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
October 3, 2016
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
North Carolina
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1-6916
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56-0556998
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4720 Piedmont Row Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210
(Address of principal executive offices)
704-364-3120
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
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:
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))
Introductory Note
This Current Report on Form 8-K is being filed in connection with the closing on October 3, 2016 of the transactions contemplated by that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger Agreement ), dated as of October 24, 2015, by and among Duke Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation ( Duke Energy ), Forest Subsidiary, Inc., a North Carolina corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Duke Energy ( Merger Sub ) and Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Inc. ( Piedmont ). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, on October 3, 2016, Merger Sub merged with and into Piedmont (the Merger ) on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, with Piedmont continuing as the surviving corporation in the Merger. As a result of the Merger, Piedmont became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Duke Energy.
Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
As Piedmont has previously disclosed, Georgia Natural Gas Company ( GNGC ) exercised its option under the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of SouthStar Energy Services LLC ( SouthStar ) between Piedmont Energy Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Piedmont ( PEC ) and GNGC, dated as of September 1, 2013 (the SouthStar LLC Agreement ), to purchase PECs entire 15% interest in SouthStar for Market Value (as defined in the SouthStar LLC Agreement), subject to the consummation of the transactions contemplated under the Merger Agreement.
On October 3, 2016, in connection with the consummation of the Merger, PEC and GNGC executed a Conveyance and Assignment Agreement (the Conveyance and Assignment Agreement ) pursuant to which GNGC agreed to pay $160 million cash for PECs 15% interest in SouthStar (the Purchase ). Among other things, the Conveyance and Assignment Agreement provides for non-solicitation of certain SouthStar employees by PEC, its parent company and their affiliates for a specified time following the Purchase, PECs release of its option under the LLC Agreement to purchase the C&I Customer retail business (as defined in the Conveyance and Assignment Agreement), a non-compete by PEC, its parent company and their affiliates in the Retail Territory (as defined in the Conveyance and Assignment Agreement) for a specified time following the Purchase and a mutual release of claims arising out of or relating to the SouthStar LLC Agreement.
Pursuant to the Conveyance and Assignment Agreement, PEC will be a Withdrawing Member (as defined by the SouthStar LLC Agreement).
The foregoing summary of the Conveyance and Assignment Agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the Conveyance and Assignment agreement, which filed as Exhibit 10.1 hereto and incorporated by reference herein.
Item 1.02 Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement.
The information set forth above Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 1.02.
Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.
On October 3 2016, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Duke Energy, Merger Sub and Piedmont consummated the Merger.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger (the Effective Time ), each share (a Share ) of common stock, no par value, of Piedmont ( Piedmont Common Stock ) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (excluding shares that were held by Duke Energy, Merger Sub or their respective wholly-owned subsidiaries) was converted into the right to receive $60.00 cash per Share, without interest (subject to any applicable withholding tax). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the Effective Time, each outstanding retention stock unit award granted under Piedmonts equity incentive plans (a Piedmont RSU ) and each Piedmont RSU that would have resulted, pursuant to the terms of the applicable Piedmont RSU award agreement, from crediting to an award recipients account the amount of cash dividends accrued, but not yet credited as of the Effective Time, in respect of each Share of Piedmont Common Stock subject to such Piedmont RSU would have been converted into a vested right to receive cash in an amount equal to $60.00 cash per Share, without interest (subject to any applicable withholding tax). As of immediately prior to the Effective Time, there were no outstanding Piedmont RSUs. Each outstanding performance share award that was granted under Piedmonts equity incentive plans (a Piedmont Performance Share Award ) prior to the date of the Merger Agreement was converted into a vested right to receive cash in an amount equal to the number of Shares of Piedmont Common Stock subject to such Piedmont Performance Share Award (based on target performance), multiplied by $60.00 cash per Share, without interest (subject to any applicable withholding tax), subject to proration consistent with Piedmonts past practice with respect to applicable retired Piedmont employees. Each outstanding Piedmont Performance Share Award that was granted after the date of the Merger Agreement ceased to represent an award that could be settled in Shares of Piedmont Common Stock, was assumed by Duke Energy and was converted into a Duke Energy restricted stock unit award (a Duke Energy RSU Award ), with the number of Shares of Duke Energy common stock subject to such Duke Energy RSU Award being equal to the product (rounded down to the nearest whole number) of (i) 125% of the target number of Shares of Piedmont Common Stock subject to the Piedmont Performance Share Award immediately prior to the Effective Time, multiplied by (ii) a conversion ratio calculated by dividing the per Share Merger consideration of $60.00 by the average of the volume weighted averages of the trading prices of Duke Energy common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on each of the five consecutive trading days ending on (and inclusive of) the trading day that is two trading days prior to the closing date of the Merger. The Duke Energy RSU Awards are subject to the same vesting schedule and payment terms and similar terms and conditions as applied to the Piedmont Performance Share Awards immediately prior to the Effective Time, except that the performance-based vesting conditions ceased to apply to the Duke Energy RSU Awards and vesting is subject to the holder of the Duke Energy RSU Award remaining continuously employed by Duke Energy or its affiliates through the date on which the performance period applicable to the Piedmont Performance Share Awards immediately prior to the Effective Time would have ended. Duke Energy RSU Awards are subject to 100% accelerated vesting upon certain types of terminations of employment and prorated accelerated vesting upon retirement.
The foregoing description of the Merger and Merger Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Merger Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 2.1 to
the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Piedmont with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC ) on October 26, 2015, and is incorporated by reference herein.
Item 3.01 Notice of Delisting or Failure to Satisfy a Continued Listing Rule or Standard; Transfer of Listing.
In connection with the closing of the Merger, Piedmont notified the New York Stock Exchange (the NYSE ) on October 3, 2016 that articles of merger have been filed with the Secretary of State of the State of North Carolina and that, at the Effective Time, each Share issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (excluding shares that are held by Duke Energy, Merger Sub or their respective wholly-owned subsidiaries) was converted into the right to receive $60.00 cash per Share, without interest (subject to any applicable withholding tax). As a result, it is expected that all Shares will be removed from trading on the NYSE following the close of trading on October 3, 2016. On October 3, 2016, Piedmont requested that the NYSE file with the SEC a notification or removal from listing and registration on Form 25 to effect the delisting of the Shares from the NYSE.
Item 3.03 Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.
Upon the Effective Time, each holder of Shares issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time ceased to have any rights as a stockholder of Piedmont (other than the right of holders of Shares issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (excluding shares that are held by Duke Energy, Merger Sub or their respective wholly-owned subsidiaries) to receive $60.00 cash per Share, without interest).
The information set forth above under Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.03.
Item 5.01 Changes in Control of Registrant.
As a result of the completion of the Merger, a change of control of Piedmont occurred, and Piedmont became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Duke Energy.
The information set forth above under Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.01.
Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation of Bylaws; Changes in Fiscal Year.
Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, at the Effective Time, the articles of incorporation and bylaws of Piedmont were amended to be in the form of the articles of incorporation and bylaws of Merger Sub as of the Effective Time (except with respect to the name of Piedmont). The text of the amendments to the articles of incorporation of Piedmont and the amended bylaws of Piedmont are filed as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 hereto, respectively, and are incorporated by reference herein.
Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.
On October 3, 2016, Duke Energy and Piedmont issued a joint press release announcing the consummation of the Merger pursuant to the Merger Agreement. A copy of the joint press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 hereto.
The foregoing information in this Item 7.01 (including Exhibit 99.1 hereto) is being furnished under Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure. Such information (including Exhibit 99.1 hereto) shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
3.1 Text of Amendments to Restated Articles of Incorporation of Piedmont
3.2 Bylaws of Piedmont
10.1 Conveyance and Assignment Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2016, by and between Piedmont Energy Company and Georgia Natural Gas Company
99.1 Joint Press Release, dated October 3, 2016
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Date: October 3, 2016
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PIEDMONT NATURAL GAS COMPANY, INC. |
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By: |
/s/ Lynn J. Good |
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Name: Lynn J. Good |
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Title: Chief Executive Officer |
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. |
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Description |
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3.1 |
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Text of Amendments to Restated Articles of Incorporation of Piedmont |
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3.2 |
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Bylaws of Piedmont |
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10.1 |
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Conveyance and Assignment Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2016, by and between Piedmont Energy Company and Georgia Natural Gas Company |
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99.1 |
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Joint Press Release, dated October 3, 2016 |
Exhibit 3.1
Amendments to Restated Articles of Incorporation of
Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Inc.
