UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  May 26, 2011

 


 

PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

New Hampshire

 

001-06392

 

02-0181050

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

Energy Park

780 North Commercial Street

Manchester, New Hampshire

 

03101-1134

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (603) 669-4000

 

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions ( see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

o             Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o             Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o             Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o             Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 



 

Section 2                                              Financial Information

 

Item 2.03                Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

 

On May 26, 2011, Public Service Company of New Hampshire (“PSNH” or the “Company”) issued $122,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 4.05% First Mortgage Bonds, Series Q, due 2021 (the “Bonds”), pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement, dated May 19, 2011, among Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and UBS Securities LLC, as representatives of the underwriters named therein, and PSNH (the “Underwriting Agreement”).  The Bonds were issued under an Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 1, 2011, between PSNH and U.S. Bank National Association, Trustee, supplementing the First Mortgage Indenture, dated as of August 15, 1978, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association as Trustee, as amended and supplemented.

 

Section 3                                              Securities and Trading Markets

 

Item 3.03                Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.

 

Effective June 1, 2011, PSNH amended and restated its First Mortgage Indenture, dated as of August 15, 1978, as amended (the “Indenture”), substantially in its entirety (as amended, the “Amended and Restated Indenture”). To become effective under the Indenture, the “First Effective Date” changes specified in the Amended and Restated Indenture required the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of all PSNH bonds then outstanding under the Indenture.

 

On June 1, 2011, PSNH effected the redemption of an aggregate of $119.8 million principal amount of certain Pollution Control Refunding Revenue Bonds originally issued by the Business Finance Authority of the State of New Hampshire.  The redemption of these bonds resulted in the redemption of an aggregate of $119.8 million principal amount of certain of the Company’s first mortgage bonds.  Following the redemption of these first mortgage bonds, the holders of a majority of the total principal amount of PSNH bonds currently outstanding under the Indenture are, pursuant to consents provided when such bonds were issued, deemed to have consented to the terms of the Amended and Restated Indenture that require such majority consent to become effective on the “First Effective Date,” and the Amended and Restated Indenture became effective.  The remaining changes require the consent of the holders of 100% in principal amount of all PSNH bonds then outstanding under the PSNH Indenture. As a result, these remaining changes will not become effective until the date on which the Company receives the required unanimous consent (the “Second Effective Date”).  The Company presently expects that the Second Effective Date will occur no earlier than the date on which the last series of PSNH bonds that has not already consented to the Amended and Restated Indenture matures in 2035.

 

The First Effective Date amendments to the PSNH Indenture include: (i) expansion of the types of property excepted from the lien of the Amended and Restated Indenture and the types of senior liens permitted thereunder; (ii) replacement of detailed issuance requirements with a new, streamlined issuance test; (iii) elimination of the renewal and replacement fund requirement; (iv) simplification of procedures for the release of minor properties; (v) easing of limitations for the

 

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application or withdrawal of cash deposited with the Trustee; (vi) expansion of the grace periods for events of default from 30 days to 90 days; and (vii) changes to the procedures for amending the Amended and Restated Indenture with and without the consent of the bondholders.

 

For further information, reference is made to the Composite Amended and Restated Indenture, which is filed as Exhibit 4.3 hereto (attached as Schedule C to the Eighteenth Supplement Indenture filed as Exhibit 4.1 hereto) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Section 9                                              Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

Item 9.01                Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)                                  Exhibits.

 

Exhibit Number

 

Description

 

 

 

1

 

Underwriting Agreement, dated May 19, 2011, among Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and UBS Securities LLC, as representatives of the underwriters named therein, and PSNH.

 

 

 

4.1

 

Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture establishing the terms of the Bonds, dated as of May 1, 2011, between PSNH and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (the “Supplemental Indenture”).

 

 

 

4.2

 

Form of Series Q Bond (included as Schedule A to the Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture filed herewith as Exhibit 4.1).

 

 

 

4.3

 

Composite Amended and Restated Indenture, effective June 1, 2011, between PSNH and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (included as Schedule C to the Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture filed herewith as Exhibit 4.1)

 

 

 

5

 

Legal opinion of Jeffrey C. Miller, Esq. relating to the validity of the Bonds (including consent).

 

[The remainder of this page left blank intentionally.]

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 2, 2011

By:

/s/ SUSAN B. WEBER

 

 

Susan B. Weber

 

 

Assistant Treasurer - Finance

 

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Exhibit 1

 

EXECUTION COPY

 

PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

FIRST MORTGAGE BONDS

 

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

 

May 19, 2011

 

Public Service Company of New Hampshire
Energy Park
780 North Commercial Street
Manchester, New Hampshire 03101-1134

 

1.                                                                                        Purchase and Sale. On the basis of the representations and warranties, and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this agreement (this “Agreement”), the Underwriters (defined below) shall purchase from Public Service Company of New Hampshire (the “Company”), severally and not jointly, and the Company shall sell to the Underwriters, the principal amount of the Company’s 4.05% First Mortgage Bonds, Series Q, due 2021, set forth opposite the name of the Underwriters in Schedule I hereto at the price specified in Schedule III hereto (the aggregate principal amount of the bonds described in Schedule I hereto are hereinafter referred to as the “Bonds”).

 

2.                                                                                        Underwriters. The term “Underwriters”, as used herein, shall be deemed to mean Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and UBS Securities LLC (the “Representatives”) and the other several persons, firms or corporations named in Schedule I hereto (including all substituted Underwriters under the provisions of Section 10 hereof).  All obligations of the Underwriters hereunder are several and not joint.

 

3.                                                                                        Representations and Warranties of the Company and the Underwriters.

 

(a)                                   The Company represents and warrants to and agrees with the Underwriters that:

 

(i)                                      A registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-165579-02), as amended by Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 thereto, relating to the Bonds (i) has been prepared by the Company in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the rules and regulations (the “Rules and Regulations”) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) thereunder; (ii) has been filed with the Commission under

 



 

the Securities Act; and (iii) is effective under the Securities Act.  Copies of such registration statement and any amendment thereto have been delivered by the Company to the Representatives.  As used in this Agreement:

 

(A)                               Effective Date ” means any date as of which any part of such registration statement relating to the Bonds became, or is deemed to have become, effective under the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 430B of the Rules and Regulations;

 

(B)                                 Applicable Time ” means 1:50 p.m. (New York City time) on the date of this Agreement;

 

(C)                              Prospectus ” means the final prospectus relating to the Bonds included in the Registration Statement, including any prospectus supplement thereto relating to the Bonds, as filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations;

 

(D)                                Preliminary Prospectus ” means the final prospectus relating to the Bonds included in the Registration Statement, including any preliminary prospectus supplement thereto relating to the Bonds, as filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations;

 

(E)                                  Registration Statement ” means, collectively, the various parts of such registration statement, each as amended as of the Effective Date for such part, including Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 thereto, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus and all exhibits to such registration statement;

 

(F)                                  Issuer Free Writing Prospectus ” means each “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405 of the Rules and Regulations) prepared by or on behalf of the Company and approved by the Company or used or referred to by the Company in connection with the offering of the Bonds; and

 

(G)                                 Pricing Disclosure Package ” means, as of the Applicable Time, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus, together with each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus listed on Schedule II hereto.

 

Any reference to any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include any documents incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Form S-3 under the Securities Act as of the date of such Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, as the case may be.  Any

 

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reference to the “ most recent Preliminary Prospectus ” shall be deemed to refer to the latest Preliminary Prospectus included in the Registration Statement or filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations on or prior to the date hereof.  Any reference to any amendment or supplement to any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include any document filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”), after the date of such Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, as the case may be, and incorporated by reference in such Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, as the case may be; and any reference to any amendment to the Registration Statement shall be deemed to include any Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the Effective Date that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.

 

(ii)                                   The Commission has not issued any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, and no proceeding or examination for such purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Act against the Company or related to the offering has been instituted or threatened by the Commission.

 

(iii)                                The Company was at the time of initial filing of the Registration Statement, has been at all relevant determination dates thereafter (as provided in clause (2) of the definition of “well-known seasoned issuer” in Rule 405 of the Rules and Regulations), is on the date hereof and will be on the  Closing Date (as defined below) a “well-known seasoned issuer” (as defined in such Rule 405), including not having been an “ineligible issuer” (as defined in such Rule 405) at any such time or date.  The Registration Statement is an “automatic shelf registration statement” (as defined in such Rule 405), was filed not earlier than the date that is three years prior to the Closing Date and the Company has not received from the Commission any notice pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) of the Rules and Regulations objecting to use of the automatic shelf registration statement form and the Company has not otherwise ceased to be eligible to use the automatic shelf registration statement form.

 

(iv)                               The Registration Statement conformed and will conform in all material respects on the Effective Date and on the Closing Date, and any amendment to the Registration Statement filed after the date hereof will conform in all material respects when filed, to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations.  The Preliminary Prospectus conformed, and the Prospectus will conform, in all material respects when filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations and on the Closing Date to the requirements of the Securities

 

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Act and the Rules and Regulations.  The documents incorporated by reference in any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus conformed, and any further documents so incorporated will conform, when filed with the Commission, in all material respects to the requirements of the Exchange Act or the Securities Act, as applicable, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

 

(v)                                  The Registration Statement did not, as of the Effective Date, 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; provided that no representation or warranty is made as to information contained in or omitted from the Registration Statement in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company through the Representatives by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein, which information is specified in Section 8(g) hereof, except that the representations and warranties set forth in this paragraph do not apply to that part of the Registration Statement that constitutes the Statement of Eligibility and Qualification on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”), of U.S. Bank National Association.

 

(vi)                               The Prospectus will not, as of its date and on the Closing Date, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that no representation or warranty is made as to information contained in or omitted from the Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company through the Representatives by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein, which information is specified in Section 8(g) hereof.

 

(vii)                            The documents incorporated by reference in any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus did not, and any further documents filed and incorporated by reference therein will not, when filed with the Commission, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

(viii)                         The Pricing Disclosure Package did not, as of the Applicable Time, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that no representation or warranty is made as to

 

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information contained in or omitted from the Pricing Disclosure Package in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company through the Representatives by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein, which information is specified in Section 8(g) hereof.

 

(ix)                                 Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus conformed or will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations on the date of first use, and the Company has complied with any filing requirements applicable to such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus pursuant to the Rules and Regulations.  Except for the Issuer Free Writing Prospectus listed on Schedule II hereto (the use of which has been consented to by the Representatives), the Company has not made any offer relating to the Bonds that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus without the prior written consent of the Representatives.  The Company has retained in accordance with the Rules and Regulations all Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses that were not required to be filed pursuant to the Rules and Regulations.  Schedule II hereto includes a complete list of all Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses used in connection with the offering of the Bonds.

 

(x)                                    The Company has been duly formed, is validly existing as a New Hampshire corporation in good standing under the laws of New Hampshire, has the power and authority to own its property and to conduct its business as described in the Pricing Disclosure Package and is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or its ownership or leasing of property requires such qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on the Company.  The Company possesses such material certificates, authorizations, franchises or permits issued by the appropriate state or federal regulatory authorities or bodies as are necessary to conduct its business as currently conducted.

 

(xi)                                  The Company has no subsidiaries other than PSNH Funding LLC, PSNH Funding LLC 2 and Properties, Inc.  PSNH Funding LLC, PSNH Funding LLC 2 and Properties, Inc. possess such material certificates, authorizations, franchises or permits issued by the appropriate state or federal regulatory authorities or bodies as are necessary to conduct their business as currently conducted.

 

(xii)                              The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement.  This Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

 

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(xiii)                           The Indenture dated as of August 15, 1978, as amended, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as successor trustee (the “Trustee”), as supplemented and previously amended by various supplemental indentures and as to be supplemented by the Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture, to be dated as of May 1, 2011, establishing the terms of the Bonds (the “Indenture”) has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and is a valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity.

 

(xiv)                          The Bonds have been duly authorized and, when executed and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and delivered to and paid for by the Underwriters in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be entitled to the benefits and security of the Indenture, equally and ratably with the first mortgage bonds of other series presently secured by the Indenture, and will be valid and binding obligations of the Company, in each case enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity.

 

(xv)                             The execution and delivery by the Company of, and the performance by the Company of its obligations under, this Agreement, the Indenture and the Bonds will not contravene any provision of applicable law, rule or regulation or the Articles of Incorporation or By-laws of the Company or any agreement or other instrument binding upon the Company or its properties that is material to the Company, or any judgment, order or decree of any governmental body, agency or court having jurisdiction over the Company or its properties, and no consent, approval, authorization or order of, or qualification with, any governmental body or agency is required for the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement, the Indenture or the Bonds, beyond that contained in  (i) Order No. 25,199 of the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (the “NHPUC”) dated March 3, 2011, (the “NHPUC Order”), (ii) the Order issued by the Vermont Public Service Board in Docket No. 7702, dated February 3, 2011 (the “VPSB Order”), (iii) the Order issued by the Maine Public Utilities Commission in Docket No. 98-182 on March 31, 1998 (the “MPUC Order”), (iv) such as have been obtained under the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act and (v) such as may be required by the securities or Blue Sky laws of the various states in connection with the offer and sale of the Bonds.  The NHPUC Order, the MPUC Order and the VPSB Order are in full force and effect and are sufficient to authorize the Company to issue the Bonds and

 

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to perform its obligations under the Bonds, the Indenture, and this Agreement and are final and not subject to rehearing or appeal.

 

(xvi)                          There has not occurred any material adverse change, or any development involving a prospective material adverse change, in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business or operations of the Company, from that set forth in the Pricing Disclosure Package.

 

(xvii)                       There are no legal or governmental proceedings pending or threatened to which the Company is a party or to which any of the properties of the Company is subject that are required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Pricing Disclosure Package and are not so described or any statutes, regulations, contracts or other documents that are required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Pricing Disclosure Package or to be filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the Registration Statement that are not described, filed or incorporated as required.

 

(xviii)                    Each Preliminary Prospectus filed as part of the registration statement as originally filed or as part of any amendment thereto, or filed pursuant to Rule 424 of the Rules and Regulations, complied when so filed in all material respects with the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations.

 

(xix)                            The Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Bonds and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, will not be an “investment company” as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

(xx)                               Except as disclosed in the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Company  (A) is in compliance with any and all applicable foreign, federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of human health and safety, the environment or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants (“Environmental Laws”) (including, without limitation, any capital or operating expenditures required for clean-up, closure of properties or compliance with Environmental Laws or any permit, license or approval, any related constraints on operating activities and any potential liabilities to third parties), (B) has received all permits, licenses or other approvals required of it under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct its business and (C) is in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such permit, license or approval, except where such noncompliance with Environmental Laws, failure to receive required permits, licenses or other approvals or failure to

 

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comply with the terms and conditions of such permits, licenses or approvals would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

(xxi)                            As of the date of the Company’s most recent certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), the Company maintains systems of internal accounting controls and processes sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles; and (iii) assets are safeguarded from loss or unauthorized use. The Company evaluated the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures to determine whether they are effective in ensuring that the disclosure of required information is timely made in accordance with the Exchange Act and the rules and forms of the Commission. These evaluations were made under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the Company, within the 45-day period prior to the filing of the most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded, based on their review, that the disclosure controls and procedures, as defined by Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15(d)-14(c), are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in Commission rules and forms. No significant changes were made to the Company’s internal controls or other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation.  The Company is not aware of any material weakness in its internal controls over financial reporting.

 

(xxii)                         The financial statements and the related notes thereto incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as applicable, and present fairly the financial position of the Company and its subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and the results of their operations and the changes in their cash flows for the periods specified; such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby, and the supporting schedules included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus present fairly the information required to be stated therein; and the other financial

 

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information included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus has been derived from the accounting records of the Company and its subsidiaries and presents fairly the information shown thereby.

 

(xxiii)                      Deloitte and Touche LLP, who have audited certain financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, are independent registered public accountants with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries as required by the Securities Act.

 

(xxiv)                     T he Indenture constitutes a direct and valid first mortgage lien, subject only to liens permitted by the Indenture (including “permitted liens” as defined in the Indenture) on that portion of the Trust Estate (as defined below) located in the State of New Hampshire, the State of Maine, or the State of Vermont and under existing New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont law, as applicable, will, subject only to such liens permitted by the Indenture and subject to the provisions of the Federal Bankruptcy Code with respect to liens on property purporting to attach after the date of the commencement of proceedings thereunder, constitute a similar lien at the time of acquisition on all similar properties and assets of the Company acquired after the date hereof located within the State of New Hampshire, the State of Maine or the State of Vermont and required by the Indenture to be subjected to the lien thereof, except real property in Maine or Vermont acquired after the date hereof until the filing of a supplemental indenture specifically subjecting such real property to such lien, and other than the properties and assets of the character excluded or excepted from the lien thereof (it being understood, however, that (i) under certain limited circumstances, the lien of the Indenture on real property in New Hampshire and personal property located thereon could be subordinated to a lien in favor of the State of New Hampshire pursuant to New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated 147-B:10-b, as amended, for expenses incurred in containing or removing hazardous waste or materials, and any necessary mitigation of damages with respect to hazardous waste or materials and (ii) under certain limited circumstances the lien of the Indenture on real property in Maine could be subordinated to a lien in favor of the State of Maine pursuant to Maine Revised Statutes Annotated, Title 38, Section 1371 providing for such a lien for costs of abatement, cleanup or mitigation of hazardous substances).

 

(xxv)                        The Company has not distributed and, prior to the later to occur of the Closing Date and completion of the distribution of the Bonds, will not distribute any offering material in connection with the offering and sale of the Bonds other than the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and the Issuer Free Writing Prospectus set forth on Schedule II hereto.

 

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(xxvi) The property specifically described as the trust estate in the Indenture (the “Trust Estate”) located in the State of New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont constitutes all of the utility franchises held by the Company and all of the Company’s principal properties and substantially all of the property used by the Company in its business other than the exceptions explicitly stated in the Indenture.

 

Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company and delivered to the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters in connection with the offering of the Bonds shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company, as to matters covered thereby, to each Underwriter.

 

(b)                                                          Each Underwriter hereby agrees that, except for one or more term sheets containing the information set forth in Exhibit A to Schedule II hereto, it will not use, authorize use of, refer to, or participate in the use of, any “free writing prospectus”, as defined in Rule 405 of the Rules and Regulations (which term includes use of any written information furnished to the Commission by the Company and not incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement and any press release issued by the Company) other than (i) one or more term sheets relating to the Bonds which are not Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses and which contain preliminary terms of the Bonds and related customary information,  (ii) a free writing prospectus that is not required to be filed with the Commission, (iii) a free writing prospectus that contains no “issuer information” (as defined in Rule 433(h)(2) of the Rules and Regulations) that was not included (including through incorporation by reference) in any Preliminary Prospectus or a previously filed Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, (iv) any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus prepared pursuant to Section 7(c) hereof, or (v) any free writing prospectus prepared by such Underwriter and approved by the Company in advance in writing.

 

4.                                                                Terms of Public Offering. The Company is advised by the Underwriters that they have made a public offering of the Bonds on the date of this Agreement.  The terms of the public offering of the Bonds are set forth in the Pricing Disclosure Package.

 

5.                                                                Payment and Delivery.  Except as otherwise provided in this Section 5, payment for the Bonds shall be made to the Company in Federal or other funds immediately available at the time (the “Closing Date”) and place set forth in Schedule III hereto, upon delivery to the Representatives of the Bonds, in fully registered global form registered in the name of Cede & Co., for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters of the Bonds registered in such names and in such denominations as the Representatives shall request in writing not less than the business day immediately preceding the date of delivery, with any transfer taxes payable in connection with the transfer of the Bonds to the Underwriters duly paid. Delivery of the Bonds shall be made through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company unless the Representatives shall otherwise instruct.

 

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6.                     .Conditions to the Underwriters’ Obligations.  The obligations of the Underwriters are subject to the following conditions

 

(a)   Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date:

 

(i)            there shall not have occurred any downgrading or withdrawal, nor shall any notice have been given of any intended or potential downgrading or withdrawal or of any review for a possible change that does not indicate the direction of the possible change, in the rating accorded any of the Company’s securities by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization,” as such term is defined for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) of the Rules and Regulations;

 

(ii)           any Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus shall have been timely filed with the Commission in accordance with Section 7(b) hereof; the Company shall have complied with all filing requirements applicable to any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or preventing or suspending the use of the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus shall have been issued and no proceeding for such purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Act against the Company or related to the offering shall have been initiated or threatened by the Commission; and any request of the Commission for inclusion of additional information in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or otherwise shall have been complied with; and the Company has not received from the Commission any notice pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) of the Rules and Regulations objecting to use of the automatic shelf registration statement form; and

 

(iii)          there shall not have occurred any change, or any development involving a prospective change, in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business or operations of the Company, from that set forth in the Pricing Disclosure Package that, in the judgment of the Representatives, is material and adverse and that makes it, in the judgment of the Representatives, impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offer, sale or delivery of the Bonds on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Pricing Disclosure Package and this Agreement.

 

(b) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date a certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by an executive officer of

 

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the Company, to the effect set forth in Sections 6(a)(i) and (ii) above and to the effect that (i) the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement that are not qualified as to materiality or material adverse effect are true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date, the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement that are qualified as to materiality or material adverse effect are true and correct in all respects as of the Closing Date and that the Company has complied with all of the agreements and satisfied all of the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder on or before the Closing Date and (ii) since the Effective Date, no event has occurred that should have been set forth in a supplement or amendment to the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that has not been so set forth.  The officer signing and delivering such certificate may rely upon the best of his or her knowledge as to proceedings threatened.

 

(c)           At the Closing Date, the Bonds shall have at least the ratings specified in the Pricing Disclosure Package, and the Company shall have delivered to the Underwriters a letter, dated the Closing Date, from each relevant rating agency, or other evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriters, confirming that the Bonds have been assigned such ratings;

 

 (d)          The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date a legal opinion or legal opinions from Jeffrey C. Miller, Esq., Assistant General Counsel of Northeast Utilities Service Company, counsel to the Company, or other counsel reasonably acceptable to the Underwriters, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that:

 

(i)            the Company has been duly formed, is validly existing as a New Hampshire corporation in good standing under the laws of New Hampshire, has the power and authority to own its property and to conduct its business as described in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or its ownership or leasing of property requires such qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on the Company; the Company possesses such material certificates, authorizations, franchises or permits issued by the appropriate state or federal regulatory authorities or bodies as are necessary to conduct its business as currently conducted;

 

(ii)           this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company;

 

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(iii)          the Indenture has been (A) duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and (B) duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and is a valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity;

 

(iv)          the Bonds have been duly authorized and executed and, when authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and delivered to and paid for by the Underwriters in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be entitled to the benefits and security of the Indenture, equally and ratably with the first mortgage bonds of other series presently secured by the Indenture, and will be valid and binding obligations of the Company, in each case enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity;

 

(v)           (A) the execution and delivery by the Company of, and the performance by the Company of its obligations under, this Agreement, the Indenture and the Bonds will not contravene any provision of applicable law, rule or regulation or the Articles of Incorporation or By-laws of the Company or, to the best of such counsel’s knowledge, any agreement or other instrument binding upon the Company or its properties that is material to the Company, or, to the best of such counsel’s knowledge, any judgment, order or decree of any governmental body, agency or court having jurisdiction over the Company or its properties, and (B) no consent, approval, authorization or order of, or qualification with, any governmental body or agency is required for the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement, the Indenture and the Bonds, beyond that contained in the NHPUC Order, the MPUC Order and the VPSB Order, such as have been obtained under the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act and such as may be required by the securities or Blue Sky laws of the various states, as to which such counsel need express no opinion, in connection with the offer and sale of the Bonds.  The NHPUC Order, MPUC Order and VPSB Order are in full force and effect and are sufficient to authorize the Company to issue the Bonds and to perform its obligations under the Bonds, the Indenture, and this Agreement and are final and not subject to rehearing or appeal;

 

(vi)          the statements (A) in the Pricing Disclosure Package

 

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and the Prospectus under the captions “Description of Securities Registered ¾ Public Service Company of New Hampshire ¾ The PSNH Bonds”, “Underwriting” and “Description of the Series Q Bonds” (other than under the subcaptions “ ¾ Global Securities” and “ ¾ Certain Notices,” as to which such counsel need express no opinion) (B) in the Registration Statement under Item 15, (C) in “Item 3 - Legal Proceedings” of the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K incorporated by reference in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and (D) in “Item 1 - Legal Proceedings” of Part II of the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, if any, filed since such annual report, in each case insofar as such statements constitute summaries of the legal matters, documents or proceedings referred to therein, fairly present the information called for with respect to such legal matters, documents and proceedings as of the dates of such reports and fairly summarize the matters referred to therein as of the dates of such reports;

 

(vii)         after due inquiry, such counsel does not know of any legal or governmental proceedings pending or threatened to which the Company is a party or to which any of the properties of the Company is subject that are required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus and are not so described or of any statutes, regulations, contracts or other documents that are required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or to be filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the Registration Statement that are not described, filed or incorporated as required;

 

(viii)        the Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Bonds and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, will not be an “investment company” as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended;

 

(ix)           except as disclosed in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company (A) is in compliance with any and all applicable Environmental Laws, (B) has received all permits, licenses or other approvals required of it under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct its business and (C) is in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such permit, license or approval, except where such noncompliance with Environmental Laws, failure to receive required permits, licenses or other approvals or failure to comply with the terms and

 

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conditions of such permits, licenses or approvals would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company;

 

(x)            the Registration Statement has become effective; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement is in effect, no order directed to the adequacy of any document incorporated by reference in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus has been issued by the Commission and no proceedings for either such purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Act against the Company or related to the offering are pending before or threatened by the Commission;

 

(xi)           such counsel (A) is of the opinion that each document, if any, filed pursuant to the Exchange Act and incorporated by reference in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto (except for financial statements, schedules and other financial or statistical data contained or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or any amendment to the Prospectus, as to which such counsel need not express any opinion) complied when so filed as to form in all material respects with the Exchange Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and (B) is of the opinion that the Registration Statement, on the Effective Date, and each of the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, at the time it was filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations (except for financial statements, schedules and other financial or statistical data contained or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, as to which such counsel need not express any opinion), complied as to form in all material respects with the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations;

 

(xii)          the Trust Estate, located in the State of New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont, constitutes all of the utility franchises held by the Company and all of the Company’s principal properties and substantially all of the property used by the Company in its business other than the exceptions explicitly stated in the Indenture;

 

(xiii)         the manner in which the Trust Estate is described in the granting clauses of the Indenture is adequate for the purpose of creating the lien described in subparagraph (xiv)  hereof on the portion of such property located in the State of New Hampshire,

 

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the State of Maine, or the State of Vermont; and

 

(xiv)        the Indenture constitutes a direct and valid first mortgage lien, subject only to liens permitted by the Indenture (including “permitted liens” as defined in the Indenture) on that portion of the Trust Estate located in the State of New Hampshire, the State of Maine, or the State of Vermont and under existing New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont law, as applicable, will, subject only to such liens permitted by the Indenture and subject to the provisions of the Federal Bankruptcy Code with respect to liens on property purporting to attach after the date of the commencement of proceedings thereunder, constitute a similar lien at the time of acquisition on all similar properties and assets of the Company acquired after the date hereof located within the State of New Hampshire, the State of Maine, or the State of Vermont and required by the Indenture to be subjected to the lien thereof, except real property in Maine or Vermont acquired after the date hereof until the filing of a supplemental indenture specifically subjecting such real property to such lien, and other than the properties and assets of the character excluded or excepted from the lien thereof (it being understood, however, that (i) under certain limited circumstances, the lien of the Indenture on real property in New Hampshire and personal property located thereon could be subordinated to a lien in favor of the State of New Hampshire pursuant to New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated 147-B:10-b, as amended, for expenses incurred in containing or removing hazardous waste or materials, and any necessary mitigation of damages with respect to hazardous waste or materials and (ii) under certain limited circumstances the lien of the Indenture on real property in Maine could be subordinated to a lien in favor of the State of Maine pursuant to Maine Revised Statutes Annotated, Title 38, Section 1371 providing for such a lien for costs of abatement, cleanup or mitigation of hazardous substances); no liens of the type referred to in the immediately preceding parenthetical have been recorded, or, to such counsel’s knowledge, threatened to be recorded, by the State of New Hampshire or the State of Maine, as applicable, against any of the Company’s New Hampshire or Maine properties; and the Indenture, and/or one or more appropriate certificates and/or financing statements with respect thereto, has been duly recorded or filed for recordation in all places within the State of New Hampshire, the State of Maine, and the State of Vermont in which such recording or filing is required to protect and preserve the lien of the Indenture on said properties and assets of the Company located in the State of New Hampshire, the State of Maine, and the State of Vermont which are presently subject thereto, and all New Hampshire, Maine, and

 

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Vermont taxes and fees required to be paid with respect to the execution and recording of the Indenture and the issuance of the Bonds have been paid (other than in connection with or in compliance with the provisions of the state securities or “Blue Sky” laws of any jurisdiction, as to which counsel need not express an opinion).

 

Such counsel shall also state that he has no reason to believe that (except for financial statements, schedules and other financial or statistical data contained or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement,  Pricing Disclosure Package or Prospectus, and except for that part of the Registration Statement that constitutes the Form T-1, as to all of which such counsel need not express any belief):

 

(A) any part of the Registration Statement, as of the Effective Date, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,

 

(B) the Pricing Disclosure Package, as of the Applicable Time, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or

 

(C) the Prospectus, as of its date and as of the date such opinion is delivered, contained or contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

Such counsel may state that his belief is based upon his participation in the preparation of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and documents incorporated therein by reference and review and discussion of the contents thereof, but are without independent check or verification, except as specified.

 

Insofar as Mr. Miller’s opinion relates to matters governed by the law of the State of New Hampshire, he may rely on the opinions of even date therewith of Robert A. Bersak, Assistant General Counsel of Northeast Utilities Service Company and Sulloway & Hollis, P.L.L.C., counsel for the Company, each as addressed to him.  Insofar as Mr. Miller’s opinion relates to matters governed by the law of the State of Maine he may rely on the opinion of even date therewith of Drummond Woodsum & MacMahon, counsel for the Company, and for matters

 

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governed by the law of the State of Vermont, he may rely on the opinion of even date therewith of Zuccaro & Willis, P.C., counsel for the Company, each as addressed to him.  Each of the foregoing opinions shall be addressed to or shall allow the Underwriters to rely on such opinion as if they were an addressee thereto.

 

The opinion(s) of counsel described in Section 6(d) above shall be rendered to the Underwriters at the request of the Company and shall so state therein.

 

(e)   The Underwriters shall have received from Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, special counsel for the Underwriters, an opinion dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Underwriters, with respect to such matters as the Representatives may reasonably require, and the Company shall have furnished to such counsel such documents as they request for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters.

 

 (f)   The Underwriters shall have received on the date hereof and on the Closing Date, letters, the first dated the date hereof and the second dated the Closing Date, each in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters, from Deloitte & Touche LLP, containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained in or incorporated by reference into the most recent Preliminary Prospectus, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

If any of the conditions specified in this Section 6 shall not have been fulfilled when and as provided in this Agreement, or if any of the opinions and certificates mentioned above or elsewhere in this Agreement shall not be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters, this Agreement and all obligations of the Underwriters hereunder may be canceled at, or at any time prior to, the Closing Date by the Representatives.  Notice of such cancellation shall be given to the Company in writing or by telephone or facsimile confirmed in writing.

 

4.     Covenants of the Company.   In further consideration of the agreements of the Underwriters herein contained, the Company covenants with each Underwriter as follows:

 

(a) To furnish the Representatives, without charge, one (1) signed copy of the Registration Statement (including exhibits thereto) and, for delivery to each other Underwriter, a conformed copy of the Registration Statement (without exhibits thereto) and to furnish the Representatives in New York City, without charge, prior to 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the business day next succeeding the date of this Agreement and during

 

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the period mentioned in Section 7(e) hereof, as many copies of the Preliminary Prospectus, Prospectus, each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any documents incorporated by reference therein and any supplements and amendments thereto or to the Registration Statement as the Representatives may reasonably request.

 

(b) To prepare the Prospectus in a form approved by the Representatives and to file the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations not later than the Commission’s close of business on the second business day following the execution and delivery of this Agreement.  If, at any time prior to the filing of the Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations, any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which the Pricing Disclosure Package would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein in the light of the circumstances under which they were made or the circumstances then prevailing not misleading, the Company will (i) notify promptly the Representatives so that any use of the Pricing Disclosure Package may cease until it is amended or supplemented; (ii) amend or supplement the Pricing Disclosure Package to correct such statement or omission; and (iii) supply any amendment or supplement to the Underwriters in such quantities as the Representatives may reasonably request.

 

(c) If required by the Securities Act, to timely file with the Commission under the Securities Act each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus. The Company will prepare a final term sheet, substantially in the form of Exhibit A to Schedule II hereto, in a form approved by the Representatives and to file such final term sheet pursuant to Rule 433(d) of the Rules and Regulations within the time required by such Rule and to file all other material required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433(d) of the Rules and Regulations.

 

(d)   Before amending or supplementing the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus with respect to the Bonds, to furnish to the Representatives a copy of each such proposed amendment or supplement and not to file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which the Representatives reasonably object.

 

(e) If, during such period after the first date of the public offering of the Bonds as in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters the Prospectus is required by law to be delivered (including in such circumstances where such requirement can be satisfied pursuant to Rule 172 of the Rules and Regulations) in connection with sales by an

 

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Underwriter or dealer, any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading, or if, in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters, it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with applicable law, forthwith to prepare, file with the Commission and furnish, at its own expense, to the Underwriters and to the dealers (whose names and addresses the Representatives will furnish to the Company) to which Bonds may have been sold by the Representatives on behalf of the Underwriters and to any other dealers upon request, either amendments or supplements to the Prospectus so that the statements in the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, be misleading or so that the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will comply with law.

 

(f) To endeavor to qualify the Bonds for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives shall reasonably request; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to qualify as a foreign corporation or to file a consent to service of process or to file annual reports or to comply with any other requirements deemed by the Company in its reasonable judgment to be unduly burdensome.

 

(g) Not to make any offer relating to the Bonds that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus without the prior written consent of the Representatives.

 

(h)   To retain in accordance with the Rules and Regulations all Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses it uses or refers to; and if at any time after the date hereof any events shall have occurred as a result of which any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, would conflict with the information in the Registration Statement, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or, if for any other reason it shall be necessary to amend or supplement any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, to notify the Representatives and, upon their request, to file such document and to prepare and furnish without charge to each Underwriter as many copies as the Representatives may from time to time reasonably request of an amended or supplemented Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that will correct such conflict, statement or omission or effect such compliance.

 

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(i) To make generally available to the Company’s security holders, as soon as practicable, an earning statement (which need not be audited) covering a period of at least twelve months beginning after the “effective date of the registration statement” within the meaning of Rule 158 of the Rules and Regulations, which earning statement shall be in such form, and be made generally available to security holders in such a manner, as to meet the requirements of the last paragraph of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 of the Rules and Regulations.

 

(j)        During the period beginning on the date of this Agreement and continuing to and including the Closing Date, not to offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any debt securities of the Company or warrants to purchase debt securities of the Company substantially similar to the Bonds (other than (i) the Bonds and (ii) commercial paper issued in the ordinary course of business), without the prior written consent of the Representatives.

 

(k) Whether or not the transactions contemplated in this Agreement are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, to pay or cause to be paid all expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including: (i) the fees, disbursements and expenses of the Company’s counsel and the Company’s accountants in connection with the registration and delivery of the Bonds under the Securities Act and all other fees or expenses in connection with the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and amendments and supplements to any of the foregoing, including all printing costs associated therewith, and the mailing and delivering of copies thereof to the Underwriters and dealers, in the quantities hereinabove specified, (ii) all costs and expenses related to the transfer and delivery of the Bonds to the Underwriters, including any transfer or other taxes payable thereon, (iii) the cost of printing or producing any Blue Sky memorandum in connection with the offer and sale of the Bonds under state law and all expenses in connection with the qualification of the Bonds for offer and sale under state law as provided in Section 7(f) hereof, including filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters not to exceed $10,000 in connection with such qualification and in connection with the Blue Sky memorandum, (iv) the fees and disbursements of the Company’s accountants and the Trustee and its counsel, (v) all filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters incurred in connection with any review and qualification of the offering of the Bonds by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, (vi) any fees charged by the rating agencies for the rating of the Bonds and (vii) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the Company hereunder for which provision is not otherwise made in this

 

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Section.  It is understood, however, that except as provided in this Section, Section 8 entitled “Indemnity and Contribution”, and clause (b) of Section 10 entitled “Defaulting Underwriters” hereof, the Underwriters will pay all of their costs and expenses, including fees and disbursements of their counsel (except as set forth in this Section 7(k)), and any advertising expenses connected with any offers they may make.

 

(l) The Company will comply with all applicable securities and other applicable laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and will use its best efforts to cause the Company’s directors and officers, in their capacities as such, to comply with such laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

 

(m) The Company will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would constitute or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under the Exchange Act or otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Bonds.

 

(n) If the supplemental indenture establishing the terms of the Bonds (the “ Supplemental Indenture ”) is not recorded prior to the Closing Date, then (1) within 10 days after the Closing Date, the Company shall deliver such Supplemental Indenture in recordable form to the appropriate real estate recording office in all jurisdictions specified in such Supplemental Indenture for recording and deliver to the office of the Secretary of State of the State of New Hampshire a UCC-1 financing statement relating to the Supplemental Indenture for filing in such office and (2) within 25 days after the Closing Date, the Company shall deliver to counsel to the Underwriters a certificate signed by an officer of the Company certifying that the actions required by the foregoing clause (1) have been taken.  The Company shall further provide counsel to the Underwriters, as soon as it is available, a copy of the related opinion of counsel contemplated by Section 5.8(b) of the Indenture.  To the extent not covered in the opinion described in the previous sentence, the Company shall also provide counsel to the Underwriters, concurrently with the furnishing of such opinion, a list of the recording information for all such filings.

 

(o) The Company will pay the applicable Commission filing fees relating to the Bonds within the time required by Rule 456(b)(1) of the Rules and Regulations without regard to the proviso thereof.

 

(p) If immediately prior to the third anniversary (the “ Renewal Deadline ”) of the initial effective date of the Registration Statement, any

 

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of the Bonds remain unsold by the Underwriters, the Company will, prior to the Renewal Deadline, file, if it has not already done so and is eligible to do so, a new automatic shelf registration statement relating to the Bonds, in a form satisfactory to the Representatives.  If the Company is no longer eligible to file an automatic shelf registration statement, the Company will prior to the Renewal Deadline, if it has not already done so, file a new shelf registration statement relating to the Bonds, in a form satisfactory to the Representatives, and will use its best efforts to cause such registration statement to be declared effective within 60 days after the Renewal Deadline.  The Company will take all other action necessary or appropriate to permit the public offering and sale of the Bonds to continue as contemplated in the expired registration statement relating to the Bonds. References herein to the Registration Statement shall include such new automatic shelf registration statement or such new shelf registration statement, as the case may be.

