UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
þ   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016
or
¨   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from              to             
Commission file number 001-16189
NiSource Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware               
 
35-2108964        
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
 
801 East 86th Avenue
Merrillville, Indiana    
 
46410
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
(877) 647-5990
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes þ     No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files.)
Yes þ     No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer þ                     Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer ¨                       Smaller reporting company ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes ¨     No þ

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value: 321,544,481 shares outstanding at April 25, 2016 .



NISOURCE INC.
FORM 10-Q QUARTERLY REPORT
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2016
Table of Contents
 
 
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
Financial Statements - unaudited
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1A.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 5.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 6.
 
 
 
 

2


DEFINED TERMS

The following is a list of frequently used abbreviations or acronyms that are found in this report:

NiSource Subsidiaries, Affiliates and Former Subsidiaries
CGORC
Columbia Gas of Ohio Receivables Corporation
Columbia of Kentucky
Columbia Gas of Kentucky, Inc.
Columbia of Maryland
Columbia Gas of Maryland, Inc.
Columbia of Massachusetts
Bay State Gas Company
Columbia of Ohio
Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc.
Columbia of Pennsylvania
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, Inc.
Columbia of Virginia
Columbia Gas of Virginia, Inc.
CPG
Columbia Pipeline Group, Inc.
CPPL
Columbia Pipeline Partners LP
CPRC
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Receivables Corporation
NARC
NIPSCO Accounts Receivable Corporation
NIPSCO
Northern Indiana Public Service Company
NiSource
NiSource Inc.
NiSource Finance
NiSource Finance Corp.
 
 
Abbreviations and Other
 
AFUDC
Allowance for funds used during construction
AOCI
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
ASU
Accounting Standards Update
BNS
Bank of Nova Scotia
BTMU
The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, LTD.
CAA
Clean Air Act
CCRs
Coal Combustion Residuals
CERCLA
Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (also known as Superfund)
CO 2
Carbon Dioxide
CPP
Clean Power Plan
DPU
Department of Public Utilities
DSM
Demand Side Management
ECR
Environmental Cost Recovery
ECRM
Environmental Cost Recovery Mechanism
ECT
Environmental Cost Tracker
EERM
Environmental Expense Recovery Mechanism
EGUs
Electric Utility Generating Units
ELG
Effluent limitations guidelines
EPA
United States Environmental Protection Agency
EPS
Earnings per share
FAC
Fuel adjustment clause
FASB
Financial Accounting Standards Board
FERC
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
GAAP
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
GCR
Gas cost recovery
GHG
Greenhouse gases

3


DEFINED TERMS (continued)

GSEP
Gas System Enhancement Program
gwh
Gigawatt hours
IDEM
Indiana Department of Environmental Management
IRP
Infrastructure Replacement Program
IURC
Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission
kV
Kilovolt
LDAF
Local Distribution Adjustment Factor
LDCs
Local distribution companies
LIFO
Last-in, first-out
MATS
Mercury and Air Toxics Standards
MGP
Manufactured Gas Plant
MISO
Midcontinent Independent System Operator
Mizuho
Mizuho Corporate Bank Ltd.
MMDth
Million dekatherms
MPSC
Maryland Public Service Commission
NAAQS
National Ambient Air Quality Standards
NOL
Net operating loss
NO x
Nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide
NSR
New Source Review
NYMEX
New York Mercantile Exchange
OPEB
Other Postretirement Benefits
OUCC
Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor
PNC
PNC Bank, N.A.
Pure Air
Pure Air on the Lake LP
Separation
The separation of NiSource's natural gas pipeline, midstream and storage business from NiSource's natural gas and electric utility business accomplished through the pro rata distribution by NiSource to holders of its outstanding common stock of all the outstanding shares of common stock of CPG. The Separation was completed on July 1, 2015.
ppb
Parts per billion
PUC
Public Utility Commission
PUCO
Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
RDAF
Revenue Decoupling Adjustment Factor
SEC
Securities and Exchange Commission
TDSIC
Transmission, Distribution and Storage System Improvement Charge
TSA
Transition Services Agreement
TUAs
Transmission Upgrade Agreements
VIE
Variable Interest Entities
VSCC
Virginia State Corporation Commission



4

Table of Contents

PART I

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NiSource Inc.
Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income (unaudited)
   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
(in millions, except per share amounts)
2016
 
2015
Net Revenues
 
 
Gas Distribution
$
737.8

 
$
1,080.7

Gas Transportation
301.7

 
369.2

Electric
392.2

 
394.7

Other
4.9

 
7.6

   Total Gross Revenues
1,436.6

 
1,852.2

Cost of Sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)
496.5

 
848.2

Total Net Revenues
940.1

 
1,004.0

Operating Expenses
 
 
 
Operation and maintenance
354.7

 
409.1

Depreciation and amortization
132.8

 
125.0

Loss (gain) on sale of assets and impairments, net
(0.1
)
 
0.3

Other taxes
71.3

 
83.3

Total Operating Expenses
558.7

 
617.7

Operating Income
381.4

 
386.3

Other Income (Deductions)
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
(90.5
)
 
(92.8
)
Other, net
0.7

 
3.5

Total Other Deductions
(89.8
)
 
(89.3
)
Income from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes
291.6

 
297.0

Income Taxes
111.9

 
104.5

Income from Continuing Operations
179.7

 
192.5

Income from Discontinued Operations - net of taxes

 
82.8

Net Income
179.7

 
275.3

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 
6.9

Net Income attributable to NiSource
$
179.7

 
$
268.4

Amounts attributable to NiSource:
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations
$
179.7

 
$
192.5

Income from discontinued operations

 
75.9

Net Income attributable to NiSource
$
179.7

 
$
268.4

Basic Earnings Per Share
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
0.56

 
$
0.61

Discontinued operations

 
0.24

Basic Earnings Per Share
$
0.56

 
$
0.85

Diluted Earnings Per Share
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
0.56

 
$
0.61

Discontinued operations

 
0.24

Diluted Earnings Per Share
$
0.56

 
$
0.85

Dividends Declared Per Common Share
$
0.31

 
$
0.52

Basic Average Common Shares Outstanding
320.3

 
316.6

Diluted Average Common Shares
322.0

 
317.4


The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) are an integral part of these statements.

5

Table of Contents

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)


NiSource Inc.
Condensed Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
(in millions, net of taxes)
2016
 
2015
Net Income
$
179.7

 
$
275.3

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 Net unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities (1)
1.7

 
0.9

Net unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges (2)
(70.7
)
 
0.9

Unrecognized pension and OPEB benefit (3)
0.3

 
0.2

Total other comprehensive income (loss)
(68.7
)
 
2.0

Comprehensive Income
$
111.0

 
$
277.3

Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 
6.9

Comprehensive Income attributable to NiSource
$
111.0

 
$
270.4

(1) Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net of $ 0.9 million and $ 0.5 million tax expense in the first quarter of 2016 and 2015 , respectively.
(2) Net unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives qualifying as cash flow hedges, net of $ 43.6 million tax benefit and $0.4 million tax expense in the first quarter of 2016 and 2015 , respectively.
(3) Unrecognized pension and OPEB benefit net of $0.1 million tax expense in the first quarter of 2016 and 2015 , respectively.
The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) are an integral part of these statements.


6

Table of Contents

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

NiSource Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)
(in millions)
March 31,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
ASSETS
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment
 
 
 
Utility plant
$
19,206.9

 
$
18,946.9

Accumulated depreciation and amortization
(6,957.3
)
 
(6,853.4
)
Net utility plant
12,249.6

 
12,093.5

Other property, at cost, less accumulated depreciation
17.6

 
18.0

Net Property, Plant and Equipment
12,267.2

 
12,111.5

Investments and Other Assets
 
 
 
Unconsolidated affiliates
6.7

 
6.9

Other investments
194.8

 
187.7

Total Investments and Other Assets
201.5

 
194.6

Current Assets
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
23.7

 
15.5

Restricted cash
19.4

 
29.7

Accounts receivable (less reserve of $32.5 and $20.3, respectively)
647.9

 
660.0

Gas inventory
112.8

 
343.5

Materials and supplies, at average cost
94.8

 
86.8

Electric production fuel, at average cost
110.8

 
106.3

Exchange gas receivable
26.4

 
21.0

Regulatory assets
226.1

 
206.9

Prepayments and other
133.5

 
107.5

Total Current Assets
1,395.4

 
1,577.2

Other Assets
 
 
 
Regulatory assets
1,600.7

 
1,599.8

Goodwill
1,690.7

 
1,690.7

Intangible assets
250.9

 
253.7

Deferred charges and other
65.0

 
65.0

Total Other Assets
3,607.3

 
3,609.2

Total Assets
$
17,471.4

 
$
17,492.5

 
The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) are an integral part of these statements.
 

7

Table of Contents

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

NiSource Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) (continued)
(in millions, except share amounts)
March 31,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
 
 
 
Capitalization
 
 
 
Common Stockholders’ Equity
 
 
 
Common stock - $0.01 par value, 400,000,000 shares authorized; 321,360,285 and 319,110,083 shares outstanding, respectively
$
3.2

 
$
3.2

Additional paid-in capital
5,102.5

 
5,078.0

Retained deficit
(1,042.9
)
 
(1,123.3
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(103.8
)
 
(35.1
)
Treasury stock
(86.7
)
 
(79.3
)
Total Common Stockholders’ Equity
3,872.3

 
3,843.5

Long-term debt, excluding amounts due within one year
5,905.5

 
5,948.5

Total Capitalization
9,777.8


9,792.0

Current Liabilities
 
 
 
Current portion of long-term debt
263.8

 
433.7

Short-term borrowings
845.3

 
567.4

Accounts payable
392.7

 
433.4

Dividends payable
49.7

 

Customer deposits and credits
212.8

 
316.3

Taxes accrued
203.1

 
183.5

Interest accrued
72.2

 
129.0

Exchange gas payable
25.8

 
62.3

Deferred revenue
5.5

 
6.6

Regulatory liabilities
176.8

 
231.4

Accrued liability for postretirement and postemployment benefits
4.9

 
4.9

Legal and environmental
37.4

 
37.6

Accrued compensation and employee benefits
102.8

 
136.4

Other accruals
103.1

 
115.0

Total Current Liabilities
2,495.9

 
2,657.5

Other Liabilities and Deferred Credits
 
 
 
Risk management liabilities
135.4

 
22.6

Deferred income taxes
2,426.9

 
2,365.3

Deferred investment tax credits
14.4

 
14.8

Deferred credits
91.2

 
90.7

Accrued liability for postretirement and postemployment benefits
754.1

 
759.7

Regulatory liabilities
1,334.2

 
1,350.4

Asset retirement obligations
253.1

 
254.0

Other noncurrent liabilities
188.4

 
185.5

Total Other Liabilities and Deferred Credits
5,197.7

 
5,043.0

Commitments and Contingencies (Refer to Note 18, "Other Commitments and Contingencies")

 

Total Capitalization and Liabilities
$
17,471.4

 
$
17,492.5

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) are an integral part of these statements.

8

Table of Contents

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

NiSource Inc.
Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows (unaudited)

Three Months Ended March 31, (in millions)
2016
 
2015
Operating Activities
 
 
 
Net Income
$
179.7

 
$
275.3

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash from Continuing Operations:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
132.8

 
125.0

Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits
102.0

 
89.9

Stock compensation expense and 401(k) profit sharing contribution
10.9

 
17.3

Income from discontinued operations - net of taxes

 
(82.8
)
Amortization of discount/premium on debt
1.9

 
2.5

AFUDC equity
(2.4
)
 
(2.6
)
Other adjustments
(0.4
)
 
0.6

Changes in Assets and Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
11.2

 
(106.0
)
Income tax receivable
0.9

 
(0.3
)
Inventories
218.3

 
296.5

Accounts payable
(35.2
)
 
(66.1
)
Customer deposits and credits
(103.6
)
 
(122.2
)
Taxes accrued
25.6

 
29.2

Interest accrued
(56.8
)
 
(59.3
)
Exchange gas receivable/payable
(42.0
)
 
(84.2
)
Other accruals
(29.6
)
 
(49.6
)
Prepayments and other current assets
(26.7
)
 
(22.3
)
Regulatory assets/liabilities
(81.3
)
 
208.6

Postretirement and postemployment benefits
(5.3
)
 
(13.9
)
Deferred credits
0.5

 
4.4

Deferred charges and other noncurrent assets
0.2

 
5.4

Other noncurrent liabilities
2.5

 
2.8

Net Operating Activities from Continuing Operations
303.2

 
448.2

Net Operating Activities from (used for) Discontinued Operations
(0.3
)
 
156.2

Net Cash Flows from Operating Activities
302.9

 
604.4

Investing Activities
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(301.0
)
 
(243.5
)
Cash contributions from CPG

 
500.0

Proceeds from disposition of assets
1.0

 
1.5

Restricted cash withdrawals
10.3

 
3.3

Other investing activities
(25.6
)
 
4.8

Net Investing Activities from (used for) Continuing Operations
(315.3
)
 
266.1

Net Investing Activities used for Discontinued Operations

 
(154.9
)
Net Cash Flows from (used for) Investing Activities
(315.3
)
 
111.2

Financing Activities
 
 
 
Repayments of long-term debt and capital lease obligations
(204.3
)
 
(8.0
)
Premiums and other debt related costs
(0.3
)
 

Change in short-term borrowings, net
277.9

 
(1,262.9
)
Issuance of common stock
4.3

 
5.9

Acquisition of treasury stock
(7.4
)
 
(20.0
)
Dividends paid - common stock
(49.6
)
 
(82.2
)
Net Financing Activities from (used for) Continuing Operations
20.6

 
(1,367.2
)
Net Financing Activities from Discontinued Operations

 
668.4

Net Cash Flows from (used for) Financing Activities
20.6

 
(698.8
)
Change in cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations
8.5

 
(652.9
)
Change in cash and cash equivalents from (used for) discontinued operations
(0.3
)
 
669.7

Change in cash included in discontinued operations

 
(6.8
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
15.5

 
24.9

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
$
23.7

 
$
34.9


The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) are an integral part of these statements.

9

Table of Contents

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)


NiSource Inc.
Condensed Statement of Consolidated Equity (unaudited)
(in millions)
Common
Stock
 
Treasury
Stock
 
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
 
Retained
Deficit
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 
Total
Balance as of January 1, 2016
$
3.2

 
$
(79.3
)
 
$
5,078.0

 
$
(1,123.3
)
 
$
(35.1
)
 
$
3,843.5

Comprehensive Income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income

 

 

 
179.7

 

 
179.7

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

 

 

 

 
(68.7
)
 
(68.7
)
Common stock dividends ($0.31 per share)

 

 

 
(99.3
)
 

 
(99.3
)
Treasury stock acquired

 
(7.4
)
 

 

 

 
(7.4
)
Issued:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Employee stock purchase plan

 

 
1.0

 

 

 
1.0

Long-term incentive plan

 

 
10.3

 

 

 
10.3

401(k) and profit sharing issuance

 

 
11.9

 

 

 
11.9

Dividend reinvestment plan

 

 
1.3

 

 

 
1.3

Balance as of March 31, 2016
$
3.2

 
$
(86.7
)
 
$
5,102.5

 
$
(1,042.9
)
 
$
(103.8
)
 
$
3,872.3


The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) are an integral part of these statements.


10

Table of Contents
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

 
1.    Basis of Accounting Presentation

The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) for NiSource Inc. ("NiSource" or the “Company”) reflect all normal recurring adjustments that are necessary, in the opinion of management, to present fairly the results of operations in accordance with GAAP in the United States of America. The accompanying financial statements contain the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned or controlled subsidiaries. The results of operations of the former Columbia Pipeline Group Operations segment have been classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented. See Note 5, "Discontinued Operations," for further information.

Unless otherwise indicated, the information in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) relates to NiSource's continuing operations.

The accompanying financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in NiSource’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 . Income for interim periods may not be indicative of results for the calendar year due to weather variations and other factors.

The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations, although NiSource believes that the disclosures made in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q are adequate to make the information herein not misleading.

2.    Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. Among other provisions, the standard requires that all income tax effects of awards are recognized in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled and also allows an employer to make a policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur. NiSource is required to adopt ASU 2016-09 for periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods, with early adoption permitted if all of the amendments are adopted in the same period. Each amendment has varying transition requirements. NiSource is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of ASU 2016-09 will have on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) or Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations. ASU 2016-08 clarifies the principal versus agent guidance in ASU 2014-09, the new revenue recognition standard. The amendment clarifies how an entity should identify the unit of accounting for the principal versus agent evaluation and how it should apply the control principle to certain types of arrangements. The amendment also re-frames the indicators to focus on evidence that an entity is acting as a principal rather than an agent. ASU 2016-08 has the same effective date and transition requirements as ASU 2015-14. NiSource is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of ASU 2016-08 will have on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) or Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) . ASU 2016-02 introduces a lessee model that brings most leases on the balance sheet. The standard requires that lessees recognize the following for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases, as that term is defined in the standard) at the lease commencement date: (1) a lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and (2) a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. NiSource is required to adopt ASU 2016-02 for periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods, and the guidance is to be applied with a modified retrospective approach, with early adoption permitted. NiSource is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of ASU 2016-02 will have on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) or Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).


11

Table of Contents
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

3.    Earnings Per Share

Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income attributable to NiSource by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. The weighted-average shares outstanding for diluted EPS includes the incremental effects of the various long-term incentive compensation plans. The numerator in calculating both basic and diluted EPS for each period is reported net income attributable to NiSource. The computation of diluted average common shares is as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
(in thousands)
2016
 
2015
Denominator
 
 
 
Basic average common shares outstanding
320,281

 
316,587

Dilutive potential common shares:
 
 
 
Shares contingently issuable under employee stock plans
36

 
335

Shares restricted under stock plans
1,703

 
468

Diluted Average Common Shares
322,020

 
317,390


4.    Gas in Storage
Both the LIFO inventory methodology and the weighted average cost methodology are used to value natural gas in storage. Gas Distribution Operations price natural gas storage injections at the average of the costs of natural gas supply purchased during the year. For interim periods, the difference between current projected replacement cost and the LIFO cost for quantities of gas temporarily withdrawn from storage is recorded as a temporary LIFO liquidation credit or debit within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited). Due to seasonality requirements, NiSource expects interim variances in LIFO layers to be replenished by year-end. NiSource had a temporary LIFO liquidation debit of $29.3 million and zero as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , respectively, for certain gas distribution companies recorded within “Prepayments and other,” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited).

5.    Discontinued Operations

On July 1, 2015, NiSource completed the Separation through a special pro rata stock dividend, distributing one share of CPG common stock for every one share of NiSource common stock held by any NiSource stockholder on June 19, 2015, the record date. The Separation resulted in two stand-alone energy infrastructure companies: NiSource, a fully regulated natural gas and electric utilities company, and CPG, a natural gas pipeline, midstream and storage company. As a stand-alone company, on the date of the Separation, CPG's operations consisted of NiSource's Columbia Pipeline Group Operations segment prior to the Separation. Following the Separation, NiSource retained no ownership interest in CPG. On the date of the Separation, CPG consisted of approximately  $9.2 billion  of assets,  $5.6 billion  of liabilities and  $3.6 billion  of equity.

The results of operations and cash flows for the former Columbia Pipeline Group Operations segment have been reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented.


12

Table of Contents
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

There were no material results from discontinued operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016. Results from discontinued operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 are included in the table below. These results are primarily from NiSource's former Columbia Pipeline Group Operations segment.
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31, 2015
(in millions)
Columbia Pipeline Group Operations
 
Corporate and Other
 
Total
Net Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
Transportation and storage revenues
$
301.1

 
$

 
$
301.1

Other revenues
38.7

 

 
38.7

Total Sales Revenues
339.8

 

 
339.8

Less: Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)
0.1

 

 
0.1

Net Revenues
339.7

 

 
339.7

Operating Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
Operation and maintenance
165.0

(1)  

 
165.0

Depreciation and amortization
32.5

 

 
32.5

Gain on sale of assets
(5.3
)
 

 
(5.3
)
Other taxes
19.2

 

 
19.2

Total Operating Expenses
211.4

 

 
211.4

Equity Earnings in Unconsolidated Affiliates
15.4

 

 
15.4

Operating Income from Discontinued Operations
143.7

 

 
143.7

Other Income (Deductions)
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
(18.2
)
 

 
(18.2
)
Other, net
3.6

 
0.1

 
3.7

Total Other Income (Deductions)
(14.6
)
 
0.1

 
(14.5
)
Income from Discontinued Operations before Income Taxes
129.1

 
0.1

 
129.2

Income Taxes
46.4

 

 
46.4

Income from Discontinued Operations - net of taxes
$
82.7

 
$
0.1

 
$
82.8

(1) Includes approximately $20.2 million of transaction costs related to the Separation.

CPG’s financing requirements prior to the private placement of senior notes on May 22, 2015 were satisfied through borrowings from NiSource Finance. Interest expense from discontinued operations primarily represents net interest charged to CPG from NiSource Finance, less AFUDC.

Continuing Involvement
Natural gas transportation and storage services provided to NiSource by CPG were $43.6 million and $42.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Prior to July 1, 2015, these costs were eliminated in consolidation. Beginning July 1, 2015, these costs and associated cash flows represent third-party transactions with CPG and are not eliminated in consolidation, as such services have continued subsequent to the Separation and are expected to continue for the foreseeable future.

As a result of the Separation, NiSource and CPG entered into Transition Services Agreements (TSAs). NiSource expects the TSAs to terminate within 24 months from the date of the Separation. The TSAs set forth the terms and conditions for NiSource and CPG to provide certain transition services to one another. Under the TSAs, NiSource will provide CPG certain information technology, financial and accounting, human resource and other specified services. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the amounts NiSource billed CPG for these services were immaterial.


13

Table of Contents
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

There were there were no material assets and liabilities of discontinued operations on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

6.    Asset Retirement Obligations

Changes in NiSource’s liability for asset retirement obligations for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 are presented in the table below:
 
(in millions)
2016
 
2015
Balance as of January 1,
$
254.0

 
$
136.2

Accretion recorded as a regulatory asset/liability
2.2

 
1.9

Settlements
(0.4
)
 
(0.7
)
Change in estimated cash flows
(2.7
)
 

Balance as of March 31,
$
253.1

 
$
137.4

 
7.    Regulatory Matters
Gas Distribution Operations Regulatory Matters
Significant Rate Developments . On April 30, 2013, Indiana Governor Pence signed Senate Enrolled Act 560, the TDSIC statute, into law. Among other provisions, this legislation provides for cost recovery outside of a base rate proceeding for new or replacement electric and gas transmission, distribution, and storage projects that a public utility undertakes for the purposes of safety, reliability, system modernization, or economic development. Provisions of the TDSIC statute require that, among other things, requests for recovery include a seven-year plan of eligible investments. Once the plan is approved by the IURC, 80 percent of eligible costs can be recovered using a periodic rate adjustment mechanism. The cost recovery mechanism is referred to as a TDSIC mechanism. Recoverable costs include a return on, and of, the investment, including AFUDC, post-in-service carrying charges, operation and maintenance expenses, depreciation and property taxes. The remaining 20 percent of recoverable costs are to be deferred for future recovery in the public utility’s next general rate case. The periodic rate adjustment mechanism is capped at an annual increase of no more than two percent of total retail revenues. On August 31, 2015, NIPSCO filed TDSIC-3 which included an updated seven-year plan of approximately $800 million with the IURC. On March 30, 2016, the IURC issued an order on TDSIC-3 approving NIPSCO’s updated seven year plan in all material respects.
On March 18, 2016, Columbia of Pennsylvania filed a base rate case with the Pennsylvania PUC, seeking a revenue increase of $55.3 million annually. The case was driven by Columbia of Pennsylvania’s ongoing capital investment program which exceeded $197.0 million in 2015, and is projected to exceed $220.0 million in 2016 and $265.0 million in 2017. This case was also driven by operation and maintenance expenditures related to employee training and compliance with pipeline safety regulations. Columbia of Pennsylvania's request for rate relief included the recovery of costs that will be incurred after the implementation of new rates, as authorized by the Pennsylvania General Assembly with the passage of Act 11 of 2012. A decision is expected in the fourth quarter of 2016 with new rates to be implemented in December 2016.
On April 15, 2016, Columbia of Maryland filed a base rate case with the MPSC, seeking an annual revenue increase of $6.5 million . The case was driven by Columbia of Maryland’s ongoing capital investment program and by operations and maintenance expenditures related to compliance with pipeline safety regulations. A decision is expected in the fourth quarter of 2016 with new rates to be implemented in October 2016.
On April 29, 2016, Columbia of Virginia filed a request with the VSCC, seeking an annual revenue increase of $37.0 million . The case is driven by Columbia of Virginia's ongoing capital program to modernize its infrastructure and to expand and upgrade its facilities to meet customer growth, as well as expenditures related to employee training and compliance with pipeline safety regulations. A VSCC decision is expected in early 2017. Rates are scheduled to become effective, subject to refund, on October 1, 2016.
On April 27, 2016 Columbia of Kentucky filed a notice of intent with the Kentucky PSC stating its intent to file a rate case using a fully-forecasted test period. The rate case will be filed no sooner than 30 days from the date of the notice.

Cost Recovery and Trackers . Comparability of Gas Distribution Operations line item operating results is impacted by regulatory trackers that allow for the recovery in rates of certain costs such as those described below. Increases in the expenses that are the

14

Table of Contents
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

subject of trackers, result in a corresponding increase in net revenues and therefore have essentially no impact on total operating income results.
A significant portion of the distribution companies' revenue is related to the recovery of gas costs, the review and recovery of which occurs via standard regulatory proceedings. All states require periodic review of actual gas procurement activity to determine prudence and to permit the recovery of prudently incurred costs related to the supply of gas for customers. NiSource distribution companies have historically been found prudent in the procurement of gas supplies to serve customers.
Certain operating costs of the NiSource distribution companies are significant, recurring in nature, and generally outside the control of the distribution companies. Some states allow the recovery of such costs via cost tracking mechanisms. Such tracking mechanisms allow for abbreviated regulatory proceedings in order for the distribution companies to implement charges and recover appropriate costs. Tracking mechanisms allow for more timely recovery of such costs as compared with more traditional cost recovery mechanisms. Examples of such mechanisms include GCR adjustment mechanisms, tax riders, and bad debt recovery mechanisms.
Certain of the NiSource distribution companies have completed rate proceedings involving infrastructure replacement or are embarking upon regulatory initiatives to replace significant portions of their operating systems that are nearing the end of their useful lives. Each LDC's approach to cost recovery may be unique, given the different laws, regulations and precedent that exist in each jurisdiction.
As further discussed above in this Note 7 under the heading "Significant Rate Developments," on March 30, 2016, the IURC issued an order on TDSIC-3. The order allows NIPSCO to begin earning a return on $74.1 million of net capital expenditures for the twelve months ended June 30, 2015. NIPSCO filed its latest semi-annual tracker update on February 29, 2016, and the request remains pending with the IURC.
On November 28, 2012, the PUCO approved Columbia of Ohio’s application to extend its IRP for an additional five years, allowing Columbia of Ohio to continue to invest and recover on its accelerated main replacements. Columbia of Ohio filed its application to adjust rates associated with its IRP and DSM Riders on February 26, 2016, which requested authority to increase revenues by $25.9 million . On March 24, 2016, PUCO staff filed comments recommending that the PUCO approve Columbia of Ohio’s application. On April 20, 2016, the PUCO issued an order approving Columbia of Ohio’s application with rates going into effect April 30, 2016.
On September 12, 2014, Columbia of Ohio filed an application that seeks authority to establish a regulatory asset and defer the expenditures to be incurred in implementing Columbia of Ohio’s Pipeline Safety Program. Columbia of Ohio requested authority to defer Pipeline Safety Program costs of up to $15.0 million annually. By order dated December 17, 2014, the PUCO approved Columbia of Ohio’s application, approving a deferral of up to $15.0 million annually. On March 11, 2016, Columbia of Ohio filed an application to increase the annual deferral authority from $15.0 million to $25.0 million . An order is expected before the end of 2016.
On July 7, 2014, the Governor of Massachusetts signed into law Chapter 149 of the Acts of 2014, An Act Relative to Natural Gas Leaks (“the Act”). The Act authorizes natural gas distribution companies to file gas infrastructure replacement plans with the Massachusetts DPU to address the replacement of aging natural gas pipeline infrastructure. In addition, the Act provides that the Massachusetts DPU may, after review of the plans, allow the proposed estimated costs of the plan into rates as of May 1 of the subsequent year. Pursuant to the Act, Columbia of Massachusetts filed its first GSEP plan on October 31, 2014, for the 2015 construction year (“2015 GSEP”) proposing to recover $2.6 million . After review, the Massachusetts DPU approved the Columbia of Massachusetts’s 2015 GSEP for effect May 1, 2015 and, in accordance with the Act, Columbia of Massachusetts filed the reconciliation of the 2015 GSEP on April 29, 2016. On October 30, 2015, Columbia of Massachusetts filed its GSEP for the 2016 construction year (“2016 GSEP”). Columbia of Massachusetts proposed to recover an increment of $6.4 million for the costs associated with the replacement of eligible leak-prone infrastructure during the 2016 construction year for a cumulative proposed revenue requirement recovery of $9.0 million . Columbia of Massachusetts subsequently revised the cumulative proposed revenue requirement recovery to $8.2 million . The Massachusetts DPU approved the 2016 GSEP filing on April 29, 2016. New rates went into effect May 1, 2016.
On October 30, 2009, the Massachusetts DPU approved Columbia of Massachusetts's revenue decoupling mechanism that was filed in its base rate case. This allows Columbia of Massachusetts to apply annual adjustments to its peak and off-peak rates. On March 16, 2016, Columbia of Massachusetts filed its 2016 off-peak period RDAF in the amount of $3.4 million . On April 28, 2016, the Massachusetts DPU approved the rate for effect May 1, 2016.