The amendments to the Restated Articles of Incorporation are:
1. Article 2 of the Restated Articles of Incorporation is amended to state as follows:
The number of shares the corporation is authorized to issue is one hundred (100) shares of common stock, no par value per share.
2. Article 3 of the Restated Articles of Incorporation is amended to state as follows:
The street and mailing address and county of the registered office of the corporation is 160 Mine Lake Court, Suite 200, Wake County, Raleigh, NC 27615. The name of the registered agent of the corporation at such address is CT Corporation System. The mailing address of the corporations registered office is the same as its street address.
3. Article 4 of the Restated Articles of Incorporation is amended to state as follows:
The street and mailing address and county of the principal office of the corporation is 4720 Piedmont Row Drive, Mecklenburg County, Charlotte, North Carolina 28210.
4. Article 5 of the Restated Articles of Incorporation is amended to state as follows:
(a) A director of the corporation shall not be personally liable to the corporation or any of its shareholders for monetary damages for any breach of duty as a director, except for liability with respect to (i) acts or omissions not made in good faith that the director at the time of such breach knew or believed were in conflict with the best interests of the corporation; (ii) any liability under § 55-8-33 of the Act (liability for unlawful distributions); (iii) any transaction from which such director derived an improper personal benefit; or (iv) acts or omissions occurring prior to the date on which this Article 5 became effective. As used herein, the term improper personal benefit does not include a directors compensation or other incidental benefit for or on account of service as a director, officer, employee, independent contractor, attorney or consultant of the corporation. If the North Carolina General Statutes are amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the North Carolina General Statutes, as so amended. No amendment or repeal of the provisions of this Article 5 shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or alleged liability of any director of the corporation for or with respect to any act or failure to act on the part of such director occurring prior to such amendment or repeal. The provisions of this Article 5 shall not be deemed to limit or preclude indemnification of a director by the corporation for any liability which has not been eliminated by the provisions of this Article 5.
(b) The provisions of Article 9 and Article 9A of the Act, entitled The North Carolina Shareholder Protection Act and The North Carolina Control Share Acquisition Act, respectively, shall not be applicable to the corporation.
(c) To the extent permitted by the Act, any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the shareholders may be taken without a meeting and without prior notice, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take the action at a meeting at which all shareholders entitled to vote thereon were present and voted. A shareholders consent to action taken without meeting may be by electronic mail or in any other electronic form and delivered by electronic means. Except as expressly set forth in these Restated Articles of Incorporation, if shareholder approval is obtained by action without meeting for (i) an amendment to the corporations articles of incorporation, (ii) a plan of merger or share exchange, (iii) a plan of conversion, (iv) the sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of all, or substantially all, of the corporations property, or (v) a proposal for dissolution, the corporation shall not be required to give any shareholder notice of the proposed action at any time before the action is taken.
5. Articles 6 through 8 are hereby deleted in their entirety.
Exhibit 3.2
BYLAWS
OF
PIEDMONT NATURAL GAS COMPANY, INC.
ARTICLE I.
OFFICES
Section 1.1. Principal Office . The principal office of the corporation shall be located at such place as the Board of Directors may fix from time to time.
Section 1.2. Registered Office . The registered office of the corporation required by law to be maintained in the State of North Carolina may be any office in North Carolina designated as such by the Board of Directors and may be, but need not be, identical with the principal office.
Section 1.3. Other Offices . The corporation may have offices at such other places, either within or without the State of North Carolina, as the Board of Directors may designate or as the affairs of the corporation may require from time to time.
ARTICLE II.
MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
Section 2.1. Place of Meetings . All meetings of shareholders shall be held at the principal office of the corporation, or at such other place, either within or without the State of North Carolina, as shall in each case be designated by the Board of Directors or agreed upon by a majority of the shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting.
Section 2.2. Annual Meetings . The annual meeting of shareholders shall be held at such time and in such manner as determined by the Board of Directors and as stated in the notice of meeting for the purpose of electing directors of the corporation and for the transaction of such other business as may be properly brought before the meeting.
Section 2.3. Substitute Annual Meeting . If the annual meeting shall not be held on the day designated by or fixed in accordance with these bylaws, a substitute annual meeting may be called in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.4. A substitute annual meeting so called shall be designated and treated for all purposes as the annual meeting.
Section 2.4. Special Meetings . Special meetings of the shareholders may be called at any time by the President, the Secretary, or the Board of Directors. The corporation shall also hold a special meeting pursuant to, and held within thirty (30) days after, delivery to the corporation of the written request of the holders of not less than ten percent (10%) of all the votes entitled to be cast on any issue proposed to be considered at the meeting. Such written
request shall set forth the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is to be held. Any request delivered pursuant to this section shall cease to be effective on the sixty-first (61 st ) day after the date thereof unless prior to such day the corporation has received effective written requests from shareholders sufficient to call the special meeting.
Section 2.5. Notice of Meetings .
(a) Written notice stating the date, time and place of every meeting of shareholders shall be given not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of any shareholders meeting, either by personal delivery, or by telegraph, teletype, facsimile transmission or other form of electronic communication or by mail or private carrier, by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, the President, the Secretary, or other person calling the meeting, to each shareholder entitled to vote at such meeting; provided that such notice must be given to the extent required by law, to all shareholders with respect to any meeting at which a merger or share exchange is to be considered and in such other instances as required by law. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be effective when deposited in the United States mail, addressed to the shareholder at the shareholders address as it appears on the current record of shareholders of the corporation, with postage thereon prepaid.
(b) In the case of a special meeting, the notice of meeting shall include a description of the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called; but, in the case of an annual or substitute annual meeting, the notice of meeting need not include a description of the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called unless such a description is required by the provisions of the North Carolina Business Corporation Act.
(c) When a meeting is adjourned to a different date, time or place, notice need not be given of the new date, time or place if the new date, time or place is announced at the meeting before adjournment and if a new record date is not fixed for the adjourned meeting; but if a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting (which must be done if the new date is more than one hundred twenty (120) days after the date of the original meeting), notice of the adjourned meeting must be given as provided in this section to persons who are shareholders as of the new record date.
(d) The transactions of any meeting of shareholders, however called and with whatever notice, if any, are as valid as though taken at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if:
(i) All the shareholders entitled to vote are present in person or by proxy and no objection to holding the meeting is made by any shareholder; or
(ii) A quorum is present either in person or by proxy and no objection to holding the meeting is made by anyone so present and if, either before or after the meeting, each person entitled to vote who is not present, in person or by proxy, signs a written waiver of notice, a consent to the holding of the meeting or an approval of the action taken as shown by the minutes thereof. All such waivers, consents or approvals shall be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting.
Section 2.6. Waiver of Notice . Any shareholder may waive notice of any meeting before or after the meeting. The waiver must be in writing, signed by the shareholder and delivered to the corporation for inclusion in the minutes or filing with the corporate records. A shareholders attendance at a meeting in person or by proxy (a) waives objection to lack of notice or defective notice of the meeting, unless the shareholder or his proxy at the beginning of the meeting objects to holding the meeting or transacting business at the meeting; and (b) waives objection to consideration of a particular matter at the meeting that is not within the purpose or purposes described in the meeting notice, unless the shareholder or his proxy objects to considering the matter before it is voted upon.
