Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 7, 2008
 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
 
COVANTA HOLDING CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Delaware   95-6021257
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
40 Lane Road    
Fairfield, New Jersey   07004
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)
Covanta Holding Corporation Equity Award Plan for Employees and Officers
Covanta Holding Corporation Equity Award Plan for Directors

(Full title of plan)
Anthony J. Orlando
President and Chief Executive Officer
Covanta Holding Corporation
40 Lane Road
Fairfield, New Jersey 07004

(Name and address of agent for service)
(973) 882-9000
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

with copies to:

Timothy J. Simpson, Esq.
Executive Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary
Covanta Holding Corporation
40 Lane Road
Fairfield, New Jersey 07004
(973) 882-9000
David S. Stone, Esq.
Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP
Two North LaSalle Street
Chicago, Illinois 60602
(312) 269-8000
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
             
Large accelerated filer o   Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer o   Smaller reporting company o
        (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    
 
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
              Proposed     Proposed        
              maximum     maximum        
  Title of securities     Amount to be     offering price     aggregate     Amount of  
  to be registered     registered (1)     per share (2)     offering price (2)     registration fee  
 
Common Stock (par value $.10 per share)
    6,300,000     $27.43     $172,809,000     $6,792  
 
(1)   Pursuant to Rule 416 of the Securities Act of 1933, also covers such additional number of shares as may be required in the event of a stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or other similar event.
 
(2)   Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rules 457(c) and (h) of the Securities Act of 1933 and based on the average of the high and low prices of a share of Common Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on May 2, 2008.
 
 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
Form of Stock Option Agreement
Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement
Opinion of Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


Table of Contents

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
     This Registration Statement on Form S-8 is filed to register an additional 6,300,000 shares of common stock, par value $.10 per share (the “Common Stock”), of Covanta Holding Corporation (the “Company”), as a result of an increase of 6,000,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the Company’s Equity Award Plan for Employees and Officers, as amended (the “Employees Plan”), and an increase of 300,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the Company’s Equity Award Plan for Directors (the “Directors Plan” and together with the Employees Plan, the “Plans”). The Company previously filed Registration Statements on Form S-8 relating to the Plans with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on October 7, 2004 (File No. 333-119609) and on December 1, 2005 (File No. 333-130046). Pursuant to General Instruction E of Form S-8, this Registration Statement has been prepared in accordance therewith and the previously filed Registration Statements are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 8. Exhibits.
  4.1   Covanta Holding Corporation Equity Award Plan for Employees and Officers (incorporated by reference to Appendix A of the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement, filed on April 1, 2008).
 
  4.2   Covanta Holding Corporation Equity Award Plan for Directors (incorporated by reference to Appendix B of the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement, filed on April 1, 2008).
 
  4.3   Form of Covanta Holding Corporation Stock Option Agreement.
 
  4.4   Form of Covanta Holding Corporation Restricted Stock Award Agreement.
 
  4.5   Form of Covanta Holding Company Restricted Stock Award Agreement for Directors (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on June 2, 2006).
 
  5.1   Opinion of Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP.
 
  23.1   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm of Covanta Holding Corporation and Subsidiaries, dated May 2, 2008, by Ernst & Young LLP.
 
  23.2   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm of Quezon Power, Inc., dated May 2, 2008, by Sycip Gorres Velayo & Co., a Member Practice of Ernst & Young Global Limited.
 
  23.3   Consent of Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
 
  24.1   Powers of Attorney (included as part of the signature page of this Registration Statement).

 


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Fairfield, State of New Jersey, on May 1, 2008.
         
  COVANTA HOLDING CORPORATION
(Registrant)
 
 
  By:   /s/ ANTHONY J. ORLANDO    
    Anthony J. Orlando   
    President and Chief Executive Officer   
 
     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints ANTHONY J. ORLANDO and TIMOTHY J. SIMPSON, and each of them, his/her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to sign, execute and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (or any other governmental or regulatory authority), for us and in our names in the capacities indicated below, this registration statement on Form S-8 (including all amendments thereto) with all exhibits and any and all documents required to be filed with respect thereto, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents and each of them, full power and authority to do and to perform each and every act and thing necessary and/or desirable to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he himself/she herself might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement on Form S-8 has been signed on May 1, 2008, by the following persons in the capacities indicated:
         
Signature   Title    
 
       
     /s/ Samuel Zell
  Chairman of the Board    
         
     Samuel Zell
       
 
       
     /s/ Anthony J. Orlando
  President and Chief Executive Officer and Director    
         
     Anthony J. Orlando
  (Principal Executive Officer)    
 
       
     /s/ Mark A. Pytosh
  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer    
         
     Mark A. Pytosh
  (Principal Financial Officer)    
 