15

Table of Contents
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

Columbia of Massachusetts's LDAF allows for the recovery of costs related to pension and other postretirement expense, low income programs, environmental remediation programs, Attorney General expert witness costs and energy efficiency programs. This allows Columbia of Massachusetts to file semi-annually to recover the cost in peak and off-peak rates. On January 29, 2016, Columbia of Massachusetts filed its 2016 off-peak period LDAF reflecting an annual recovery amount of approximately $42.0 million . On April 29, 2016, the Massachusetts DPU approved the rate for effect May 1, 2016.
Electric Operations Regulatory Matters
Significant Rate Developments . On December 31, 2015, NIPSCO filed a new electric TDSIC seven-year plan of eligible investments for a total of approximately $1.3 billion covering spend in years 2016 through 2022. On March 24, 2016, a stipulation and settlement agreement was filed with the IURC which, among other things, seeks approval of a seven-year plan that includes a total $1.25 billion of investments eligible for ratemaking treatment. A final order is anticipated in the third quarter of 2016. NIPSCO expects to make a TDSIC rate adjustment mechanism filing in 2016 to seek recovery and ratemaking relief of such investments.
On October 1, 2015, NIPSCO filed an electric base rate case with the IURC, seeking a revenue increase of approximately $148.0 million , including certain riders, or approximately $126.6 million , before certain riders. As part of this filing, NIPSCO is proposing to update base rates for previously incurred infrastructure improvements, revised depreciation rates and the inclusion of previously approved environmental and federally mandated compliance costs. On February 19, 2016, a stipulation and settlement agreement was filed with the IURC seeking a revenue increase of $72.5 million , before certain riders. A final order is anticipated in the third quarter of 2016.
Cost Recovery and Trackers . A significant portion of NIPSCO's revenue is related to the recovery of fuel costs to generate power and the fuel costs related to purchased power. These costs are recovered through an FAC, a quarterly, regulatory proceeding in Indiana.
Certain operating costs of the Electric Operations are significant, recurring in nature, and generally outside the control of NIPSCO. The IURC allows for recovery of such costs via cost tracking mechanisms. Such tracking mechanisms allow for abbreviated regulatory proceedings in order for NIPSCO to implement charges and recover appropriate costs. Tracking mechanisms allow for more timely recovery of such costs as compared with more traditional cost recovery mechanisms. Examples of such mechanisms include electric energy efficiency programs, MISO non-fuel costs and revenues, resource capacity charges, and environmental related costs.
NIPSCO has approval from the IURC to recover certain environmental related costs through an ECT. Under the ECT, NIPSCO is permitted to recover (1) AFUDC and a return on the capital investment expended by NIPSCO to implement environmental compliance plan projects through an ECRM and (2) related operation and maintenance and depreciation expenses once the environmental facilities become operational through an EERM.
On April 20, 2016, the IURC issued an order on ECR-27 approving NIPSCO’s request to begin earning a return on $800.7 million of net capital expenditures for the period ended December 31, 2015.
As a result of the electric TDSIC IURC Order on Remand that became a final order as of January 16, 2016, NIPSCO was authorized to defer, as a regulatory asset, 100% of all TDSIC costs incurred since March 1, 2014 in connection with its 2014 and 2015 eligible TDSIC investments, until such deferral is recovered as part of a general rate case. Deferrals under this order were immaterial as of March 31, 2016. In the third quarter of 2016, upon receiving an order in NIPSCO's current electric base rate case which includes TDSIC costs through June 30, 2015, NIPSCO expects to defer additional TDSIC costs associated with the remaining 2014 and 2015 eligible TDSIC investments for a future electric base rate case.

8.    Risk Management Activities

NiSource recognizes that the prudent and selective use of derivatives may help to lower its cost of debt capital and manage its interest rate exposure. In 2015, NiSource Finance entered into forward-starting interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate notional value of $1.0 billion to hedge the variability in cash flows attributable to changes in the benchmark interest rate during the periods from the effective dates of the swaps to the anticipated dates of forecasted debt issuances which extend into 2018 . These interest rate swaps are designated as cash flow hedges.

16

Table of Contents
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

The effective portions of the gains and losses related to these swaps are recorded to AOCI and are recognized in earnings concurrent with the recognition of interest expense on the associated debt, once issued. If it became probable that a hedged forecasted transaction was no longer going to occur, the accumulated gains or losses on the derivative would be recognized currently in earnings. Earnings could also be impacted if the anticipated dates of forecasted debt issuances change from the dates originally contemplated at inception of the hedging relationships.
Realized gains and losses from NiSource’s interest rate cash flow hedges are presented in “Interest expense, net” on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited). Derivative assets and liabilities on NiSource’s interest rate cash flow hedges are presented as “Risk management assets” and “Risk management liabilities,” respectively, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited).
NiSource had $132.5 million and $17.4 million of derivative liabilities related to these cash flow hedges as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.
There was no income statement recognition of gains or losses relating to an ineffective portion of these hedges, nor were there amounts excluded from effectiveness testing for derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.
NiSource does not expect to settle any cash flow hedges in the next twelve months and no cash flow hedge contracts are set to expire in the next twelve months.
NiSource’s derivative instruments measured at fair value as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 do not contain any credit-risk-related contingent features.
 
9.    Fair Value
 
A.    Fair Value Measurements
Recurring Fair Value Measurements. The following tables present financial assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on NiSource’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) on a recurring basis and their level within the fair value hierarchy as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 :
 
Recurring Fair Value Measurements
March 31, 2016 (in millions)
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Balance as of March 31, 2016
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk management assets
$
0.4

 
$

 
$
0.8

 
$
1.2

Available-for-sale securities

 
136.0

 

 
136.0

Total
$
0.4

 
$
136.0

 
$
0.8

 
$
137.2

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk management liabilities (1)
$
9.8

 
$
132.5

 
$

 
$
142.3

Total
$
9.8

 
$
132.5

 
$

 
$
142.3

(1) Includes $6.9 million of current risk management liabilities which are included in "Other accruals" on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited).

17

Table of Contents
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

Recurring Fair Value Measurements
December 31, 2015
(in millions)
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Balance as of
December 31, 2015
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk management assets
$
0.1

 
$

 
$

 
$
0.1

Available-for-sale securities

 
128.7

 

 
128.7

Total
$
0.1

 
$
128.7

 
$

 
$
128.8

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk management liabilities (1)
$
14.3

 
$
17.4

 
$
0.2

 
$
31.9

Total
$
14.3

 
$
17.4

 
$
0.2

 
$
31.9

(1) Includes $9.3 million of current risk management liabilities which are included in "Other accruals" on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited).
Risk management assets and liabilities include interest rate swaps and an immaterial amount of NYMEX futures and NYMEX options which are commodity exchange-traded and non-exchange-based derivative contracts. Exchange-traded derivative contracts are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and are classified within Level 1. These financial assets and liabilities are secured with cash on deposit with the exchange; therefore nonperformance risk has not been incorporated into these valuations. Certain non-exchange-traded derivatives are valued using broker or over-the-counter, on-line exchanges. In such cases, these non-exchange-traded derivatives are classified within Level 2. Non-exchange-based derivative instruments include swaps, forwards, and options. In certain instances, these instruments may utilize models to measure fair value. NiSource uses a similar model to value similar instruments. Valuation models utilize various inputs that include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, other observable inputs for the asset or liability, and market-corroborated inputs, (i.e., inputs derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means). Where observable inputs are available for substantially the full term of the asset or liability, the instrument is categorized in Level 2. Certain derivatives trade in less active markets with a lower availability of pricing information and models may be utilized in the valuation. When such inputs have a significant impact on the measurement of fair value, the instrument is categorized in Level 3. Credit risk is considered in the fair value calculation of derivative instruments that are not exchange-traded. Credit exposures are adjusted to reflect collateral agreements which reduce exposures. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , there were no material transfers between fair value hierarchies. Additionally, there were no changes in the method or significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value of NiSource’s financial instruments.

In December 2015, NiSource Finance entered into forward-starting interest rate swaps to hedge the interest rate risk on coupon payments arising from  $1.0 billion  of forecasted issuances of long-term debt expected to take place by 2018 . These swaps are designated as cash flow hedges. In-the-money contracts are presented as "Risk management assets" while out-of-the-money contracts are presented as "Risk management liabilities" in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited). Each period the swap instruments will be measured assuming a hypothetical settlement at that point in time. Upon termination of the swap instruments, NiSource will pay or receive a settlement based on the then current fair value. Credit risk is considered in the fair value calculation of each interest rate swap. As they are based on observable data and valuations of similar instruments, the interest-rate swaps are categorized in Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. There was no exchange of premium at the initial date of the swaps, and NiSource can settle the swaps at any time. For additional information see Note 8, "Risk Management Activities."
Available-for-sale securities are investments pledged as collateral for trust accounts related to NiSource’s wholly-owned insurance company. Available-for-sale securities are included within “Other investments” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited). NiSource values U.S. Treasury, corporate and mortgage-backed securities using a matrix pricing model that incorporates market-based information. These securities trade less frequently and are classified within Level 2. Total unrealized gains and losses from available-for-sale securities are included in other comprehensive income (loss). The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value of available-for-sale securities at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 were:  

18

Table of Contents
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

March 31, 2016 (in millions)
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Fair
Value
Available-for-sale securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
$
38.1

 
$
0.8

 
$

 
$
38.9

Corporate/Other bonds
96.0

 
1.3

 
(0.2
)
 
97.1

Total Available-for-sale securities
$
134.1

 
$
2.1

 
$
(0.2
)
 
$
136.0

December 31, 2015 (in millions)
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Fair
Value
Available-for-sale securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
$
33.7

 
$
0.1

 
$
(0.3
)
 
$
33.5

Corporate/Other bonds
95.7

 
0.3

 
(0.8
)
 
95.2

Total Available-for-sale securities
$
129.4

 
$
0.4

 
$
(1.1
)
 
$
128.7

For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 , there were no net realized gains or losses on the sale of available-for-sale securities.
The cost of maturities sold is based upon specific identification. At March 31, 2016 , approximately $5.5 million of U.S. Treasury securities have maturities of less than a year. At March 31, 2016 , approximately $10.4 million of Corporate/Other bonds have maturities of less than a year.
There are no material items in the fair value reconciliation of Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 .
 
 
Non-recurring Fair Value Measurements. There were no significant non-recurring fair value measurements recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2016 .

B.    Other Fair Value Disclosures for Financial Instruments. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, notes receivable, customer deposits and short-term borrowings is a reasonable estimate of fair value due to their liquid or short-term nature. NiSource’s long-term borrowings are recorded at historical amounts.
The following method and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate fair value.

Long-term Debt. The fair value of outstanding long-term debt is estimated based on the quoted market prices for the same or similar securities. Certain premium costs associated with the early settlement of long-term debt are not taken into consideration in determining fair value. These fair value measurements are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 there was no change in the method or significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value of long-term debt.

The carrying amount and estimated fair values of these financial instruments were as follows:
 
(in millions)
Carrying
Amount as of
March 31, 2016
 
Estimated Fair
Value as of
March 31, 2016
 
Carrying
Amount as of
Dec. 31, 2015
 
Estimated Fair
Value as of
Dec. 31, 2015
Long-term debt (including current portion)
$
6,169.3

 
$
6,938.4

 
$
6,382.2

 
$
6,975.7


10.    Transfers of Financial Assets
Transfers of accounts receivable are accounted for as secured borrowings resulting in the recognition of short-term borrowings on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited). The maximum amount of debt that can be recognized related to NiSource’s accounts receivable programs is $515 million .

19

Table of Contents
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

All accounts receivables sold to the purchasers are valued at face value, which approximates fair value due to their short-term nature. The amount of the undivided percentage ownership interest in the accounts receivables sold is determined in part by required loss reserves under the agreements. Below is information about the accounts receivable securitization agreements entered into by NiSource’s subsidiaries.
Columbia of Ohio is under an agreement to sell, without recourse, substantially all of its trade receivables, as they originate, to CGORC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Columbia of Ohio. CGORC, in turn, is party to an agreement with BTMU and BNS, under the terms of which it sells an undivided percentage ownership interest in its accounts receivable to commercial paper conduits sponsored by BTMU and BNS. T his agreement was last renewed on October 16, 2015; the current agreement expires on October 15, 2016 , and can be further renewed if mutually agreed to by all parties. The maximum seasonal program limit under the terms of the current agreement is $240 million . As of March 31, 2016 , $149.8 million of accounts receivable had been transferred by CGORC. CGORC is a separate corporate entity from NiSource and Columbia of Ohio, with its own separate obligations, and upon a liquidation of CGORC, CGORC’s obligations must be satisfied out of CGORC’s assets prior to any value becoming available to CGORC’s stockholder.
NIPSCO is under an agreement to sell, without recourse, substantially all of its trade receivables, as they originate, to NARC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NIPSCO. NARC, in turn, is party to an agreement with PNC and Mizuho under the terms of which it sells an undivided percentage ownership interest in its accounts receivable to PNC and a commercial paper conduit sponsored by Mizuho. This agreement was last renewed on August 26, 2015; the current agreement expires on August 24, 2016 , and can be further renewed if mutually agreed to by all parties. The maximum seasonal program limit under the terms of the current agreement is $200 million . As of March 31, 2016 , $166.6 million of accounts receivable had been transferred by NARC. NARC is a separate corporate entity from NiSource and NIPSCO, with its own separate obligations, and upon a liquidation of NARC, NARC’s obligations must be satisfied out of NARC’s assets prior to any value becoming available to NARC’s stockholder.
Columbia of Pennsylvania is under an agreement to sell, without recourse, substantially all of its trade receivables, as they originate, to CPRC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Columbia of Pennsylvania. CPRC, in turn, is party to an agreement with BTMU under the terms of which it sells an undivided percentage ownership interest in its accounts receivable to a commercial paper conduit sponsored by BTMU. The agreement with BTMU was last renewed on March 9, 2016; the current agreement expires on March 8, 2017 , and can be further renewed if mutually agreed to by both parties. The maximum seasonal program limit under the terms of the agreement is $75 million . As of March 31, 2016 , $68.9 million of accounts receivable had been transferred by CPRC. CPRC is a separate corporate entity from NiSource and Columbia of Pennsylvania, with its own separate obligations, and upon a liquidation of CPRC, CPRC’s obligations must be satisfied out of CPRC’s assets prior to any value becoming available to CPRC’s stockholder.
The following table reflects the gross and net receivables transferred as well as short-term borrowings related to the securitization transactions as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 for Columbia of Ohio, NIPSCO and Columbia of Pennsylvania:
 
(in millions)
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Gross Receivables
$
474.5

 
$
450.8

Less: Receivables not transferred
89.2

 
204.8

Net receivables transferred
$
385.3

 
$
246.0

Short-term debt due to asset securitization
$
385.3

 
$
246.0

For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015,  $139.3 million  and  $(9.3) million  was recorded as cash flows from (used for) financing activities related to the change in short-term borrowings due to the securitization transactions, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, fees of  $1.1 million  and  $0.8 million  associated with the securitization transactions were recorded as interest expense, respectively. Columbia of Ohio, NIPSCO and Columbia of Pennsylvania remain responsible for collecting on the receivables securitized and the receivables cannot be sold to another party.  

11.      Goodwill
  The following presents NiSource’s goodwill balance allocated by segment as of March 31, 2016:
(in millions)
 
Gas Distribution Operations
 
Electric Operations
 
Corporate and Other
 
Total
Goodwill
 
$
1,690.7

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,690.7


20

Table of Contents
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)


12.    Income Taxes

NiSource’s interim effective tax rates reflect the estimated annual effective tax rates for 2016 and 2015, adjusted for tax expense associated with certain discrete items. The effective tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 were 38.4% and 35.2% , respectively. These effective tax rates differ from the Federal tax rate of 35% primarily due to the effects of tax credits, state income taxes, utility rate-making, and other permanent book-to-tax differences.
The increase in the three month effective tax rate of 3.2% in 2016 versus 2015 is primarily due to state apportionment benefits in 2015.
There were no material changes recorded in the first quarter of 2016 to NiSource's uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2015 .

13.    Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

NiSource provides defined contribution plans and noncontributory defined benefit retirement plans that cover its employees. Benefits under the defined benefit retirement plans reflect the employees’ compensation, years of service and age at retirement. Additionally, NiSource provides health care and life insurance benefits for certain retired employees. The majority of employees may become eligible for these benefits if they reach retirement age while working for NiSource. The expected cost of such benefits is accrued during the employees’ years of service. Current rates of rate-regulated companies include postretirement benefit costs, including amortization of the regulatory assets that arose prior to inclusion of these costs in rates. For most plans, cash contributions are remitted to grantor trusts.

For the three months ended March 31, 2016 , NiSource contributed $0.8 million to its pension plans and $4.9 million to its other postretirement benefit plans.

The following tables provide the components of the plans’ net periodic benefits cost for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 :

Pension Benefits
 
Other Postretirement
Benefits
Three Months Ended March 31, (in millions)
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service cost
$
7.7

 
$
8.2

 
$
1.2

 
$
1.6

Interest cost
22.4

 
21.7

 
5.5

 
5.7

Expected return on assets
(33.2
)
 
(39.3
)
 
(4.3
)
 
(4.8
)
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)
(0.1
)
 
0.2

 
(1.2
)
 
(1.2
)
Recognized actuarial loss
15.3

 
13.5

 
0.8

 
1.1

Total Net Periodic Benefit Cost
$
12.1

 
$
4.3

 
$
2.0

 
$
2.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
14.    Variable Interests and Variable Interest Entities
In general, a VIE is an entity (1) that has an insufficient amount of at-risk equity to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional financial subordinated support provided by any parties, (2) whose at-risk equity owners, as a group, do not have power, through voting rights or similar rights, to direct activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance or (3) whose at-risk owners do not absorb the entity’s losses or receive the entity’s residual return. A VIE is required to be consolidated by a company if that company is determined to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE.
NiSource would consolidate those VIEs for which it was the primary beneficiary. NiSource considers quantitative and qualitative elements in determining the primary beneficiary. Qualitative measures include the ability to control an entity and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from such entity.
NiSource’s analysis includes an assessment of guarantees, operating leases, purchase agreements and other contracts, as well as its investments and joint ventures. For items that have been identified as variable interests, or where there is involvement with an

21

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ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

identified VIE, an in-depth review of the relationship between the relevant entities and NiSource is made to evaluate qualitative and quantitative factors to determine the primary beneficiary, if any, and whether additional disclosures would be required under the current standard.
NIPSCO has a service agreement with Pure Air, a general partnership between Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. and First Air Partners LP, under which Pure Air provides scrubber services to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions for Units 7 and 8 at the Bailly Generating Station. NiSource has made an exhaustive effort to obtain information needed from Pure Air to determine the status of Pure Air as a VIE. However, NIPSCO has not been able to obtain this information and, as a result, it is unclear whether Pure Air is a VIE and if NIPSCO is the primary beneficiary. NIPSCO will continue to request the information required to determine whether Pure Air is a VIE. NIPSCO has no exposure to loss related to the service agreement with Pure Air. Payments under this agreement were $4.9 million and $5.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively.  

15.    Long-Term Debt

On March 31, 2016, NiSource Finance entered into a $500.0 million term loan agreement with a syndicate of banks. NiSource Finance may borrow up to $500.0 million at any time or from time to time before September 30, 2016. Until September 30, 2016, NiSource Finance will pay a fee of 17.5 basis points on any portion of the $500.0 million commitment that is not borrowed. Any portion of the $500.0 million commitment that is not borrowed at September 30, 2016 will be forfeited. The term loan matures March 29, 2019, at which point any and all outstanding borrowings under the agreement are due. Interest charged on borrowings depends on the variable rate structure elected by NiSource Finance at the time of each borrowing. The available variable rate structures from which NiSource Finance may choose are defined in the term loan agreement. As of March 31, 2016, NiSource had no outstanding borrowings under the term loan agreement.

On March 15, 2016, NiSource Finance redeemed $201.5 million of 10.75% senior unsecured notes at maturity.

16.    Short-Term Borrowings
NiSource Finance currently maintains a $1.5 billion revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks led by Barclays Capital with a termination date of July 1, 2020 . The purpose of the facility is to fund ongoing working capital requirements including the provision of liquidity support for NiSource Finance's $1.5 billion commercial paper program, provide for issuance of letters of credit and for general corporate purposes. At March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, NiSource had no outstanding borrowings under this facility.
NiSource Finance's commercial paper program has a program limit of up to $1.5 billion with a dealer group comprised of Barclays, Citigroup, Credit Suisse and Wells Fargo. At March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , NiSource had $460.0 million and $321.4 million , respectively, of commercial paper outstanding.
As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , NiSource had $14.7 million of stand-by letters of credit outstanding all of which were under the revolving credit facility.
Transfers of accounts receivable are accounted for as secured borrowings resulting in the recognition of short-term borrowings on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) in the amount of $385.3 million and $246.0 million as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , respectively. Refer to Note 10, "Transfers of Financial Assets," for additional information.
 
(in millions)
March 31,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
Commercial Paper weighted average interest rate of 1.00% at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015
$
460.0

 
$
321.4

Accounts receivable securitization facility borrowings
385.3

 
246.0

Total Short-Term Borrowings
$
845.3

 
$
567.4


Given their turnover is less than 90 days, cash flows related to the borrowings and repayments of the items listed above are presented net in the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows (unaudited).  


22

Table of Contents
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

17.    Share-Based Compensation
The NiSource stockholders originally approved and adopted the NiSource Inc. 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan (“Omnibus Plan”) at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on May 11, 2010. Stockholders re-approved the Omnibus Plan as amended at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on May 12, 2015. The Omnibus Plan provides for awards to employees and non-employee directors of incentive and nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units, cash-based awards and other stock-based awards and supersedes the long-term incentive plan approved by stockholders on April 13, 1994 (“1994 Plan”) and the Director Stock Incentive Plan (“Director Plan”). The Omnibus Plan provides that the number of shares of common stock of NiSource available for awards is 8,000,000 plus the number of shares subject to outstanding awards that expire or terminate for any reason that were granted under either the 1994 Plan or the Director Plan, plus the number of shares that were awarded as a result of the Separation-related adjustments. At March 31, 2016 , there were 5,102,501 shares reserved for future awards under the Omnibus Plan.
NiSource recognized stock-based employee compensation expense of $4.2 million and $9.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively, as well as related tax benefits of $1.6 million and $3.6 million , respectively.
As of March 31, 2016 , the total remaining unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested awards amounted to $22.9 million , which will be amortized over the weighted-average remaining requisite service period of 2.3 years .
Restricted Stock Units and Restricted Stock. During the three months ended March 31, 2016 , NiSource granted 12,760 restricted stock units and shares of restricted stock, subject to service conditions. The total grant date fair value of the restricted stock units and shares of restricted stock was $0.2 million , based on the average market price of NiSource’s common stock at the date of each grant less the present value of any dividends not received during the vesting period, which will be expensed, net of forfeitures, over the vesting period which is generally three years. As of March 31, 2016 , 1,734,966 non-vested (all of which are expected to vest) restricted stock units and shares of restricted stock were granted and outstanding.
Performance Shares. During the three months ended March 31, 2016 , NiSource granted 603,665 performance shares subject to service, performance and market conditions. The grant date fair value of the awards was $11.7 million , based on the average market price of NiSource’s common stock at the date of each grant less the present value of dividends not received during the vesting period which will be expensed, net of forfeitures, over the vesting period which is generally three years. A Monte Carlo analysis was used to value the portion of these awards dependent on market conditions. As of March 31, 2016 , 603,665 non-vested (all of which are expected to vest) performance shares were granted and outstanding.
401(k) Match, Profit Sharing and Company Contribution. NiSource has a voluntary 401(k) savings plan covering eligible employees that allows for periodic discretionary matches as a percentage of each participant’s contributions payable in shares of NiSource common stock. NiSource also has a retirement savings plan that provides for discretionary profit sharing contributions payable in shares of NiSource common stock to eligible employees based on earnings results; and eligible exempt employees hired after January 1, 2010 receive a non-elective company contribution of 3% of eligible pay payable in shares of NiSource common stock. For the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 , NiSource recognized 401(k) match, profit sharing and non-elective contribution expense of $6.6 million and $6.2 million , respectively.

18.    Other Commitments and Contingencies
A. Guarantees and Indemnities. As a part of normal business, NiSource and certain subsidiaries enter into various agreements providing financial or performance assurance to third parties on behalf of certain subsidiaries. Such agreements include guarantees and stand-by letters of credit. These agreements are entered into primarily to support or enhance the creditworthiness otherwise attributed to a subsidiary on a stand-alone basis, thereby facilitating the extension of sufficient credit to accomplish the subsidiaries’ intended commercial purposes. At March 31, 2016 , NiSource had issued stand-by letters of credit of approximately $14.7 million for the benefit of third parties.  
  B. Legal Proceedings. The Company is party to certain claims and legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business, none of which is deemed to be individually material at this time. Due to the inherent uncertainty of litigation, there can be no assurance that the resolution of any particular claim or proceeding would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or liquidity. If one or more of such matters were decided against the Company, the effects could be material to the Company’s results of operations in the period in which the Company would be required to record or adjust the related liability and could also be material to the Company’s cash flows in the periods the Company would be required to pay such liability.

23

Table of Contents
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

C. Environmental Matters. NiSource operations are subject to environmental statutes and regulations related to air quality, water quality, hazardous waste and solid waste. NiSource believes that it is in substantial compliance with the environmental regulations currently applicable to its operations.
It is management's continued intent to address environmental issues in cooperation with regulatory authorities in such a manner as to achieve mutually acceptable compliance plans. However, there can be no assurance that fines and penalties will not be incurred. Management expects a significant portion of environmental assessment and remediation costs to be recoverable through rates for certain NiSource companies.
As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , NiSource had recorded an accrual of approximately $122.0 million and $123.2 million , respectively, to cover environmental remediation at various sites. The current portion of this accrual is included in "Legal and environmental" in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited). The noncurrent portion is included in "Other noncurrent liabilities" in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited). NiSource accrues for costs associated with environmental remediation obligations when the incurrence of such costs is probable and the amounts can be reasonably estimated. The original estimates for cleanup may differ materially from the amount ultimately expended. The actual future expenditures depend on many factors, including currently enacted laws and regulations, the nature and extent of contamination, the method of cleanup and the availability of cost recovery. These expenditures are not currently estimable at some sites. NiSource periodically adjusts its accrual as information is collected and estimates become more refined.
Air
The actions listed below could require further reductions in emissions from various emission sources. NiSource will continue to closely monitor developments in these matters.
Climate Change. Future legislative and regulatory programs, including implementation of the EPA CPP, could significantly limit allowed GHG emissions or impose a cost or tax on GHG emissions. Additionally, certain rules that increase methane leak detection and permitting requirements for natural gas facilities could restrict GHG emissions or impose additional costs. The CPP and other federally enacted or proposed GHG reduction measures are subject to numerous legal challenges that could change the way the programs are implemented, and NiSource will carefully monitor all GHG reduction proposals and regulations. In addition to the federal programs, the United States and 194 other countries agreed by consensus to limit GHGs to Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) beginning after 2020 in the 2015 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Paris Agreement. The United States has proposed a NDC of a 26-28% reduction from 2005 levels by 2025, a figure that cannot be met with the CPP alone.
National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The CAA requires the EPA to set NAAQS for particulate matter and five other pollutants considered harmful to public health and the environment. Periodically, the EPA imposes new, or modifies existing, NAAQS. States that contain areas that do not meet the new or revised standards or contribute significantly to nonattainment of downwind states may be required to take steps to achieve and maintain compliance with the standards. These steps could include additional pollution controls on boilers, engines, turbines and other facilities owned by electric generation and gas distribution operations.
The following NAAQS were recently added or modified:
Ozone: On October 26, 2015, the EPA issued a final rule to lower the 8-hour ozone standard from 75 ppb to 70 ppb . After the EPA proceeds with designations, areas where NiSource operates that are currently designated in attainment with the standards may be reclassified as nonattainment. NiSource will continue to monitor this matter and cannot estimate its impact at this time.
Waste
NiSource subsidiaries are potentially responsible parties at waste disposal sites under the CERCLA (commonly known as Superfund) and similar state laws. Additionally, NiSource affiliates have retained environmental liabilities, including cleanup liabilities, associated with certain former operations.
A program has been instituted to identify and investigate former MGP sites where Gas Distribution Operations subsidiaries or predecessors may have liability. The program has identified 64 such sites where liability is probable. Remedial actions at many of these sites are being overseen by state or federal environmental agencies through consent agreements or voluntary remediation agreements.
NiSource utilizes a probabilistic model to estimate its future remediation costs related to its MGP sites. The model was prepared with the assistance of a third-party and incorporates NiSource and general industry experience with remediating MGP sites. NiSource completes an annual refresh of the model in the second quarter of each fiscal year. No material changes to the estimated future remediation costs were noted as a result of the refresh completed as of June 30, 2015. The total estimated liability at NiSource

24

Table of Contents
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

related to the facilities subject to remediation was $109.7 million and $110.4 million at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , respectively. The liability represents NiSource’s best estimate of the probable cost to remediate the facilities. NiSource believes that it is reasonably possible that remediation costs could vary by as much as $25 million in addition to the costs noted above. Remediation costs are estimated based on the best available information, applicable remediation standards at the balance sheet date and experience with similar facilities.
Additional Issues Related to Individual Business Segments
The sections below describe various regulatory actions that affect individual business segments for which NiSource has retained a liability.
Electric Operations.
Air
NIPSCO is subject to a number of air-quality mandates in the next several years. The mandates, which include the NSR Consent Decree, the Utility Mercury and Air Toxics Standards Rule (MATS) and the CPP, require or may require NIPSCO to make capital improvements to its electric generating stations. The cost of capital improvements associated with the NSR Consent Decree and MATS is estimated to be $860 million , of which approximately $27.2 million remains to be spent. The cost to comply with the CPP cannot be estimated at this time. Costs incurred for NSR Consent Decree and MATS compliance are currently being recovered through rates. NIPSCO believes that the costs associated with CPP compliance will be eligible for recovery through rates.
Utility Mercury and Air Toxics Standards Rule: On February 16, 2012, the EPA issued the MATS rule establishing new emissions limits for mercury and other air toxics. Certain affected NIPSCO units have completed projects to meet the April 2015 compliance deadline. For NIPSCO’s remaining affected units, a one-year compliance extension granted by IDEM delayed the compliance date until April 2016. On June 29, 2015, the United States Supreme Court remanded the MATS rule back to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit for further proceedings. On December 15, 2015, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued an order remanding the MATS rule to the EPA without vacating the rule. The MATS rule remains in effect while the EPA addresses the issues raised by the United State Supreme Court. The EPA indicates that these issues will be fully addressed in 2016. NIPSCO will continue to monitor developments in this matter. NIPSCO completed an IURC-approved plan for the installation of environmental controls needed to comply with the MATS extension.
Clean Power Plan : On October 23, 2015, the EPA issued a final rule to regulate CO 2 emissions from existing fossil-fuel EGUs under section 111(d) of the CAA. The final rule establishes national CO 2 emission-rate standards that are applied to each state’s mix of affected EGUs to establish state-specific emission-rate and mass-emission limits. The final rule requires each state to submit a plan indicating how the state will meet the EPA's emission-rate or mass-emission limit, including possibly imposing reduction obligations on specific units. If a state does not submit a satisfactory plan, the EPA will impose a federal plan on that state. On February 9, 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court stayed implementation of the CPP until litigation is decided on its merits. The cost to comply with this rule will depend on a number of factors, including the outcome of CPP litigation, the requirements of the state plan or final federal plan, and the level of NIPSCO's required CO 2 emission reductions. It is possible that this new rule, comprehensive federal or state GHG legislation or other GHG regulation could result in additional expense or compliance costs that could materially impact NiSource's financial results. NIPSCO will continue to monitor this matter and cannot estimate its impact at this time.
Cross State Air Pollution Rule: On December 3, 2015, the EPA issued a proposed rule to address interstate air quality impacts associated with the 2008 ozone NAAQS. Under the proposed rule, NIPSCO would be required to meet a more stringent NOx emission allocation. NIPSCO will continue to monitor this matter and cannot estimate its impact at this time.
Water
On August 15, 2014, the EPA issued the final Phase II Rule of the Clean Water Act Section 316(b), which requires all large existing steam electric generating stations to meet certain performance standards to reduce the effects on aquatic organisms at their cooling water intake structures. Under this rule, stations will have to either demonstrate that the performance of their existing fish protection systems meet the new standards or develop new systems, such as a closed-cycle cooling tower. The cost to comply will depend on a number of factors, including evaluation of the various compliance options available under the regulation and permitting-related determinations by IDEM. NIPSCO estimates that the cost of compliance is between $4 million and $35 million , dependent upon study results, agency requirements and technology ultimately required to achieve compliance.
On November 3, 2015, the EPA issued a final rule to amend the ELG and standards for the Steam Electric Power Generating category. The final rule became effective January 4, 2016. The rule imposes new water treatment and discharge requirements on

25

Table of Contents
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

NIPSCO's electric generating facilities to be applied between 2018-2023. Based upon a preliminary engineering study, capital compliance costs are currently expected to be in the $225 million to $315 million range. NIPSCO believes that the costs associated with ELG compliance will be eligible for recovery through rates.
Waste
On April 17, 2015, the EPA issued a final rule for regulation of CCRs. The rule regulates CCRs under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Subtitle D, which determines them to be nonhazardous. The rule will require increased groundwater monitoring, reporting, record keeping and posting of related information to the Internet. The rule also establishes requirements related to CCR management, impoundments, landfills and storage. The rule will allow NIPSCO to continue its byproduct beneficial use program.
The publication of the CCR rule resulted in revisions to previously recorded legal obligations associated with the retirement of certain NIPSCO facilities. The actual asset retirement costs related to the CCR rule may vary substantially from the estimates used to record the increased asset retirement obligation due to the uncertainty about the compliance strategies that will be used and the preliminary nature of available data used to estimate costs. Refer to Note 6, "Asset Retirement Obligations," for further information. In addition, to comply with the rule, NIPSCO will be required to incur future capital expenditures to modify its infrastructure and manage CCRs. Based upon a preliminary engineering study, capital compliance costs are currently expected to be in the $130 million to $182 million range. As allowed by the EPA, NIPSCO will continue to collect data over time to determine the specific compliance solutions and associated costs and, as a result, the actual costs may vary. NIPSCO believes that the costs associated with CCR compliance will be eligible for recovery through rates.
D. Other Matters.
Transmission Upgrade Agreements. On February 11, 2014, NIPSCO entered into TUAs with upgrade sponsors to complete upgrades on NIPSCO’s transmission system on behalf of those sponsors. The upgrade sponsors agreed to reimburse NIPSCO for the total cost to construct transmission upgrades and place them into service, multiplied by a rate of 1.71 ("the multiplier").
On June 10, 2014, certain upgrade sponsors for both TUAs filed a complaint at the FERC against NIPSCO regarding the multiplier stated in the TUAs. On June 30, 2014, NIPSCO filed an answer defending the terms of the TUAs and the just and reasonable nature of the multiplier charged therein and moved for dismissal of the complaint. On December 8, 2014, the FERC issued an order in response to the complaint finding that it is appropriate for NIPSCO to recover, through the multiplier, substantiated costs of ownership related to the TUAs. The FERC set for hearing the issue of what constitutes the incremental costs NIPSCO will incur, but is holding that hearing in abeyance to allow for settlement. NIPSCO will continue to monitor developments in this matter and does not believe the conclusion of this matter will result in a material impact to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).