 

(q) If at any time when Bonds remain unsold by the Underwriters the Company receives from the Commission a notice pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) of the Rules and Regulations or otherwise ceases to be eligible to use the automatic shelf registration statement form, the Company will (i) promptly notify the Representatives, (ii) promptly file a new registration statement or post-effective amendment on the proper form relating to the Bonds, in a form satisfactory to the Representatives, (iii) use its best efforts to cause such registration statement or post-effective amendment to be declared effective and (iv) promptly notify the Representatives of such effectiveness.  The Company will take all other action necessary or appropriate to permit the public offering and sale of the Bonds to continue as contemplated in the registration statement that was the subject of the Rule 401(g)(2) of the Rules and Regulations notice or for which the Company has otherwise become ineligible.  References herein to the Registration Statement shall include such new registration statement or post-effective amendment, as the case may be.

 

5.         Indemnity and Contribution. (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its directors, officers and employees and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities when and as incurred by them (including, without limitation, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with defending or investigating any such action or claim) that are based upon or arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, the Pricing Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto, or any “issuer information” (as defined in Rule 433 of the Rules and Regulations)

 

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contained in any free writing prospectus, so long as the Company consented in writing to such free writing prospectus prior to its first use or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities are caused by any such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission based upon information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use therein, which information consists solely of the information specified in Section 8(g) hereof.

 

(b) Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, its officers who sign the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company to such Underwriter, but only with reference to information relating to such Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, the Pricing Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or in any amendments or supplements thereto, which information is limited to the information set forth in Section 8(g) hereof.

 

(c) In case any proceeding (including any governmental investigation) shall be instituted involving any person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to either Section 8(a) or 8(b) hereof, such person (the “ indemnified party ”) shall promptly notify the person against whom such indemnity may be sought (the “ indemnifying party ”) in writing (but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party under this subsection shall not relieve it from any liability which it otherwise might have to an indemnified party otherwise than under this subsection) and the indemnifying party, upon request of the indemnified party, shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party and any others the indemnifying party may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the fees and disbursements of such counsel related to such proceeding. In any such proceeding, any indemnified party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such indemnified party unless (i) the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel or (ii) the named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the indemnifying party and the indemnified party and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them or (iii) the indemnifying party has not retained counsel within a reasonable period of time after the request by the indemnified party to do so. It is understood that the indemnifying party shall not, in respect of the legal expenses of any indemnified party in connection with any proceeding or related

 

24



 

proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all such indemnified parties and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. Such firm shall be designated in writing by the Representatives, in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 8(a) hereof, and by the Company, in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 8(b) hereof. The indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment.  No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement (x) includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and (y) 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) To the extent the indemnification provided for in Section 8(a) or 8(b) hereof is unavailable to an indemnified party or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then each indemnifying party under such paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand from the offering of the Bonds or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause 8(d)(i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause 8(d)(i) above but also the relative fault of each indemnifying party on the one hand and each indemnified party on the other hand in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.  The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the offering of the Bonds shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the net proceeds from the offering of such Bonds (before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover of the Prospectus, bear to the aggregate public offering price of the Bonds.  The relative fault of each indemnifying party on the one hand and each indemnified party on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by such indemnifying party or by such indemnified party and the parties’ relative intent,

 

25



 

knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.  The Underwriters’ respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 8 are several in proportion to the respective principal amounts of Bonds they have purchased hereunder, and not joint.

 

(e) The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just or equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in Section 8(d) hereof.  The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Bonds underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages that such Underwriter 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 Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The remedies provided for in this Section 8 are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available to any indemnified party at law or in equity.

 

(f) The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this Section 8 and the representations, warranties and other statements of the Company contained in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any termination of this Agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or any person controlling any Underwriter or the Company, its officers or directors or any person controlling the Company and (iii) acceptance of and payment for any of the Bonds.

 

(g) The Underwriters severally confirm and the Company acknowledges and agrees that the statements regarding (i) delivery of the Bonds by the Underwriters set forth in the last paragraph of text on the cover page, (ii) in the third and fifth paragraphs of text under the caption “Underwriting” appearing on page S-14 and (iii) in the third sentence of the fourth paragraph of text under the caption “Underwriting” appearing on page S-14 of the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus are correct and constitute the only information concerning such Underwriter furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of the Underwriters specifically for inclusion in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, the Pricing Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto.

 

26



 

6.         Termination. This Agreement shall be subject to termination by notice given by the Representatives to the Company, if (a) after the execution and delivery of this Agreement and on or prior to the Closing Date (i) trading generally shall have been suspended or materially limited on or by, as the case may be, any of the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, the Chicago Board of Options Exchange, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange or the Chicago Board of Trade or there shall have been established by any of such exchanges or by the Commission or by any federal or state agency or by the decision of any court, any general limitation on prices for such trading or any general restrictions on the distribution of securities, (ii) trading of any securities of the Company or Northeast Utilities shall have been suspended on any exchange or in any over-the-counter market, (iii) a general moratorium on commercial banking activities in New York shall have been declared by either Federal or New York State authorities, (iv) there shall have occurred any (A) outbreak of hostilities affecting the United States, or (B) other national or international calamity or crisis, or any material adverse change in financial, political or economic conditions affecting the United States, including, but not limited to, an escalation of hostilities that existed prior to the date of this Agreement, or (v) there shall have occurred any material disruption in commercial banking, securities settlement or clearance services and (b) in the case of any of the events specified in clauses 9(a)(i) through 9(a)(v), such event, singly or together with any other such event, makes it impracticable or inadvisable, in the judgment of the Representatives, to proceed with the offer, sale or delivery of the Bonds on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus.

 

7.         Defaulting Underwriters. (a) If, on the Closing Date, any one or more of the Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase the Bonds set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter or Underwriters in Schedule I hereto that it has or they have agreed to purchase hereunder on such date, and the aggregate amount of such Bonds which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase is not more than one-tenth of the aggregate amount of the Bonds of such Underwriter or Underwriters to be purchased on such date, the other Underwriters shall be obligated severally in the proportions that the amount of such Bonds set forth opposite their respective names in Schedule I hereto bears to the aggregate amount of such Bonds set forth opposite the names of all such non-defaulting Underwriters, or in such other proportions as the Representatives may specify, to purchase the Bonds which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase on such date; provided that in no event shall the amount of the Bonds that any Underwriter has agreed to purchase pursuant to this Agreement be increased pursuant to this Section 10 by an amount in excess of one-ninth of such amount of such Bonds without the written consent of such Underwriter. If, on the Closing Date, any Underwriter or Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase such Bonds and the

 

27



 

aggregate amount of such Bonds with respect to which such default occurs is more than one-tenth of the aggregate amount of such Bonds to be purchased on such date, and arrangements satisfactory to the Representatives and the Company for the purchase of such Bonds are not made within 36 hours after such default, this Agreement shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter or the Company. In any such case either the Representatives or the Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date, but in no event for longer than seven days, in order that the required changes, if any, in the Registration Statement and in the Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements may be effected. Any action taken under this paragraph shall not relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of any default of such Underwriter under this Agreement.

 

(b) If this Agreement shall be terminated by the Underwriters because any condition to the obligation of the Underwriters set forth in Section 6 hereof is not satisfied, because of any termination pursuant to Section 9 hereof or because of any failure or refusal on the part of the Company to comply with the terms or to fulfill any of the conditions of this Agreement, or if for any reason the Company shall be unable to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Company will reimburse the Underwriters for all out of pocket expenses (including the fees and disbursements of their counsel) reasonably incurred by the Underwriters in connection with this Agreement or the offering contemplated hereunder.

 

8.             No Fiduciary Duty.   The Company acknowledges and agrees that in connection with this offering, sale of the Bonds or any other services the Underwriters may be deemed to be providing hereunder, notwithstanding any preexisting relationship, advisory or otherwise, between the parties or any oral representations or assurances previously or subsequently made by the Underwriters:  (i) no fiduciary or agency relationship between the Company and any other person, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other, exists; (ii) the Underwriters are not acting as advisors, expert or otherwise, to the Company, including, without limitation, with respect to the determination of the public offering price of the Bonds, and such relationship between the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other, is entirely and solely commercial, based on arms-length negotiations; (iii) any duties and obligations that the Underwriters may have to the Company shall be limited to those duties and obligations specifically stated herein; and (iv) the Underwriters and their respective affiliates may have interests that differ from those of the Company.  The Company hereby waives any claims that the Company may have against the Underwriters with respect to any breach of fiduciary duty in connection with this offering.

 

9.             Representations and Indemnities to Survive . The respective agreements, representations, warranties, indemnities and other statements of the Company or its officers and of the Underwriters set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation

 

28



 

made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or the Company or any of the officers, directors, employees, agents or controlling persons referred to in Section 8 hereof, and will survive delivery of and payment for the Bonds.  The provisions of Sections 8 and 10(b) hereof shall survive the termination or cancellation of this Agreement.

 

10.           Notices .  All communications hereunder will be in writing and effective only on receipt, and, if sent to the Representatives, will be mailed, delivered or telefaxed to Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, Attention: Investment Banking Division, (facsimile: (212) 507-8999) and UBS Securities LLC , Attention: Fixed Income Syndicate (facsimile: (203) 719-0495); or, if sent to the Company, will be mailed, delivered or telefaxed to Public Service Company of New Hampshire, Attention: Assistant Treasurer (facsimile: (860) 728-4585) , with a copy to the General Counsel at the same address and confirmed to it at Public Service Company of New Hampshire,  c/o Northeast Utilities Service Company, 56 Prospect Street, Hartford, Connecticut 06103-2818, Attention: Assistant Treasurer.

 

11.            Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

 

12.           Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.

 

13.           Headings. The headings of the sections of this Agreement have been inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed a part of this Agreement.

 

29



 

Please confirm your agreement by having an authorized officer sign a copy of this Agreement in the space set forth below.

 

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated

 

UBS Securities LLC

 

TD Securities (USA) LLC

 

The Williams Capital Group, L.P.

 

 

 

 

 

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated

 

 

 

By:

/S/ YURIJ SLYZ

 

 

Name:

Yurij Slyz

 

 

Title:

Executive Director

 

 

 

 

 

UBS Securities LLC

 

 

 

By:

/S/ SPENCER HAIMES

 

 

Name:

Spencer Haimes

 

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

 

By:

/S/ MATTHEW BALDWIN

 

 

Name:

Matthew Baldwin

 

 

Title:

Associate Director

 

 

 

As representatives of the several Underwriters

 

Accepted and agreed:

 

 

 

PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF

 

NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/S/ RANDY A. SHOOP

 

 

Randy A. Shoop

 

 

Vice President and Treasurer

 

 



 

SCHEDULE I

 

Underwriters

 

Principal Amount of Bonds

 

 

 

 

 

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated

 

$

 

48,800,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

UBS Securities LLC

 

$

 

48,800,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

TD Securities (USA) LLC

 

$

 

15,860,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Williams Capital Group, L.P

 

$

 

8,540,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL

 

$

 

122,000,000

 

 

SCHEDULE II

 

Complete list of all Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses used in connection with the offering of the Bonds

 

·                   Term sheet, dated May 19, 2011, attached hereto as Exhibit A, relating to the Bonds.

 



 

Exhibit A to Schedule II

 

Free Writing Prospectus
Filed pursuant to Rule 433
Registration No. 333-165579-02

 

May 19, 2011

 

Public Service Company of New Hampshire

 

Pricing Term Sheet

 

Issuer:

 

Public Service Company of New Hampshire

Security:

 

$122,000,000 4.05% First Mortgage Bonds, Series Q, due 2021

Maturity:

 

June 1, 2021

Coupon:

 

4.05%

Price to Public:

 

99.739% of face amount

Yield to Maturity:

 

4.082%

Spread to Benchmark Treasury:

 

+88 basis points

Benchmark Treasury:

 

3.125% due May 15, 2021

Benchmark Treasury Yield:

 

3.202%

Interest Payment Dates:

 

June 1 and December 1, commencing December 1, 2011

Redemption Provisions:

 

Make-whole call at any time prior to March 1, 2021 at a discount rate of Treasury plus 15 basis points and, thereafter at par

Settlement:

 

May 26, 2011

 

 

(T + 5)

CUSIP:

 

744482 BK5

Ratings:

 

[Ratings omitted]

Joint Book-Running Managers:

 

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated

 

 

UBS Securities LLC

Co-Managers:

 

TD Securities (USA) LLC

 

 

The Williams Capital Group, L.P.

 

Note: A securities rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities and may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time.

 

The issuer has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement and other documents the issuer has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the issuer and this offering.  You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, the issuer, any underwriter or any dealer participating in the offering will arrange to send you the prospectus if you request it by calling Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated toll-free at 1-866-718-1649 or UBS Securities LLC toll-free at 877-827-6444 ext. 561-3884.

 

2



 

SCHEDULE III

 

Closing Date and Location:

 

10:00 a.m., New York time

May 26, 2011

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

1540 Broadway

New York, New York 10036

 

Purchase Price for the Bonds:

 

99.089% of the principal amount thereof

 

3


Exhibit 4.1

 

PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY

OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

AND

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 

Successor to WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

and to FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK

 

Formerly Known as FIRST FIDELITY BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

NEW JERSEY

 

Successor to BANK OF NEW ENGLAND, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

(Formerly Known as NEW ENGLAND MERCHANTS NATIONAL BANK)

and to

NEW BANK OF NEW ENGLAND, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, TRUSTEE

 

EIGHTEENTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

Dated as of May 1, 2011

 

TO ISSUE SERIES Q

FIRST MORTGAGE BONDS

 

$122,000,000 First Mortgage Bonds, Series Q, due 2021

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

Date and Parties

 

 

Recitals

1

 

Granting Clauses

2

 

Exceptions

4

 

Habendum

4

 

Declaration in Trust

4

 

 

 

ARTICLE 1 — SERIES Q BONDS

 

1.01

Designation; Amount

5

1.02

Form of Series Q Bonds; Global Security; Depository for Global Securities

5

1.03

Provisions of Series Q Bonds; Interest Accrual

5

1.04

Transfer and Exchange of Series Q Bonds

6

1.05

Redemption of the Series Q Bonds

7

1.06

Effect of Event of Default

8

1.07

Payment Date Not a Business Day

9

1.08

Amendment and Restatement of Original Indenture

9

 

 

 

ARTICLE 2 — AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF ORIGINAL INDENTURE

 

2.01

Amendment of Granting and Related Clauses

9

2.02

Substitution of New Articles One Through Sixteen

15

 

 

 

ARTICLE 3 — MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

3.01

Recitals

15

3.02

Benefits of Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture

15

3.03

Effect of Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture

15

3.04

Termination

16

3.05

Trust Indenture Act

16

3.06

Counterparts

16

3.07

Notices

16

3.08

Definitions

16

 

Testimonium

Signatures

 

Schedule A - Form of Series Q Bonds

Schedule B - Description of Certain Properties Acquired Since December 1, 2009

Schedule C - Form of Amended and Restated Indenture

 

Acknowledgments

Endorsement

 

i



 

THIS EIGHTEENTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE dated as of May 1, 2011, between PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE (with its successors and assigns, the “Company”), a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of New Hampshire, having its principal place of business at Energy Park, 780 North Commercial Street in Manchester, New Hampshire 03101, and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (as successor to Wachovia Bank, National Association, and by merger to First Union National Bank, formerly known as First Fidelity Bank, National Association, New Jersey, successor in trust to Bank of New England, National Association (formerly known as New England Merchants National Bank) and to New Bank of New England, National Association), said U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION being a national banking association duly organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America having a corporate trust office at 21 South Street, Third Floor, Morristown, New Jersey 07960 and duly authorized to execute the trusts hereof (with its successors in trust, the “Trustee”), as trustee under the General and Refunding Mortgage Indenture, dated August 15, 1978 (as amended by ten supplemental indentures, including the Tenth Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 1, 1991, the “Original Indenture” and sometimes referred to, with each and every prior indenture supplemental thereto and each and every other instrument, including this Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture, supplemental to the Original Indenture, as the “Indenture”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company has previously executed and delivered to the Trustee seventeen supplemental indentures which are part of the Indenture for the purposes recited therein and for the purpose of issuing bonds under the Indenture, the currently outstanding series of which are set forth in the following table:

 

Supplemental
Indenture
No.

 

Dated
as of

 

Series

 

Series Designation

 

Principal
Amount
Authorized

 

Principal
Amount
Issued

 

Principal
Amount
Outstanding

 

Tenth

 

May 1, 1991

 

Series F

 

First Mortgage Bonds (Series F Adjustable Rate* due 2021)

 

$

114,500,000

 

$

114,500,000

 

$

75,000,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tenth

 

May 1, 1991

 

Series G

 

First Mortgage Bonds (Series G Adjustable Rate* due 2021)

 

$

114,500,000

 

$

114,500,000

 

$

44,800,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Twelfth

 

December 1, 2001

 

Series I

 

First Mortgage Bonds (Series I due 2021)*

 

$

89,250,000

 

$

89,250,000

 

$

89,250,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Twelfth

 

December 1, 2001

 

Series J

 

First Mortgage Bonds (Series J due 2021)*

 

$

89,250,000

 

$

89,250,000

 

$

89,250,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Twelfth

 

December 1, 2001

 

Series K

 

5.45% First Mortgage Bonds (Series K due 2021)

 

$

108,985,000

 

$

108,985,000

 

$

108,985,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thirteenth

 

July 1, 2004

 

Series L

 

5.25% First Mortgage Bonds, Series L, due 201 4

 

$

50,000,000

 

$

50,000,000

 

$

50,000,000

 

 

1



 

Supplemental
Indenture
No.

 

Dated
as of

 

Series

 

Series Designation

 

Principal
Amount
Authorized

 

Principal
Amount
Issued

 

Principal
Amount
Outstanding

 

Fourteenth

 

October 1, 2005

 

Series M

 

5.60% First Mortgage Bonds, Series M, due 2035

 

$

50,000,000

 

$

50,000,000

 

$

50,000,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fifteenth

 

September 1, 2007

 

Series N

 

6.15% First Mortgage Bonds, Series N, due 2017

 

$

70,000,000

 

$

70,000,000

 

$

70,000,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sixteenth

 

May 1, 2008

 

Series O

 

6.00% First Mortgage Bonds, Series O, due 2018

 

$

110.000,000

 

$

110,000.000

 

$

110,000,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seventeenth

 

December 1, 2009

 

Series P

 

4.50% First Mortgage Bonds, Series P, due 2019

 

$

150,000,000

 

$

150,000,000

 

$

150,000,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Outstanding Principal Amount:

 

$

837,285,000

 

 


*               These First Mortgage Bonds contain provisions for changes in the interest rate.

 

WHEREAS, the execution and delivery of this Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture and the issue of not exceeding initially $122,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Company’s First Mortgage Bonds, Series Q (hereinafter generally referred to as the “Series Q Bonds” or the “bonds of Series Q”), and other necessary actions have been duly authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company;

 

WHEREAS, the Company proposes to execute and deliver this Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture (i) to provide for the issue of the bonds of Series Q and confirm the lien of the Indenture on the property referred to below, all as permitted by Section 15.1 of the Original Indenture and (ii) to amend and restate the Original Indenture on the effective date set forth in Article 2 hereof, all as permitted by Section 15.2 of the Original Indenture;

 

WHEREAS, the Company has purchased, constructed or otherwise acquired certain additional property not heretofore specifically described in the Indenture but which is and is intended to be subject to the lien thereof, and proposes specifically to subject such additional property to the lien of the Indenture at this time;

 

WHEREAS, all acts and things necessary to make the initial issue of the Series Q Bonds, when executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee and delivered as in the Original Indenture provided, the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company according to their terms and to make this Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture a legal, valid and binding instrument for the security of the bonds, in accordance with its and their terms, have been done and performed, and the execution and delivery of this Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture has in all respects been duly authorized;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, and of the acceptance of said Series Q Bonds by the holder thereof, and of the sum of $1.00 duly paid by the Trustee to the Company, and of other good and valuable considerations, the receipt whereof is hereby

 

2



 

acknowledged, and in confirmation of and supplementing the Original Indenture as previously supplemented by said seventeen preceding supplemental indentures, and in performance of and compliance with the provisions thereof, said Public Service Company of New Hampshire, by these presents, does give, grant, bargain, sell, transfer, assign, pledge, mortgage and convey unto U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, as provided in the Original Indenture, as previously supplemented and amended and as supplemented by this Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture, and its successor or successors in the trust thereby and hereby created, and its and their assigns, (a) all and singular the property, and rights and interests in property, described in the Original Indenture and the seventeen preceding supplemental indentures (said supplemental indentures, in each case, as applicable, as amended by the Tenth Supplemental Indenture, hereinafter referred to as the Preceding Supplemental Indentures), and thereby conveyed, pledged, assigned, transferred and mortgaged, or intended so to be (said descriptions in said Original Indenture and the Preceding Supplemental Indentures being hereby made a part hereof to the same extent as if set forth herein at length), whether then or now owned or thereafter or hereafter acquired, except such of said properties or interests therein as may have been released or sold or disposed of in whole or in part as permitted by the provisions of the Original Indenture, and (b) also, but without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing, all the right, title and interest of the Company, now owned or hereafter acquired, in and to the rights, titles, interests and properties described or referred to in Schedule B hereto attached and hereby made a part hereof as fully as if set forth herein at length, in all cases not specifically reserved, excepted and excluded; the foregoing property, and rights and interests in property, being located in the following listed municipalities in New Hampshire and unincorporated areas in Coos County, New Hampshire, as well as in various municipalities in the States of Maine, Vermont and elsewhere:

 

BELKNAP COUNTY — Alton, Barnstead, Belmont, Center Harbor, Gilford, Gilmanton, Laconia, Meredith, New Hampton, Sanbornton, Tilton;

 

CARROLL COUNTY — Albany, Brookfield, Chatham, Conway, Eaton, Effingham, Freedom, Madison, Moultonboro, Ossipee, Sandwich, Tamworth, Tuftonboro, Wakefield, Wolfeboro;

 

CHESHIRE COUNTY — Alstead, Chesterfield, Dublin, Fitzwilliam, Gilsum, Harrisville, Hinsdale, Jaffrey, Keene, Marlborough, Marlow, Nelson, Richmond, Rindge, Roxbury, Stoddard, Sullivan, Surry, Swanzey, Troy, Westmoreland, Winchester;

 

COOS COUNTY — Bean’s Grant, Berlin, Cambridge, Carroll, Chandler’s Purchase, Clarksville, Colebrook, Columbia, Crawford’s Purchase, Dalton, Dummer, Errol, Gorham, Green’s Grant, Jefferson, Lancaster, Martin’s Location, Milan, Millsfield, Northumberland, Pinkham’s Grant, Pittsburg, Randolph, Shelburne, Stark, Stewartstown, Stratford, Success, Thompson & Meserve’s Purchase, Wentworth’s Location, Whitefield;

 

GRAFTON COUNTY — Alexandria, Ashland, Bath, Bethlehem, Bridgewater, Bristol, Campton, Easton, Enfield, Franconia, Grafton, Hanover, Haverhill, Hebron, Holderness, Landaff, Lincoln, Lisbon, Littleton, Lyman, Lyme, Orange, Orford, Piermont, Plymouth, Rumney, Sugar Hill, Thornton, Woodstock;

 

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HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY — Amherst, Antrim, Bedford, Bennington, Brookline, Deering, Francestown, Goffstown, Greenfield, Greenville, Hancock, Hillsborough, Hollis, Hudson, Litchfield, Lyndeborough, Manchester, Mason, Merrimack, Milford, Mont Vernon, Nashua, New Boston, New Ipswich, Pelham, Peterborough, Sharon, Temple, Weare, Wilton, Windsor;

 

MERRIMACK COUNTY — Allenstown, Andover, Boscawen, Bow, Bradford, Canterbury, Chichester, Concord, Danbury, Dunbarton, Epsom, Franklin, Henniker, Hill, Hooksett, Hopkinton, Loudon, Newbury, New London, Northfield, Pembroke, Pittsfield, Salisbury, Sutton, Warner, Webster, Wilmot;

 

ROCKINGHAM COUNTY — Auburn, Atkinson, Brentwood, Candia, Chester, Danville, Deerfield, Derry, East Kingston, Epping, Exeter, Fremont, Greenland, Hampstead, Hampton, Hampton Falls, Kensington, Kingston, Londonderry, New Castle, Newfields, Newington, Newmarket, Newton, North Hampton, Northwood, Nottingham, Portsmouth, Raymond, Rye, Sandown, Seabrook, South Hampton, Stratham, Windham;

 

STRAFFORD COUNTY — Barrington, Dover, Durham, Farmington, Lee, Madbury, Middleton, Milton, New Durham, Rochester, Rollinsford, Somersworth, Strafford;

 

SULLIVAN COUNTY — Charlestown, Claremont, Cornish, Croydon, Goshen, Grantham, Lempster, Newport, North Charleston, Plainfield, Springfield, Sunapee, Unity, Washington;

 

SUBJECT, HOWEVER, as to all of the foregoing, to the specific rights, privileges, liens, encumbrances, restrictions, conditions, limitations, covenants, interests, reservations, exceptions and otherwise as provided in the Original Indenture and the Preceding Supplemental Indentures, and in the descriptions in the schedules thereto and hereto and in the deeds or grants in said schedules referred to;

 

BUT SPECIFICALLY RESERVING, EXCEPTING AND EXCLUDING (as the same are reserved, excepted and excluded from the lien of the Original Indenture and the Preceding Supplemental Indentures) from this instrument and the grant, conveyance, mortgage, transfer and assignment herein contained, all right, title and interest of the Company, now owned or hereafter acquired, in and to the properties and rights specified in subclauses (a) to (m), both inclusive, of the paragraph beginning “BUT SPECIFICALLY RESERVING, EXCEPTING AND EXCLUDING...” which paragraph is part of the granting clauses of the Original Indenture;

 

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD all said plant, premises, property, franchises and rights hereby conveyed, assigned, pledged or mortgaged, or intended so to be, unto the Trustee, its successor or successors in trust, and to its and their assigns forever;

 

BUT IN TRUST, NEVERTHELESS, with power of sale, for the equal pro rata benefit, security and protection of the owners of the bonds without any preference, priority or distinction whatever of any one bond over any other bond by reason of priority in the issue, sale or negotiation thereof, or otherwise;

 

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PROVIDED, HOWEVER, and these presents are upon the condition, that if the Company shall pay or cause to be paid or make appropriate provision for the payment unto the holders of the bonds of the principal, premium, if any, and interest to become due thereon at the times and in the manner stipulated therein, and shall keep, perform and observe all and singular the covenants, agreements and provisions in the Indenture expressed to be kept, performed and observed by or on the part of the Company, then the Indenture and the estate and rights thereby and hereby granted shall, pursuant and subject to the provisions of Article 16 of the Original Indenture, cease, determine and be void, but otherwise shall be and remain in full force and effect.

 

AND IT IS HEREBY COVENANTED, DECLARED AND AGREED, upon the trusts and for the purposes aforesaid, as set forth in the following covenants, agreements, conditions and provisions, viz.:

 

ARTICLE 1

SERIES Q BONDS

 

SECTION 1.01.  Designation; Amount .  The bonds of Series Q shall be designated “First Mortgage Bonds, Series Q, due 2021” and shall initially be authenticated in the aggregate principal amount of One Hundred Twenty-Two Million Dollars ($122,000,000).  The initial issue of the bonds of Series Q may be effected upon compliance with the applicable provisions of the Original Indenture.  Additional bonds of Series Q, without limitation as to amount, having the same terms and conditions as the bonds of Series Q (except for the date of original issuance, the initial interest payment date and the offering price) may also be issued by the Company without the consent of the holders of the bonds of Series Q, pursuant to a separate supplemental indenture related thereto.  Such additional bonds of Series Q shall be part of the same series as the bonds of Series Q.  The Trustee shall authenticate and deliver such additional bonds of Series Q at any time upon application by the Company and compliance with the applicable provisions of the Amended and Restated Indenture (as defined below).

 

SECTION 1.02.  Form of Series Q Bonds; Global Security; Depository for Global Securities.  The Series Q Bonds shall be issued only in fully registered form without coupons in denominations of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) and multiples thereof.

 

The Series Q Bonds shall be initially represented by one or more global securities (the “Global Securities”).  Each Global Security will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, as depository (“DTC”), and registered in the name of Cede & Co., a nominee of DTC.

 

The Series Q Bonds shall be in substantially the form set forth in Schedule A attached hereto.  The terms of the Series Q Bonds contained in such form are hereby incorporated herein by reference as though fully set forth in this place and are made a part of this Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture.

 

SECTION 1.03.  Provisions of Series Q Bonds; Interest Accrual .  The Series Q Bonds shall mature on June 1, 2021 and shall bear interest at the rate of 4.05% per year, payable

 

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semiannually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year (each, an “Interest Payment Date”) (except that the first Interest Payment Date will be December 1, 2011), with the final Interest Payment Date being June 1, 2021 until the Company’s obligation in respect of the principal thereof shall be discharged, and at the rate of 4.05% per annum on any overdue principal and premium and on any overdue installment of interest.  The Series Q Bonds shall be dated the date of authentication thereof by the Trustee and shall bear interest on the principal amount from, and including, the date of original issuance to, and excluding, the first Interest Payment Date and then from, and including, the immediately preceding Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for to, but excluding, the next Interest Payment Date or the maturity date, as the case may be.  Interest on the Series Q Bonds will be computed on the basis of 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

 

The Series Q Bonds shall be payable both as to principal and interest at the corporate trust office of the Trustee at U.S. Bank National Association in Morristown, New Jersey or the corporate trust office of its successors, in any coin or currency of the United States of America which at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.  The interest on the Series Q Bonds shall be payable without presentation, and only to or upon the person in whose name the Series Q Bonds are registered at the close of business on the business day prior to each Interest Payment Date.  The Series Q Bonds shall be callable for redemption in whole or in part according to the terms and provisions provided herein in Section 1.05.

 

The Company has initially designated DTC as the depository for the Series Q Bonds.  For as long as the Series Q Bonds or any portion thereof are in the form of a Global Security, and notwithstanding the previous paragraph, all payments of interest, principal and other amounts in respect of the Series Q Bonds shall be made to DTC or its nominee in accordance with its applicable policies and procedures, in the coin or currency specified above.  So long as the Series Q Bonds are in the form of a Global Security, neither the Company nor the Trustee shall have any responsibility with respect to the policies and procedures of DTC, or any successor depository, or for any notices or other communications among DTC, its direct and indirect participants or beneficial owners of the Series Q Bonds.

 

SECTION 1.04.  Transfer and Exchange of Series Q Bonds.  So long as the Series Q Bonds are in the form of Global Securities, the Series Q Bonds may not be transferred except as a whole (1) by DTC to a nominee of DTC or (2) by a nominee of DTC to DTC or another nominee of DTC or (3) by DTC or any such nominee to a successor of DTC or a nominee of such successor.  If (1) DTC is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depository and a successor depository is not appointed by the Company within ninety days or (2) there shall have occurred and be continuing after any applicable grace periods an Event of Default under the Indenture with respect to the Series Q Bonds represented by such Global Security, the Company will issue certificated Series Q Bonds in definitive registered form in exchange for the Global Securities.

 

The Company may at any time and in its sole discretion determine not to have any Series Q Bonds in registered form represented by one or more Global Securities and, in such event, will issue certificated bonds in definitive form in exchange for the Global Securities representing the Series Q Bonds.  In any such instance, an owner of a beneficial interest in the

 

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Global Securities will be entitled to physical delivery in definitive form of certificated bonds represented by the Global Securities equal in principal amount to such beneficial interest and to have such certificated bonds registered in its name.

 

In the event certificated bonds are issued in exchange for the Global Securities, the Series Q Bonds may be surrendered for registration of transfer as provided in Section 2.8 of the Original Indenture at the corporate trust office of the Trustee at U.S. Bank National Association in Morristown, New Jersey or the corporate trust offices of its successors, and may be surrendered at said office for exchange for a like aggregate principal amount of Series Q Bonds of other authorized denominations.  Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.7 of the Original Indenture, no charge, except for taxes or other governmental charges, shall be made by the Company for any registration of transfer of Series Q Bonds or for the exchange of any Series Q Bonds for such bonds of other authorized denominations.

 

SECTION 1.05.  Redemption of the Series Q Bonds.  The Series Q Bonds are subject to redemption, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company at any time.  If the Company elects to redeem the Series Q Bonds prior to March 1, 2021, it will do so at a redemption price equal to the greater of (x) one hundred percent (100%) of the principal amount of the Series Q Bonds being redeemed, plus accrued interest thereon to the redemption date, or (y) as determined by the Quotation Agent, the sum of the present value of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Series Q Bonds to be redeemed (not including any portion of payments of interest accrued as of the redemption date) discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis at the Adjusted Treasury Rate plus fifteen (15) basis points, plus accrued interest to the redemption date.  If the Company elects to redeem the Series Q Bonds on or after March 1, 2021, it will do so at a redemption price equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the principal amount of the Series Q Bonds being redeemed, plus accrued interest thereon to the redemption date.  The redemption price will be calculated assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

 

The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing, not less than forty-five (45) days, or such shorter period as shall be acceptable to the Trustee, of any such election to redeem.  Such notice shall include the amount of Series Q Bonds to be redeemed, the redemption date and the redemption price.

 

“Adjusted 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 that redemption date.

 

“Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by the Quotation Agent as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the Series Q Bonds that would be used, 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 Q Bonds.

 

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“Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any redemption date:  (i) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for that redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (ii) if the Trustee obtains fewer than four Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations so received.

 

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

 

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

 

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the Trustee, 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 Trustee by that Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third business day preceding that redemption date.

 

Notice of any redemption will be provided at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of the Series Q Bonds to be redeemed.

 

Absent a default in payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the Series Q Bonds or portions of the Series Q Bonds called for redemption.

 

If less than all of the Series Q Bonds are to be redeemed, the Trustee will select the Series Q Bonds to be redeemed by a method that the Trustee deems fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for the redemption of portions (equal to $1,000 or any multiple thereof) of the principal amount of the Series Q Bonds larger than $1,000.  Notice of redemption will be mailed, first-class mail postage prepaid, to each holder of Series Q Bonds to be redeemed at the holder’s address in the register for the Series Q Bonds.  If any Series Q Bonds are to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to that Series Q Bond will state the portion of the principal amount of that Series Q Bond to be redeemed.  In that case, the Company will issue a new Series Q Bond of any authorized denomination, as requested, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of such Series Q Bond, in the name of the holder upon cancellation of the original Series Q Bond.  Series Q Bonds or portions of Series Q Bonds to be redeemed become due on the redemption date, and interest will cease to accrue on those Series Q Bonds or portions of Series Q Bonds on the redemption date.

 

The Series Q Bonds are not subject to any sinking fund.

 

Except as provided in this Section 1.05, the Series Q Bonds are not subject to redemption under any provisions of the Indenture.

 

SECTION 1.06.  Effect of Event of Default .  If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the principal of the Series Q Bonds may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.

 

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SECTION 1.07.  Payment Date Not a Business Day .  If any redemption or maturity date for principal, premium or interest with respect to the Series Q Bonds shall be (i) a Sunday or a legal holiday, or (ii) a day on which banking institutions are authorized pursuant to law to close and on which the corporate trust offices of the Trustee in Minnesota or New Jersey are not open for business, then the payment thereof may be made on the next succeeding day not a day specified in (i) or (ii) with the same force and effect as if made on the specified payment date and no interest shall accrue for the period after the specified payment date.

 

SECTION 1.08.  Amendment and Restatement of Original Indenture .  Each holder of a Series Q Bond, solely by virtue of its acquisition thereof, including as an owner of a book-entry interest therein, shall have and be deemed to have consented, without the need for any further action or consent by such holder, to the amendment and restatement of the Original Indenture in substantially the form set forth in Schedule C appended hereto and made a part hereof (the “Amended and Restated Indenture”).

 

ARTICLE 2

AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF ORIGINAL INDENTURE

 

SECTION 2.01.  Amendment of Granting and Related Clauses .  Upon the redemption on June 1, 2011 of the Company’s First Mortgage Bonds (Series F Adjustable Rate due 2021) (the “Series F Bonds”) and the Company’s First Mortgage Bonds (Series G Adjustable Rate due 2021) (the “Series G Bonds”), and by virtue of such consents by holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the bonds outstanding and pursuant to the terms of the Original Indenture (including Section 15.2 thereof), the Amended and Restated Indenture shall be in full force and effect, and the granting and related clauses of the Original Indenture shall be amended as follows:

 

(i)             The paragraph of the Original Indenture that appears as the initial paragraph on page 1 of the printed copies of the Composite of the Original Indenture (including all amendments through May 16, 1991) (hereinafter referred to as the “Composite Indenture”) is amended to read as follows:

 

THIS FIRST MORTGAGE INDENTURE dated as of August 15, 1978 (hereinafter generally referred to as the “Original Indenture” and sometimes referred to, with each and every prior indenture supplemental hereto and each and every other instrument which the Company, pursuant to the provisions hereof, may execute with the Trustee and which is therein stated to be supplemental to the Original Indenture, as the “Mortgage”), between PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE (hereinafter with its successors and assigns generally called the “Company”), a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of New Hampshire, having its principal place of business at Energy Park, 780 Commercial Street in Manchester, New Hampshire 03101, and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association duly organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, having a corporate trust office at 21 South Street, 3rd Floor, Morristown, New Jersey 07960, and duly authorized to execute the trusts hereof, successor to Wachovia Bank, National Association, successor to First Union National

 

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Bank formerly known as First Fidelity Bank, National Association New Jersey successor to Bank of New England, National Association (formerly known as New England Merchants National Bank) and to New Bank of New England, National Association (hereinafter with its successors generally called the “Trustee”).

