holders and the Initial Purchasers agree that it
would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 4 were
determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Initial Purchasers were treated
as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does
not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this
Section 4. The aggregate amount of losses, liabilities, claims, damages and
expenses incurred by an indemnified party and referred to above in this Section
4 shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by
such indemnified party in investigating, preparing or defending against any
litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or
body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such
untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 4, no Initial Purchaser shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Securities sold by it were offered exceeds the amount of any damages which such Initial Purchaser has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.
No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
For purposes of this Section 4, each Person, if any, who controls an
Initial Purchaser or Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or
Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such
Initial Purchaser or Holder, and each director of the Company, and each Person,
if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933
Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as
the Company. The Initial Purchasers' respective obligations to contribute
pursuant to this Section 7 are several in proportion to the principal amount of
Securities set forth opposite their respective names in Schedule A to the
Purchase Agreement and not joint.
5. Miscellaneous.
5.1 Rule 144 and Rule 144A. So long as the Company is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15 of the 1934 Act, the Company covenants that it will file the reports required to be filed by it under the 1933 Act and Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations adopted by the SEC thereunder. If the Company ceases to be so required to file such reports, the Company covenants that it will upon the request of any Holder of Registrable Securities (a) make publicly available such information as is necessary to permit sales pursuant to Rule 144 under the 1933 Act, (b) deliver such information to a prospective purchaser as is necessary to permit sales pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act and it will take such further action as any Holder of Registrable Securities may reasonably request, and (c) take such further action
that is reasonable in the circumstances, in each case, to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell its Registrable Securities without registration under the 1933 Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by (i) Rule 144 under the 1933 Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, (ii) Rule 144A under the 1933 Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or (iii) any similar rules or regulations hereafter adopted by the SEC. Upon the request of any Holder of Registrable Securities, the Company will deliver to such Holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with such requirements.
5.2 No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company has not entered into and the Company will not after the date of this Agreement enter into any agreement which is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. The rights granted to the Holders hereunder do not and will not for the term of this Agreement in any way conflict with the rights granted to the holders of the Company's other issued and outstanding securities under any such agreements.
5.3 Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given unless the Company has obtained the written consent of Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Registrable Securities affected by such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or departure.
5.4 Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand delivery, registered
first-class mail, telex, telecopier, or any courier guaranteeing overnight
delivery (a) if to a Holder, at the most current address given by such Holder to
the Company by means of a notice given in accordance with the provisions of this
Section 5.4, which address initially is the address set forth in the Purchase
Agreement with respect to the Initial Purchasers; and (b) if to the Company,
initially at the Company's address set forth in the Purchase Agreement, and
thereafter at such other address of which notice is given in accordance with the
provisions of this Section 5.4.
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; two business days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when answered back, if telexed; when receipt is acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next business day if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery.
Copies of all such notices, demands, or other communications shall be concurrently delivered by the person giving the same to the Trustee under the Indenture, at the address specified in such Indenture.
5.5 Successor and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors, assigns and transferees of each of the parties, including, without limitation and without the need for an express assignment, subsequent
Holders; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be deemed to permit any assignment, transfer or other disposition of Registrable Securities in violation of the terms of the Purchase Agreement or the Indenture. If any transferee of any Holder shall acquire Registrable Securities, in any manner, whether by operation of law or otherwise, such Registrable Securities shall be held subject to all of the terms of this Agreement, and by taking and holding such Registrable Securities such person shall be conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to perform all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement, including the restrictions on resale set forth in this Agreement and, if applicable, the Purchase Agreement, and such person shall be entitled to receive the benefits hereof.
5.6 Third Party Beneficiaries. The Initial Purchasers (even if the Initial Purchasers are not Holders of Registrable Securities) shall be third party beneficiaries to the agreements made hereunder between the Company, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, and shall have the right to enforce such agreements directly to the extent they deem such enforcement necessary or advisable to protect their rights or the rights of Holders hereunder. Each Holder of Registrable Securities shall be a third party beneficiary to the agreements made hereunder between the Company, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, and shall have the right to enforce such agreements directly to the extent it deems such enforcement necessary or advisable to protect its rights hereunder.
5.7 Specific Enforcement. Without limiting the remedies available to the Initial Purchasers and the Holders, the Company acknowledges that any failure by the Company to comply with its obligations under Sections 2.1 through 2.4 hereof may result in material irreparable injury to the Initial Purchasers or the Holders for which there is no adequate remedy at law, that it would not be possible to measure damages for such injuries precisely and that, in the event of any such failure, the Initial Purchasers or any Holder may obtain such relief as may be required to specifically enforce the Company's obligations under Sections 2.1 through 2.4 hereof.
5.8 Restriction on Resales. Until the expiration of two years after the Closing Date, the Company will not, and will cause its "affiliates" (as such term is defined in Rule 144(a)(1) under the 1933 Act) not to, resell any Securities which are "restricted securities" (as such term is defined under Rule 144(a)(3) under the 1933 Act) that have been reacquired by any of them and shall immediately upon any purchase of any such Securities submit such Securities to the Trustee for cancellation.
5.9 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
5.10 Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
5.11 GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO THE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICT OF LAWS THEREOF.
5.12 Severability. In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
SIERRA PACIFIC POWER COMPANY
By:_____________________________
Name:
Title:
Confirmed and accepted as of
the date first above written:
CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.
UBS SECURITIES LLC
By: CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.
By: ______________________________
Name:
Title:
For themselves and as Representatives of the Initial Purchasers
Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement
Exhibit A
CONTENTS OF OPINION OF COUNSEL
1. The Exchange Offer Registration Statement and the Prospectus (other than the financial statements, notes or schedules thereto and other financial data and supplemental schedules included or incorporated by reference therein or omitted therefrom and the Form T-1, as to which such counsel need express no opinion), comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the applicable rules and regulations promulgated under the 1933 Act.