26

Table of Contents
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

19.    Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The following tables display the components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 :
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 (in millions)
Gains and Losses on Securities (1)
 
Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedges (1)
 
Pension and OPEB Items (1)
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss (1)
Balance as of January 1, 2016
$
(0.5
)
 
$
(15.5
)
 
$
(19.1
)
 
$
(35.1
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
1.7

 
(71.2
)
 
0.1

 
(69.4
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss

 
0.5

 
0.2

 
0.7

Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)
1.7

 
(70.7
)
 
0.3

 
(68.7
)
Balance as of March 31, 2016
$
1.2

 
$
(86.2
)
 
$
(18.8
)
 
$
(103.8
)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 (in millions)
Gains and Losses on Securities (1)
 
Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedges (1)
 
Pension and OPEB Items (1)
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
(1)
Balance as of January 1, 2015
$
0.3

 
$
(23.6
)
 
$
(27.3
)
 
$
(50.6
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
1.0

 

 

 
1.0

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
(0.1
)
 
0.9

 
0.2

 
1.0

Net current-period other comprehensive income
0.9

 
0.9

 
0.2

 
2.0

Allocation of AOCI to noncontrolling interest

 
2.0

 

 
2.0

Balance as of March 31, 2015
$
1.2

 
$
(20.7
)
 
$
(27.1
)
 
$
(46.6
)
(1) All amounts are net of tax. Amounts in parentheses indicate debits.

20.    Business Segment Information
At March 31, 2016 , NiSource’s operations are divided into two primary reportable segments. The Gas Distribution Operations segment provides natural gas service and transportation for residential, commercial and industrial customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Kentucky, Maryland, Indiana and Massachusetts. The Electric Operations segment provides electric service in 20 counties in the northern part of Indiana.

27

Table of Contents
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

The following table provides information about business segments. NiSource uses operating income as its primary measurement for each of the reported segments and makes decisions on finance, dividends and taxes at the corporate level on a consolidated basis. Segment revenues include intersegment sales to affiliated subsidiaries, which are eliminated in consolidation. Affiliated sales are recognized on the basis of prevailing market, regulated prices or at levels provided for under contractual agreements. Operating income is derived from revenues and expenses directly associated with each segment.
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
(in millions)
2016
 
2015
Revenues
 
 
 
Gas Distribution Operations
 
 
 
Unaffiliated
$
1,040.8

 
$
1,456.2

Intersegment
3.2

 
0.1

Total
1,044.0

 
1,456.3

Electric Operations
 
 
 
Unaffiliated
392.1

 
395.5

Intersegment
0.2

 
0.3

Total
392.3

 
395.8

Corporate and Other
 
 
 
Unaffiliated
3.7

 
0.5

Intersegment
98.8

 
100.0

Total
102.5

 
100.5

Eliminations
(102.2
)
 
(100.4
)
Consolidated Gross Revenues
$
1,436.6

 
$
1,852.2

Operating Income (Loss)
 
 
 
Gas Distribution Operations
$
314.9

 
$
325.2

Electric Operations
70.3

 
70.0

Corporate and Other
(3.8
)
 
(8.9
)
Consolidated Operating Income
$
381.4

 
$
386.3


21.    Supplemental Cash Flow Information
The following table provides additional information regarding NiSource’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows (unaudited) for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 :
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(in millions)
2016
 
2015
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information
 
 
 
Non-cash transactions:
 
 
 
Capital expenditures included in current liabilities
$
108.9

 
$
90.5

Assets acquired under a capital lease
0.7

 
4.8

Schedule of interest and income taxes paid:
 
 
 
Cash paid for interest, net of interest capitalized
$
141.2

 
$
167.7

Cash paid for income taxes

 
4.3


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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
NiSource Inc.

Note regarding forward-looking statements
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, including statements regarding market risk sensitive instruments, contains “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Investors and prospective investors should understand that many factors govern whether any forward-looking statement contained herein will be or can be realized. Any one of those factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning NiSource’s plans, objectives, expected performance, expenditures, recovery of expenditures through rates, stated on either a consolidated or segment basis, the Separation and any and all underlying assumptions and other statements that are not historical fact. From time to time, NiSource may publish or otherwise make available forward-looking statements of this nature. All such subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral and whether made by or on behalf of NiSource, are also expressly qualified by these cautionary statements. All forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that management believes to be reasonable; however, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements, including projections, forecasts, estimates and expectations discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q include, among other things, NiSource’s debt obligations; any changes in NiSource’s credit rating; NiSource’s ability to execute its growth strategy; changes in general economic, capital and commodity market conditions; pension funding obligations; economic regulation and the impact of regulatory rate reviews; compliance with environmental laws and the costs of associated liabilities; fluctuations in demand from residential and commercial customers; economic conditions of certain industries; the price of energy commodities and related transportation costs; the reliability of customers and suppliers to fulfill their payment and contractual obligations; potential impairments of goodwill or definite-lived intangible assets; changes in taxation and accounting principles; potential incidents and other operating risks associated with our business; the impact of an aging infrastructure; the impact of climate change; potential cyber-attacks; risks associated with construction and natural gas cost and supply; extreme weather conditions; the ability of subsidiaries to generate cash; uncertainties related to the expected benefits of the Separation and the matters referenced in the “Risk Factors” section of NiSource’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, many of which are beyond the control of NiSource. In addition, the relative contributions to profitability by each segment, and the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements relating thereto, may change over time. NiSource expressly disclaims any duty to update, supplement or amend any of its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or otherwise.
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with NiSource’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 .

CONSOLIDATED REVIEW
Executive Summary
NiSource is an energy holding company under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005 whose subsidiaries are fully regulated natural gas and electric utility companies serving customers in seven states. NiSource generates substantially all of its operating income through these rate-regulated businesses. A significant portion of NiSource’s operations is subject to seasonal fluctuations in sales. During the heating season, which is primarily from November through March, net revenues from gas sales are more significant, and during the cooling season, which is primarily from June through September, net revenues from electric sales are more significant, than in other months.
NiSource reported lower income from continuing operations of $179.7 million , or $0.56 per basic share for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to $192.5 million , or $0.61 per basic share for the same period in 2015. The lower income from continuing operations during 2016 was due primarily to lower net revenues due to warmer weather partially offset by higher net revenues from regulatory and service programs. Additionally, the lower income from continuing operations was due to increased income taxes resulting from variances in consolidated state apportionment benefits.
For the three months ended March 31, 2016 , NiSource reported operating income of $381.4 million compared to $386.3 million for the same period in 2015.

These factors and other impacts to the financial results are discussed in more detail within the following discussions of “Results of Operations” and “Results and Discussion of Segment Operations.”

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NiSource Inc.


As part of our long-term regulated infrastructure investment program, NiSource invested $301.0 million across our gas and electric utilities during the first quarter of 2016. In total, NiSource expects to invest approximately $1.4 billion in capital expenditures during 2016.
NiSource believes that through income generated from operating activities, amounts available under its short-term revolving credit facility, commercial paper program, accounts receivable securitization facilities, long-term debt agreements and NiSource’s ability to access the capital markets, there is adequate capital available to fund its operating activities and capital expenditures in 2016. At March 31, 2016 , NiSource had approximately $1,049.0 million of liquidity available, consisting of cash and available capacity under its revolving credit facility and accounts receivable securitization programs.
Platform for Growth
NiSource’s utilities continue to move forward on core infrastructure and environmental investment programs supported by complementary regulatory and customer initiatives across all seven states in our service area. To date, NiSource has executed against approximately $2.3 billion of an estimated $30 billion in total projected long-term regulated utility infrastructure investments. As noted above, NiSource expects to invest approximately $1.4 billion in capital expenditures during 2016 to continue to modernize and improve its system across all seven states. NiSource’s goal is to develop strategies that benefit all stakeholders as it addresses changing customer conservation patterns, develops more contemporary pricing structures, and embarks on long-term investment programs. These strategies will help improve reliability and safety, enhance customer service and reduce emissions while generating sustainable returns.

Additionally, NiSource is pursuing regulatory and legislative initiatives that will allow residential customers not currently on NiSource's system to obtain gas service in a cost effective manner.

The discussion below summarizes significant regulatory developments that transpired during the quarter ended March 31, 2016, including periods prior to issuance of this 10-Q:

Gas Distribution Operations

On April 20, 2016, the PUCO approved Columbia of Ohio's annual IRP rider. The rider provides for continued support of Columbia of Ohio's well-established pipeline replacement program. This order authorizes approximately $21 million in increased annual revenue related to 2015 infrastructure investments of approximately $185 million.

A decision on Columbia of Massachusetts’ 2016 GSEP was issued by the Massachusetts DPU on April 29, 2016. This approval allows for recovery of investments of approximately $59 million through 2016 and an increase in annual revenues of $8.2 million, which began on May 1, 2016.

On March 18, 2016, Columbia of Pennsylvania filed a request with the Pennsylvania PUC to adjust its base rates in support of Columbia of Pennsylvania's continued upgrades and replacement of its infrastructure, and to recover increases in the company's safety-related operating and maintenance costs. The rate request is based on Columbia of Pennsylvania’s infrastructure investments and programs which are designed to enhance pipeline safety. If approved as filed, the case would result in a $55.3 million annual revenue increase. A PUC order is expected by the end of 2016.

On April 29, 2016, Columbia of Virginia filed a request with the VSCC to adjust its base rates to recover investments and other costs associated with the company’s ongoing initiatives to improve the overall safety and reliability of its distribution system and to accommodate increasing demand for service. If approved as filed, the case would result in an annual revenue increase of $37.0 million. A VSCC decision is expected by early next year.

On April 15, 2016, Columbia of Maryland filed a request with the MPSC to adjust its base rates to support the continued replacement of aging pipe as well as adopt pipeline safety upgrades. If approved as filed, the case would result in an annual revenue increase of approximately $6.5 million. A commission order is expected by the end of 2016.

NIPSCO continues to execute on its seven-year, approximately $800 million, gas system modernization program to further improve system reliability and safety. On March 30, 2016, the IURC approved the semi-annual tracker update that NIPSCO filed in August 2015, which covered $74.1 million of investments through mid-2015. NIPSCO filed its latest semi-annual tracker update on February 29, 2016, and that request remains pending with the IURC.

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NiSource Inc.



Electric Operations

On March 24, 2016, NIPSCO reached a settlement agreement with the OUCC, industrial customers, the LaPorte County Board of Commissioners and the Indiana Municipal Utility Group on the company’s seven-year electric infrastructure modernization plan. The settlement includes the recovery of more than $1.2 billion of investments and remains focused on electric transmission and distribution investments designed to improve system safety and reliability. An IURC order on the settlement is anticipated in the third quarter of 2016.

On February 19, 2016, NIPSCO reached a collaborative agreement in its electric base rate case currently pending before the IURC. The settlement, which includes the OUCC, industrial customers, the Indiana Municipal Utility Group and the United Steelworkers, provides a platform for NIPSCO’s continued investments and service improvements for customers. The proposed settlement agreement would increase annual revenues by $72.5 million. An IURC order on the settlement is anticipated in the third quarter of 2016.

NIPSCO’s two major transmission projects remain on schedule with anticipated in-service dates in the second half of 2018. The 100-mile 345-kV and 65-mile 765-kV projects are designed to enhance region-wide system flexibility and reliability. Right-of-way acquisition, permitting and engineering are under way on both projects. NIPSCO expects to provide updated project cost estimates prior to the commencement of line construction later this year.

Refer to Note 7, “Regulatory Matters,” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) for a complete discussion of regulatory matters.
Ethics and Controls
NiSource is committed to providing accurate and complete financial reporting as well as high standards for ethical behavior by its employees. NiSource’s senior management takes an active role in the development of this Form 10-Q and the monitoring of the company’s internal control structure and performance. In addition, NiSource will continue its mandatory ethics training program for all employees.
For additional information refer to Item 4, “Controls and Procedures.”
Results of Operations
Quarter Ended March 31, 2016
Income from Continuing Operations
Income from continuing operations was $179.7 million , or $0.56 per basic share, for the three months ended March 31, 2016 , compared to $192.5 million , or $0.61 per basic share, for the first quarter of 2015 . Operating income was $381.4 million , a decrease of $4.9 million from the same period in 2015 . Basic average shares of common stock outstanding at March 31, 2016 were 320.3 million  compared to 316.6 million at March 31, 2015 .
Comparability of line item operating results between quarterly periods is impacted by regulatory and tax trackers that allow for the recovery in rates of certain costs such as bad debt expense. Therefore, increases in these tracked operating expenses are offset by increases in net revenues and have essentially no impact on income from continuing operations.
Net Revenues
Total consolidated net revenues (gross revenues less cost of sales) for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 , were $940.1 million , a $63.9 million decrease from the same period last year. This decrease in net revenues was primarily due to decreased Gas Distribution Operations' net revenues of $67.1 million partially offset by increased Electric Operations' net revenues of $3.1 million.
Gas Distribution Operations’ net revenues decreased primarily due to lower regulatory, depreciation and tax trackers, which are offset in expense, of $67.1 million and the effects of warmer weather of $34.7 million. These decreases in net revenues were partially offset by higher net revenues from regulatory and service programs of $34.5 million, including the impact of new rates at Columbia of Massachusetts and Columbia of Pennsylvania, as well as the implementation of new rates under Columbia of Ohio's approved infrastructure replacement program.
Electric Operations' net revenues increased primarily due to higher regulatory and depreciation trackers, which are offset in expense, of $7.6 million, an increase in the return on the environmental capital investment recovery of $3.6 million

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NiSource Inc.


due to an increased plant balance eligible for recovery and higher net revenues of $3.5 million as a result of two electric transmission projects. These increases were partially offset by the effects of warmer weather of $4.7 million and lower usage of $2.1 million.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses for the first quarter of 2016 were $558.7 million , a decrease of $59.0 million from the 2015 period. This decrease was primarily due to lower regulatory, depreciation and tax trackers, which are offset in net revenues, of $59.5 million, decreased electric generation expenses of $6.6 million and lower employee and administrative costs of $6.3 million. These decreases in operation and maintenance expense were partially offset by higher outside service costs of $15.1 million.
Other Income (Deductions)
Other Income (Deductions) reduced income by $89.8 million in the first quarter of 2016 compared to a reduction in income of $89.3 million in the prior year.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 was $111.9 million compared to $104.5 million in the prior year. The effective tax rates for the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 were 38.4% and 35.2% , respectively. The 3.2% increase in the three month effective tax rate in 2016 versus 2015 is primarily due to state apportionment benefits in 2015.

Refer to Note 12, "Income Taxes," in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) for further discussion of income taxes.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
A significant portion of NiSource’s operations are subject to seasonal fluctuations in cash flow. During the heating season, which is primarily from November through March, cash receipts from gas sales and transportation services typically exceed cash requirements. During the summer months, cash on hand, together with the seasonal increase in cash flows from the electric business during the summer cooling season and external short-term and long-term financing is used to purchase gas to place in storage for heating season deliveries and perform necessary maintenance of facilities. NiSource believes that through income generated from operating activities, amounts available under its short-term revolving credit facility, commercial paper program, accounts receivable securitization programs, long-term debt agreements and NiSource’s ability to access the capital markets, there is adequate capital available to fund its operating activities and capital expenditures in 2016 .

Operating Activities
Net cash from operating activities from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was $303.2 million , a decrease of $145.0 million compared to the three months ended March 31, 2015 . Changes in weather, gas price fluctuations and the related approved rates for recovery significantly impacted regulatory assets, regulatory liabilities and working capital when comparing the two periods. During 2016, over-collected gas costs and service revenues from 2015 were returned to customers resulting in a use of working capital. Conversely, during the comparable period in 2015, under-collected gas costs and service revenues from 2014 were received from customers creating a source of working capital.

Pension and Other Postretirement Plan Funding. NiSource expects to make contributions of approximately $3.0 million to its pension plans and approximately $22.2 million to its other postretirement benefit plans in 2016 , which could change depending on market conditions. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 , NiSource has contributed $0.8 million to its pension plans and $4.9 million to its other postretirement benefit plans.

Income Taxes. As of March 31, 2016, NiSource has a recorded deferred tax asset of $395.4 million related to a Federal NOL carryforward. As a result of being in an NOL position, NiSource was not required to make any cash payments for Federal income tax purposes during the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. This NOL carryforward expires in 2030, however NiSource expects to fully utilize the carryforward benefit prior to its expiration.

Investing Activities
NiSource’s capital expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2016 were $301.0 million compared to $243.5 million for the comparable period in 2015 . The increase in capital spend was driven by favorable weather conditions in 2016 which allowed for extended periods of construction. NiSource projects 2016 capital expenditures to be approximately $1.4 billion .

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NiSource Inc.


The decrease in net cash from (used for) investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2016 , when compared to the first quarter of 2015, was also attributable to $500.0 million in proceeds received from the initial public offering of CPPL during the first quarter of 2015.

Financing Activities
Long-term Debt. Refer to Note 15, “Long-term Debt,” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) for information on long-term debt.

Credit Facilities. NiSource Finance currently maintains a $1.5 billion revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks led by Barclays Capital with a termination date of July 1, 2020 . The purpose of the facility is to fund ongoing working capital requirements including the provision of liquidity support for NiSource Finance's $1.5 billion commercial paper program, provide for issuance of letters of credit and also for general corporate purposes.

NiSource Finance's commercial paper program has a program limit of up to $1.5 billion with a dealer group comprised of Barclays, Citigroup, Credit Suisse and Wells Fargo.

NiSource Finance had no borrowings outstanding under its revolving credit facility at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 . In addition, NiSource Finance had $460.0 million of commercial paper outstanding at March 31, 2016 at a weighted average interest rate of 1.00% and $321.4 million in commercial paper outstanding at December 31, 2015 , at a weighted average interest rate of 1.00% .

As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , NiSource had $385.3 million and $246.0 million , respectively, of short-term borrowings recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) relating to its accounts receivable securitization facilities. See Note 10, “Transfers of Financial Assets,” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).

As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, NiSource had $14.7 million of stand-by letters of credit outstanding, all of which were under the revolving credit facility.

As of March 31, 2016 , an aggregate of $1,049.0 million of liquidity was available, including cash and credit available under the revolving credit facility and accounts receivable securitization programs.

The following table displays NiSource's liquidity position as of March 31, 2016 :
 
Three Months Ended
(in millions)
March 31, 2016
Current Liquidity
 
Revolving Credit Facility
$
1,500.0

Accounts Receivable Program (1)
385.3

Less:
 
Drawn on Revolving Credit Facility

Commercial Paper
460.0

Accounts Receivable Program Utilized
385.3

Letters of Credit Outstanding Under Credit Facility
14.7

Add:
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
23.7

Net Available Liquidity
$
1,049.0

(1) Represents the lesser of the seasonal limit or maximum borrowings supportable by the underlying receivables.

Not included in liquidity discussed above is a $500.0 million delayed-draw term loan agreement executed on March 31, 2016. Refer to Note 15, "Long-Term Debt," in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) for further information.


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NiSource Inc.


Debt Covenants . NiSource is subject to financial covenants under its revolving credit facility and term loan agreement, which require NiSource to maintain a debt to capitalization ratio that does not exceed 70%. A similar covenant in a 2005 private placement note purchase agreement requires NiSource to maintain a debt to capitalization ratio that does not exceed 75%. As of March 31, 2016 , the ratio was 64.4% .

Sale of Trade Accounts Receivables. Refer to Note 10, “Transfers of Financial Assets,” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) for information on the sale of trade accounts receivable.

All accounts receivable sold to the purchasers are valued at face value, which approximates fair value due to their short-term nature. The amount of the undivided percentage ownership interest in the accounts receivables sold is determined, in part, by required loss reserves under the agreements.

Credit Ratings. The credit rating agencies periodically review the Company’s ratings, taking into account factors such as our capital structure and earnings profile. In 2015, Moody’s affirmed the NiSource senior unsecured rating of Baa2 and its commercial paper rating of P-2, with stable outlooks. Moody’s also affirmed NIPSCO’s Baa1 rating and Columbia of Massachusetts’s Baa2 rating, with stable outlooks. In 2015, Standard & Poor’s raised the senior unsecured ratings of NiSource and its subsidiaries to BBB+ and NiSource’s commercial paper rating to A-2, with stable outlooks. In 2015, Fitch affirmed the NiSource senior unsecured rating of BBB-, commercial paper rating of F3 and the existing ratings of its other rated subsidiaries. Fitch revised its outlook to positive.

The Company is committed to maintaining investment grade credit ratings, however, there is no assurance we will be able to do so in the future. The Company’s credit ratings could be lowered or withdrawn entirely by a rating agency if, in its judgment, the circumstances warrant. Any negative rating action could adversely affect our ability to access capital at rates and on terms that are attractive. A negative rating action could also adversely impact our business relationships with suppliers and operating partners.
Certain NiSource subsidiaries have agreements that contain “ratings triggers” that require increased collateral if the credit ratings of NiSource or certain of its subsidiaries are below investment grade. These agreements are primarily for insurance purposes and for the physical purchase or sale of power. As of March 31, 2016 the collateral requirement that would be required in the event of a downgrade below the ratings trigger levels would amount to approximately $27.5 million . In addition to agreements with ratings triggers, there are other agreements that contain “adequate assurance” or “material adverse change” provisions that could necessitate additional credit support such as letters of credit and cash collateral to transact business.

Equity. NiSource has a shelf registration statement on file with the SEC that originally authorized NiSource to issue 400,000,000 shares of common stock and 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock. As of March 31, 2016, 321,360,285 shares of common stock were outstanding. NiSource has no preferred stock outstanding as of March 31, 2016.

Contractual Obligations. Aside from the previously referenced term loan issuance and repayment of long-term debt, there were no material changes recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2016 to NiSource’s contractual obligations as of December 31, 2015.
Market Risk Disclosures
Risk is an inherent part of NiSource’s energy businesses. The extent to which NiSource properly and effectively identifies, assesses, monitors and manages each of the various types of risk involved in its businesses is critical to its profitability. NiSource seeks to identify, assess, monitor and manage, in accordance with defined policies and procedures, the following principal market risks that are involved in NiSource’s energy businesses: commodity price risk, interest rate risk and credit risk. Risk management at NiSource is a multi-faceted process with oversight by the Risk Management Committee that requires constant communication, judgment and knowledge of specialized products and markets. NiSource’s senior management takes an active role in the risk management process and has developed policies and procedures that require specific administrative and business functions to assist in the identification, assessment and control of various risks. These may include but are not limited to market, operational, financial, compliance and strategic risk types. In recognition of the increasingly varied and complex nature of the energy business, NiSource’s risk management process, policies and procedures continue to evolve and are subject to ongoing review and modification.

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NiSource Inc.


Commodity Price Risk
NiSource is exposed to commodity price risk as a result of its subsidiaries’ operations involving natural gas and power. To manage this market risk, NiSource’s subsidiaries use derivatives, including commodity futures contracts, swaps and options. NiSource is not involved in speculative energy trading activity.
Commodity price risk resulting from derivative activities at NiSource’s rate-regulated subsidiaries is limited, since regulations allow recovery of prudently incurred purchased power, fuel and gas costs through the ratemaking process, including gains or losses on these derivative instruments. If states should explore additional regulatory reform, these subsidiaries may begin providing services without the benefit of the traditional ratemaking process and may be more exposed to commodity price risk. Some of NiSource’s rate-regulated utility subsidiaries offer commodity price risk products to its customers for which derivatives are used to hedge forecasted customer usage under such products. These subsidiaries do not have regulatory recovery orders for these products and may be subject to gains and losses recognized in earnings due to hedge ineffectiveness.
NiSource subsidiaries are required to make cash margin deposits with their brokers to cover actual and potential losses in the value of outstanding exchange-traded derivative contracts. The amount of these deposits, which are reflected in NiSource’s restricted cash balance, may fluctuate significantly during periods of high volatility in the energy commodity markets.
There are no material commodity risk management assets or liabilities as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 .
Interest Rate Risk
NiSource is exposed to interest rate risk as a result of changes in interest rates on borrowings under its revolving credit agreement, commercial paper program and accounts receivable programs, which have interest rates that are indexed to short-term market interest rates. Based upon average borrowings and debt obligations subject to fluctuations in short-term market interest rates, an increase (or decrease) in short-term interest rates of 100 basis points (1%) would have increased (or decreased) interest expense by $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and $4.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 . NiSource is also exposed to interest rate risk as a result of changes in benchmark rates that can influence the interest rates of future debt issuances. NiSource may use several strategies including interest rate hedges and liability management transactions to manage this risk.

In December 2015, NiSource Finance entered into forward starting interest-rate swaps, to hedge the interest rate risk on coupon payments arising from $1.0 billion of forecasted issuances of long-term debt expected to take place by 2018. Refer to Note 8, "Risk Management Activities," in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) for further information on NiSource's forward starting interest-rate swaps.

Credit Risk
Due to the nature of the industry, credit risk is embedded in many of NiSource’s business activities. NiSource’s extension of credit is governed by a Corporate Credit Risk Policy. In addition, Risk Management Committee guidelines are in place which document management approval levels for credit limits, evaluation of creditworthiness and credit risk mitigation efforts. Exposures to credit risks are monitored by the risk management function which is independent of commercial operations. Credit risk arises due to the possibility that a customer, supplier or counterparty will not be able or willing to fulfill its obligations on a transaction on or before the settlement date. For derivative related contracts, credit risk arises when counterparties are obligated to deliver or purchase defined commodity units of gas or power to NiSource at a future date per execution of contractual terms and conditions, or when counterparties are obligated to settle an amount owed to NiSource under a financial agreement. Exposure to credit risk is measured in terms of both current obligations and the market value of forward positions net of any posted collateral such as cash and letters of credit.

NiSource closely monitors the financial status of its banking credit providers. NiSource evaluates the financial status of its banking partners through the use of market-based metrics such as credit default swap pricing levels, and also through traditional credit ratings provided by major credit rating agencies.
Fair Value Measurement
NiSource measures certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value. The level of the fair value hierarchy disclosed is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. NiSource’s financial assets and liabilities include price risk assets and liabilities, available-for-sale securities and a deferred compensation plan obligation.


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Refer to Note 9, “Fair Value,” in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) for additional information on NiSource’s fair value measurements.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

As a part of normal business, NiSource and certain subsidiaries enter into various agreements providing financial or performance assurance to third parties on behalf of certain subsidiaries. Such agreements include guarantees and stand-by letters of credit.

Refer to Note 18, “Other Commitments and Contingencies,” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) for additional information about such arrangements.

Other Information

Critical Accounting Policies
There were no significant changes to critical accounting policies for the period ended March 31, 2016 .
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to Note 2, "Recent Accounting Pronouncements."