 

(ii)            The three paragraphs of the Original Indenture that appear as the three paragraphs beginning with the paragraph beginning “NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH . . .” on pages 1 and 2 of the Composite Indenture are deleted and the following paragraphs are substituted therefor:

 

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH that, in consideration of the premises and of the authentication, purchase and acceptance of the initial issue of the Series A Bonds described in section 2.12 of the Original Indenture, of the sum of $10 duly paid to the Company by the Trustee, and of other good and valuable considerations, receipt whereof upon the ensealing and delivery of this Mortgage the Company hereby acknowledges, and in order to secure the equal pro rata payment (except as herein otherwise provided) of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, all of the bonds at any time authenticated, issued and outstanding hereunder, according to their tenor, purport and effect and the provisions hereof, and to secure the faithful performance and observance of all the covenants, obligations, conditions and provisions therein and herein contained, and to declare the terms and conditions upon which the bonds are and are to be secured, authenticated, issued, delivered, transferred and exchanged, and upon which the trusts hereof are to be administered by the Trustee, and upon which the property hereby mortgaged and pledged is to be held and disposed of, all as hereinafter provided,

 

PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE by these presents does give, grant, bargain, sell, pledge, assign, transfer, mortgage and convey, unto U.S. Bank National Association, and its successors in the trust hereof, and its and their assigns, all and singular the following described property and rights and interests in property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired by the Company (all of the foregoing, with all other property and rights and interests in property intended to be hereby given, granted, bargained, sold, pledged, assigned, transferred, mortgaged and conveyed, or at any time given, granted, bargained, sold, pledged, assigned, transferred, mortgaged or conveyed, and all proceeds of any of the foregoing at any time given, granted, bargained, sold, pledged, assigned, transferred, mortgaged or conveyed to and from time to time held by the Trustee upon the trusts hereof, being herein generally called, collectively, the trust estate), namely:

 

ALL REAL ESTATE and rights and interests in and to real estate, all plants, substations, structures, transmission and distribution lines, facilities and other physical property used or useful in the business of generating, producing, purchasing, transmitting or distributing electricity, all machinery, equipment, inventory, materials, supplies, tools, vessels and other tangible personal property used or useful in connection therewith, and all dams, reservoirs and water, flowage and riparian rights, and franchises, licenses, permits, approvals, other general intangibles, easements and rights of way used or useful

 

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in connection with said business, and all other property wherever located and of whatever nature, to the extent of all the Company’s ownership interest therein, regardless  of the nature of such ownership interest, whether the entire ownership interest in the property concerned or a jointly held interest in common with others, divided or undivided, or otherwise, whether real, personal or mixed, and whether now owned or hereafter acquired by the Company; including, without limitation, all property described or referred to in Schedule A attached to the Original Indenture and hereby made a part hereof as fully as if set forth herein at length, or in any instrument referred to in said Schedule A, in all cases not specifically reserved, excepted and excluded;

 

(iii)           The two paragraphs of the Original Indenture that appear as the two paragraphs beginning with the paragraph beginning “AND TOGETHER WITH . . .” on page 3 of the Composite Indenture are deleted and the following paragraphs are substituted therefor:

 

AND TOGETHER WITH all and singular the now-existing and hereafter-acquired rights, privileges, tenements, hereditaments and appurtenances belonging or in any wise appertaining in and to the aforesaid property or any part thereof, with all reversion and reversions, remainder and remainders and, subject to the provisions of the Mortgage, all tolls, rents, revenues, earnings, interest, dividends, royalties, issues, income and profits thereof, and all the estate, right, title, interest and claim whatsoever, at law as well as in equity, which the Company now has or may hereafter acquire, in and to all and every part of the foregoing, it being the intention to include herein and to subject to the lien hereof all land, interests in land, real estate, physical assets, other property and interests in property, and franchises, whether now owned by the Company or which it may hereafter acquire, and wherever situated, as if the same were now owned by the Company and were specifically described and conveyed hereby, except as hereinafter specified;

 

The foregoing property, and rights and interests in property, being located in the following listed New Hampshire municipalities as well as in various municipalities in the states of Maine and Vermont:

 

(iv)           The “SUBJECT, HOWEVER, . . .” paragraph of the Original Indenture that appears as the “SUBJECT, HOWEVER, . . .” paragraph on page 3 of the Composite Indenture is deleted and the following paragraph is substituted therefor:

 

SUBJECT, HOWEVER, (i) to Permitted Liens as that term is defined in the Mortgage and (ii) as to the property specifically described or referred to in Schedule A attached to the Original Indenture, to the liens, charges, encumbrances, reservations, exceptions, exclusions, restrictions, conditions, limitations, covenants and interests described or referred to in Schedule A or in any instrument referred to in Schedule A;

 

(v)            The “BUT SPECIFICALLY RESERVING, EXCEPTING AND EXCLUDING . . .” paragraph of the Original Indenture that appears as the “BUT SPECIFICALLY RESERVING, EXCEPTING AND EXCLUDING . . .” paragraph on pages 4, 5 and 6 of the Composite Indenture (including lettered subparagraphs (a) through (m)) is deleted

 

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and the following paragraph (including numbered subparagraphs (i) through (xiii)) is substituted therefor:

 

BUT SPECIFICALLY RESERVING, EXCEPTING AND EXCLUDING from the Mortgage, and from the grant, conveyance, mortgage, transfer, pledge and assignment herein contained, all right, title and interest of the Company now owned or hereafter acquired, in and to the following property and rights, all of which, if not previously reserved, excepted and excluded, or released and discharged from the operation and lien on the Mortgage, is hereby released and discharged from the operation and lien of the Mortgage (herein sometimes called “Excepted Property”):

 

(i)             all cash on hand or in banks or other financial institutions, deposit accounts, securities accounts, shares of stock, interests in business trusts or general or limited partnerships or limited liability companies, bonds, notes, mortgages, other evidences of indebtedness and other securities, security entitlements and investment property, of whatsoever kind and nature, not hereafter paid or delivered to, deposited with or held by the Trustee hereunder or required so to be;

 

(ii)            all rights, contracts, leases, operating agreements and other agreements of whatsoever kind and nature; all contract rights, bills, notes and other instruments and chattel paper (except to the extent that any of the same constitute securities, security entitlements or investment property, in which case they are separately excepted from the Lien of this Mortgage under clause (i) above); all revenues, income and earnings, all accounts, accounts receivable, rights to payment, payment intangibles and unbilled revenues, transition property, and all rents, tolls, earnings, issues, product and profits, revenues, dividends, income, claims, credits, demands and judgments; all governmental and other licenses, permits, franchises, consents and allowances; and all patents, patent licenses and other patent rights, patent applications, trade names, trademarks, copyrights and other intellectual property; and all claims, credits, choses in action, commercial tort claims and other intangible property and general intangibles including, but not limited to, computer software;

 

(iii)           all automobiles, buses, trucks, truck cranes, tractors, trailers and similar vehicles and movable equipment; all rolling stock, rail cars and other railroad equipment; all vessels, boats, barges, and other marine equipment; all airplanes, helicopters, aircraft engines and other flight equipment; all parts, accessories and supplies used in connection with any of the foregoing; and all personal property of such character that the perfection of a security interest therein or other Lien thereon is not governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the jurisdiction in which such property is located;

 

(iv)           all goods, stock in trade, wares, merchandise and inventory held for the purpose of sale or lease in the ordinary course of business; all materials, supplies, inventory and other items of personal property which are consumable (otherwise than by ordinary wear and tear) in their use in the operation of the Mortgaged Property; all fuel, all hand and other portable tools and equipment; all furniture and furnishings; and

 

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computers and data processing, data storage, data transmission, telecommunications and other facilities, equipment and apparatus, which, in any case, are used primarily for administrative or clerical purposes or are otherwise not necessary for the operation or maintenance of the facilities, machinery, equipment or fixtures described or referred to in the Granting Clauses of this Mortgage;

 

(v)            all coal, lignite, ore, gas, oil and other minerals and all timber, and all rights and interests in any of the foregoing, whether or not such minerals or timber shall have been mined or extracted or otherwise separated from the land; and all electric energy and capacity, gas (natural or artificial), steam, water and other products generated, produced, manufactured, purchased or otherwise acquired by the Company;

 

(vi)           all real property, leaseholds, gas rights, wells, gathering, tap or other pipe lines, or facilities, equipment or apparatus, in any case used or to be used primarily for the production or gathering of natural gas;

 

(vii)          all property which is the subject of a lease agreement designating the Company as lessee and all right, title and interest of the Company in and to such property and in, to and under such lease agreement, whether or not such lease agreement is intended as security;

 

(viii)         all property, real, personal and mixed, which has been released from the Lien of this Mortgage, and any improvements, extensions and additions to such properties and renewals, replacements and substitutions of or for any parts thereof;

 

(ix)            all leasehold interests, permits, licenses and similar rights, whether now owned or hereafter acquired by the Company, which are intended to be hereby conveyed, transferred or assigned and which may not be legally so conveyed, transferred or assigned, or which cannot be so conveyed, transferred or assigned without the consent of other parties whose consent is not secured or without subjecting the Trustee to a liability not otherwise contemplated by the provisions of the Mortgage or which otherwise may not be hereby lawfully and/or effectively granted, conveyed, mortgaged, transferred and assigned by the Company;

 

(x)             the last day of the term of each leasehold estate (oral or written, or any agreement therefor) then owned or thereafter acquired by the Company;

 

(xi)            the Company’s books and records;

 

(xii)           residential real estate purchased from employees of the Company for resale; and

 

(xiii)          all property not acquired or constructed by the Company for use in its electric generation, transmission and distribution business;

 

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provided, however, that, subject to the provisions of Section 1203, (A) if, at any time after the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Trustee, or any separate trustee or co-trustee appointed under Section 1014 or any receiver appointed pursuant to Section 917 or otherwise, shall have entered into possession of all or substantially all the Mortgaged Property, to the extent permitted by law, all the Excepted Property described or referred to in the foregoing clauses (iii) and (v) then owned or held or thereafter acquired by the Company, to the extent that the same is used in connection with, or otherwise relates or is attributable to, the Mortgaged Property, shall immediately, and, in the case of any Excepted Property described or referred to in clause (vii), to the extent that the same is used in connection with, or otherwise relates or is attributable to, the Mortgaged Property, become subject to the Lien of this Mortgage, junior and subordinate to any Liens at that time existing on such Excepted Property, and the Trustee or such other trustee or receiver may, to the extent permitted by law or by the terms of any such other Lien (and subject to the rights of the holders of all such other Liens), at the same time likewise take possession thereof, (B) whenever all Events of Default shall have been cured and the possession of all or substantially all of the Mortgaged Property shall have been restored to the Company, such Excepted Property shall again be excepted and excluded from the Lien hereof to the extent set forth above; it being understood that the Company may, however, pursuant to any future amendment to this Mortgage subject any Excepted Property to the Lien of this Mortgage whereupon the same shall cease to be Excepted Property, and (C) to the extent not prohibited by any other provision of the Mortgage, nothing contained in the release herein provided for shall prevent the Company, prior to any such entering into possession, from selling, assigning, transferring, pledging or otherwise disposing of property of the character thereby released from the lien hereof by this paragraph and in any such case the title, possession or other rights of the purchaser, assignee or transferee thereof shall be free and clear of such lien as would otherwise attach under the Mortgage in the event of such entering into possession.

 

(vi)           The “The Company expressly reserves the right, . . .” paragraph of the Original Indenture that appears as the “The Company expressly reserves the right, . . .” paragraph on page 6 of the Composite Indenture is deleted and the following paragraph is substituted therefor:

 

The Company expressly reserves the right, at any time and from time to time, by indentures supplemental hereto, to subject to the lien and operation of the Mortgage any part or all of the property reserved, excepted and excluded from the lien and operation hereof upon such terms and conditions and subject to such restrictions, limitations and reservations as it may determine;

 

(vii)          The two paragraphs of the Original Indenture that appear as the two paragraphs beginning with the paragraph beginning “PROVIDED, HOWEVER, . . .” on pages 6 and 7 of the Composite Indenture are deleted and the following paragraphs are substituted therefor:

 

PROVIDED, HOWEVER, and these presents are upon the condition, that if the Company shall pay or cause to be paid or make appropriate provision for the payment unto the holders of the bonds the principal, premium, if any, and interest to become due thereon at the times and in the manner stipulated therein and shall keep, perform and

 

14



 

observe all and singular the covenants, agreements and provisions in the Mortgage expressed to be kept, performed and observed by or on the part of the Company, then the Mortgage and the estate and rights hereby granted shall, pursuant to the provisions of the Mortgage, cease, determine and be void, but otherwise shall be and remain in full force and effect.

 

The Company hereby declares that it holds and will hold and apply all property described in (ix) and (x) above as specifically reserved and excepted upon the trusts herein set forth and as the Trustee (or any purchaser thereof upon any sale thereof hereunder) shall for such purpose direct from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law or in equity, as fully as if the same could be and had been hereby granted, conveyed, mortgaged, transferred and assigned to and vested in the Trustee.

 

SECTION 2.02.       Substitution of New Articles One Through Sixteen . Upon the redemption of the Series F Bonds and the Series G Bonds, Articles 1 through 17 of the Original Indenture, as heretofore amended, are deleted and new Articles One through Sixteen, set out in Schedule C appended hereto and made a part hereof, are substituted therefor.

 

ARTICLE 3

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

SECTION 3.01.  Recitals .  The recitals in this Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture shall be taken as recitals by the Company alone, and shall not be considered as made by or as imposing any obligation or liability upon the Trustee, nor shall the Trustee be held responsible for the legality or validity of this Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture, and the Trustee makes no covenants or representations, and shall not be responsible, as to or for the effect, authorization, execution, delivery or recording of this Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture, except as expressly set forth in the Original Indenture.  The Trustee shall not be taken impliedly to waive by this Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture any right it would otherwise have.

 

SECTION 3.02.  Benefits of Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture .  Nothing in this Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture, expressed or implied, is intended or shall be construed to confer upon, or give to, any person, firm or corporation, other than the parties hereto and the holders of the Series Q Bonds, any right, remedy or claim under or by reason of the Indenture or any covenant, condition or stipulation thereof; and the covenants, stipulations and agreements in the Indenture contained are and shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto, their successors and assigns, and holders of the bonds.

 

SECTION 3.03.  Effect of Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture.  This Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture is executed, shall be construed as and is expressly stated to be an indenture supplemental to the Original Indenture and shall form a part of the Indenture; and the Original Indenture, as supplemented and amended by this Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture, is hereby confirmed and adopted by the Company as its obligation.  All terms used in this Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture shall be taken to have the meaning specified in the Original Indenture, except in cases where the context clearly indicates otherwise.

 

15



 

SECTION 3.04.  Termination .  This Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture shall become void when the Indenture shall be void.

 

SECTION 3.05.  Trust Indenture Act.  If and to the extent that any provision of this Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with any of the applicable provisions of Sections 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, such required provision shall control.

 

SECTION 3.06.  Counterparts.  This Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture may be simultaneously executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original; and all said counterparts executed and delivered, each as an original, shall constitute but one and the same instrument, which shall for all purposes be sufficiently evidenced by any such original counterpart.

 

SECTION 3.07.  Notices .  Any notice to the Trustee under any provision of this Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture shall be sufficiently given if served personally upon a responsible officer of the Trustee or mailed by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the Trustee at its corporate trust office, which is U.S. Bank National Association, 21 South Street, Third Floor, Morristown, New Jersey 07960 as of the date hereof.  The Trustee shall notify the Company from time to time of any change in the address of its corporate trust office.

 

SECTION 3.08.  Definitions .  Except to the extent otherwise defined herein, the use of the terms and expressions herein is in accordance with the definitions, uses and construction contained in the Original Indenture and the form of Series Q Bond attached hereto as Schedule A .

 

[The remainder of this page left blank intentionally.]

 

16



 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE has caused this instrument to be executed and its corporate seal to be hereto affixed, by its officers, thereunto duly authorized, and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION has caused this instrument to be executed by its officers thereunto duly authorized, all as of the day and year first above written but actually executed on May 23, 2011.

 

 

 

PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY

 

OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/S/. RANDY A. SHOOP

 

 

Vice President and Treasurer

 

 

CORPORATE SEAL

 

 

 

 

 

Attest:

 

 

 

 

 

/S/ SAMUEL K. LEE

 

Samuel K. Lee

 

Secretary

 

 

 

Signed, sealed and delivered by Public Service Company of New Hampshire in the presence of us:

 

 

 

 

 

/S/ BARBARA NIEMAN

 

 

 

/S/ LINDA OPPELT

 

 

 

 

 

Witnesses

 

 

17



 

STATE OF CONNECTICUT

)

 

 

 

)     ss:  Hartford

 

 

COUNTY OF HARTFORD

)

 

 

 

Then personally appeared before me Randy A. Shoop, Vice President and Treasurer, and Samuel K. Lee, Secretary, of Public Service Company of New Hampshire, a New Hampshire corporation, and severally acknowledged the foregoing instrument to be their free act and deed in their said capacities and the free act and deed of said corporation.

 

Witness my hand and notarial seal this 23rd day of May, 2011, at Hartford, Connecticut.

 

 

Name:

/S/ KATRINA M. MANLEY

 

Notary Public

 

My Commission Expires   AUG 31, 2014

 

(Notarial Seal)

 

18



 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
as Trustee as aforesaid

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/S/ STEPHANIE ROCHE

 

 

Stephanie Roche

 

 

Vice President

 

Attest:

 

 

 

/S/ CHRISTOPER GOLABEK

 

Name:

Christoper Golabek

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

Signed and delivered by U.S. Bank National Association in the presence of us:

 

 

 

 

 

illegible

 

 

 

illegible

 

 

 

Witnesses

 

 

19



 

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

)

 

 

 

)

ss: Morristown

 

COUNTY OF MORRIS

 

 

 

HUDSON

 

Then personally appeared before me Stephanie Roche, Vice President of U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association, and acknowledged the foregoing instrument to be her free act and deed in her said capacity and the free act and deed of said association.

 

Witness my hand and notarial seal this 23rd day of May , 2011, at Morristown, New Jersey.

 

 

Name:

/S/ FLORENCE M. NOLL

 

Notary Public

 

My Commission Expires 4/13/12

 

 

(Notarial Seal)

 

20



 

SCHEDULE A
[FORM OF FACE OF SERIES Q BONDS]

 

THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE OF A DEPOSITORY.  THIS SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITORY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE AND HEREIN, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITORY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY TO THE DEPOSITORY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.

 

Unless this Global Security is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation (“DTC”), to Public Service Company of New Hampshire or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange, or payment, and any certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or in such other name as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made to Cede & Co. or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.

 

PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

FIRST MORTGAGE BOND, SERIES Q

PRINCIPAL DUE JUNE 1, 2021

 

CUSIP No. 744482 BK5

 

No. 1

 

$122,000,000

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New Hampshire (hereinafter called the “Company”, which term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture), hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, subject to the conditions set forth herein, the principal sum of One Hundred Twenty-Two Million Dollars ($122,000,000), on June 1, 2021, and to pay interest on said sum semiannually in arrears, on June 1 and December 1 in each year (each, an “Interest Payment Date”) (except that the first Interest Payment Date will be December 1, 2011), with the final Interest Payment Date being June 1, 2021, at the rate of 4.05% per annum, until the Company’s obligation with respect to said principal sum shall be paid or made available for payment, and at the rate of 4.05% per annum on any overdue principal and premium and on any overdue installment of interest.

 

A-1



 

This Series Q Bond shall bear interest as aforesaid from, and including, the date of original issuance to, and excluding, the first Interest Payment Date and then from, and including, the immediately preceding Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for to, but excluding, the next Interest Payment Date or the maturity date, as the case may be.  The amount of interest payable will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

 

In any case where any Interest Payment Date, maturity or redemption date is not a Business Day, then payment of principal and interest, if any, or principal and premium, if any, payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay), in each case with the same force and effect as if made on such date.  A “Business Day” shall mean any day, except a (i) Sunday or a legal holiday, or (ii) a day on which banking institutions are authorized pursuant to law to close and on which the corporate trust offices of the Trustee in Minnesota or New Jersey are not open for business.

 

Payment of the principal of and any interest on this Series Q Bond will be made at the corporate trust office of the Trustee at U.S. Bank National Association in Morristown, New Jersey or the corporate trust office of its successors, in any coin or currency of the United States of America which at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.  The interest on this Series Q Bond shall be payable without presentation, and only to or upon the  person in whose name the Series Q Bonds are registered at the close of business on the Business Day prior to each Interest Payment Date.

 

The Company has initially designated DTC as the depository for this Series Q Bond issued in the form of a Global Security.  For as long as this Series Q Bond or any portion hereof is in the form of a Global Security, and notwithstanding the previous paragraph, all payments of interest, principal and other amounts in respect of this Series Q Bond shall be made to DTC or its nominee in accordance with its applicable policies and procedures, in the coin or currency specified above.

 

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Series Q Bond set forth on the reverse hereof, including without limitation provisions in regard to the redemption and the registration of transfer and exchangeability of this Series Q Bond, and such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth in this place.

 

As set forth in the Supplemental Indenture establishing the terms and series of the Bonds of this series, each holder of a Series Q Bond, solely by virtue of its acquisition thereof, including as an owner of a book-entry interest therein, shall have and be deemed to have consented, without the need for any further action or consent by such holder, to the amendment and restatement of the Original Indenture in substantially the form set forth in Schedule C appended to such Supplemental Indenture and made a part thereof (the “Amended and Restated Indenture”).  By virtue of such consents by holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the bonds outstanding and pursuant to the terms of the Original Indenture, the Amended and Restated Indenture shall be in full force and effect on the effective date set forth in the Supplemental Indenture.

 

A-2



 

This Series Q Bond shall not become or be valid or obligatory until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been signed by U.S. Bank National Association (hereinafter with its successors as defined in the Indenture (as defined on the reverse hereof), generally called the Trustee), or by such a successor.

 

[The remainder of this page left blank intentionally.]

 

A-3



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Public Service Company of New Hampshire has caused this Series Q Bond to be executed in its corporate name and on its behalf by its Vice President and Treasurer by his signature or a facsimile thereof, and its corporate seal to be affixed or imprinted hereon and attested by the manual or facsimile signature of its Assistant Secretary.

 

Dated as of                          , 2011

 

PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Randy A. Shoop

 

 

Vice President and Treasurer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attest:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name

 

Title:

 

 

[FORM OF TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE]

 

U.S. Bank National Association hereby certifies that this Series Q Bond is one of the bonds described in the within mentioned Indenture.

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

TRUSTEE

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title: Authorized Signatory

 

 

A-4



 

[FORM OF REVERSE OF SERIES Q BOND]
PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
First Mortgage Bond, Series Q, due June 1, 2021

 

This Series Q Bond is one of a series of bonds known as the “First Mortgage Bonds, Series Q” of the Company, initially limited to One Hundred Twenty-Two Million Dollars ($122,000,000) in aggregate principal amount, and issued under and pursuant to a First Mortgage Indenture between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association as successor to Wachovia Bank, National Association and by merger to First Union National Bank, formerly known as First Fidelity Bank, National Association, New Jersey, successor to Bank of New England, National Association (formerly known as New England Merchants National Bank), and to New Bank of New England, National Association, as Trustee, dated as of August 15, 1978, as amended, and pursuant to which U.S. Bank National Association is now Successor Trustee (said First Mortgage Indenture (i) as amended by the Tenth Supplemental Indenture thereto, being hereinafter generally called the “Original Indenture,” and (ii) together with all indentures expressly stated to be supplemental thereto, and each and every other instrument including the Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture pursuant to which the Series Q Bonds are being issued, being hereinafter generally called the “Indenture”), and together with all bonds of all series now outstanding or hereafter issued under the Indenture being equally and ratably secured (except as any sinking or other analogous fund, established in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture, may afford additional security for the bonds of any particular series) by the Indenture, to which Indenture (executed counterparts of which are on file at the corporate trust office of the Trustee in Morristown, New Jersey) reference is hereby made for a description of the nature and extent of the security, the rights thereunder of the holders of bonds issued and to be issued thereunder, the rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the rights and obligations thereunder of the Company, and the terms and conditions upon which Bonds of this series, and bonds of other series, are issued and are to be issued; but neither the foregoing reference to the Indenture nor any provision of this Series Q Bond or of the Indenture shall affect or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute, unconditional and unalterable, to pay at the maturities herein provided the principal of and interest on this Series Q Bond as herein provided.

 

The Series Q Bonds shall be initially issued in the form of one or more global securities (the “Global Securities”).  Each Global Security will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, as depository (“DTC”), and registered in the name of Cede & Co., a nominee of DTC.  In the event certificated bonds in definitive form are issued in exchange for the Global Securities they are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.

 

A-5



 

The Series Q Bonds, while in the form of Global Securities, may not be transferred except as a whole (1) by DTC to a nominee of DTC or (2) by a nominee of DTC to DTC or another nominee of DTC or (3) by DTC or any such nominee to a successor of DTC or a nominee of such successor.  If (1) DTC is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depository and a successor depository is not appointed by the Company within ninety days or (2) there shall have occurred and be continuing after any applicable grace periods an Event of Default under the Indenture with respect to the Series Q Bonds represented by such Global Security, the Company will issue certificated bonds in definitive registered form in exchange for the Global Securities representing the Series Q Bonds.

 

The Company may at any time and in its sole discretion determine not to have any Series Q Bonds in registered form represented by one or more Global Securities and, in such event, will issue certificated bonds in definitive form in exchange for the Global Securities representing the Series Q Bonds.  In any such instance, an owner of a beneficial interest in the Global Securities will be entitled to physical delivery in definitive form of certificated bonds represented by the Global Securities equal in principal amount to such beneficial interest and to have such certificated bonds registered in its name.

 

In the event certificated bonds are issued in exchange for the Global Securities, the Series Q Bonds may be surrendered for registration of transfer as provided in Section 2.8 of the Original Indenture at the corporate trust office of the Trustee at U.S. Bank National Association in Morristown, New Jersey or the corporate trust offices of its successors, and may be surrendered at said office for exchange for a like aggregate principal amount of Series Q Bonds of other authorized denominations.  Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.7 of the Original Indenture, no charge, except for taxes or other governmental charges, shall be made by the Company for any registration of transfer of Series Q Bonds or for the exchange of any Series Q Bonds for such bonds of other authorized denominations.

 

The Series Q Bonds are subject to redemption, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company at any time.  If the Company elects to redeem the Series Q Bonds prior to March 1, 2021, it will do so at a redemption price equal to the greater of (x) one hundred percent (100%) of the principal amount of the Series Q Bonds being redeemed, plus accrued interest thereon to the redemption date, or (y) as determined by the Quotation Agent, the sum of the present value of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Series Q Bonds to be redeemed (not including any portion of payments of interest accrued as of the redemption date) discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis at the Adjusted Treasury Rate plus fifteen (15) basis points, plus accrued interest to the redemption date. If the Company elects to redeem the Series Q Bonds on or after March 1, 2021, it will do so at a redemption price equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the principal amount of the Series Q Bonds being redeemed, plus accrued interest thereon to the redemption date.  The redemption price will be calculated assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

 

The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing, not less than forty-five (45) days, or such shorter period as shall be acceptable to the Trustee, of any such election to redeem.  Such notice shall include the amount of Series Q Bonds to be redeemed, the redemption date and redemption price.

 

A-6



 

“Adjusted 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 that redemption date.

 

“Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by the Quotation Agent as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the Series Q Bonds that would be used, 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 Q Bonds.

 

“Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any redemption date:  (i) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for that redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (ii) if the Trustee obtains fewer than four Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations so received.

 

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

 

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

 

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the Trustee, 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 Trustee by that Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third business day preceding that redemption date.

 

Notice of any redemption will be provided at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of the Series Q Bonds to be redeemed.

 

Absent a default in payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the Series Q Bonds or portions of the Series Q Bonds called for redemption.

 

If less than all of the Series Q Bonds are to be redeemed, the Trustee will select the Series Q Bonds to be redeemed by a method that the Trustee deems fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for the redemption of portions (equal to $1,000 or any multiple thereof) of the principal amount of the Series Q Bonds larger than $1,000.  Notice of redemption will be mailed, first-class mail postage prepaid, to each holder of Series Q Bonds to be redeemed at the holder’s address in the register for the Series Q Bonds.  If any Series Q Bonds are to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to that Series Q Bond will state the portion of the principal amount of that Series Q Bond to be redeemed.  In that case, the Company will issue new Series Q Bonds of any authorized denomination, as requested, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of such Series Q Bond, in the name of the holder upon cancellation of the original Series Q Bond.  Series Q Bonds or portions of

 

A-7



 

Series Q Bonds to be redeemed become due on the redemption date, and interest will cease to accrue on those Series Q Bonds or portions of Series Q Bonds on the redemption date.

 

The Series Q Bonds are not subject to any sinking fund.

 

If the Series Q Bonds are called in whole or in part, and if moneys have been duly deposited or otherwise made available to the Trustee for redemption hereof, or of the part hereof so called, as required in the Indenture, this Series Q Bond or such called part hereof, shall be due and payable on the date fixed for redemption and thereafter this Series Q Bond, or such called part hereof, shall cease to bear interest on the date fixed for redemption and shall cease to be entitled to the lien of the Indenture, and, as respects the Company’s liability hereon, this Series Q Bond, or such called part hereof, shall be deemed to have been paid; but, if less than the whole principal amount hereof shall be so called, the holder hereof shall be entitled, in addition to the sums payable on account of the part called, to receive, without expense to such holder, upon surrender hereof, one or more Series Q Bonds of this series for an aggregate principal amount equal to that part of the principal amount hereof not then called and paid.

 

If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the principal of the Series Q Bonds may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.

 

The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee to effect, by supplemental indenture, certain modifications of the Indenture without any consent of the holders of the bonds, and to effect certain other modifications of the Indenture, and of the rights of the holders of the bonds, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of all bonds issued under the Indenture at the time outstanding, or in case one or more, but less than all, of the Series of said bonds then outstanding are affected, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of said outstanding bonds of each Series affected.

 

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision herein or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and interest, including overdue interest, on this Series Q Bond at the time, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

 

This Series Q Bond shall be exchangeable for securities registered in the names of holders other than DTC or its nominee only as provided in this paragraph.  This Series Q Bond shall be so exchangeable if (x) DTC notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depository or at any time ceases to be a clearing agency registered as such under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, (y) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate providing that this Series Q Bond shall be so exchangeable or (z) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default with respect to the Series Q Bonds.  Certificated securities so issued in exchange for the Global Security representing the Series Q Bonds shall be of the same series, have the same interest rate, if any, and maturity and have the same terms as the Global Security representing the Series Q Bonds, in authorized denominations and in the aggregate having the same principal amount as the Global Security representing the

 

A-8



 

Series Q Bonds and registered in such names as the depository for such Global Security representing the Series Q Bonds shall direct.

 

Series Q Bonds not represented by a Global Security are transferable by the registered owner hereof upon surrender hereof at the corporate trust office of the Trustee, together with a written instrument of transfer in approved form, signed by the owner or his duly authorized attorney, and a new Series Q Bond or Bonds for a like principal amount will be issued in exchange, all as provided in the Indenture.  Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of this Bond, the Company and the Trustee may deem and treat the registered owner hereof as the absolute owner hereof, whether or not such Series Q Bond shall be overdue, for the purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

 

Series Q Bonds not represented by a Global Security are exchangeable at the option of the registered holder hereof upon surrender hereof, at the corporate trust office of the Trustee in Morristown, New Jersey or the corporate trust offices of its successors, for an equal principal amount of bonds of this Series of other authorized denominations, in the manner and on the terms provided in the Indenture.

 

Neither the failure to give any notice nor any defect in any notice given to the holder of the Global Securities or Series Q Bonds not represented by a Global Security, will affect the sufficiency of any notice given to any other holder.

 

No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on this Series Q Bond, or for any claim based hereon, or otherwise in respect hereof or of the Indenture, to or against any incorporator or against any stockholder, director or officer, past, present or future, as such, of the Company or any affiliate of the Company, or of any predecessor or successor company, either directly or through the Company, or such predecessor or successor company or any trustee, receiver or assignee or otherwise, under any constitution, or statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty, or otherwise, all such liability of incorporators, stockholders, directors or officers, as such, being waived and released by the holder and owner hereof by the acceptance of this Series Q Bond and as part of the consideration for the issuance hereof and being likewise waived and released by the terms of the Indenture.

 

[END OF FORM OF REVERSE OF SERIES Q BOND]

 

A-9



 

SCHEDULE B

 

Description of Certain Properties
Acquired
Since December 1, 2009

 

The following deeds and conveyances, recorded in the Registries of Deeds in the Counties in the State of New Hampshire indicated, contain descriptions of certain properties acquired in fee simple by the Company since December 1, 2009.

 

Grantor

 

Date

 

Book/Page

 

Town/Registry

Properties, Inc.

 

12/15/2009

 

8166/437

 

Merrimack/

Hillsborough

Properties, Inc.

 

12/16/2009

 

8165/2037

 

Merrimack/

Hillsborough

Town of Hooksett

 

02/10/2010

 

3178/1715

 

Hooksett/

Merrimack

John K. Obrey

 

06/25/2010

 

5122/1103

 

Derry/

Rockingham

Gail Lavoie

 

08/05/2010

 

3853/530

 

Barrington/

Strafford

Emergency Vet Clinic of the Seacoast Region, P.A.

 

12/02/2010

 

5172/1861

 

Portsmouth/

Rockingham

William Creighton, Trustee of GSM Realty Trust

 

12/07/2010

 

5174/1463

 

Newington/

Rockingham

Kalika, LLC

 

12/15/2010

 

8274/933

 

Merrimack/

Hillsborough

Corriveau-Routhier, Inc.

 

12/23/2010

 

3233/1465

 

Hooksett/

Merrimack

Anheuser-Busch

 

03/07/2011

 

8299/858

 

Merrimack/

Hillsborough

Mary B. Rousseau

 

04/26/2011

 

8312/2047

 

Hillsborough/

Hillsborough

 

The following deeds and conveyances, recorded in the Registries of Deeds in the Counties in the State of Maine indicated, contain descriptions of certain properties acquired in fee simple by the Company since December 1, 2009.

 

Grantor

 

Date

 

Book/Page

 

Town/Registry

Jonathan Foster & Juliana Dodge

 

11/08/2010

 

15983/981

 

Eliot/York

 

B-1



 

SCHEDULE C

 

COMPOSITE
(Including All Amendments to and including the
Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 1, 2011)

 

 

 

 

 

PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

and

 


 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

Successor to WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

and to

 

FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK

 

Formerly Known as FIRST FIDELITY BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
NEW JERSEY

 

Successor to BANK OF NEW ENGLAND, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
(Formerly Known as NEW ENGLAND MERCHANTS NATIONAL BANK)
and to
NEW BANK OF NEW ENGLAND, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, TRUSTEE

 

To Secure

 

First Mortgage Bonds

 


 

First Mortgage Indenture

 

Dated as of August 15, 1978,

 

As amended by Eighteen Supplemental Indentures
(to and including the Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 1, 2011)

 

 

 

 

 



 

PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

FIRST MORTGAGE INDENTURE
DATED AS OF AUGUST 15, 1978
(Including All Amendments to and including the
Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 1, 2011)

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PARTIES

 

1

GRANTING CLAUSES

 

1

HABENDUM

 

5

ARTICLE ONE

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

C-6

SECTION 101.

DEFINITIONS

C-6

SECTION 102.

PROPERTY ADDITIONS; COST

C-21

SECTION 103.

COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATES AND OPINIONS

C-23

SECTION 104.

FORM OF DOCUMENTS DELIVERED TO TRUSTEE

C-23

SECTION 105.

ACTS OF HOLDERS

C-25

SECTION 106.

NOTICES, ETC. TO TRUSTEE OR COMPANY

C-27

SECTION 107.

NOTICE TO HOLDERS OF SECURITIES; WAIVER

C-27

SECTION 108.

CONFLICT WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT

C-28

SECTION 109.

EFFECT OF HEADINGS AND TABLE OF CONTENTS

C-28

SECTION 110.

SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS

C-28

SECTION 111.

SEPARABILITY CLAUSE

C-28

SECTION 112.

BENEFITS OF MORTGAGE

C-28

SECTION 113.

GOVERNING LAW

C-28

SECTION 114.

LEGAL HOLIDAYS

C-29

SECTION 115.

INVESTMENT OF CASH HELD BY TRUSTEE

C-29

SECTION 116.

DEFINITIONS AND REFERENCES IN PRIOR SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES.

C-30

ARTICLE TWO

SECURITY FORMS

C-30

SECTION 201.

FORMS GENERALLY

C-30

 

i



 

SECTION 202.

FORM OF TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

C-30

ARTICLE THREE

THE SECURITIES

C-31

SECTION 301.

AMOUNT UNLIMITED; ISSUABLE IN SERIES

C-31

SECTION 302.

DENOMINATIONS

C-34

SECTION 303.

EXECUTION, AUTHENTICATION, DELIVERY AND DATING

C-34

SECTION 304.

TEMPORARY SECURITIES

C-37

SECTION 305.

REGISTRATION, REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE

C-37

SECTION 306.

MUTILATED, DESTROYED, LOST AND STOLEN SECURITIES

C-39

SECTION 307.

PAYMENT OF INTEREST; INTEREST RIGHTS PRESERVED

C-39

SECTION 308.

PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS

C-40

SECTION 309.

CANCELLATION

C-41

SECTION 310.

COMPUTATION OF INTEREST

C-41

SECTION 311.

PAYMENT TO BE IN PROPER CURRENCY

C-42

SECTION 312.

EXTENSION OF INTEREST PAYMENT

C-42

SECTION 313.

CUSIP NUMBERS

C-42

ARTICLE FOUR

ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES

C-42

SECTION 401.

ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES

C-42

ARTICLE FIVE

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

C-45

SECTION 501.

APPLICABILITY OF ARTICLE

C-45

SECTION 502.

ELECTION TO REDEEM; NOTICE TO TRUSTEE

C-45

SECTION 503.

SELECTION OF SECURITIES TO BE REDEEMED

C-45

SECTION 504.

NOTICE OF REDEMPTION

C-46

SECTION 505.

SECURITIES PAYABLE ON REDEMPTION DATE

C-47

SECTION 506.

SECURITIES REDEEMED IN PART

C-47

ARTICLE SIX

SINKING FUNDS

C-48

SECTION 601.

APPLICABILITY OF ARTICLE

C-48

SECTION 602.

SATISFACTION OF SINKING FUND PAYMENTS WITH SECURITIES

C-48

SECTION 603.

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES FOR SINKING FUND

C-48

 

ii



 

ARTICLE SEVEN

REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS

C-49

SECTION 701.

PAYMENT OF SECURITIES; LAWFUL POSSESSION

C-49

SECTION 702.

MAINTENANCE OF OFFICE OR AGENCY

C-49

SECTION 703.

MONEY FOR SECURITIES PAYMENTS TO BE HELD IN TRUST

C-50

SECTION 704.

CORPORATE EXISTENCE

C-51

SECTION 705.

ANNUAL OFFICERS’ CERTIFICATE AS TO COMPLIANCE

C-51

SECTION 706.

WAIVER OF CERTAIN COVENANTS

C-52

SECTION 707.

ISSUANCE OF SECURED DEBT

C-52

SECTION 708.

SALE AND LEASEBACK

C-52

ARTICLE EIGHT

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

C-53

SECTION 801.

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF SECURITIES

C-53

SECTION 802.

EFFECTIVE TIME; SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF MORTGAGE

C-55

SECTION 803.

APPLICATION OF TRUST MONEY

C-56

ARTICLE NINE

EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES

C-56

SECTION 901.

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

C-56

SECTION 902.

ACCELERATION OF MATURITY; RESCISSION AND ANNULMENT

C-58

SECTION 903.

COLLECTION OF INDEBTEDNESS AND SUITS FOR ENFORCEMENT BY TRUSTEE

C-59

SECTION 904.

TRUSTEE MAY FILE PROOFS OF CLAIM

C-59

SECTION 905.

TRUSTEE MAY ENFORCE CLAIMS WITHOUT POSSESSION OF SECURITIES

C-60

SECTION 906.

APPLICATION OF MONEY COLLECTED

C-60

SECTION 907.

LIMITATION ON SUITS

C-60

SECTION 908.

UNCONDITIONAL RIGHT OF HOLDERS TO RECEIVE PRINCIPAL, PREMIUM AND INTEREST

C-61

SECTION 909.