Section 2.7. Shareholders List . Before each meeting of shareholders, the Secretary of the corporation shall prepare an alphabetical list of the shareholders entitled to notice of such meeting. The list shall be arranged by voting group (and within each voting group by class or series of shares) and show the address of and number of shares held by each shareholder. The list shall be kept on file at the principal office of the corporation, or at a place identified in the meeting notice in the city where the meeting will be held, for the period beginning two (2) business days after notice of the meeting is given and continuing through the meeting, and shall be available for inspection by any shareholder, personally or by or with his representative, at any time following written demand by such shareholder and at such shareholders expense during regular business hours. The list shall also be available at the meeting and shall be subject to inspection by any shareholder, personally or by or with his representative, at any time during the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Section 2.8. Voting Group . All shares of one or more classes or series that under the articles of incorporation or the North Carolina Business Corporation Act are entitled to vote and be counted together collectively on a matter at a meeting of shareholders constitute a voting group. All shares entitled by the articles of incorporation or the North Carolina Business Corporation Act to vote generally on a matter are for that purpose a single voting group. Classes or series of shares shall not be entitled to vote separately by voting group unless expressly authorized by the articles of incorporation or specifically required by law.
Section 2.9. Quorum .
(a) Shares entitled to vote as a separate voting group may take action on a matter at the meeting only if a quorum of that voting group exists. A majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter by the voting group constitutes a quorum of that voting group for action on that matter.
(b) Once a share is represented for any purpose at a meeting, it is deemed present for quorum purposes for the remainder of the meeting and for any adjournment of that meeting unless a new record date is or must be set for that adjourned meeting.
(c) In the absence of a quorum at the opening of any meeting of shareholders, such meeting may be adjourned from time to time by the vote of a majority of the votes cast on the motion to adjourn; and, subject to the provisions of Section 2.5, at any adjourned meeting any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the original meeting if a quorum exists with respect to the matter proposed.
Section 2.10. Proxies . Shares may be voted either in person or by one or more proxies authorized by a written appointment of proxy signed by the shareholder or by the shareholders duly authorized attorney in fact. A telegram, telex, facsimile, electronic mail or other form of wire or wireless communication appearing to have been transmitted by a shareholder or a photocopy or equivalent reproduction of a writing appointing one or more proxies, shall be a valid form to appoint a proxy. An appointment of proxy is valid for eleven (11) months from the date of its execution, unless a different period is expressly provided in the appointment form. No proxy shall be valid after ten (10) years from the date of its execution.
Section 2.11. Voting of Shares .
(a) Subject to the provisions of the articles of incorporation, each outstanding share shall be entitled to one vote on each matter voted on at a meeting of shareholders.
(b) Except in the election of directors as governed by the provisions of Section 3.3, if a quorum exists, action on a matter by a voting group is approved if the votes cast within the voting group favoring the action exceed the votes cast opposing the action, unless a greater vote is required by law or the articles of incorporation or these bylaws.
(c) Absent special circumstances, shares of the corporation are not entitled to vote if they are owned, directly or indirectly, by another corporation in which the corporation owns, directly or indirectly, a majority of the shares entitled to vote for directors of the second corporation; provided that this provision does not limit the power of the corporation to vote its own shares held by it in a fiduciary capacity.
(d) Either the Board of Directors or the Chairman of the meeting may appoint one or more voting inspectors, each of whom shall take an oath to execute his duties impartially and to the best of his ability. The voting inspectors shall, by majority vote, resolve all questions regarding voting of shares, including the number of shares outstanding, the voting power of each, the shares represented at the meeting, the qualification of voters, the validity of proxies, the existence of a quorum as to any voting group, and the acceptance, rejection and tabulation of votes.
Section 2.12. Informal Action by Shareholders .
(a) Any action that is required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the shareholders may be taken without a meeting if one or more unrevoked written consents, describing the action so taken, shall be signed by all of the shareholders who would be entitled to vote upon such action at a meeting, and delivered to the corporation for inclusion in the minutes or filing with the corporate records.
(b) If the corporation is required by law to give notice to nonvoting shareholders of action to be taken by unanimous written consent of the voting shareholders, then the corporation shall give the nonvoting shareholders, if any, written notice of the proposed action at least ten (10) days before the action is taken.
ARTICLE III.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 3.1. General Powers . All corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the authority of, and the business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed under the direction of, the Board of Directors.
Section 3.2. Number and Qualifications . The number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall be not less than one (1) nor more than ten (10). Within said limits, such number of directors shall be fixed, from time to time, by the shareholders or the Board of Directors. Directors need not be residents of the State of North Carolina or shareholders of the corporation.
Section 3.3. Election of Directors . Except as provided in Section 3.6, the directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of shareholders. Those persons who receive the highest number of votes at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be deemed to have been elected. If any shareholder so demands, the election of directors shall be by ballot.
Section 3.4. Term of Directors . Each initial director shall hold office until the first shareholders meeting at which directors are elected, or until such directors death, resignation or removal. The term of every other director shall expire at the next annual shareholders meeting following the directors election or upon such directors death, resignation or removal. The term of a director elected to fill a vacancy expires at the next shareholders meeting at which directors are elected. A decrease in the number of directors does not shorten an incumbent directors term. Despite the expiration of a directors term, such director shall continue to serve until a successor shall be elected and qualifies or until there is a decrease in the number of directors.
Section 3.5. Removal and Resignation . Any director may be removed at any time with or without cause by a vote of the shareholders if the number of votes cast to remove such director exceeds the number of votes cast not to remove him. If a director is elected by a voting group of shareholders, only the shareholders of that voting group may participate in the vote to remove him. A director may not be removed by the shareholders at a meeting (other than an annual meeting at which election of directors normally occurs) unless the notice of the meeting states that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the meeting is removal of the director. If any directors are so removed, new directors may be elected at the same meeting. A director may resign at any time by communicating his resignation to the Board of Directors, its Chairman, or the corporation. Such resignation is effective when communicated unless it specifies in writing a later date or subsequent event upon which it will become effective.
Section 3.6. Vacancies . Any vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors, including without limitation a vacancy resulting from an increase in the number of directors or from the failure by the shareholders to elect the full authorized number of directors, may be filled by the shareholders or by the Board of Directors, whichever group shall act first. If the directors remaining in office do not constitute a quorum, the directors may fill the vacancy by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors. If the vacant office was held by a
director elected by a voting group, only the remaining director or directors elected by that voting group or the holders of shares of that voting group are entitled to fill the vacancy.
Section 3.7. Chairman of Board . There may be a Chairman of the Board of Directors elected by the directors from their number at any meeting of the Board of Directors. The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and perform such other duties as may be directed by the Board of Directors.
Section 3.8. Compensation . The Board of Directors may provide for the compensation of directors for their services as such and for the payment or reimbursement of any or all expenses incurred by them in connection with such services. This provision shall not preclude directors for serving the corporation in other capacities and receiving compensation for such other services.
ARTICLE IV.
MEETINGS OF DIRECTORS
Section 4.1. Regular Meetings . A regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held immediately after, and at the same place as, the annual meeting of shareholders. In addition, the Board of Directors may provide, by resolution, the time and place, either within or without the State of North Carolina, for the holding of additional regular meetings.
Section 4.2. Special Meetings . Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by or at the request of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, if any, by the President or by any director. Such a meeting may be held either within or without the State of North Carolina, as fixed by the person or persons calling the meeting.
Section 4.3. Notice of Meetings . Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice. The person or persons calling a special meeting of the Board of Directors shall, at least one (1) day before the meeting, give or cause to be given notice thereof by any usual means of communication. Such notice need not specify the purpose for which the meeting is called. Any duly convened regular or special meeting may be adjourned by the directors to a later time without further notice.
Section 4.4. Waiver of Notice . Any director may waive notice of any meeting before or after the meeting. Except as set forth in the next sentence, the waiver must be in writing, signed by the director entitled to the notice and delivered to the corporation for inclusion in the minutes or filing with the corporate records. A directors attendance at or participation in a meeting waives any required notice of such meeting unless the director at the beginning of the meeting, or promptly upon arrival, objects to holding the meeting or to transacting business at the meeting and does not thereafter vote for or assent to action taken at the meeting.
Section 4.5. Quorum . Unless the articles of incorporation or these bylaws provide otherwise, a majority of the number of directors fixed by or pursuant to these bylaws shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or if no number is so fixed, a majority of directors in office immediately before the meeting begins shall constitute a quorum.