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NiSource Inc.


RESULTS AND DISCUSSION OF SEGMENT OPERATIONS
Presentation of Segment Information
NiSource’s operations are divided into two primary business segments: Gas Distribution Operations and Electric Operations.

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NiSource Inc.
Gas Distribution Operations



 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
($ in millions)
2016
 
2015
Net Revenues
 
 
 
Sales revenues
$
1,044.0

 
$
1,456.3

Less: Cost of gas sold (excluding depreciation and amortization)
377.4

 
722.6

Net Revenues
666.6

 
733.7

Operating Expenses
 
 
 
Operation and maintenance
238.4

 
291.8

Depreciation and amortization
61.2

 
56.1

Other taxes
52.1

 
60.6

Total Operating Expenses
351.7

 
408.5

Operating Income
$
314.9

 
$
325.2

Revenues
 
 
 
Residential
$
681.8

 
$
1,014.9

Commercial
232.5

 
369.4

Industrial
61.5

 
88.0

Off-System sales
23.1

 
38.8

Other
45.1

 
(54.8
)
Total
$
1,044.0

 
$
1,456.3

Sales and Transportation (MMDth)
 
 
 
Residential
120.8

 
153.1

Commercial
71.6

 
88.7

Industrial
140.2

 
146.8

Off-System sales
12.1

 
13.5

Other
(0.1
)
 

Total
344.6

 
402.1

Heating Degree Days
2,612

 
3,404

Normal Heating Degree Days
2,924

 
2,892

% Colder (Warmer) than Normal
(11
)%
 
18
%
Customers
 
 
 
Residential
3,128,567

 
3,111,880

Commercial
285,214

 
284,081

Industrial
7,569

 
7,641

Other
13

 
15

Total
3,421,363

 
3,403,617


NiSource’s Gas Distribution Operations serve approximately 3.4 million customers in seven states: Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Virginia, Kentucky and Maryland. The regulated subsidiaries offer both traditional bundled services as well as transportation only for customers that purchase gas from alternative suppliers. The operating results reflect the temperature-sensitive nature of customer demand with 72% of annual residential and commercial throughput affected by seasonality. As a result, segment operating income is higher in the first and fourth quarters reflecting the heating demand during the winter season.

Regulatory Matters
Refer to Note 7, “Regulatory Matters,” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) for information on significant rate developments and cost recovery and trackers for the Gas Distribution Operations segment.




38

Table of Contents

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

NiSource Inc.
Gas Distribution Operations




Customer Usage. Increased efficiency of natural gas appliances and improvements in home building codes and standards has contributed to a long-term trend of declining average use per customer. Residential and commercial usage for the three months ended March 31, 2016 decreased from the same period last year primarily due to warmer weather compared to the prior year. While historically, rate design at the distribution level has been structured such that a large portion of cost recovery is based upon throughput, rather than in a fixed charge, operating costs are largely incurred on a fixed basis, and do not fluctuate due to changes in customer usage. As a result, Gas Distribution Operations have pursued changes in rate design to more effectively match recoveries with costs incurred. Each of the states in which Gas Distribution Operations operate has different requirements regarding the procedure for establishing changes to rate design. Columbia of Ohio restructured its rate design through a base rate proceeding and has adopted a “de-coupled” rate design which more closely links the recovery of fixed costs with fixed charges. Columbia of Massachusetts received regulatory approval of a decoupling mechanism which adjusts revenues to an approved benchmark level through a volumetric adjustment factor. Columbia of Maryland and Columbia of Virginia have received regulatory approval to implement a revenue normalization adjustment for certain customer classes, which is a decoupling mechanism whereby monthly revenues that exceed or fall short of approved levels are reconciled in subsequent months. In a prior base rate proceeding, Columbia of Pennsylvania implemented a residential weather normalization adjustment. Columbia of Kentucky has had approval for a weather normalization adjustment for many years. In a prior base rate proceeding, NIPSCO implemented a higher fixed customer charge for residential and small customer classes moving toward full straight fixed variable rate design.

Environmental Matters
Currently, various environmental matters impact the Gas Distribution Operations segment. As of March 31, 2016 , liabilities have been recorded to cover probable environmental response actions. Refer to Note 18-C, “Environmental Matters,” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) for additional information regarding environmental matters for the Gas Distribution Operations segment.

Weather
In general, NiSource calculates the weather-related revenue variance based on changing customer demand driven by weather variance from normal heating degree-days. NiSource's composite heating degree days reported do not directly correlate to the weather related dollar impact on the results of Gas Distribution Operations. Heating degree days experienced during different times of the year or in different operating locations may have more or less impact on volume and dollars depending on when and where they occur. When the detailed results are combined for reporting, there may be weather related dollar impacts on operations when there is not an apparent or significant change in the aggregated NiSource composite heating degree-day comparison.

Weather in the Gas Distribution Operations’ territories for the first quarter of 2016 was 11% warmer than normal and 23% warmer than the first quarter in 2015 , decreasing net revenues approximately $35 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 compared to 2015 .

Throughput
Total volumes sold and transported of 344.6 MMDth for the first quarter of 2016 decreased by 57.5 MMDth from the same period last year. This 14% decrease in volumes was primarily attributable to warmer weather and lower off-system sales opportunities.

Net Revenues
Net revenues for the first quarter of 2016 were $666.6 million, a decrease of $67.1 million from the same period in 2015. The decrease in net revenues is due primarily to lower regulatory and tax trackers, offset in expense, of $67.1 million and the effects of warmer weather of $34.7 million. These decreases in net revenues were partially offset by higher net revenues from regulatory and service programs of $34.5 million, including the impact of new rates at Columbia of Massachusetts and Columbia of Pennsylvania, as well as the implementation of new rates under Columbia of Ohio's approved infrastructure replacement program.

At NIPSCO, sales revenues and customer billings are adjusted for amounts related to under and over-recovered purchased gas costs from prior periods per regulatory order. These amounts are primarily reflected in the “Other” gross revenues statistic provided at the beginning of this segment discussion. The adjustment to Other gross revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was a revenue increase of $9.1 million compared to a revenue decrease of $63.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 .


39

Table of Contents

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

NiSource Inc.
Gas Distribution Operations




Operating Income
For the first quarter of 2016, Gas Distribution Operations reported operating income of $314.9 million, a decrease of $10.3 million from the comparable 2015 period. Operating income decreased as a result of lower net revenues, as described above, partially offset by decreased operating expenses. Operating expenses were $56.8 million lower than the comparable period reflecting lower regulatory and tax trackers which are offset in net revenues, of $67.1 million. This decrease in operating expense was partially offset by higher outside service costs of $7.0 million and increased depreciation expense of $5.1 million due to increased capital expenditures placed in service.

40

Table of Contents

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

NiSource Inc.
Electric Operations

 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
($ in millions)
2016
 
2015
Net Revenues
 
 
 
Sales revenues
$
392.3

 
$
395.8

Less: Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)
119.1

 
125.7

Net Revenues
273.2

 
270.1

Operating Expenses
 
 
 
Operation and maintenance
119.9

 
120.2

Depreciation and amortization
67.0

 
62.2

Other taxes
16.0

 
17.7

Total Operating Expenses
202.9

 
200.1

Operating Income
$
70.3

 
$
70.0

Revenues
 
 
 
Residential
$
102.6

 
$
113.6

Commercial
103.5

 
110.5

Industrial
161.8

 
175.0

Wholesale
2.5

 
6.3

Other
21.9

 
(9.6
)
Total
$
392.3

 
$
395.8

Sales (Gigawatt Hours)
 
 
 
Residential
803.6

 
865.8

Commercial
911.9

 
940.0

Industrial
2,420.7

 
2,425.4

Wholesale

 
116.9

Other
34.5

 
34.6

Total
4,170.7

 
4,382.7

Electric Customers
 
 
 
Residential
405,235

 
403,409

Commercial
55,170

 
54,695

Industrial
2,341

 
2,354

Wholesale
742

 
747

Other

 
5

Total
463,488

 
461,210

NiSource generates and distributes electricity, through its subsidiary NIPSCO, to approximately 463 thousand customers in 20 counties in the northern part of Indiana. The operating results reflect the temperature-sensitive nature of customer demand with annual sales affected by temperatures in the northern part of Indiana. As a result, segment operating income is generally higher in the second and third quarters, reflecting cooling demand during the summer season.

Electric Supply
On October 31, 2014, NIPSCO submitted its 2014 Integrated Resource Plan with the IURC. The plan evaluates demand-side and supply-side resource alternatives to reliably and cost-effectively meet NIPSCO customers' future energy requirements over the next twenty years. Existing resources are expected to be sufficient, assuming favorable outcomes for environmental upgrades, to meet customers' needs for the next decade. NIPSCO continues to monitor and assess economic, regulatory and legislative activity, and will update its resource plan as appropriate.
Regulatory Matters
Refer to Note 7, “Regulatory Matters,” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) for information on significant rate developments and cost recovery and trackers for the Electric Operations segment.

41

Table of Contents

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

NiSource Inc.
Electric Operations


Environmental Matters
Currently, various environmental matters impact the Electric Operations segment. As of March 31, 2016 , liabilities have been recorded to cover probable environmental response actions. Refer to Note 18-C, “Environmental Matters,” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) for additional information regarding environmental matters for the Electric Operations segment.

Transmission Upgrade Agreements
On February 11, 2014, NIPSCO entered into TUAs with upgrade sponsors to complete upgrades on NIPSCO’s transmission system on behalf of those sponsors. The upgrade sponsors have agreed to reimburse NIPSCO for the total cost to construct transmission upgrades and place them into service, multiplied by a rate of 1.71 ("the multiplier").
On June 10, 2014, certain upgrade sponsors for both TUAs filed a complaint at FERC against NIPSCO regarding the multiplier stated in the TUAs. On June 30, 2014, NIPSCO filed an answer defending the terms of the TUAs and the just and reasonable nature of the multiplier charged therein and moved for dismissal of the complaint. On December 8, 2014, the FERC issued an order in response to the complaint finding that it is appropriate for NIPSCO to recover, through the multiplier, substantiated costs of ownership related to the TUAs. The FERC set for hearing the issue of what constitutes the incremental costs NIPSCO will incur, but is holding that hearing in abeyance to allow for settlement. NIPSCO will continue to monitor developments in this matter and does not believe the conclusion of this matter will result in a material impact to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).
Sales
Electric Operations sales quantities for the first quarter of 2016 were 4,170.7 gwh, a decrease of 212.0 gwh compared to the first quarter of 2015 . The 5% decrease is primarily attributable to fewer opportunities for off-system sales in the first quarter of 2016.

Net Revenues
Net revenues for the first quarter of 2016 were $273.2 million, an increase of $3.1 million from the same period in 2015. The increase in net revenues is due primarily to higher regulatory and depreciation trackers, which are offset in expense, of $7.6 million, an increase in the return on the environmental capital investment recovery of $3.6 million due to an increased plant balance eligible for recovery and higher net revenues of $3.5 million as a result of two electric transmission projects. These increases were partially offset by the effects of warmer weather of $4.7 million and lower usage of $2.1 million.

At NIPSCO, sales revenues and customer billings are adjusted for amounts related to under and over-recovered purchased fuel costs from prior periods per regulatory order. These amounts are primarily reflected in the “Other” gross revenues statistic provided at the beginning of this segment discussion. The adjustment to "Other" gross revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was a revenue increase of $2.6 million compared to a revenue decrease of $22.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 .

Operating Income
For the first quarter of 2016, Electric Operations reported operating income of $70.3 million, an increase of $0.3 million from the comparable 2015 period. Operating income increased as a result of higher net revenues, as described above, partially offset by increased operating expenses of $2.8 million. The increase in operating expenses was primarily driven by higher outside service costs of $8.5 million and increased regulatory and depreciation trackers, which are offset in net revenues, of $7.6 million. These increases were partially offset by lower electric generation expenses of $6.6 million, decreased employee and administrative costs of $3.0 million and an environmental accrual in 2015 of $2.3 million.



42

Table of Contents

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
NiSource Inc.

For a discussion regarding quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Market Risk Disclosures.”

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
NiSource’s chief executive officer and its chief financial officer are responsible for evaluating the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)). NiSource's disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including NiSource's chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC. Based upon that evaluation, NiSource's chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that financial information was processed, recorded and reported accurately.
 
Changes in Internal Controls
There have been no changes in NiSource's internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, NiSource's internal control over financial reporting.








43


PART II

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
NiSource Inc.

The Company is party to certain claims and legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business, none of which is deemed to be individually material at this time. Due to the inherent uncertainty of litigation, there can be no assurance that the resolution of any particular claim or proceeding would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or liquidity. If one or more of such matters were decided against the Company, the effects could be material to the Company’s results of operations in the period in which the Company would be required to record or adjust the related liability and could also be material to the Company’s cash flows in the periods the Company would be required to pay such liability.




44

Table of Contents

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
NiSource Inc.


NiSource’s operations and financial results are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including those disclosed in NiSource’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. There have been no material changes to such risk factors.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
None.


45


ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
NiSource Inc.
 
(10.1)
Term Loan Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2016, by and among NiSource Finance Corp, as Borrower, NiSource Inc., as Guarantor, the Lenders party thereto, and PNC Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Syndication Agent, and Mizuho Bank, Ltd., as Documentation Agent. **
 
 
(10.2)
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan.**

 
 
(10.3)
Form of Performance Share Award Agreement under the 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan.**

 
 
(31.1)
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. **
 
 
(31.2)
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. **
 
 
(32.1)
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18. U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith). **
 
 
(32.2)
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18. U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith). **
 
 
(101.INS)
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
(101.SCH)
XBRL Schema Document
 
 
(101.CAL)
XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
(101.LAB)
XBRL Labels Linkbase Document
 
 
(101.PRE)
XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document
 
 
(101.DEF)
XBRL Definition Linkbase Document
**
Exhibit filed herewith.




46


SIGNATURE
NiSource Inc.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
 
NiSource Inc.
 
 
 
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
Date:
May 3, 2016
By:    
/s/ Joseph W. Mulpas
 
 
 
Joseph W. Mulpas
 
 
 
Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer
and Duly Authorized Officer)


47
Exhibit 10.1

EXECUTION COPY



TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

among

NISOURCE FINANCE CORP.,
as Borrower,

NISOURCE INC.,
as Guarantor,

THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO,

PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Administrative Agent,

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as Syndication Agent,

MIZUHO BANK (USA),
as Documentation Agent

____________________

PNC CAPITAL MARKETS LLC,
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., and
MIZUHO BANK (USA)
Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners

____________________

Dated as of March 31, 2016


ACTIVE 213573218v.10

Exhibit 10.1

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS    1
SECTION 1.01. DEFINED TERMS.    1
SECTION 1.02. CLASSIFICATION OF LOANS AND BORROWINGS    17
SECTION 1.03. TERMS GENERALLY    17
SECTION 1.04. ACCOUNTING TERMS; GAAP    18
ARTICLE II THE CREDITS    19
SECTION 2.01. COMMITMENTS    19
SECTION 2.02. LOANS AND BORROWING; REQUEST FOR BORROWING.    19
SECTION 2.03. [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED].    20
SECTION 2.04. [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED].    20
SECTION 2.05. FUNDING OF BORROWINGS.    20
SECTION 2.06. INTEREST ELECTIONS.    21
SECTION 2.07. TERMINATION OF COMMITMENTS    22
SECTION 2.08. [RESERVED].    22
SECTION 2.09. OPTIONAL REDUCTION OR TERMINATION OF COMMITMENTS.    22
SECTION 2.10. REPAYMENT OF LOANS; EVIDENCE OF DEBT.    23
SECTION 2.11. OPTIONAL PREPAYMENT OF LOANS.    23
SECTION 2.12. FEES.    24
SECTION 2.13. INTEREST.    24
SECTION 2.14. ALTERNATE RATE OF INTEREST    25
SECTION 2.15. INCREASED COSTS.    25
SECTION 2.16. BREAK FUNDING PAYMENTS    27
SECTION 2.17. TAXES.    28
SECTION 2.18. PAYMENTS GENERALLY; PRO RATA TREATMENT; SHARING OF SET-OFFS.    31
SECTION 2.19. MITIGATION OBLIGATIONS; REPLACEMENT OF LENDERS.    32
SECTION 2.20. DEFAULTING LENDERS    33
ARTICLE III CONDITIONS    34
SECTION 3.01. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS AGREEMENT    34
SECTION 3.02. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO EACH EXTENSION OF CREDIT.    35
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES    36
SECTION 4.01. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE CREDIT PARTIES.    36
ARTICLE V AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS    38
SECTION 5.01. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.    38
ARTICLE VI NEGATIVE COVENANTS    42
SECTION 6.01. NEGATIVE COVENANTS.    42
ARTICLE VII FINANCIAL COVENANT    46
ARTICLE VIII EVENTS OF DEFAULT    46
SECTION 8.01. EVENTS OF DEFAULT.    46
ARTICLE IX THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT    49
SECTION 9.01. THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.    49
ARTICLE X GUARANTY    52

i

Exhibit 10.1

SECTION 10.01. THE GUARANTY.    52
SECTION 10.02. WAIVERS.    53
ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS    55
SECTION 11.01. NOTICES.    55
SECTION 11.02. WAIVERS; AMENDMENTS.    57
SECTION 11.03. EXPENSES; INDEMNITY; DAMAGE WAIVER.    58
SECTION 11.04. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.    59
SECTION 11.05. SURVIVAL    63
SECTION 11.06. COUNTERPARTS; INTEGRATION; EFFECTIVENESS; ELECTRONIC EXECUTION    63
SECTION 11.07. SEVERABILITY    63
SECTION 11.08. RIGHT OF SETOFF    63
SECTION 11.09. GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION; CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS.    64
SECTION 11.10. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL    64
SECTION 11.11. HEADINGS    65
SECTION 11.12. CONFIDENTIALITY    65
SECTION 11.13. USA PATRIOT ACT    66
SECTION 11.14. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND CONSENT TO BAIL-IN OF EEA FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS    66
SECTION 11.15. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS    67


ii

Exhibit 10.1

ANNEXES, EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES
ANNEX A        Pricing Grid

EXHIBIT A        Form of Assignment and Assumption
EXHIBIT B    Form of Opinion of Schiff Hardin LLP
EXHIBIT C    Borrowing Request
EXHIBIT D    [Intentionally Omitted]
EXHIBIT E    [Intentionally Omitted]
EXHIBIT F    Form of Note
EXHIBIT G    Interest Election Request
EXHIBIT H    Prepayment Notice
EXHIBIT I-1     Form of U.S. Tax Certificate (Foreign Lenders That Are Not Partnerships)
EXHIBIT I-2
Form of U.S. Tax Certificate (Foreign Participants That Are Not Partnerships)
EXHIBIT I-3     Form of U.S. Tax Certificate (Foreign Participants That Are Partnerships)
EXHIBIT I-4    Form of U.S. Tax Certificate (Foreign Lenders That Are Partnerships)

SCHEDULE 2.01    Lenders and Commitments
SCHEDULE 6.01(e)    Existing Agreements


iii

Exhibit 10.1

TERM LOAN AGREEMENT , dated as of March 31, 2016 (this “ Agreement ”), among NISOURCE FINANCE CORP. , an Indiana corporation (the “ Borrower ”), as borrower, NISOURCE INC. , a Delaware corporation (the “ Guarantor ”), as guarantor, PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION , as administrative agent for the lenders hereunder (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”), JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. , as syndication agent, MIZUHO BANK (USA) , as documentation agent, and the lenders from time to time party hereto.
The parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
Article I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.01.      Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:
ABR ”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan is, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing are, bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.
Act ” means the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)).
Administrative Agent ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto.
Administrative Questionnaire ” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.
Affiliate ” means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.
Agent Party ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.01(g).
Aggregate Commitments ” means the aggregate amount of the Commitments of all Lenders, as in effect from time to time. As of the date hereof, the Aggregate Commitments equal $500,000,000.
Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto.
Alternate Base Rate ” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus 1/2 of 1% and (c) 1.0% per annum plus the LIBO Rate applicable to an Interest Period of one month on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day); provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the LIBO Rate for any day shall be based on the rate appearing on the Bloomberg Page BBAM1 (or on any successor or substitute page of such page determined by the Administrative Agent) on such day. Any


Exhibit 10.1

change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the one-month LIBO Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the one-month LIBO Rate, respectively. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Alternate Base Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.
Alternate Source ” shall have the meaning given to that term in the definition of “LIBO Rate”.
Anti-Corruption Laws ” means all laws, rules, and regulations of any jurisdiction applicable to the Borrower or its Subsidiaries from time to time concerning or relating to bribery, corruption or money laundering.
Applicable Percentage ” means, with respect to any Lender, the percentage of the Aggregate Commitments represented by such Lender’s Commitment; provided that, in the case of Section 2.20 when a Defaulting Lender shall exist, “Applicable Percentage” shall mean the percentage of the Aggregate Commitment (disregarding any Defaulting Lender’s Commitment) represented by such Lender’s Commitment. If the Commitments have terminated or expired, the Applicable Percentages shall be determined based upon the aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Loans made or maintained by such Lender as a percentage of all Outstanding Loans; provided that, in the event that a Defaulting Lender shall exist, in accordance with Section 2.20, “Applicable Percentage” shall mean the percentage of all Outstanding Loans (disregarding any Defaulting Lender’s Outstanding Loans) represented by such Lender’s Outstanding Loans.
Applicable Rate ” means, for any day, (a) with respect to any ABR Loan, the applicable rate per annum set forth adjacent to the caption “ABR Loans” on the Pricing Grid and (b) with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the applicable rate per annum set forth adjacent to the caption “Eurodollar Loans” on the Pricing Grid.
Arrangers ” means each of PNC Capital Markets LLC, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Mizuho Bank (USA).
Assignment and Assumption ” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 11.04), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in the form of Exhibit A or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.
Authorized Officer ” means the president, chief financial officer or the treasurer of the Borrower; provided that solely with respect to the submission of a Borrowing Request, “ Authorized Officer ” shall also mean the assistant treasurer or the treasury operations manager of the Borrower.
Availability Period ” means the period commencing on the Effective Date to but not including September 30, 2016.

2

Exhibit 10.1

Bail-In Action ” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an EEA Financial Institution.
Bail-In Legislation ” means, with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.
Bankruptcy Event ” means, with respect to any Person, such Person becomes the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, custodian, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with the reorganization or liquidation of its business appointed for it, or, in the good faith determination of the Administrative Agent, has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any such proceeding or appointment; provided that a Bankruptcy Event shall not result solely by virtue of any ownership interest, or the acquisition of any ownership interest, in such Person by a Governmental Authority or instrumentality thereof; provided , further , that such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Person with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States of America or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Person (or such Governmental Authority or instrumentality) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made by such Person.
Beneficiary ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.01.
Board ” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.
Board of Directors ” means, with respect to any Person, (i) in the case of any corporation, the board of directors of such Person, (ii) in the case of any limited liability company, the board of managers (or equivalent) of such Person, (iii) in the case of any partnership, the board of directors (or equivalent) of the general partner of such Person and (iv) in any other case, the functional equivalent of the foregoing.
Borrower ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto.
Borrowing ” means Loans of the same Type, made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect.
Borrowing Request ” means a request by the Borrower for a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.02.
Business Day ” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to remain closed;

3

Exhibit 10.1

provided that, when used in connection with a Eurodollar Loan, the term “ Business Day ” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for dealings in dollar deposits in the London interbank market.
Capital Lease ” means, as to any Person, any lease of real or personal property in respect of which the obligations of the lessee are required, in accordance with GAAP, to be capitalized on the balance sheet of such Person.
Capital Stock ” means any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock of a corporation, any and all equivalent ownership interests in a Person other than a corporation (including, but not limited to, all common stock and preferred stock and partnership, membership and joint venture interests or units in a Person), and any and all warrants, rights or options to purchase any of the foregoing.
CERCLA ” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act, 42, U.S.C. Section 9601 et seq.
Change in Law ” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement (or with respect to any Lender, if later, the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender), of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rules, guideline, requirement or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided , however , that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements and directives thereunder, issued in connection therewith or in implementation thereof, and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements and directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States of America or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law” regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued or implemented.
Change of Control ” means (a) any “person” or “group” within the meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, shall become the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d‑3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of more than 50% of the then outstanding voting Capital Stock of the Guarantor, (b) Continuing Directors shall cease to constitute at least a majority of the directors constituting the Board of Directors of the Guarantor, (c) a consolidation or merger of the Guarantor shall occur after which the holders of the outstanding voting Capital Stock of the Guarantor immediately prior thereto hold less than 50% of the outstanding voting Capital Stock of the surviving entity; (d) more than 50% of the outstanding voting Capital Stock of the Guarantor shall be transferred to an entity of which the Guarantor owns less than 50% of the outstanding voting Capital Stock; (e) there shall occur a sale of all or

4

Exhibit 10.1

substantially all of the assets of the Guarantor; or (f) the Borrower or NIPSCO shall cease to be a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Guarantor (except to the extent otherwise permitted under clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) of Section 6.01(b)).
Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Commitment ” means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make Loans hereunder as set forth herein. The amount of each Lender’s Commitment is (x) initially the amount set forth on Schedule 2.01 opposite such Lender’s name or (y) the amount set forth in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Commitment, as applicable.
Communications ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.01(g).
Connection Income Taxes ” means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.
Consolidated Capitalization ” means the sum of (a) Consolidated Debt, (b) consolidated common equity of the Guarantor and its Consolidated Subsidiaries determined in accordance with GAAP, and (c) the aggregate liquidation preference of preferred stocks (other than preferred stocks subject to mandatory redemption or repurchase) of the Guarantor and its Consolidated Subsidiaries upon involuntary liquidation.
Consolidated Debt ” means, at any time, the Indebtedness of the Guarantor and its Consolidated Subsidiaries that would be classified as debt on a balance sheet of the Guarantor determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
Consolidated Subsidiary ” means, on any date, each Subsidiary of the Guarantor the accounts of which, in accordance with GAAP, would be consolidated with those of the Guarantor in its consolidated financial statements if such statements were prepared as of such date.
Contingent Guaranty ” means a direct or contingent liability in respect of a Project Financing (whether incurred by assumption, guaranty, endorsement or otherwise) that either (a) is limited to guarantying performance of the completion of the Project that is financed by such Project Financing or (b) is contingent upon, or the obligation to pay or perform under which is contingent upon, the occurrence of any event other than failure of the primary obligor to pay upon final maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise).
Continuing Directors ” means (a) all members of the Board of Directors of the Guarantor who have held office continually since the Effective Date, and (b) all members of the Board of Directors of the Guarantor who were elected as directors after the Effective Date and whose nomination for election was approved by a vote of at least 50% of the Continuing Directors.

5

Exhibit 10.1

Contractual Obligation ” means, as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.
Control ” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “ Controlling ” and “ Controlled ” have meanings correlative thereto.
Credit Documents ” means (a) this Agreement, any promissory notes executed pursuant to Section 2.10, and any Assignment and Assumptions, (b) any certificates, opinions and other documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 3.01 and (c) any other documents delivered by a Credit Party pursuant to or in connection with any one or more of the foregoing.
Credit Party ” means each of the Borrower and the Guarantor; and “ Credit Parties ” means the Borrower and the Guarantor, collectively.
Creditor Party ” means the Administrative Agent or any other Lender.
Debt for Borrowed Money ” means, as to any Person, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all Capital Lease obligations of such Person, and (d) all obligations of such Person under synthetic leases, tax retention operating leases, off-balance sheet loans or other off-balance sheet financing products that, for tax purposes, are considered indebtedness for borrowed money of the lessee but are classified as operating leases under GAAP.
Debt to Capitalization Ratio ” means, at any time, the ratio of Consolidated Debt to Consolidated Capitalization.
Default ” means any event or condition that constitutes an Event of Default or that, upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.
Defaulting Lender ” means any Lender that (a) has failed, within two Business Days of the date required to be funded or paid, to (i) fund any portion of its Loans or (ii) pay over to any Creditor Party any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder, unless, in the case of clause (i) above, such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent to funding set forth in Section 3.02 (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) has not been satisfied, (b) has notified the Borrower or any Creditor Party in writing, or has made a public statement to the effect, that it does not intend or expect to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement (unless such writing or public statement indicates that such position is based on such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent (specifically identified and including the particular

6

Exhibit 10.1

default, if any) to funding a loan under this Agreement set forth in Section 3.02 cannot be satisfied) or generally under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) has failed, within three Business Days after request by a Creditor Party, acting in good faith, to provide a certification in writing from an authorized officer of such Lender that it will comply with its obligations to fund prospective Loans; provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon such Creditor Party’s receipt of such certification in form and substance satisfactory to it and the Administrative Agent, or (d) has become the subject of a Bankruptcy Event or a Bail-in Action.
Documentation Agent ” means Mizuho Bank (USA), in its capacity as documentation agent for the Lenders hereunder.
Dollars ” or “ $ ” refers to lawful money of the United States of America.
EEA Financial Institution ” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.
EEA Member Country ” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
EEA Resolution Authority ” means any public administrative authority or any person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.
Effective Date ” means the date on which each of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 3.01 have been satisfied or waived by the Lenders in accordance with Section 11.02.
Electronic Signature ” means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to, or associated with, a contract or other record and adopted by a Person with the intent to sign, authenticate or accept such contract or record.
Electronic System ” means any electronic system, including (i) e-mail, (ii) e-fax, (iii) Intralinks®, Syndtrak®, ClearPar® and (iv) any other Internet or extranet-based site, whether such electronic system is owned, operated or hosted by the Administrative Agent and any of its Related Parties or any other Person, providing for access to data protected by passcodes or other security system.
Environmental Laws ” means any and all foreign, federal, state, local or municipal laws (including, without limitation, common laws), rules, orders, regulations, statutes, ordinances, codes, decrees, judgments, awards, writs, injunctions, requirements of any

7

Exhibit 10.1

Governmental Authority or other requirements of law regulating, relating to or imposing liability or standards of conduct concerning, pollution, waste, industrial hygiene, occupational safety or health, the presence, transport, manufacture, generation, use, handling, treatment, distribution, storage, disposal or release of Hazardous Materials, or protection of human health, plant life or animal life, natural resources or the environment, as now or at any time hereafter in effect.
Environmental Liability ” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.
ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated and rulings issued thereunder.
ERISA Affiliate ” means any Person who, for purposes of Title IV of ERISA, is a member of the Guarantor’s controlled group, or under common control with the Guarantor, within the meaning of Section 414 of the Code and the regulations promulgated and rulings issued thereunder.
ERISA Event ” means (a) a reportable event, within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA, with respect to a Plan unless the 30-day notice requirement with respect thereto has been waived by the PBGC, (b) the provision by the administrator of any Plan of a notice of intent to terminate such Plan, pursuant to Section 4041(a)(2) and 4041(c) of ERISA (including any such notice with respect to a plan amendment referred to in Section 4041(e) of ERISA), (c) the withdrawal by the Guarantor or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiple Employer Plan during a plan year for which it was a substantial employer, as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA, (d) the failure by the Guarantor or any ERISA Affiliate to make a payment to a Plan required under Section 302 of ERISA, for which Section 303(k) of ERISA imposes a lien for failure to make required payments, or (e) the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate a Plan, pursuant to Section 4042 of ERISA, or the occurrence of any event or condition which may reasonably be expected to constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, a Plan.
EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule ” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person), as in effect from time to time.
Eurocurrency Liabilities ” has the meaning assigned to that term in Regulation D of the Board, as in effect from time to time.