2. Nothing has come to our attention that would lead us to believe that the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (except for financial statements and schedules and other financial data included therein as to which we make no statement), when it became effective, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or that the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented (except for financial statements and schedules and other financial data included therein, as to which such counsel need make no statement), at the date of such opinion includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
EXhibit 10.1
EXECUTION COPY
AMENDMENT AND CONSENT
THIS AMENDMENT AND CONSENT (this "Agreement") is made and entered into as of this 19th day of April, 2006, with an effective date as set forth in Section 4 hereof, by and among NEVADA POWER COMPANY, a Nevada corporation (the "Borrower"), the lenders party to the Credit Agreement referred to below (the "Lenders") and WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, as administrative agent (the "Administrative Agent") for the Lenders.
Statement of Purpose
The Lenders agreed to extend certain credit facilities to the Borrower pursuant to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 4, 2005 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, the "Credit Agreement") by and among the Borrower, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent.
The Borrower has requested that: (a) each of the Lenders agree to amend the Credit Agreement as more particularly described below and (b) each of the Lenders consent to and agree to provide a portion of an increase in the Commitments pursuant to Section 2.5 of the Credit Agreement in an aggregate principal amount of $100,000,000. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders party hereto agree to the requested amendments, consents and agreements referred to in this paragraph.
NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
SECTION 1. Definitions. All capitalized, undefined terms used in this Agreement shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement.
SECTION 2. Amendments to Credit Agreement. The definition of each of the following terms which are set forth in Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby restated in its entirety as follows:
"Consolidated Cash Flow" means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of the following:
(a) Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period plus:
(b) provision for taxes based on income or profits of such Person and its Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such provision for taxes was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus
(c) Consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued and whether or not capitalized (including, without limitation, amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, imputed interest with respect to Attributable Debt, commissions,
discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers' acceptance financings, and net of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to Hedging Obligations and without regard to any reduction of allowance for borrowed funds used during construction), to the extent that any such expense was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus
(d) depreciation, amortization (including amortization of goodwill and other intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period) and other non-cash expenses (excluding any such non-cash expense to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenses in any future period of such Person and its Subsidiaries) for such period to the extent that such depreciation, amortization and other noncash expenses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus
(e) all extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring items of loss or expense (including, without limitation, in connection with an Asset Sale), to the extent that any such loss or expense was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; minus
(f) all extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring items of gain or revenue (including, without limitation, in connection with an Asset Sale), to the extent that any such gain or revenue was included in computing such Consolidated Net Income; minus
(g) non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net Income for such period, excluding allowance for funds used during construction and the accrual of revenue in the ordinary course of business; plus
(h) deferral of energy costs-net (as reflected on the most recent consolidated statement of income of the Borrower); minus
(i) interest accrued on deferred energy (as reflected on the most recent consolidated statement of income of the Borrower);
in each case, on a Consolidated basis and determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that non-cash expenses (other than any non-cash expenses referred to above) recorded as a result of deferred energy accounting will not be added to Consolidated Net Income.
"Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio" means, for any period, the ratio of
(i) Consolidated Cash Flow of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period
to (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense for such period.
"Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:
(a) the Consolidated interest expense of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued, including, without limitation, amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, imputed interest with respect to Attributable Debt, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers' acceptance financings, and net of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to Hedging Obligations; plus
(b) the Consolidated interest of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period (it being understood that Consolidated Interest Expense shall be calculated without regard to any reduction attributable to any allowance for borrowed funds used during construction); plus
(c) any interest expense on Indebtedness of another Person that is Guaranteed by the Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of the Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries, whether or not such Guarantee or Lien is called upon.
"Fixed Charges" means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:
(a) the Consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued, including, without limitation, amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, imputed interest with respect to Attributable Debt, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers' acceptance financings, and net of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to Hedging Obligations; plus
(b) the Consolidated interest of such Person and its Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period (it being understood that the Consolidated interest expense shall be calculated without regard to any reduction attributable to any allowance for borrowed funds used during construction); plus
(c) any interest expense on Indebtedness of another Person that is Guaranteed by such Person or one of its Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its Subsidiaries, whether or not such Guarantee or Lien is called upon; plus
(d) the product of (i) all dividends, whether paid or accrued and whether or not in cash, on any series of preferred stock of such Person or any of its Subsidiaries, other than dividends on Equity Interests payable solely in Equity Interests of the Borrower (other than Disqualified Stock) or to the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower, times (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the then current combined federal, state and local statutory tax rate of such Person, expressed as a decimal, in each case, on a Consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP; plus
(e) all distributions by a Trust Preferred Vehicle to Persons other than the Borrower of amounts received as interest by such trust on the Subordinated Debt of the Borrower held by such trust.
SECTION 3. Consent and Agreement of Lenders.
(a) Subject to Section 2.5 of the Credit Agreement and this Agreement, the Borrower hereby requests an increase in the aggregate principal amount of Commitments under the Credit
Agreement from $500,000,000 to $600,000,000 (the "Commitment Increase"). In connection with such increase, the Lenders party hereto (i) consent to the Commitment Increase notwithstanding the requirement to provide thirty (30) days prior written notice of such increase pursuant to Section 2.5 of the Credit Agreement and (ii) together with each New Lender (as defined below), commit to provide such Lender's or New Lender's respective Percentage of such Commitment Increase as set forth in the Register (after giving effect to the modifications or adjustments to the Register contemplated by this Agreement).
(b) The Percentage, Commitments and outstanding balances of Extensions of Credit of each Lender (including each New Lender) under the Credit Agreement shall be set forth on the Register. From and after the Consent Effective Date (as defined below), the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of the Extensions of Credit (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to the Lenders, including the New Lenders, pursuant to their respective Percentages set forth in the Register. Furthermore, the Administrative Agent shall make such modifications and adjustments to the Register such that the outstanding Extensions of Credit of each Lender reflect such Lender's Percentage after giving effect to the Commitment Increase. The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, in the absence of manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may treat each person whose name is recorded in the Register as a Lender for all purposes of the Credit Agreement. The entries in the Register applicable to any Lender shall be available for inspection by the Borrower or such Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice to the Administrative Agent.