       
     /s/ Thomas E. Bucks
  Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer    
         
     Thomas E. Bucks
  (Principal Accounting Officer)    
 
       
     /s/ David M. Barse
  Director    
         
     David M. Barse
       
 
       
     /s/ Ronald J. Broglio
  Director    
         
     Ronald J. Broglio
       
 
       
     /s/ Peter C.B. Bynoe
  Director    
         
     Peter C.B. Bynoe
       
 
       
     /s/ Richard L. Huber
  Director    
         
     Richard L. Huber
       

 


Table of Contents

         
Signature   Title    
 
       
     /s/ Linda J. Fisher
  Director    
         
     Linda J. Fisher
       
 
       
     /s/ William C. Pate
  Director    
         
     William C. Pate
       
 
       
     /s/ Robert S. Silberman
  Director    
         
     Robert S. Silberman
       
 
       
     /s/ Jean Smith
  Director    
         
     Jean Smith
       
 
       
     /s/ Clayton Yeutter
  Director    
         
     Clayton Yeutter
       

 


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX
  4.1   Covanta Holding Corporation Equity Award Plan for Employees and Officers (incorporated by reference to Appendix A of the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement, filed on April 1, 2008).
 
  4.2   Covanta Holding Corporation Equity Award Plan for Directors (incorporated by reference to Appendix B of the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement, filed April 1, 2008).
 
  4.3   Form of Covanta Holding Corporation Stock Option Agreement.
 
  4.4   Form of Covanta Holding Corporation Restricted Stock Award Agreement.
 
  4.5   Form of Covanta Holding Company Restricted Stock Award Agreement for Directors (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on June 2, 2006).
 
  5.1   Opinion of Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP.
 
  23.1   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm of Covanta Holding Corporation and Subsidiaries, dated May 2, 2008, by Ernst & Young LLP.
 
  23.2   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm of Quezon Power, Inc., dated May 2, 2008, by Sycip Gorres Velayo & Co., a Member Firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited.
 
  23.3   Consent of Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
 
  24.1   Powers of Attorney (included as part of the signature page of this Registration Statement).

 

 

Exhibit 4.3
COVANTA HOLDING CORPORATION
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
FOR EMPLOYEES AND OFFICERS
      THIS STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT , is made as of this ___day of                      , ___(the “Grant Date”) between Covanta Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and                                                                (the “Optionee”). Capitalized terms used herein that are not otherwise defined shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Covanta Holding Corporation 2005 Equity Award Plan for Employees and Officers (the “Plan”).
W I T N E S S E T H:
      WHEREAS , the Company desires to provide the Optionee with the opportunity to purchase shares of its common stock, par value $0.10 per share (“Common Stock”), in accordance with the terms of the Plan; and
      WHEREAS, the Optionee wishes to acquire the right to purchase shares of Common Stock granted hereby.
      NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and of the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter contained, the parties hereto mutually covenant and agree as follows:
      1.  Grant of Option . The Company hereby grants to the Optionee the option to purchase all or part of an aggregate of                                           shares of Common Stock, on the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan, subject to the vesting, exercise and other requirements set forth in this Agreement, to the extent not inconsistent with the Plan (the “Option”). Of the shares subject to this Option,                      are intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Options, as defined in and subject to Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code (“Code”), to the extent these Options, when aggregated with other incentive stock options granted to the Optionee, do not exceed the $100,000 per year limitation of Section 422(d) of the Code. The remainder shall be Non-Qualified Stock Options, which are not intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Options.
      2.  Purchase Price . The per share purchase price of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Option shall be $                                           , which shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value (as determined by the Committee in accordance with the Plan) on the effective date of this grant.
      3.  Term . The term of the Option shall expire as of the earliest of the following:
  (a)   the date that is ten (10) years from the date of grant, for both Incentive Stock Options and Non-Qualified Stock Options;

1


 

  (b)   the date the Optionee’s employment with the Company, or any Subsidiary or Affiliate, is terminated for Cause, as defined in the Plan;
 
  (c)   to the extent the Option is vested on the date of Optionee’s termination of employment, (i) for Incentive Stock Options, the date that is three (3) months after the Optionee’s employment with the Company, or any Subsidiary or Affiliate, is terminated other than (i) for Cause or (ii) upon the Optionee’s death, Disability or Retirement, as defined in the Plan (provided that if the Optionee dies within such three (3)-month period, any such unexercised Option shall continue to be exercisable for twelve (12) months from the date of such death or the exercise period that applies for purposes of Section 422 of the Code); or (ii) for Non-Qualified Stock Options, the date that is twelve (12) months after the Optionee’s employment with the Company, or any Subsidiary or Affiliate, is terminated other than (i) for Cause or (ii) upon the Optionee’s death, Disability or Retirement;
 