8

Exhibit 10.1

Eurodollar ”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan is, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing are, bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the LIBO Rate.
Eurodollar Rate Reserve Percentage ” of any Lender for the Interest Period for any Eurodollar Loan means the reserve percentage applicable during such Interest Period (or if more than one such percentage shall be so applicable, the daily average of such percentages for those days in such Interest Period during which any such percentage shall be so applicable) under regulations issued from time to time by the Board (or any successor) for determining the maximum reserve requirement (including, without limitation, any emergency, supplemental or other marginal reserve requirement) for such Lender with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including Eurocurrency Liabilities having a term equal to such Interest Period.
Event of Default ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Article VIII.
Excluded Taxes ” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient, (a) Taxes imposed on (or measured by) its net income or net earnings (however denominated), franchise Taxes and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed by the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof) under the laws of which such Recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in case of a Lender, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrower under Section 2.19) or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 2.17, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender's assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 2.17(e) or (f), and (d) any Taxes imposed under FATCA.
Extension of Credit ” means the making by any Lender of a Loan.
FATCA ” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreement entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code.
Federal Bankruptcy Code ” means Title 11 of the United States Code (11 U.S.C. § 101 et seq.).
Federal Funds Effective Rate ” means, for any day, the weighted average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the rates on overnight Federal funds

9

Exhibit 10.1

transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the quotations for such day for such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it; provided that if such rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.
Foreign Lender ” means any Lender that is not a U.S. Person.
GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America consistent with those applied in the preparation of the financial statements referred to in Section 4.01(e).
Governmental Authority ” means the government of the United States of America, any other nation, or any political subdivision of the United States of America or any other nation, whether state or local, any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank), and any group or body charged with setting financial accounting or regulatory capital rules or standards (including, without limitation, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Bank for International Settlements or the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision or any successor or similar authority to any of the foregoing).
Guarantor ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto.
Guaranty ” means the guaranty of the Guarantor pursuant to Article X of this Agreement.
Hazardous Materials ” means any asbestos; flammables; volatile hydrocarbons; industrial solvents; explosive or radioactive materials; hazardous wastes; toxic substances; liquefied natural gas; natural gas liquids; synthetic gas; oil, petroleum, or related materials and any constituents, derivatives, or byproducts thereof or additives thereto; or any other material, substance, waste, element or compound (including any product) regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law, including, without limitation, substances defined as “hazardous substances,” “hazardous materials,” “contaminants,” “pollutants,” “hazardous wastes,” “toxic substances,” “solid waste,” or “extremely hazardous substances” in (i) CERCLA, (ii) the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C. Section 1801 et seq., (iii) the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 6901 et seq., (iv) the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, 33 U.S.C. Section 1251 et seq., (v) the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 7401 et seq., (vi) the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. Section 2601 et seq., (vii) the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 300f et seq., or (viii) foreign, state, local or municipal law.

10

Exhibit 10.1

Indebtedness ” of any Person means (without duplication) (a) Debt for Borrowed Money, (b) obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services, except trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business which are not overdue, (c) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of any letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or interest rate, currency or commodity swap, cap or floor arrangements, (d) all indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed, (e) all amounts payable by such Person in connection with mandatory redemptions or repurchases of preferred stock, and (f) obligations of such Person under direct or indirect guarantees in respect of, and obligations (contingent or otherwise) to purchase or otherwise acquire, or otherwise to assure a creditor against loss in respect of, indebtedness or obligations of others of the kinds referred to in clauses (a) through (e) above.
Indemnified Taxes ” means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Credit Party under any Credit Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in (a), Other Taxes.
Indemnitee ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.03.
Index Debt ” means the senior unsecured long-term debt securities of the Borrower, without third-party credit enhancement provided by a Person other than the Guarantor.
Ineligible Institution ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.04(b).
Information ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.12.
Insufficiency ” means, with respect to any Plan, the amount, if any, by which the present value of all vested and unvested accrued benefits under such Plan exceeds the fair market value of assets allocable to such benefits, all determined as of the then most recent valuation date for such Plan using actuarial assumptions used in determining such Plan’s target normal cost for purposes of Section 430(b) of the Code.
Interest Election Request ” means a request by the Borrower to convert or continue all or a portion of any Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.06.
Interest Payment Date ” means (a) with respect to any ABR Loan, the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, (b) with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, the day that is three months after the first day of such Interest Period and (c) with respect to any Loan, the Maturity Date.
Interest Period ” means with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, two, three or six months thereafter, as the Borrower

11

Exhibit 10.1

may elect; provided that (a) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day; and (b) any Interest Period that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period. For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made, and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.
Lenders ” means the Persons listed on Schedule 2.01, including any such Person identified thereon or in the signature pages hereto as a Lead Arranger, and any other Person that shall have become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption, other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption.
LIBO Rate ” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any applicable Interest Period, the interest rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent equal to the rate which appears on the Bloomberg Page BBAM1 (or on such other substitute Bloomberg page that displays rates at which US dollar deposits are offered by leading banks in the London interbank deposit market), or, if there shall at any time, for any reason, no longer exist a Bloomberg Page BBAM1 (or any substitute page), the rate which is quoted by another source reasonably selected by the Administrative Agent as an authorized information vendor for the purpose of displaying rates at which U.S. dollar deposits are offered by leading banks in the London interbank deposit market (for purposes of this definition, an " Alternate Source "), at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period as the London interbank offered rate for U.S. dollars for an amount comparable to such Eurodollar Borrowing and having a borrowing date and a maturity comparable to such Interest Period (or if there shall at any time, for any reason, no longer exist a Bloomberg Page BBAM1 (or any substitute page) or any Alternate Source, a comparable replacement rate reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent at such time (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error)); provided that, if the LIBO Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement. It is understood and agreed that all of the terms and conditions of this definition of “LIBO Rate” shall be subject to Section 2.14 . The Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice to the Borrower of the LIBO Rate as determined or adjusted in accordance herewith, which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error.
Lien ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.01(a).
Loans ” means the loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement.
Margin Stock ” means margin stock within the meaning of Regulations U and X issued by the Board.

12

Exhibit 10.1

Material Adverse Effect ” means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; (b) the validity or enforceability of any of Credit Documents or the rights, remedies and benefits available to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders thereunder; or (c) the ability of the Borrower or the Guarantor to consummate the Transactions.
Material Subsidiary ” means at any time the Borrower, NIPSCO and each Subsidiary of the Guarantor, other than the Borrower and NIPSCO, in respect of which:
the Guarantor’s and its other Subsidiaries’ investments in and advances to such Subsidiary and its Subsidiaries exceed 10% of the consolidated total assets of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, as of the end of the most recent fiscal year; or
the Guarantor’s and its other Subsidiaries’ proportionate interest in the total assets (after intercompany eliminations) of such Subsidiary and its Subsidiaries exceeds 10% of the consolidated total assets of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recent fiscal year; or
(a) the Guarantor’s and its other Subsidiaries’ equity in the income from continuing operations before income taxes, extraordinary items and cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles of such Subsidiary and its Subsidiaries exceeds 10% of the consolidated income of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries for the most recent fiscal year.
Maturity Date ” means the earlier of (a) March 29, 2019 and (b) the date upon which (i) the Commitments are terminated if not previously expired and (ii) amounts payable under this Agreement are accelerated pursuant to Section 8.01 or otherwise.
Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., and any successor thereto.
Multiemployer Plan ” means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA that is subject to Title IV of ERISA and to which the Guarantor or an ERISA Affiliate makes, or is required to make, contributions or otherwise has any liability (including contingent liability).
Multiple Employer Plan ” means a single employer plan, as defined in Section 4001(a)(15) of ERISA, which (a) is maintained for employees of the Guarantor or an ERISA Affiliate and at least one Person other than the Guarantor and its ERISA Affiliates, or (b) was so maintained and in respect of which the Guarantor or an ERISA Affiliate could have liability under Section 4064 or 4069 of ERISA in the event that such plan has been or were to be terminated.
NIPSCO ” means Northern Indiana Public Service Company, an Indiana corporation.

13

Exhibit 10.1

Non-Recourse Debt ” means Indebtedness of the Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries which is incurred in connection with the acquisition, construction, sale, transfer or other disposition of specific assets, to the extent recourse, whether contractual or as a matter of law, for non-payment of such Indebtedness is limited (a) to such assets or (b) if such assets are (or are to be) held by a Subsidiary formed solely for such purpose, to such Subsidiary or the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary.
Obligations ” means all amounts, direct or indirect, contingent or absolute, of every type or description, and at any time existing and whenever incurred (including, without limitation, after the commencement of any bankruptcy proceeding), owing to the Administrative Agent or any Lender pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other Credit Document.
OFAC ” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Other Connection Taxes ” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Credit Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Credit Document).
Other Taxes ” means any and all present or future stamp, documentary or similar Taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment.
Outstanding Loans ” means, as to any Lender at any time, the aggregate principal amount of all Loans made or maintained by such Lender then outstanding.
Parent ” means, with respect to any Lender, any Person as to which such Lender is, directly or indirectly, a subsidiary.
Participant ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.04.
Participant Register ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.04.
PBGC ” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.
Person ” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.
Plan ” means any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of

14

Exhibit 10.1

ERISA, and in respect of which the Guarantor or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.
Pricing Grid ” means the pricing grid attached hereto as Annex A.
Prime Rate ” means the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by PNC Bank, National Association as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced as being effective.
Project ” means an energy or power generation, transmission or distribution facility (including, without limitation, a thermal energy generation, transmission or distribution facility and an electric power generation, transmission or distribution facility (including, without limitation, a cogeneration facility)), a gas production, transportation or distribution facility, or a minerals extraction, processing or distribution facility, together with (a) all related electric power transmission, fuel supply and fuel transportation facilities and power supply, thermal energy supply, gas supply, minerals supply and fuel contracts, (b) other facilities, services or goods that are ancillary, incidental, necessary or reasonably related to the marketing, development, construction, management, servicing, ownership or operation of such facility, (c) contractual arrangements with customers, suppliers and contractors in respect of such facility, and (d) any infrastructure facility related to such facility, including, without limitation, for the treatment or management of waste water or the treatment or remediation of waste, pollution or potential pollutants.
Project Financing ” means Indebtedness incurred by a Project Financing Subsidiary to finance (a) the development and operation of the Project such Project Financing Subsidiary was formed to develop or (b) activities incidental thereto; provided that such Indebtedness does not include recourse to the Guarantor or any of its other Subsidiaries other than (x) recourse to the Capital Stock in any such Project Financing Subsidiary, and (y) recourse pursuant to a Contingent Guaranty.
Project Financing Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the Guarantor (a) that (i) is not a Material Subsidiary, and (ii) whose principal purpose is to develop a Project and activities incidental thereto (including, without limitation, the financing and operation of such Project), or to become a partner, member or other equity participant in a partnership, limited liability company or other entity having such a principal purpose, and (b) substantially all the assets of which are limited to the assets relating to the Project being developed or Capital Stock in such partnership, limited liability company or other entity (and substantially all of the assets of any such partnership, limited liability company or other entity are limited to the assets relating to such Project); provided that such Subsidiary incurs no Indebtedness other than in respect of a Project Financing.
Recipient ” means, as applicable, (a) the Administrative Agent and (b) any Lender.
Register ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.04.

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Exhibit 10.1

Related Parties ” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors and representatives of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.
Required Lenders ” means, subject to the terms of Section 2.20, Lenders having more than 50% in aggregate amount of the Commitments, or if the Commitments shall have been terminated, of the aggregate amount of the Outstanding Loans of all Lenders.
Responsible Officer ” of a Credit Party means any of (a) the President, the chief financial officer, the chief accounting officer and the Treasurer of such Credit Party and (b) any other officer of such Credit Party whose responsibilities include monitoring compliance with this Agreement.
Sanctioned Country ” means, at any time, a country, region or territory which is, or whose government is, the subject or target of any Sanctions.

Sanctioned Person ” means, at any time, (a) any Person that is the subject or target of Sanctions, (b) any Person operating, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country or (c) any Person owned or controlled by any such Person.
Sanctions ” means economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by (a) the U.S. government, including those administered by OFAC or the U.S. Department of State or (b) the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any member state of the European Union, or Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom.

S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC business, and any successor thereto.
Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation or other entity of which at least a majority of the outstanding shares of stock or other ownership interests having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the Board of Directors of such corporation or other entity (irrespective of whether or not at the time stock or other equity interests of any other class or classes of such corporation or other entity shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person or one or more of the Subsidiaries of such Person.
Substantial Subsidiaries ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.01.
Syndication Agent ” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as syndication agent for the Lenders hereunder.
Taxes ” means any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings, assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority,

16

Exhibit 10.1

including any interest, penalties and additions to tax imposed thereon or in connection therewith.
Transactions ” means the execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower and the Guarantor of this Agreement and the Borrowing of Loans hereunder.
Type ”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the LIBO Rate or the Alternate Base Rate.
Unused Fee ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.12(a).
U.S. Person ” means any Person that is a “United States Person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.17(e).
Utility Subsidiary ” means a Subsidiary of the Guarantor that is subject to regulation by a Governmental Authority (federal, state or otherwise) having authority to regulate utilities, and any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary thereof.
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation or other entity of which all of the outstanding shares of stock or other ownership interests in which, other than directors’ qualifying shares (or the equivalent thereof), are at the time directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person or one or more of the Subsidiaries of such Person.
Withdrawal Liability ” means liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Sections 4201, 4203 and 4205 of ERISA.
Withholding Agent ” means any Credit Party and the Administrative Agent.
Write-Down and Conversion Powers ” means, with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

SECTION 1.02.      Classification of Loans and Borrowings. For purposes of this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Type (e.g., a “Eurodollar Loan”). Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Type (e.g., a “Eurodollar Borrowing”).
SECTION 1.03.      Terms Generally. The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The word “or” shall not be exclusive. The word “will” shall be construed to have

17

Exhibit 10.1

the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. The word “law” shall be construed as referring to all statutes, rules, regulations, codes and other laws (including official rulings and interpretations thereunder having the force of law or with which affected Persons customarily comply), and all judgments, orders and decrees, of all Governmental Authorities. The word “regulation” shall be construed as referring to all regulations, rules, official directives, requests or guidelines (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority. Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, restatements, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any definition of or reference to any statute, rule or regulation shall be construed as referring thereto as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (including by succession of comparable successor laws), (c) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (d) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (e) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement and (f) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights. The terms “knowledge of”, “awareness of” and “receipt of notice of” in relation to a Credit Party, and other similar expressions, mean knowledge of, awareness of, or receipt of notice by, a Responsible Officer of such Credit Party.
SECTION 1.04.      Accounting Terms; GAAP. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time; provided that, if the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the Effective Date in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made (i) without giving effect to any election under Accounting Standards Codification 825-10-25 (previously referred to as Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 159) (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any Indebtedness or other liabilities of the Borrower or any Subsidiary at “fair value”, as defined therein and (ii) without giving effect to any treatment of Indebtedness in respect of convertible debt instruments under Financial Accounting Standards Board Staff Position APB 14-1 to value any such Indebtedness in a reduced or bifurcated manner as described therein, and such Indebtedness shall at all times be valued at the full stated principal amount thereof.

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Exhibit 10.1

Article II
THE CREDITS
SECTION 2.01.      Commitments. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender severally agrees to make term loans to the Borrower in Dollars in not more than five draws from time to time during the Availability Period, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed such Lender’s then-remaining Commitment at such time. Amounts repaid or prepaid in respect of the Loans may not be reborrowed.
SECTION 2.02.      Loans and Borrowing; Request for Borrowing.
(a)      Each Loan shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder; provided that the Commitments of the Lenders are several and no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender’s failure to make Loans as required.
(b)      Subject to Section 2.14, each Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or Eurodollar Loans or some combination thereof as the Borrower may request in accordance herewith. Each Lender at its option may make any Eurodollar Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(c)      At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Eurodollar Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $5,000,000 and not less than $10,000,000. At the time that each ABR Borrowing is made, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000; provided that an ABR Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to the entire unused balance of the Aggregate Commitments. Borrowings of more than one Type may be outstanding at the same time; provided that there shall not at any time be more than a total of five Borrowings outstanding under this Agreement.
(d)      To request a Borrowing, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by telephone (i) in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, three Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing; provided that, with respect to any Borrowing on the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall have received a written indemnification letter substantially consistent with the terms of Section 2.16 concurrently with such request; or (ii) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing. Subject to the terms of the preceding sentence, Borrowings on the Effective Date may be Eurodollar Borrowings. Such telephonic Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request in substantially the form of Exhibit C (or such other form as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent) signed by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower. Each such telephonic and written Borrowing Request shall specify the following information:

19

Exhibit 10.1

(i)      the aggregate amount of the requested Borrowing;
(ii)      the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;
(iii)      whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing and the aggregate amount of each Type of Borrowing (if applicable); and
(iv)      in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”.
If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified, then the requested Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Eurodollar Borrowing, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration. Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lender’s Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.

(e)      Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrower shall not be entitled to request, or to elect to convert or continue, any Eurodollar Borrowing if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the Maturity Date.
SECTION 2.03.      [Intentionally Omitted].
SECTION 2.04.      [Intentionally Omitted].
SECTION 2.05.      Funding of Borrowings.
(a)      Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 1:00 p.m., New York City time, to the account of the Administrative Agent designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders. The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrower by promptly crediting the amounts so received, in like funds, to an account established and maintained by the Borrower at the Administrative Agent’s office in New York City.
(b)      Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed time of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with paragraph (a) of this Section and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or (ii) in the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to ABR

20

Exhibit 10.1

Loans. If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing.
SECTION 2.06.      Interest Elections.
(a)      Each Borrowing initially shall be of the Type or Types specified in the applicable Borrowing Request and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request, subject to Section 2.02(d)(i). Thereafter, the Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section. The Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing.
(b)      To make an election pursuant to this Section, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election by telephone by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.02 if the Borrower were requesting a Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election; provided , however , with regard to any election pursuant to this Section 2.06 related to a Eurodollar Borrowing, notice of election shall be delivered not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, three Business Days prior to the effective date of such election. Each such telephonic Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Interest Election Request in substantially the form of Exhibit G (or such other form as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent) and signed by the Borrower.
(c)      Each telephonic and written Interest Election Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:
(i)      the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions of such Borrowing, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Type of Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);
(ii)      the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;
(iii)      whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing; and
(iv)      if the resulting Borrowing is a Eurodollar Borrowing, the Interest Period to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”.

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Exhibit 10.1

If any such Interest Election Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.
(d)      Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Type of Borrowing.
(e)      If the Borrower fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to a Eurodollar Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period such Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders, so notifies the Borrower, then, so long as an Event of Default is continuing (i) no outstanding Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Borrowing and (ii) unless repaid, each Eurodollar Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto.
SECTION 2.07.      Termination of Commitments. Unless previously terminated, the Commitments shall (a) terminate and be reduced to zero automatically and permanently at 5 p.m. New York City time on September 30, 2016 (after giving effect to any Loans to be advanced on such date) or, if earlier, concurrently with the funding of all of the Lenders’ unadvanced Commitments and (b) reduce in an amount equal to each Lender’s Applicable Percentage of each Loan concurrently with the funding thereof by such Lender.
SECTION 2.08.      [Reserved].
SECTION 2.09.      Optional Reduction or Termination of Commitments.
(a)      The Borrower may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, the Commitments; provided that each reduction of the Commitments shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $5,000,000.
(b)      The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Commitments under Section 2.09(a) at least five Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date thereof. Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each notice delivered by the Borrower pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice of termination of the Commitments delivered by the Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Any termination or reduction of the Commitments shall be permanent.

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Exhibit 10.1

(c)      Each reduction of the Commitments pursuant to this Section 2.09 shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitments immediately preceding such reduction.
SECTION 2.10.      Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt.
(a)      The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Loan on the Maturity Date.
(b)      Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from the Loans made by such Lender, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder.
(c)      The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it shall record (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Type thereof and the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lender’s share thereof.
(d)      The Register and the corresponding entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraph (b) or (c) of this Section shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein; provided that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(e)      Any Lender may request that Loans made by it be evidenced by a promissory note. In such event, the Borrower shall prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to such Lender and its registered assigns and in substantially the form of Exhibit F. Thereafter, the Loans evidenced by such promissory note and interest thereon shall at all times (including after assignment pursuant to Section 11.04) be represented by one or more promissory notes in such form payable to the payee named therein and its registered assigns.
SECTION 2.11.      Optional Prepayment of Loans.
(a)      The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing in whole or in part, subject to prior notice in accordance with paragraph (b) of this Section.
(b)      The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of any prepayment hereunder (i) in the case of prepayment of a Eurodollar Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, three Business Days before the date of prepayment or (ii) in the case of prepayment of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, one Business Day before the date of prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date and the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid; provided that, if a notice of prepayment is given in connection with a conditional

23

Exhibit 10.1

notice of termination of the Commitments as contemplated by Section 2.09, then such notice of prepayment may be revoked if such notice of termination is revoked in accordance with Section 2.09. Each such telephonic notice of prepayment shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a prepayment notice in substantially the form of Exhibit H (or such other form as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent) and signed by the Borrower. Promptly following receipt of any such notice relating to a Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each partial prepayment of any Borrowing shall be in an amount that would be permitted in the case of an advance of a Borrowing of the same Type as provided in Section 2.02, it being understood that the foregoing minimum shall not apply to the prepayment in whole of the outstanding Loans of all Lenders. Each prepayment of a Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in the prepaid Borrowing. Prepayments shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.13 and by any amounts payable under Section 2.16 in connection with such prepayment.
SECTION 2.12.      Fees.
(a)      The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender an unused fee (the “ Unused Fees ”), which shall accrue at the applicable rate set forth under the heading “Unused Fees” on the Pricing Grid on the average daily amount of the unused Commitment of such Lender during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the date on which all or any portion of such Commitment terminates. Accrued Unused Fees shall be payable in arrears on the last day of March, June, September and December of each year and on the date on which all or any portion of the Commitments terminate, commencing on the first such date to occur after the date hereof. All Unused Fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).
(b)      The Borrower agrees to pay to the Arrangers and the Administrative Agent, in each case, for its own account and for the account of the other Persons entitled thereto, the fees provided for in the applicable fee letters dated March 8, 2016, executed and delivered with respect to the term loan facility provided for herein, in each case, in the amounts and at the times set forth therein and in immediately available funds. All fees payable hereunder shall be paid in immediately available funds. Fees due and paid shall not be refundable under any circumstances.
SECTION 2.13.      Interest.
(a)      The Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate.
(b)      The Loans comprising each Eurodollar Borrowing shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the LIBO Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Rate.
(c)      Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any principal of or interest on any Loan or any fee or other amount payable by the Borrower hereunder is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, such overdue amount shall bear interest, after as well as before

24

Exhibit 10.1

judgment, at a rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of overdue principal of any Loan, 2% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided above or (ii) in the case of any other amount, 2% plus the rate applicable to ABR Loans as provided above.
(d)      Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan; provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan, accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment, (iii) in the event of any conversion of any Eurodollar Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion and (iv) all accrued interest shall be payable upon termination of the Commitments.
(e)      All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, except that interest computed by reference to the Alternate Base Rate at times when the Alternate Base Rate is based on the Prime Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and in each case shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). The applicable Alternate Base Rate or LIBO Rate shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
SECTION 2.14.      Alternate Rate of Interest. If prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Borrowing:
(a)      the Administrative Agent reasonably determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period; or
(b)      the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making or maintaining their Loans included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period;
then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders by telephone or telecopy as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (i) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurodollar Borrowing shall be ineffective and (ii) if any Borrowing Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be made as an ABR Borrowing.
SECTION 2.15.      Increased Costs.
(a)      If any Change in Law shall:
(i)      impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, liquidity, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar assessment or requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement described in paragraph (e) of this Section);

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Exhibit 10.1

(ii)      impose on any Lender or the London interbank market any other condition affecting this Agreement or Eurodollar Loans made by such Lender or participation therein; or
(iii)    subject the Administrative Agent or any Lender to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto;

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to the Administrative Agent or such Lender of making, continuing, converting to or maintaining any Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by the Administrative Agent or such Lender hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then the Borrower will pay to the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate the Administrative Agent or such Lender for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.
(b)      If any Lender determines that any Change in Law regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s capital or on the capital of its holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement to a level below that which such Lender or its holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration its policies and the policies of its holding company with respect to capital adequacy and liquidity), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate it or its holding company for any such reduction suffered.
(c)      A certificate of a Lender setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate it or its holding company as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.
(d)      Failure or delay on the part of any Lender to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of its right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than ninety days prior to the date that such Lender notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of its intention to claim compensation therefor; provided , further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the ninety day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.
(e)      The Borrower shall pay (without duplication as to amounts paid under this Section 2.15) to each Lender, so long as such Lender shall be required under regulations of the Board to maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including Eurocurrency Liabilities, additional interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Eurodollar Loan of such Lender, from the date of such Loan until such principal amount is paid in full, at an interest rate per annum equal at all times to the remainder obtained by subtracting (i) the LIBO Rate for the Interest Period for

26

Exhibit 10.1

such Loan from (ii) the rate obtained by dividing such LIBO Rate by a percentage equal to 100% minus the Eurodollar Rate Reserve Percentage of such Lender for such Interest Period, payable on each date on which interest is payable on such Loan. Such additional interest determined by such Lender and notified to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, accompanied by the calculation of the amount thereof, shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes absent manifest error.
(f)      If any Lender determines that any law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its applicable lending office to make, maintain or fund Eurodollar Loans, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the LIBO Rate, or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, Dollars in the London interbank market, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrower through the Administrative Agent, any obligation of such Lender to make or continue Eurodollar Loans or to convert ABR Loans to Eurodollar Loans shall be suspended until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist.  Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower shall, upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), prepay or, if applicable, convert all Eurodollar Loans of such Lender to ABR Loans, either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Loans.  Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted.
SECTION 2.16.      Break Funding Payments. In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default, acceleration or otherwise), (b) the conversion of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice is permitted to be revocable under Section 2.11(b) and is revoked in accordance therewith), or (d) the assignment of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.19, then, in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event. In the case of a Eurodollar Loan, the loss to any Lender attributable to any such event shall be deemed to include an amount reasonably determined by such Lender to be equal to the excess, if any, of (x) the amount of interest that such Lender would pay for a deposit equal to the principal amount of such Loan for the period from the date of such payment, conversion, failure or assignment to the last day of the then current Interest Period for such Loan (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, the duration of the Interest Period that would have resulted from such borrowing, conversion or continuation) if the interest rate payable on such deposit were equal to the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period, over (y) the amount of interest that such Lender would earn on such principal amount for such period if such Lender were to invest such principal amount for such period at the interest rate that would be bid by such Lender (or an affiliate of such Lender) for dollar deposit from other banks in the eurodollar market at the commencement of such period. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent

27

Exhibit 10.1

manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.
SECTION 2.17.      Taxes.
(a)      Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law. If any applicable law (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable Withholding Agent) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a Withholding Agent, then (i) the applicable Withholding Agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law, and (ii) if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the amount payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions and withholdings of Indemnified Taxes applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions or withholdings been made.
(b)      In addition, the Borrower shall pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.
(c)      The Borrower shall indemnify each Recipient, within 10 days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) paid by such Recipient and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(d)      As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes by a Credit Party to a Governmental Authority, such Credit Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(e)     
(i)      Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Credit Document shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine

28

Exhibit 10.1

whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 2.17(e)(ii)(A) and (ii)(B) and Section 2.17(f) below) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.
(ii)      Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
(A)      any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;
(B)      any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:
(1)      in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Credit Document, executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (as applicable) establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Credit Document, IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (as applicable) establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;
(2)      executed copies of IRS Form W-8ECI;
(3)      in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit I-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (y) executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (as applicable); or

29

Exhibit 10.1

(4)      to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed copies of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit I-2 or Exhibit I-3, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit I-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner; and
(C)      any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made.
Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.

(f)      If a payment made to a Lender under any Credit Document would be subject to U.S. Federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by Law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable Law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this Section 2.17(f), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement. Each Lender agrees that if any documentation it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such documentation or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.
(g)      If any party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section 2.17 (including

30

Exhibit 10.1

by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.17), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this Section 2.17(g) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.17(g), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this Section 2.17(g) the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This paragraph shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.
(h)      For purposes of this Section 2.17, the term “applicable law” includes FATCA.
SECTION 2.18.      Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-Offs.
(a)      The Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder (whether of principal, interest or fees, or under Section 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 or 11.03, or otherwise) prior to 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without set-off or counterclaim. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent at its office listed in Section 11.01(b), except that payments pursuant to Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 11.03 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. If any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension. All payments hereunder shall be made in Dollars.
(b)      If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, to pay interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, to pay principal then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal then due to such parties.
(c)      If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of the Obligations owing to it resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of such

31

Exhibit 10.1

Obligations and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans of, or other Obligations owing to, other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans or other Obligations, as applicable; provided that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans to any assignee or participant, other than to the Guarantor, the Borrower or any other Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Guarantor (as to which the provisions of this paragraph shall apply). The Borrower and the Guarantor consent to the foregoing and agree, to the extent they may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower and the Guarantor rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower or the affected Guarantor in the amount of such participation.
(d)      Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the Federal Funds Effective Rate.
(e)      If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.05(b) or 2.18(d), then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lender’s obligations under such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid.
(f)      None of the funds or assets of the Borrower that are used to pay any amount due pursuant to this Agreement shall constitute funds obtained from transactions with or relating to Anti-Corruption Laws or Sanctions.
SECTION 2.19.      Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.
(a)      Any Lender claiming reimbursement or compensation from the Borrower under either of Sections 2.15 and 2.17 for any losses, costs or other liabilities shall use reasonable efforts (including, without limitation, reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office of such Lender for funding or booking its Loans or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates) to mitigate the amount of such losses, costs and other liabilities,

32

Exhibit 10.1

if such efforts can be made and such mitigation can be accomplished without such Lender suffering (i) any economic disadvantage for which such Lender does not receive full indemnity from the Borrower under this Agreement or (ii) otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender.
(b)      In determining the amount of any claim for reimbursement or compensation under Sections 2.15 and 2.17, each Lender will use reasonable methods of calculation consistent with such methods customarily employed by such Lender in similar situations.
(c)      Each Lender will notify the Borrower either directly or through the Administrative Agent of any event giving rise to a claim under Section 2.15 or Section 2.17 promptly after the occurrence thereof which notice shall be accompanied by a certificate of such Lender setting forth in reasonable detail the circumstances of such claim.
(d)      If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, or if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 11.04, provided that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive the $3,500 processing and recordation fee in connection therewith), all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i) the Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts) and (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.15 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.17, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments. A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.
SECTION 2.20.      Defaulting Lenders. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:
(a)      fees shall cease to accrue on the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.12(a); and
(b)      the Commitment and the Outstanding Loans of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether the Required Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment, waiver or other modification pursuant to Section 11.02); provided , that this Section 2.20 shall not apply to the vote of a Defaulting Lender in the case of an amendment, waiver or other modification requiring the consent of such Lender or each Lender affected thereby.