RESTORATION OF RIGHTS AND REMEDIES

C-61

SECTION 910.

RIGHTS AND REMEDIES CUMULATIVE

C-61

SECTION 911.

DELAY OR OMISSION NOT WAIVER

C-62

SECTION 912.

CONTROL BY HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

C-62

SECTION 913.

WAIVER OF PAST DEFAULTS

C-62

SECTION 914.

UNDERTAKING FOR COSTS

C-62

 

iii



 

SECTION 915.

WAIVER OF USURY, STAY OR EXTENSION LAWS

C-63

SECTION 916.

DEFAULTS UNDER PRIOR LIENS

C-63

SECTION 917.

RECEIVER AND OTHER REMEDIES

C-63

ARTICLE TEN

THE TRUSTEE

C-64

SECTION 1001.

CERTAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

C-64

SECTION 1002.

NOTICE OF DEFAULTS

C-64

SECTION 1003.

CERTAIN RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE

C-64

SECTION 1004.

NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR RECITALS OR ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES

C-66

SECTION 1005.

MAY HOLD SECURITIES

C-66

SECTION 1006.

MONEY HELD IN TRUST

C-66

SECTION 1007.

COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT

C-66

SECTION 1008.

DISQUALIFICATION; CONFLICTING INTERESTS

C-67

SECTION 1009.

CORPORATE TRUSTEE REQUIRED; ELIGIBILITY

C-67

SECTION 1010.

RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL; APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR

C-68

SECTION 1011.

ACCEPTANCE OF APPOINTMENT BY SUCCESSOR

C-70

SECTION 1012.

MERGER, CONVERSION, CONSOLIDATION OR SUCCESSION TO BUSINESS

C-70

SECTION 1013.

PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS AGAINST COMPANY

C-71

SECTION 1014.

CO-TRUSTEE AND SEPARATE TRUSTEES

C-71

SECTION 1015.

APPOINTMENT OF AUTHENTICATING AGENT

C-72

ARTICLE ELEVEN

HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

C-74

SECTION 1101.

LISTS OF HOLDERS

C-74

SECTION 1102.

REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

C-74

ARTICLE TWELVE

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, OR OTHER TRANSFER

C-75

SECTION 1201.

COMPANY MAY CONSOLIDATE, ETC., ONLY ON CERTAIN TERMS

C-75

SECTION 1202.

SUCCESSOR COMPANY SUBSTITUTED

C-76

SECTION 1203.

EXTENT OF LIEN HEREOF ON PROPERTY OF SUCCESSOR COMPANY

C-77

 

iv



 

SECTION 1204.

RELEASE OF COMPANY UPON CONVEYANCE OR OTHER TRANSFER

C-77

SECTION 1205.

MERGER INTO COMPANY; EXTENT OF LIEN HEREOF

C-77

SECTION 1206.

TRANSFER OF LESS THAN SUBSTANTIALLY ALL

C-77

ARTICLE THIRTEEN

SUPPLEMENTAL MORTGAGES

C-78

SECTION 1301.

SUPPLEMENTAL MORTGAGES WITHOUT CONSENT OF HOLDERS

C-78

SECTION 1302.

SUPPLEMENTAL MORTGAGES WITH CONSENT OF HOLDERS

C-80

SECTION 1303.

EXECUTION OF SUPPLEMENTAL MORTGAGES

C-82

SECTION 1304.

EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTAL MORTGAGES

C-82

SECTION 1305.

CONFORMITY WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT

C-82

SECTION 1306.

REFERENCE IN SECURITIES TO SUPPLEMENTAL MORTGAGES

C-82

SECTION 1307.

MODIFICATION WITHOUT SUPPLEMENTAL MORTGAGE

C-82

ARTICLE FOURTEEN

MEETINGS OF HOLDERS; ACTION WITHOUT MEETING

C-83

SECTION 1401.

PURPOSES FOR WHICH MEETINGS MAY BE CALLED

C-83

SECTION 1402.

CALL, NOTICE AND PLACE OF MEETINGS

C-83

SECTION 1403.

PERSONS ENTITLED TO VOTE AT MEETINGS

C-84

SECTION 1404.

QUORUM; ACTION

C-84

SECTION 1405.

ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS; DETERMINATION OF VOTING RIGHTS; CONDUCT AND ADJOURNMENT OF MEETINGS

C-85

SECTION 1406.

COUNTING VOTES AND RECORDING ACTION OF MEETINGS

C-86

SECTION 1407.

ACTION WITHOUT MEETING

C-86

ARTICLE FIFTEEN

IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, SHAREHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

C-86

SECTION 1501.

LIABILITY SOLELY CORPORATE

C-86

ARTICLE SIXTEEN

POSSESSION, USE AND RELEASE OF MORTGAGED PROPERTY

C-87

SECTION 1601.

QUIET ENJOYMENT; INSTRUMENTS RELEASING EXCEPTED PROPERTY

C-87

 

v



 

SECTION 1602.

DISPOSITIONS WITHOUT RELEASE

C-87

SECTION 1603.

RELEASE OF MORTGAGED PROPERTY

C-89

SECTION 1604.

PRESERVATION OF LIEN

C-90

SECTION 1605.

RELEASE OF MINOR PROPERTIES

C-90

SECTION 1606.

WITHDRAWAL OR OTHER APPLICATION OF CASH

C-91

SECTION 1607.

RELEASE OF PROPERTY TAKEN BY EMINENT DOMAIN, ETC.

C-92

SECTION 1608.

SECURED DEBT

C-92

SECTION 1609.

DISCLAIMER OR QUITCLAIM

C-94

SECTION 1610.

MISCELLANEOUS

C-94

SECTION 1611.

MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES

C-95

SECTION 1612.

PAYMENT OF TAXES; DISCHARGE OF LIENS

C-96

SECTION 1613.

INSURANCE

C-96

SECTION 1614.

RECORDING, FILING, ETC.

C-98

SECTION 1615.

EFFECTIVE TIME FOR CERTAIN PROVISIONS

C-99

 

vi



 

PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and Mortgage, as amended by all amendments to and including the Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 1, 2011.

 

Trust Indenture Act Section

 

Mortgage Section

§§ 310 (a)(1)

 

1009

(a)(2)

 

1009

(a)(3)

 

1014

(a)(4)

 

Not Applicable

(b)

 

1008, 1010

§§ 311 (a)

 

1013

(b)

 

1013

(c)

 

Not Applicable

§§ 312 (a)

 

1101

(b)

 

1101

(c)

 

1101

§§ 313 (a)

 

1102

(b)(1)

 

Not Applicable

(b)(2)

 

1102

(c)

 

1102

(d)

 

1102

§§ 314 (a)

 

1102

(a)(4)

 

705

(b)

 

1614

(c)(1)

 

103

(c)(2)

 

103

(c)(3)

 

Not Applicable

(d)

 

1610

(e)

 

103

§§ 315 (a)

 

1001(a)

(b)

 

1002

(c)

 

1001(b)

(d)

 

1001(c)

(d)(1)

 

1001(a), 1001(c)

(d)(2)

 

1001(c)

(d)(3)

 

1001(c)

(e)

 

914

§§ 316 (a)

 

912, 913

(a)(1)(A)

 

902, 912

(a)(1)(B)

 

913

(a)(2)

 

Not Applicable

(b)

 

908

§§ 317 (a)(1)

 

903

(a)(2)

 

904

(b)

 

703

§§ 318 (a)

 

108

 

vii



 

THIS FIRST MORTGAGE INDENTURE dated as of August 15, 1978 (hereinafter generally referred to as the “Original Indenture” and sometimes referred to, with each and every prior indenture supplemental hereto and each and every other instrument which the Company, pursuant to the provisions hereof, may execute with the Trustee and which is therein stated to be supplemental to the Original Indenture, as the “Mortgage”), between PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE (hereinafter with its successors and assigns generally called the “Company”), a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of New Hampshire, having its principal place of business at Energy Park, 780 Commercial Street in Manchester, New Hampshire 03101, and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association duly organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, having a corporate trust office at 21 South Street, 3rd Floor, Morristown, New Jersey 07960, and duly authorized to execute the trusts hereof, successor to Wachovia Bank, National Association, successor to First Union National Bank formerly known as First Fidelity Bank, National Association New Jersey successor to Bank of New England, National Association (formerly known as New England Merchants National Bank) and to New Bank of New England, National Association (hereinafter with its successors generally called the “Trustee”).

 

(Recitals in Original Indenture and in all prior indentures supplemental thereto
 are omitted but remain applicable hereto.)

 

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH that, in consideration of the premises and of the authentication, purchase and acceptance of the initial issue of the Series A Bonds described in section 2.12 of the Original Indenture, of the sum of $10 duly paid to the Company by the Trustee, and of other good and valuable considerations, receipt whereof upon the ensealing and delivery of this Mortgage the Company hereby acknowledges, and in order to secure the equal pro rata payment (except as herein otherwise provided) of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, all of the bonds at any time authenticated, issued and outstanding hereunder, according to their tenor, purport and effect and the provisions hereof, and to secure the faithful performance and observance of all the covenants, obligations, conditions and provisions therein and herein contained, and to declare the terms and conditions upon which the bonds are and are to be secured, authenticated, issued, delivered, transferred and exchanged, and upon which the trusts hereof are to be administered by the Trustee, and upon which the property hereby mortgaged and pledged is to be held and disposed of, all as hereinafter provided,

 

PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE by these presents does give, grant, bargain, sell, pledge, assign, transfer, mortgage and convey, unto U.S. Bank National Association, and its successors in the trust hereof, and its and their assigns, all and singular the following described property and rights and interests in property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired by the Company (all of the foregoing, with all other property and rights and interests in property intended to be hereby given, granted, bargained, sold, pledged, assigned, transferred, mortgaged and conveyed, or at any time given, granted, bargained, sold, pledged, assigned, transferred, mortgaged or conveyed, and all proceeds of any of the foregoing at any time given, granted, bargained, sold, pledged, assigned, transferred, mortgaged or conveyed to and from time to time held by the Trustee upon the trusts hereof, being herein generally called, collectively, the trust estate), namely:

 

C-1



 

ALL REAL ESTATE and rights and interests in and to real estate, all plants, substations, structures, transmission and distribution lines, facilities and other physical property used or useful in the business of generating, producing, purchasing, transmitting or distributing electricity, all machinery, equipment, inventory, materials, supplies, tools, vessels and other tangible personal property used or useful in connection therewith, and all dams, reservoirs and water, flowage and riparian rights, and franchises, licenses, permits, approvals, other general intangibles, easements and rights of way used or useful in connection with said business, and all other property wherever located and of whatever nature, to the extent of all the Company’s ownership interest therein, regardless of the nature of such ownership interest, whether the entire ownership interest in the property concerned or a jointly held interest in common with others, divided or undivided, or otherwise, whether real, personal or mixed, and whether now owned or hereafter acquired by the Company; including, without limitation, all property described or referred to in Schedule A attached to the Original Indenture and hereby made a part hereof as fully as if set forth herein at length, or in any instrument referred to in said Schedule A, in all cases not specifically reserved, excepted and excluded;

 

(All property described or referred to in all in all prior indentures supplemental
to the Original Indenture are omitted but remain applicable hereto, to the extent not
specifically reserved, excepted and excluded.)

 

TOGETHER with all the Company’s now-existing or hereafter acquired right, title and interest to any and all physical property of the Company, now or hereafter subject to any prior mortgage, pledge, charge or other encumbrance or lien, and the cash and other proceeds therefrom, to the extent that such property, cash and proceeds shall not be otherwise held or applied pursuant to the requirements of such mortgage, pledge, charge or other encumbrance or lien;

 

AND TOGETHER WITH all and singular the now-existing and hereafter-acquired rights, privileges, tenements, hereditaments and appurtenances belonging or in any wise appertaining in and to the aforesaid property or any part thereof, with all reversion and reversions, remainder and remainders and, subject to the provisions of the Mortgage, all tolls, rents, revenues, earnings, interest, dividends, royalties, issues, income and profits thereof, and all the estate, right, title, interest and claim whatsoever, at law as well as in equity, which the Company now has or may hereafter acquire, in and to all and every part of the foregoing, it being the intention to include herein and to subject to the lien hereof all land, interests in land, real estate, physical assets, other property and interests in property, and franchises, whether now owned by the Company or which it may hereafter acquire, and wherever situated, as if the same were now owned by the Company and were specifically described and conveyed hereby, except as hereinafter specified;

 

The foregoing property, and rights and interests in property, being located in the following listed New Hampshire municipalities as well as in various municipalities in the states of Maine and Vermont:

 

(Listing of counties and municipalities and unincorporated places omitted
but such listing, as set forth in the Tenth Supplemental Indenture to the
Original Indenture and as subsequently modified or amended by subsequent
indentures supplemental to the Original Indenture, remains applicable.)

 

C-2



 

SUBJECT, HOWEVER, (i) to Permitted Liens as that term is defined in the Mortgage and (ii) as to the property specifically described or referred to in Schedule A attached to the Original Indenture, to the liens, charges, encumbrances, reservations, exceptions, exclusions, restrictions, conditions, limitations, covenants and interests described or referred to in Schedule A or in any instrument referred to in Schedule A;

 

AND SUBJECT FURTHER, as to all hereafter-acquired property, to all defects and limitations of title and to all other liens, charges, encumbrances, reservations, exceptions, exclusions, restrictions, conditions, limitations, covenants and interests existing at the time of such acquisition;

 

BUT SPECIFICALLY RESERVING, EXCEPTING AND EXCLUDING from the Mortgage, and from the grant, conveyance, mortgage, transfer, pledge and assignment herein contained, all right, title and interest of the Company now owned or hereafter acquired, in and to the following property and rights, all of which, if not previously reserved, excepted and excluded, or released and discharged from the operation and lien on the Mortgage, is hereby released and discharged from the operation and lien of the Mortgage (herein sometimes called “Excepted Property”):

 

(i)                                      all cash on hand or in banks or other financial institutions, deposit accounts, securities accounts, shares of stock, interests in business trusts or general or limited partnerships or limited liability companies, bonds, notes, mortgages, other evidences of indebtedness and other securities, security entitlements and investment property, of whatsoever kind and nature, not hereafter paid or delivered to, deposited with or held by the Trustee hereunder or required so to be;

 

(ii)                                   all rights, contracts, leases, operating agreements and other agreements of whatsoever kind and nature; all contract rights, bills, notes and other instruments and chattel paper (except to the extent that any of the same constitute securities, security entitlements or investment property, in which case they are separately excepted from the Lien of this Mortgage under clause (i) above); all revenues, income and earnings, all accounts, accounts receivable, rights to payment, payment intangibles and unbilled revenues, transition property, and all rents, tolls, earnings, issues, product and profits, revenues, dividends, income, claims, credits, demands and judgments; all governmental and other licenses, permits, franchises, consents and allowances; and all patents, patent licenses and other patent rights, patent applications, trade names, trademarks, copyrights and other intellectual property; and all claims, credits, choses in action, commercial tort claims and other intangible property and general intangibles including, but not limited to, computer software;

 

(iii)                                all automobiles, buses, trucks, truck cranes, tractors, trailers and similar vehicles and movable equipment; all rolling stock, rail cars and other railroad equipment; all vessels, boats, barges, and other marine equipment; all airplanes, helicopters, aircraft engines and other flight equipment; all parts, accessories and supplies used in connection with any of the foregoing; and all personal property of such character that the perfection of a security interest therein or other Lien thereon is not governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the jurisdiction in which such property is located;

 

C-3



 

(iv)                               all goods, stock in trade, wares, merchandise and inventory held for the purpose of sale or lease in the ordinary course of business; all materials, supplies, inventory and other items of personal property which are consumable (otherwise than by ordinary wear and tear) in their use in the operation of the Mortgaged Property; all fuel, all hand and other portable tools and equipment; all furniture and furnishings; and computers and data processing, data storage, data transmission, telecommunications and other facilities, equipment and apparatus, which, in any case, are used primarily for administrative or clerical purposes or are otherwise not necessary for the operation or maintenance of the facilities, machinery, equipment or fixtures described or referred to in the Granting Clauses of this Mortgage;

 

(v)                                  all coal, lignite, ore, gas, oil and other minerals and all timber, and all rights and interests in any of the foregoing, whether or not such minerals or timber shall have been mined or extracted or otherwise separated from the land; and all electric energy and capacity, gas (natural or artificial), steam, water and other products generated, produced, manufactured, purchased or otherwise acquired by the Company;

 

(vi)                               all real property, leaseholds, gas rights, wells, gathering, tap or other pipe lines, or facilities, equipment or apparatus, in any case used or to be used primarily for the production or gathering of natural gas;

 

(vii)                            all property which is the subject of a lease agreement designating the Company as lessee and all right, title and interest of the Company in and to such property and in, to and under such lease agreement, whether or not such lease agreement is intended as security;

 

(viii)                         all property, real, personal and mixed, which has been released from the Lien of this Mortgage, and any improvements, extensions and additions to such properties and renewals, replacements and substitutions of or for any parts thereof;

 

(ix)                                 all leasehold interests, permits, licenses and similar rights, whether now owned or hereafter acquired by the Company, which are intended to be hereby conveyed, transferred or assigned and which may not be legally so conveyed, transferred or assigned, or which cannot be so conveyed, transferred or assigned without the consent of other parties whose consent is not secured or without subjecting the Trustee to a liability not otherwise contemplated by the provisions of the Mortgage or which otherwise may not be hereby lawfully and/or effectively granted, conveyed, mortgaged, transferred and assigned by the Company;

 

(x)                                    the last day of the term of each leasehold estate (oral or written, or any agreement therefor) then owned or thereafter acquired by the Company;

 

(xi)                                 the Company’s books and records;

 

(xii)                              residential real estate purchased from employees of the Company for resale; and

 

(xiii)                           all property not acquired or constructed by the Company for use in its electric generation , transmission and distribution business;

 

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provided, however, that, subject to the provisions of Section 1203, (A) if, at any time after the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Trustee, or any separate trustee or co-trustee appointed under Section 1014 or any receiver appointed pursuant to Section 917 or otherwise, shall have entered into possession of all or substantially all the Mortgaged Property, to the extent permitted by law, all the Excepted Property described or referred to in the foregoing clauses (iii) and (v) then owned or held or thereafter acquired by the Company, to the extent that the same is used in connection with, or otherwise relates or is attributable to, the Mortgaged Property, shall immediately, and, in the case of any Excepted Property described or referred to in clause (vii), to the extent that the same is used in connection with, or otherwise relates or is attributable to, the Mortgaged Property, become subject to the Lien of this Mortgage, junior and subordinate to any Liens at that time existing on such Excepted Property, and the Trustee or such other trustee or receiver may, to the extent permitted by law or by the terms of any such other Lien (and subject to the rights of the holders of all such other Liens), at the same time likewise take possession thereof, (B) whenever all Events of Default shall have been cured and the possession of all or substantially all of the Mortgaged Property shall have been restored to the Company, such Excepted Property shall again be excepted and excluded from the Lien hereof to the extent set forth above; it being understood that the Company may, however, pursuant to any future amendment to this Mortgage subject any Excepted Property to the Lien of this Mortgage whereupon the same shall cease to be Excepted Property, and (C) to the extent not prohibited by any other provision of the Mortgage, nothing contained in the release herein provided for shall prevent the Company, prior to any such entering into possession, from selling, assigning, transferring, pledging or otherwise disposing of property of the character thereby released from the lien hereof by this paragraph and in any such case the title, possession or other rights of the purchaser, assignee or transferee thereof shall be free and clear of such lien as would otherwise attach under the Mortgage in the event of such entering into possession.

 

The Company expressly reserves the right, at any time and from time to time, by indentures supplemental hereto, to subject to the lien and operation of the Mortgage any part or all of the property reserved, excepted and excluded from the lien and operation hereof upon such terms and conditions and subject to such restrictions, limitations and reservations as it may determine;

 

BUT INCLUDING, NEVERTHELESS, any and all cash, bonds, stocks, notes, obligations and other securities and other property which at any time hereafter, by delivery or writing of any kind for the purposes hereof, may be expressly conveyed, mortgaged, pledged, delivered, assigned, transferred or paid to or deposited with the Trustee hereunder by the Company, or with its consent by any one in its behalf, as and for any additional security for the bonds issued and to be issued hereunder, the Trustee being authorized at any and all times to receive such conveyance, mortgage, pledge, delivery, assignment, transfer, payment or deposit, and to hold and apply any and all such cash, bonds, stocks, notes, obligations and other securities and other property in accordance with the provisions hereof and/or of such writing.

 

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD all said plant, premises, property, franchises and rights hereby conveyed, assigned, pledged or mortgaged, or intended so to be, unto the Trustee, its successor or successors in trust, and to its and their assigns forever;

 

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BUT IN TRUST, NEVERTHELESS, with power of sale, for the equal pro rata benefit, security and protection of the owners of the bonds without any preference, priority or distinction whatever of any one bond over any other bond by reason of priority in the issue, sale or negotiation thereof, or otherwise;

 

PROVIDED, HOWEVER, and these presents are upon the condition, that if the Company shall pay or cause to be paid or make appropriate provision for the payment unto the holders of the bonds the principal, premium, if any, and interest to become due thereon at the times and in the manner stipulated therein and shall keep, perform and observe all and singular the covenants, agreements and provisions in the Mortgage expressed to be kept, performed and observed by or on the part of the Company, then the Mortgage and the estate and rights hereby granted shall, pursuant to the provisions of the Mortgage, cease, determine and be void, but otherwise shall be and remain in full force and effect.

 

The Company hereby declares that it holds and will hold and apply all property described in (ix) and (x) above as specifically reserved and excepted upon the trusts herein set forth and as the Trustee (or any purchaser thereof upon any sale thereof hereunder) shall for such purpose direct from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law or in equity, as fully as if the same could be and had been hereby granted, conveyed, mortgaged, transferred and assigned to and vested in the Trustee.

 

And it is hereby covenanted, declared and agreed, upon the trusts and for the purposes aforesaid, as set forth in the following covenants, agreements, conditions and provisions, viz.:

 

ARTICLE ONE

 

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

 

SECTION 101.                                       DEFINITIONS .

 

For all purposes of this Mortgage, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(a)                                   the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;

 

(b)                                  all terms used herein without definition which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein;

 

(c)                                   all terms used herein without definition which are defined in the Uniform Commercial Code of New Hampshire as in effect on the First Effective Date shall have the meanings assigned to them therein;

 

(d)                                  all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, and, except as otherwise herein expressly provided, the term “generally accepted accounting principles” with respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder shall mean such accounting principles as are generally accepted in the United States at the date of such

 

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computation or, at the election of the Company from time to time, at the First Effective Date; provided, however, that in determining generally accepted accounting principles applicable to the Company, effect shall be given, to the extent required, to any order, rule or regulation of any administrative agency, regulatory authority or other governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company; and provided, further, that to the extent the Company elects to use a computation that is not based on accounting principles that are generally accepted in the United States on the date of such computation, the Company shall so state and shall certify that such principles were in effect at the First Effective Date;

 

(e)                                   the table of contents and headings are for reference purposes only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Mortgage.

 

(f)                                     The terms and provisions hereof that have no force or effect before the Second Effective Date shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of any provisions hereof that shall be in effect on and after the First Effective Date and, correspondingly, the terms and provisions hereof that have no force and effect after the Second Effective Date shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of any provisions hereof that shall be in effect on and after the Second Effective Date;

 

(g)                                  any reference to an “Article” or a “Section” refers to an Article or a Section, as the case may be, of this Mortgage; and

 

(h)                                  the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Mortgage as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.

 

“ACCOUNTANT” means a person engaged in the accounting profession or otherwise qualified to pass on accounting matters (including, but not limited to, a Person certified or licensed as a public accountant, whether or not then engaged in the public accounting profession), which Person, unless required to be Independent, may be an employee or Affiliate of the Company.

 

“ACT”, when used with respect to any Holder of a Security, has the meaning specified in Section 105.

 

“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 the purposes of this definition, “CONTROL” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct generally the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “CONTROLLING” and “CONTROLLED” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

 

“AUTHENTICATING AGENT” means any Person or Persons (other than the Company or an Affiliate of the Company) authorized by the Trustee to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate the Securities of one or more series.

 

“AUTHORIZED OFFICER” means the Chairman of the Board, the Vice Chairman, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, or any other officer,

 

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manager or agent of the Company duly authorized pursuant to a Board Resolution to act in respect of matters relating to this Mortgage.

 

“AVAILABLE CASH”, at any time, shall mean all cash then held by, or deposited with, the Trustee other than cash so held or deposited pursuant to Section 307 or Article Eight.

 

“BOARD OF DIRECTORS” means either the board of directors, board of managers or similar governing body of the Company or any committee thereof duly authorized to act in respect of matters relating to this Mortgage.

 

“BOARD RESOLUTION” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary or an Authorized Officer of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

“BUSINESS DAY”, when used with respect to a Place of Payment or any other particular location specified in the Securities or this Mortgage, means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, which is not a day on which banking institutions or trust companies in such Place of Payment or other location, or in the place in which the Corporate Trust Office is located, are generally authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed, except as may be otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301.

 

“CAPITALIZED LEASE LIABILITIES” means, with respect to any Person, the amount, if any, shown as liabilities on such Person’s unconsolidated balance sheet for capitalized leases of electric transmission and distribution property not owned by such Person, which amount shall be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and practices applicable to the type of business in which such Person is engaged.

 

“COMMISSION” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the First Effective Date such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body, if any, performing such duties at such time.

 

“COMPANY” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this Mortgage until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Mortgage, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person.

 

“COMPANY ORDER” or “COMPANY REQUEST” mean, respectively, a written order or request, as the case may be, signed in the name of the Company by an Authorized Officer and delivered to the Trustee.

 

“CORPORATE TRUST OFFICE” means the office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the First Effective Date is located at 21 South Street, 3rd Floor, Morristown, New Jersey 07960.

 

“CORPORATION” means a corporation, association, company, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership, joint stock company or business trust, and references

 

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to “corporate” and other derivations of “corporation” herein shall be deemed to include appropriate derivations of such entities.

 

“COST” with respect to Property Additions has the meaning specified in Section 102.

 

“DEBT”, with respect to any Person, means, without duplication, (A) indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money evidenced by a bond, debenture, note or other written instrument or agreement by which such Person is obligated to repay such borrowed money, (B) any guaranty by such Person of any such indebtedness of another Person, and (C) any Capitalized Lease Liabilities of such Person.  “Debt” does not include, among other things, (v) indebtedness of such person under any installment sale or conditional sale agreement or any other agreement relating to indebtedness for the deferred purchase price of property or services, (w) any trade obligation (including obligations under power or other commodity purchase agreements and any hedges or derivatives associated therewith), or other obligations of such Person in the ordinary course of business, (x) obligations of such Person under any lease agreement that are not Capitalized Lease Liabilities, (y) any Liens securing indebtedness, neither assumed nor guaranteed by such Person nor on which it customarily pays interest, existing upon real estate or rights in or relating to real estate acquired by such Person for substation, transmission line, transportation line, distribution line or right of way purposes or (z) any Rate Reduction Bonds or other obligations which are non-recourse to such Person.

 

“DEFAULTED INTEREST” has the meaning specified in Section 307.

 

“DISCOUNT SECURITY” means any Security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 902.  “Interest” with respect to a Discount Security means interest, if any, borne by such Security at a Stated Interest Rate.

 

“DOLLAR” or “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

 

“ELECTRIC UTILITY PROPERTY” means any facilities, machinery, equipment and fixtures for the generation , transmission and distribution of electric energy, including electric generating facilities switchyards, towers, substations, transformers, poles, lines, cable, conduits, ducts, conductors, meters, regulators and all other property of the Company, real or personal, or improvements, extensions, additions, renewals or replacements of the foregoing, in each case used or useful or to be used in or in connection with the business of generating , transmitting and distributing electric energy of the character described in the Granting Clauses of this Mortgage, whether owned by the Company at the First Effective Date or hereafter acquired (other than Excepted Property with respect to all of the property described in this definition).

 

“ELIGIBLE OBLIGATIONS” means:

 

(a)                                   with respect to Securities denominated in Dollars, Government Obligations or, if specified pursuant to Section 301 with respect to any Securities, other Investment Securities; or

 

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(b)                                  with respect to Securities denominated in a currency other than Dollars or in a composite currency, such other obligations or instruments as shall be specified with respect to such Securities, as contemplated by Section 301.

 

“EVENT OF DEFAULT” has the meaning specified in Section 901.

 

“EXCEPTED PROPERTY”, has the meaning specified in the Exceptions clauses portion of the Granting clauses of this Mortgage.

 

“EXCHANGE ACT” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

“EXPERT” means a Person which is an engineer, appraiser or other expert and which, with respect to any certificate to be signed by such Person and delivered to the Trustee, is qualified to pass upon the matters set forth in such certificate.  For purposes of this definition, (a) “engineer” means a Person engaged in the engineering profession or otherwise qualified to pass upon engineering matters (including, but not limited to, a Person licensed as a professional engineer, whether or not then engaged in the engineering profession) and (b) “appraiser” means a Person engaged in the business of appraising property or otherwise qualified to pass upon the Fair Value or fair market value of property.

 

“EXPERTS’ CERTIFICATE” means a certificate signed by an Authorized Officer, by an Accountant and by an Expert (which Accountant and Expert (a) shall be selected either by the Board of Directors or by an Authorized Officer, the execution of such certificate by such Authorized Officer to be conclusive evidence of such selection, and (b) except as otherwise required in Sections 401 and 1610, may be an employee or Affiliate of the Company) and delivered to the Trustee.  In any such Experts’ Certificate, the Expert shall be required to state that it is qualified to pass upon the matters set forth in such certificate.  The amount stated in any Experts’ Certificate as to the Cost, Fair Value or fair market value of property shall be conclusive and binding upon the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities.

 

“FAIR VALUE”, with respect to property, means the fair value of such property as determined in the reasonable judgment of the Expert certifying to such value, such determination to be based on any one or more factors deemed relevant by such Expert including, without limitation, (a) the amount which would be likely to be obtained in an arm’s-length transaction with respect to such property between an informed and willing buyer and an informed and willing seller, under no compulsion, respectively, to buy or sell, (b) the amount of investment with respect to such property which, together with a reasonable return thereon, would be likely to be recovered through ordinary business operations or otherwise, (c) the Cost, accumulated depreciation, and replacement cost with respect to such property and/or (d) any other relevant factors; provided, however, that (x) the Fair Value of property shall be determined without deduction for any Liens on such property prior to the Lien of this Mortgage (except as otherwise provided in Section 1603) and (y) the Fair Value to the Company of Property Additions may be of less value to a Person which is not the owner or operator of the Mortgaged Property or any portion thereof than to a Person which is such owner or operator.  Fair Value may be determined, without physical inspection, by the use of accounting and engineering records and other data maintained by the Company or otherwise available to the Expert certifying the same.

 

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“FIRST EFFECTIVE DATE” means June 1, 2011.

 

“GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY” means the government of the United States or of any State or Territory thereof or of the District of Columbia or of any county, municipality or other political subdivision of any thereof, or any department, agency, authority or other instrumentality of any of the foregoing.

 

“GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS” means securities which are (a) (i) direct obligations of the United States where the payment or payments thereunder are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States where the timely payment or payments thereunder are unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States or (b) depository receipts issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act, which may include the Trustee or any Authenticating Agent or Paying Agent) as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of or other amount with respect to any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of or other amount with respect to the Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

 

“HOLDER” means a Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Security Register.

 

“INDEPENDENT”, when applied to any Accountant or Expert, means such a Person who (a) is in fact independent, (b) does not have any direct material financial interest in the Company or in any other obligor upon the Securities or in any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor and (c) is not connected with the Company or such other obligor as an officer, employee, promoter, underwriter, trustee, partner, director or any person performing similar functions.

 

“INDEPENDENT EXPERTS’ CERTIFICATE” means a certificate signed by an Expert who is Independent and delivered to the Trustee.

 

“INTEREST” with respect to a Discount Security means interest, if any, borne by such Security at a Stated Interest Rate rather than interest calculated at any imputed rate.

 

“INTEREST PAYMENT DATE”, when used with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.

 

“INVESTMENT SECURITIES” means any of the following obligations or securities on which neither the Company, any other obligor on the Securities nor any Affiliate of either is the obligor: (a) Government Obligations; (b) interest bearing deposit accounts (which may be represented by certificates of deposit) in any national or state bank (which may include the Trustee or any Authenticating Agent or Paying Agent) or savings and loan association whose outstanding securities (or securities of the bank holding company owning all of the capital stock of such bank or savings and loan association) are rated by a nationally recognized rating

 

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organization in either of the two highest rating categories (without regard to modifiers) for short-term securities or in any of the three highest rating categories (without regard to modifiers) for long-term securities; (c) bankers’ acceptances drawn on and accepted by any commercial bank (which may include the Trustee or any Authenticating Agent or Paying Agent) whose outstanding securities (or securities of the bank holding company owning all of the capital stock of such commercial bank) are rated by a nationally recognized rating organization in either of the two highest rating categories (without regard to modifiers) for short-term securities or in any of the three highest rating categories (without regard to modifiers) for long-term securities; (d) direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, any State or Territory of the United States or the District of Columbia, or any political subdivision of any of the foregoing, which are rated by a nationally recognized rating organization in either of the two highest rating categories (without regard to modifiers) for short-term securities or in any of the three highest rating categories (without regard to modifiers) for long-term securities; (e) bonds or other obligations of any agency or instrumentality of the United States; (f) corporate debt securities which are rated by a nationally recognized rating organization in either of the two highest rating categories (without regard to modifiers) for short-term securities or in any of the three highest rating categories (without regard to modifiers) for long-term securities; (g) repurchase agreements with respect to any of the foregoing obligations or securities with any banking or financial institution (which may include the Trustee or any Authenticating Agent or Paying Agent) whose outstanding securities (or securities of the bank holding company owning all of the capital stock of such bank or financial institution) are rated by a nationally recognized rating organization in either of the two highest rating categories (without regard to modifiers) for short-term securities or in any of the three highest rating categories (without regard to modifiers) for long-term securities; (h) securities issued by any regulated investment company (including any investment company for which the Trustee or any Authenticating Agent or Paying Agent is the advisor), as defined in Section 851 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor section of such Code or successor federal statute, provided that the portfolio of such investment company is limited to obligations or securities of the character and investment quality contemplated in clauses (a) through (f) above and repurchase agreements which are fully collateralized by any of such obligations or securities; and (i) any other obligations or securities which may lawfully be purchased by the Trustee in its capacity as such.

 

“LIEN” means any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, easement, lease, reservation, restriction, servitude, charge or similar right and any other lien of any kind, including, without limitation, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, and any defect, irregularity, exception or limitation in record title.

 

“MATURITY”, when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as provided in such Security or in this Mortgage, whether at the Stated Maturity, by declaration of acceleration, upon call for redemption or otherwise.

 

“MORTGAGE” means this instrument as originally executed and as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more Mortgages supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, including, for all purposes of this instrument and any such supplemental Mortgage, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be

 

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a part of and govern this Mortgage and any such supplemental Mortgage, respectively.  The term “Mortgage” shall also include the provisions or terms of particular series of Securities established in any Officers’ Certificate, Board Resolution or Company Order delivered pursuant to Sections 201, 301, 303 and 1307.

 

“MORTGAGED PROPERTY” or “trust estate” means, as of any particular time, all property which at such time is subject to the Lien of this Mortgage.

 

“NOTICE OF DEFAULT” means a written notice of the kind specified in Section 901(c).

 

“OFFICERS’ CERTIFICATE” means a certificate signed by any two Authorized Officers of the Company and delivered to the Trustee.

 

“OPINION OF COUNSEL” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel for the Company (including an employee or Affiliate of the Company).

 

“OUTSTANDING”, when used with respect to Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Mortgage, except:

 

(a)                                   Securities theretofore canceled or delivered to the Security Registrar for cancellation;

 

(b)                                  Securities deemed to have been paid for all purposes of this Mortgage in accordance with Section 801 (whether or not the Company’s indebtedness in respect thereof shall be satisfied and discharged for any other purpose); and

 

(c)                                   Securities, the principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, which have been fully paid pursuant to the third paragraph of Section 306 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Mortgage, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it and the Company that such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser or purchasers in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company;

 

provided, however, that in determining whether or not the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Securities Outstanding under this Mortgage, or the Securities Outstanding of any series or Tranche, have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder or whether or not a quorum is present at a meeting of Holders of Securities,

 

(x)                                    Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor (unless the Company, such Affiliate or such obligor owns all Securities Outstanding under this Mortgage, or (except for the purposes of actions to be taken by Holders of more than one series or more than one Tranche, as the case may be, voting as a class under Section 1302) all Securities Outstanding of each such series and each such Tranche, as the case may be, determined without regard to this clause (x)) shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver or upon any such determination as to the presence of a quorum, only Securities which the Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so

 

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disregarded; provided, however, that Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if it is established to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee that the pledgee, and not the Company, or any such other obligor or Affiliate of either thereof, has the right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor; and provided, further, that in no event shall any Security which shall have been delivered to evidence or secure, in whole or in part, the Company’s obligations in respect of other indebtedness be deemed to be owned by the Company if the principal of such Security is payable, whether at Stated Maturity or upon mandatory redemption, at the same time as the principal of such other indebtedness is payable, whether at Stated Maturity or upon mandatory redemption or acceleration, but only to the extent of such portion of the principal amount of such Security as does not exceed the principal amount of such other indebtedness, and

 

(y)                                  the principal amount of a Discount Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 902; and

 

(z)                                    the principal amount of any Security which is denominated in a currency other than Dollars or in a composite currency that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of Dollars which could have been purchased by the principal amount (or, in the case of a Discount Security, the Dollar equivalent on the date determined as set forth below of the amount determined as provided in (y) above) of such currency or composite currency evidenced by such Security, in each such case certified to the Trustee in an Officers’ Certificate, based (i) on the average of the mean of the buying and selling spot rates quoted by three banks which are members of the New York Clearing House Association selected by the Company in effect at 11:00 A.M. (New York time) in The City of New York on the fifth Business Day preceding any such determination or (ii) if on such fifth Business Day it shall not be possible or practicable to obtain such quotations from such three banks, on such other quotations or alternative methods of determination which shall be as consistent as practicable with the method set forth in (i) above;

 

provided, further, that in the case of any Security the principal of which is payable from time to time without presentment or surrender, the principal amount of such Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding at any time for all purposes of this Mortgage shall be the original principal amount thereof less the aggregate amount of principal thereof theretofore paid.

 

“OUTSTANDING”, when used with respect to Secured Debt, means, as of the date of determination, all Secured Debt authenticated and delivered by the trustee or other holder of the Prior Lien securing the same or, if there be no such trustee or other holder, theretofore made and delivered or incurred by the Company, except:

 

(a)                                   Secured Debt theretofore cancelled or delivered to the trustee or other holder of any such Prior Lien for cancellation;

 

(b)                                  Secured Debt which has been fully paid or deemed to have been fully paid;

 

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(c)                                   Secured Debt held by the Trustee subject to the provisions of Section 1608 hereof;

 

(d)                                  Secured Debt held by the trustee or other holder of a Prior Lien upon the same property as that mortgaged or pledged to secure the Secured Debt so held (under conditions such that no transfer of ownership or possession of such Secured Debt by the trustee or other holder of such Prior Lien is permissible otherwise than to the Trustee to be held subject to the provisions of Section 1608 hereof, or to the trustee or other holder of some other Prior Lien upon the same property for cancellation or to be held uncancelled under the terms of such other Prior Lien under like conditions);

 

(e)                                   Secured Debt secured by a Prepaid Lien; and

 

(f)                                     lost, stolen or destroyed Secured Debt in lieu of or in substitution for which other Secured Debt shall have been authenticated and delivered.