(c) A portion of the Commitment Increase may be provided by third party financial institutions not currently Lenders under the Credit Agreement but which nevertheless satisfy the criteria to be an Eligible Assignee thereunder (such third party institutions, the "New Lenders"). By its execution hereof, each New Lender represents, and each existing Lender confirms, to the Administrative Agent that (i) it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and investigation into the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Borrower and made its own decision to make its Extensions of Credit under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which Lenders are a party and (ii) it has the right, power and authority and has taken all necessary corporate and company action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and each other document executed in connection herewith to which it is a party in accordance with their respective terms.
(d) Each New Lender further (i) confirms that it is an Eligible Assignee;
(ii) appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such action as
agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under the Credit Agreement and
the other Loan Documents to which it is a party as are delegated to the
Administrative Agent by the terms thereof, together with such powers as are
reasonably incidental thereto; and (iii) agrees that it will perform in
accordance with their terms all the obligations which by the terms of the Credit
Agreement and the other Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a
Lender.
(e) Upon the request of any Lender, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender a new Promissory Note, substantially in the form of the existing Promissory Note, reflecting such Lender's Commitment after giving effect to the Commitment Increase.
SECTION 4. Effectiveness.
(a) The amendments set forth in Section 2 of this Agreement shall be deemed to be effective as of December 30, 2005 upon the Administrative Agent's receipt of this Agreement executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and the Required Lenders under the Credit Agreement.
(b) The consents and agreements set forth in Section 3 of this Agreement shall be deemed to be effective on the date hereof (the "Consent Effective Date") upon the satisfaction of each of the following conditions:
(i) Transaction Documents. The Administrative Agent shall have received (A) this Agreement, executed and delivered by each of the Persons identified in clause (a) above and a duly authorized officer of each Lender committing to provide a portion of the Commitment Increase (including each New Lender), (B) a General and Refunding Mortgage Bond in a principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the increase in the Commitments under the Credit Agreement (the "Additional General and Refunding Mortgage Bond"), duly issued and delivered by a duly authorized officer of the Borrower and duly authenticated by the trustee under the General and Refunding Mortgage Indenture, (C) Promissory Notes (if requested by any Lender pursuant to Section 3(e) of this Agreement), duly executed by the Borrower and (D) any other Loan Documents requested by the Administrative Agent, each of which shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent.
(ii) Closing Certificates. The Administrative Agent shall have received each of the following in form and substance reasonably satisfactory thereto:
(A) Officer's Compliance Certificate from the Borrower. Certificates of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower dated as of the date hereof in form and substance substantially similar to the certificate delivered under Section 8.1(b)(i) of the Credit Agreement demonstrating pro forma compliance with each of the covenants contained in Section 8.3 of the Credit Agreement after giving effect to Extensions of Credit (if any) made on the date hereof;
(B) Certificate of Secretary of the Borrower. A certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower (1) certifying as to the incumbency and genuineness of the signature of each officer of the Borrower executing the documents required pursuant to this Section 4 to which the Borrower is a party; (2) containing a representation that the articles of incorporation, bylaws and Officer's Certificate of the Borrower delivered on the Closing Date of the Credit Agreement remain unchanged as of the Consent Effective Date (or attaching any amendments thereto), (3) attaching resolutions duly adopted by the governing body of the
Borrower authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Additional General and Refunding Mortgage Bond and any Promissory Note executed and delivered pursuant to Section 3 above and approving the transactions contemplated hereby; (4) attaching a certificate as of a recent date of the good standing of the Borrower from its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization and (5) attaching copies of the order of the PUCN authorizing the execution and delivery by the Borrower of this Agreement and the agreements and transactions contemplated hereby, which orders have not been rescinded and remain in full force and effect on the date hereof.
(iii) General and Refunding Mortgage Bond Documents. The Administrative Agent shall have received copies of the following documents (all as defined in the General and Refunding Mortgage Indenture): (A) an "Expert's Certificate" setting forth the terms of the Property Additions (as defined in the General and Refunding Mortgage Indenture); (B) a "Company Order" requesting authentication of the Additional General and Refunding Mortgage Bond by the trustee under the General and Refunding Mortgage Indenture; (C) an officer's certificate as to no default under the General and Refunding Mortgage Indenture; (D) evidence of authentication of the Additional General and Refunding Mortgage Bond by the trustee and (E) all legal opinions provided in connection with the issuance of the Additional General and Refunding Mortgage Bond (with reliance letters in favor of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders).
(iv) Governmental and Third Party Approvals. The Borrower shall have received all material governmental, shareholder and third party consents and approvals necessary (or any other material consents as determined in the reasonable discretion of the Administrative Agent) in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Credit Agreement and the other transactions contemplated hereby, the issuance and delivery to the Administrative Agent of the Additional General and Refunding Mortgage Bond and the continuing operations of the Borrower (including, without limitation, any required approvals of the PUCN and any other applicable regulatory body, including without limitation, any relevant Federal regulatory bodies) and its Subsidiaries shall have been obtained and be in full force and effect; and the Administrative Agent shall have received evidence satisfactory to it that the foregoing have been accomplished and all applicable waiting periods shall have expired without any action being taken by any Person that could reasonably be expected to restrain, prevent or impose any material adverse conditions on the Borrower or such other transactions or that could seek or threaten any of the foregoing, and no law or regulation shall be applicable which in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent could reasonably be expected to have such effect.
(v) Legal Opinions. The Administrative Agent shall have received the following executed legal opinions addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders:
(A) the legal opinion of Choate, Hall & Stewart, special counsel to the Borrower, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (including, without limitation, matters governed by New York law); and
(B) the legal opinion of Woodburn and Wedge, Nevada counsel to the Borrower, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
Each such legal opinion shall cover such matters incident to the Borrower and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require.
(vi) Fees and Expenses.
(A) The Administrative Agent shall have been reimbursed for all reasonable fees and out-of-pocket charges and other expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement, the Credit Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel to the Administrative Agent; and
(B) The Borrower shall have paid or reimbursed the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and their Affiliates, all fees required to be paid pursuant to the engagement letter dated March 31, 2006, among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and/or certain of its affiliates.