  (d)   to the extent the Option is vested on the date of Optionee’s termination of employment, the date that is twelve (12) months after the Optionee’s employment with the Company, or any Subsidiary or Affiliate, is terminated as a result of the Optionee’s Disability, as defined in the Plan;
 
  (e)   to the extent the Option is vested on the date of Optionee’s termination of employment due to death, the date that is twelve (12) months after the Optionee dies while employed by the Company, or any Subsidiary or Affiliate (or, for Incentive Stock Options, the exercise period that applies for purposes of Section 422 of the Code); or
 
  (f)   to the extent the Option is vested on the date of Optionee’s termination of employment due to Retirement, (i) for Incentive Stock Options, the date that is three (3) months after the date the Optionee’s employment with the Company, or any Subsidiary or Affiliate, is terminated as a result of the Optionee’s Retirement, as defined in the Plan (provided that if the Optionee dies within such three (3)-month period, any such unexercised Option shall continue to be exercisable for twelve (12) months from the date of such death or the exercise period that applies for purposes of Section 422 of the Code); or (ii) for Non-Qualified Stock Options, the date that is three (3) years after the Optionee’s employment with the Company, or any Subsidiary or Affiliate, is terminated as a result of the Optionee’s Retirement, as defined in the Plan (provided that if the Optionee dies within such three (3)-year period, any such unexercised Option shall continue to be exercisable for twelve (12) months from the date of such death).

2


 

In the event of termination of the Optionee’s employment for Cause, the Optionee shall forfeit all rights hereunder with respect to any vested or nonvested Options as of the date of such termination. Subject to the foregoing terms of this Section 3, in the event of Optionee’s termination of employment without Cause, the Optionee shall forfeit all rights hereunder with respect to any nonvested Options as of the date of such termination, including the right to purchase shares of Common Stock under the Option.
      4.  Vesting .
          (a) Subject to any forfeiture provisions in this Agreement or in the Plan, and unless expressly provided to the contrary hereunder, the Optionee shall become vested in the Options granted hereunder, to the extent employed by the Company or its Affiliates or Subsidiaries as of each applicable vesting date, as of the close of business on the vesting dates shown below:
     
Percentage Vested   Vesting Date
%    
%    
%    
%    
%    
          (b) Notwithstanding the vesting schedule contained in Section 4(a) hereof, in the event of a “Change in Control”, then the Optionee shall become 100% vested in the Option following such “Change in Control” of the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events, each of which shall be determined independently of the others: (i) any “Person” (as hereinafter defined), other than a holder of at least 10% of the outstanding voting power of the Company as of the date of this Agreement, becomes a “beneficial owner” (as such term is used in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) of a majority of the stock of the Company entitled to vote in the election of directors of the Company; (ii) individuals who are Continuing Directors of the Company (as hereinafter defined) cease to constitute a majority of the members of the Board; (iii) stockholders of the Company adopt and consummate a plan of complete or substantial liquidation or an agreement providing for the distribution of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; (iv) the Company is a party to a merger, consolidation, other form of business combination or a sale of all or substantially all of its assets, with an unaffiliated third party, unless the business of the Company following consummation of such merger, consolidation or other business combination is continued following any such transaction by a resulting entity (which may be, but need not be, the Company) and the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such transaction hold, directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the voting power of the resulting entity; provided,

3


 

however , that a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) shall not constitute a Change in Control; (v) there is a Change in Control of the Company of a nature that is reported in response to item 5.01 of Current Report on Form 8-K or any similar item, schedule or form under the Exchange Act, as in effect at the time of the change, whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirements; provided, however , that for purposes of this Agreement a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur if the Person or Persons deemed to have acquired control is a holder of at least 10% of the outstanding voting power of the Company as of the date of this Agreement; or (vi) the Company consummates a transaction which constitutes a “Rule 13e-3 transaction” (as such term is defined in Rule 13e-3 of the Exchange Act) prior to the termination or expiration of this Agreement.
          (c) In the event of a Rule 13e-3 transaction, then effective coincident with the consummation of such Rule 13e-3 transaction, all unvested Options issued hereunder shall immediately vest and be exercisable by Optionee notwithstanding the vesting schedules set forth in Section 4(a) hereof; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with the consummation of such Change in Control or Rule 13e-3 transaction, all such unvested Options then held by Optionee shall be deemed to vest and become exercisable at such time in order to permit Optionee to participate in such transaction.
          (d) In the event that Employee is an employee of Covanta Energy Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Covanta”), then the references to the Company in Section 4(b)(i), (iii), (iv), (v) and (vi) above shall also include, in the alternative, Covanta.
          (e) For purposes of this Section 4, “Continuing Directors” shall mean the members of the Board on the date of execution of this Agreement, provided that any person becoming a member of the Board subsequent to such date whose election or nomination for election was supported by at least a majority of the directors who then comprised the Continuing Directors shall be considered to be a Continuing Director; and the term “Person” is used as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act.
      5.  Exercise . The Optionee shall not be entitled to exercise the Option until it is vested. Subject to the provisions of Section 3, the Option may be exercised only while the Optionee is employed by the Company or an Affiliate or Subsidiary of the Company. In no event shall the Option be exercisable after the expiration date of the Option.
      6.  Nontransferability . The Option shall not be transferable or assignable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, or pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order as described in Section 206(d) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, subject to Article 3. Any attempt to assign, transfer, pledge, hypothecate, dispose of or subject the Option to execution, attachment or similar process shall be null and void and without effect. The Option may be exercised during the lifetime of the Optionee only by the