 

“PAYING AGENT” means any Person, including the Company, authorized by the Company to pay the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Securities on behalf of the Company.

 

“PERIODIC OFFERING” means an offering of Securities of a series from time to time any or all of the specific terms of which Securities, including without limitation the rate or rates of interest, if any, thereon, the Stated Maturity or Maturities thereof and the redemption provisions, if any, with respect thereto, are to be determined by the Company or its agents from time to time subsequent to the initial request for the authentication and delivery of such Securities by the Trustee, as contemplated in Section 301 and clause (b) of Section 303.

 

“PERMITTED LIENS” means with respect to the Mortgaged Property, any of the following:

 

(a)                                   Liens existing as of the First Effective Date;

 

(b)                                  as to property acquired by the Company after the First Effective Date, Liens existing or placed thereon at the time of the acquisition thereof (including, but not limited to, any Prior Lien);

 

(c)                                   Liens for taxes, use charges, assessments and other governmental charges or requirements which are not delinquent or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

 

(d)                                  mechanics’, workmen’s, repairmen’s, materialmen’s, warehousemen’s, and carriers’ Liens, other Liens incident to construction, Liens or privileges of any employees of the Company for salary or wages earned, but not yet payable, and other Liens, including without limitation Liens for worker’s compensation awards, arising in the ordinary course of business for charges or requirements which are not delinquent or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings;

 

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(e)                                   Liens in respect of attachments, judgments or awards arising out of judicial or administrative proceedings (i) in an amount not exceeding the greater of (A) $10,000,000 and (B) 3% of the aggregate principal amount of all Securities and Secured Debt then Outstanding or (ii) with respect to which the Company shall (X) in good faith be prosecuting an appeal or other proceeding for review and with respect to which the Company shall have secured a stay of execution pending such appeal or other proceeding or (Y) have the right to prosecute an appeal or other proceeding for review;

 

(f)                                     easements, leases, reservations or other rights of others in, on, over and/or across, and laws, regulations and restrictions affecting, and defects, irregularities, exceptions and limitations in title to, the Mortgaged Property or any part thereof; provided, however, that such easements, leases, reservations, rights, laws, regulations, restrictions, defects, irregularities, exceptions and limitations do not in the aggregate materially impair the use by the Company of the Mortgaged Property considered as a whole for the purposes for which it is held by the Company;

 

(g)                                  defects, irregularities, exceptions and limitations in title to real property subject to rights-of-way in favor of the Company or otherwise or used or to be used by the Company primarily for right-of-way purposes or real property held under lease, easement, license or similar right; provided, however, that (i) the Company shall have obtained from the apparent owner or owners of such real property a sufficient right, by the terms of the instrument granting such right-of-way, lease, easement, license or similar right, to the use thereof for the purposes for which the Company acquired the same; or (ii) the Company has power under eminent domain or similar statutes to remove such defects, irregularities, exceptions or limitations; or (iii) such defects, irregularities, exceptions and limitations may be otherwise remedied without undue effort or expense; and defects, irregularities, exceptions and limitations in title to reclaimed lands, flood lands, flooding rights and/or water rights;

 

(h)                                  Liens securing indebtedness or other obligations neither created, assumed nor guaranteed by the Company nor on account of which it customarily pays interest upon real property or rights in or relating to real property acquired by the Company for the purpose of the generation, transmission or distribution of electric energy, gas or water, for the purpose of telephonic, telegraphic, radio, wireless or other electronic communication or otherwise for the purpose of obtaining rights-of-way or for any other purposes;

 

(i)                                      leases existing as of the First Effective Date affecting properties owned by the Company at said date and renewals and extensions thereof; and leases affecting such properties entered into after such date or affecting properties acquired by the Company after such date which, in either case, (i) have respective terms of not more than 10 years (including extensions or renewals at the option of the tenant) or (ii) do not materially impair the use by the Company of such properties for the respective purposes for which they are held by the Company;

 

(j)                                      Liens vested in lessors, licensors, franchisors or permitters for rent or other amounts to become due or for other obligations or acts to be performed, the

 

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payment of which rent or the performance of which other obligations or acts is required under leases, subleases, licenses, franchises or permits, so long as the payment of such rent or other amounts or the performance of such other obligations or acts is not delinquent or is being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings;

 

(k)                                   controls, restrictions, obligations, duties and/or other burdens imposed by federal, state, municipal or other law, or by rules, regulations or orders of Governmental Authorities, upon the Mortgaged Property or any part thereof or the operation or use thereof or upon the Company with respect to the Mortgaged Property or any part thereof or the operation or use thereof or with respect to any franchise, grant, license, permit or public purpose requirement, or any rights reserved to or otherwise vested in Governmental Authorities to impose any such controls, restrictions, obligations, duties and/or other burdens;

 

(l)                                      rights which Governmental Authorities may have by virtue of franchises, grants, licenses, permits or contracts, or by virtue of law, to take, condemn, appropriate, occupy, purchase, recapture or designate a purchaser of or order the sale of the Mortgaged Property or any part thereof, to terminate franchises, grants, licenses, permits, contracts or other rights or to regulate the property and business of the Company; and any and all obligations of the Company correlative to any such rights;

 

(m)                                Liens required by law or governmental regulations (i) as a condition to the transaction of any business or the exercise of any privilege or license, (ii) to enable the Company to maintain self-insurance or to participate in any funds established to cover any insurance risks, (iii) in connection with workmen’s compensation, unemployment insurance, social security, any pension or welfare benefit plan or (iv) to share in the privileges or benefits required for companies participating in one or more of the arrangements described in clauses (ii) and (iii) above;

 

(n)                                  Liens on the Mortgaged Property or any part thereof which are granted by the Company to secure duties or public or statutory obligations or to secure, or serve in lieu of, surety, stay or appeal bonds;

 

(o)                                  rights reserved to or vested in others to take or receive any part of any coal, ore, gas, oil and other minerals, any timber and/or any electric capacity or energy, gas, water, steam and any other products, developed, produced, manufactured, generated, purchased or otherwise acquired by the Company or by others on property of the Company;

 

(p)                                  (i) rights and interests of Persons other than the Company arising out of contracts, agreements and other instruments to which the Company is a party and which relate to the common ownership or joint use of property; and (ii) all Liens on the interests of Persons other than the Company in property owned in common by such Persons and the Company;

 

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(q)                                  any restrictions on assignment and/or requirements of any assignee to qualify as a permitted assignee and/or public utility or public service corporation;

 

(r)                                     Liens, if any, which may be deemed to exist with respect to property leased by the Company pursuant to leases which are treated under generally accepted accounting principles as capital leases;

 

(s)                                   any Liens which have been bonded for the full amount in dispute or for the payment of which other adequate security arrangements have been made;

 

(t)                                     rights and interests granted pursuant to Section 1602(c);

 

(u)                                  Prepaid Liens;

 

(v)                                  any Liens, claims, encumbrances, rights, or interests of Persons claiming such rights, interests, etc. as descendants of American Indians or as Indian Tribes, whether pursuant to the Non-Intercourse Act of 1834 (25 U.S.C. § 177) or otherwise; and

 

(w)                                any Lien of the Trustee granted pursuant to Section 1007.

 

“PERSON” means any individual, corporation, joint venture, limited liability company, trust or unincorporated organization or any Governmental Authority.

 

“PLACE OF PAYMENT”, when used with respect to the Securities of any series, or Tranche thereof, means the place or places, specified as contemplated by Section 301, at which, subject to Section 702, principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Securities of such series or Tranche are payable.

 

“PREDECESSOR SECURITY” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security.

 

“PREPAID LIENS” means any Lien securing indebtedness for the payment of which money in the necessary amount shall have been irrevocably deposited in trust with the trustee or other holder of such Lien; provided, however, that if such indebtedness is to be redeemed or otherwise prepaid prior to the stated maturity thereof, any notice requisite to such redemption or prepayment shall have been given in accordance with the mortgage or other instrument creating such Lien or irrevocable instructions to give such notice shall have been given to such trustee or other holder.

 

“PRIOR LIEN” means any Lien securing Secured Debt.

 

“PROPERTY ADDITIONS” has the meaning specified in Section 102.

 

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“PURCHASE MONEY LIEN” means, with respect to any property being acquired or disposed of by the Company or being released from the Lien of this Mortgage, a Lien on such property which

 

(a)                                   is taken or retained by the transferor of such property to secure all or part of the purchase price thereof;

 

(b)                                  is granted to one or more Persons other than the transferor which, by making advances or incurring an obligation, give value to enable the grantor of such Lien to acquire rights in or the use of such property;

 

(c)                                   is granted to any other Person in connection with the release of such property from the Lien of this Mortgage on the basis of the deposit with the Trustee or the trustee or other holder of a Lien prior to the Lien of this Mortgage of obligations secured by such Lien on such property (as well as any other property subject thereto);

 

(d)                                  is held by a trustee or agent for the benefit of one or more Persons described in clause (a), (b) and/or (c) above, provided that such Lien may be held, in addition, for the benefit of one or more other Persons which shall have theretofore given, or may thereafter give, value to or for the benefit or account of the grantor of such Lien for one or more other purposes; or

 

(e)                                   otherwise constitutes a purchase money mortgage or a purchase money security interest under applicable law; and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, for purposes of this Mortgage, the term Purchase Money Lien shall be deemed to include any Lien described above whether or not such Lien (x) shall permit the issuance or other incurrence of additional indebtedness secured by such Lien on such property, (y) shall permit the subjection to such Lien of additional property and the issuance or other incurrence of additional indebtedness on the basis thereof and/or (z) shall have been granted prior to the acquisition, disposition or release of such property, shall attach to or otherwise cover property other than the property being acquired, disposed of or released and/or shall secure obligations issued prior and/or subsequent to the issuance of the obligations delivered in connection with such acquisition, disposition or release.

 

“RATE REDUCTION BOND” means notes or bonds issued on behalf of the Company that are wholly or partially secured by Rate Reduction Bond Property or are unsecured and with respect to which no recourse may be had to the Company or its assets for the payment of principal, premium or interest, except for the Rate Reduction Bond Property securing such notes or bonds.

 

“RATE REDUCTION BOND PROPERTY” means all charges, receivables, similar amounts or any other property of the Company authorized by appropriate State or other legislation, order, rule, statute, decree or judgment to be collected by the Company or any other party from its customers or any other party as security for, or to assure the payment of principal of, and premium and interest on, Rate Reduction Bonds and obligations relating thereto.

 

“REDEMPTION DATE”, when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Mortgage.

 

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“REDEMPTION PRICE”, when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Mortgage, exclusive of accrued and unpaid interest.

 

“REGULAR RECORD DATE” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Securities of any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 301.

 

“REQUIRED CURRENCY” has the meaning specified in Section 311.

 

“RESPONSIBLE OFFICER”, when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the corporate trust administration group of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) with direct responsibility for the administration of this Mortgage and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

 

“SALE AND LEASE BACK TRANSACTION” means any arrangement with any Person providing for the leasing to the Company of any Mortgaged Property (except for leases for a term, including any renewal thereof, of not more than forty-eight (48) months), which Mortgaged Property has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Company to such Person.

 

“SECOND EFFECTIVE DATE” means the earliest date on which the Holders of all Securities then Outstanding shall have consented (or shall be deemed to have consented) to the amendment of this Mortgage substantially in the form that the Mortgage shall have become effective on the First Effective Date with such changes thereafter as are permitted by the terms hereof; provided, however, that the Holders of all Securities issued after the First Effective Date shall automatically be deemed to have so consented.

 

“SECURED DEBT” means Debt, other than Securities, created, issued, incurred or assumed by the Company that is secured by a Lien, other than a Permitted Lien (except for clause (b) of the definition thereof), upon any Mortgaged Property of the Company prior to or on a parity with the Lien of this Mortgage (including Debt that is secured by a Lien prior to or on a parity with the Lien of this Mortgage existing on property acquired by the Company after the First Effective Date or placed thereon at the time of such acquisition thereof).

 

“SECURITIES” means any securities authenticated and delivered under this Mortgage.

 

“SECURITIES ACT” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

“SECURITY REGISTER” AND “SECURITY REGISTRAR” have the respective meanings specified in Section 305.

 

“SPECIAL RECORD DATE” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Securities of any series means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 307.

 

“STATED INTEREST RATE” means a rate (whether fixed or variable) at which an obligation by its terms is stated to bear simple interest.  Any calculation or other determination to be made under this Mortgage by reference to the Stated Interest Rate on a Security shall be made

 

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without regard to the effective interest cost to the Company of such Security and without regard to the Stated Interest Rate on, or the effective cost to the Company of, any other indebtedness the Company’s obligations in respect of which are evidenced or secured in whole or in part by such Security.

 

“STATED MATURITY”, when used with respect to any Security or any obligation or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date on which the principal of such obligation or such installment of principal or interest is stated to be due and payable (without regard to any provisions for redemption, prepayment, acceleration, purchase or extension).

 

“SUCCESSOR COMPANY” has the meaning set forth in Section 1201.

 

“SUPPLEMENTAL MORTGAGE”, “SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE” or “MORTGAGE SUPPLEMENTAL HERETO” means an instrument supplementing or amending this Mortgage executed and delivered pursuant to Article Thirteen.

 

“TRANCHE” means a group of Securities which (a) are of the same series and (b) have identical terms except as to principal amount, date of issuance, interest rate, payment terms and/or maturity date.

 

“TRUST ESTATE”— see definition of Mortgaged Property.

 

“TRUSTEE” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this Mortgage until a successor Trustee shall have been appointed by the Company pursuant to Section 1010 or otherwise have become such with respect to one or more series of Securities pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Mortgage, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

 

“TRUST INDENTURE ACT” means, as of any time, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in effect at such time.

 

“UNITED STATES” means the United States of America, its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

 

SECTION 102.                                       PROPERTY ADDITIONS; COST .

 

(a)                                   “PROPERTY ADDITIONS” means, as of any particular time, any item, unit or element of property which at such time is owned by the Company and is Mortgaged Property.

 

(b)                                  When the aggregate amount of any Property Additions are calculated for any purpose under the Mortgage, there shall be deducted from the Cost or Fair Value to the Company thereof, as the case may be (as of the date so calculated), an amount equal to all related reserves (estimated, if necessary, as to particular property) for depreciation, depletion, obsolescence or amortization recorded on the books of the Company as of the date so calculated in respect of

 

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such Property Additions which have not theretofore been deducted from the Cost or Fair Value of Property Additions theretofore so calculated.

 

(c)                                   Except as otherwise provided in Section 1603, the term “COST” with respect to Property Additions shall mean the sum of (i) any cash delivered in payment therefor or for the acquisition thereof, (ii) an amount equivalent to the fair market value in cash (as of the date of delivery) of any securities or other property delivered in payment therefor or for the acquisition thereof, (iii) the principal amount of any obligations secured by a Prior Lien upon such Property Additions outstanding at the time of the acquisition thereof, (iv) the principal amount of any other obligations incurred or assumed in connection with the payment for such Property Additions or for the acquisition thereof and (v) any other amounts which, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, are properly charged or chargeable to the plant or other property accounts of the Company with respect to such Property Additions as part of the cost of construction or acquisition thereof, including, but not limited to, any allowance for funds used during construction or any similar or analogous amount; provided, however, that, notwithstanding any other provision of this Mortgage,

 

(i)                                      with respect to Property Additions owned by a successor corporation immediately prior to the time it shall have become such by consolidation or merger or acquired by a successor corporation in or as a result of a consolidation or merger (excluding, in any case, Property Additions owned by the Company immediately prior to such time), Cost shall mean the amount or amounts at which such Property Additions are recorded in the plant or other property accounts of such successor corporation, or the predecessor corporation from which such Property Additions are acquired, as the case may be, immediately prior to such consolidation or merger;

 

(ii)                                   with respect to Property Additions which shall have been acquired (otherwise than by construction) by the Company without any consideration consisting of cash, securities or other property or the incurring or assumption of indebtedness, no determination of Cost shall be required, and, wherever in this Mortgage provision is made for Cost or Fair Value, Cost with respect to such Property Additions shall mean an amount equal to the Fair Value to the Company thereof or, if greater, the aggregate amount reflected in the Company’s books of account with respect thereto upon the acquisition thereof; and

 

(iii)                                in no event shall the Cost of Property Additions be required to reflect any adjustment to the amount or amounts at which such Property Additions are recorded in plant or other property accounts due to the non-recoverability of investment or otherwise.

 

If any Property Additions are shown by the Experts’ Certificate provided for in Section 401(b)(ii) to include property which has been used or operated by others than the Company in a business similar to that in which it has been or is to be used or operated by the Company, the Cost thereof need not be reduced by any amount in respect of any goodwill, going concern value, franchises, contracts, operating agreements and other rights and/or intangible property simultaneously acquired for which no separate or distinct consideration shall have been paid or apportioned, and in such case the term Property Additions as defined herein may include such goodwill, going concern value rights and intangible property.

 

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SECTION 103.                                       COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATES AND OPINIONS .

 

Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Mortgage, upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Mortgage, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that in the opinion of the Authorized Officers executing such Officers’ Certificate all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Mortgage relating to the proposed action (including any covenants compliance with which constitutes a condition precedent) have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Mortgage relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

 

Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Mortgage shall include:

 

(a)                                   a statement that each Person signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;

 

(b)                                  a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

 

(c)                                   a statement that, in the opinion of each such Person, such Person has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable such Person to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

 

(d)                                  a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

 

SECTION 104.                                       FORM OF DOCUMENTS DELIVERED TO TRUSTEE .

 

(a)                                   Any Officers’ Certificate may be based (without further examination or investigation), insofar as it relates to or is dependent upon legal matters, upon an opinion of, or representations by, counsel, and, insofar as it relates to or is dependent upon matters which are subject to verification by Accountants, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an Accountant, and insofar as it relates to or is dependent upon matters which are required in this Mortgage to be covered by a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an Expert, upon the certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an Expert, unless, in any case, either such officer has actual knowledge that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which such Officers’ Certificate may be based as aforesaid are erroneous.

 

Any Experts’ Certificate may be based (without further examination or investigation), insofar as it relates to or is dependent upon legal matters, upon an opinion of, or representations by, counsel, and insofar as it relates to or is dependent upon factual matters, information with respect to which is in the possession of the Company and which are not subject to verification by Experts, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the

 

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Company, unless such expert has actual knowledge that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion may be based as aforesaid are erroneous.

 

Any certificate of an Accountant may be based (without further examination or investigation), insofar as it relates to or is dependent upon legal matters, upon an opinion of, or representations by, counsel, and in so far as it relates to or is dependent upon factual matters, information with respect to which is in the possession of the Company and which are not subject to verification by Accountants, upon a certificate of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company, unless such Accountant has actual knowledge that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion may be based as aforesaid are erroneous.

 

Any Opinion of Counsel may be based (without further examination or investigation), insofar as it relates to or is dependent upon factual matters, information with respect to which is in the possession of the Company, upon a certificate of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company, and, insofar as it relates to or is dependent upon matters which are subject to verification by Accountants upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an Accountant, and, insofar as it relates to or is dependent upon matters required in this Mortgage to be covered by a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an Expert, upon the certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an Expert, unless such counsel has actual knowledge that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his opinion may be based as aforesaid are erroneous.  In addition, any Opinion of Counsel may be based (without further examination or investigation), insofar as it relates to or is dependent upon matters covered in an Opinion of Counsel rendered by other counsel, upon such other Opinion of Counsel, unless such counsel has actual knowledge that the Opinion of Counsel rendered by such other counsel with respect to the matters upon which his Opinion of Counsel may be based as aforesaid are erroneous.  Further, any Opinion of Counsel with respect to the status of title to or the sufficiency of descriptions of property, and/or the existence of Liens thereon, and/or the recording or filing of documents, and/or any similar matters, may be based (without further examination or investigation) upon (i) title insurance policies or commitments and reports, abstracts of title, lien search certificates and other similar documents or (ii) certificates of, or representations by, officers, employees, agents and/or other representatives of the Company or (iii) any combination of the documents referred to in (i) and (ii), unless, in any case, such counsel has actual knowledge that the document or documents with respect to the matters upon which his opinion may be based as aforesaid are erroneous.  If, in order to render any Opinion of Counsel provided for herein, the signer thereof shall deem it necessary that additional facts or matters be stated in any Officers’ Certificate, certificate of an Accountant or Experts’ Certificate provided for herein, then such certificate may state all such additional facts or matters as the signer of such Opinion of Counsel may request.

 

(b)                                  In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.  Where (i) any

 

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Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Mortgage, or (ii) two or more Persons are each required to make, give or execute any such application, request, consent, certificate, statement, opinion or other instrument, any such applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.

 

(c)                                   Whenever, subsequent to the receipt by the Trustee of any Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate, Experts’ Certificate, Opinion of Counsel or other document or instrument, a clerical, typographical or other inadvertent or unintentional error or omission shall be discovered therein, a new document or instrument may be substituted therefor in corrected form with the same force and effect as if originally filed in the corrected form and, irrespective of the date or dates of the actual execution and/or delivery thereof, such substitute document or instrument shall be deemed to have been executed and/or delivered as of the date or dates required with respect to the document or instrument for which it is substituted.  Anything in this Mortgage to the contrary notwithstanding, if any such corrective document or instrument indicates that action has been taken by or at the request of the Company which could not have been taken had the original document or instrument not contained such error or omission, the action so taken shall not be invalidated or otherwise rendered ineffective but shall be and remain in full force and effect, except to the extent that such action was a result of willful misconduct or bad faith.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any Securities issued under the authority of such defective document or instrument shall nevertheless be the valid obligations of the Company entitled to the benefits of this Mortgage equally and ratably with all other Outstanding Securities, except as aforesaid.

 

SECTION 105.                                       ACTS OF HOLDERS .

 

(a)                                   Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, election, waiver or other action provided by this Mortgage to be made, given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing or, alternatively, may be embodied in and evidenced by the record of Holders voting in favor thereof, either in person or by proxies duly appointed in writing, at any meeting of Holders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article Fourteen, or a combination of such instruments and any such record.  Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments or record or both are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company.  Such instrument or instruments and any such record (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments and so voting at any such meeting.  Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or of the holding by any Person of a Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Mortgage and (subject to Section 1001) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section.  The record of any meeting of Holders shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 1406.

 

(b)                                  The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a

 

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notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof or may be proved in any other manner which the Trustee and the Company deem sufficient.  Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority.

 

(c)                                   The ownership, principal amount (except as otherwise contemplated in clause (y) of the first proviso to the definition of Outstanding) and serial numbers of Securities held by any Person, and the date of holding the same, shall be proved by the Security Register.

 

(d)                                  Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, election, waiver or other Act of a Holder shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security.

 

(e)                                   Until such time as written instruments shall have been delivered to the Trustee with respect to the requisite percentage of principal amount of Securities for the action contemplated by such instruments, any such instrument executed and delivered by or on behalf of a Holder may be revoked with respect to any or all of such Securities by written notice by such Holder or any subsequent Holder, proven in the manner in which such instrument was proven.

 

(f)                                     Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, authenticated and delivered after any Act of Holders may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any action taken by such Act of Holders.  If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to such action may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series or Tranche.

 

(g)                                  If the Company shall solicit from Holders any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Company may, at its option, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so.  If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of record at the close of business on the record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of the Outstanding Securities have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities shall be computed as of the record date.

 

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SECTION 106.                                       NOTICES, ETC. TO TRUSTEE OR COMPANY .

 

Except as otherwise provided herein, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, election, waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Mortgage to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with, the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company, or the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder, shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise expressly provided herein) if in writing and delivered personally to an officer or other responsible employee of the addressee, or transmitted by facsimile transmission or other direct written electronic means to such telephone number or other electronic communications address set forth for such party below or such other address as the parties hereto shall from time to time designate, or delivered by registered or certified mail or reputable overnight courier, charges prepaid, to the applicable address set forth for such party below or to such other address as either party hereto may from time to time designate:

 

If to the Trustee, to:

 

U.S. Bank National Association

21 South Street, 3rd Floor

Morristown, New Jersey 07960

 

Attention:                            Corporate Trust Department

Telephone:                       973-898-7160

Telecopy:                              973-682-4540

 

If to the Company, to:

 

Public Service Company of New Hampshire

c/o Northeast Utilities Service Company

P.O. Box 270

Hartford, CT  06141-0270

 

Attention:                            Assistant Treasurer

Telephone:                       860-665-5058

Telecopy:                              860-665-5457

 

Any communication contemplated herein shall be deemed to have been made, given, furnished and filed if personally delivered, on the date of delivery, if transmitted by facsimile transmission or other direct written electronic means, on the date of transmission if transmitted during normal business hours and otherwise on the next Business Day, and if transmitted by registered or certified mail or reputable overnight courier, on the date of receipt.

 

SECTION 107.                                       NOTICE TO HOLDERS OF SECURITIES; WAIVER .

 

Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, where this Mortgage provides for notice to Holders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given, and shall be deemed given, to Holders if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected by such event, at the address of such Holder as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, if any, prescribed for the giving of such Notice.

 

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In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice to Holders by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.  In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to Holders.

 

Any notice required by this Mortgage may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event otherwise to be specified therein, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice.  Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

 

SECTION 108.                                       CONFLICT WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT .

 

If any provision of this Mortgage limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision hereof which is required or deemed to be included in this Mortgage by, or is otherwise governed by, any provision of the Trust Indenture Act, such other provision shall control; and if any provision hereof otherwise conflicts with the Trust Indenture Act, the Trust Indenture Act shall control unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to any series of Securities.

 

SECTION 109.                                       EFFECT OF HEADINGS AND TABLE OF CONTENTS .

 

The Article and Section headings in this Mortgage and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

SECTION 110.                                       SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS .

 

All covenants and agreements in this Mortgage by the Company and Trustee shall bind their respective successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

 

SECTION 111.                                       SEPARABILITY CLAUSE .

 

In case any provision in this Mortgage or the Securities shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

SECTION 112.                                       BENEFITS OF MORTGAGE .

 

Nothing in this Mortgage or the Securities, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, their successors hereunder and the Holders of any Outstanding Securities, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Mortgage.

 

SECTION 113.                                       GOVERNING LAW .

 

This Mortgage and the Securities shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New Hampshire, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act shall be

 

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applicable and except to the extent that the laws of any other state where the Company then owns Mortgaged Property shall govern the Mortgage Lien and related provisions of the Mortgage with respect to property in such state; provided however that the rights and obligations of the Trustee shall be governed by the laws of the state in which the Corporate Trust Office is located.

 

SECTION 114.                                       LEGAL HOLIDAYS .

 

In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Mortgage or of the Securities other than a provision in Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, or in the Mortgage supplemental hereto, Board Resolution or Officers’ Certificate which establishes the terms of the Securities of such series or Tranche, which specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section) payment of interest or principal and premium, if any, need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, or Stated Maturity, and, if such payment is made or duly provided for on such Business Day, no interest shall accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity, as the case may be, to such Business Day.

 

SECTION 115.                                       INVESTMENT OF CASH HELD BY TRUSTEE .

 

Any cash held by the Trustee or any Paying Agent under any provision of this Mortgage shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 1606 or in Article Eight, at the request of the Company evidenced by Company Order, be invested or reinvested in Investment Securities designated by the Company (such Company Order to contain a representation to the effect that the securities designated therein constitute Investment Securities), any interest on such Investment Securities shall be promptly paid over to the Company as directed in such Company Order free and clear of any Lien.  Such Investment Securities shall be held subject to the same provisions hereof as the cash used to purchase the same, but upon a like request of the Company shall be sold, in whole or in designated part, and the proceeds of such sale shall be held subject to the same provisions hereof as the cash used to purchase the Investment Securities so sold.  If such sale shall produce a net sum less than the cost of the Investment Securities so sold, the Company shall pay to the Trustee or any such Paying Agent, as the case may be, such amount in cash as, together with the net proceeds from such sale, shall equal the cost of the Investment Securities so sold, and if such sale shall produce a net sum greater than the cost of the Investment Securities so sold, the Trustee or any such Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall promptly pay over to the Company an amount in cash equal to such excess, free and clear of any Lien.  In no event shall the Trustee be liable for any loss incurred in connection with the sale of any Investment Security pursuant to this Section.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, interest on Investment Securities and any gain upon the sale thereof shall be held as part of the Mortgaged Property until such Event of Default shall have been cured or waived, whereupon such interest and gain shall be promptly paid over to the Company free and clear of any Lien.

 

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SECTION 116.              DEFINITIONS AND REFERENCES IN PRIOR SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES.

 

To the extent that any Supplemental Indentures entered into prior to the First Effective Date or any Securities issued prior to the First Effective Date refers to sections contained in the Original Indenture or to terms defined in the Original Indenture, any such reference to sections or defined terms shall be deemed to be a reference to the appropriate corresponding section or defined term in this Mortgage.

 

ARTICLE TWO

 

SECURITY FORMS

 

SECTION 201.              FORMS GENERALLY .

 

The definitive Securities of each series shall be in substantially the form or forms thereof established in the Mortgage supplemental hereto establishing such series or in a Board Resolution establishing such series, or in an Officers’ Certificate pursuant to such a Supplemental Mortgage or Board Resolution, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Mortgage, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution thereof.  If the form or forms of Securities of any series are established in a Board Resolution or in an Officers’ Certificate pursuant to a Supplemental Mortgage or a Board Resolution, such Board Resolution and Officers’ Certificate, if any, shall be delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 303 for the authentication and delivery of such Securities.

 

Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, the Securities of each series shall be issuable in registered form without coupons.  The definitive Securities shall be produced in such manner as shall be determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution thereof.

 

SECTION 202.              FORM OF TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION .

 

The Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the form set forth below:

 

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Mortgage.

 

 

 

 

 

as Trustee

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Authorized Signatory

 

 

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ARTICLE THREE

 

THE SECURITIES

 

SECTION 301.              AMOUNT UNLIMITED; ISSUABLE IN SERIES .

 

The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Mortgage is unlimited.

 

The Securities may be issued in one or more series.  Subject to the last paragraph of this Section, prior to the authentication and delivery of Securities of any series there shall be established by specification in a supplemental Mortgage or in a Board Resolution or in an Officers’ Certificate pursuant to a supplemental Mortgage or a Board Resolution:

 

(a)            the title of the Securities of such series (which shall distinguish the Securities of such series from Securities of all other series);

 

(b)            any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Mortgage (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of such series pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 506 or 1306 and except for any Securities which, pursuant to Section 303, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder);

 

(c)            the Person or Persons (without specific identification) to whom any interest on Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest;

 

(d)            the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of such series or any Tranche thereof, is payable or any formulary or other method or other means by which such date or dates shall be determined, by reference to an index or other fact or event ascertainable outside of this Mortgage or otherwise (without regard to any provisions for redemption, prepayment, acceleration, purchase or extension); and the right, if any, to extend the Maturity of the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, and the duration of any such extension;

 

(e)            the rate or rates at which the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, shall bear interest, if any (including the rate or rates at which overdue principal shall bear interest after Maturity if different from the rate or rates at which such Securities shall bear interest prior to Maturity, and, if applicable, the rate or rates at which overdue premium or interest shall bear interest, if any), or any formulary or other method or other means by which such rate or rates shall be determined by reference to an index or other fact or event ascertainable outside of this Mortgage or otherwise, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue; the Interest Payment Dates and the Regular Record Dates, if any, for the interest payable on such Securities on any Interest Payment Date; and the basis of computation of interest, if other than as provided in Section 310; and the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of any such extension;

 

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(f)             the place or places at which and/or methods (if other than as provided elsewhere in this Mortgage) by which (i) the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, shall be payable, (ii) registration of transfer of Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, may be effected, (iii) exchanges of Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, may be effected and (iv) notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, and this Mortgage may be served; the Security Registrar and any Paying Agent or Agents for such series or Tranche; and, if such is the case, that the principal of such Securities shall be payable without the presentment or surrender thereof;

 

(g)            the period or periods within which, or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company and any restrictions on such redemptions; including but not limited to a restriction on a partial redemption by the Company of the Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, resulting in delisting of such Securities from any national exchange;

 

(h)            the obligation or obligations, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase or repay the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, pursuant to any sinking fund or other mandatory redemption provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which such Securities shall be redeemed or purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation and applicable exceptions to the requirements of Section 504 in the case of mandatory redemption or redemption or repayment at the option of the Holder;

 

(i)             the denominations in which Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, shall be issuable if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof;

 

(j)             if the principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in a coin or currency other than that in which the Securities are stated to be payable, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made and the manner in which the amount of such coin or currency payable is to be determined;

 

(k)            the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, shall be payable (if other than Dollars) and the manner in which the equivalent of the principal amount thereof in Dollars is to be determined for any purpose, including for the purpose of determining the principal amount deemed to be Outstanding at any time;

 

(l)             if the principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, are to be payable, or are to be payable at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in securities or other property, the type and amount of such securities or other property, or the formulary or other method or other means by which such

 

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amount shall be determined, and the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, any such election may be made;

 

(m)           if the amount payable in respect of principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, may be determined with reference to an index or other fact or event ascertainable outside this Mortgage, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined to the extent not established pursuant to clause (e) of this paragraph;

 

(n)            if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 902;

 

(o)            any Events of Default, in addition to those specified in Section 901, or any exceptions to those specified in Section 901, with respect to the Securities of such series, and any covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, in addition to those set forth in Article Seven, or any exceptions to those set forth in Article Seven;

 

(p)            the terms, if any, pursuant to which the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, may be converted into or exchanged for shares of capital stock or other securities of the Company or any other Person;

 

(q)            the obligations or instruments, if any, which shall be considered to be Eligible Obligations in respect of the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, denominated in a currency other than Dollars or in a composite currency, whether Eligible Obligations include Investment Securities with respect to Securities of such series, and any provisions for satisfaction and discharge of Securities of any series, in addition to those set forth in Article Eight, or any exceptions to those set forth in Article Eight;

 

(r)             if the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, are to be issued in global form, (i) any limitations on the rights of the Holder or Holders of such Securities to transfer or exchange the same or to obtain the registration of transfer thereof, (ii) any limitations on the rights of the Holder or Holders thereof to obtain certificates therefor in definitive form in lieu of global form and (iii) any other matters incidental to such Securities;

 

(s)            if the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, are to be issuable as bearer securities, any and all matters incidental thereto which are not specifically addressed in a supplemental Mortgage as contemplated by clause (g) of Section 1301;

 

(t)             to the extent not established pursuant to clause (r) of this paragraph, any limitations on the rights of the Holders of the Securities of such Series, or any Tranche thereof, to transfer or exchange such Securities or to obtain the registration of transfer thereof; and if a service charge will be made for the registration of transfer or exchange of Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, the amount or terms thereof;

 

(u)            any exceptions to Section 115, or variation in the definition of Business Day, with respect to the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof; and

 

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(v)            any other terms of the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, that the Company may elect to specify.

 

With respect to Securities of a series subject to a Periodic Offering, the Mortgage supplemental hereto or the Board Resolution which establishes such series, or the Officers’ Certificate pursuant to such supplemental Mortgage or Board Resolution, as the case may be, may provide general terms or parameters for Securities of such series and provide either that the specific terms of Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, shall be specified in a Company Order or that such terms shall be determined by the Company or its agents in accordance with procedures specified in a Company Order as contemplated in clause (b) of Section 303.

 

Unless otherwise provided with respect to a series of Securities as contemplated in clause (b) of this Section 301, the aggregate principal amount of a series of Securities may be increased and additional Securities of such series may be issued up to the maximum aggregate principal amount authorized with respect to such series as increased.

 

SECTION 302.              DENOMINATIONS .

 

Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to any series of Securities, or any Tranche thereof, the Securities of each series shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.

 

SECTION 303.              EXECUTION, AUTHENTICATION, DELIVERY AND DATING .

 

Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to any series of Securities or any Tranche thereof, the Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by an Authorized Officer, and may have the corporate seal of the Company affixed thereto or reproduced thereon attested by any other Authorized Officer or by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company.  The signature of any or all of these officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile.

 

Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at the time of execution Authorized Officers or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities.

 

The Trustee shall authenticate and deliver Securities of a series for original issue, at one time or from time to time in accordance with the Company Order referred to below, upon receipt by the Trustee of:

 

(a)            the instrument or instruments establishing the form or forms and terms of the Securities of such series, as provided in Sections 201 and 301;

 

(b)            a Company Order requesting the authentication and delivery of such Securities and, to the extent that the terms of such Securities shall not have been established in a

 

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Mortgage supplemental hereto or in a Board Resolution, or in an Officers’ Certificate pursuant to a supplemental Mortgage or Board Resolution, all as contemplated by Section 301, either (i) establishing such terms or (ii) in the case of Securities of a series subject to a Periodic Offering, specifying procedures, acceptable to the Trustee, by which such terms are to be established (which procedures may provide, to the extent acceptable to the Trustee, for authentication and delivery pursuant to oral or electronic instructions from the Company or any agent or agents thereof, which oral instructions are to be promptly confirmed electronically or in writing), in either case in accordance with the instrument or instruments establishing the terms of the Securities of such series delivered pursuant to clause (a) above;

 

(c)            any opinions, certificates, documents and instruments required by Article Four;

 

(d)            Securities of such series, each executed on behalf of the Company by an Authorized Officer of the Company;

 

(e)            an Officers’ Certificate (i) which shall comply with the requirements of Section 104 of this Mortgage and (ii) which states that no Event of Default under this Mortgage has occurred or is occurring;

 

(f)             an Opinion of Counsel which shall comply with the requirements of Section 104 of this Mortgage and that states that:

 

(i)             the form or forms of such Securities have been duly authorized by the Company and have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Mortgage;

 

(ii)            the terms of such Securities have been duly authorized by the Company and have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Mortgage; and

 

(iii)           when such Securities shall have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued and delivered by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, such Securities will have been duly issued under this Mortgage, and will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, entitled to the benefits provided by this Mortgage, and enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject, as to enforcement, to environmental “super lien” laws and laws relating to or affecting generally the enforcement of mortgagees’ and other creditors’ rights, including, without limitation, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and mortgagees generally, general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and an implied covenant of good faith, fair dealing and reasonableness.