(vii) Notice(s) of Borrowing. The Administrative Agent shall have received a duly completed and executed Notice of Borrowing from the Borrower with respect to Loans (if any) to be made on the Consent Effective Date under the Credit Agreement; and
(viii) Other Documents. The Administrative Agent shall have received copies of each other document, instrument or item reasonably requested by it.
SECTION 5. Effect of Agreement. Except as expressly provided herein, the Credit Agreement (as amended hereby) and the other Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect. This Agreement shall not be deemed (a) to be a waiver of, or consent to, or a modification or amendment of, any other term or condition of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document or (b) to be a waiver of, or consent to, a modification or amendment to any term or provision of any Loan Document specifically consented to, waived, amended or modified by this Agreement on any other occasion, or (c) to prejudice any other right or rights which the Administrative Agent or the Lenders may now have or may have in the future under or in connection with the Credit Agreement (as amended hereby) or the other Loan Documents or any of the instruments or agreements referred to therein, as the same may be amended or modified from time to time. References in the Credit Agreement to "this Agreement" (and indirect references such as "hereunder", "hereby", "herein", and "hereof) and in any Loan Document to such Credit Agreement shall be deemed to be references to such Credit Agreement as modified hereby.
SECTION 6. Representations and Warranties/No Default.
(a) By its execution hereof, the Borrower hereby certifies that (i) each of the representations and warranties set forth in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents (both before and after giving effect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby) is true and correct as of the date hereof as if fully set forth herein, except for any representation and
warranty made as of an earlier date, which representation and warranty shall remain true and correct as of such earlier date; and (ii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing as of the date hereof both before and after giving effect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
(b) By its execution hereof, the Borrower hereby represents and warrants that it has the right, power and authority and has taken all necessary corporate and company action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and each other document executed in connection herewith to which it is a party in accordance with their respective terms.
(c) By its execution hereof, the Borrower hereby represents and warrants that this Agreement and each other document executed in connection herewith has been duly executed and delivered by its duly authorized officers, and each such document constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower, enforceable in accordance with its terms except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar state or federal debtor relief laws from time to time in effect which affect the enforcement of creditors' rights in general and the availability of equitable remedies.
(d) The Borrower represents and warrants that each term and condition of
Section 2.5 of the Credit Agreement has been satisfied in the manner set forth
in such Section 2.5.
SECTION 7. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without reference to the conflicts of law principles thereof.
SECTION 8. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and shall be binding upon all parties, their successors and assigns, and all of which taken together constitute one and the same agreement.
SECTION 9. Fax Transmission. A facsimile, telecopy or other reproduction of this Agreement may be executed by one or more parties hereto, and an executed copy of this Agreement may be delivered by one or more parties hereto by facsimile or similar instantaneous electronic transmission device pursuant to which the signature of or on behalf of such party can be seen, and such execution and delivery shall be considered valid, binding and effective for all purposes. At the request of any party hereto, all parties hereto agree to execute an original of this Agreement as well as any facsimile, telecopy or other reproduction hereof.
SECTION 10. Agreement Regarding Closing Deliverables. By execution hereof, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders acknowledge and agree that, to the extent that, in connection with Section 4 of this Agreement, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders receive any of the items specified in Section 2.3(c) of the Credit Agreement and such items comply with Section 2.3(c) of the Credit Agreement, then the requirement to deliver such item in Section 2.3(c) of the Credit Agreement shall be satisfied as to each such item.
[Signature Pages Follow]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date and year first above written.
BORROWER:
NEVADA POWER COMPANY
BY: /s/ [ILLEGIBLE] ------------------------ Name: [ILLEGIBLE] Title: [ILLEGIBLE] |
[Signature Pages Continue]
[Amendment-Nevada Power Company]
AGENTS AND LENDERS:
WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Administrative Agent and as a Lender
BY: /s/ Henry R. Biedrzycki ------------------------------------ NAME: HENRY R. BIEDRZYCKI TITLE: DIRECTOR |
[Signature Pages Continue]
[Amendment-Nevada Power Company]
DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY
AMERICAS, as a Lender
By: /s/ Scottye Lindsey ---------------------- Title: Director By: /s/ Marcus M. Tarkington -------------------------- Title: Director |
[Amendment-Nevada Power Company]
UNION BANK OF CALIFORNIA, N.A., as a
Lender
By: /s/ Dennis G. Blank ---------------------- Title: Vice President |
[Amendment-Nevada Power Company]
CITIBANK, N.A., as a Lender
By: /s/ Nietzsche Rodricks ----------------------------- Title: NIETZSCHE RODRICKS VICE PRESIDENT, GLOBAL POWER 388 GREENWICH STREET/21ST FLOOR (212) 816-8619 |
[Amendment - Nevada Power Company]
LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as a Lender
By: /s/ [ILLEGIBLE] ----------------------------- Title: Assistant Vice President |
[Amendment-Nevada Power Company]
BARCLAYS BANK PLC, as a Lender
By: /s/ Sydney G. Dennis -------------------- Title: Director |
[Amendment-Nevada Power Company]
BANK OF AMERICA, N. A., as a Lender
By: /s/ [ILLEGIBLE] ----------------------------- Title: Senior Vice President |
[Amendment-Nevada Power Company]
THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as a Lender
By: /s/ Jesus Williams ---------------------- Title: Vice President |
[Amendment-Nevada Power Company]
CREDIT SUISSE, CAYMAN ISLANDS
BRANCH, as a Lender
By: /s/ Sarah Wu ------------------- Title: DIRECTOR /s/ Nupur Kumar ----------------- NUPUR KUMAR ASSOCIATE |
[Amendment-Nevada Power Company]
LEHMAN COMMERCIAL PAPER INC., as a
Lender
By: /s/ Maria M. Lund -------------------------- Title: Authorized signatory |
[Amendment-Nevada Power Company]
MERRILL LYNCH BANK USA, as a Lender
By: /s/ [ILLEGIBLE] ---------------- Title: Director |
[Amendment-Nevada Power Company]
THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, as a Lender
By: /s/ Thane A. Rattew --------------------------- Title: MANAGING DIRECTOR |
[Amendment-Nevada Power Company]
UBS LOAN FINANCE LLC, as a Lender
By: /s/ Richard L. Tavrow ----------------------------- Title: Director Banking Products Services, US By: /s/ Irja R. Otsa -------------------------- Title: Associate Director Banking Products Services, US |
[Amendment-Nevada Power Company]
WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., as a Lender
By: /s/ Virginia S. Christenson ------------------------------------------- Title: Vice President/Sr. Relationship Manager |
[Amendment-Nevada Power Company]
COMMERZBANK AG, NEW YORK AND
GRAND CAYMAN BRANCHES, as a Lender
BY: /s/ Andrew Kjoller ------------------- Andrew Kjoller Vice President BY: /s/ Janet Lee --------------------- Janet Lee Assistant Treasurer |
[Amendment-Nevada Power Company]