4


 

Optionee, his guardian or his legal representative, or by an alternate payee pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order.
      7.  Method of Exercising Options .
          (a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Option may be exercised by written notice delivered to the Company or its designated representative in the manner and at the address for notices set forth in Section 10 hereof. Such notice shall state that the Option is being exercised thereby and shall specify the number of shares of Common Stock involved. The notice shall be signed by the person or persons exercising the Option and shall be accompanied by payment in full of the Option price for such shares of Common Stock, such payment to be made in (i) cash, as described in Section 8(c) of the Plan; (ii) subject to Section 8(c) of the Plan, that number of Mature Shares of unrestricted Common Stock, or vested Restricted Stock, which has an aggregate Fair Market Value as of the date of exercise equal to the aggregate exercise price for all of the shares of Common Stock subject to such exercise; (iii) a combination of methods (i) and (ii); or (iv) other means authorized by the Committee in accordance with Section 8(c) of the Plan. If the tender of shares of Common Stock as payment of the Option price would result in the issuance of fractional shares of Common Stock, the Company shall instead return the balance in cash or by check to the Optionee. If the Option is exercised by any person or persons other than the Optionee, the notice described in this Section 7(a) shall be accompanied by appropriate proof (as determined by the Committee) of the right of such person or persons to exercise the Option under the terms of the Plan and this Agreement. The Company shall issue and deliver, in the name of the person or persons exercising the Option, a certificate or certificates representing such shares as soon as practicable after notice and payment are received and the exercise is approved.
          (b) The Option may be exercised in accordance with the terms of the Plan and this Agreement with respect to any whole number of shares subject to the Option, but in no event may an Option be exercised as to fewer than one hundred (100) shares at any one time, or the remaining shares covered by the Option if less than two hundred (200).
          (c) The Optionee shall have no rights of a stockholder with respect to shares of Common Stock to be acquired by the exercise of the Option until the date of issuance of a certificate or certificates representing such shares. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, no adjustment shall be made for dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such stock certificate is issued. All shares of Common Stock purchased upon the exercise of the Option as provided herein shall be fully paid and non-assessable.
          (d) The Optionee agrees that no later than the date as of which an amount first becomes includible in Optionee’s gross income for federal income tax purposes with respect to the Option, the Optionee shall pay to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company regarding the payment of, any federal, state, local or foreign taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to such amount. Withholding obligations may be settled with

5


 

Common Stock, including Common Stock that is acquired upon exercise of the Option. The obligations of the Company under this Agreement and the Plan shall be conditional on such payment or arrangements, and the Company, its Affiliates and Subsidiaries shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment otherwise due to the Employee.
      8.  Adjustment upon Changes in Capitalization . Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company and the terms of the Plan, if, during the terms of this Agreement, there shall be any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of the Common Stock or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company (as defined in Section 14 of the Plan), the Committee may, in its sole discretion, make an appropriate and equitable adjustment in the aggregate number, kind and option price of shares subject to this Option; provided, however , that in no event shall the Option price be adjusted below the par value of a share of Common Stock, nor shall any fraction of a share be issued upon the exercise of the Option.
      9.  Conditions Upon Issuance of Option . As a condition to the exercise of the Option, the Company may require the Optionee to (i) represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Common Stock is being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such shares if, in the opinion of legal counsel for the Company, such a representation is required by any relevant provision of law; and (ii) enter into a lock-up or similar agreement with the Company with respect to such shares prohibiting, for up to 90 days, the disposition of such shares.
      10.  Notices . Each notice relating to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be sufficiently given if delivered by registered or certified mail, or by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, with postage or charges prepaid, to the address hereinafter provided in this Section 10. Any such notice or communication given by first-class mail shall be deemed to have been given two business days after the date so mailed, and such notice or communication given by overnight delivery service shall be deemed to have been given one business day after the date so sent, provided such notice or communication arrives at its destination. Each notice to the Company shall be addressed to it at its offices at 40 Lane Road, Fairfield, New Jersey 07004 (attention: Chief Financial Officer), with a copy to the Secretary of the Company or to such other designee of the Company. Each notice to the Optionee or other person or persons then entitled to exercise the Option shall be addressed to the Optionee or such other person or persons at the Optionee’s address shown on the signature page hereof.
      11. Limitations . Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as conferring upon the Optionee the right to continue as an Employee or Officer or shall affect the right of the Company, in its sole discretion, to terminate the Optionee’s employment at any time, with or without cause.