 

provided, however, that, with respect to Securities of a series subject to a Periodic Offering, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive such Opinion of Counsel only once at or prior to the time of the first authentication and delivery of Securities of such series and that in lieu of the opinions described in clauses (ii) and (iii) above such Opinion of Counsel may, alternatively, state, respectively,

 

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(x)             that, when the terms of such Securities shall have been established pursuant to a Company Order or Orders, or pursuant to such procedures as may be specified from time to time by a Company Order or Orders, all as contemplated by and in accordance with the instrument or instruments delivered pursuant to clause (a) above, such terms will have been duly authorized by the Company and will have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Mortgage; and

 

(y)            that such Securities, when (1) executed by the Company, (2) authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in accordance with this Mortgage, (3) issued and delivered by the Company and (4) paid for, all as contemplated by and in accordance with the aforesaid Company Order or Orders, as the case may be, will have been duly issued under this Mortgage and will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, entitled to the benefits provided by the Mortgage, and enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject, as to enforcement, to laws relating to or affecting generally the enforcement of mortgagees’ and other creditors’ rights, including, without limitation, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and mortgagees generally, general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and an implied covenant of good faith, fair dealing and reasonableness.

 

With respect to Securities of a series subject to a Periodic Offering, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the authorization by the Company of any of such Securities, the forms and terms thereof and the legality, validity, binding effect and enforceability thereof, and compliance of the authentication and delivery thereof with the terms and conditions of this Mortgage, upon the Opinion of Counsel and other documents delivered pursuant to Sections 201 and 301 and this Section, as applicable, at or prior to the time of the first authentication of Securities of such series, unless and until such opinion or other documents have been superseded or revoked or expire by their terms.  In connection with the authentication and delivery of Securities of a series, pursuant to a Periodic Offering, the Trustee shall be entitled to assume that the Company’s instructions to authenticate and deliver such Securities do not violate any applicable law or any applicable rule, regulation or order of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Company.

 

If the forms or terms of the Securities of any series have been established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or an Officers’ Certificate as permitted by Sections 201 or 301, the Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issuance of such Securities pursuant to this Mortgage will materially and adversely affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Mortgage or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

 

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to any series of Securities, or any Tranche thereof, each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

 

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to any series of Securities, or any Tranche thereof, no Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Mortgage or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Trustee or its agent by manual signature of an authorized officer thereof, and such certificate upon any

 

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Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and is entitled to the benefits of this Mortgage.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder to the Company, or any Person acting on its behalf, but shall never have been issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 309 together with a written statement (which need not comply with Section 104 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) stating that such Security has never been issued and sold by the Company, for all purposes of this Mortgage such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits hereof.

 

SECTION 304.              TEMPORARY SECURITIES .

 

Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as any officer executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by such officer’s execution of such Securities; provided, however, that temporary Securities need not recite specific redemption, sinking fund, conversion or exchange provisions.

 

Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to the Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, after the preparation of definitive Securities of such series or Tranche, the temporary Securities of such series or Tranche shall be exchangeable, without charge to the Holder thereof, for definitive Securities of such series or Tranche upon surrender of such temporary Securities at the office or agency of the Company maintained pursuant to Section 702 in a Place of Payment for such Securities.  Upon such surrender of temporary Securities for such exchange, the Company shall, except as aforesaid, execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor definitive Securities of the same series and Tranche of authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.

 

Until exchanged in full as hereinabove provided, temporary Securities shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Mortgage as definitive Securities of the same series and Tranche and of like tenor authenticated and delivered hereunder.

 

SECTION 305.              REGISTRATION, REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE .

 

The Company shall cause to be kept in each office designated pursuant to Section 702, with respect to the Securities of each series, a register (all registers kept in accordance with this Section being collectively referred to as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, and the registration of transfer thereof.  The Company shall designate one Person to maintain the Security Register for the Securities of each series on a consolidated basis, and such Person is referred to herein, with respect to such series, as the “Security Registrar.”  Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may

 

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designate one or more of its offices as an office in which a register with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall be maintained, and the Company may designate itself the Security Registrar with respect to one or more of such series.  The Security Register shall be open for inspection by the Trustee and the Company at all reasonable times.

 

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to the Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of such series or Tranche at the office or agency of the Company maintained pursuant to Section 702 in a Place of Payment for such series or Tranche, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities of the same series and Tranche, of authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.

 

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to the Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, any Security of such series or Tranche may be exchanged at the option of the Holder for one or more new Securities of the same series and Tranche, of authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at any such office or agency.  Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities, which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

 

All Securities delivered upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same obligation, and entitled to the same benefits under this Mortgage, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

 

Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company, the Trustee or the Security Registrar) be duly endorsed or shall be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company, the Trustee or the Security Registrar, as the case may be, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

 

Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, with respect to Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, no service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 506 or 1306 not involving any transfer.

 

The Company shall not be required to execute or to provide for the registration of transfer of or the exchange of (a) Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, during a period of 15 days immediately preceding the date notice is to be given identifying the serial numbers of the Securities of such series or Tranche called for redemption or (b) any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.

 

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SECTION 306.                                       MUTILATED, DESTROYED, LOST AND STOLEN SECURITIES .

 

If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series and Tranche, and of like tenor and principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

 

If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (a) evidence to their satisfaction of the ownership of and the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (b) such security or indemnity as may be reasonably required by them to save each of them and any agent of any of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same series and Tranche, and of like tenor and principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.

 

Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other reasonable expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) in connection therewith.

 

Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone other than the Holder of such new Security, and any such new Security shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Mortgage equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of such series duly issued hereunder.

 

The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.

 

SECTION 307.                                       PAYMENT OF INTEREST; INTEREST RIGHTS PRESERVED .

 

Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to the Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, interest on any Security which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest.

 

Any interest on any Security of any series which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the related Regular Record Date by virtue of

 

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having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election, as provided in clause (a) or (b) below:

 

(a)                                   The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a date (a “Special Record Date”) for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner.  The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided.  Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment.  The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company shall promptly cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of Securities of such series at the address of such Holder as it appears in the Security Register, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date.  Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date.  No interest, other than said Defaulted Interest, shall be payable to such holders with respect to any such amounts so deposited by the Company with the Trustee.

 

(b)                                  The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

 

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section and Section 305, each Security delivered under this Mortgage upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

 

SECTION 308.                                       PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS .

 

Prior to due presentment of a Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Security is registered as the absolute owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and premium, if any, and (subject to Sections 305 and 307) interest, if any, on such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be

 

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overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

SECTION 309.                                       CANCELLATION .

 

All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Security Registrar, be delivered to the Security Registrar and, if not theretofore canceled, shall be promptly canceled by the Security Registrar.  The Company may at any time deliver to the Security Registrar for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever or which the Company shall not have issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly canceled by the Security Registrar.  No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities canceled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Mortgage.  All canceled Securities held by the Security Registrar shall be disposed of in accordance with the customary practices of the Security Registrar at the time in effect, and the Security Registrar shall not be required to destroy any such certificates.  The Security Registrar shall promptly deliver a certificate of disposition to the Trustee and the Company unless, by a Company Order, similarly delivered, the Company shall direct that canceled Securities be returned to it.  The Security Registrar shall promptly deliver evidence of any cancellation of a Security in accordance with this Section 309 to the Trustee and the Company.

 

SECTION 310.                                       COMPUTATION OF INTEREST .

 

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series, or Tranche thereof, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of 12 30-day months, and with respect to any period less than a full month, on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed during such period.  For example, the interest for a period running from the 15th day of one month to the 15th day of the next month would be calculated on the basis of one 30-day month.

 

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SECTION 311.                                       PAYMENT TO BE IN PROPER CURRENCY .

 

In the case of any Security denominated in any currency other than Dollars or in a composite currency (the “Required Currency”), except as otherwise specified with respect to such Security as contemplated by Section 301, the obligation of the Company to make any payment of the principal thereof, or the premium or interest thereon, shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender by the Company, or recovery by the Trustee, in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the Trustee timely holding the full amount of the Required Currency then due and payable.  If any such tender or recovery is in a currency other than the Required Currency, the Trustee may take such actions as it considers appropriate to exchange such currency for the Required Currency.  The costs and risks of any such exchange, including without limitation the risks of delay and exchange rate fluctuation, shall be borne by the Company, the Company shall remain fully liable for any shortfall or delinquency in the full amount of Required Currency then due and payable, and in no circumstances shall the Trustee be liable therefor except in the case of its negligence or willful misconduct.

 

SECTION 312.                                       EXTENSION OF INTEREST PAYMENT .

 

The Company shall have the right at any time, to extend interest payment periods on all the Securities of any series hereunder, if so specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to such Securities and upon such terms as may be specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to such Securities.

 

SECTION 313.                                       CUSIP NUMBERS .

 

The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” or “ISIN” or other similar numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Company, the Trustee or the Security Registrar may use “CUSIP” or “ISIN” or such other numbers in notices or redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, in which case none of the Company or, as the case may be, the Trustee or the Security Registrar, or any agent of any of them, shall have any liability in respect of any CUSIP or “ISIN” or other number used on any such notice, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers.

 

ARTICLE FOUR

 

ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES

 

SECTION 401.                                       ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES .

 

(a)                                   Securities of any one or more series may be authenticated and delivered in any aggregate principal amount so long as, after immediately giving effect thereto, to the concurrent redemption or payment of Securities or Secured Debt and any other transactions contemplated therewith, the aggregate principal amount of all Securities and Secured Debt, in each case then Outstanding, will not exceed 75% of the sum of (i) the then Cost or Fair Value,

 

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whichever is less, of all Property Additions (after making any deductions pursuant to Section 102(b)) and (ii) all Available Cash then held by, or deposited with, the Trustee.

 

(b)                                  Securities of any series shall be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee upon receipt by the Trustee of:

 

(i)                                      the documents with respect to the Securities of such series specified in Section 303;

 

(ii)                                   an Experts’ Certificate dated as of a date not more than 90 days prior to the first day of the month in which the Company Order referring to it is delivered to the Trustee,

 

(1)                                   setting forth the aggregate amount of Property Additions then owned by the Company, such amount to be computed by reference to the Company’s financial statements, on a Dollar basis, and stating the Cost of such Property Additions;

 

(2)                                   stating that all such property reflected in clause (1) above constitutes Property Additions;

 

(3)                                   stating that such Property Additions are desirable for use in the conduct of the business, or one of the businesses, of the Company;

 

(4)                                   stating what part, if any, of such Property Additions includes property which had not been included in a previous Experts’ Certificate and which within six months prior to the date of acquisition thereof by the Company had been used or operated by others than the Company in a business similar to that in which it has been or is to be used or operated by the Company and stating whether or not, in the judgment of the signers, the Fair Value of such Property Additions to the Company, as of the date of such certificate, is more than $25,000 and more than 1% of the aggregate principal amount of Securities then Outstanding;

 

(5)                                   stating, in the judgment of the signers, the Fair Value to the Company, as of the date of such certificate, of such Property Additions, except any thereof with respect to the Fair Value to the Company of which a statement is to be made in an Independent Experts’ Certificate pursuant to clause (iii) below;

 

(6)                                   stating the lower of the Cost or the Fair Value to the Company of such Property Additions;

 

(7)                                   stating the aggregate principal amount of Securities and the aggregate principal amount of Secured Debt, in each case to be Outstanding immediately prior to the issuance of the Securities to be then authenticated and delivered;

 

(8)                                   stating the principal amount of Securities to be then authenticated and delivered;

 

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(9)                                   stating that, immediately after giving effect to the issuance of the Securities to be then authenticated and delivered, to the concurrent redemption or payment of Securities or Secured Debt and any other transactions contemplated therewith, the aggregate principal amount of all Securities and Secured Debt, in each case then Outstanding, will not exceed 75% of the sum of (i) the amount set forth in clause (6) above, and (ii) all Available Cash;

 

(iii)                                in case any Property Additions are shown by the Experts’ Certificate provided for in clause (ii) above to include property which had not been included in a previous Experts’ Certificate and which, within six months prior to the date of acquisition thereof by the Company, had been used or operated by others than the Company in a business similar to that in which it has been or is to be used or operated by the Company and such certificate does not show the Fair Value thereof to the Company, as of the date of such certificate, to be less than $25,000 or less than 1% of the aggregate principal amount of Securities then Outstanding, an Independent Experts’ Certificate stating, in the judgment of the signer, the Fair Value to the Company, as of the date of such Independent Experts’ Certificate, of (X) such Property Additions which have been so used or operated and (at the option of the Company) as to any other Property Additions included in the Experts’ Certificate provided for in clause (ii) above and (Y) in case such Independent Experts’ Certificate is being delivered in connection with the authentication and delivery of Securities, any property so used or operated which has been subjected to the Lien of this Mortgage since the commencement of the then current calendar year and as to which an Independent Experts’ Certificate has not previously been furnished to the Trustee;

 

(iv)                               in case any Property Additions are shown by the Experts’ Certificate provided for in clause (ii) above to have not been included in a previous Experts’ Certificate and to have been acquired, made or constructed in whole or in part through the delivery of securities or other property, an Experts’ Certificate stating, in the judgment of the signers, the fair market value in cash of such securities or other property at the time of delivery thereof in payment for or for the acquisition of such Property Additions;

 

(v)                                  an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that:

 

(1)                                   this Mortgage constitutes, or, upon the delivery of, and/or the filing and/or recording in the proper places and manner of, the instruments of conveyance, assignment or transfer, if any, specified in said opinion, will constitute, a direct first mortgage lien, subject only to Permitted Liens, environmental “super lien” laws and specified Prior Liens, upon the interest of the Company in the Property Additions; provided, however, that on and after the Second Effective Date, said opinion may also contain an exception for all Prior Liens; and

 

(2)                                   the Company has corporate authority to operate such Property Additions; and

 

(vi)                               copies of the instruments of conveyance, assignment and transfer, if any, specified in the Opinion of Counsel provided for in clause (v) above.

 

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ARTICLE FIVE

 

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

 

SECTION 501.                                       APPLICABILITY OF ARTICLE .

 

Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series or Tranche) in accordance with this Article.

 

SECTION 502.                                       ELECTION TO REDEEM; NOTICE TO TRUSTEE .

 

The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution or an Officers’ Certificate.  The Company shall, at least 40 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee in writing of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of such Securities to be redeemed.  In the case of any redemption of Securities (a) prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Mortgage or (b) pursuant to an election of the Company which is subject to a condition specified in the terms of such Securities, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers’ Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction or condition.

 

SECTION 503.                                       SELECTION OF SECURITIES TO BE REDEEMED .

 

If less than all the Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected by the Trustee from the Outstanding Securities of such series or Tranche not previously called for redemption, by such method as shall be provided for such particular series or Tranche, or in the absence of any such provision, by such method of random selection as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and which may, in any case, provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to any authorized denomination for Securities of such series or Tranche) of the principal amount of Securities of such series or Tranche of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of such series or Tranche; provided, however, that if, as indicated in an Officers’ Certificate, the Company shall have offered to purchase all or any principal amount of the Securities then Outstanding of any series, or any Tranche thereof, and less than all of such Securities as to which such offer was made shall have been tendered to the Company for such purchase, the Trustee, if so directed by Company Order, shall select for redemption all or any principal amount of such Securities which have not been so tendered.

 

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Security Registrar in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected to be redeemed in part, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

 

For all purposes of this Mortgage, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed.

 

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SECTION 504.                                       NOTICE OF REDEMPTION .

 

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series, notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided in Section 107 to the Holders of the Securities to be redeemed not less than 30 days prior to the Redemption Date.

 

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series, all notices of redemption shall state:

 

(a)                                   the Redemption Date,

 

(b)                                  the Redemption Price (if known),

 

(c)                                   if less than all the Securities of any series or Tranche are to be redeemed, the identification of the particular Securities to be redeemed and the portion of the principal amount of any Security to be redeemed in part,

 

(d)                                  that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date, will become due and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date,

 

(e)                                   the place or places where such Securities are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any, unless it shall have been specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to such Securities that such surrender shall not be required,

 

(f)                                     that the redemption is for a sinking or other fund, if such is the case,

 

(g)                                  the CUSIP, ISIN or other similar numbers, if any, assigned to such Securities; provided, however, that such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of CUSIP or ISIN numbers, in which case none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall have any liability in respect of the use of any CUSIP or ISIN number or numbers on such notices, and the redemption of such Securities shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers, and

 

(h)                                  such other matters as the Company shall deem desirable or appropriate.

 

Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities in accordance with Section 301, with respect to any notice of redemption of Securities at the election of the Company, unless, upon the giving of such notice, such Securities shall be deemed to have been paid in accordance with Section 801, such notice may state that such redemption shall be conditional upon the receipt by the Paying Agent or Agents for such Securities, on or prior to the date fixed for such redemption, of money sufficient to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on such Securities and that if such money shall not have been so received such notice shall be of no force or effect and the Company shall not be required to redeem such Securities.  In the event that such notice of redemption contains such a condition and such money is not so received, the redemption shall not be made and within a reasonable time thereafter notice shall be given, in the manner in which the notice of redemption was given, that such money was not so received and

 

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such redemption was not required to be made.  A failure by the Company to provide such moneys or make provision for the payment thereof shall not constitute an Event of Default under this Mortgage and the Paying Agent or Agents for the Securities otherwise to have been redeemed shall promptly return to the Holders thereof any of such Securities which had been surrendered for payment upon such redemption.

 

Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company, and any notice of non-satisfaction of a condition for redemption as aforesaid, shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Security Registrar in the name and at the expense of the Company.  Notice of any mandatory redemption of Securities shall be given by the Security Registrar in the name and at the expense of the Company.

 

SECTION 505.                                       SECURITIES PAYABLE ON REDEMPTION DATE .

 

Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, and the conditions, if any, set forth in such notice having been satisfied, the Securities or portions thereof so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless, in the case of an unconditional notice of redemption, the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any) such Securities or portions thereof, if interest-bearing, shall cease to bear interest.  Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with such notice, such Security or portion thereof shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that no such surrender shall be a condition to such payment if so specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to such Security; and provided, further, that except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to such Security, any installment of interest on any Security the Stated Maturity of which installment is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holder of such Security, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the related Regular Record Date according to the terms of such Security and subject to the provisions of Sections 305 and 307.

 

SECTION 506.                                       SECURITIES REDEEMED IN PART .

 

Upon the surrender of any Security which is to be redeemed only in part at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing), the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security, without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series and Tranche, of any authorized denomination requested by such Holder and of like tenor and in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered.

 

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ARTICLE SIX

 

SINKING FUNDS

 

SECTION 601.                                       APPLICABILITY OF ARTICLE .

 

The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of the Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series or Tranche.

 

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment”, and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment”.  If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 602.  Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of the series or Tranche in respect of which it was made as provided for by the terms of such Securities.

 

SECTION 602.                                       SATISFACTION OF SINKING FUND PAYMENTS WITH SECURITIES .

 

The Company (a) may deliver to the Trustee Outstanding Securities (other than any previously called for redemption) of a series or Tranche in respect of which a mandatory sinking fund payment is to be made and (b) may apply as a credit Securities of such series or Tranche which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities, at the election of the Holder thereof if applicable, or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of such mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of such series; provided, however, that no Securities shall be applied in satisfaction of a mandatory sinking fund payment if such Securities shall have been previously so applied.  Securities so applied shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such mandatory sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

 

SECTION 603.                                       REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES FOR SINKING FUND .

 

Not less than 40 days, or such shorter period as the Trustee shall agree to, prior to each sinking fund payment date for the Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying:

 

(a)                                   the amount of the next succeeding mandatory sinking fund payment for such series or Tranche;

 

(b)                                  the amount, if any, of the optional sinking fund payment to be made together with such mandatory sinking fund payment;

 

(c)                                   the aggregate sinking fund payment;

 

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(d)                                  the portion, if any, of such aggregate sinking fund payment which is to be satisfied by the payment of cash; and

 

(e)                                   the portion, if any, of such aggregate sinking fund payment which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities of such series or Tranche pursuant to Section 602 and stating the basis for such credit and that such Securities have not previously been so credited, and the Company shall also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered.

 

If the Company shall not deliver such Officers’ Certificate and, to the extent applicable, all such Securities, the next succeeding sinking fund payment for such series or Tranche shall be made entirely in cash in the amount of the mandatory sinking fund payment.  Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 503 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 504.  Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 505 and 506.

 

ARTICLE SEVEN

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS

 

SECTION 701.                                       PAYMENT OF SECURITIES; LAWFUL POSSESSION .

 

(a)                                   The Company shall pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Securities of each series in accordance with the terms of such Securities and this Mortgage.

 

(b)                                  The Company is lawfully possessed of the Mortgaged Property and has sufficient right and authority to mortgage and pledge the Mortgaged Property, as provided in and by this Mortgage.

 

SECTION 702.                                       MAINTENANCE OF OFFICE OR AGENCY .

 

The Company shall maintain in each Place of Payment for the Securities of each series, or any Tranche thereof, an office or agency where payment of such Securities shall be made, where the registration of transfer or exchange of such Securities may be effected and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of such Securities and this Mortgage may be served.  The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of each such office or agency and prompt notice to the Holders of any such change in the manner specified in Section 107.  If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, then payment of such Securities shall be made, registration of transfer or exchange thereof may be effected and notices and demands in respect of such Securities and this Mortgage may be served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent for all such purposes in any such event.

 

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The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies with respect to the Securities of one or more series, or any Tranche thereof, for any or all of the foregoing purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to the Securities of such series or Tranche, no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency for such purposes in each Place of Payment for such Securities in accordance with the requirements set forth above.  The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee, and prompt notice to the Holders in the manner specified in Section 107, of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

 

Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, any office or agency required by this Section may be maintained at an office of the Company or an Affiliate of the Company, in which event the Company or such Affiliate shall perform all functions to be performed at such office or agency.

 

SECTION 703.                                       MONEY FOR SECURITIES PAYMENTS TO BE HELD IN TRUST .

 

If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to the Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, it shall, on or before each due date of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on any of such Securities, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal and premium or interest so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided.  The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee of any failure by the Company (or any other obligor on such Securities) to make any payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on such Securities.

 

Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for the Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, it shall, on or before each due date of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on such Securities, deposit with such Paying Agents sums sufficient (without duplication) to pay the principal and premium or interest so becoming due, such sums to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company shall promptly notify the Trustee of any failure by it so to act.

 

The Company shall cause each Paying Agent for the Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, other than the Company or the Trustee, to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent shall:

 

(a)                                   hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on such Securities in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;

 

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(b)                                  give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Company (or any other obligor upon such Securities) to make any payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on such Securities; and

 

(c)                                   at any time during the continuance of any such failure, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent and furnish to the Trustee such information as it possesses regarding the names and addresses of the Persons entitled to such sums.

 

The Company may at any time pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent and, if so stated in a Company Order delivered to the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of Article Eight; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.

 

Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Security and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal and premium, if any, or interest, if any, has become due and payable shall to the extent permitted by law be paid to the Company on Company Request, or, if then held by the Company, shall be discharged from such trust; and, upon such payment or discharge, the Holder of such Security shall, as an unsecured general creditor and not as the Holder of an Outstanding Security, look only to the Company for payment of the amount so due and payable and remaining unpaid unless the applicable law provides otherwise, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such payment to the Company, may at the expense of the Company cause to be mailed, on one occasion only, notice to such Holder that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such mailing, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be paid to the Company.

 

SECTION 704.                                       CORPORATE EXISTENCE .

 

Subject to the rights of the Company under Article Twelve, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its legal existence as a corporation.

 

SECTION 705.                                       ANNUAL OFFICERS’ CERTIFICATE AS TO COMPLIANCE .

 

Not later than June 1 in each year, commencing June 1, 2012, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate which need not comply with the requirements of Section 103, executed by the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of the Company and by any other Authorized Officer, as to (i) such officers’ knowledge of the Company’s compliance with all conditions and covenants under this Mortgage, such compliance to be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice

 

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under this Mortgage, and making any other statements as may be required by the Trust Indenture Act; and (ii) stating the aggregate principal amount of Secured Debt outstanding as of March 31 in such year.

 

SECTION 706.                                       WAIVER OF CERTAIN COVENANTS .

 

The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in (a) Section 702 or any additional covenant or restriction specified with respect to the Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, as contemplated by Section 301, if before the time for such compliance the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all series and Tranches with respect to which compliance with Section 702 or such additional covenant or restriction is to be omitted, considered as one class, shall, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision or condition and (b) Section 704 or Article Twelve if before the time for such compliance the Holders of a majority in principal amount of Securities Outstanding under this Mortgage shall, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision or condition; but, in the case of (a) or (b), no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

 

SECTION 707.                                       ISSUANCE OF SECURED DEBT

 

The Company shall not issue any Secured Debt unless, after giving effect thereto, to the concurrent redemption or payment of Securities or Secured Debt and any other transactions contemplated thereby, (a) the Company would be permitted by the provisions of Section 401(a) to have authenticated and delivered at least $1.00 of additional Securities, (b) the aggregate principal amount of Secured Debt then outstanding would not exceed 3% of the sum of (i) the then Cost or Fair Value, whichever is less, of all Property Additions (after making any deductions pursuant to Section 102(b)) and (ii) all Available Cash then held by, or deposited with, the Trustee, and (c) the Lien securing such Secured Debt is permitted under Section 1612, provided, however, that the foregoing restriction shall not in any way prevent or limit the Company from creating, issuing, incurring or assuming indebtedness secured by Liens existing on property acquired by the Company after the First Effective Date or placed thereon at the time of such acquisition thereof.

 

SECTION 708.                                       SALE AND LEASEBACK

 

Nothing in this Mortgage is intended to prevent the Company from entering into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction so long as the Company otherwise complies with the requirements of this Mortgage.

 

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ARTICLE EIGHT

 

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

 

SECTION 801.                                       SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF SECURITIES .

 

Any Security or Securities (provided, however, that prior to the Second Effective Date this Section shall be applicable only to Securities issued after September 1, 2007), or any portion of the principal amount thereof, shall be deemed to have been paid and no longer Outstanding for all purposes of this Mortgage, and the entire indebtedness of the Company in respect thereof shall be deemed to have been satisfied and discharged, if there shall have been irrevocably deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company), in trust:

 

(a)                                   money in an amount which shall be sufficient, or

 

(b)                                  in the case of a deposit made prior to the Maturity of such Securities or portions thereof, Eligible Obligations, which shall 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 moneys which, together with the money, if any, deposited with or held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent, shall be sufficient, or

 

(c)                                   a combination of (a) or (b) which shall be sufficient to pay when due the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, due and to become due on such Securities or portions thereof on or prior to Maturity;

 

provided, however, that in the case of the provision for payment or redemption of less than all the Securities of any series or Tranche, such Securities or portions thereof shall have been selected by the Trustee as provided herein and, in the case of a redemption, the notice requisite to the validity of such redemption shall have been given or irrevocable authority shall have been given by the Company to the Trustee to give such notice, under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee; and provided, further, that the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee and such Paying Agent:

 

(x)                                    if such deposit shall have been made prior to the Maturity of such Securities, a Company Order stating that the money and Eligible Obligations deposited in accordance with this Section shall be held in trust, as provided in Section 803;

 

(y)                                  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 a report of an independent public accountant of nationally recognized standing, selected by the Company, to the effect that the other requirements set forth in clause (b) and (c) above have been satisfied; and

 

(z)                                    if such deposit shall have been made prior to the Maturity of such Securities, an Officers’ Certificate stating the Company’s intention that, upon delivery of such Officers’

 

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Certificate, its indebtedness in respect of such Securities or portions thereof will have been satisfied and discharged as contemplated in this Section.

 

In the event that all of the conditions set forth in the preceding paragraph shall have been satisfied in respect of any Securities or portions thereof except that, for any reason, the Officers’ Certificate specified in clause (z) shall not have been delivered, such Securities or portions thereof shall nevertheless be deemed to have been paid for all purposes of this Mortgage, and the Holders of such Securities or portions thereof shall nevertheless be no longer entitled to the benefits provided by this Mortgage or of any of the covenants of the Company under Article Seven (except the covenants contained in Sections 702 and 703) or any other covenants made in respect of such Securities or portions thereof as contemplated by Section 301 or Section 1301(b), but the indebtedness of the Company in respect of such Securities or portions thereof shall not be deemed to have been satisfied and discharged prior to Maturity for any other purpose and the Holders of such Securities or portions thereof shall continue to be entitled to look to the Company for payment of the indebtedness represented thereby.

 

If payment at Stated Maturity of less than all of the Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, is to be provided for in the manner and with the effect provided in this Section, the Trustee shall select such Securities, or portions of principal amount thereof, in the manner specified by Section 503 for selection for redemption of less than all the Securities of a series or Tranche.

 

In the event that Securities which shall be deemed to have been paid for purposes of this Mortgage, and, if such is the case, in respect of which the Company’s indebtedness shall have been satisfied and discharged, all as provided in this Section, do not mature and are not to be redeemed within the 60-day period commencing with the date of the deposit of moneys or Eligible Obligations, as aforesaid, the Company shall, as promptly as practicable, give a notice, in the same manner as a notice of redemption with respect to such Securities, to the Holders of such Securities to the effect that such deposit has been made and the effect thereof.

 

Notwithstanding that any Securities shall be deemed to have been paid for purposes of this Mortgage, as aforesaid, the obligations of the Company and the Trustee in respect of such Securities under Sections 304, 305, 306, 702, 703, 1007 and 1015 and this Article shall survive.

 

The Company shall pay, and shall indemnify the Trustee or any Paying Agent with which Eligible Obligations shall have been deposited as provided in this Section against, any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against such Eligible Obligations or the principal or interest received in respect of such Eligible Obligations, including, but not limited to, any such tax payable by any entity deemed, for tax purposes, to have been created as a result of such deposit.

 

Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, (a) if, at any time after a Security would be deemed to have been paid for purposes of this Mortgage, and, if such is the case, the Company’s indebtedness in respect thereof would be deemed to have been satisfied and discharged, pursuant to this Section (without regard to the provisions of this paragraph), the Trustee or any Paying Agent, as the case may be, (i) shall be required to return the money or Eligible Obligations, or combination thereof, deposited with it as aforesaid to the Company or its representative under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law,

 

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or (ii) is unable to apply any money in accordance with this Article with respect to any Securities by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, such Security shall thereupon be deemed retroactively not to have been paid and any satisfaction and discharge of the Company’s indebtedness in respect thereof shall retroactively be deemed not to have been effected, and such Security shall be deemed to remain Outstanding and (b) any satisfaction and discharge of the Company’s indebtedness in respect of any Security shall be subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 703.

 

SECTION 802.                                       EFFECTIVE TIME; SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF MORTGAGE .

 

(a)                                   Subsection (b) of this Section 802 shall be of no force or effect until the Second Effective Date, but shall automatically become and be in full force and effect on and after the Second Effective Date.

 

(b)                                  This Mortgage shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect (except as hereinafter expressly provided), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute such instruments as the Company shall reasonably request to evidence and acknowledge the satisfaction and discharge of this Mortgage, when:

 

(i)                                      no Securities remain Outstanding hereunder; and

 

(ii)                                   the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company;

 

provided, however, that if, in accordance with the last paragraph of Section 801, any Security, previously deemed to have been paid for purposes of this Mortgage, shall be deemed retroactively not to have been so paid, this Mortgage shall thereupon be deemed retroactively not to have been satisfied and discharged, as aforesaid, and to remain in full force and effect, and the Company shall execute and deliver such instruments as the Trustee shall reasonably request to evidence and acknowledge the same.

 

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Mortgage as aforesaid, the obligations of the Company and the Trustee under Sections 304, 305, 306, 702, 703, 1007 and 1015 and this Article shall survive.

 

Upon satisfaction and discharge of this Mortgage as provided in this Section, the Trustee shall assign, transfer and turn over to the Company, subject to the lien provided by Section 1007, any and all money, securities and other property then held by the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities (other than money and Eligible Obligations held by the Trustee pursuant to Section 803) and shall execute and deliver to the Company such instruments as, in the reasonable judgment of the Company, shall be necessary, desirable or appropriate to effect or evidence the satisfaction and discharge of this Mortgage.

 

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SECTION 803.                                       APPLICATION OF TRUST MONEY .

 

Neither the Eligible Obligations nor the money deposited pursuant to Section 801, nor the principal or interest payments on any such Eligible Obligations, shall be withdrawn or used for any purpose other than, and shall be held in trust for, the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Securities or portions of principal amount thereof in respect of which such deposit was made, all subject, however, to the provisions of Section 703; provided, however, that so long as there shall not have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default, any cash received from such principal or interest payments on such Eligible Obligations, if not then needed for such purpose, shall, to the extent practicable and upon Company Request and delivery to the Trustee of the documents referred to in clause (y) in the first paragraph of Section 801, be invested in Eligible Obligations of the type described in clause (b) in the first paragraph of Section 801 maturing at such times and in such amounts as shall be sufficient, together with any other moneys and the proceeds of any other Eligible Obligations then held by the Trustee, to pay when due the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, due and to become due on such Securities or portions thereof on and prior to the Maturity thereof, and interest earned from such reinvestment shall be paid over to the Company as received, free and clear of any trust, lien or pledge under this Mortgage (except the lien provided by Section 1007); and provided, further, that, so long as there shall not have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default, any moneys held in accordance with this Section on the Maturity of all such Securities in excess of the amount required to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, then due on such Securities shall be paid over to the Company free and clear of any trust, lien or pledge under this Mortgage (except the lien provided by Section 1007); and provided, further, that if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, moneys to be paid over to the Company pursuant to this Section shall be held until such Event of Default shall have been waived or cured.

 

ARTICLE NINE

 

EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES

 

SECTION 901.                                       EVENTS OF DEFAULT .

 

“Event of Default”, wherever used herein with respect to Securities, means any one of the following events:

 

(a)                                   Failure to pay any interest on any Security when it becomes due and payable and continuance of such default for a period of (1) prior to the Second Effective Date, 30 days, and (2) on and after the Second Effective Date, 90 Days; provided, however, that no such default shall constitute an “Event of Default” if the Company has made a valid extension of the interest payment period with respect to the Securities of such series, of which such Security is a part, if so provided as contemplated by Section 301; or

 

(b)                                  Failure to pay the principal of or premium, if any, on any Security when it becomes due and payable; provided, however, that no such default shall constitute an “Event of Default” if the Company has made a valid extension of the Maturity of the Securities of the series, of which such Security is a part, if so provided as contemplated by Section 301; or

 

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(c)                                   Failure to perform or breach of, any covenant or warranty of the Company in this Mortgage (other than a covenant or warranty a default in the performance of which or breach of which is elsewhere in this Section specifically addressed) and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee, or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 33% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities, a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder, unless the Trustee, or the Trustee and the Holders of a principal amount of Securities not less than the principal amount of Securities the Holders of which gave such notice, as the case may be, shall agree in writing to an extension of such period prior to its expiration; provided, however, that the Trustee, or the Trustee and the Holders of such principal amount of Securities, as the case may be, shall be deemed to have agreed to an extension of such period if corrective action is initiated by the Company within such period and is being diligently pursued; or

 

(d)                                  The entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (1) a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or (2) a decree or order adjudging the Company a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition by one or more Persons other than the Company seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law, or appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official for the Company or for any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and any such decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order shall have remained unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or

 

(e)                                   The commencement by the Company of a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by the Company to the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in a case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against the Company, or the filing by the Company of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar law, or the consent by the Company to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or the making by the Company of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by the Company in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or the authorization of such action by the Board of Directors of the Company; or

 

(f)                                     any other Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series as shall have been specified in the terms thereof as contemplated by Section 301(o).

 

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SECTION 902.                                       ACCELERATION OF MATURITY; RESCISSION AND ANNULMENT .

 

If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities may declare the principal amount (or, if any of the Securities of such series are Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such Securities as may be specified in the terms thereof as contemplated by Section 301) of all of the Securities to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon receipt by the Company of notice of such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) together with premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest shall become immediately due and payable.

 

At any time after such a declaration of acceleration of the maturity of the Securities then Outstanding shall have been made, but before any sale of any of the Mortgaged Property has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due shall have been obtained by the Trustee as provided in this Article, the Event or Events of Default giving rise to such declaration of acceleration shall, without further act, be deemed to have been cured, and such declaration and its consequences shall, without further act, be deemed to have been rescinded and annulled, if

 

(a)                                   the Company shall have paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay

 

(i)                                      all overdue interest, if any, on all Securities then Outstanding;

 

(ii)                                   the principal of and premium, if any, on any Securities then Outstanding which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities;

 

(iii)                                to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities;

 

(iv)                               all amounts due to the Trustee under Section 1007;

 

and

 

(b)                                  all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities of such series which shall have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, shall have been cured or waived as provided in Section 913.

 

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

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SECTION 903.                                       COLLECTION OF INDEBTEDNESS AND SUITS FOR ENFORCEMENT BY TRUSTEE .

 

If an Event of Default described in clause (a) or (b) of Section 901 shall have occurred, the Company shall, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities with respect to which such Event of Default shall have occurred, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal and premium, if any, and interest, if any, and, to the extent permitted by law, interest on premium, if any, and on any overdue principal and interest, at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover any amounts due to the Trustee under Section 1007.

 

If the Company shall fail to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities, wherever situated.

 

If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Mortgage or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

 

SECTION 904.                                       TRUSTEE MAY FILE PROOFS OF CLAIM .

 

In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of overdue principal or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,

 

(a)                                   to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for amounts due to the Trustee under Section 1007 and any claims of the Trustee as holder of Secured Debt) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and

 

(b)                                  to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

 

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the

 

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Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amounts due it under Section 1007.

 

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

 

SECTION 905.                                       TRUSTEE MAY ENFORCE CLAIMS WITHOUT POSSESSION OF SECURITIES .

 

All rights of action and claims under this Mortgage or the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee, without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

 

SECTION 906.                                       APPLICATION OF MONEY COLLECTED .

 

Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, to the extent permitted by law, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal or premium, if any, or interest, if any, upon presentation of the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money shall have been collected and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

 

FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 1007;

 

SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon the Securities for principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, respectively; and

 

THIRD: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.

 

SECTION 907.                                       LIMITATION ON SUITS .

 

No Holder shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Mortgage, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:

 

(a)                                   such Holder shall have previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default;

 

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(b)                                  the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

 

(c)                                   such Holder or Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

 

(d)                                  the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity shall have failed to institute any such proceeding; and

 

(e)                                   no direction inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities; it being understood and intended that no one or more of the Holders of any Securities shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Mortgage to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other Holders or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other Holders or to enforce any right under this Mortgage, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all Holders.

 

SECTION 908.                                       UNCONDITIONAL RIGHT OF HOLDERS TO RECEIVE PRINCIPAL, PREMIUM AND INTEREST .

 

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Mortgage, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and (subject to Section 307) interest, if any, on such Security on the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, subject to Section 504, on the Redemption Date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

 

SECTION 909.                                       RESTORATION OF RIGHTS AND REMEDIES .

 

If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Mortgage and such proceeding shall have been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and such Holder shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and such Holder shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

 

SECTION 910.                                       RIGHTS AND REMEDIES CUMULATIVE .

 

Except as otherwise provided in the last paragraph of Section 306, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise.  The assertion or employment of any right or remedy

 

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hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

 

SECTION 911.                                       DELAY OR OMISSION NOT WAIVER .

 

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein.  Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.

 

SECTION 912.                                       CONTROL BY HOLDERS OF SECURITIES .

 

If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to such Securities; provided, however, that

 

(a)                                   such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Mortgage, and could not involve the Trustee in personal liability in circumstances where indemnity would not, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, be adequate, and

 

(b)                                  the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.