Section 4.6. Manner of Acting . Except as otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or these bylaws, including Section 4.9, the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors.
Section 4.7. Presumption of Assent . A director who is present at a meeting of the Board of Directors or a committee of the Board of Directors when corporate action is taken is deemed to have assented to the action taken unless (a) the objects at the beginning of the meeting, or promptly upon his arrival, to holding it or to transacting business at the meeting, or (b) his dissent or abstention from the action taken is entered in the minutes of the meeting, or (c) the files written notice of his dissent or abstention with the presiding officer of the meeting before its adjournment or with the corporation immediately after the adjournment of the meeting. Such right of dissent or abstention is not available to a director who votes in favor of the action taken.
Section 4.8. Action Without Meeting . Action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if the action is taken by all members of the Board of Directors. The action must be evidenced by one or more unrevoked written consents signed by each director before or after such action, describing the action taken, and included in the minutes or filed with the corporate records.
Section 4.9. Participation by Telephone. Any one or more directors or members of a committee may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or committee by means of a conference telephone or similar communications device that allows all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other. Participation by this means shall be deemed presence in person at the meeting.
Section 4.10. Committees of the Board . The Board of Directors may create an Executive Committee and other committees of the Board of Directors and appoint members of the Board of Directors to serve on them. Except as otherwise provided by the North Carolina Business Corporation Act, the creation of a committee of the Board of Directors and appointment of members to it must be approved by the greater of (a) a majority of the number of directors in office when the action is taken or (b) the number of directors required to take action pursuant to Section 4.6. Each committee of the Board of Directors must, except as required otherwise by the North Carolina Business Corporation Act, have one or more members and, to the extent authorized by law and specified by the Board of Directors, shall have and may exercise all of the authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the corporation, except that a committee may not:
(i) declare dividends or authorize distributions;
(ii) approve, or propose to shareholders, action that is required by law to be approved by shareholders;
(iii) fill vacancies on the Board of Directors or on any of its committees;
(iv) amend the articles of incorporation;
(v) adopt, amend or repeal bylaws;
(vi) approve a plan of dissolution or merger or consolidation;
(vii) approve the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the property of the corporation;
(viii) designate any other committee, or to fill vacancies in the Board of Directors or other committees;
(ix) fix the compensation of directors for serving on the Board of Directors or any committee;
(x) authorize or approve reacquisition of shares, except according to a formula or method approved by the Board of Directors;
(xi) authorize or approve the issuance or sale or contract for sale of shares, or determine the designation and relative rights, preferences and limitations of a class or series of shares, unless the Board of Directors specifically authorizes the Executive Committee to do so within limits established by the Board of Directors;
(xii) amend, or repeal any resolution of the Board of Directors which by its terms is not so amendable or repealable; or
(xiii) to take any action expressly prohibited in a resolution of the Board of Directors.
The Executive Committee shall report at a regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors all action which the Executive Committee may have taken on behalf of the Board of Directors since the last regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors.
Section 4.11. Committee Meetings . Regular and special meetings of any committee established pursuant to this Article IV may be called and held subject to the same requirements with respect to time, place and notice as are specified in these Bylaws for regular and special meetings of the Board of Directors.
Section 4.12. Quorum and Manner of Acting. A majority of the members of any committee serving at the time of any meeting thereof shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at such meeting. The action of a majority of those members present at a committee meeting at which a quorum is present shall constitute the act of the committee.
Section 4.13. Term of Office. Members of any committee shall be elected as provided above and shall hold office until their successors are elected by the Board of Directors or until such committee is dissolved by the Board of Directors.
Section 4.14. Resignation and Removal. Any member of a committee may resign at any time by giving written notice of his intention to do so to the President or the Secretary of the
Corporation, or may be removed, with or without cause, at any time by such vote of the Board of Directors as would suffice for his election.
Section 4.15. Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring in a committee resulting from any cause whatever may be filled by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE V.
OFFICERS
Section 5.1. Officers of the Corporation . The officers of the corporation shall consist of a President, a Secretary, a Treasurer and such Vice-Presidents, Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers, and other officers as may from time to time be appointed by or under the authority of the Board of Directors. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person, but no officer may act in more than one capacity where action of two or more officers is required.
Section 5.2. Appointment and Term . The officers of the corporation shall be appointed by the Board of Directors or by a duly appointed officer authorized by the Board of Directors to appoint one or more officers or assistant officers. Each officer shall hold office until his death, resignation, retirement, removal, disqualification or his successor shall have been appointed.
Section 5.3. Compensation of Officers . The compensation of all officers of the corporation shall be fixed by or under the authority of the Board of Directors, and no officer shall serve the corporation in any other capacity and receive compensation therefor unless such additional compensation shall be duly authorized. The appointment of an officer does not itself create contract rights.
Section 5.4. Removal . Any officer may be removed by the Board of Directors at any time with or without cause by any of the following: (a) the Board of Directors, (b) the officer, including any successor, who appointed such officer being removed, unless otherwise provided by these bylaws or the Board of Directors; or (c) any other officer, if authorized by these bylaws or the Board of Directors. However, such removal shall not itself affect the officers contract rights, if any, with the corporation.
Section 5.5. Resignation . An officer may resign at any time by communicating his resignation to the corporation, orally or in writing. A resignation is effective when communicated unless it specifies in writing a later effective time. If a resignation is made effective at a later time that is accepted by the corporation, the Board of Directors may fill the pending vacancy before the effective time if the Board of Directors provides that the successor does not take office until the effective date. An officers resignation does not affect the corporations contract rights, if any, with the officer.
Section 5.6. Bonds . The Board of Directors may by resolution require any officer, agent, or employee of the corporation to give bond to the corporation, with sufficient sureties, conditioned on the faithful performance of the duties of his respective office or position, and to comply with such other conditions as may from time to time be required by the Board of Directors.
Section 5.7. President . The President shall be the principal executive officer of the corporation and, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, shall in general supervise and control all of the business and affairs of the corporation. He shall, when present, preside at all meetings of the shareholders. He shall sign certificates for shares of the corporation (with the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary, or any other proper officer of the corporation thereunto authorized by the Board of Directors), any deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, or other instruments which the Board of Directors has authorized to be executed, except in cases where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these bylaws to some other officer or agent of the corporation, or shall be required by law to be otherwise signed or executed; and in general he shall perform all duties incident to the office of President and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.
Section 5.8. Vice-Presidents . In the absence of the President or in the event of his death, inability or refusal to act, the Vice-Presidents in the order of their length of service as such, unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, shall perform the duties of the President, and when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President. Any Vice-President may sign, with the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, certificates for shares of the corporation; and shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed by the President or Board of Directors.
Section 5.9. Secretary . The Secretary shall: (a) keep the minutes of the meetings of shareholders, of the Board of Directors and of all committees in one or more books provided for that purpose; (b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these bylaws or as required by law; (c) maintain and authenticate the records of the corporation and be custodian of the seal of the corporation and see that the seal of the corporation is affixed to all documents the execution of which on behalf of the corporation under its seal is duly authorized; (d) sign with the President, or a Vice-President, certificates for shares of the corporation, the issuance of which shall have been authorized by resolution of the Board of Directors; (e) maintain and have general charge of the stock transfer books of the corporation; (f) prepare or cause to be prepared shareholder lists prior to each meeting of shareholders as required by law; (g) attest the signature or certify the incumbency or signature of any officer of the corporation; and (h) in general perform all duties incident to the office of secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed by the President or by the Board of Directors.
Section 5.10. Assistant Secretaries . In the absence of the Secretary or in the event of his death, inability or refusal to act, the Assistant Secretaries in the order of their length of service as Assistant Secretary, unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, shall perform the duties of the Secretary, and when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the Secretary. They shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Secretary, by the President or by the Board of Directors. Any Assistant Secretary may sign, with the President or a Vice-President, certificates for shares of the corporation.