SOCIETE GENERALE, as a Lender
By: /s/ Nigel Elvey ------------------- Name: Nigel Elvey Title: Vice President |
[Amendment-Nevada Power Company]
HARRIS NESBITT FINANCING, INC., as a
Lender
By: /s/ Cahal B. Carmody --------------------- Title: Vice President |
[Amendment-Nevada Power Company]
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a
Lender
By: /s/ [ILLEGIBLE] ----------------------- Title: Vice President |
[Amendment-Nevada Power Company]
GOLDMAN SACHS CREDIT PARTNERS L.P.,
as a New Lender
By: /s/ William W. Archer ------------------------------ Name: William W. Archer Title: Managing Director |
[Amendment-Nevada Power Company]
EXHIBIT 10.2
EXECUTION COPY
AMENDMENT AND CONSENT
THIS AMENDMENT AND CONSENT (this "Agreement") is made and entered into as of this 19th day of April, 2006, with an effective date as set forth in Section 4 hereof, by and among SIERRA PACIFIC POWER COMPANY, a Nevada corporation (the "Borrower"), the lenders party to the Credit Agreement referred to below (the "Lenders"), and WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, as administrative agent (the "Administrative Agent") for the Lenders.
Statement of Purpose
The Lenders agreed to extend certain credit facilities to the Borrower pursuant to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 4, 2005 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, the "Credit Agreement") by and among the Borrower, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent.
The Borrower has requested that: (a) each of the Lenders agree to amend the Credit Agreement as more particularly described below and (b) each of the Lenders consent to and agree to provide a portion of an increase in the Commitments pursuant to Section 2.5 of the Credit Agreement in an aggregate principal amount of $100,000,000. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders party hereto agree to the requested amendments, consents and agreements referred to in this paragraph.
NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
SECTION 1. Definitions. All capitalized, undefined terms used in this Agreement shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement.
SECTION 2. Amendments to Credit Agreement. The definition of each of the following terms which are set forth in Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby restated in its entirety as follows:
"Consolidated Cash Flow" means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of the following:
(a) Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period plus:
(b) provision for taxes based on income or profits of such Person and its Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such provision for taxes was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus
(c) Consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued and whether or not capitalized (including, without limitation, amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, imputed interest with respect to Attributable Debt, commissions,
discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers' acceptance financings, and net of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to Hedging Obligations and without regard to any reduction of allowance for borrowed funds used during construction), to the extent that any such expense was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus
(d) depreciation, amortization (including amortization of goodwill and other intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period) and other non-cash expenses (excluding any such non-cash expense to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenses in any future period of such Person and its Subsidiaries) for such period to the extent that such depreciation, amortization and other noncash expenses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus
(e) all extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring items of loss or expense (including, without limitation, in connection with an Asset Sale), to the extent that any such loss or expense was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; minus
(f) all extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring items of gain or revenue (including, without limitation, in connection with an Asset Sale), to the extent that any such gain or revenue was included in computing such Consolidated Net Income; minus
(g) non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net Income for such period, excluding allowance for funds used during construction and the accrual of revenue in the ordinary course of business; plus
(h) deferral of energy costs-net (as reflected on the most recent consolidated statement of income of the Borrower); minus
(i) interest accrued on deferred energy (as reflected on the most recent consolidated statement of income of the Borrower);
in each case, on a Consolidated basis and determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that non-cash expenses (other than any non-cash expenses referred to above) recorded as a result of deferred energy accounting will not be added to Consolidated Net Income.
"Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio" means, for any period, the ratio of
(i) Consolidated Cash Flow of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period
to (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense for such period.
"Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:
(a) the Consolidated interest expense of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued, including, without limitation, amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, imputed interest with respect to Attributable Debt, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers' acceptance financings, and net of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to Hedging Obligations; plus
(b) the Consolidated interest of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period (it being understood that Consolidated Interest Expense shall be calculated without regard to any reduction attributable to any allowance for borrowed funds used during construction); plus
(c) any interest expense on Indebtedness of another Person that is Guaranteed by the Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of the Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries, whether or not such Guarantee or Lien is called upon.
"Fixed Charges" means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:
(a) the Consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued, including, without limitation, amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, imputed interest with respect to Attributable Debt, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers' acceptance financings, and net of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to Hedging Obligations; plus
(b) the Consolidated interest of such Person and its Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period (it being understood that the Consolidated interest expense shall be calculated without regard to any reduction attributable to any allowance for borrowed funds used during construction); plus
(c) any interest expense on Indebtedness of another Person that is Guaranteed by such Person or one of its Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its Subsidiaries, whether or not such Guarantee or Lien is called upon; plus
(d) the product of (i) all dividends, whether paid or accrued and whether or not in cash, on any series of preferred stock of such Person or any of its Subsidiaries, other than dividends on Equity Interests payable solely in Equity Interests of the Borrower (other than Disqualified Stock) or to the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower, times (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the then current combined federal, state and local statutory tax rate of such Person, expressed as a decimal, in each case, on a Consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP; plus
(e) all distributions by a Trust Preferred Vehicle to Persons other than the Borrower of amounts received as interest by such trust on the Subordinated Debt of the Borrower held by such trust.