6


 

      12.  Incorporation of the Plan . Notwithstanding the terms and conditions contained herein, this Agreement shall be subject to and governed by all the terms and conditions of the Plan, which is hereby incorporated by reference. In the event of any discrepancy or inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and of the Plan, the terms and conditions of the Plan shall control.
      13.  Interpretation . The interpretation and construction of any terms or conditions of the Plan, or of this Agreement or other matters related to the Plan by the Committee, shall be final and conclusive.
      14.  Severability . Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any party or circumstance shall be prohibited by or be invalid under applicable law, then such provision shall be ineffective to the minimal extent of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement or the application of such provision to other parties or circumstances.
      15.  Enforceability . This Agreement shall be binding upon the Optionee and such Optionee’s estate, personal representative and beneficiaries.
      16.  Pronouns, Singular/Plural . Any use of any masculine pronoun shall include the feminine and vice-versa, and any use of a singular shall include the plural or vice-versa, as the context and facts may require.
      17.  Counterpart Execution . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute the entire document.

7


 

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be duly executed by its officer thereunto duly authorized, and the Optionee has executed this Agreement all as of the day and year first above written.
             
    COVANTA HOLDING CORPORATION    
 
           
 
  By:        
 
     
 
   
 
  Its:        
 
           
 
           
    OPTIONEE:    
 
           
         
 
           
    OPTIONEE’S ADDRESS:    

8

 

Exhibit 4.4
COVANTA HOLDING CORPORATION
RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT
     THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of this 20 th day of February, 2008 (the “Grant Date”) by and between Covanta Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and                                                                (the “Employee”), pursuant to the Covanta Holding Corporation 2005 Equity Award Plan for Employees and Officers (the “Plan”). This Agreement and the award contained herein is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan, which are incorporated by reference herein, and the following terms and conditions:
     1.  Award of Restricted Stock . In consideration for the prior and continued service of Employee to Covanta Energy Corporation (“Covanta”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and as part of the Long-Term Incentive Program of Covanta, as adopted by the Company, the Company hereby awards to the Employee, subject to the further terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement,                                  shares (the “Restricted Stock”) of its common stock, $0.10 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), as of the Grant Date.
     2.  Rights of Stockholder . Employee shall have all of the rights of a stockholder with respect to the shares of Restricted Stock (including the right to vote the shares of Restricted Stock and the right to receive dividends with respect to the shares of Restricted Stock), except as provided in Section 3 and Section 6 hereof.
     3.  Restrictions on Transfer . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, Employee may not sell, transfer, assign, pledge, encumber or otherwise dispose of any of the shares of Restricted Stock or the rights granted hereunder (any such disposition or encumbrance being referred to herein as a “Transfer”). Any Transfer or purported Transfer by Employee of any of the shares of Restricted Stock shall be null and void and the Company shall not recognize or give effect to such Transfer on its books and records or recognize the person to whom such purported Transfer has been made as the legal or beneficial holder of such shares. The shares of Restricted Stock shall not be subject to sale, execution, pledge, attachment, encumbrance or other process and no person shall be entitled to exercise any rights of Employee as the holder of such Restricted Stock by virtue of any attempted execution, attachment or other process until the restrictions imposed herein on the Transfer of the shares of Restricted Stock shall lapse as provided in Section 4 hereof. All certificates representing the shares of Restricted Stock shall have endorsed thereon the following legend (in addition to any other legends that are customary or required on certificates representing shares of the Company’s Common Stock):
     “THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AND OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS (INCLUDING FORFEITURE) SET FORTH IN A RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT DATED AS OF FEBRUARY 20, 2008, BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE REGISTERED HOLDER, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE COMPANY. ANY TRANSFER OR PURPORTED TRANSFER OF THE

 


 

SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE IN VIOLATION OF SUCH RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT SHALL BE NULL AND VOID.”
     If and when the restrictions imposed herein on the transfer of shares of Restricted Stock shall have lapsed as provided in Section 4 hereof, certificates for such shares without the restricted stock legend set forth in this section shall be delivered to the Employee. Until such restrictions have lapsed, any certificates representing any shares of Restricted Stock shall be held in custody by the Company. Employee may request the removal of such restricted stock legend from certificates representing any shares of Restricted Stock as to which the restrictions imposed herein on the transfer thereof shall have lapsed as provided in Section 4 hereof. Such request shall be in writing to the General Counsel of the Company.
     4.  Lapse of Restrictions and Forfeiture . Subject to Section 4(c) hereof, the restrictions on transfer imposed on the shares of Restricted Stock by this Section 4 shall lapse with respect to the shares of Restricted Stock and the Employee will vest, or gain actual “ownership” of the shares of Restricted Stock in accordance with the terms of Sections 4(a) or (b) hereof.
          (a) Restricted Stock Time Vesting .                      percent (___%) of the shares of Restricted Stock awarded hereunder, consisting of                      shares (“Time Vesting Restricted Stock”), shall vest as of the dates and in the amounts set forth below provided that Employee is employed on such date by the Company or its Affiliates or Subsidiaries:
          A.                       shares and representing                      of the Time Vesting Restricted Stock, shall vest on                      ;
          B.                       shares and representing                      of the Time Vesting Restricted Stock, shall vest on                      ; and
          C.                       shares and representing                      of the Time Vesting Restricted Stock, shall vest on                      .
          (b) Restricted Stock Performance Vesting .                      percent (___%) of the shares of Restricted Stock awarded hereunder, consisting of                      shares (“Performance Vesting Restricted Stock”), shall vest as of the dates and in the amounts set forth below provided that Employee is employed on such date by the Company or its Affiliates or Subsidiaries:
          A. First Tranche Amount . The “First Tranche Amount” consisting of                      shares and representing                      of the Performance Vesting Restricted Stock shall vest on                      (i) pursuant to the satisfaction of the applicable performance based metric of Free Cash Flow, as set forth in the                      Long-Term Incentive Plan Guidelines or (ii) pursuant to the satisfaction of such other applicable performance criteria and schedule determined by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) or the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (“Compensation Committee”);

2


 

          B. Second Tranche Amount . The “Second Tranche Amount” consisting of                      shares and representing                      of the Performance Vesting Restricted Stock, shall vest on                      , (i) pursuant to the satisfaction of the applicable performance based metric of Free Cash Flow, as set forth in the ___Long-Term Incentive Plan Guidelines or (ii) pursuant to the satisfaction of such other applicable performance criteria and schedule determined by the Board or the Compensation Committee; and
          C. Third Tranche Amount . The “Third Tranche Amount” consisting of                      shares and representing                      of the Performance Vesting Restricted Stock, shall vest on                      , (i) pursuant to the satisfaction of the applicable performance based metric of Free Cash Flow, as set forth in the ___Long-Term Incentive Plan Guidelines or (ii) pursuant to the satisfaction of such other applicable performance criteria and schedule determined by the Board or the Compensation Committee.
          D. Forfeiture of Unearned Restricted Stock . In the event that any shares of Performance Vesting Restricted Stock do not vest pursuant to any of Subsection A, B or C of this Section 4(b), then such Performance Vesting Restricted Stock shall be forfeited and cancelled as of such date.
          (c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Sections 4(a) or (b), in the event that prior to the lapse of restrictions on transfer pursuant to Sections 4(a) or (b), Employee’s employment with all of the Company, its Affiliates and Subsidiaries is terminated for any reason other than death or Disability, Employee shall forfeit, on the date on which his employment is terminated, all of the shares of Restricted Stock as to which the restrictions on transfer imposed thereon by Section 3 hereof shall not have lapsed prior to such date.
          (d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Sections 4(a) or (b) hereof, in the event of a Change in Control, the restrictions on transfer imposed by Section 3 on the shares of Restricted Stock shall lapse. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events, each of which shall be determined independently of the others: (i) any “Person” (as hereinafter defined), other than a holder of at least 10% of the outstanding voting power of the Company as of the date of this Agreement, becomes a “beneficial owner” (as such term is used in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) of a majority of the stock of the Company entitled to vote in the election of directors of the Company; (ii) individuals who are Continuing Directors of the Company (as hereinafter defined) cease to constitute a majority of the members of the Board; (iii) stockholders of the Company adopt and consummate a plan of complete or substantial liquidation or an agreement providing for the distribution of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; (iv) the Company is a party to a merger, consolidation, other form of business combination or a sale of all or substantially all of its assets, with an unaffiliated third party, unless the business of the Company following consummation of such merger, consolidation or other business combination is continued following any such transaction by a resulting entity (which may be, but need not be, the Company) and the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such transaction hold, directly or indirectly, at