Section 5.11. Treasurer . The Treasurer shall: (a) have charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds and securities of the corporation; receive and give receipts for moneys due and payable to the corporation from any source whatsoever, and deposit all such moneys in
the name of the corporation in such depositories as shall be selected in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.4 of these bylaws; (b) maintain appropriate accounting records as required by law; (c) prepare and file all tax returns required by law; (d) prepare, or cause to be prepared, annual financial statements of the corporation that include a balance sheet as of the end of the fiscal year and an income and cash flow statement for that year, which statements, or a written notice of their availability, shall be mailed to each shareholder within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of such fiscal year; and (e) in general perform all of the duties incident to the office of treasurer and such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed by the President or by the Board of Directors.
Section 5.12. Assistant Treasurers . In the absence of the Treasurer or in the event of his death, inability or refusal to act, the Assistant Treasurers in the order of their length of service as such, unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, shall perform the duties of the Treasurer, and when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the Treasurer. They shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Treasurer, by the President or by the Board of Directors.
Section 5.13. Voting of Stock Held. Unless otherwise provided by vote of the Board of Directors, the President, any Vice President or the Secretary may from time to time appoint an attorney or attorneys or agent or agents of the corporation to cast the votes which the corporation may be entitled to cast as a shareholder or otherwise in any other corporation, any of whose stock or securities may be held by the corporation, at meetings of the holders of the stock or other securities of such other corporation, to waive notice of meetings or to consent in writing to any action by any other such corporation, and may instruct the person or persons so appointed as to the manner of casting votes, waiving notice or giving consent, and may execute or cause to be executed on behalf of the corporation written proxies, consents, waivers or other instruments he may deem necessary or proper. The President, any Vice President or the Secretary may himself attend any meeting of the holders of stock or other securities of such other corporation and vote or exercise any powers of the corporation as the holder of such stock or other securities.
ARTICLE VI.
CONTRACTS, LOANS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS
Section 6.1. Contracts . The Board of Directors may authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
Section 6.2. Loans . No loans shall be contracted on behalf of the corporation and no evidence of indebtedness shall be issued in its name unless authorized by the Board of Directors. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
Section 6.3. Checks and Drafts . All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, issued in the name of the corporation, shall be signed by such officer or officers, agent or agents of the corporation and in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors.
Section 6.4. Deposits . All funds of the corporation not otherwise employed shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the corporation in such depositories as may be selected by or under the authority of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VII.
SHARES AND THEIR TRANSFER
Section 7.1. Certificates for Shares . The Board of Directors may authorize the issuance of some or all of the shares of the corporations classes or series without issuing certificates to represent such shares. If shares are represented by certificates, the certificates shall be in such form as required by law and as determined by the Board of Directors. Certificates shall be signed, either manually or in facsimile, by the President or a Vice-President and by the Secretary or Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary or an Assistant Treasurer. All certificates for shares shall be consecutively numbered or otherwise identified and entered into the stock transfer books of the corporation. When shares are represented by certificates, the corporation shall issue and deliver to each shareholder to whom such shares have been issued or transferred certificates representing the shares owned by him. When shares are not represented by certificates, then within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of such shares, the corporation shall send the shareholder to whom such shares have been issued or transferred a written statement of the information required by law to be on certificates. The Board of Directors shall comply with § 55-6-26 of the North Carolina Business Corporation Act with respect to all uncertificated shares.
Section 7.2. Share Transfer Records . The corporation shall maintain, or cause one or more stock transfer agents to maintain, share transfer records, containing the name and address of each shareholder of record and the number and class or series of shares held by such shareholder. Transfers of shares of the corporation shall be made only on the share transfer records of the corporation by the holder of record thereof or by a duly authorized agent, transferee or legal representative and only upon surrender for cancellation of the certificate for such shares (if the shares are represented by certificates).
Section 7.3. Lost or Destroyed Certificate . The Board of Directors may direct a new certificate to be issued in place of any certificate theretofore issued by the corporation claimed to have been lost or destroyed, upon receipt of an affidavit of such fact from the person claiming the certificate to have been lost or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate, the Board of Directors shall require that the owner of such lost or destroyed certificate, or his legal representative, give the corporation a bond in such sum and with such surety or other security as the Board of Directors may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the corporation with respect to the certificate claimed to have been lost or destroyed, except where the Board of Directors by resolution finds that in the judgment of the directors the circumstances justify omission of a bond.
Section 7.4. Fixing Record Date .
(a) The Board of Directors may fix a future date as the record date for one or more voting groups in order to determine the shareholders entitled to notice of a shareholders meeting, to demand a special meeting, to vote or to take any other action. Such record date may
not be more than seventy (70) days before the meeting or action requiring a determination of shareholders. A determination of shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a shareholders meeting is effective for any adjournment of the meeting unless the Board of Directors fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting, which it must do if the meeting is adjourned to a date more than one hundred twenty (120) days after the date fixed for the original meeting.
(b) If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders, the close of business on the day before the first notice of the meeting is delivered to shareholders shall be the record date for such determination of shareholders.
(c) The Board of Directors may fix a future date as the record date for determining shareholders entitled to a distribution or share dividend. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors for such determination, it is the date the Board of Directors authorizes the distribution or share dividend.
Section 7.5. Holder of Record . Except as otherwise required by law, the corporation may treat the person in whose name the shares stand of record on its books as the absolute owner of the shares and the person exclusively entitled to receive notification and distributions, to vote and to otherwise exercise the rights, powers and privileges of ownership of such shares.
Section 7.6. Shares Held by Nominees
(a) The corporation shall recognize the beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of a nominee as the owner and shareholder of such shares for certain purposes if the nominee in whose name such shares are registered files with the Secretary a written certificate in a form prescribed by the corporation, signed by the nominee, indicating the following: (i) the name, address and taxpayer identification number of the nominee, (ii) the name, address and taxpayer identification number of the beneficial owner, (iii) the number and class or series of shares registered in the name of the nominee as to which the beneficial owner shall be recognized as the shareholder, and (iv) the purposes for which the beneficial owner shall be recognized as the shareholder.
(b) The purposes for which the corporation shall recognize the beneficial owner as the shareholder may include the following: (i) receiving notice of, voting at and otherwise participating in shareholders meetings; (ii) executing consents with respect to the shares; (iii) exercising dissenters rights under Article 13 of the North Carolina Business Corporation Act; (iv) receiving distributions and share dividends with respect to the shares; (v) exercising inspection rights; (vi) receiving reports, financial statements, proxy statements and other communications from the corporation; (vii) making any demand upon the corporation required or permitted by law; and (viii) exercising any other rights or receiving any other benefits of a shareholder with respect to the shares.
(c) The certificate shall be effective ten (10) business days after its receipt by the corporation and until it is changed by the nominee, unless the certificate specifies a later effective time or an earlier termination date.
(d) If the certificate affects less than all of the shares registered in the name of the nominee, the corporation may require the shares affected by the certificate to be registered separately on the books of the corporation and to be represented by a share certificate that bears a conspicuous legend stating that there is a nominee certificate in effect with respect to the shares represented by that share certificate.
ARTICLE VIII.
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 8.1. Definitions . For purposes of this Article VIII, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) Corporation means the corporation and all predecessors thereof, as such term is defined in § 55-8-50(b)(1) of the Act.
(b) Director means an individual who is or was a director of the corporation or an individual who, while a director of the corporation, is or was serving at the corporations request as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent or another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan, or other enterprise. A director is considered to be serving an employee benefit plan at the corporations request if such directors duties to the corporation also impose duties on, or otherwise involve services by, the director to the plan or to participants in or beneficiaries of the plan. Director includes, unless the context requires otherwise, the estate or personal representative of a director.
(c) Expenses means expenses of every kind incurred in defending a Proceeding, including, but not limited to, legal, accounting, expert and investigatory fees and expenses.
(d) Indemnified Officer shall mean each officer of the corporation who is also a director of the corporation and each other officer of the corporation who is designated by the Board of Directors from time to time as an Indemnified Officer. An Indemnified Officer shall be entitled to indemnification hereunder to the same extent as a Director, including, without limitation, indemnification with respect to service by the Indemnified Officer at the corporations request as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise.