SECTION 3. Consent and Agreement of Lenders.
(a) Subject to Section 2.5 of the Credit Agreement and this Agreement, the
Borrower hereby requests an increase in the aggregate principal amount of
Commitments under the Credit Agreement from $250,000,000 to $350,000,000 (the
"Commitment Increase"). In connection with such increase, the Lenders party
hereto (i) consent to the Commitment Increase notwithstanding the requirement to
provide thirty (30) days prior written notice of such increase pursuant to
Section 2.5
of the Credit Agreement and (ii) together with each New Lender (as defined below), commit to provide such Lender's or New Lender's respective Percentage of such Commitment Increase as set forth in the Register (after giving effect to the modifications or adjustments to the Register contemplated by this Agreement).
(b) The Percentage, Commitments and outstanding balances of Extensions of Credit of each Lender (including each New Lender) under the Credit Agreement shall be set forth on the Register. From and after the Consent Effective Date (as defined below), the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of the Extensions of Credit (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to the Lenders, including the New Lenders, pursuant to their respective Percentages set forth in the Register. Furthermore, the Administrative Agent shall make such modifications and adjustments to the Register such that the outstanding Extensions of Credit of each Lender reflect such Lender's Percentage after giving effect to the Commitment Increase. The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, in the absence of manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may treat each person whose name is recorded in the Register as a Lender for all purposes of the Credit Agreement. The entries in the Register applicable to any Lender shall be available for inspection by the Borrower or such Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice to the Administrative Agent.
(c) A portion of the Commitment Increase may be provided by third party financial institutions not currently Lenders under the Credit Agreement but which nevertheless satisfy the criteria to be an Eligible Assignee thereunder (such third party institutions, the "New Lenders"). By its execution hereof, each New Lender represents, and each existing Lender confirms, to the Administrative Agent that (i) it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and investigation into the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Borrower and made its own decision to make its Extensions of Credit under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which Lenders are a party and (ii) it has the right, power and authority and has taken all necessary corporate and company action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and each other document executed in connection herewith to which it is a party in accordance with their respective terms.
(d) Each New Lender further (i) confirms that it is an Eligible Assignee;
(ii) appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such action as
agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under the Credit Agreement and
the other Loan Documents to which it is a party as are delegated to the
Administrative Agent by the terms thereof, together with such powers as are
reasonably incidental thereto; and (iii) agrees that it will perform in
accordance with their terms all the obligations which by the terms of the Credit
Agreement and the other Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a
Lender.
(e) Upon the request of any Lender, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender a new Promissory Note, substantially in the form of the existing Promissory Note, reflecting such Lender's Commitment after giving effect to the Commitment Increase.
SECTION 4. Effectiveness.
(a) The amendments set forth in Section 2 of this Agreement shall be deemed to be effective as of December 30, 2005 upon the Administrative Agent's receipt of this Agreement executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and the Required Lenders under the Credit Agreement.
(b) The consents and agreements set forth in Section 3 of this Agreement shall be deemed to be effective on the date hereof (the "Consent Effective Date") upon the satisfaction of each of the following conditions:
(i) Transaction Documents. The Administrative Agent shall have received (A) this Agreement, executed and delivered by each of the Persons identified in clause (a) above and a duly authorized officer of each Lender committing to provide a portion of the Commitment Increase (including each New Lender), (B) a General and Refunding Mortgage Bond in a principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the increase in the Commitments under the Credit Agreement (the "Additional General and Refunding Mortgage Bond"), duly issued and delivered by a duly authorized officer of the Borrower and duly authenticated by the trustee under the General and Refunding Mortgage Indenture, (C) Promissory Notes (if requested by any Lender pursuant to Section 3(e) of this Agreement), duly executed by the Borrower and (D) any other Loan Documents requested by the Administrative Agent, each of which shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent.
(ii) Closing Certificates. The Administrative Agent shall have received each of the following in form and substance reasonably satisfactory thereto:
(A) Officer's Compliance Certificate from the Borrower. Certificates of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower dated as of the date hereof in form and substance substantially similar to the certificate delivered under Section 8.1(b)(i) of the Credit Agreement demonstrating pro forma compliance with each of the covenants contained in Section 8.3 of the Credit Agreement after giving effect to Extensions of Credit (if any) made on the date hereof;
(B) Certificate of Secretary of the Borrower. A certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower (1) certifying as to the incumbency and genuineness of the signature of each officer of the Borrower executing the documents required pursuant to this Section 4 to which the Borrower is a party; (2) containing a representation that the articles of incorporation, bylaws and Officer's Certificate of the Borrower delivered on the Closing Date of the Credit Agreement remain unchanged as of the Consent Effective Date (or attaching any amendments thereto), (3) attaching resolutions duly adopted by the governing body of the Borrower authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Additional General and Refunding Mortgage Bond and any Promissory Note executed and delivered pursuant to Section 3 above and approving the transactions contemplated hereby; (4) attaching a certificate as of a recent date of the good standing of the Borrower from its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization and
(5) attaching copies of the order of the PUCN authorizing the execution and delivery by the Borrower of this Agreement and the agreements and transactions contemplated hereby and the exemptive order of the CPUC, which orders have not been rescinded and remain in full force and effect on the date hereof.
(iii) General and Refunding Mortgage Bond Documents. The Administrative Agent shall have received copies of the following documents (all as defined in the General and Refunding Mortgage Indenture): (A) an "Expert's Certificate" setting forth the terms of the Property Additions (as defined in the General and Refunding Mortgage Indenture); (B) a "Company Order" requesting authentication of the Additional General and Refunding Mortgage Bond by the trustee under the General and Refunding Mortgage Indenture; (C) an officer's certificate as to no default under the General and Refunding Mortgage Indenture; (D) evidence of authentication of the Additional General and Refunding Mortgage Bond by the trustee and (E) all legal opinions provided in connection with the issuance of the Additional General and Refunding Mortgage Bond (with reliance letters in favor of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders).