3


 

least a majority of the voting power of the resulting entity; provided, however , that a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) shall not constitute a Change in Control; (v) there is a Change in Control of the Company of a nature that is reported in response to item 5.01 of Current Report on Form 8-K or any similar item, schedule or form under the Exchange Act, as in effect at the time of the change, whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirements; provided, however , that for purposes of this Agreement a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur if the Person or Persons deemed to have acquired control is a holder of at least 10% of the outstanding voting power of the Company as of the date of this Agreement; or (vi) the Company consummates a transaction which constitutes a “Rule 13e-3 transaction” (as such term is defined in Rule 13e-3 of the Exchange Act) prior to the termination or expiration of this Agreement.
          (e) In the event of a Rule 13e-3 transaction, then effective coincident with the consummation of such Rule 13e-3 transaction, the restrictions on transfer imposed by Section 3 on the shares of Restricted Stock shall lapse; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with the consummation of such Change in Control or Rule 13e-3 transaction, all such unvested shares of Restricted Stock then held by Employee shall be deemed to vest and become exercisable at such time in order to permit Employee to participate in such transaction.
          (f) In the event that Employee is an employee of Covanta, then the references to the Company in Section 4(d)(i), (iii), (iv), (v) and (vi) above shall also include, in the alternative, Covanta.
          (g) For purposes of this Section 4, “Continuing Directors” shall mean the members of the Board on the date of execution of this Agreement, provided that any person becoming a member of the Board subsequent to such date whose election or nomination for election was supported by at least a majority of the directors who then comprised the Continuing Directors shall be considered to be a Continuing Director; and the term “Person” is used as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act.
     5.  Transferability . Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, shares of Restricted Stock are not transferable or assignable by the Employee until the restrictions thereon have lapsed.
     6.  Adjustment Provisions . If, during the term of this Agreement, there shall be any merger, reorganization, consolidation, recapitalization, stock dividend, stock split, rights offering or extraordinary distribution with respect to the Common Stock, or other change in corporate structure affecting the Common Stock, the Committee shall make or cause to be made an appropriate and equitable substitution, adjustment or treatment with respect to the Restricted Stock, including a substitution or adjustment in the aggregate number or kind of shares subject to this Agreement, notwithstanding that the Restricted Stock are subject to the restrictions on transfer imposed by Section 3 above. Any securities, awards or rights issued pursuant to this Section 6 shall be subject to the same restrictions as the underlying Restricted Stock to which they relate.

4


 

     7.  Tax Withholding . As a condition precedent to the receipt of any shares of Restricted Stock hereunder, Employee agrees to pay to the Company, at such times as the Company shall determine, such amounts as the Company shall deem necessary to satisfy any withholding taxes due on income that Employee recognizes as a result of (i) the lapse of the restrictions imposed by Section 3 hereof on the shares of Restricted Stock or (ii) Employee’s filing of an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as amended, with respect to the shares of Restricted Stock. The obligations of the Company under this Agreement and the Plan shall be conditional on such payment or arrangements, and the Company, its Affiliates and Subsidiaries shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment otherwise due to the Employee. In addition, Employee may elect, unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee, to satisfy the withholding requirement by having the Company withhold shares of vested Restricted Stock with a Fair Market Value, as of the date of such withholding, sufficient to satisfy the withholding obligation.
     8.  Registration . This grant is subject to the condition that if at any time the Board or Compensation Committee shall determine, in its discretion, that the listing of the shares of Common Stock subject hereto on any securities exchange, or the registration or qualification of such shares under any federal or state law, or the consent or approval of any regulatory body, shall be necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, the grant, receipt or delivery of shares hereunder, such grant, receipt or delivery will not be effected unless and until such listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Board or Compensation Committee. The Company agrees to make every reasonable effort to effect or obtain any such listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval.
     9.  Rights of Employee . In no event shall the granting of the Restricted Stock or the other provisions hereof or the acceptance of the Restricted Stock by Employee interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company, an Affiliate or Subsidiary to terminate Employee’s employment at any time, nor confer upon Employee any right to continue in the employ of the Company, an Affiliate or Subsidiary for any period of time or to continue his or her present or any other rate of compensation.
     10.  Construction .
     (a) Successors . This Agreement and all the terms and provisions hereof shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective legal representatives, heirs and successors, except as expressly herein otherwise provided.
     (b) Entire Agreement; Modification . This Agreement contains the entire understanding between the parties with respect to the matters referred to herein. Subject to Section 16(c) of the Plan, this Agreement may be amended by the Board or Compensation Committee at any time.
     (c) Capitalized Terms; Headings; Pronouns; Governing Law . Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein are deemed to have the same meanings as in the Plan. The descriptive headings of the respective sections and subsections of this