33

Exhibit 10.1

In the event that the Administrative Agent and the Borrower agree that a Defaulting Lender has adequately remedied all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender, then the Applicable Percentage of the Lenders shall be readjusted to reflect the inclusion of such Lender’s Commitment and on such date such Lender shall purchase at par such of the Loans of the other Lenders as the Administrative Agent shall determine may be necessary in order for such Lender to hold such Loans in accordance with its Applicable Percentage.
ARTICLE III     
CONDITIONS
SECTION 3.01.      Conditions Precedent to the Effectiveness of this Agreement. This Agreement shall not become effective until the date on which each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 11.02).
(f)      The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received from each party thereto either (i) a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party or (ii) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include facsimile or electronic transmission of a signed signature page of this Agreement) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement.
(g)      The Lenders, the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and each other Person entitled to the payment of fees or the reimbursement or payment of expenses, pursuant hereto or to certain fee letters executed and delivered with respect to the term loan facility provided for herein, shall have received all fees required to be paid by the Effective Date (including, without limitation, all fees owing on the Effective Date under Section 2.12 hereof), and all expenses for which invoices have been presented on or before the Effective Date.
(h)      The Administrative Agent shall have received certified copies of the resolutions of the Board of Directors of each of the Guarantor and the Borrower approving this Agreement, and of all documents evidencing other necessary corporate action and governmental and regulatory approvals with respect to this Agreement.
(i)      The Administrative Agent shall have received from each of the Borrower and the Guarantor, to the extent generally available in the relevant jurisdiction, a copy of a certificate or certificates of the Secretary of State (or other appropriate public official) of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, dated reasonably near the Effective Date, (i) listing the charters of the Borrower or the Guarantor, as the case may be, and each amendment thereto on file in such office and certifying that such amendments are the only amendments to the Borrower’s or the Guarantor’s charter, as the case may be, on file in such office, and (ii) stating, in the case of the Borrower, that the Borrower is authorized to transact business under the laws of the jurisdiction of its place of incorporation, and, in the case of the Guarantor, that the Guarantor is duly incorporated and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its place of incorporation.
(j)      (i) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate or certificates of each of the Borrower and the Guarantor, signed on behalf of the Borrower and the Guarantor respectively, by the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary or a Responsible Officer thereof, dated the Effective Date,

34

Exhibit 10.1

certifying as to (A) the absence of any amendments to the charter of the Borrower or the Guarantor, as the case may be, since the date of the certificates referred to in paragraph (d) above, (B) a true and correct copy of the bylaws of each of the Borrower or the Guarantor, as the case may be, as in effect on the Effective Date, (C) the absence of any proceeding for the dissolution or liquidation of the Borrower or the Guarantor, as the case may be, (D) the truth, in all material respects (provided that, in each case, such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that are already qualified or modified by “materiality”, “Material Adverse Effect” or similar language in the text thereof), of the representations and warranties contained in the Credit Documents to which the Borrower or the Guarantor is a party, as the case may be, as though made on and as of the Effective Date and (E) the absence, as of the Effective Date, of any Default or Event of Default; and (ii) each of such certifications shall be true.
(k)      The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of each of the Guarantor and the Borrower certifying the names and true signatures of the officers of Guarantor or the Borrower, as the case may be, authorized to sign, and signing, this Agreement and the other Credit Documents to be delivered hereunder on or before the Effective Date.
(l)      The Administrative Agent shall have received from Schiff Hardin LLP, counsel for the Guarantor and the Borrower, a favorable opinion, substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto and as to such other matters as any Lender through the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.
(m)      The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have received, at least ten Business Days prior to the Effective Date (or such later date approved by the Administrative Agent) all documentation and other information that is required by the regulatory authorities under the applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation, the Act.
SECTION 3.02.      Conditions Precedent to Each Extension of Credit. The obligation of each Lender to make any Extension of Credit (including the initial Extension of Credit but excluding any conversion or continuation of any Loan) shall be subject to the satisfaction (or waiver in accordance with Section 11.02) of each of the following conditions:
(a)      The representations and warranties of the Guarantor and the Borrower set forth in this Agreement (other than the representation and warranty set forth in Section 4.01(f)) shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Extension of Credit, except to the extent that such representations and warranties are specifically limited to a prior date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of such prior date provided , that, in each case, such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that are already qualified or modified by “materiality,” “Material Adverse Effect” or similar language in the text thereof.
(b)      Such Extension of Credit will comply with all other applicable requirements of Article II, including, without limitation Sections 2.01 and 2.02, as applicable.

35

Exhibit 10.1

(c)      At the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Extension of Credit, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
(d)      The Administrative Agent shall have timely received a Borrowing Request in accordance with Section 2.02(d).
Each Extension of Credit and the acceptance by the Borrower of the benefits thereof shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower on the date thereof as to the matters specified in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section.
ARTICLE IV     
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
SECTION 4.01.      Representations and Warranties of the Credit Parties. Each of the Borrower and the Guarantor represents and warrants as follows:
(e)      Each of the Borrower and the Guarantor is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and, in the case of the Borrower, authorized to transact business under the laws of the State of its incorporation, and, in the case of the Guarantor, in good standing under the laws of the State of its incorporation.
(f)      The execution, delivery and performance by each of the Credit Parties of the Credit Documents to which it is a party (i) are within such Credit Party’s corporate powers, (ii) have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action, (iii) do not contravene (A) such Credit Party’s charter or by-laws, as the case may be, or (B) any law, rule or regulation, or any material Contractual Obligation or legal restriction, binding on or affecting such Credit Party or any Material Subsidiary, as the case may be, and (iv) do not require the creation of any Lien on the property of such Credit Party or any Material Subsidiary under any Contractual Obligation binding on or affecting such Credit Party or any Material Subsidiary.
(g)      No authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any Governmental Authority or other Person is required for the due execution, delivery and performance by any Credit Party of this Agreement or any other Credit Document to which any of them is a party, except for such as (i) have been obtained or made and that are in full force and effect or (ii) are not presently required under applicable law and have not yet been applied for.
(h)      Each Credit Document to which any Credit Party is a party is a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Credit Party, enforceable against such Credit Party in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.
(i)      The consolidated balance sheet of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries dated as of December 31, 2015, and the related statements of income, statements of cash flows and retained earnings of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year then ended, copies of which have been made available or furnished to each Lender, fairly present the financial condition of the

36

Exhibit 10.1

Guarantor and its Subsidiaries as at such date and the results of the operations of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries for the period ended on such date, all in accordance with GAAP consistently applied.
(j)      Since December 31, 2015, there has been no material adverse change in such condition or operations, or in the business, assets, operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of any of the Credit Parties.
(k)      There is no pending or threatened action, proceeding or investigation affecting such Credit Party before any court, governmental agency or other Governmental Authority or arbitrator that (taking into account the exhaustion of appeals) would have a Material Adverse Effect, or that (i) purports to affect the legality, validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any promissory notes executed pursuant hereto, or (ii) seeks to prohibit the ownership or operation, by any Credit Party or any of their respective Material Subsidiaries, of all or a material portion of their respective businesses or assets.
(l)      The Guarantor and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, do not hold or carry Margin Stock having an aggregate value in excess of 10% of the value of their consolidated assets, and no part of the proceeds of any Loan hereunder will be used to buy or carry any Margin Stock.
(m)      No ERISA Event has occurred, or is reasonably expected to occur, with respect to any Plan that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(n)      Schedule SB (Actuarial Information) to the 2014 Annual report (Form 5500 Series) for each Plan, copies of which have been filed with the Internal Revenue Service and made available or furnished to each Lender, is complete and accurate and fairly presents the funding status of such Plan, and since the date of such Schedule SB there has been no adverse change in such funding status which may reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(o)      Neither the Guarantor nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred or is reasonably expected to incur any Withdrawal Liability to any Multiemployer Plan which may reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(p)      Neither the Guarantor nor any ERISA Affiliate has been notified by the sponsor of a Multiemployer Plan that such Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization or has been terminated, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA, and no Multiemployer Plan is reasonably expected to be in reorganization or to be terminated, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA, in either such case, that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(q)      No Credit Party is an “investment company”, or a company “controlled” by an “investment company”, within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(r)      Each Credit Party has filed all federal, state and other material income tax returns required to be filed by it and has paid or caused to be paid all taxes due for the periods covered thereby, including interest and penalties, except for any such taxes, interest or penalties which are being contested in good faith and by proper proceedings and in respect of which such Credit Party has set aside adequate reserves for the payment thereof in accordance with GAAP.

37

Exhibit 10.1

(s)      Each Credit Party and its Subsidiaries are and have been in compliance with all laws (including, without limitation, all Environmental Laws), except to the extent that any failure to be in compliance, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(t)      No Subsidiary of any Credit Party is party to, or otherwise bound by, any agreement that prohibits such Subsidiary from making any payments, directly or indirectly, to such Credit Party, by way of dividends, advances, repayment of loans or advances, reimbursements of management or other intercompany charges, expenses and accruals or other returns on investment, or any other agreement that restricts the ability of such Subsidiary to make any payment, directly or indirectly, to such Credit Party, other than prohibitions and restrictions permitted to exist under Section 6.01(e).
(u)      The information, exhibits and reports furnished by the Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries to the Administrative Agent or to any Lender in connection with the negotiation of, or compliance with, the Credit Documents, taken as a whole, do not contain any material misstatement of fact and do not omit to state a material fact or any fact necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading in light of the circumstances made.
(v)      Each Credit Party and its Subsidiaries have implemented and maintain in effect policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure compliance by each Credit Party and its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions, and each Credit Party and its Subsidiaries and their respective officers and employees and to the knowledge of such Credit Party and its Subsidiaries, its respective directors and agents, are in compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions in all material respects. None of (a) the Credit Parties or its Subsidiaries or to the knowledge of such Credit Party or its Subsidiaries, any of their respective directors, officers or employees, or (b) to the knowledge of the Credit Parties, any agent of the Credit Parties or any of their respective Subsidiaries which agent will act in any capacity in connection with or benefit from the term loan facility established hereby, is a Sanctioned Person. No Borrowing, use of proceeds hereunder or other Transactions will violate Anti-Corruption Laws or applicable Sanctions.
ARTICLE V     
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
SECTION 5.01.      Affirmative Covenants.     So long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder or any principal of any Loan, interest or fees payable hereunder shall remain unpaid, each of the Credit Parties will, unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing:
(a)      Compliance with Laws, Etc. (i) Comply, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to comply, in all material respects with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders (including, without limitation, any of the foregoing relating to employee health and safety or public utilities and all Environmental Laws), unless the failure to so comply could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (ii) maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures reasonably

38

Exhibit 10.1

designed to ensure compliance by each Credit Party and its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions.
(b)      Maintenance of Properties, Etc. Maintain and preserve, and cause each Material Subsidiary to maintain and preserve, all of its material properties which are used in the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, if the failure to do so could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(c)      Payment of Taxes, Etc. Pay and discharge, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay and discharge, before the same shall become delinquent, (i) except to the extent the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, all taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its property, and (ii) all legal claims which, if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon its property; provided , however , that neither any Credit Party nor any of its Subsidiaries shall be required to pay or discharge any such tax, assessment, charge or claim which is being contested in good faith and by proper proceedings and as to which appropriate reserves are being maintained.
(d)      Maintenance of Insurance . Maintain, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain, insurance with responsible and reputable insurance companies or associations in such amounts and covering such risks as is usually obtained by companies engaged in similar businesses of comparable size and financial strength and owning similar properties in the same general areas in which such Credit Party or such Subsidiary operates, or, to the extent such Credit Party or Subsidiary deems it reasonably prudent to do so, through its own program of self-insurance.
(e)      Preservation of Corporate Existence, Etc. Preserve and maintain, and cause each Material Subsidiary to preserve and maintain, its corporate existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises, except as otherwise permitted under this Agreement; provided that no such Person shall be required to preserve any right or franchise with respect to which the Board of Directors of such Person has determined that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of such Person and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to any Credit Party or the Lenders.
(f)      Visitation Rights . At any reasonable time and from time to time, permit the Administrative Agent or any of the Lenders or any agents or representatives thereof, on not less than five Business Days’ notice (which notice shall be required only so long as no Default shall be occurred and be continuing), to examine and make copies of and abstracts from the records and books of account of, and visit the properties of, such Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries, and to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Credit Parties and their respective Subsidiaries with any of their respective officers and with their independent certified public accountants; subject, however, in all cases to the imposition of such conditions as the affected Credit Party or Subsidiary shall deem necessary based on reasonable considerations of safety and security and provided that so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender will be limited to one visit each year.
(g)      Keeping of Books . (i) Keep, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to keep, proper books of record and account, in which full and correct entries shall be made of all material financial

39

Exhibit 10.1

transactions and the assets and business of each of the Credit Parties and each of their respective Subsidiaries, and (ii) maintain, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain, a system of accounting established and administered in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied.
(h)      Reporting Requirements . Deliver to the Administrative Agent for distribution to the Lenders:
(i)      as soon as available and in any event within 60 days after the end of each of the first three quarters of each fiscal year of the Guarantor (or, if earlier, concurrently with the filing thereof with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any national securities exchange in accordance with applicable law or regulation), commencing with the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2016, balance sheets and cash flow statements of the Guarantor and its Consolidated Subsidiaries in comparative form as of the end of such quarter and statements of income and statements of common shareholders’ equity of the Guarantor and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for the period commencing at the end of the previous fiscal year of the Guarantor and ending with the end of such quarter, each prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments, certified by the chief financial officer of the Guarantor.
(ii)      as soon as available and in any event within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Guarantor (or, if earlier, concurrently with the filing thereof with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any national securities exchange in accordance with applicable law or regulation), commencing with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016, a copy of the audit report for such year for the Guarantor and its Consolidated Subsidiaries containing balance sheets and cash flow statements of the Guarantor and its Consolidated Subsidiaries and statements of income and statements of common shareholders’ equity of the Guarantor and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for such year prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied as reported on by independent certified public accountants of recognized national standing acceptable to the Required Lenders, which audit was conducted by such accounting firm in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards;
(iii)      concurrently with the delivery of financial statements pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above or the notice relating thereto contemplated by the final sentence of this Section 5.01(h), a certificate of a senior financial officer of each of the Guarantor and the Borrower (A) to the effect that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (or, if any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, describing the same in reasonable detail and describing the action that the Guarantor or the Borrower, as the case may be, has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto), and (B) in the case of the certificate relating to the Guarantor, setting forth calculations, in reasonable detail, establishing Borrower’s compliance, as at the end of such fiscal quarter, with the financial covenant contained in Article VII;
(iv)      as soon as possible and in any event within five days after the occurrence of each Default or Event of Default continuing on the date of such statement, a statement of

40

Exhibit 10.1

the chief financial officer of the Borrower setting forth details of such Event of Default or event and the action which the Borrower has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto;
(v)      promptly after the sending or filing thereof, copies of all reports which the Guarantor sends to its stockholders, and copies of all reports and registration statements (other than registration statements filed on Form S‑8) that the Guarantor, the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Guarantor or the Borrower, files with the Securities and Exchange Commission;
(vi)      promptly and in any event within 10 days after the Guarantor knows or has reason to know that any material ERISA Event has occurred, a statement of the chief financial officer of the Borrower describing such ERISA Event and the action, if any, which the Guarantor or any affected ERISA Affiliate proposes to take with respect thereto;
(vii)      promptly and in any event within two Business Days after receipt thereof by the Guarantor (or knowledge being obtained by the Guarantor of the receipt thereof by any ERISA Affiliate), copies of each notice from the PBGC stating its intention to terminate any Plan or to have a trustee appointed to administer any Plan;
(viii)      promptly and in any event within five Business Days after receipt thereof by the Guarantor (or knowledge being obtained by the Guarantor of the receipt thereof by any ERISA Affiliate) from the sponsor of a Multiemployer Plan, a copy of each notice received by the Guarantor or any ERISA Affiliate concerning (A) the imposition on the Guarantor or any ERISA Affiliate of material Withdrawal Liability by a Multiemployer Plan, (B) the reorganization or termination, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA, of any Multiemployer Plan or (C) the amount of liability incurred, or which may be incurred, by the Guarantor or any ERISA Affiliate in connection with any event described in clause (A) or (B) above;
(ix)      promptly after the Guarantor has knowledge of the commencement thereof, notice of any actions, suits and proceedings before any court or governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, affecting the Guarantor or any Material Subsidiary of the type described in Section 4.01(g);
(x)      promptly after the Guarantor or the Borrower knows of any change in the rating of the Index Debt by S&P or Moody’s, a notice of such changed rating; and
(xi)      such other information respecting the condition or operations, financial or otherwise, of the Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries as any Lender through the Administrative Agent may from time to time reasonably request.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Credit Parties’ obligations to deliver the documents or information required under any of clauses (i), (ii) and (v) above shall be deemed to be satisfied upon (x) the relevant documents or information being publicly available on the Guarantor’s website or other publicly available electronic medium (such as EDGAR) within the time period required by such clause, and (y) the delivery by the Guarantor or the Borrower of notice to the Administrative

41

Exhibit 10.1

Agent for distribution to the Lenders, within the time period required by such clause, that such documents or information are so available.
(i)      Use of Proceeds . Use the proceeds of the Loans hereunder for capital expenditures, working capital and other general corporate purposes, including refinancing of existing indebtedness and not request any Borrowing, nor use, and shall procure that its Subsidiaries and its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents shall not use, the proceeds of any Borrowing directly or indirectly (i) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any acquisition for which the Board of Directors of the Person to be acquired (or whose assets are to be acquired) shall have indicated publicly its opposition to the consummation of such acquisition (which opposition has not been publicly withdrawn), (ii) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws, (iii) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country or (iv) in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions applicable to any party hereto.
(j)      Ratings . At all times maintain ratings by both Moody’s and S&P with respect to the Index Debt.
ARTICLE VI     
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
SECTION 6.01.      Negative Covenants.     So long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder or any principal of any Loan, interest or fees payable hereunder shall remain unpaid, no Credit Party will, without the written consent of the Required Lenders:
(c)      Limitation on Liens . Create or suffer to exist, or permit any of its Subsidiaries (other than a Utility Subsidiary) to create or suffer to exist, any lien, security interest, or other charge or encumbrance (collectively, “ Liens ”) upon or with respect to any of its properties, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or collaterally assign for security purposes, or permit any of its Subsidiaries (other than a Utility Subsidiary) to so assign any right to receive income in each case to secure or provide for or guarantee the payment of Debt for Borrowed Money of any Person, without in any such case effectively securing, prior to or concurrently with the creation, issuance, assumption or guaranty of any such Debt for Borrowed Money, the Obligations (together with, if the Guarantor shall so determine, any other Debt for Borrowed Money of or guaranteed by the Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries ranking equally with the Loans and then existing or thereafter created) equally and ratably with (or prior to) such Debt for Borrowed Money; provided , however , that the foregoing restrictions shall not apply to or prevent the creation or existence of:
(i)      (A) Liens on any property acquired, constructed or improved by the Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries (other than a Utility Subsidiary) after the date of this Agreement that are created or assumed prior to, contemporaneously with, or within 180 days after, such acquisition or completion of such construction or improvement, to secure or provide for the payment of all or any part of the purchase price of such property or the cost of such construction or improvement; or (B) in addition to Liens contemplated by clauses (ii) and (iii) below, Liens on any property existing at the time of acquisition thereof,

42

Exhibit 10.1

provided that the Liens shall not apply to any property theretofore owned by the Guarantor or any such Subsidiary other than, in the case of any such construction or improvement, (1) unimproved real property on which the property so constructed or the improvement is located, (2) other property (or improvements thereon) that is an improvement to or is acquired or constructed for specific use with such acquired or constructed property (or improvement thereof), and (3) any rights and interests (A) under any agreements or other documents relating to, or (B) appurtenant to, the property being so constructed or improved or such other property;
(ii)      existing Liens on any property or indebtedness of a corporation that is merged with or into or consolidated with any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries; provided that such Lien was not created in contemplation of such merger or consolidation;
(iii)      Liens on any property or indebtedness of a corporation existing at the time such corporation becomes a Subsidiary of any Credit Party; provided that such Lien was not created in contemplation of such occurrence;
(iv)      Liens to secure Debt for Borrowed Money of a Subsidiary of a Credit Party to a Credit Party or to another Subsidiary of the Guarantor;
(v)      Liens in favor of the United States of America, any State, any foreign country or any department, agency or instrumentality or political subdivision of any such jurisdiction, to secure partial, progress, advance or other payments pursuant to any contract or statute or to secure any Debt for Borrowed Money incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price of the cost of constructing or improving the property subject to such Liens, including, without limitation, Liens to secure Debt for Borrowed Money of the pollution control or industrial revenue bond type;
(vi)      Liens on any property (including any natural gas, oil or other mineral property) to secure all or part of the cost of exploration, drilling or development thereof or to secure Debt for Borrowed Money incurred to provide funds for any such purpose;
(vii)      Liens existing on the date of this Agreement;
(viii)      Liens for the sole purposes of extending, renewing or replacing in whole or in part Debt for Borrowed Money secured by any Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses (i) through (vii), inclusive, or this clause (viii); provided , however , that the principal amount of Debt for Borrowed Money secured thereby shall not exceed the principal amount of Debt for Borrowed Money so secured at the time of such extension, renewal or replacement (which, for purposes of this limitation as it applies to a synthetic lease, shall be deemed to be (x) the lessor’s original cost of the property subject to such lease at the time of extension, renewal or replacement, less (y) the aggregate amount of all prior payments under such lease allocated pursuant to the terms of such lease to reduce the principal amount of the lessor’s investment, and borrowings by the lessor, made to fund the original cost of the property), and that such extension, renewal or replacement shall be limited to all or a part of the property

43

Exhibit 10.1

or indebtedness which secured the Lien so extended, renewed or replaced (plus improvements on such property);
(ix)      Liens on any property or assets of a Project Financing Subsidiary, or on any Capital Stock in a Project Financing Subsidiary, in either such case, that secure only a Project Financing or a Contingent Guaranty that supports a Project Financing; or
(x)      Any Lien, other than a Lien described in any of the foregoing clauses (i) through (ix), inclusive, to the extent that it secures Debt for Borrowed Money, or guaranties thereof, the outstanding principal balance of which at the time of creation of such Lien, when added to the aggregate principal balance of all Debt for Borrowed Money secured by Liens incurred under this clause (x) then outstanding, does not exceed $150,000,000.
If at any time any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries shall create, issue, assume or guaranty any Debt for Borrowed Money secured by any Lien and the first paragraph of this Section 6.01(a) requires that the Loans be secured equally and ratably with such Debt for Borrowed Money, the Borrower shall promptly deliver to the Administrative Agent and each Lender:
(1)    a certificate of a duly authorized officer of the Borrower stating that the covenant contained in the first paragraph of this Section 6.01(a) has been complied with; and
(2)    an opinion of counsel acceptable to the Required Lenders to the effect that such covenant has been complied with and that all documents executed by any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries in the performance of such covenant comply with the requirements of such covenant.
(d)      Mergers, Etc. Merge or consolidate with or into, or, except in a transaction permitted under paragraph (c) of this Section, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) to any Person, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to do so, except that:
(v)      any Subsidiary of the Guarantor (other than the Borrower) may merge or consolidate with or transfer assets to or acquire assets from any other Subsidiary of the Guarantor; provided that in the case of any such merger, consolidation, or transfer of assets to which NIPSCO is a party, the continuing or surviving Person shall be a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Guarantor; and
(vi)      the Borrower may merge or consolidate with, or transfer assets to, or acquire assets from, any other Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Guarantor, provided , that in the case of any such merger or consolidation to which the Borrower is not the surviving Person, or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Borrower to any other Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Guarantor, immediately after giving effect thereto, (A) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (determined, for purposes of compliance with Article VII after giving effect to such transaction, on a pro forma basis as if such transaction had occurred on the last day of the Guarantor’s fiscal quarter then most recently ended), (B)

44

Exhibit 10.1

such surviving Person or transferee, as applicable, shall have assumed all of the obligations of the Borrower under and in respect of the Credit Documents by written instrument satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel in their reasonable discretion, accompanied by such opinions of counsel and other supporting documents as they may reasonably require and (C) such surviving Person or transferee, as applicable, shall be organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof; and
(vii)      any Subsidiary of the Guarantor may merge into the Guarantor or the Borrower or transfer assets to the Borrower or the Guarantor; provided that in the case of any merger or consolidation of the Borrower into the Guarantor or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Borrower to the Guarantor, immediately after giving effect thereto, (A) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (determined, for purposes of compliance with Article VII after giving effect to such transaction, on a pro forma basis as if such transaction had occurred on the last day of the Guarantor’s fiscal quarter then most recently ended) and (B) the Guarantor shall have assumed all of the obligations of the Borrower under and in respect of the Credit Documents by written instrument satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel in their reasonable discretion, accompanied by such opinions of counsel and other supporting documents as they may reasonably require; and
(viii)      the Guarantor or any Subsidiary of the Guarantor may merge, or consolidate with or transfer all or substantially all of its assets to any other Person; provided that in each case under this clause (iii), immediately after giving effect thereto, (A) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (determined, for purposes of compliance with Article VII after giving effect to such transaction, on a pro forma basis as if such transaction had occurred on the last day of the Guarantor’s fiscal quarter then most recently ended); (B) in the case of any such merger, consolidation or transfer of assets to which the Borrower is a party, the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving corporation; (C) in the case of any such merger, consolidation, or transfer of assets to which NIPSCO is a party, NIPSCO shall be the continuing or surviving corporation and shall be a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Guarantor; (D) in the case of any such merger, consolidation or transfer of assets to which the Guarantor is a party, the Guarantor shall be the continuing or surviving corporation; and (E) the Index Debt shall be rated at least BBB- by S&P and at least Baa3 by Moody’s.
(e)      Sales, Etc. of Assets . Sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of, or permit any of their respective Subsidiaries to sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of (other than in connection with a transaction authorized by paragraph (b) of this Section) any substantial part of its assets; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit (i) the realization on a Lien permitted to exist under Section 6.01(a); (ii) any such sale, conveyance, lease, transfer or other disposition that (A) (1) is for a price not materially less than the fair market value of such assets, (2) would not materially impair the ability of any Credit Party to perform its obligations under this Agreement and (3) together with all other such sales, conveyances, leases, transfers and other dispositions, would have no Material Adverse Effect, or (B) would not result in the sale, lease, transfer or other disposition, in the aggregate, of more than 10% of the consolidated total assets of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries, determined in accordance with GAAP, on December 31, 2015.