(e) Liabilities means any obligation to pay any or all of the following: a judgment, a settlement, a penalty, a fine (including an excise tax assessed with respect to an employee benefit plan) and reasonable expenses, including, but not limited to, attorneys fees of opposing parties incurred with respect to a Proceeding.
(f) Proceeding means any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, whether formal or informal, and any appeal therein (and any inquiry or investigations that could lead to such a proceeding).
Section 8.2. Indemnification . In addition to, and not in any way in limitation of, all indemnification rights and obligations otherwise provided by law or rule, the corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless its Directors and Indemnified Officers against all Liabilities and Expenses in any Proceeding (including, without limitation, a Proceeding brought by or on behalf
of the corporation itself) arising out of their status as Directors or officers, or their service at the corporations request as a Director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, or their activities in any such capacity; provided, however, that the corporation shall not indemnify a Director or an Indemnified Officer against Liabilities or Expenses that such person may incur on account of activities of such person which at the time taken were known or believed by him or her, or a reasonable person would have or should have known, to be clearly in conflict with the best interests of the Corporation.
The Corporation shall also indemnify each Director and Indemnified Officer for his or her reasonable costs, expenses and attorneys fees incurred in connection with the enforcement of the rights to indemnification granted herein, if it is determined in accordance with Section 6.3 that the Director or Indemnified Officer is entitled to indemnification hereunder.
The Board of Directors shall have the authority to adopt such resolutions pertaining to the implementation of this Section as it may from time to time determine, and such resolutions shall be given full effect, even though they supplement, amplify or go beyond the provisions of this Section, provided and to the extent such resolution does not violate any provision of the Act or the Corporations Articles of Incorporation. This Section shall be construed in a manner to fully effect the purpose and intent of the resolution of the Corporations Board of Directors approving and adopting this provision.
Section 8.3. Determination . Any indemnification under Section 8.2 shall be paid by the Corporation in a specific case only after a determination that the Director or Indemnified Officer has met the standard of conduct set forth in Section 8.2. Such determination shall be made:
(a) by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors not at the time parties to the Proceeding;
(b) if a quorum cannot be obtained under paragraph (a), by a majority vote of a committee duly designated by the Board of Directors (in which vote directors who are parties to the Proceeding may participate), consisting solely of two or more directors not at the time parties to the Proceeding;
(c) by special legal counsel (i) selected by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof in the manner prescribed in paragraph (a) or (b); or (ii) if a quorum of the Board of Directors cannot be obtained under paragraph (a) and a committee cannot be designated under paragraph (b), selected by a majority vote of the full Board of Directors (in which selection directors who are parties in the Proceeding may participate); or
(d) by the shareholders, but shares owned by or voted under the control of directors who are at the time parties to the Proceeding may not be voted on the determination. The Board of Directors shall take all such action as may be necessary and appropriate to enable the corporation to pay the indemnification required by this Article VIII.
Section 8.4. Advances for Expenses . The Expenses incurred by a Director or an Indemnified Officer in defending a Proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the
final disposition of such Proceeding as authorized by the Board of Directors in the specific case upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Director or Indemnified Officer to repay such amount unless it shall ultimately be determined that such person is entitled to be indemnified by the corporation against such Expenses. Subject to receipt of such undertaking, the corporation shall make reasonable periodic advances for Expenses pursuant to this Section, unless the Board of Directors shall determine, in the manner provided in Section 8.3 and based on the facts then known, that indemnification under this Article VIII is or will be precluded.
Section 8.5. Reliance and Consideration . Any Director or Indemnified Officer who at any time after the adoption of this Article VIII serves or has served in any of the aforesaid capacities for or on behalf of the corporation shall be deemed to be doing or to have done so in reliance upon, and as consideration for, the right of indemnification provided herein. Such right, however, shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which such person may be entitled apart from the provisions of this Article VIII. No amendment, modification or repeat of this Article VIII shall adversely affect the right of any Director or Indemnified Officer to indemnification hereunder with respect to any activities occurring prior to the time of such amendment, modification or repeal.
Section 8.6. Insurance . The corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of its directors, officers, employees and agents and those persons who were or are serving at the request of the corporation in any capacity with another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise against any liability asserted against or incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of this Article VIII or otherwise. Any full or partial payment made by an insurance company under any insurance policy covering any director, officer, employee, agent or other person indemnified above made to or on behalf of a person entitled to indemnification under this Article VIII shall relieve the corporation of its liability for indemnification provided for in this Article VIII or otherwise to the extent of such payment, and no insurer shall have a right of subrogation against the corporation with respect to such payment.
ARTICLE IX.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 9.1. Distributions . The Board of Directors may from time to time authorize, and the corporation may grant, distributions and share dividends to its shareholders pursuant to law and subject to the provisions of its articles of incorporation.
Section 9.2. Seal . The corporate seal of the corporation shall consist of two concentric circles between which is the name of the corporation (with abbreviations, if necessary) and in the center of which is inscribed SEAL.
Section 9.3. Fiscal Year . The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.
Section 9.4. Amendments .
(a) Except as otherwise provided by law, the articles of incorporation or herein, these bylaws may be amended or repealed and new bylaws may be adopted by the affirmative vote of shareholders holding a majority of shares of the capital stock of the corporation entitled to vote or by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then holding office at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors.
(b) The Board of Directors shall have no power to adopt a Bylaw prescribing quorum or voting requirements for action by shareholders or directors different from those prescribed by law. A Bylaw that fixes a greater quorum or voting requirement may be adopted by a majority of the Board of Directors then in office, but only if originally adopted by the Board of Directors; otherwise such amendment must be approved by the shareholders.
(c) No bylaw adopted, amended or repealed by the shareholders shall be readopted, amended or repealed by the Board of Directors, unless the articles of incorporation or a bylaw adopted by the shareholders authorizes the Board of Directors to adopt, amend or repeal that particular bylaw or the bylaws generally.
Section 9.5. Definitions . Unless the context otherwise requires, terms used in these bylaws shall have the meanings assigned to them in the North Carolina Business Corporation Act to the extent defined therein.
Section 9.6. Waiver of Notice. In addition to provisions elsewhere in these bylaws regarding waiver of notice, whenever any notice is required to be given to any shareholder or director by law, by the Articles of Incorporation or by these Bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be equivalent to the giving of such notice.
Section 9.7. Electronic Transactions . The corporation may conduct any transaction or transactions by electronic means, and this provision shall constitute the agreement by the corporation, its shareholders and directors to the conduct of transactions by electronic means.
Exhibit 10.1
EXECUTION VERSION
CONVEYANCE AND ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT
This Conveyance and Assignment Agreement (this Agreement ), dated as of the 3 rd day of October, 2016 (the Closing Date ), is entered into by and between Georgia Natural Gas Company, a Georgia corporation, ( GNGC ) and Piedmont Energy Company, a North Carolina corporation ( Piedmont ).
WHEREAS , Piedmont and GNGC are each Members of SouthStar Energy Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ( SouthStar );
WHEREAS , Piedmont has granted GNGC certain options to purchase its Company Interest in SouthStar and GNGC has exercised one such option under Section 12.5(b) of the LLC Agreement to purchase all of Piedmonts Company Interest (the Percentage Interest ) as provided herein (the Transaction );
WHEREAS , Piedmont and GNGC intend that the Closing Date be contemporaneous and concurrent with the date of consummation of Piedmonts Change in Control; and
WHEREAS , capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning(s) ascribed to them in the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of SouthStar dated as of September 1, 2013 (the LLC Agreement ).
NOW THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and the agreements contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged, GNGC and Piedmont agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
1.1 Conveyance.
(a) Piedmont hereby grants, sells, transfers, assigns and conveys to GNGC, its successors and assigns, for its and their own use forever, all right, title and interest in and to the Percentage Interest for one hundred sixty million dollars ($160,000,000.00) (the Purchase Price ) in cash and other good and valuable consideration as set forth herein, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and GNGC hereby accepts the Percentage Interest as of the Closing Date (the Closing ).