(iv) Governmental and Third Party Approvals. The Borrower shall have received all material governmental, shareholder and third party consents and approvals necessary (or any other material consents as determined in the reasonable discretion of the Administrative Agent) in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Credit Agreement and the other transactions contemplated hereby, the issuance and delivery to the Administrative Agent of the Additional General and Refunding Mortgage Bond and the continuing operations of the Borrower (including, without limitation, any required approvals of the PUCN, the CPUC and any other applicable regulatory body, including without limitation, any relevant Federal regulatory bodies) and its Subsidiaries shall have been obtained and be in full force and effect; and the Administrative Agent shall have received evidence satisfactory to it that the foregoing have been accomplished and all applicable waiting periods shall have expired without any action being taken by any Person that could reasonably be expected to restrain, prevent or impose any material adverse conditions on the Borrower or such other transactions or that could seek or threaten any of the foregoing, and no law or regulation shall be applicable which in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent could reasonably be expected to have such effect.
(v) Legal Opinions. The Administrative Agent shall have received the following executed legal opinions addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders:
(A) the legal opinion of Choate, Hall & Stewart, special counsel to the Borrower, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (including, without limitation, matters governed by New York law); and
(B) the legal opinion of Woodburn and Wedge, Nevada counsel to the Borrower, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
Each such legal opinion shall cover such matters incident to the Borrower and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require.
(vi) Fees and Expenses.
(A) The Administrative Agent shall have been reimbursed for all reasonable fees and out-of-pocket charges and other expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement, the Credit Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel to the Administrative Agent; and
(B) The Borrower shall have paid or reimbursed the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and their Affiliates, all fees required to be paid pursuant to the engagement letter dated March 31, 2006, among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and/or certain of its affiliates.
(vii) Notice(s) of Borrowing. The Administrative Agent shall have received a duly completed and executed Notice of Borrowing from the Borrower with respect to Loans (if any) to be made on the Consent Effective Date under the Credit Agreement; and
(viii) Other Documents. The Administrative Agent shall have received copies of each other document, instrument or item reasonably requested by it.
SECTION 5. Effect of Agreement. Except as expressly provided herein, the Credit Agreement (as amended hereby) and the other Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect. This Agreement shall not be deemed (a) to be a waiver of, or consent to, or a modification or amendment of, any other term or condition of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document or (b) to be a waiver of, or consent to, a modification or amendment to any term or provision of any Loan Document specifically consented to, waived, amended or modified by this Agreement on any other occasion, or (c) to prejudice any other right or rights which the Administrative Agent or the Lenders may now have or may have in the future under or in connection with the Credit Agreement (as amended hereby) or the other Loan Documents or any of the instruments or agreements referred to therein, as the same may be amended or modified from time to time. References in the Credit Agreement to "this Agreement" (and indirect references such as "hereunder", "hereby", "herein", and "hereof") and in any Loan Document to such Credit Agreement shall be deemed to be references to such Credit Agreement as modified hereby.
SECTION 6. Representations and Warranties/No Default.
(a) By its execution hereof, the Borrower hereby certifies that (i) each of the representations and warranties set forth in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents (both before and after giving effect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby) is true and correct as of the date hereof as if fully set forth herein, except for any representation and warranty made as of an earlier date, which representation and warranty shall remain true and correct as of such earlier date; and (ii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing as of
the date hereof both before and after giving effect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
(b) By its execution hereof, the Borrower hereby represents and warrants that it has the right, power and authority and has taken all necessary corporate and company action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and each other document executed in connection herewith to which it is a party in accordance with their respective terms.
(c) By its execution hereof, the Borrower hereby represents and warrants that this Agreement and each other document executed in connection herewith has been duly executed and delivered by its duly authorized officers, and each such document constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower, enforceable in accordance with its terms except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar state or federal debtor relief laws from time to time in effect which affect the enforcement of creditors' rights in general and the availability of equitable remedies.
(d) The Borrower represents and warrants that each term and condition of
Section 2.5 of the Credit Agreement has been satisfied in the manner set forth
in such Section 2.5.
SECTION 7. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without reference to the conflicts of law principles thereof.
SECTION 8. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and shall be binding upon all parties, their successors and assigns, and all of which taken together constitute one and the same agreement.
SECTION 9. Fax Transmission. A facsimile, telecopy or other reproduction of this Agreement may be executed by one or more parties hereto, and an executed copy of this Agreement may be delivered by one or more parties hereto by facsimile or similar instantaneous electronic transmission device pursuant to which the signature of or on behalf of such party can be seen, and such execution and delivery shall be considered valid, binding and effective for all purposes. At the request of any party hereto, all parties hereto agree to execute an original of this Agreement as well as any facsimile, telecopy or other reproduction hereof.
SECTION 10. Agreement Regarding Closing Deliverables. By execution hereof, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders acknowledge and agree that, to the extent that, in connection with Section 4 of this Agreement, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders receive any of the items specified in Section 2.3(c) of the Credit Agreement and such items comply with Section 2.3(c) of the Credit Agreement, then the requirement to deliver such item in Section 2.3(c) of the Credit Agreement shall be satisfied as to each such item.
[Signature Pages Follow]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date and year first above written.