 

SECTION 913.                                       WAIVER OF PAST DEFAULTS .

 

The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities waive any past default hereunder and its consequences, except a default:

 

(a)                                   in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Outstanding Security, or

 

(b)                                  in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Section 1302 cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of any series or Tranche affected.

 

Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any and all Events of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Mortgage; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

SECTION 914.                                       UNDERTAKING FOR COSTS .

 

The Company and the Trustee agree, and each Holder by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Mortgage, or in any suit against the Trustee for

 

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any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Company, to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities then Outstanding, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Security on or after the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Security (or in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date).

 

SECTION 915.                                       WAIVER OF USURY, STAY OR EXTENSION LAWS .

 

The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any usury, stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Mortgage; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

 

SECTION 916.                                       DEFAULTS UNDER PRIOR LIENS .

 

In addition to every other right and remedy provided herein, the Trustee may (but shall not be obligated to) exercise any right or remedy available to the Trustee in its capacity as owner and holder of any Secured Debt which arises as a result of a default or matured event of default under any Prior Lien, whether or not an Event of Default shall then have occurred and be continuing.

 

SECTION 917.                                       RECEIVER AND OTHER REMEDIES .

 

If an Event of Default shall have occurred and, during the continuance thereof, the Trustee shall have commenced judicial proceedings to enforce any right under this Mortgage, the Trustee shall, to the extent permitted by law, be entitled, as against the Company, to the appointment of a receiver of the Mortgaged Property and subject to the rights, if any, of others to receive collections from former, present or future customers of the rents, issues, profits, revenues and other income thereof, and whether or not any receiver is appointed, the Trustee shall be entitled to retain possession and control of, and to collect and receive the income from cash, securities and other personal property held by the Trustee hereunder and to all other remedies available to mortgagees and secured parties under the Uniform Commercial Code or any other applicable law.

 

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ARTICLE TEN

 

THE TRUSTEE

 

SECTION 1001.                                CERTAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES .

 

(a)                                   The Trustee shall have and be subject to all the duties and responsibilities specified with respect to a Mortgage trustee in the Trust Indenture Act and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Mortgage against the Trustee.  For purposes of Sections 315(a) and 315(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, the term “default” is hereby defined as an Event of Default which has occurred and is continuing.

 

(b)                                  No provision of this Mortgage shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

 

(c)                                   Notwithstanding anything contained in this Mortgage to the contrary, the duties and responsibilities of the Trustee under this Mortgage shall be subject to the protections, exculpations and limitations on liability afforded to a Mortgage trustee under the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act.  For the purposes of Sections 315(b) and 315(d)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act, the term “responsible officer” is hereby defined as a Responsible Officer.

 

(d)                                  Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Mortgage relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section.

 

SECTION 1002.                                NOTICE OF DEFAULTS .

 

The Trustee shall give notice of any default hereunder known to the Trustee in the manner and to the extent required to do so by the Trust Indenture Act, unless such default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section 901(c), no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof.  For the purpose of this Section, the term “default” means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become, an Event of Default.

 

SECTION 1003.                                CERTAIN RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE .

 

Subject to the provisions of Section 1001 and to the applicable provisions of the Trust Indenture Act:

 

(a)                                   the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

 

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(b)                                  any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order, or as otherwise expressly provided herein, and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;

 

(c)                                   whenever in the administration of this Mortgage the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, conclusively rely upon an Officers’ Certificate;

 

(d)                                  the Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;

 

(e)                                   the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Mortgage at the request or direction of any Holder pursuant to this Mortgage, unless such Holder shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;

 

(f)                                     the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall (subject to applicable legal requirements) be entitled to examine, during normal business hours, the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney;

 

(g)                                  the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;

 

(h)                                  the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any default (as defined in Section 1002) or Event of Default unless either (1) a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have actual knowledge of such default or Event of Default or (2) written notice of such default or Event of Default shall have been given to the Trustee by the Company or any other obligor on such Securities, or by any Holder of such Securities.

 

(i)                                      the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder; and

 

(j)                                      the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Mortgage.

 

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SECTION 1004.                                NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR RECITALS OR ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES .

 

The recitals contained herein and in the Securities (except the Trustee’s certificates of authentication) shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes responsibility for their correctness.  The Trustee makes no representations as to the value or condition of the Mortgaged Property, the title of the Company to the Mortgaged Property, the security afforded by the Lien of this Mortgage, the validity or genuineness of any securities deposited with the Trustee hereunder, or the validity or sufficiency of this Mortgage or of the Securities.  Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof or any money paid to the Company hereunder.

 

SECTION 1005.                                MAY HOLD SECURITIES .

 

Each of the Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections 1008 and 1013, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other agent.

 

SECTION 1006.                                MONEY HELD IN TRUST .

 

Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds, except to the extent required by law.  The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on or investment of any money received by it hereunder except as expressly provided herein or otherwise agreed with, and for the sole benefit of, the Company.

 

SECTION 1007.                                COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT .

 

The Company shall

 

(a)                                   pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

 

(b)                                  except as otherwise expressly provided herein, reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances reasonably incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Mortgage (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except to the extent that any such expense, disbursement or advance may be attributable to the Trustee’s negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith; and

 

(c)                                   indemnify the Trustee for, and hold it harmless from and against, any loss, liability or expense reasonably incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder or the performance of its duties hereunder, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder except to

 

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the extent any such loss, liability or expense may be attributable to its negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith.

 

As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities upon the Mortgaged Property and all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, other than property and funds held in trust under Section 803 (except moneys payable to the Company as provided in Section 803).

 

In addition and without prejudice to the rights provided to the Trustee under any of the provisions of this Mortgage, when the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 901(d) or Section 901(e), the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable Federal and State bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law.

 

The Company’s obligations under this Section 1007 and the Lien referred to in this Section 1007 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee, the discharge of the Company’s obligations under Article Eight of this Mortgage and/or the termination of this Mortgage.

 

“TRUSTEE” for purposes of this Section 1007 shall include any predecessor Trustee; provided, however, that the negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of any Trustee hereunder shall not affect the rights of any other Trustee hereunder.

 

SECTION 1008.                                DISQUALIFICATION; CONFLICTING INTERESTS .

 

If the Trustee shall have or acquire any conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, it shall either eliminate such conflicting interest or resign to the extent, in the manner and with the effect, and subject to the conditions, provided in the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture.  For purposes of Section 310(b)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act and to the extent permitted thereby, the Trustee, in its capacity as trustee in respect of the Securities of any series, shall not be deemed to have a conflicting interest arising from its capacity as trustee in respect of the Securities of any other series issued under this Mortgage.  Nothing herein shall prevent the Company or the Trustee from filing with the Commission an application of the type referred to in clause (ii) of paragraph (1) or in the second to last paragraph of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

SECTION 1009.                                CORPORATE TRUSTEE REQUIRED; ELIGIBILITY .

 

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be

 

(a)                                   a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal, State or District of Columbia authority, or

 

(b)                                  if and to the extent permitted by the Commission by rule, regulation or order upon application, a corporation or other Person organized and doing business under the

 

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laws of a foreign government, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 or the Dollar equivalent of the applicable foreign currency and subject to supervision or examination by authority of such foreign government or a political subdivision thereof substantially equivalent to supervision or examination applicable to United States institutional trustees, and, in either case, qualified and eligible under this Article and the Trust Indenture Act.  If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of such supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published.  If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section and the Trust Indenture Act, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.

 

SECTION 1010.                                RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL; APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR .

 

(a)                                   No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 1011.

 

(b)                                  The Trustee may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Company.  If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 1011 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

(c)                                   The Trustee may be removed at any time by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities delivered to the Trustee and the Company.

 

(d)                                  If at any time:

 

(i)                                      the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 1008 after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder for at least 6 months, or

 

(ii)                                   the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 1009 or Section 310(a) of the Trust Indenture Act and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder, or

 

(iii)                                the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,

 

then, in any such case, (x) the Company by Board Resolutions may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities or (y) subject to Section 914, any Holder who has been a bona fide

 

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Holder for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

 

(e)                                   If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause (other than as contemplated by clause (y) in subsection (d) of this Section), the Company, by Board Resolutions, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 1011.  If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 1011, become the successor Trustee and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.  If no successor Trustee shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 1011, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least 6 months may, on behalf of itself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

(f)                                     So long as no event which is, or after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become, an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and except with respect to a Trustee appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities pursuant to subsection (e) of this Section, if the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee (i) Board Resolutions appointing a successor Trustee, effective as of a date specified therein, and (ii) an instrument of acceptance of such appointment, effective as of such date, by such successor Trustee in accordance with Section 1011, the Trustee shall be deemed to have resigned as contemplated in subsection (b) of this Section, the successor Trustee shall be deemed to have been appointed by the Company pursuant to subsection (e) of this Section and such appointment shall be deemed to have been accepted as contemplated in Section 1011, all as of such date, and all other provisions of this Section and Section 1011 shall be applicable to such resignation, appointment and acceptance except to the extent inconsistent with this subsection (f).

 

(g)                                  The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee and each appointment of a successor Trustee to all Holders of Securities in the manner provided in Section 107.  Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

 

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SECTION 1011.                                ACCEPTANCE OF APPOINTMENT BY SUCCESSOR .

 

(a)                                   In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of all sums owed to it, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its Lien provided for in Section 1007.

 

(b)                                  Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in subsection (a) of this Section.

 

(c)                                   No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.

 

SECTION 1012.                                MERGER, CONVERSION, CONSOLIDATION OR SUCCESSION TO BUSINESS .

 

Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto.  In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.

 

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SECTION 1013.                                PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS AGAINST COMPANY .

 

If the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities (other than by reason of a relationship described in Section 311(b) of the Trust Indenture Act), the Trustee shall be subject to any and all applicable provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims against the Company or such other obligor.  For purposes of Section 311(b) of the Trust Indenture Act (a) the term “cash transaction” shall have the meaning provided in Rule 11b-4 under the Trust Indenture Act, and (b) the term “self-liquidating paper” shall have the meaning provided in Rule 11b-6 under the Trust Indenture Act.

 

SECTION 1014.                                CO-TRUSTEE AND SEPARATE TRUSTEES .

 

At any time or times, for the purpose of meeting the legal requirements of any applicable jurisdiction, the Company and the Trustee shall have power to appoint, and, upon the written request of the Trustee or of the Holders of at least 33% in principal amount of the Securities then Outstanding, the Company shall for such purpose join with the Trustee in the execution and delivery of all instruments and agreements necessary or proper to appoint, one or more Persons approved by the Trustee either to act as co-trustee, jointly with the Trustee, or to act as separate trustee, in either case with such powers as may be provided in the instrument of appointment, and to vest in such Person or Persons, in the capacity aforesaid, any property, title, right or power deemed necessary or desirable, subject to the other provisions of this Section.  If the Company does not join in such appointment within 15 days after the receipt by it of a request so to do, or if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Trustee alone shall have power to make such appointment.

 

Should any written instrument or instruments from the Company be required by any co-trustee or separate trustee to more fully confirm to such co-trustee or separate trustee such property, title, right or power, any and all such instruments shall, on request, be executed, acknowledged and delivered by the Company.

 

Every co-trustee or separate trustee shall, to the extent permitted by law, but to such extent only, be appointed subject to the following conditions:

 

(a)                                   the Securities shall be authenticated and delivered, and all rights, powers, duties and obligations hereunder in respect of the custody of securities, cash and other personal property held by, or required to be deposited or pledged with, the Trustee hereunder, shall be exercised solely, by the Trustee;

 

(b)                                  the rights, powers, duties and obligations hereby conferred or imposed upon the Trustee in respect of any property covered by such appointment shall be conferred or imposed upon and exercised or performed either by the Trustee or by the Trustee and such co-trustee or separate trustee jointly, as shall be provided in the instrument appointing such co-trustee or separate trustee, except to the extent that under any law of any jurisdiction in which any particular act is to be performed, the Trustee shall be incompetent or unqualified to perform such act, in which event such rights, powers, duties and obligations shall be exercised and performed by such co-trustee or separate trustee.

 

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(c)                                   the Trustee at any time, by an instrument in writing executed by it, with the concurrence of the Company, may accept the resignation of or remove any co-trustee or separate trustee appointed under this Section, and, if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Trustee shall have power to accept the resignation of, or remove, any such co-trustee or separate trustee without the concurrence of the Company.  Upon the written request of the Trustee, the Company shall join with the Trustee in the execution and delivery of all instruments and agreements necessary or proper to effectuate such resignation or removal.  A successor to any co-trustee or separate trustee so resigned or removed may be appointed in the manner provided in this Section;

 

(d)                                  no co-trustee or separate trustee hereunder shall be personally liable by reason of any act or omission of the Trustee, or any other such trustee hereunder, and the Trustee shall not be personally liable by reason of any act or omission of any such co-trustee or separate trustee; and

 

(e)                                   any Act of Holders delivered to the Trustee shall be deemed to have been delivered to each such co-trustee and separate trustee.

 

SECTION 1015.                                APPOINTMENT OF AUTHENTICATING AGENT .

 

The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to the Securities of one or more series, or any Tranche thereof, which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series or Tranche issued upon original issuance, exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof or pursuant to Section 506, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Mortgage and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder.  Wherever reference is made in this Mortgage to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent.  Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State or territory thereof or the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority.  If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published.  If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.

 

Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to

 

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be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

 

An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and the Company.  The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and the Company.  Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company.  Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent.  No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.

 

The Company agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section.

 

The provisions of Sections 308, 1004 and 1005 shall be applicable to each Authenticating Agent.

 

If an appointment with respect to the Securities of one or more series, or any Tranche thereof, shall be made pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series or Tranche may have endorsed thereon, in addition to the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication substantially in the following form:

 

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Mortgage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

 

 

 

As Authenticating Agent

 

 

 

 

 

By

 

 

 

Authorized Officer

 

 

If all of the Securities of a series may not be originally issued at one time, and if the Trustee does not have an office capable of authenticating Securities upon original issuance located in a Place of Payment where the Company wishes to have Securities of such series authenticated upon original issuance, the Trustee, if so requested by the Company in writing (which writing need not comply with Section 103 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel), shall appoint, in accordance with this Section and in accordance with such procedures as shall be acceptable to the Trustee, an Authenticating Agent having an office in a Place of Payment designated by the Company with respect to such series of Securities.

 

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ARTICLE ELEVEN

 

HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

 

SECTION 1101.                                LISTS OF HOLDERS .

 

Semiannually, not later than June 1 and December 1 in each year, commencing December 1, 2011 and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, the Company shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee information as to the names and addresses of the Holders, and the Trustee shall preserve such information and similar information received by it in any other capacity and afford to the Holders access to information so preserved by it, all to such extent, if any, and in such manner as shall be required by the Trust Indenture Act; provided, however, that no such list need be furnished so long as the Trustee shall be the Security Registrar.

 

SECTION 1102.                                REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY .

 

Not later than November 1 in each year, commencing with the year 2011, the Trustee shall transmit to the Holders, the Commission and each securities exchange upon which any Securities are listed, a report, dated as of the next preceding September 15, with respect to any events and other matters described in Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, in such manner and to the extent required by the Trust Indenture Act.  The Trustee shall transmit to the Holders, the Commission and each securities exchange upon which any Securities are listed, and the Company shall file with the Trustee (within 30 days after filing with the Commission in the case of reports which pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act must be filed with the Commission and furnished to the Trustee) and transmit to the Holders, such other information, reports and other documents, if any, at such times and in such manner, as shall be required by the Trust Indenture Act.  The Company shall notify the Trustee of the listing of any Securities on any securities exchange.

 

Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only, and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute notice or constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

 

The Company shall file with the Trustee (within 30 days after filing with the Commission in the case of reports that pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act must be filed with the Commission and furnished to the Trustee) and transmit to the Holders, such other information, reports and other documents, if any, at such times and in such manner, as shall be required by the Trust Indenture Act.

 

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ARTICLE TWELVE

 

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, OR OTHER TRANSFER

 

SECTION 1201.                                COMPANY MAY CONSOLIDATE, ETC., ONLY ON CERTAIN TERMS .

 

The Company shall not consolidate with or merge into any other corporation, or convey or otherwise transfer, or lease, as, or substantially as, an entirety the Company’s Electric Utility Property to any Person, unless:

 

(a)                                   the corporation formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or other transfer, or which leases, as or substantially as an entirety such Electric Utility Property shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any State or Territory thereof or the District of Columbia (such corporation being hereinafter sometimes called the “Successor Company”) and shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a Mortgage supplemental hereto, in form recordable and reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, which:

 

(i)                                      in the case of a consolidation, merger, conveyance or other transfer, or in the case of a lease if the term thereof extends beyond the last Stated Maturity of the Securities then Outstanding, contains an express assumption by the Successor Company of the due and punctual payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on all the Securities then Outstanding and the performance and observance of every covenant and condition of this Mortgage to be performed or observed by the Company, and

 

(ii)                                   in the case of a consolidation, merger, conveyance or other transfer contains a grant, conveyance, transfer and mortgage by the Successor Company, of the same tenor of the Granting Clauses herein,

 

(A)                               confirming the Lien of this Mortgage on the Mortgaged Property (as constituted immediately prior to the time such transaction became effective) and subjecting to the Lien of this Mortgage all property, real, personal and mixed, thereafter acquired by the Successor Company which shall constitute an improvement, extension or addition to the Mortgaged Property (as so constituted) or a renewal, replacement or substitution of or for any part thereof, and,

 

(B)                                 at the election of the Successor Company, subjecting to the Lien of this Mortgage such property, real, personal or mixed, in addition to the property described in subclause (A) above, then owned or thereafter acquired by the Successor Company as the Successor Company shall, in its sole discretion, specify or describe therein,

 

and the Lien confirmed or created by such grant, conveyance, transfer and mortgage shall have force, effect and standing similar to those which the Lien of this Mortgage would have had if the Company had not been a party to such consolidation, merger, conveyance or other transfer and had itself, after the time such transaction became effective, purchased, constructed or otherwise acquired the property subject to such grant, conveyance, transfer and mortgage;

 

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(b)                                  in the case of a lease, such lease shall be made expressly subject to termination at any time during the continuance of an Event of Default, by (i) the Company or the Trustee and (ii) the purchaser of the property so leased at any sale thereof hereunder, whether such sale be made under the power of sale hereby conferred or pursuant to judicial proceedings;

 

(c)                                   the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each of which shall state that such consolidation, merger, conveyance or other transfer or lease, and such supplemental Mortgage, comply with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with; and

 

(d)                                  immediately after giving effect to such transaction (and treating any Debt that becomes an obligation of the Successor Company as a result of such transaction as having been incurred by the Successor Company at the time of such transaction), no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

As used in this Article and in Section 1610(d), the terms “improvement”, “extension” and “addition” shall be limited to (a) with respect to real property subject to the Lien of this Mortgage, any item of personal property which has been so affixed or attached to such real property as to be regarded a part of such real property under applicable law and (b) with respect to personal property subject to the Lien of this Mortgage, any improvement, extension or addition to such personal property which (i) is made to maintain, renew, repair or improve the function of such personal property and (ii) is physically installed in or affixed to such personal property.

 

SECTION 1202.                                SUCCESSOR COMPANY SUBSTITUTED .

 

Upon any consolidation or merger or any conveyance or other transfer of, as or substantially as an entirety the Company’s Electric Utility Property in accordance with Section 1201, the Successor Company shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every power and right of, the Company under this Mortgage with the same effect as if such Successor Company had been named as the “Company” herein.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing:

 

(a)                                   all property of the Successor Company then subject to the Lien of this Mortgage, of the character described in Section 102, shall constitute Property Additions;

 

(b)                                  the Successor Company may execute and deliver to the Trustee, and thereupon the Trustee shall, subject to the provisions of Article Four, authenticate and deliver, Securities meeting the requirements of Article Four; and

 

(c)                                   the Successor Company may, subject to the applicable provisions of this Mortgage, use Property Additions for any other purpose under the Mortgage.

 

All Securities so executed by the Successor Company, and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, shall in all respects be entitled to the benefit of the Lien of this Mortgage equally and ratably with all Securities executed, authenticated and delivered prior to the time such consolidation, merger, conveyance or other transfer became effective.

 

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SECTION 1203.                                EXTENT OF LIEN HEREOF ON PROPERTY OF SUCCESSOR COMPANY .

 

Unless, in the case of a consolidation, merger, conveyance or other transfer contemplated by Section 1201, the Mortgage supplemental hereto contemplated in Section 1201 or in Article Thirteen expressly provides otherwise, neither this Mortgage nor such supplemental Mortgage shall become or be, or be required to become or be, a Lien upon any of the properties:

 

(a)                                   owned by the Successor Company or any other party to such transaction (other than the Company) immediately prior to the time of effectiveness of such transaction or

 

(b)                                  acquired by the Successor Company at or after the time of effectiveness of such transaction, except, in either case, properties acquired from the Company in or as a result of such transaction and improvements, extensions and additions to such properties and renewals, replacements and substitutions of or for any part or parts thereof.

 

SECTION 1204.                                RELEASE OF COMPANY UPON CONVEYANCE OR OTHER TRANSFER .

 

In the case of a conveyance or other transfer to any Person or Persons as contemplated in Section 1201, upon the satisfaction of all the conditions specified in Section 1201 the Company (such term being used in this Section without giving effect to such transaction) shall be released and discharged from all obligations and covenants under this Mortgage and on and under all Securities then Outstanding (unless the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an instrument in which it shall waive such release and discharge) and, upon request by the Company, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing that the Company has been so released and discharged.

 

SECTION 1205.                                MERGER INTO COMPANY; EXTENT OF LIEN HEREOF .

 

(a)                                   Nothing in this Mortgage shall be deemed to prevent or restrict any consolidation or merger after the consummation of which the Company would be the surviving or resulting corporation or any conveyance or other transfer, or lease, of any part of the Company’s Electric Utility Property which does not constitute the entirety or substantially the entirety of its Electric Utility Property.

 

(b)                                  Unless, in the case of a consolidation or merger described in subsection (a) of this Section, a Mortgage supplemental hereto shall otherwise provide, this Mortgage shall not become or be, or be required to become or be, a Lien upon any of the properties acquired by the Company in or as a result of such transaction or any improvements, extensions or additions to such properties or any renewals, replacements or substitutions of or for any part or parts thereof.

 

SECTION 1206.                                TRANSFER OF LESS THAN SUBSTANTIALLY ALL .

 

This Article is not intended to limit the Company’s conveyances, transfers or leases of less than the entirety or substantially the entirety of its Electric Utility Property.

 

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ARTICLE THIRTEEN

 

SUPPLEMENTAL MORTGAGES

 

SECTION 1301.                                SUPPLEMENTAL MORTGAGES WITHOUT CONSENT OF HOLDERS .

 

Without the consent of any Holders, the Company and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more Mortgages supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:

 

(a)                                   to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein and in the Securities all as provided in Article Twelve; or

 

(b)                                  to add one or more covenants of the Company or other provisions for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities, or any Tranche, thereof or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series); or

 

(c)                                   to add any additional Events of Default with respect to all or any series of Securities Outstanding hereunder (and if such additional Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such additional Events of Default are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series); or

 

(d)                                  to change or eliminate any provision of this Mortgage or to add any new provision to this Mortgage; provided, however, that if such change, elimination or addition shall adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series or Tranche Outstanding on the date of such supplemental Mortgage in any material respect, such change, elimination or addition shall become effective with respect to such series or Tranche only pursuant to the provisions of Section 1302 hereof or when no Security of such series or Tranche remains Outstanding; or

 

(e)                                   to provide additional collateral security for the Securities of any series; or

 

(f)                                     to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series or Tranche as contemplated by Sections 201 and 301; or

 

(g)                                  to provide for the authentication and delivery of bearer Securities and coupons appertaining thereto representing interest, if any, thereon and for the procedures for the registration, exchange and replacement thereof and for the giving of notice to, and the solicitation of the vote or consent of, the holders thereof, and for any and all other matters incidental thereto; or

 

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(h)                                  to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a separate or successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Mortgage as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 1011(b); or

 

(i)                                      to provide for the procedures required to permit the Company to utilize, at its option, a non-certificated system of registration for all, or any series or Tranche of, the Securities; or

 

(j)                                      to change any place or places where (1) the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on all or any series of Securities, or any Tranche thereof, shall be payable, (2) all or any series of Securities, or any Tranche thereof, may be surrendered for registration of transfer, (3) all or any series of Securities, or any Tranche thereof, may be surrendered for exchange and (4) notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of all or any series of Securities, or any Tranche thereof, and this Mortgage may be served;

 

(k)                                   to amend and restate this Mortgage, as originally executed and delivered and as it may have been subsequently amended, in its entirety, but with such additions, deletions and other changes as shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of the Securities in any material respect; or

 

(l)                                      to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other changes to the provisions hereof or to add other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Mortgage, provided that such other changes or additions shall not materially adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series or Tranche in any material respect.

 

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if the Trust Indenture Act as in effect at the First Effective Date or at any time thereafter shall be amended and

 

(x)                                    if any such amendment shall require one or more changes to any provisions hereof or the inclusion herein of any additional provisions, or shall by operation of law be deemed to effect such changes or incorporate such provisions by reference or otherwise, this Mortgage shall be deemed to have been amended so as to conform to such amendment to the Trust Indenture Act, and the Company and the Trustee may, without the consent of any Holders, enter into a Mortgage supplemental hereto to evidence such amendment hereof; or

 

(y)                                  if any such amendment shall permit one or more changes to, or the elimination of, any provisions hereof which, at the First Effective Date or at any time thereafter, are required by the Trust Indenture Act to be contained herein or are contained herein to reflect any provision of the Trust Indenture Act as in effect at such date, this Mortgage shall be deemed to have been amended to effect such changes or elimination, and the Company and the Trustee may, without the consent of any Holders, enter into a

 

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Mortgage supplemental hereto to this Mortgage to effect such changes or elimination or evidence such amendment.

 

SECTION 1302.                                SUPPLEMENTAL MORTGAGES WITH CONSENT OF HOLDERS .

 

Subject to the provisions of Section 1301, 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 this Mortgage, considered as one class, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may enter into a Mortgage or Mortgages supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to, or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of, this Mortgage or modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of any series under this Mortgage; provided, however, that if there shall be Securities of more than one series Outstanding hereunder and if a proposed Mortgage supplemental hereto 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 not less than 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 Mortgage 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 not less than 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 no such supplemental Mortgage shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of each series or Tranche so directly affected,

 

(a)                                   change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any Security (other than pursuant to the terms thereof), or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon (or the amount of any installment of interest thereon) or change the method of calculating such rate or reduce any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or reduce the amount of the principal of a Discount Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 902, or change the coin or currency (or other property), in which any Security or any premium or the interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date);

 

(b)                                  except as contemplated by Section 1601(b), deprive such Holder of the benefit of the security of the Lien of this Mortgage on any material part of the Mortgaged Property; provided that such consent of the Holders of each Outstanding Security of each series or Tranche so directly affected shall not be required with respect to any Mortgage supplement hereto that releases one or more properties from the lien of the Mortgage if the lesser of the aggregate Cost or aggregate Fair Value of all properties to be released and theretofore released without the consent of the Holders pursuant to this Section 1302(b) is not greater than 10% of the lesser of the aggregate Cost or aggregate Fair Value of the Mortgaged Property as of the end of the calendar year in which the First Effective Date occurs.  Prior to executing any such supplemental indenture, there shall be delivered to the Trustee (x) an Officers’ Certificate stating

 

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that, to the knowledge of the signers, no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (y) an Experts’ Certificate stating, in the judgment of the signers, the aggregate Fair Value of the property to be released and theretofore released without the consent of the Holders pursuant to this Section 1302(b) since the First Effective Date is not greater than 10% of the aggregate Fair Value of the Mortgaged Property as of the end of the calendar year in which the First Effective Date occurs;

 

(c)                                   reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series or any Tranche thereof, the consent of the Holders of which is required for any such supplemental Mortgage, or the consent of the Holders of which is required for any waiver of compliance with any provision of this Mortgage or of any default hereunder and its consequences, or reduce the requirements of Section 1404 for quorum or voting;

 

(d)                                  modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 706 or Section 913 with respect to the Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, except to increase the percentages in principal amount referred to in this Section or such other Sections or to provide that other provisions of this Mortgage cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby; provided, however, that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder with respect to changes in the references to “the Trustee” and concomitant changes in this Section, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Sections 1011(b), 1014 and 1301(h); or

 

(e)                                   prior to the Second Effective Date, modify the provisions of Section 1612 to permit the Company to create Prior Liens or suffer Prior Liens to be created on any material part of the Mortgaged Property.

 

A supplemental Mortgage which (x) changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Mortgage which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of the Holders of, or which is to remain in effect only so long as there shall be Outstanding, Securities of one or more particular series, or one or more Tranches thereof, or (y) modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series or Tranches with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Mortgage of the Holders of Securities of any other series or Tranche.

 

It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental Mortgage, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.

 

Anything in this Mortgage to the contrary notwithstanding, if the Officers’ Certificate, supplemental Mortgage or Board Resolution, as the case may be, establishing the Securities of any series or Tranche shall provide that the Company may make certain specified additions, changes or eliminations to or from the Mortgage which shall be specified in such Officers’ Certificate, supplemental Mortgage or Board Resolution establishing such series or Tranche, (a) the Holders of Securities of such series or Tranche shall be deemed to have consented to a supplemental Mortgage containing such additions, changes or eliminations to or from the Mortgage which shall be specified in such Officers’ Certificate, supplemental Mortgage or Board Resolution establishing such series or Tranche, (b) no Act of such Holders shall be required to

 

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evidence such consent and (c) such consent may be counted in the determination of whether or not the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Securities shall have consented to such supplemental Mortgage.

 

SECTION 1303.                                EXECUTION OF SUPPLEMENTAL MORTGAGES .

 

In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental Mortgage permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Mortgage, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 1001) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel and an Officers’ Certificate stating that the execution of such supplemental Mortgage is authorized or permitted by this Mortgage and containing the statements required by Section 103.  The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental Mortgage which adversely affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties, immunities or liabilities under this Mortgage or otherwise.

 

SECTION 1304.                                EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTAL MORTGAGES .

 

Upon the execution of any supplemental Mortgage under this Article this Mortgage shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental Mortgage shall form a part of this Mortgage for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.  Any supplemental Mortgage permitted by this Article may restate this Mortgage in its entirety, and, upon the execution and delivery thereof, any such restatement shall supersede this Mortgage as theretofore in effect for all purposes.

 

SECTION 1305.                                CONFORMITY WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT .

 

Every supplemental Mortgage executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

 

SECTION 1306.                                REFERENCE IN SECURITIES TO SUPPLEMENTAL MORTGAGES .

 

Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental Mortgage pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental Mortgage.  If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental Mortgage may be prepared and executed by the Company, and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series or Tranche.

 

SECTION 1307.                                MODIFICATION WITHOUT SUPPLEMENTAL MORTGAGE .

 

To the extent, if any, that the terms of any particular series of Securities shall have been established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution or an Officers’ Certificate pursuant to a supplemental Mortgage or Board Resolution as contemplated by Section 301, and not in a Mortgage supplemental hereto, additions to, changes in or the elimination of any of such terms may be effected by means of a supplemental Board Resolution or Officers’ Certificate pursuant

 

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to a Board Resolution or a supplemental Mortgage and complying with the requirements of Section 104, as the case may be, delivered to, and accepted by, the Trustee in writing; provided, however, that such supplemental Board Resolution or Officers’ Certificate shall not be accepted by the Trustee or otherwise be effective unless all conditions set forth in this Mortgage which would be required to be satisfied if such additions, changes or elimination were contained in a supplemental Mortgage shall have been appropriately satisfied.  Upon the written acceptance thereof by the Trustee, any such supplemental Board Resolution or Officers’ Certificate shall be deemed to be effective and constitute part of the Mortgage and a supplemental Mortgage hereunder, including for purposes of Section 1614.  Such acceptance shall be conveyed by a written instrument signed by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee.

 

ARTICLE FOURTEEN

 

MEETINGS OF HOLDERS; ACTION WITHOUT MEETING

 

SECTION 1401.                                PURPOSES FOR WHICH MEETINGS MAY BE CALLED .

 

A meeting of Holders of Securities of one or more, or all, series, or any Tranche or Tranches thereof, may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to this Article to make, give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Mortgage to be made, given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series or Tranches.

 

SECTION 1402.                                CALL, NOTICE AND PLACE OF MEETINGS .

 

(a)                                   The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Securities of one or more, or all, series, or any Tranche or Tranches thereof, for any purpose specified in Section 1401, to be held at such time and at such place as the Trustee shall determine with the approval of the Company.  Notice of every such meeting, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be given, in the manner provided in Section 107, not less than 21 nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

 

(b)                                  If the Trustee shall have been requested to call a meeting of the Holders of Securities of one or more, or all, series, or any Tranche or Tranches thereof, by the Company or by the Holders of 33% in aggregate principal amount of all of such series and Tranches, considered as one class, for any purpose specified in Section 1302, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have given the notice of such meeting within 21 days after receipt of such request or shall not thereafter proceed to cause the meeting to be held as provided herein, then the Company or the Holders of Securities of such series and Tranches in the amount above specified, as the case may be, may determine the time and the place in the city in which the Corporate Trust Office is located, or in such other place as shall be determined or approved by the Company, for such meeting and may call such meeting for such purposes by giving notice thereof as provided in subsection (a) of this Section.

 

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(c)                                   Any meeting of Holders of Securities of one or more, or all, series, or any Tranche or Tranches thereof, shall be valid without notice if the Holders of all Outstanding Securities of such series or Tranches are present in person or by proxy and if representatives of the Company and the Trustee are present, or if notice is waived in writing before or after the meeting by the Holders of all Outstanding Securities of such series, or any Tranche or Tranches thereof or by such of them as are not present at the meeting in person or by proxy, and by the Company and the Trustee.

 

SECTION 1403.                                PERSONS ENTITLED TO VOTE AT MEETINGS .

 

To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Securities of one or more, or all, series, or any Tranche or Tranches thereof, a Person shall be (a) a Holder of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series or Tranches, or (b) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy for a Holder or Holders of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series or Tranches by such Holder or Holders.  The only Persons who shall be entitled to attend any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series or Tranche shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel, any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.

 

SECTION 1404.                                QUORUM; ACTION .

 

The Persons entitled to vote a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of the series and Tranches with respect to which a meeting shall have been called as hereinbefore provided, considered as one class, shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of Holders of Securities of such series and Tranches; provided, however, that if any action is to be taken at such meeting which this Mortgage expressly provides may be taken by the Holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series and Tranches, considered as one class, the Persons entitled to vote such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series and Tranches, considered as one class, shall constitute a quorum.  In the absence of a quorum within one hour of the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Holders of Securities of such series and Tranches, be dissolved.  In any other case the meeting may be adjourned for such period as may be determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting.  In the absence of a quorum at any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for such period as may be determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such adjourned meeting.  Except as provided by Section 1405(e), notice of the reconvening of any meeting adjourned for more than 30 days shall be given as provided in Section 1402(a) not less than ten days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened.  Notice of the reconvening of an adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series and Tranches which shall constitute a quorum.

 

Except as limited by Section 1302, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted only by the affirmative vote of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of the series and Tranches with respect to which such meeting shall have been called, considered as one class; provided, however, that, except as so limited, any resolution with

 

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respect to any action which this Mortgage expressly provides may be taken by the Holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series and Tranches, considered as one class, may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid by the affirmative vote of the Holders of such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series and Tranches, considered as one class.

 

Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Securities duly held in accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the Holders of Securities of the series and Tranches with respect to which such meeting shall have been held, whether or not present or represented at the meeting.

 

SECTION 1405.                                ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS; DETERMINATION OF VOTING RIGHTS; CONDUCT AND ADJOURNMENT OF MEETINGS .

 

(a)                                   Attendance at meetings of Holders of Securities may be in person or by proxy; and, to the extent permitted by law, any such proxy shall remain in effect and be binding upon any future Holder of the Securities with respect to which it was given unless and until specifically revoked by the Holder or future Holder of such Securities before being voted.

 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Mortgage, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders of Securities in regard to proof of the holding of such Securities and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem appropriate.  Except as otherwise permitted or required by any such regulations, the holding of Securities shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 105 and the appointment of any proxy shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 105.  Such regulations may provide that written instruments appointing proxies, regular on their face, may be presumed valid and genuine without the proof specified in Section 105 or other proof.

 

(c)                                   The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Holders as provided in Section 1402(b), in which case the Company or the Holders of Securities of the series and Tranches calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman.  A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all series and Tranches represented in person or by proxy at the meeting, considered as one class.

 

(d)                                  At any meeting each Holder or proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount of Securities held or represented by him; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not Outstanding.  The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote, except as a Holder of a Security or proxy.

 

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(e)                                   Any meeting duly called pursuant to Section 1402 at which a quorum is present may be adjourned from time to time by Persons entitled to vote a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all series and Tranches represented at the meeting, considered as one class; and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

 

SECTION 1406.                                COUNTING VOTES AND RECORDING ACTION OF MEETINGS .

 

The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers of the Outstanding Securities, of the series and Tranches with respect to which the meeting shall have been called, held or represented by them.  The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports of all votes cast at the meeting.  A record, in duplicate, of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was given as provided in Section 1402 and, if applicable, Section 1404.  Each copy shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one such copy shall be delivered to the Company, and another to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting.  Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.

 

SECTION 1407.                                ACTION WITHOUT MEETING .

 

In lieu of a vote of Holders at a meeting as hereinbefore contemplated in this Article, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action may be made, given or taken by Holders by one or more written instruments as provided in Section 105.

 

ARTICLE FIFTEEN

 

IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, SHAREHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

 

SECTION 1501.                                LIABILITY SOLELY CORPORATE .

 

No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, 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 this Mortgage, against any incorporator, shareholder, member, limited partner, officer, manager or director, as such, past, present or future of the Company or of any predecessor or successor of the Company (either directly or through the Company or a predecessor or successor of the Company), 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

 

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expressly agreed and understood that this Mortgage and all the Securities are solely corporate obligations, and that no personal liability whatsoever shall attach to, or be incurred by, any incorporator, shareholder, member, limited partner, officer, manager or director, past, present or future, of the Company or of any predecessor or successor of the Company, either directly or indirectly through the Company or any predecessor or successor of the Company, because of the indebtedness hereby authorized or under or by reason of any of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Mortgage or in any of the Securities or to be implied herefrom or therefrom, 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 this Mortgage and the issuance of the Securities.

 

ARTICLE SIXTEEN

 

POSSESSION, USE AND RELEASE OF MORTGAGED PROPERTY

 

SECTION 1601.                                QUIET ENJOYMENT; INSTRUMENTS RELEASING EXCEPTED PROPERTY .