(b) The Closing will occur on the Closing Date. On the Closing Date in accordance with the instructions provided by Piedmont, GNGC shall wire, or shall cause to be wired, in immediately available funds the Purchase Price and all amounts pursuant to Section 1.3 below to Piedmont.
EXECUTION VERSION
TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the Percentage Interest unto GNGC, its successors and assigns, together with all the rights and appurtenances thereto belonging, subject, however, to the terms and conditions stated in this Agreement, forever.
1.2 Ownership of Percentage Interest and Disclaimer of Warranties.
(a) Other than (i) for restrictions under the LLC Agreement, Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and applicable state securities laws, Piedmont holds of record and owns beneficially all of the Percentage Interest, free and clear of any restrictions on transfer, taxes, liens, options, warrants, purchase rights, contracts, commitments, equities, claims, and demands; and (ii) with respect to the Transaction, Piedmont is not a party to any option, warrant, purchase right, or other contract or commitment that would require Piedmont to sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of the Percentage Interest. On the Closing Date, GNGC will acquire from Piedmont good and marketable title to the Percentage Interest, free and clear of all liens, claims, and encumbrances.
(b) EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN SECTION 1.2(a) ABOVE, PIEDMONT IS CONVEYING THE PERCENTAGE INTEREST AS IS, WITHOUT REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, ALL OF WHICH PIEDMONT HEREBY DISCLAIMS, AS TO TITLE OR ANY OTHER MATTER WHATSOEVER.
(c) Piedmont and GNGC agree that the disclaimers contained in this Section 1.2 are conspicuous disclaimers. Any covenants implied by statute or law by the use of the words grant, convey, bargain, sell, assign, transfer, deliver or set over or any of them or any other words used in this Agreement are hereby expressly disclaimed, waived and negated.
1.3 Distribution of Company Income. Concurrently with Piedmont receiving the Purchase Price for its Percentage Interest at Closing, SouthStar will distribute to Piedmont Piedmonts share of unpaid and/or accrued Company Income and all other amounts due and owing to Piedmont through the Closing Date as indicated in the financial statements prepared by SouthStar as specified in Section 1.4 below. No other amounts shall be paid or distributed to Piedmont at Closing.
1.4 Financial Statements.
(a) To the extent reasonably practicable, no less than five (5) business days prior to the Closing Date, SouthStar shall prepare and deliver to Piedmont and GNGC unaudited preliminary financial statements for the period from January 1, 2016 through the end of the most recent calendar month preceding the Closing Date to assist with the proper implementation of this Agreement and the relevant portions of the LLC Agreement to the Transaction, including the distribution of Company Income as described in Section 1.3 of this Agreement.
(b) As soon as reasonably practicable after Closing, SouthStar shall cause the final 2016 financial statements for the period of January 1, 2016 through the Closing Date to be
EXECUTION VERSION
audited (the Audited Stub Statements ) and delivered to Piedmont and GNGC; and Piedmont and GNGC agree to reconcile, and if necessary true up, the distribution of Company Income to Piedmont based on the Audited Stub Statements as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt thereof from SouthStar.
(c) The financial statements specified in Sections 1.4 (a) and (b) above shall be prepared in accordance with the applicable provisions of the LLC Agreement, including Articles IV, X, and XI of the LLC Agreement. In connection with Section 1.3 above, this Section 1.4 and any other allocations or payments, following the Closing Date and continuing for a period of six (6) months after the date that SouthStar causes the Audited Stub Statements to be delivered to Piedmont and GNGC, Piedmont shall continue to have the same rights under Section 4.6 of the LLC Agreement as if it continued to be a Member.
1.5 Non-Solicitation of Employees. Piedmont agrees, and at Closing will cause its parent company to agree, that neither Piedmont nor any of Piedmonts Affiliates will solicit for employment any of those individuals employed by SouthStar listed on Exhibit A attached hereto (the Covered SSE Employees ) for a period of thirty (30) months following the Closing Date; provided that , this shall not prevent Piedmont or its Affiliates or parent from (a) employing any SouthStar employee whose employment was terminated by SouthStar prior to commencement of employment discussions between Piedmont and such employee, and (b) placing any public advertisements or conducting any other form of general solicitation for employment that is not targeted at any of the Covered SSE Employees.
1.6 Release of Piedmont Option. Piedmont hereby irrevocably and completely (a) releases and abandons the Piedmont C&I Option as defined in Section 7.4 of the LLC Agreement and (b) confirms that Piedmont has not exercised its option under Section 7.4 prior to the Closing.
1.7 Non-Compete.
(a) Piedmont hereby agrees and will cause its parent company to agree that neither Piedmont, its parent company, nor any of their Affiliates will compete with SouthStar for Target Customers in the Retail Territory for a period of thirty (30) months following the Closing Date.
(b) With respect to this Agreement, Target Customers shall have the same meaning as that set forth in Article I of the LLC Agreement, and the definition of Retail Territory in Article I of the LLC Agreement shall be revised to mean (i) the entire States of Georgia and Illinois, and (ii) in the State of Ohio, the certificated service territories of Vectren Energy, Dominion East Ohio, and Columbia Gas Ohio as such certificated service territories exist as of the Closing Date.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, and as provided in Section 7.1(b) of the LLC Agreement, nothing shall preclude Piedmont or any of its present or future Affiliates from engaging in the purchase, transportation, supply, sale (and sales activities), marketing, storage and/or infrastructure development of liquefied natural gas, compressed natural gas and/or natural
EXECUTION VERSION
gas vehicle facilities and/or filling stations. Provided further, and notwithstanding Section 7.1(d) of the LLC Agreement, Piedmont and its present and future Affiliates shall not be precluded from (i) acquiring a Person or entity that has as an ancillary (but not primary) part of its business operations engaged in the purchase, transportation and sale of natural gas on a non-regulated basis for Target Customers located in the Retail Territory or (ii) engaging in such transactions directly or indirectly necessary to meet its or their obligation to provide service as mandated by a regulatory body (including, without limitation, such transactions for the purchase, transportation, supply, sale or storage of natural gas as it or they customarily engage in in the normal course of business) and to manage its or their system needs.
1.8 Communications Program. Piedmont and GNGC will agree on the language of any press release or other public communication about this Agreement or the Closing of the Transaction. Piedmont and GNGC acknowledge that each of their parent companies may file a Current Report on Form 8-K and/or make other necessary disclosures to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission regarding the Transaction and that such filings and/or disclosures require no prior approval from the other party.
1.9 Regulatory Consents/Approvals. Piedmont agrees to reasonably cooperate with GNGC and SouthStar in obtaining all regulatory approvals or consents necessary to consummate the Transaction, including without limitation approval by the Georgia Public Service Commission.
1.10 Mutual Release.
(a) Piedmont, on behalf of itself and each of Piedmonts Related Parties (collectively, the Piedmont Releasing Parties ) hereby voluntarily and unconditionally release and forever discharge GNGC and each of GNGCs Related Parties (collectively, the GNGC Released Parties ) from any and all claims, demands, rights, actions, causes of action, damages, obligations, liabilities or injuries of any kind or nature whether arising under law or equity, whether known or unknown, whether asserted or unasserted, whether fixed or contingent, that any of the Piedmont Releasing Parties have or may have, now or in the future, that arise out of, relate to, or result from the LLC Agreement occurring from the beginning of time to the Closing Date, including any act or omission of the GNGC Released Parties to the extent relating to or arising under the LLC Agreement (the Piedmont Released Claims ); provided, however, that the Piedmont Released Claims shall not include any claims arising out of (a) this Agreement or (b) the portions of the LLC Agreement that, by the terms of the LLC Agreement or this Agreement, survive Closing.