45

Exhibit 10.1

(f)      Compliance with ERISA . (i) Terminate, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to terminate, any Plan so as to result in a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) permit to exist any occurrence of any Reportable Event (as defined in Title IV of ERISA), or any other event or condition, that presents a material (in the reasonable opinion of the Required Lenders) risk of such a termination by the PBGC of any Plan, if such termination could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(g)      Certain Restrictions . Permit any of its Subsidiaries (other than, in the case of the Guarantor, the Borrower) to enter into or permit to exist any agreement that by its terms prohibits such Subsidiary from making any payments, directly or indirectly, to such Credit Party by way of dividends, advances, repayment of loans or advances, reimbursements of management or other intercompany charges, expenses and accruals or other returns on investment, or any other agreement that restricts the ability of such Subsidiary to make any payment, directly or indirectly, to such Credit Party; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to prohibitions and restrictions (i) imposed by applicable law, (ii) (A) imposed under an agreement in existence on the date of this Agreement, and (B) described on Schedule 6.01(e), (iii) existing with respect to a Subsidiary on the date it becomes a Subsidiary that are not created in contemplation thereof (but shall apply to any extension or renewal of, or any amendment or modification expanding the scope of, any such prohibition or restriction), (iv) contained in agreements relating to the sale of a Subsidiary pending such sale, provided that such prohibitions or restrictions apply only to the Subsidiary that is to be sold and such sale is permitted hereunder, (v) imposed on a Project Financing Subsidiary in connection with a Project Financing, or (vi) that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
ARTICLE VII     
FINANCIAL COVENANT
So long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder or any principal of any Loan, interest or fees payable hereunder shall remain unpaid, the Guarantor shall maintain a Debt to Capitalization Ratio of not more than 0.70 to 1.00.
ARTICLE VIII     
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
SECTION 8.01.      Events of Default. If any of the following events (“ Events of Default ”) shall occur and be continuing:
(a)      The Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan when the same becomes due and payable or shall fail to pay any interest, fees or other amounts hereunder within three Business Days after when the same becomes due and payable; or
(b)      Any representation or warranty made by any Credit Party in any Credit Document or by any Credit Party (or any of its officers) in connection with this Agreement shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect (or any such representation or warranty that was otherwise qualified by materiality shall prove to have been false or misleading in any respect) when made; or

46

Exhibit 10.1

(c)      Any Credit Party shall fail to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in Section 5.01(e), 5.01(f), 5.01(h) (other than clause (y) of the last paragraph thereof), 5.01(i), 6.01 or Article VII; or
(d)      Any Credit Party shall fail to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in any Credit Document on its part to be performed or observed (other than one identified in paragraph (a), (b) or (c) above) if the failure to perform or observe such other term, covenant or agreement shall remain unremedied for thirty days after written notice thereof shall have been given to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent or any Lender; or
(e)      The Guarantor, the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries shall fail to pay any principal of or premium or interest on any Indebtedness (excluding Non-Recourse Debt) which is outstanding in a principal amount of at least $50,000,000 in the aggregate (but excluding the Loans) of the Guarantor, the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, when the same becomes due and payable (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand or otherwise), and such failure shall continue after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in the agreement or instrument relating to such Indebtedness; or any other event shall occur or condition shall exist under any agreement or instrument relating to any such Indebtedness and shall continue after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in such agreement or instrument, if the effect of such event or condition is to accelerate, or to permit the acceleration of, the scheduled maturity of such Indebtedness; or any such Indebtedness shall be declared to be due and payable, or required to be prepaid (other than by a regularly scheduled required prepayment), prior to the stated maturity thereof; or
(f)      Any Credit Party shall generally not pay its debts as such debts become due, or shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts generally, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or any proceeding shall be instituted by or against any Credit Party seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking liquidation, winding up, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, protection, relief, or composition of it or its debts under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors, or seeking the entry of an order for relief or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for any substantial part of its property and, in the case of any such proceeding instituted against any Credit Party (but not instituted by any Credit Party), either such proceeding shall remain undismissed or unstayed for a period of 60 days, or any of the actions sought in such proceeding (including, without limitation, the entry of an order for relief against, or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for, any Credit Party or for any substantial part of its property) shall occur; or any Credit Party shall take any corporate action to authorize any of the actions set forth above in this paragraph (f); or
(g)      One or more Subsidiaries of the Guarantor (other than the Borrower) in which the aggregate sum of (i) the amounts invested by the Guarantor and its other Subsidiaries in the aggregate, by way of purchases of Capital Stock, Capital Leases, loans or otherwise, and (ii) the amount of recourse, whether contractual or as a matter of law (but excluding Non-Recourse Debt), available to creditors of such Subsidiary or Subsidiaries against the Guarantor or any of its other Subsidiaries, is $100,000,000 or more (collectively, “ Substantial Subsidiaries ”) shall generally not

47

Exhibit 10.1

pay their respective debts as such debts become due, or shall admit in writing their respective inability to pay their debts generally, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or any proceeding shall be instituted by or against Substantial Subsidiaries seeking to adjudicate them bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking liquidation, winding up, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, protection, relief, or composition of them or their respective debts under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors, or seeking the entry of an order for relief or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for them or for any substantial part of their respective property and, in the case of any such proceeding instituted against Substantial Subsidiaries (but not instituted by the Guarantor or any Subsidiary of the Guarantor), either such proceeding shall remain undismissed or unstayed for a period of 60 days, or any of the actions sought in such proceeding (including, without limitation, the entry of an order for relief against, or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for, the Substantial Subsidiaries or for any substantial part of their respective property) shall occur; or Substantial Subsidiaries shall take any corporate action to authorize any of the actions set forth above in this paragraph (g); or
(h)      Any judgment or order for the payment of money in excess of $50,000,000 shall be rendered against the Borrower, the Guarantor or any of its other Subsidiaries and either (i) enforcement proceedings shall have been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order or (ii) there shall be any period of 30 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect; or
(i)      Any ERISA Event shall have occurred with respect to a Plan and, 30 days after notice thereof shall have been given to the Guarantor or the Borrower by the Administrative Agent, (i) such ERISA Event shall still exist and (ii) the sum (determined as of the date of occurrence of such ERISA Event) of the Insufficiency of such Plan and the Insufficiency of any and all other Plans with respect to which an ERISA Event shall have occurred and then exist (or, in the case of a Plan with respect to which an ERISA Event described in clauses (c) through (e) of the definition of ERISA Event shall have occurred and then exist, the liability related thereto) is equal to or greater than $10,000,000 (when aggregated with paragraphs (j), (k) and (l) of this Section), and a Material Adverse Effect could reasonably be expected to occur as a result thereof; or
(j)      The Guarantor or any ERISA Affiliate shall have been notified by the sponsor of a Multiemployer Plan that it has incurred Withdrawal Liability to such Multiemployer Plan in an amount which, when aggregated with all other amounts required to be paid to Multiemployer Plans by the Guarantor and its ERISA Affiliates as Withdrawal Liability (determined as of the date of such notification), exceeds $10,000,000 or requires payments exceeding $10,000,000 per annum (in either case, when aggregated with paragraphs (i), (k) and (l) of this Section), and a Material Adverse Effect could reasonably be expected to occur as a result thereof; or
(k)      The Guarantor or any ERISA Affiliate shall have been notified by the sponsor of a Multiemployer Plan that such Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization or is being terminated, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA, if as a result of such reorganization or termination the aggregate annual contributions of the Guarantor and its ERISA Affiliates to all Multiemployer Plans which are then in reorganization or being terminated have been or will be increased over the amounts

48

Exhibit 10.1

contributed to such Multiemployer Plans for the respective plan year of each such Multiemployer Plan immediately preceding the plan year in which the reorganization or termination occurs by an amount exceeding $10,000,000 (when aggregated with paragraphs (i), (j) and (l) of this Section), and a Material Adverse Effect could reasonably be expected to occur as a result thereof; or
(l)      The Guarantor or any ERISA Affiliate shall have committed a failure described in Section 303(k)(1) of ERISA and the amount determined under Section 303(k)(3) of ERISA is equal to or greater than $10,000,000 (when aggregated with paragraphs (i), (j) and (k) of this Section), and a Material Adverse Effect could reasonably be expected to occur as a result thereof; or
(m)      Any provision of the Credit Documents shall be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable against any Credit Party purported to be bound thereby, or any Credit Party shall so assert in writing; or
(n)      Any Change of Control shall occur;
then, and in any such event, the Administrative Agent (i) shall at the request, or may with the consent, of the Required Lenders, by notice to the Borrower, declare the Commitment of each Lender to be terminated, whereupon the same shall forthwith terminate, and (ii) shall at the request or with the consent of the Required Lenders, by notice to the Borrower, declare all amounts payable under this Agreement to be forthwith due and payable, whereupon all such amounts shall become and be forthwith due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or further notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower; provided that in the event of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to any Credit Party under the Federal Bankruptcy Code, (1) the Commitment of each Lender hereunder shall automatically be terminated and (2) all such amounts shall automatically become and be due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or any notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower.
ARTICLE IX     
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
SECTION 9.01.      The Administrative Agent.
(a)      Each of the Lenders hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent as its agent and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.
(b)      The Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and such bank and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of business with any Credit Party or any of such Credit Party’s Subsidiaries or other Affiliates thereof as if it were not the Administrative Agent hereunder.
(c)      The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (i) the Administrative Agent shall

49

Exhibit 10.1

not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing, (ii) the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise in writing by the Required Lenders, and (iii) except as expressly set forth herein, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower, the Guarantor or any of its other Subsidiaries that is communicated to or obtained by the bank serving as Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or, if applicable, all of the Lenders) or in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice thereof is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower or a Lender, and the Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (1) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement, (2) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or in connection herewith, (3) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein, (4) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement or any other agreement, instrument or document, or (5) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article III or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent and the conformity thereof to such express requirement.
(d)      The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or sent by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for a Credit Party) independent accountants and other experts selected by it and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.
(e)      The Administrative Agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of the preceding paragraphs shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the term loan facility provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.
(f)      Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Administrative Agent as provided in this paragraph, the Administrative Agent may resign at any time by notifying the Lenders and the Credit Parties. Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, with the consent of the Borrower (which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld), to appoint a successor; provided that no such consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default

50

Exhibit 10.1

has occurred and is continuing. If no successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Administrative Agent which shall be a bank with an office in New York, New York, or an Affiliate of any such bank, in any event having total assets in excess of $500,000,000 and who shall serve until such time, if any, as an Agent shall have been appointed as provided above. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder. The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor. After the Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article and Section 11.03 shall continue in effect for its benefit in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was acting as Administrative Agent.
(g)      Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.
(h)      No Lender identified in this Agreement as a “Lead Arranger”, “Documentation Agent” or “Syndication Agent”, or that is given any other title hereunder other than “Administrative Agent”, shall have any right, power, obligation, liability, responsibility or duty under this Agreement other than those applicable to all Lenders as such. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no Lender so identified as a “Lead Arranger”, “Documentation Agent” or “Syndication Agent” or that is given any other title hereunder, shall have, or be deemed to have, any fiduciary relationship with any Lender. Each Lender acknowledges that it has not relied, and will not rely, on the Lenders so identified in deciding to enter into this Agreement or in taking or not taking action hereunder.
(i)      Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Credit Document, the authority to enforce rights and remedies hereunder and in the other Credit Documents against the Credit Parties or any of them shall be vested exclusively in, and all actions and proceedings at law in connection with such enforcement shall be instituted and maintained exclusively by, the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 8.01 for the benefit of all the Lenders; provided , however , that the foregoing shall not prohibit (i) the Administrative Agent from exercising on its own behalf the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as Administrative Agent) hereunder and under the other Credit Documents, (ii) any Lender from exercising setoff rights in accordance with Section 11.08 (subject to the terms of Section 2.18(c)) or (iiii) any Lender from filing proofs of claim or appearing and filing pleadings on its own behalf during the pendency of a Bankruptcy Event relative to any Credit Party; and provided , further , that if at any time there is no Person acting as Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Credit Documents, then

51

Exhibit 10.1

(A) the Required Lenders shall have the rights otherwise ascribed to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 8.01 and (B) in addition to the matters set forth in clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv) of the preceding proviso and subject to Section 2.18(c), any Lender may, with the consent of the Required Lenders, enforce any rights and remedies available to it and as authorized by the Required Lenders.
(j)      Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that the Loans made by it hereunder are commercial loans and not investments in a business enterprise or securities.  Each Lender further represents that it is engaged in making, acquiring or holding commercial loans in the ordinary course of its business and  has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement as a Lender, and to make, acquire or hold Loans hereunder.  Each Lender shall, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information (which may contain material, non-public information within the meaning of the United States securities laws concerning the Borrower and its Affiliates) as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder and in deciding whether or to the extent to which it will continue as a Lender or assign or otherwise transfer its rights, interests and obligations hereunder.
ARTICLE X     
GUARANTY
SECTION 10.01.      The Guaranty.
(d)      The Guarantor, as primary obligor and not merely as a surety, hereby irrevocably, absolutely and unconditionally guarantees to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and each of their respective successors, endorsees, transferees and assigns (each a “ Beneficiary ” and collectively, the “ Beneficiaries ”) the prompt and complete payment by the Borrower, as and when due and payable, of the Obligations, in accordance with the terms of the Credit Documents. The provisions of this Article X are sometimes referred to hereinafter as the “ Guaranty ”.
(e)      The Guarantor hereby guarantees that the Obligations will be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of the Credit Documents, regardless of any law now or hereafter in effect in any jurisdiction affecting any such terms or the rights of the Beneficiaries with respect thereto. The obligations and liabilities of the Guarantor under this Guaranty shall be absolute and unconditional irrespective of: (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any of the Obligations or any Credit Document, or any delay, failure or omission to enforce or agreement not to enforce, or the stay or enjoining, by order of court, by operation of law or otherwise, of the exercise of any right with respect to the foregoing (including, in each case, without limitation, as a result of the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any Beneficiary, the Borrower or any other Person); (ii) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term in respect of, all or any of the Obligations, or any other amendment or waiver of or consent to any departure from the Credit Documents or any agreement or instrument relating thereto; (iii) any exchange or release of, or non-perfection of any Lien on or in any collateral, or any release, amendment or waiver of, or consent

52

Exhibit 10.1

to any departure from, any other guaranty of, or agreement granting security for, all or any of the Obligations; (iv) any claim, set-off, counterclaim, defense or other rights that the Guarantor may have at any time and from time to time against any Beneficiary or any other Person, whether in connection with this Transaction or any unrelated transaction; or (v) any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, the Borrower or any other guarantor or surety in respect of the Obligations or the Guarantor in respect hereof.
(f)      The Guaranty provided for herein (i) is a guaranty of payment and not of collection; (ii) is a continuing guaranty and shall remain in full force and effect until the Commitments have been terminated and the Obligations have been paid in full in cash; and (iii) shall continue to be effective or shall be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment, or any part thereof, of any of the Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by any Beneficiary upon or as a result of the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of the Borrower or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made.
(g)      The obligations and liabilities of the Guarantor hereunder shall not be conditioned or contingent upon the pursuit by any Beneficiary or any other Person at any time of any right or remedy against the Borrower or any other Person that may be or become liable in respect of all or any part of the Obligations or against any collateral security or guaranty therefor or right of setoff with respect thereto.
(h)      The Guarantor hereby consents that, without the necessity of any reservation of rights against the Guarantor and without notice to or further assent by the Guarantor, any demand for payment of any of the Obligations made by any Beneficiary may be rescinded by such Beneficiary and any of the Obligations continued after such rescission.
(i)      The Guarantor’s obligations under this Guaranty shall be unconditional, irrespective of any lack of capacity of the Borrower or any lack of validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement or any other Credit Document, and this Guaranty shall not be affected in any way by any variation, extension, waiver, compromise or release of any or all of the Obligations or of any security or guaranty from time to time therefor.
(j)      The obligations of the Guarantor under this Guaranty shall not be reduced, limited, impaired, discharged, deferred, suspended or terminated by any proceeding or action, voluntary or involuntary, involving the bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, reorganization, marshalling of assets, assignment for the benefit of creditors, composition with creditors, readjustment, liquidation or arrangement of the Borrower or any similar proceedings or actions, or by any defense the Borrower may have by reason of the order, decree or decision of any court or administrative body resulting from any such proceeding or action. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Guarantor’s liability shall extend to all amounts and obligations that constitute the Obligations and would be owed by the Borrower, but for the fact that they are unenforceable or not allowable due to the existence of any such proceeding or action.
SECTION 10.02.      Waivers.

53

Exhibit 10.1

(f)      The Guarantor hereby unconditionally waives: (i) promptness and diligence; (ii) notice of or proof of reliance by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders upon this Guaranty or acceptance of this Guaranty; (iii) notice of the incurrence of any Obligation by the Borrower or the renewal, extension or accrual of any Obligation or of any circumstances affecting the Borrower’s financial condition or ability to perform the Obligations; (iv) notice of any actions taken by the Beneficiaries or the Borrower or any other Person under any Credit Document or any other agreement or instrument relating thereto; (v) all other notices, demands and protests, and all other formalities of every kind in connection with the enforcement of the Obligations, of the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder or under any other Credit Document, the omission of or delay in which, but for the provisions of this Section 10 might constitute grounds for relieving the Guarantor of its obligations hereunder; (vi) any requirement that the Beneficiaries protect, secure, perfect or insure any Lien or any property subject thereto, or exhaust any right or take any action against the Borrower or any other Person or any collateral; and (vii) each other circumstance, other than payment of the Obligations in full, that might otherwise result in a discharge or exoneration of, or constitute a defense to, the Guarantor’s obligations hereunder.
(g)      No failure on the part of any Beneficiary to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under any Credit Document or any other agreement or instrument relating thereto shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under any Credit Document or any other agreement or instrument relating thereto preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. This Guaranty is in addition to and not in limitation of any other rights, remedies, powers and privileges the Beneficiaries may have by virtue of any other instrument or agreement heretofore, contemporaneously herewith or hereafter executed by the Guarantor or any other Person or by applicable law or otherwise. All rights, remedies, powers and privileges of the Beneficiaries shall be cumulative and may be exercised singly or concurrently. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges of the Beneficiaries under this Guaranty against the Guarantor are not conditional or contingent on any attempt by the Beneficiaries to exercise any of their rights, remedies, powers or privileges against any other guarantor or surety or under the Credit Documents or any other agreement or instrument relating thereto against the Borrower or against any other Person.
(h)      The Guarantor hereby acknowledges and agrees that, until the Commitments have been terminated and all of the Obligations have been paid in full in cash, under no circumstances shall it be entitled to be subrogated to any rights of any Beneficiary in respect of the Obligations performed by it hereunder or otherwise, and the Guarantor hereby expressly and irrevocably waives, until the Commitments have been terminated and all of the Obligations have been paid in full in cash, (i) each and every such right of subrogation and any claims, reimbursements, right or right of action relating thereto (howsoever arising), and (ii) each and every right to contribution, indemnification, set-off or reimbursement, whether from the Borrower or any other Person now or hereafter primarily or secondarily liable for any of the Obligations, and whether arising by contract or operation of law or otherwise by reason of the Guarantor’s execution, delivery or performance of this Guaranty.
(i)      The Guarantor represents and warrants that it has established adequate means of keeping itself informed of the Borrower’s financial condition and of other circumstances affecting the

54

Exhibit 10.1

Borrower’s ability to perform the Obligations, and agrees that neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation to provide to the Guarantor any information it may have, or hereafter receive, in respect of the Borrower.
ARTICLE XI     
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 11.01.      Notices. Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone, all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows:
(j)      if to any Credit Party, to it at:
801 East 86 th Avenue
Merrillville, IN 46410
Attention: Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Telecopier: (219) 647-6100;

with a copy to such Credit Party at:

290 West Nationwide Boulevard
Columbus, OH 43215
Attention: Assistant Treasurer
Telecopier: (614) 460-8414;

(k)      if to the Administrative Agent, to PNC Bank, National Association at:
PNC Bank, National Association
500 First Ave., (Mail Stop P7-PFSC-O4I)
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Attention: Kelsey Munsick
Facsimile No.: 412-762-8672

with a copy, except with respect to the Borrowing Request and any Interest Election Request, to PNC Bank, National Association at:

PNC Bank, National Association
500 First Ave., 4 th Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Attention: Laura Macioce
Facsimile No.: 412-762-8672

and

PNC Bank, National Association

55

Exhibit 10.1

155 East Broad St., 7 th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Attention: Thomas Redmond
Facsimile No.: 614-463-6770

(l)      if to any Lender, to it at its address (or telecopy number) set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire.
Notices sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient). Notices delivered through Electronic Systems, to the extent provided in paragraph (e) below, shall be effective as provided in said paragraph (e).
(d)    Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by using Electronic Systems pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices pursuant to Article II unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lender. The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.
(e)    Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website, including an Electronic System, shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient, at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i), of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided that, for both clauses (i) and (ii) above, if such notice, email or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient.
(f)    Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt.
(g)    Electronic Systems.
(i)    The Borrower and each Lender agrees that the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, make Communications (as defined below) available to the Lenders by posting the Communications on Debt Domain, Intralinks, Syndtrak, ClearPar or a substantially similar Electronic System.

56

Exhibit 10.1

(ii)    Any Electronic System used by the Administrative Agent is provided “as is” and “as available.” The Agent Parties (as defined below) and the Credit Parties do not warrant the adequacy of such Electronic Systems and expressly disclaim liability for errors or omissions in the Communications. No warranty of any kind, express, implied or statutory, including, without limitation, any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of third-party rights or freedom from viruses or other code defects, is made by any Agent Party or any Credit Party in connection with the Communications or any Electronic System. In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the “Agent Parties”) or the Credit Parties have any liability to any Credit Party, any Lender, Administrative Agent or any other Person or entity for damages of any kind, including, without limitation, direct or indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of any Credit Party’s or the Administrative Agent’s transmission of Communications through an Electronic System, except to the extent that such damages, losses or expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Agent Party. “Communications” means, collectively, any notice, demand, communication, information, document or other material provided by or on behalf of any Credit Party pursuant to any Credit Document or the transactions contemplated therein which is distributed by the Administrative Agent or any Lender by means of electronic communications pursuant to this Section, including through an Electronic System.
SECTION 11.02.      Waivers; Amendments.
(c)      No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any Credit Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no Extension of Credit shall be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time.
(d)      Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower, the Guarantor and the Required Lenders or by the Borrower, the Guarantor and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders; provided that no such agreement shall (i) increase the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender, (ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees or other amounts payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iii) postpone the scheduled date of payment of the principal amount of any Loan or any interest thereon, or any fees or other amounts payable hereunder, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Commitment, without the written consent of each Lender affected

57

Exhibit 10.1

thereby, (iv) change Section 2.18(b) or (c) in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby, without the written consent of each Lender, (v) release the Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty without the written consent of each Lender, (vi) waive any of the conditions precedent to the Effective Date set forth in Section 3.01 without the written consent of each Lender, or (vii) change any of the provisions of this Section or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender; provided , further , that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent.
SECTION 11.03.      Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.
(c)      The Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent, in connection with the initial syndication of the term loan facility provided for herein, the preparation and administration of this Agreement or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated) and (ii) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent or any Lender, in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with this Agreement, including its rights under this Section, or in connection with the Loans made hereunder, including in connection with any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect thereof.
(d)      The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, the Syndication Agent, the Documentation Agent, each Lender and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “ Indemnitee ”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, penalties, damages, liabilities and related reasonable expenses, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or the consummation of the Transactions or any other transaction contemplated hereby, (ii) any Loan or the use of the proceeds therefrom, (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property now, in the past or hereafter owned or operated by the Borrower, the Guarantor or any of its other Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to the Borrower, the Guarantor or any of its other Subsidiaries, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee. This Section

58

Exhibit 10.1

11.03(b) shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims, penalties, damages, etc. arising from any non-Tax claim.
(e)      To the extent that the Borrower fails to pay any amount required to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent under paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s Applicable Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount; provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such.
(f)      To the extent permitted by applicable law, (i) the Borrower shall not assert, and does hereby waive, any claim against any Indemnitee for any damages arising from the use by others of information or other materials obtained through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems (including the Internet), and (ii) without limiting the rights of indemnification of any Indemnitee set forth in this Agreement with respect to liabilities asserted by third parties, each party hereto shall not assert, and hereby waives, any claim against each other party, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the Transactions or any Loan or the use of the proceeds thereof.
(g)      All amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than 20 days after written demand therefor.
SECTION 11.04.      Successors and Assigns.
(f)      The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby; provided that, (i) except to the extent permitted pursuant to Section 6.01(b)(ii) and (iii), no Credit Party may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by a Credit Party without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
(g)      (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more Persons (other than an Ineligible Institution) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of:
(A)      the Borrower ( provided that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within ten (10) Business Days after having received notice

59

Exhibit 10.1

thereof); provided , further , that no consent of the Borrower shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund or, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any other assignee; and
(B)      the Administrative Agent.
(ii)      Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:
(A)      except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment or Loans, the amount of the Commitment or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $5,000,000 unless each of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent, provided that no such consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;
(B)      each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, provided that this clause shall not be construed to prohibit the assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations in respect of such Lender’s Loans;
(C)      the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500, such fee to be paid by either the assigning Lender or the assignee Lender or shared between such Lenders;
(D)      the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire in which the assignee designates one or more credit contacts to whom all syndicate-level information (which may contain material non-public information about the Borrower and its affiliates and their Related Parties or their respective securities) will be made available and who may receive such information in accordance with the assignee’s compliance procedures and applicable laws, including Federal and state securities laws;
(E)      without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, no assignment shall be made to a prospective assignee that bears a relationship to the Borrower described in Section 108(e)(4) of the Code; and
(F)      no assignment shall be made to any Affiliate of any Credit Party.
For the purposes of this Section 11.04(b), the terms “Approved Fund” and “Ineligible Institution” have the following meanings:

60

Exhibit 10.1

“Approved Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.
“Ineligible Institution” means (a) a natural person, (b) a Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries or any parent company thereof, or any Person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing Persons described in this clause (b), (c) the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its Affiliates, or (d) a company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural person or relative(s) thereof.

Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (d) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 11.03). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this paragraph shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (e) of this Section.
(h)      The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices in The City of New York a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitment of, and principal amount (and stated interest) of the Loans and other Obligations owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “ Register ”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive (absent manifest error), and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary.
(i)      Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, the assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.

61

Exhibit 10.1

(j)      Any Lender may, without the consent of or notice to the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (a “ Participant ”), other than an Ineligible Institution, in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrower, the Guarantor and the Administrative Agent shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in the first proviso to Section 11.02(b) that affects such Participant. Subject to paragraph (f) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.15, 2.16 and 2.17 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 2.17(e) and (f) shall be delivered to the participating Lender)) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section; provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to the provisions of Section 2.19 as though it were an assignee under paragraph (b) of this Section. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant's interest in the obligations under this Agreement (the “ Participant Register ”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register to any Person (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant's interest in the obligations under this Agreement) except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such interest is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.
(k)      A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.l5 or 2.17 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation.
(l)      Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including, without limitation, to a Federal Reserve Bank or any central bank, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

62

Exhibit 10.1

SECTION 11.05.      Survival. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Borrower and the Guarantor herein and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of any Loans. The provisions of Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17, 10.01(c)(iii) and 11.03 and Article IX shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof.
SECTION 11.06.      Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement, the commitment letter relating to the term loan facility provided hereby (to the extent provided therein) and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 3.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic imaging shall be effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Agreement. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.
SECTION 11.07.      Severability. Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.
SECTION 11.08.      Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender or any Affiliate thereof is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other indebtedness at any time owing by such Lender to or for the credit or the account of any Credit Party against any of

63

Exhibit 10.1

and all the Obligations now or hereafter existing under this Agreement held by such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement and although such Obligations may be unmatured. The rights of each Lender under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) which such Lender may have.
SECTION 11.09.      Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process.
(g)      This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York.
(h)      Each Credit Party hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement against any Credit Party or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.
(i)      Each Credit Party hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.
(j)      Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 11.01. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
SECTION 11.10.      WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN

64

Exhibit 10.1

INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
SECTION 11.11.      Headings. Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.
SECTION 11.12.      Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates’ directors, officers, employees, third party service providers and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party to this Agreement, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the enforcement of rights hereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (ii) actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction or any credit insurance provider, in each case, relating to the Borrower and its obligations, (g) with the consent of the Borrower or (h) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (ii) becomes available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than a Credit Party or any Subsidiary of a Credit Party. For the purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of a Credit Party relating to a Credit Party or any Subsidiary of a Credit Party or its respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of a Credit Party; provided that, in the case of information received from any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of a Credit Party after the Effective Date, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information. In addition, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may disclose the existence of this Agreement and information about this Agreement to market data collectors, similar service providers to the lending industry and service providers to the Administrative Agent, the Syndication Agent, the Documentation Agent, the Arrangers and the Lenders in connection with the administration of this Agreement, the other Credit Documents, and the Commitments.
EACH LENDER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT INFORMATION AS DEFINED IN THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING PARAGRAPH FURNISHED TO IT PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY INCLUDE MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION CONCERNING

65

Exhibit 10.1

THE BORROWER AND ITS RELATED PARTIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES, AND CONFIRMS THAT IT HAS DEVELOPED COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES REGARDING THE USE OF MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION AND THAT IT WILL HANDLE SUCH MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THOSE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW, INCLUDING FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS.
ALL INFORMATION, INCLUDING REQUESTS FOR WAIVERS AND AMENDMENTS, FURNISHED BY THE BORROWER OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT PURSUANT TO, OR IN THE COURSE OF ADMINISTERING, THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE SYNDICATE-LEVEL INFORMATION, WHICH MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE BORROWER, THE OTHER CREDIT PARTIES AND THEIR RELATED PARTIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES. ACCORDINGLY, EACH LENDER REPRESENTS TO THE BORROWER AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT THAT IT HAS IDENTIFIED IN ITS ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE A CREDIT CONTACT WHO MAY RECEIVE INFORMATION THAT MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW.
SECTION 11.13.      USA PATRIOT Act. Each Lender hereby notifies the Credit Parties that pursuant to the requirements of the Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Credit Parties, which information includes the name and address of the Credit Parties and other information that will allow such Lender to identify the Credit Parties in accordance with the Act.
SECTION 11.14.      Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Credit Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any EEA Financial Institution arising under any Credit Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the write-down and conversion powers of an EEA Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:
(a)      the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an EEA Financial Institution; and
(b)      the effects of any Bail-in Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:
(i)      a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;
(ii)      a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Credit Document; or

66

Exhibit 10.1

(iii)      the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the write-down and conversion powers of any EEA Resolution Authority.
SECTION 11.15.      Acknowledgments. Each of the Guarantor and the Borrower hereby acknowledges that:
(a)      it has been advised by and consulted with its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors (to the extent it deemed appropriate) in the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents;
(b)      neither any Arranger, any Agent nor any Lender has any fiduciary relationship with or duty to the Guarantor or the Borrower arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents, and the relationship between any Arranger, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, on one hand, and the Guarantor and the Borrower, on the other hand, in connection herewith or therewith is solely that of debtor and creditor, and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, each of the Guarantor and the Borrower hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and the Lenders with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated hereby;
(c)      it is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Credit Documents; and
(d)      no joint venture is created hereby or by the other Credit Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby among the Arrangers, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders or among the Guarantor, the Borrower and the Lenders.
SECTION 11.16.     
IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

NISOURCE FINANCE CORP., as Borrower


By:    
Donald E. Brown
President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Federal Tax Identification Number: 35-2105468




NISOURCE INC., as Guarantor

By:    
Donald E. Brown
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Federal Tax Identification Number: 35-2108964








PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Lender and as Administrative Agent


By:    
Name:
Title:







JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as a Lender


By:    
Name:
Title:






MIZUHO BANK (USA), as a Lender


By:    
Name:
Title:



U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Lender


By:    
Name:
Title:


 
 
 

THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK, as a Lender


By:    
Name:
Title:

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, as a Lender


By:    
Name:
Title:

Annex A
PRICING GRID
The “Applicable Rate” for any day with respect to any Eurodollar Loan or ABR Loan, as the case may be, is the percentage (stated in basis points) set forth below in the applicable row under the column corresponding to the Status that exists on such day:
Status
Level I
Level II
Level III
Level IV
Level V
Eurodollar Loans
(basis points)
85.0
90.0
95.0
105.0
120.0
ABR Loans
(basis points)
0.0
0.0
0.0
5.0
20.0
Unused Fee
7.5
12.5
17.5
22.5
30.0
For purposes of this Pricing Grid, the following terms have the following meanings (as modified by the provisos below):
Level I Status ” exists at any date if, at such date, the Index Debt is rated either A or higher by S&P or A2 or higher by Moody’s.
Level II Status ” exists at any date if, at such date, the Index Debt is rated either A- by S&P or A3 by Moody’s.
Level III Status ” exists at any date if, at such date, the Index Debt is rated either BBB+ by S&P or Baa1 by Moody’s.
Level IV Status ” exists at any date if, at such date, the Index Debt is rated either BBB by S&P or Baa2 by Moody’s.
Level V Status ” exists at any date if, at such date, the Index Debt is rated either BBB- by S&P or lower or Baa3 by Moody’s or lower, or, no other Status exists.
Status ” refers to the determination of which of Level I Status, Level II Status, Level III Status, Level IV Status or Level V Status exists at any date.
The credit ratings to be utilized for purposes of this Pricing Grid are those assigned to the Index Debt, and any rating assigned to any other debt security of the Borrower shall be disregarded. The rating in effect at any date is that in effect at the close of business on such date.
Provided , that the applicable Status shall change as and when the applicable Index Debt ratings change.
Provided further , that if the Index Debt is split-rated, the applicable Status shall be determined on the basis of the higher of the two ratings then applicable; provided further that, if the Index Debt is split-rated by two or more levels, the applicable Status shall instead be determined on the basis of the rating that is one level above the lower of the two ratings then applicable.
Provided further , that if both Moody’s and S&P, or their successors as applicable, shall have ceased to issue or maintain such ratings, then the applicable Status shall be Level V.