 

(a)                                   Unless one or more Events of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Company shall be permitted to (i) possess, use and enjoy the Mortgaged Property (except, to the extent not herein otherwise provided, such cash and securities as are expressly required to be deposited with the Trustee); (ii) receive and use all tolls, rents, revenues, earnings, interest, dividends, royalties, issues, income and profits thereof; (iii) purchase, generate, transmit, distribute, store, sell and otherwise deal with and use electricity, gas, water, electric and gas appliances and other products; (iv) use and consume stock in trade, materials and supplies; (v) deal with choses in action (other than pledged securities), leases and contracts and exercise, release or amend the rights and powers conferred upon it thereby; and (vi) alter, repair, maintain, replace, reconstruct, relocate, remove and operate any of its buildings, plants, stations, structures, transmission lines, distribution lines, pipe lines, conduits, mains, machinery, equipment, tools, fixtures, dams, reservoirs and other real property and tangible personal property, except that none of such real property or tangible personal property may be relocated or removed so as to impair the lien of the Mortgage thereon unless such property is sold, abandoned or otherwise disposed of as permitted by this Section or by Section 1602 or released by the Trustee.

 

(b)                                  Unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, upon application by the Company and receipt of an Officers’ Certificate dated the date of said application, stating that, to the knowledge of the signers, no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall execute and deliver to the Company appropriate instruments releasing, to the extent not heretofore released and to the extent hereinbelow provided, the interest, if any, of the Trustee in all right, title and interest of the Company then owned or thereafter acquired in and to the property described in the definition of the term “Excepted Property” set forth in the granting clauses of this Mortgage.

 

SECTION 1602.                                DISPOSITIONS WITHOUT RELEASE .

 

Unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Company may at any time and from time to time, without any release or consent by, or report to, the Trustee:

 

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(a)                                   Sell or otherwise dispose of, free from the Lien of this Mortgage, any machinery, equipment, apparatus, towers, transformers, poles, lines, cables, conduits, ducts, conductors, meters, regulators, holders, tanks, retorts, purifiers, odorizers, scrubbers, compressors, valves, pumps, mains, pipes, service pipes, fittings, connections, services, tools, implements, or any other fixtures or personality, then subject to the Lien hereof, which shall have become old, inadequate, obsolete, worn out, unfit, unadapted, unserviceable, undesirable or unnecessary for use in the operations of the Company upon replacing the same by, or substituting for the same, similar or analogous property, or other property performing a similar or analogous function or otherwise obviating the need therefor, having a Fair Value to the Company at least equal to that of the property sold or otherwise disposed of and subject to the Lien hereof, subject to no Liens prior hereto except Permitted Liens and any other Liens to which the property sold or otherwise disposed of was subject;

 

(b)                                  Cancel or make changes or alterations in or substitutions for any and all easements, servitudes, rights-of-way and similar rights and/or interests;

 

(c)                                   Grant, free from the Lien of this Mortgage, easements, ground leases or rights-of-way in, upon, over and/or across the property or rights-of-way of the Company for the purpose of roads, pipe lines, transmission lines, distribution lines, communication lines, railways, removal or transportation of coal, lignite, gas, oil or other minerals or timber, and other like purposes, or for the joint or common use of real property, rights-of-way, facilities and/or equipment; provided, however, that such grant shall not materially impair the use of the property or rights-of-way for the purposes for which such property or rights-of-way are held by the Company;

 

(d)                                  Abandon any property, if in the opinion of the Company (i) the abandonment of such property is desirable in the proper conduct of the business and in the operation of the properties of the Company or is otherwise in the best interests of the Company, and (ii) the value and utility generally of all its properties as an entirety and the security for the bonds will not thereby be impaired;

 

(e)                                   Sell, surrender, release, abandon or otherwise dispose of, either with or without consideration (provided any consideration received by the Company shall, subject to the provisions of Section 1603, be paid over to the Trustee to be held by it as part of the Mortgaged Property), any easements, rights-of-way, leases, licenses, authority or permits over private property for towers, poles, wires, cables, conduits, pipe lines or mains, or for transmission line or distribution line purposes, if such towers, poles, wires, cables, conduits, pipe lines or mains, or such transmission or distribution lines, have theretofore been sold by the Company or removed by the Company to other property or taken by any municipality or other governmental subdivision by the exercise of a power of eminent domain or similar right or power, and if in the opinion of the Company the value and utility generally of all its properties as an entirety and the security for the bonds will not thereby be impaired; and

 

(f)                                     Grant, free from the lien of this Mortgage, either with or without consideration (provided any consideration received by the Company shall, subject to the provisions of Section 1603, be paid over to the Trustee to be held by it as part of the Mortgaged Property), easements, rights-of-way, leases, licenses, authority or permits, for fixed periods of

 

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time or in perpetuity, over or with respect to any of the real property constituting part of the Mortgaged Property, if in the opinion of the Company (i) the granting of such easements, rights-of-way, leases, licenses, authority or permits does not substantially impair the continued use and enjoyment by the Company of the real property over or in respect of which such easements, rights-of-way, leases, licenses, authority or permits are granted for the purpose for which such property is used by the Company, and (ii) the value and utility generally of all its properties as an entirety and the security for the bonds will not thereby be impaired.

 

SECTION 1603.                                RELEASE OF MORTGAGED PROPERTY .

 

Unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Company may obtain the release of any part of the Mortgaged Property, or any interest therein, other than cash held by the Trustee, and the Trustee shall release all its right, title and interest in and to the same from the Lien hereof, upon receipt by the Trustee of:

 

(a)                                   A Company Order requesting the release of such property and transmitting therewith a form of instrument or instruments to effect such release;

 

(b)                                  An Officers’ Certificate stating that, to the knowledge of the signers, no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;

 

(c)                                   An Experts’ Certificate made and dated not more than 90 days prior to the first day of the month in which such Company Order is delivered to the Trustee:

 

(i)                                      Describing the property to be released;

 

(ii)                                   Stating the Fair Value, in the judgment of the signers, of the property to be released;

 

(iii)                                Stating the Cost of the property to be released (or, if the Fair Value to the Company of such property at the time such property was first included in an Experts’ Certificate was less than the Cost thereof, then such Fair Value, in lieu of Cost);

 

(iv)                               Stating that, in the judgment of the signers, such release will not impair the security under this Mortgage in contravention of the provisions hereof;

 

(v)                                  Stating the aggregate principal amount of Securities and the aggregate principal amount of Secured Debt Outstanding on the date of such Experts’ Certificate; and

 

(vi)                               Stating that, after giving effect to the transactions contemplated thereby, including payment, from the proceeds thereof, of any taxes and expenses incidental to any sale, exchange, dedication or other disposition of the property to be released, the Company would be permitted by the provisions of Section 401(a) to have authenticated and delivered at least $1.00 of additional Securities;

 

(d)                                  The amount in cash, if any, then required to be deposited with the Trustee in order to permit the Company to meet the requirement of clause (c)(vi) above; and

 

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(e)                                   An Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the certificates and other instruments and cash, if any, which have been or are therewith delivered to or deposited and pledged with the Trustee conform to the requirements of this Mortgage, and that, upon the basis of the Company Order, the property to be released may be lawfully released from the lien of this Mortgage and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such release have been complied with.

 

If (a) any property to be released from the Lien of this Mortgage under any provision of this Article (other than Section 1607) is subject to a Lien prior to the Lien hereof and is to be sold, exchanged, dedicated or otherwise disposed of subject to such Prior Lien and (b) after such release, such Prior Lien will not be a Lien on any property subject to the Lien hereof, then the Fair Value of such property to be released shall be deemed, for all purposes of this Mortgage, to be the value thereof unencumbered by such Prior Lien less the principal amount of the indebtedness secured by such Prior Lien.

 

Any cash deposited with the Trustee pursuant to the provisions of this Section 1603 shall be held as part of the Mortgaged Property and shall be withdrawn, released, used or applied in the manner, to the extent and for the purposes, and subject to the conditions, provided in Section 1606.

 

The right of the Company, under the provisions of Section 1302(b) permitting the release of certain property without the consent of the Holders, shall be separate and apart from, and in addition to, the rights of the Company under this Section and Section 1605.

 

SECTION 1604.                                PRESERVATION OF LIEN .

 

The Company shall maintain and preserve the Lien of this Mortgage so long as any Securities shall remain Outstanding, subject, however, to the provisions of Article Thirteen and Article Sixteen.

 

SECTION 1605.                                RELEASE OF MINOR PROPERTIES .

 

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 1603, unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Company may obtain the release from the Lien hereof of any part of the Mortgaged Property, or any interest therein, and the Trustee shall whenever from time to time requested by the Company in a Company Order transmitting therewith a form of instrument or instruments to effect such release, and without requiring compliance with any of the provisions of Section 1603, release from the Lien hereof all the right, title and interest of the Trustee in and to the same provided that the lesser of the aggregate Cost or the aggregate Fair Value of the property to be so released on any date in a given calendar year, together with all other property theretofore released pursuant to this Section 1605 in such calendar year, shall not exceed the greater of (A) $10,000,000 and (B) 3% of the sum of the aggregate principal amount of all (i) Securities and (ii) Secured Debt then Outstanding.  Prior to the granting of any such release, there shall be delivered to the Trustee (x) an Officers’ Certificate stating that, to the knowledge of the signers, no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (y) an Experts’ Certificate stating, in the judgment of the signers, the Fair Value of the property to be released, the aggregate Fair Value of all other property theretofore released pursuant to this Section in

 

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such calendar year, and that, in the judgment of the signers, the release thereof will not impair the security under this Mortgage in contravention of the provisions hereof.

 

SECTION 1606.                                WITHDRAWAL OR OTHER APPLICATION OF CASH .

 

Except as hereafter in this Section provided, unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, any Available Cash held by the Trustee, and any other cash which is required to be withdrawn, used or applied as provided in this Section,

 

(a)                                   May be withdrawn from time to time by the Company upon receipt by the Trustee of:  (i) a Company Order requesting the withdrawal, use or application of such cash and transmitting appropriate instructions, (ii) an Officers’ Certificate stating that, to the knowledge of the signer, no Event of Default has occurred or is continuing; (iii) an Experts’ Certificate made and dated not more than 90 days prior to the first day of the month in which such Company Order is delivered to the Trustee stating the aggregate principal amount of Securities and the aggregate principal amount of Secured Debt, in each case Outstanding on the date of such Experts’ Certificate, and stating that, after giving effect to the transactions contemplated thereby, (A) the Company would be permitted by the provisions of Section 401(a) to have authenticated and delivered at least $1.00 of additional Securities or, (B) if Company cannot meet this requirement, stating the lesser amount of such cash which could be so withdrawn, used or applied by the Company and still enable the Company to meet the requirements of subsection (A) of this clause (a) of Section 1606, which lesser amount may be so withdrawn; and (iv) an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the certificates and other instruments which have been or are therewith delivered to the Trustee conform to the requirements of this Mortgage, and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such withdrawal have been complied with.

 

(b)                                  May, upon the request of the Company, be used by the Trustee for the purchase of Securities in the manner, at the time or times, in the amount or amounts, at the price or prices and otherwise as directed or approved by the Company, all subject to the limitations hereafter in this Section set forth; or

 

(c)                                   May, upon the request of the Company, be applied by the Trustee to the payment (or provision therefor pursuant to Article Eight) at Stated Maturity of any Securities or to the redemption (or similar provision therefor) of any Securities which are, by their terms, redeemable, in each case of such series as may be designated by the Company, any such redemption to be in the manner and as provided in Article Five, all subject to the limitations hereafter in this Section set forth.

 

Notwithstanding the generality of clauses (b) and (c) above, no cash to be applied pursuant to such clauses shall be applied to the payment of an amount in excess of the principal amount of any Securities to be purchased, paid or redeemed except to the extent that the aggregate principal amount of all Securities theretofore, and of all Securities then to be, purchased, paid or redeemed pursuant to such clauses is not less than the aggregate cost for principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest, if any, on and brokerage commissions, if any, with respect to, such Securities.

 

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SECTION 1607.                                RELEASE OF PROPERTY TAKEN BY EMINENT DOMAIN, ETC .

 

Should any of the Mortgaged Property, or any interest therein, be taken by exercise of the power of eminent domain or be sold to an entity possessing the power of eminent domain under a threat to exercise the same, and should the Company elect not to obtain the release of such property pursuant to other provisions of this Article, the Trustee shall, upon request of the Company evidenced by a Company Order transmitting therewith a form of instrument or instruments to effect such release, release from the Lien hereof all its right, title and interest in and to the property so taken or sold (or with respect to an interest in property, subordinate the Lien hereof to such interest), upon receiving (a) an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such property has been taken by exercise of the power of eminent domain or has been sold to an entity possessing the power of eminent domain under threat of an exercise of such power, (b) an Officers’ Certificate stating the amount of net proceeds received or to be received for such property so taken or sold, and the amount so stated shall be deemed to be the Fair Value of such property for the purpose of any notice to the Holders of Securities, (c) an Experts’ Certificate stating the Cost thereof (or, if the Fair Value to the Company of such portion of such property at the time the same was first included in an Experts’ Certificate was less than the Cost thereof, then such Fair Value, as so certified, in lieu of Cost) and (d) a deposit by the Company of an amount in cash equal to the Cost or Fair Value stated in the Experts’ Certificate delivered pursuant to clause (c) above; provided, however, that the amount required to be so deposited shall not exceed the portion of the net proceeds received or to be received for such property so taken or sold which is allocable on a pro-rata or other reasonable basis to such property; and provided, further, that no such deposit shall be required to be made hereunder if the proceeds of such taking or sale shall, as indicated in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee, have been deposited with the trustee or other holder of a Prior Lien.  Any cash deposited with the Trustee under this Section may, contemporaneously or thereafter, be withdrawn, used or applied in the manner, to the extent and for the purposes, and subject to the conditions, provided in Section 1606.

 

SECTION 1608.                                SECURED DEBT.

 

(a)                                   The Company will cause all Secured Debt to be paid in accordance with its terms at or before the maturity thereof, and will duly and punctually perform all the conditions imposed upon it by any Prior Lien, and will not permit any default under any Prior Lien to occur or continue for the period of grace specified therein.

 

(b)                                  Upon the cancellation and discharge of any Prior Lien, or upon the release in any other way of Secured Debt deposited with the trustee or other holder of any other Prior Lien, the Company will (subject to the requirements of any mortgage or other lien securing such Secured Debt) cause any Secured Debt held by the trustee or other holder of the Prior Lien so cancelled or discharged or any Secured Debt so released in any other way to be cancelled, provided that such Secured Debt may be deposited with the trustee or other holder of some other Prior Lien (upon the same property as that mortgaged or pledged to secure the Secured Debt so deposited) if required by the terms thereof.

 

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The principal of and interest on any such Secured Debt held by the Trustee shall be paid to the Trustee as and when the same become payable.  The interest received by the Trustee on any such obligations shall be deemed not to constitute cash and shall be remitted to the Company; provided, however, that if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, such proceeds shall be held as part of the Mortgaged Property until such Event of Default shall have been cured or waived.

 

If any Secured Debt shall be deposited with the Trustee, the Trustee shall have and may exercise all the rights and powers of any owner of such Secured Debt and of all substitutions therefor and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, may collect and receive all insurance moneys payable to it under any of the provisions thereof and apply the same in accordance with the provisions thereof, may consent to extensions thereof at a higher or lower rate of interest, may join in any plan or plans of voluntary or involuntary reorganization or readjustment or rearrangement and may accept and hold hereunder new obligations, stocks or other securities issued in exchange therefor under any such plan.  Any discretionary action which the Trustee may be entitled to take in connection with any such obligations or substitutions therefor shall be taken, so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, in accordance with a Company Order, and, during the continuance of an Event of Default, in its own discretion.

 

Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may irrevocably waive all rights with respect to any Secured Debt held by the Trustee, and the proceeds of any such obligations, by delivery to the Trustee of a Company Order:

 

(x)                                    Specifying such obligations and stating that the Company thereby waives all rights to the proceeds thereof pursuant to this Section, and any other rights with respect thereto; and

 

(y)                                  Directing that the principal of such obligations be applied as provided in clause (c) in the first paragraph of Section 1606, specifying the Securities to be paid or redeemed or for the payment or redemption of which payment is to be made.

 

Following any such waiver, the interest on any such obligations shall be applied to the payment of interest, if any, on the Securities to be paid or redeemed or for the payment or redemption of which provision is to be made, as specified in the aforesaid Company Order, as and when such interest shall become due from time to time, and any excess funds remaining from time to time after such application shall be applied to the payment of interest on any other Securities as and when the same shall become due.  Pending any such application, the interest on such obligations shall be invested in Investment Securities as shall be selected by the Company and specified in written instructions delivered to the Trustee.  The principal of any such obligations shall be applied solely to the payment of principal of the Securities to be paid or redeemed or for the payment or redemption of which provision is to be made, as specified in the aforesaid Company Order.  Pending such application, the principal of such obligations shall be invested in Eligible Obligations as shall be selected by the Company and specified in written instructions delivered to the Trustee.  The obligation of the Company to pay the principal of such Securities when the same shall become due at maturity, shall be offset and reduced by the

 

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amount of the proceeds of such obligations then held, and to be applied, by the Trustee in accordance with this paragraph.

 

SECTION 1609.                                DISCLAIMER OR QUITCLAIM .

 

In case the Company has sold, exchanged, dedicated or otherwise disposed of, or has agreed or intends to sell, exchange, dedicate or otherwise dispose of, or a Governmental Authority has ordered the Company to divest itself of, any Excepted Property or any other property not subject to the Lien hereof, or the Company desires to disclaim or quitclaim title to property to which the Company does not purport to have title, the Trustee shall, from time to time, disclaim or quitclaim such property upon receipt by the Trustee of the following:

 

(a)                                   A Company Order requesting such disclaimer or quitclaim and transmitting therewith a form of instrument to effect such disclaimer or quitclaim;

 

(b)                                  An Officers’ Certificate describing the property to be disclaimed or quitclaimed; and

 

(c)                                   An Opinion of Counsel stating the signer’s opinion that such property is not subject to the Lien hereof or required to be subject thereto by any of the provisions hereof and complying with the requirements of Section 103 of this Mortgage.

 

SECTION 1610.                                MISCELLANEOUS .

 

(a)                                   The Experts’ Certificate as to the Fair Value of property to be released from the Lien of this Mortgage in accordance with any provision of this Article, and as to the nonimpairment, by reason of such release, of the security under this Mortgage in contravention of the provisions hereof, shall be made by an Independent Expert if the Fair Value of such property and of all other property released since the commencement of the then current calendar year, as set forth in the certificates required by this Mortgage, is 10% or more of the aggregate principal amount of all Securities then Outstanding; but such Experts’ Certificate shall not be required to be made by an Independent Expert in the case of any release of property if the Fair Value thereof, as set forth in the certificates required by this Mortgage, is less than $25,000 or less than 1% of the aggregate principal amount of all Securities then Outstanding. To the extent that the Fair Value of any property to be released from the Lien of this Mortgage shall be stated in an Independent Experts’ Certificate, such Fair Value shall not be required to be stated in any other Experts’ Certificate delivered in connection with such release.

 

(b)                                  No release of property from the Lien of this Mortgage effected in accordance with the provisions, and in compliance with the conditions, set forth in this Article and in Sections 103 and 104 shall be deemed to impair the security of this Mortgage in contravention of any provision hereof.

 

(c)                                   If the Mortgaged Property shall be in the possession of a receiver or trustee, lawfully appointed, the powers hereinbefore conferred upon the Company with respect to the release of any part of the Mortgaged Property or any interest therein or the withdrawal of cash may be exercised, with the approval of the Trustee, by such receiver or trustee, notwithstanding that an Event of Default may have occurred and be continuing, and any request,

 

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certificate, appointment or approval made or signed by such receiver or trustee for such purposes shall be as effective as if made by the Company or any of its officers or appointees in the manner herein provided; and if the Trustee shall be in possession of the Mortgaged Property under any provision of this Mortgage, then such powers may be exercised by the Trustee in its discretion notwithstanding that an Event of Default may have occurred and be continuing (but the Trustee shall not be obligated to exercise such powers unless otherwise expressly provided herein).

 

(d)                                  If the Company shall retain any interest in any property released from the Lien of this Mortgage as provided in Section 1603 or 1605, this Mortgage shall not become or be, or be required to become or be, a Lien upon such property or such interest therein or any improvements, extensions or additions to such property or renewals, replacements or substitutions of or for such property or any part or parts thereof unless the Company shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a Mortgage supplemental hereto, in recordable form, containing a grant, conveyance, transfer and mortgage thereof.  As used in this subsection, the terms “improvements”, “extensions” and “additions” shall be limited as set forth in Section 1201.

 

(e)                                   Notwithstanding the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default, the Trustee, in its discretion, may release from the Lien hereof any part of the Mortgaged Property or permit the withdrawal of cash, upon compliance with the other conditions specified in this Article in respect thereof.

 

(f)                                     No purchaser or grantee of property purporting to have been released hereunder shall be bound to ascertain the authority of the Trustee to execute the instrument or instruments of release, or to inquire as to any facts required by the provisions hereof for the exercise of such authority; nor shall any purchaser or grantee of any property or rights permitted by this Article to be sold, granted, exchanged, dedicated or otherwise disposed of, be under obligation to ascertain or inquire into the authority of the Company to make any such sale, grant, exchange, dedication or other disposition.

 

SECTION 1611.                                MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES .

 

The Company shall cause (or, with respect to property owned in common with others, make reasonable effort to cause) the Mortgaged Property, considered as a whole, to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order and shall cause (or, with respect to property owned in common with others, make reasonable effort to cause) to be made such repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, as, in the judgment of the Company, may be necessary in order that the operation of the Mortgaged Property, considered as a whole, may be conducted in accordance with common industry practice; provided, however, that nothing in this Section shall prevent the Company from discontinuing, or causing the discontinuance of, the operation and maintenance of any portion of the Mortgaged Property if such discontinuance is in the judgment of the Company desirable in the conduct of its business; and provided, further, that nothing in this Section shall prevent the Company from selling, transferring or otherwise disposing of, or causing the sale, transfer or other disposition of, any portion of the Mortgaged Property in compliance with the other Articles of this Mortgage.

 

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SECTION 1612.                                PAYMENT OF TAXES; DISCHARGE OF LIENS .

 

The Company shall pay all taxes and assessments and other governmental charges lawfully levied or assessed upon the Mortgaged Property, or upon any part thereof, or upon the interest of the Trustee in the Mortgaged Property, before the same shall become delinquent, and shall observe and conform in all material respects to all valid requirements of any Governmental Authority relative to the Mortgaged Property and all covenants, terms and conditions upon or under which any of the Mortgaged Property is held; and the Company shall not voluntarily suffer any Lien to be created upon the Mortgaged Property, or any part thereof, prior to the Lien hereof, other than (a) Permitted Liens and Prior Liens and (b) in the case of property hereafter acquired, Purchase Money Liens and any other Liens existing or placed thereon at the time of the acquisition thereof (including, but not limited to, the Lien of any Prior Lien); provided, however, that prior to (but not on or after) the Second Effective Date the Company shall not create Prior Liens or suffer Prior Liens to be created on any material portion of the Mortgaged Property; provided further, however, that nothing in this Section contained shall require the Company (i) to observe or conform to any requirement of Governmental Authority or to cause to be paid or discharged, or to make provision for, any such Lien, or to pay any such tax, assessment or governmental charge so long as the validity thereof shall be contested in good faith and by appropriate legal proceedings, (ii) to pay, discharge or make provisions for any tax, assessment or other governmental charge, the validity of which shall not be so contested if adequate security for the payment of such tax, assessment or other governmental charge and for any penalties or interest which may reasonably be anticipated from failure to pay the same shall be given to the Trustee or (iii) to pay, discharge or make provisions for any Liens existing on the Mortgaged Property at the First Effective Date; and provided, further, that nothing in this Section shall prohibit the issuance or other incurrence of additional indebtedness, or the refunding of outstanding indebtedness, secured by any Lien prior to the Lien hereof which is permitted under this Section to continue to exist.

 

SECTION 1613.                                INSURANCE .

 

(a)                                   The Company shall (i) keep or cause to be kept all the property subject to the Lien of this Mortgage insured against loss by fire, to the extent that property of similar character is usually so insured by companies similarly situated and operating like properties, to a reasonable amount, by reputable insurance companies, the proceeds of such insurance (except as to any particular loss less than the greater of (A) $10,000,000 and (B) 3% of the aggregate principal amount of all Securities and Secured Debt Outstanding on the date of such particular loss and, if such insurance also covers any Excepted Property, except as to any loss of such Excepted Property)  to be made payable, subject to applicable law, to the Trustee as the interest of the Trustee may appear, to the trustee of a Prior Lien, or to the trustee or other holder of any other Lien prior hereto upon property subject to the Lien hereof, if the terms thereof require such payment or (ii) in lieu of or supplementing such insurance in whole or in part, adopt some other method or plan of protection against loss by fire at least equal in protection to the method or plan of protection against loss by fire of companies similarly situated and operating properties subject to similar fire hazards or properties on which an equal primary fire insurance rate has been set by reputable insurance companies; and if the Company shall adopt such other method or plan of protection, it shall, subject to applicable law (and except as to any particular loss less than the greater of (x) $10,000,000 and (y) 3% of the aggregate principal amount of all Securities and

 

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Secured Debt Outstanding on the date of such particular loss and, if such other method or plan of protection also covers any Excepted Property, except as to any loss of such Excepted Property) pay to the Trustee on account of any loss covered by such method or plan an amount in cash equal to the amount of such loss less any amounts otherwise paid to the Trustee in respect of such loss or paid to the trustee under a Prior Lien or to the trustee or other holder of any other Lien prior hereto upon property subject to the Lien hereof in respect of such loss if the terms thereof require such payment.  Any cash so required to be paid by the Company pursuant to any such method or plan shall for the purposes of this Mortgage be deemed to be proceeds of insurance.  In case of the adoption of such other method or plan of protection, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee a certificate of an actuary or other qualified person appointed by the Company with respect to the adequacy of such method or plan.

 

Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may have fire insurance policies with (i) a deductible provision in a dollar amount per occurrence not exceeding the greater of (a) $10,000,000 and (b) 3% of the aggregate principal amount of all Securities and Secured Debt Outstanding on the date such policy goes into effect, and/or (ii) co-insurance or self insurance provisions with a dollar amount per occurrence not exceeding 30% of the loss proceeds otherwise payable; provided, however, that the dollar amount described in clause (i) above may be exceeded to the extent such dollar amount per occurrence is below the deductible amount in effect as to fire insurance (x) on property of similar character insured by companies similarly situated and operating like property or (y) on property as to which an equal primary fire insurance rate has been set by reputable insurance companies.

 

(b)                                  All moneys paid to the Trustee by the Company in accordance with this Section or received by the Trustee as proceeds of any insurance, in either case on account of a loss on or with respect to Mortgaged Property, shall, subject to the requirements of any Prior Lien or other Lien prior hereto upon property subject to the Lien hereof, be held by the Trustee and, subject as aforesaid, shall be paid by it to the Company to reimburse the Company for an equal amount expended or committed for expenditure in the rebuilding, renewal and/or replacement of or substitution for the property destroyed or damaged, upon receipt by the Trustee of:

 

(i)                                      A Company Request requesting such payment,

 

(ii)                                   An Experts’ Certificate:

 

(A)                               Describing the property so damaged or destroyed;

 

(B)                                 Stating the Cost of such property (or, if the Fair Value to the Company of such property was first included in an Experts’ Certificate was less than the Cost thereof, then such Fair Value, as so certified, in lieu of Cost) or, if such damage or destruction shall have affected only a portion of such property, stating the allocable portion of such Cost or Fair Value;

 

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(C)                                 Stating the amounts so expended or committed for expenditure in the rebuilding, renewal, replacement of and/or substitution for such property; and

 

(D)                                Stating the Fair Value to the Company of such property as rebuilt or renewed or as to be rebuilt or renewed and/or of the replacement or substituted property, and if

 

(I)                                     Within 6 months prior to the date of acquisition thereof by the Company, such property has been used or operated, by a person or persons other than the Company, in a business similar to that in which it has been or is to be used or operated by the Company, and

 

(II)                                 The Fair Value to the Company of such property as set forth in such Experts’ Certificate is not less than $25,000 and not less than 1% of the aggregate principal amount of all Securities then Outstanding,

 

the Expert making the statement required by this clause (D) shall be an Independent Expert, and

 

(iii)                                an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of the signer, the property so rebuilt or renewed or to be rebuilt or renewed, and/or the replacement property, is or will be subject to the Lien hereof.

 

Any such moneys not so applied within 36 months after its receipt by the Trustee, or in respect of which notice in writing of intention to apply the same to the work of rebuilding, renewal, replacement or substitution then in progress and uncompleted shall not have been given to the Trustee by the Company within such 36 months, or which the Company shall at any time notify the Trustee is not to be so applied, shall thereafter be withdrawn, used or applied in the manner, to the extent and for the purposes, and subject to the conditions, provided in Section 1606; provided, however, that if the amount of such moneys shall exceed the amount stated pursuant to clause (B) in the Experts’ Certificate referred to above, the amount of such excess shall not be subject to Section 1606 and shall be remitted to or upon the order of the Company upon the withdrawal, use or application of the balance of such moneys pursuant to Section 1606.

 

(c)                                   Whenever under the provisions of this Section the Company is required to deliver moneys to the Trustee and at the same time shall have satisfied the conditions set forth herein for payment of moneys by the Trustee to the Company, there shall be paid to or retained by the Trustee or paid to the Company, as the case may be, only the net amount.

 

SECTION 1614.                                RECORDING, FILING, ETC.

 

The Company shall cause this Mortgage and all Mortgages and instruments supplemental hereto (or notices, memoranda or financing statements as may be recorded or filed to place third parties on notice thereof) to be promptly recorded and filed and re-recorded and re-filed in such manner and in such places, as may be required by law in order fully to preserve and protect the

 

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security of the Holders of the Securities and all rights of the Trustee, and shall furnish to the Trustee:

 

(a)                                   Promptly after the execution and delivery of this Mortgage and of each Supplemental Mortgage, an Opinion of Counsel either stating that in the opinion of such counsel this Mortgage or such Supplemental Mortgage (or any other instrument, resolution, certificate, notice, memorandum or financing statement in connection therewith) has been properly recorded and filed, so as to make effective the Lien intended to be created hereby or thereby, and reciting the details of such action, or stating that in the opinion of such counsel no such action is necessary to make such Lien effective.  The Company shall be deemed to be in compliance with this subsection (a) if (i) the Opinion of Counsel herein required to be delivered to the Trustee shall state that this Mortgage or such Supplemental Mortgage, (or any other instrument, resolution, certificate notice, memorandum or financing statement in connection therewith) has been received for record or filing in each jurisdiction in which it is required to be recorded or filed and that, in the opinion of such counsel (if such is the case), such receipt for record or filing makes effective the Lien intended to be created by this Mortgage or such Supplemental Mortgage, and (ii) such opinion is delivered to the Trustee within such time, following the date of such Supplemental Mortgage, as shall be practicable having due regard to the number and distance of the jurisdictions in which this Mortgage or such Supplemental Mortgage (or such other instrument, resolution, certificate, notice, memorandum or financing statement in connection therewith) is required to be recorded or filed; and

 

(b)                                  On or before December 1 of each year, beginning December 1, 2011, an Opinion of Counsel stating either (i) that in the opinion of such counsel such action has been taken, since the date of the most recent Opinion of Counsel furnished pursuant to this subsection (b) or the first Opinion of Counsel furnished pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section, with respect to the recording, filing, re-recording, and re-filing of this Mortgage and of each Supplemental Mortgage (or any other instrument, resolution, certificate, notice, memorandum or financing statement in connection therewith), as is necessary to maintain the effectiveness of the Lien hereof, and reciting such action, or (ii) that in the opinion of such counsel no such action is necessary to maintain the effectiveness of such Lien.

 

The Company shall execute and deliver such Supplemental Mortgage or Mortgages and such further instruments and do such further acts as may be necessary or proper to carry out the purposes of this Mortgage and to make subject to the Lien hereof any property hereafter acquired, made or constructed and intended to be subject to the Lien hereof, and to transfer to any new trustee or trustees or co-trustee or co-trustees, the estate, powers, instruments or funds held in trust hereunder.

 

SECTION 1615.                                EFFECTIVE TIME FOR CERTAIN PROVISIONS

 

All provisions hereof shall, unless otherwise specified herein, or except as may be specified in the terms and conditions of any series or Tranche of Securities (in which case such terms and conditions of any such series or Tranche of Securities shall be applicable to such series or Tranche of Securities), be of full force and effect on and after the First Effective Date, except that the provisions of (i) Sections 401(b)(v)(1), 1603(e)(i) and 1606(a) permitting the Opinion of Counsel to specify that the Mortgage may be subject to all Prior Liens, (ii) Section 801 to the

 

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extent that it applies to Securities issued on or before September 1, 2007, (iii) Section 802(b), (iv) clause (a) of Section 901 providing for a 90-day grace period with respect to the payment of interest, and (v) Section 1612 permitting the creation of Prior Liens on any material portion of the Mortgaged Property shall, in each case, be of no force and effect prior to the Second Effective Date but shall automatically become of full force and effect on and after the Second Effective Date, all in accordance with such Sections; and the provisions of Section 1612 which are specified to be in effect only prior to the Second Effective Date shall automatically cease to be of any further force or effect on and after the Second Effective Date.

 

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

 

(The Testimonium clause, Signatures, Acknowledgments, Schedules, Endorsement  and Affidavit to the original First Mortgage Indenture have been omitted herein, but  remain applicable hereto.)

 

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ENDORSEMENT

 

U.S. Bank National Association, Trustee, being the mortgagee in the foregoing Supplemental Indenture, hereby consents to the cutting of any timber standing upon any of the lands covered by said Supplemental Indenture and to the sale of any such timber so cut and of any personal property covered by said Supplemental Indenture to the extent, but only to the extent, that such sale is permitted under the provisions of the Original Indenture as referred to in, and as amended by, the Tenth Supplemental Indenture thereto dated as of May 1, 1991, the Twelfth Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 1, 2001, the Thirteenth Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 1, 2004, the Fourteenth Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 1, 2005, the Fifteenth Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 1, 2007, the Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 1, 2008, the Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 1, 2009 and the Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 1, 2011.

 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee as aforesaid

 

 

By:

/S/ STEPHANIE ROCHE

 

 

Stephanie Roche

 

Vice President

 

Signed and acknowledged

on behalf of U.S. Bank National Association

in the presence of us:

 

 

 

illegible

 

 

 

 

illegible

 

Witnesses

 

 


Exhibit 5

 

56 Prospect Street, Hartford, CT 06103-2818

 

Northeast Utilities Service Company

P.O. Box 270

Hartford, CT 06141-0270

 

Phone:

(860) 728-4624

 

Fax:

(860) 728-4584

 

E-Mail: millejc@nu.com

 

 

 

Jeffrey C. Miller

 

Assistant General Counsel *

 


 

*

Admitted in New York;

 

 

Authorized House Counsel in Connecticut

 

May 26, 2011

 

Public Service Company of New Hampshire

Energy Park

780 North Commercial Street

Manchester, New Hampshire 03101-1134

 

Re:     Public Service Company of New Hampshire First Mortgage Bonds

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

I am Assistant General Counsel of Northeast Utilities Service Company (“NUSCO”), a service company affiliate of Public Service Company of New Hampshire (the “Company”).  I have acted as counsel to the Company in connection with the issuance and sale to the public of $122,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 4.05% First Mortgage Bonds, Series Q, due 2021 (the “Bonds”) pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement, dated May 19, 2011, among the Company and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and UBS Securities LLC as representatives of the underwriters named therein (the “Underwriting Agreement”).  The Bonds were issued pursuant to a First Mortgage Indenture, dated as of August 15, 1978, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association as Trustee, as amended and supplemented (the “Indenture”).  The Company has registered its first mortgage bonds with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-165579-02, the “Registration Statement”).  The Bonds were issued on May 26, 2011.

 

For purposes of the opinion I express below, I have examined, among other agreements, instruments and documents, the Registration Statement, including the prospectus which is a part of the Registration Statement, as supplemented by the prospectus supplement dated May 19, 2011 (the “Prospectus”), and its exhibits, including the organizational documents of the Company, the Indenture and originals, or copies certified to my satisfaction, of such corporate records of the Company, certificates of public officials, certificates of officers and representatives of the Company and other documents as I have deemed necessary as a basis for the opinions hereinafter expressed.  In my examination, I have assumed the genuineness of all signatures and the authenticity of all documents submitted to me as originals and the conformity with the originals of all documents submitted to me as copies.  As to various questions of fact material to such opinions, I have, when relevant facts were not independently established, relied

 



 

upon certifications by officers of the Company and other appropriate persons and statements contained in the Registration Statement.

 

Based on the foregoing, and having regard to legal considerations which I deem relevant, I am of the opinion that the Bonds are legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable and are valid and binding obligations of the Company.

 

The opinions set forth herein are subject to the following further assumptions, qualifications, limitations and exceptions:

 

1.                                        I express no opinion regarding the effectiveness of any waiver in respect of the Bonds of any rights of any party, or duties owing to it, as a matter of law, or that is broadly stated or does not describe the right or duty purportedly waived with reasonable specificity.

 

2.                                        My opinions set forth above are subject to the effect of (a) applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium and other similar laws and court decisions of general application (including without limitation statutory or other laws regarding fraudulent or preferential transfers) relating to, limiting or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and (b) principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in proceedings at law or in equity) that may limit the enforceability of any of the remedies, covenants or other provisions of the Bonds or Indenture, or the availability of injunctive relief or other equitable remedies or as such principles relate to, limit or affect the enforcement of creditor’s rights generally.

 

3.                                        In addition, I express no opinion as to any provisions of the Bonds or the Indenture regarding the remedies available to any person (a) to take action that is arbitrary, unreasonable or capricious or is not taken in good faith or in a commercially reasonable manner, whether or not such action is permitted under the Bonds or the Indenture, or (b) for violation or breaches that are determined by a court to be non-material or without substantially adverse effect upon the ability of the Company to perform its material obligations under the Bonds or the Indenture.

 

4.                                        This opinion is limited to the current laws of the State of New York, the current federal laws of the United States, and to the limited extent set forth below, the current laws of the State of New Hampshire, and to the facts as they exist on the date hereof.  I am admitted to practice law in the State of New York and I am an Authorized House Counsel in Connecticut.  I am not admitted to practice law in the State of New Hampshire, but I am generally familiar with the laws of such State and have made such inquiries as I considered necessary to render my opinion.  I express no opinion as to matters involving the laws of any jurisdiction other than the States of New York and New Hampshire and the United States.  I undertake no obligation to advise you as a result of developments occurring after the date hereof including changes in such laws or interpretations thereof, or as a result of facts or circumstances brought to my attention after the date hereof.

 

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This opinion is furnished only to you in connection with the transaction contemplated by the Registration Statement and the Underwriting Agreement and is solely for your benefit.  Other than as stated below, this opinion is not to be used, circulated, quoted or otherwise referred to for any other purpose or relied upon by any other person for any purpose without my prior written consent (including by any person that acquires Bonds from you).

 

I hereby consent to filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated May 26, 2011, which is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ JEFFREY C. MILLER

 

Jeffrey C. Miller

 

Assistant General Counsel

 

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