5


 

Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed to modify or construe the provisions which follow them. Any use of any masculine pronoun shall include the feminine and vice-versa and any use of a singular, the plural and vice-versa, as the context and facts may require. The construction and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of Delaware.
     (d) Notices . Each notice relating to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be sufficiently given if delivered by registered or certified mail, or by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, with postage or charges prepaid, to the address hereinafter provided in this Section 10. Any such notice or communication given by first-class mail shall be deemed to have been given two business days after the date so mailed, and such notice or communication given by overnight delivery service shall be deemed to have been given one business day after the date so sent, provided such notice or communication arrives at its destination. Each notice to the Company shall be addressed to it at its offices at 40 Lane Road, Fairfield, New Jersey 07004 (attention: Chief Financial Officer), with a copy to the Secretary of the Company or to such other designee of the Company. Each notice to the Employee shall be addressed to the Employee at the Employee’s address shown on the signature page hereof.
     (e) Severability . Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any party or circumstance shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the minimal extent of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement or the application of such provision to other parties or circumstances.
     (f) Counterpart Execution . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute the entire document.
             
    COVANTA HOLDING CORPORATION
 
           
 
  By:        
         
 
      Title    
 
           
Accepted this _______________ day of
___________________________, 2008.
_____________________________________________________________________

EMPLOYEE’S ADDRESS:

6

 

[NEAL GERBER & EISENBERG LLP LETTERHEAD]
EXHIBIT 5.1
May 7, 2008
Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20549
Re:   Covanta Holding Corporation
Registration Statement on Form S-8
Ladies and Gentlemen:
     We are counsel to Covanta Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and in such capacity we have assisted in the preparation and filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”) relating to 6,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $.10 per share (the “Common Stock”), that may be issued from time to time pursuant to the Covanta Holding Corporation Equity Award Plan for Employees and Officers (as amended effective May 1, 2008, the “Employees Plan”) and relating to 300,000 shares of Common Stock that may be issued from time to time under the Covanta Holding Corporation Equity Award Plan for Directors (as amended effective May 1, 2008, the “Directors Plan” and collectively with the Employees Plan, the “Plans”).
     In connection with this opinion, we have (i) investigated such questions of law, (ii) examined originals or certified, conformed or reproduction copies of such agreements, instruments, documents and records of the Company, such certificates of public officials and such other documents, and (iii) received such information from officers and representatives of the Company, as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for the purposes of this opinion. For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies and the authenticity of the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies. We have also assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of the signatures of persons signing all documents in connection with which this opinion is rendered, the authority of all persons signing such documents on behalf of the parties thereto other than the Company, the availability for issuance of a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock at the time any shares of Common Stock are issued pursuant to the Plans, and the due authorization, execution and delivery of all documents by the parties thereto other than the Company. As to any facts material to the opinions expressed herein, we have relied upon the statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and others.
     Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that (i) the issuance by the Company pursuant to the Plans of the 6,300,000 shares of Common Stock that are registered on the Registration Statement has been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company and (ii) when issued and paid for as described in the Plans and the applicable agreements thereunder, such shares will be duly and validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock.
     We express no opinion as to any laws other than (i) the federal laws of the United States of America and (ii) the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the applicable provisions of the Delaware constitution and reported decisions of the Delaware courts interpreting these laws.
     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
/s/ NEAL, GERBER & EISENBERG LLP

 

 

Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-XXXXXX) pertaining to the Equity Award Plan for Employees and Officers of Covanta Holding Corporation and the Equity Award Plan for Directors of Covanta Holding Corporation of our reports dated February 24, 2008, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedules of Covanta Holding Corporation included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2007, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Covanta Holding Corporation filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
MetroPark, New Jersey
May 2, 2008

 

 

Exhibit 23.2
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Covanta Holding Corporation Registration Statement on Form S-8 No. 333-XXXXXX pertaining to the Equity Award Plan for Employees and Officers of Covanta Holding Corporation and the Equity Award Plan for Directors of Covanta Holding Corporation of our report dated February 22, 2008, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of Quezon Power, Inc. as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years ended December 31, 2007 included in Covanta Holding Corporation’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2007, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
/s/ Sycip Gorres Velayo & Co.
a Member Firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited
Makati City, Philippines
May 2, 2008