(b) GNGC, on behalf of itself and each of GNGCs Related Parties (collectively, the GNGC Releasing Parties ) hereby voluntarily and unconditionally release and forever discharge Piedmont and each of Piedmonts Related Parties (collectively, the Piedmont Released Parties ) from any and all claims, demands, rights, actions, causes of action, damages, obligations, liabilities or injuries of any kind or nature whether arising under law or equity, whether known or unknown, whether asserted or unasserted, whether fixed or contingent, that any of the GNGC Releasing Parties have or may have, now or in the future, that arise out of, relate to, or result from the LLC Agreement occurring from the beginning of time to the Closing
EXECUTION VERSION
Date, including any act or omission of the Piedmont Released Parties to the extent relating to or arising under the LLC Agreement (the GNGC Released Claims ); provided, however, that the GNGC Released Claims shall not include any claims arising out of (a) this Agreement or (b) the portions of the LLC Agreement that, by the terms of the LLC Agreement or this Agreement, survive Closing.
(c) For purposes of this Agreement, Related Parties means a Persons past and present Affiliates, parent, members, managers, officers, directors, stockholders, partners, agents, employees, accountants, attorneys, representatives, personal representatives, estates, administrators, heirs, executors, trustees, predecessors, successor and assigns.
ARTICLE 2
MISCELLANEOUS
2.1 LLC Agreement and Withdrawal of Piedmont.
(a) Other than as expressly modified by this Agreement, all provisions, terms, conditions, rights and obligations of the LLC Agreement, including Section 12.6 of the LLC Agreement, remain unchanged, and are hereby reaffirmed.
(b) Upon Closing of the Transaction, as of the Closing Date, Piedmont will be a Withdrawing Member.
(c) Upon Closing of the Transaction, as of the Closing Date, (i) in accordance with the provisions of Section 12.7 of the LLC Agreement, SouthStar will immediately cease and discontinue using any and all Piedmont service marks and trade names, and (ii) that certain Service Mark License Agreement dated July 1, 1998 between Piedmont and GNGC, and all licenses granted thereunder, will terminate as of the Closing Date in accordance with the terms thereof.
2.2 Power of Attorney. Piedmont hereby constitutes and appoints GNGC, its successors and assigns, its true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full power of substitution for it and in its name, place and stead or otherwise on behalf of Piedmont, its successors and assigns, and for the benefit of GNGC, its successors and assigns, to demand and receive from time to time the Percentage Interest and to execute in the name of Piedmont and its successors and assigns instruments of conveyance, instruments of further assurance and to give receipts and releases in respect of the same, and from time to time to institute and prosecute in the name of GNGC or Piedmont for the benefit of GNGC as may be appropriate, any and all proceedings at law, in equity or otherwise which GNGC, its successors and assigns may deem proper in order to collect, assert or enforce any claims, rights or titles of any kind in and to the Percentage Interest, and to defend and compromise any and all actions, suits or proceedings in respect of any of the Percentage Interest and to do any and all such acts and things in furtherance of this Agreement as GNGC, its successors or assigns shall deem advisable. Piedmont hereby declares that the appointment hereby made and the powers hereby granted are coupled with an interest and are
EXECUTION VERSION
and shall be irrevocable and perpetual and shall not be terminated by any act of Piedmont, its successors or assigns or by operation of law.
2.3 Further Assurances. From time to time after the date hereof, and without any further consideration, Piedmont shall execute, acknowledge and deliver all such additional deeds, assignments, bills of sale, conveyances, instruments, notices, releases, acquittances and other documents, and will do all such other acts and things, all in accordance with applicable law, as may be necessary or appropriate (i) more fully to assure GNGC, its successors and assigns, all of the properties, rights, titles, interests, estates, remedies, powers and privileges by this Agreement granted to GNGC or intended so to be and (ii) to more fully and effectively carry out the purposes and intent of this Agreement. GNGC shall cause SouthStar to perform all actions contemplated by, and in accordance with, this Agreement.
2.4 Termination of Letter Agreement. The Letter Agreement dated February 12, 2016 by and between GNGC and Piedmont is hereby terminated and shall have no further force or effect.
2.5 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement.
2.6 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to principles of conflict of law.
2.7 Bill of Sale; Assignment. To the extent required by applicable law, this Agreement shall also constitute a bill of sale or assignment of the Percentage Interest.
(Signatures begin on following page)
EXECUTION VERSION
IN WITNESS WHEREOF , this Agreement has been duly executed by the parties hereto as of the Closing Date.
Georgia Natural Gas Company |
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By: |
/s/ Elizabeth W. Reese |
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Name: |
Elizabeth W. Reese |
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Title: |
EVP & CFO |
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Piedmont Energy Company |
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By: |
/s/ Karl W. Newlin |
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Name: |
Karl W. Newlin |
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Title: |
Sr. Vice President |
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EXECUTION VERSION
Exhibit A
Covered SSE Employees
Mike Braswell
John Jamieson
Michael Nieman
Joe Monroe
Robert Cumbie
Jennifer Heuvelman
Brian Arnberger
Keith Gallagher
Steven White
Rob Cowhig
Scott Mosley
Chris Turner
EXECUTION VERSION
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTEREST POWER
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, Piedmont Energy Company hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto Georgia Natural Gas Company one hundred percent (100%) of its limited liability company interests (the Interests ) in SouthStar Energy Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Company ), which Interests constitutes fifteen percent (15%) of the issued and outstanding limited liability company interests in the Company, standing in its name on the books of the Company, but otherwise uncertificated, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint the Secretary of the Company attorney to transfer the Interests on the books of the Company with full powers of substitution in the premises.
Dated: |
October 3, 2016 |
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Piedmont Energy Company |
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By: |
/s/ Karl W. Newlin |
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Name: |
Karl W. Newlin |
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Title: |
Senior Vice President |
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In the presence of: |
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/s/ Eduardo Abrao-Netto |
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Exhibit 99.1
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Media Contact: Tom Williams
24-Hour: 800.559.3853
Oct. 3, 2016
Duke Energy completes acquisition of Piedmont Natural Gas
CHARLOTTE, N.C. Duke Energy has completed its acquisition of Piedmont Natural Gas, closing the transaction effective today.
Piedmont will retain its name and operate as a business unit of Duke Energy. Both companies are headquartered in Charlotte.
The acquisition will add Piedmonts 1 million natural gas customers to Duke Energys existing customer base of 525,000 natural gas customers and 7.4 million electric customers.
Uniting Duke Energy with Piedmont Natural Gas is a powerful combination for our customers and the communities we serve, said Lynn Good, chairman, president and CEO of Duke Energy.
Customers can continue to do business with both Piedmont and Duke Energy in the same way they have in the past. For example, there will be no immediate changes in customer service phone numbers, billing options or service request procedures.
Internally, Duke Energy will be working to integrate Piedmonts corporate functions such as accounting, human resources and information technology into Duke Energys structure.
The North Carolina Utilities Commission last week approved the acquisition the final regulatory ruling needed to complete the transaction.
The Tennessee Regulatory Authority and Piedmonts shareholders previously approved the transaction, and the United States Federal Trade Commission has already granted early termination of the waiting period under the federal Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.
Click here for more information on the North Carolina Utilities Commissions recent approval of Duke Energys acquisition of Piedmont Natural Gas and its customer benefits.
Click here for a fact sheet about Piedmont Natural Gas.
Duke Energy Corporation | P.O. Box 1009 | Charlotte, NC 28201-1009 | www.duke-energy.com
Duke Energy News Release |
About Duke Energy
Duke Energy, one of the largest electric power holding companies in the United States, supplies and delivers electricity to approximately 7.4 million customers in the Southeast and Midwest representing a population of approximately 24 million people. The company also distributes natural gas services to more than 1.5 million customers in the Carolinas, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. Its commercial and international businesses operate diverse power generation assets in North America and Latin America, including a growing renewable energy portfolio. Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is an S&P 100 Stock Index company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK.
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is an S&P 100 Stock Index company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com .
The Duke Energy News Center serves as a multimedia resource for journalists and features news releases, helpful links, photos and videos. Hosted by Duke Energy, illumination is an online destination for stories about remarkable people, innovations, and community and environmental topics. It also offers glimpses into the past and insights into the future of energy.
Follow Duke Energy on Twitter , LinkedIn , Instagram and Facebook .
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