BORROWER:
SIERRA PACIFIC POWER COMPANY
By: /s/ Michael W. Yackira ------------------------ Name: Michael W. Yackira Title: Corporate Executive Vice President and CFO |
[Signature Pages Continue]
[Amendment - Sierra Pacific Power Company]
AGENTS AND LENDERS:
WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Administrative Agent and as a Lender
By: /s/ Henry R. Biedrzycki ------------------------ Name: HENRY R. BIEDRZYCKI Title: DIRECTOR |
[Signature Pages Continue]
[Amendment - Sierra Pacific Power Company]
DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY
AMERICAS, as a Lender
By: /s/ Marcus M. Tarkington ------------------------- Title: Director By: /s/ Evelyn Thierry ------------------------- Title: Vice President |
[Amendment - Sierra Pacific Power Company]
UNION BANK OF CALIFORNIA, N.A., as a
Lender
By: /s/ Dennis G. Blank -------------------- Title: Vice President |
[Amendment - Sierra Pacific Power Company]
CITIBANK, N.A., as a Lender
By: /s/ Nietzsche Rodricks ------------------------ Title: Vice President, Global Power 388 Greenwich Street/ 21st Floor (212) 816-8619 |
[Amendment - Sierra Pacific Power Company]
LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as a Lender
By: /s/ [ILLEGIBLE] ---------------- Title: AVP |
[Amendment - Sierra Pacific Power Company]
BARCLAYS BANK PLC, as a Lender
By: /s/ Sydney G. Dennis -------------------- Title: Director |
[Amendment - Sierra Pacific Power Company]
BANK OF AMERICA N.A., as a Lender
By: /s/ [ILLEGIBLE] ------------------------- Title: Senior Vice President |
[Amendment - Sierra Pacific Power Company]
THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as a Lender
By: /s/ Jesus Williams ---------------------- Title: Vice President |
[Amendment - Sierra Pacific Power Company]
CREDIT SUISSE, CAYMAN ISLANDS
BRANCH, as a Lender
By: /s/ Sarah Wu ----------------- Title: DIRECTOR /s/ Nupur Kumar ---------------- ASSOCIATE |
[Amendment - Sierra Pacific Power Company]
LEHMAN COMMERCIAL PAPER INC., as a
Lender
By: /s/ Maria M. Lund ------------------------ Title: Authorized signatory |
[Amendment - Sierra Pacific Power Company]
MERRILL LYNCH BANK USA, as a Lender
By: /s/ [ILLEGIBLE] ------------------- Title: Director |
[Amendment - Sierra Pacific Power Company]
THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, as a Lender
By: /s/ Thane A. Rattew ------------------------- Title: MANAGING DIRECTOR |
[Amendment - Sierra Pacific Power Company]
UBS LOAN FINANCE LLC, as a Lender
By: /s/ Richard L. Tavrow ------------------------- Title: Director Banking Products Services, US By: /s/ Irja R. Otsa ------------------------- Title: Associate Director Banking Products Services, US |
[Amendment - Sierra Pacific Power Company]
WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., as a Lender
By: /s/ Virginia S. Christenson ------------------------------------------- Title: Vice President/Sr. Relationship Manager |
[Amendment - Sierra Pacific Power Company]
COMMERZBANK AG, NEW YORK AND
GRAND CAYMAN BRANCHES, as a Lender
By: /s/ Andrew Kjoller -------------------- Andrew Kjoller Vice President By: /s/ Janet Lee -------------------- Janet Lee Assistant Treasurer |
[Amendment - Sierra Pacific Power Company]
SOCIETE GENERALE, as a Lender
By: /s/ Nigel Elvey -------------------- Name: Nigel Elvey Title: Vice President |
[Amendment - Sierra Pacific Power Company]
HARRIS NESBITT FINANCING, INC., as a
Lender
By: /s/ Cahal B. Carmody --------------------------- Title: Vice President |
[Amendment - Sierra Pacific Power Company]
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a
Lender
By: /s/ [ILLEGIBLE] ---------------------- Title: Vice President |
[Amendment - Sierra Pacific Power Company]
GOLDMAN SACHS CREDIT PARTNERS L.P.,
as a New Lender
By: /s/ William W. Archer --------------------------- Name: William W. Archer Title: Managing Director |
[Amendment - Sierra Pacific Power Company]
1. | I have reviewed the combined quarterly reports on Form 10-Q of Sierra Pacific Resources, Nevada Power Company and Sierra Pacific Power Company; | ||
2. | Based on my knowledge, the combined quarterly reports do 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 the combined quarterly reports; | ||
3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in the combined quarterly reports, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrants as of, and for, the periods presented in the combined quarterly reports; | ||
4. | The chief financial officer 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)) for the registrants and solely with respect to Sierra Pacific Resources, internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)), and we 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 registrants, including their consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which the combined quarterly reports are being prepared; | ||
(b) | Solely with respect to Sierra Pacific Resources, 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 registrants disclosure controls and procedures and presented in the combined quarterly reports our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by the combined quarterly reports based on such evaluation; and | ||
(d) | Disclosed in the combined quarterly reports any change in the registrants internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrants most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting; and |
5. | The chief financial officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrants auditors and the audit committee of registrants board of directors: |
(a) | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrants 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 registrants internal control over financial reporting. |
/s/ Walter M. Higgins, III | ||||
Walter M. Higgins III | ||||
Chief Executive Officer | ||||
1. | I have reviewed the combined quarterly reports on Form 10-Q of Sierra Pacific Resources, Nevada Power Company and Sierra Pacific Power Company; | ||
2. | Based on my knowledge, the combined quarterly reports do 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 the combined quarterly reports; | ||
3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in the combined quarterly reports, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrants as of, and for, the periods presented in the combined quarterly reports; | ||
4. | The chief executive officer 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)) for the registrants and, solely with respect to Sierra Pacific Resources, internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)), and we 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 registrants, including their consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which the combined quarterly reports are being prepared; | ||
(b) | Solely with respect to Sierra Pacific Resources, 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 registrants disclosure controls and procedures and presented in the combined quarterly reports our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by the combined quarterly reports based on such evaluation; and | ||
(d) | Disclosed in the combined quarterly reports any change in the registrants internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrants most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting; and |
5. | The chief executive officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrants auditors and the audit committee of registrants board of directors: |
(a) | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrants 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 registrants internal control over financial reporting. |
/s/ Michael W. Yackira | ||||
Michael W. Yackira | ||||
Chief Financial Officer | ||||
1. | the combined quarterly report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and | ||
2. | the information contained in the combined quarterly report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Companies. |
1. | the combined quarterly report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and | ||
2. | the information contained in the combined quarterly report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Companies. |