EXHIBIT A
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION
This Assignment and Assumption (the “ Assignment and Assumption ”) is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between [ Insert name of Assignor ] (the “ Assignor ”) and [ Insert name of Assignee ] (the “ Assignee ”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Term Loan Agreement identified below (as amended, the “ Loan Agreement ”), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by the Assignee. The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Assumption as if set forth herein in full.
For an agreed consideration, the Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to the Assignee, and the Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from the Assignor, subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Loan Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below (i) all of the Assignor’s rights and obligations in its capacity as a Lender under the Loan Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of the Assignor under the respective facilities identified below (including any guarantees included in such facilities) and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender) against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Loan Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as the “ Assigned Interest ”). Such sale and assignment is without recourse to the Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Assumption, without representation or warranty by the Assignor.
1.
Assignor:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.
Assignee:
 
 
 
 
 
[and is an Affiliate/Approved Fund of [identify Lender]]
 
 
 
3.
Borrower(s):
NiSource Finance Corp., an Indiana corporation
 
 
 
 
4.
Administrative Agent:
PNC Bank, National Association, as the administrative agent under the Loan Agreement
 
 
 
5.
Loan Agreement:
The Term Loan Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2016, among NiSource Finance Corp., as borrower, NiSource Inc., a Delaware corporation, as guarantor, the Lenders parties thereto, PNC Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, and the other agents parties thereto

6.
Assigned Interest:
Aggregate Amount of Commitments/Loans for
all Lenders
Amount of
Commitments/Loans Assigned
Percentage Assigned of Commitments/Loans
$
$
%
 
$
$
%
 
$
$
%
 
 
 
 
Effective Date: _____________ ___, 20___ [TO BE INSERTED BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR.]
The terms set forth in this Assignment and Assumption are hereby agreed to:
 
ASSIGNOR
 
 
 
[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]
 
 
 
By:
 
 
 
Title:
 
 
 
ASSIGNEE
 
 
 
[NAME OF ASSIGNEE]
 
 
 
By:
 
 
 
Title:
 
 
 
 

Consented to and Accepted:
 
 
 
PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent
 
 
 
By:
 
 
 
 
Title:
 
 
 
 
 
 

[NISOURCE FINANCE CORP., as Borrower]  
 
 
 
By:
 
 
 
 
Title:
 
 
 
 
 
 

ANNEX I
STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION
1. Representations and Warranties .
1.1 Assignor . The Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Interest, (ii) the Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim and (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Loan Agreement or any other Credit Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Credit Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person obligated in respect of any Credit Document or (iv) the performance or observance by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Credit Document.
1.2. Assignee . The Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Loan Agreement, (ii) it satisfies the requirements, if any, specified in the Loan Agreement that are required to be satisfied by it in order to acquire the Assigned Interest and become a Lender, (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Loan Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of the Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it has received a copy of the Loan Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(h) thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase the Assigned Interest on the basis of which it has made such analysis and decision independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, (v) if it is a Foreign Lender, attached to the Assignment and Assumption is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Loan Agreement, duly completed and executed by the Assignee; and (vi) it does not bear a relationship to the Borrower described in Section 108(e)(4) of the Code; and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent, the Assignor or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Credit Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Credit Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.
2. Payments . From and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of the Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to the Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to the Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date.
3. General Provisions . This Assignment and Assumption shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Assignment and Assumption may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Assumption. THIS ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.


EXHIBIT B
FORM OF OPINION OF SCHIFF HARDIN LLP

EXHIBIT C

FORM OF BORROWING REQUEST

BORROWING REQUEST

Date: ________, ____
To: PNC Bank, National Association
500 First Ave., (Mail Stop P7-PFSC-O4I)
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Attention: Kelsey Munsick
Facsimile No.: 412-762-8672

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to that certain Term Loan Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2016 (as may be amended, restated, amended and restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time in accordance with its terms, the “ Agreement ”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), between NiSource Finance Corp., an Indiana corporation (the “ Borrower ”), NiSource Inc., as guarantor, the Lenders party thereto, PNC Bank, National Association, as the Administrative Agent, and the other parties thereto.

The Borrower hereby requests a Borrowing, as follows:

1.    In the aggregate amount of $________.

2.    On ________, 201_ (a Business Day).

3.    Comprised of a [ABR] [Eurodollar] Borrowing.

[4.     With an Interest Period of ___ months.]

[4][5].    The Borrower’s account to which funds are to be disbursed is:
Account Number: __________
Location:_________________

This Borrowing Request and the Borrowing requested herein comply with the Agreement, including Sections 2.01, 2.02 and 3.02 of the Agreement.

NISOURCE FINANCE CORP.

By: _________________________
Name:
Title:

EXHIBIT D

[Intentionally Omitted]

EXHIBIT E

[Intentionally Omitted]

EXHIBIT F

FORM OF NOTE

NOTE

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned (the “ Borrower ”), hereby promises to pay to __________________ or registered assigns (the “ Lender ”), in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement (as hereinafter defined), the aggregate unpaid principal amount of each Loan made by the Lender to the Borrower under that certain Term Loan Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2016 (as may be amended, restated, amended and restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time in accordance with its terms, the “ Agreement ”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), between the Borrower, NiSource Inc., as guarantor, the Lenders party thereto, PNC Bank, National Association, as the Administrative Agent, and the other parties thereto. The Borrower promises to pay interest on the aggregate unpaid principal amount of each Loan from time to time made by the Lender to the Borrower under the Agreement from the date of such Loan until such principal amount is paid in full, at such interest rates and at such times as provided in the Agreement. All payments of principal and interest shall be made to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lender in Dollars in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agent’s office pursuant to the terms of the Agreement. If any amount is not paid in full when due hereunder, such unpaid amount shall bear interest, to be paid upon demand, from the due date thereof until the date of actual payment (and before as well as after judgment) computed at the per annum rate set forth in the Agreement.
This Note is one of the promissory notes referred to in Section 2.10(e) of the Agreement, is one of the Credit Documents, is entitled to the benefits thereof and may be prepaid in whole or in part subject to the terms and conditions provided therein. Upon the occurrence and continuation of one or more of the Events of Default specified in the Agreement, all amounts then remaining unpaid on this Note shall become, or may be declared to be, immediately due and payable all as provided in the Agreement. Loans made by the Lender shall be evidenced by one or more loan accounts or records maintained by the Lender in the ordinary course of business. The Lender may also attach schedules to this Note and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.
The Borrower, for itself, its successors and assigns, hereby waives diligence, presentment, protest and demand and notice of protest, demand, dishonor and non-payment of this Note.
THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
NISOURCE FINANCE CORP.
By: __________________
Name:
Title:
LOANS AND PAYMENTS WITH RESPECT THERETO
Date
Type of Loan Made
Amount of Loan Made
End of Interest Period
Amount of Principal or Interest Paid This Date
Outstanding Principal Balance This Date
Notation Made By
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______
______
______
______

EXHIBIT G

FORM OF INTEREST ELECTION REQUEST

INTEREST ELECTION REQUEST

Date: _______, ____

To: PNC Bank, National Association
500 First Ave., (Mail Stop P7-PFSC-O4I)
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Attention: Kelsey Munsick
Facsimile No.: 412-762-8672
 
Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to that certain Term Loan Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2016 (as may be amended, restated, amended and restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time in accordance with its terms, the “ Agreement ”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), between NiSource Finance Corp., an Indiana corporation (the “ Borrower ”), NiSource Inc., as guarantor, the Lenders party thereto, PNC Bank, National Association, as the Administrative Agent, and the other parties thereto.

This Interest Election Request is delivered to you pursuant to Section 2.06 of the Agreement and relates to the following:

1.     A conversion of a Borrowing A continuation of a Borrowing (select one).

2.    In the aggregate principal amount of $________.

3.    which Borrowing is being maintained as a [ABR Borrowing] [Eurodollar Borrowing with an Interest Period ending on ________, 201_].

4.    (select relevant election)

If such Borrowing is a Eurodollar Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be continued as a Eurodollar Borrowing having an Interest Period of [__] months.

If such Borrowing is a Eurodollar Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing.

If such Borrowing is an ABR Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be converted to a Eurodollar Borrowing having an Interest Period of [__] months.

5.    Such election to be effective on ________, 201_ (a Business Day).

This Interest Election Request and the election made herein comply with the Agreement, including Section 2.06 of the Agreement.

NISOURCE FINANCE CORP.

By: ___________________
Name:
Title:




EXHIBIT H

FORM OF PREPAYMENT NOTICE

PREPAYMENT NOTICE

Date: _______, ____
To: PNC Bank, National Association
500 First Ave., (Mail Stop P7-PFSC-O4I)
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Attention: Kelsey Munsick
Facsimile No.: 412-762-8672

Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is made to that certain Term Loan Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2016 (as may be amended, restated, amended and restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time in accordance with its terms, the “ Agreement ”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), between NiSource Finance Corp., an Indiana corporation (the “ Borrower ”), NiSource Inc., as guarantor, the Lenders party thereto, PNC Bank, National Association, as the Administrative Agent, and the other parties thereto.
This Prepayment Notice is delivered to you pursuant to Section 2.11 of the Agreement. The Borrower hereby gives notice of a prepayment of Loans as follows:
1.    (select Type(s) of Loans)
ABR Loans in the aggregate principal amount of $________.
Eurodollar Loans with an Interest Period ending ______, 201_ in the aggregate principal amount of $________.
2    On __________, 201_ (a Business Day).
This Prepayment Notice and prepayment contemplated hereby comply with the Agreement, including Section 2.11 of the Agreement.
NISOURCE FINANCE CORP.
By: ___________________
Name:
Title:
EXHIBIT I-1
FORM OF
U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
(For Foreign Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Reference is hereby made to that certain Term Loan Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2016 (as may be amended, restated, amended and restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time in accordance with its terms, the “ Agreement ”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), between NiSource Finance Corp., an Indiana corporation (the “ Borrower ”), NiSource Inc., as guarantor, the Lenders party thereto, PNC Bank, National Association, as the Administrative Agent, and the other parties thereto.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17 of the Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.
The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.
Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Agreement.
[NAME OF LENDER]
By:             
    Name:
    Title:
Date: __________, 20[__]

EXHIBIT I-2
FORM OF
U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
(For Foreign Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Reference is hereby made to that certain Term Loan Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2016 (as may be amended, restated, amended and restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time in accordance with its terms, the “ Agreement ”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), between NiSource Finance Corp., an Indiana corporation (the “ Borrower ”), NiSource Inc., as guarantor, the Lenders party thereto, PNC Bank, National Association, as the Administrative Agent, and the other parties thereto.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17 of the Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.
The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender in writing, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.
Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Agreement.
[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]
By:             
Name:
Title:
Date: ________ __, 20[__]

EXHIBIT I-3
FORM OF
U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
(For Foreign Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Reference is hereby made to that certain Term Loan Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2016 (as may be amended, restated, amended and restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time in accordance with its terms, the “ Agreement ”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), between NiSource Finance Corp., an Indiana corporation (the “ Borrower ”), NiSource Inc., as guarantor, the Lenders party thereto, PNC Bank, National Association, as the Administrative Agent, and the other parties thereto.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17 of the Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such participation, (iii) with respect such participation, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.
The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.
Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Agreement.
[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]
By:             
Name:
Title:
Date: ________ __, 20[__]

EXHIBIT I-4
FORM OF
U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
(For Foreign Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Reference is hereby made to that certain Term Loan Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2016 (as may be amended, restated, amended and restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time in accordance with its terms, the “ Agreement ”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), between NiSource Finance Corp., an Indiana corporation (the “ Borrower ”), NiSource Inc., as guarantor, the Lenders party thereto, PNC Bank, National Association, as the Administrative Agent, and the other parties thereto.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17 of the Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)), (iii) with respect to the extension of credit pursuant to the Agreement or any other Credit Document, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.
The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.
Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Agreement.
[NAME OF LENDER]
By:             
Name:
Title:
Date: ________ __, 20[__]
Schedule 2.01
(Term Loan Agreement)

NAMES, ADDRESSES, ALLOCATION OF AGGREGATE COMMITMENT, AND APPLICABLE PERCENTAGES OF BANKS

Bank Name
Domestic Lending Office
Eurodollar Lending Office
Commitment
Applicable
Percentage
PNC Bank, National Association
PNC Bank, National Association
500 First Ave., (Mail Stop P7-PFSC-O4I)
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
PNC Bank, National Association
500 First Ave., (Mail Stop P7-PFSC-O4I) Pittsburgh, PA 15219

$115,000,000

23.000000%

 
 
 
 
 
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
On file with the Administrative Agent
On file with the Administrative Agent

$115,000,000

23.000000%

 
 
 
 
 
Mizuho Bank (USA)
On file with the Administrative Agent
On file with the Administrative Agent

$115,000,000

23.000000%

 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Bank National Association
On file with the Administrative Agent
On file with the Administrative Agent

$75,000,000

15.000000%

 
 
 
 
 
The Huntington National Bank
On file with the Administrative Agent
On file with the Administrative Agent

$40,000,000

8.000000%

 
 
 
 
 
The Bank of New York Mellon
On file with the Administrative Agent
On file with the Administrative Agent

$40,000,000

8.000000%

TOTAL
 
 

$500,000,000

100.000000%




Schedule 6.01(e)

EXISTING AGREEMENTS

Receivables Purchase Agreements and Receivables Sales Agreement of (a) Columbia Gas of Ohio Receivables Corporation, (b) Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Receivables Corporation, (c) NIPSCO Accounts Receivables Corporation and (d) any renewal, modification, extension or replacement of the above, in each case, to provide for receivables financings upon terms and conditions not materially more restrictive on the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, than the terms and conditions of such renewed, modified, extended or replaced facility.


67
Exhibit 10.2





NiSource Inc.
2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan

2016 Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement

This Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (the “Agreement”), is made and entered into as of [________] (the “Date of Grant”), by and between NiSource Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and [________] an Employee of the Company (the “Grantee”).

Section 1.   Restricted Stock Unit Award . The Company hereby grants to the Grantee, on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, an Award of [________] Restricted Stock Units. The Restricted Stock Units will be represented by a bookkeeping entry (the “RSU Account”) of the Company, and each Restricted Stock Unit shall be equivalent to one share of the Company’s common stock.

Section 2. Grantee Accounts . The number of Restricted Stock Units granted pursuant to this Agreement shall be credited to the Grantee’s RSU Account. Each RSU Account shall be maintained on the books of the Company until full payment of the balance thereof has been made to the Grantee (or the Grantee’s beneficiaries or estate if the Grantee is deceased) in accordance with Section 1 above. No funds shall be set aside or earmarked for any RSU Account, which shall be purely a bookkeeping device.

Section 3.   Vesting and Lapse of Restrictions .

(a)
Vesting . Subject to the forfeiture conditions described later in this Agreement, the Restricted Stock Units shall not vest until [________] (the “Vesting Date”), at which date they will become 100% vested.

(b)
Effect of Termination of Service Prior to Vesting . Except as set forth below, if Grantee’s Service is terminated for any reason prior to the occurrence of the Vesting Date or event provided in this Section, the Grantee shall forfeit the Restricted Stock Units. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if, before the Vesting Date, the Grantee terminates Service due to the Grantee’s Retirement, death, or Disability, the restrictions set forth in part (a) above shall lapse with respect to a pro rata portion of such Restricted Stock Units on the date of termination of Service. Such pro rat a lapse of restrictions shall be determined using a fraction, where the numerator shall be the number of full or partial calendar months elapsed between the Date of Grant and the date the Grantee terminates Service, and the denominator shall be the number of full or partial calendar months between the Date of Grant and the Vesting Date. For purposes of this Agreement, “Retirement” means the Grantee’s attainment of age 55 and 10 years of Service.

(c)
Change in Control . Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, in the event of a Change in Control, the Restricted Stock Units under this Agreement shall vest in accordance with Article XVI of the Plan. In the event of any conflict between Article XVI of the Plan and this Agreement, Article XVI shall control.

(d)
Limitation on Restricted Stock Units . Notwithstanding the previous provisions of this Section, during any calendar year with respect to which the Grantee is a Covered Officer (for purpose of Internal Revenue Code (“Code”) Section 162(m)), if the Grantee otherwise would vest in a number of Restricted Stock Units under this Section, the Grantee instead may vest only with



Exhibit 10.2


respect to a sufficient number of Restricted Stock Units whose aggregate Fair Market Value on the date such restrictions would, when added to the Grantee’s “applicable employee remuneration” (as defined in Code Section 162(m)) for the applicable calendar year that does not constitute “qualified performance-based compensation” (as defined in Code Section 162(m)), not exceed the aggregate amount of $999,999.00 for the applicable calendar year (the “Limitation”).

To the extent the restrictions on any Restricted Stock Units do not lapse due to the application of this Section, the restrictions on such Restricted Stock Units shall lapse on the first to occur of:

(i)      the last business day of any subsequent calendar year or years to the extent that the Limitation is not exceeded for such year or years;

(ii)      the date next following the Grantee’s termination of Service for any reason other than for Cause, or

(iii)      the first business day of the year next following the year with respect to which the Grantee ceases to be a Covered Officer.
        
The Company will make all determinations as to whether the lapse of restrictions on any Restricted Stock Units is delayed in accordance with this Section. Such determinations will be made on a uniform and non-discriminatory basis consistent with the requirements under Code Section 409A.

Section 4. Delivery of Shares . Once Restricted Stock Units have vested under this Agreement, the Company will determine the number of Shares represented by the Restricted Stock Units in the Grantee’s RSU Account and deliver the total number of Shares due to the Grantee as soon as administratively possible after such date. The delivery of the Shares shall be subject to payment of the applicable withholding tax liability and the forfeiture provisions of this Agreement. If the Grantee dies before the Company has distributed any portion of the vested Restricted Stock Units, the Company will transfer any Shares payable with respect to the vested Restricted Stock Units in accordance with the Grantee’s written beneficiary designation or to the Grantee’s estate if no written beneficiary designation is provided.

Section 5.  Withholding of Taxes . The Company shall have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require the Grantee to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, and local taxes, domestic or foreign, required by law or regulation to be withheld with respect to any taxable event arising as a result of this Agreement.

Section 6. Securities Law Compliance . The delivery of all or any Shares that relate to the Restricted Stock Units shall only be effective at such time that the issuance of such Shares will not violate any state or federal securities or other laws. The Company is under no obligation to effect any registration of Shares under the Securities Act of 1933 or to effect any state registration or qualification of the Shares that may be issued under this Agreement. The Company may, in its sole discretion, delay the delivery of Shares or place restrictive legends on Shares in order to ensure that the issuance of any Shares will be in compliance with federal or state securities laws and the rules of any exchange upon which the Company's Shares are traded. If the Company delays the delivery of Shares in order to ensure compliance with any state or federal securities or other laws, the Company shall deliver the Shares at the earliest date at which the Company reasonably believes that such delivery will not cause such violation, or at such later date that may be permitted under Code Section 409A.



Exhibit 10.2


    
Section 7. Restriction on Transferability . Except as otherwise provided under the Plan, until the Restricted Stock Units have vested under this Agreement, the Restricted Stock Units granted herein and the rights and privileges conferred hereby may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated (by operation of law or otherwise), other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Any attempted transfer in violation of the provisions of this paragraph shall be void, and the purported transferee shall obtain no rights with respect to such Restricted Stock Units.

Section 8. Grantee’s Rights Unsecured . The right of the Grantee or his or her beneficiary to receive a distribution hereunder shall be an unsecured claim against the general assets of the Company, and neither the Grantee nor his or her beneficiary shall have any rights in or against any amounts credited to the Grantee’s RSU Account or any other specific assets of the Company. All amounts credited to the Grantee’s RSU Account shall constitute general assets of the Company and may be disposed of by the Company at such time and for such purposes, as it may deem appropriate.

Section 9.  No Rights as Stockholder or Employee .

(a)
Unless and until Shares have been issued to the Grantee, the Grantee shall not have any privileges of a stockholder of the Company with respect to any Restricted Stock Units subject to this Agreement, nor shall the Company have any obligation to issue any dividends or otherwise afford any rights to which Shares are entitled with respect to any such Restricted Stock Units.

(b)
Nothing in this Agreement or the Award shall confer upon the Grantee any right to continue as an Employee of the Company or any Affiliate or to interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any Affiliate to terminate the Grantee’s Service at any time.

Section 10.  Adjustments . If at any time while the Award is outstanding, the number of outstanding Restricted Stock Units is changed by reason of a reorganization, recapitalization, stock split or any of the other events described in the Plan, the number and kind of Restricted Stock Units shall be adjusted in accordance with the provisions of the Plan. In the event of certain corporate events specified in Article XVI of the Plan, any unvested Restricted Stock Units may be replaced by substituted Awards or forfeited in exchange for payment of cash in accordance with the procedures and provisions of Article XVI of the Plan.

Section 11.  Notices . Any notice hereunder by the Grantee shall be given to the Company in writing and such notice shall be deemed duly given only upon receipt thereof at the following address: Corporate Secretary, NiSource Inc., 801 East 86 th Avenue, Merrillville, IN 46410-6271, or at such other address as the Company may designate by notice to the Grantee. Any notice hereunder by the Company shall be given to the Grantee in writing and such notice shall be deemed duly given only upon receipt thereof at such address as the Grantee may have on file with the Company.

Section 12.  Administration . The administration of this Agreement, including the interpretation and amendment or termination of this Agreement, will be performed in accordance with the Plan. All determinations and decisions made by the Committee, the Board, or any delegate of the Committee as to the provisions of this Agreement shall be conclusive, final, and binding on all persons. This Agreement at all times shall be governed by the Plan and in no way alter or modify the Plan. To the extent a conflict exists between this Agreement and the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall govern. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if subsequent guidance is issued under Code Section 409A that would impose additional taxes, penalties, or interest to either the Company or the Grantee, the Company may administer this Agreement in accordance with such guidance and amend this Agreement without the consent of the Grantee to the extent such actions,



Exhibit 10.2


in the reasonable judgment of the Company, are considered necessary to avoid the imposition of such additional taxes, penalties, or interest.

Section 13. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Indiana, without giving effect to the choice of law principles thereof.

Section 14. Government Regulations . Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Company’s obligation to issue or deliver certificates evidencing the Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required.

Section 15. Entire Agreement; Code Section 409A Compliance . This Agreement and the Plan contain the terms and conditions with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede any previous agreements, written or oral, relating to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement is pursuant to the terms of the Company’s 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The applicable terms of the Plan are incorporated herein by reference, including the definition of capitalized terms contained in the Plan, and including the Code Section 409A provisions of Section XIX of the Plan. This Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with Code Section 409A including the rules related to payment timing for “specified employees” within the meaning of Code Section 409A. This Agreement shall be deemed to be modified to the maximum extent necessary to be in compliance with Code Section 409A’s rules. If the Grantee is unexpectedly required to include in the Grantee’s current year’s income any amount of compensation relating to the Restricted Stock Units because of a failure to meet the requirements of Code Section 409A, then to the extent permitted by Code Section 409A, the Grantee may receive a distribution of cash or Shares in an amount not to exceed the amount required to be included in income as a result of the failure to comply with Code Section 409A.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Award to be granted, and the Grantee has accepted this Award, as of the date first above written.


NISOURCE INC.                          GRANTEE



By: ______________________                  By:   _____________________


Its: ______________________




Exhibit 10.3



ACTIVE 214286859v.1
NiSource Inc.
2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan

Performance Share Award Agreement

This Performance Share Award Agreement (the “Agreement”), is made and entered into as of [________] (the “Date of Grant”), by and between NiSource Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and [________], an Employee of the Company (the “Grantee”).

Section 1. Performance Share Award . The Company hereby grants to the Grantee, on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, an Award of [________] Performance Shares. The Performance Shares will be represented by a bookkeeping entry (the “Performance Share Account”) of the Company, and each Performance Share will be settled with one share of the Company’s common stock to the extent provided under this Agreement and the Plan.

Section 2. Grantee Accounts . The number of Performance Shares granted pursuant to this Agreement shall be credited to the Grantee’s Performance Share Account. Each Performance Share Account shall be maintained on the books of the Company until full payment of the balance thereof has been made to the Grantee (or the Grantee’s beneficiaries or estate if the Grantee is deceased) in accordance with Section 1 above. No funds shall be set aside or earmarked for any Performance Share Account, which shall be purely a bookkeeping device.

Section 3. Performance Period . The “Performance Period” is the period beginning on [________], and ending on [________].

Section 4. Vesting and Lapse of Performance Restrictions .

(a)
Performance Restrictions . The Performance Restrictions shall lapse only upon both the Grantee’s continued employment through [________] and the date the Committee certifies the following results (including interpolation between the results, expressed as a percentage of the target):

(i)
The Performance Restrictions of fifty percent of the Award shall lapse based on achievement of [cumulative “net operating earnings” per Share] for the Performance Period in accordance with the following schedule:

 
Cumulative Net
Operating Earnings
Per Share
 
Percentage
of Award
Granted
 

    
(ii)
The Performance Restrictions of fifty percent of the Award shall lapse based on the Company’s positive Relative Total Shareholder Return (“RTSR”) as of the last day of the Performance Period in accordance with the following schedule:
 
RTSR*
Percent Ranking
 
Percentage
of Award
Granted
 



Exhibit 10.3


    


*Relative Total Shareholder Return (RTSR) is the annualized growth in the dividends and share price of a share of the Company’s common stock, calculated using a 20 day trading average of the Company’s closing price beginning [_____] and ending [________] compared to the TSR performance of a peer group of companies determined by the Committee at its meeting on [________].

Negative TSR for the Performance Period will result in a maximum payout at target regardless of relative performance.


(b)
Committee Certification . As soon as practicable after the end of the Performance Period, the Committee will certify in writing whether the Performance Restrictions have been met for the Performance Period and determine the number of Shares, if any, that will be payable to the Grantee; provided, however, that if the Committee certifies that the Performance Restrictions have been met, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, adjust the number of Shares payable to the Grantee with respect to the Award to reflect the effect of extraordinary events upon the Performance Restrictions, as provided under the Plan. The date of the Committee’s certification under this Section shall hereinafter be referred to as the “Certification Date.” The Company will notify the Grantee (or the executors or administrators of the Grantee’s estate, if appropriate) of the Committee’s certification following the Certification Date (such notice being the “Determination Notice”). The Determination Notice shall specify (i) the Company’s cumulative net operating earnings per share and Relative Total Shareholder Return for the Performance Period and (ii) the number of Shares payable in accordance with the Committee’s certification.     

(c)
Effect of Termination of Service Before [________]. Except as set forth below, if Grantee’s Service is terminated for any reason prior to [________] or prior to the occurrence of any otherwise applicable vesting event provided in this Section, the Grantee shall forfeit the Performance Shares credited to the Grantee’s Performance Share Account. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that Grantee’s Service terminates prior to [________] as a result of (i) Grantee’s Retirement; or (ii) Grantee’s Disability; or (iii) Grantee’s death and such death occurs with less than or equal to twelve months remaining in the Performance Period, the Grantee (or the Grantee’s beneficiary or estate in the case of Grantee’s death) shall receive a pro rata distribution of Shares after the certification date described in part (a) above; provided that the Committee actually certifies that the Performance Restrictions for the Performance Period have been met. Such pro rata grant of Shares shall be determined using a fraction, where the numerator shall be the number of full or partial calendar months elapsed between the Date of Grant and the date the Grantee terminates Service, and the denominator shall be the number of full or partial calendar months elapsed between the Date of Grant and [________]. Additionally, if the Grantee terminates Service due to death prior to [________] with more than 12 months remaining in the Performance Period, the Grantee’s beneficiary or estate shall receive, as soon as practicable after the date of termination, a pro rata distribution of Shares equal to the number of Shares that the Grantee otherwise would have received had the Performance Restrictions been met at target for the Performance Period. Such pro rata grant of Shares shall be determined using a fraction, where the numerator shall be the number



Exhibit 10.3

of full or partial calendar months elapsed between the Date of Grant and the date the Grantee terminates Service, and the denominator shall be the number of full or partial calendar months elapsed between the Date of Grant and [________]. For purposes of this Agreement, “Retirement” means the Grantee’s attainment of age 55 and 10 years of Service.

(d)
Change in Control . Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, in the event of a Change in Control, the Performance Shares under this Agreement shall vest in accordance with Article XVI of the Plan. In the event of any conflict between Article XVI of the Plan and this Agreement, Article XVI shall control.

(e)
Code Section 162(m) Limitation . Notwithstanding the previous provisions of this Section, during any calendar year with respect to which the Grantee is a Covered Officer (for purposes of Internal Revenue Code (“Code”) Section 162 (m)), if the Grantee otherwise would vest in a number of Performance Shares under this Section, the Grantee instead may vest only with respect to a sufficient number of Performance Shares whose aggregate Fair Market Value on the date such restrictions would, when added to the Grantee’s “applicable employee remuneration” (as defined in Code Section 162(m)) for the applicable calendar year that does not constitute “qualified performance-based compensation” (as defined in Code Section 162(m)), not exceed the aggregate amount of $999,999.00 for the applicable calendar year (the “Limitation”).

To the extent the restrictions on any Performance Shares do not lapse due to the application of this Section, the restrictions on such Performance Shares shall lapse on the first to occur of:

(i)      the last business day of any subsequent calendar year or years to the extent that the Limitation is not exceeded for such year or years;

(ii)      the date next following the Grantee’s termination of Service for any reason other than for Cause, or

(iii)      the first business day of the year next following the year with respect to which the Grantee ceases to be a Covered Officer.

The Company will make all determinations as to whether the lapse of restrictions on any Performance Shares is delayed in accordance with this Section. Such determinations will be made on a uniform and non-discriminatory basis consistent with the requirements under Code Section 409A.

Section 5. Delivery of Shares . Once Performance Shares have vested under this Agreement, the Company will convert the Performance Shares in the Grantee’s Performance Share Account into Shares and deliver the total number of Shares due to the Grantee as soon as administratively possible after such date, but no later than [________]. The delivery of the Shares shall be subject to payment of the applicable withholding tax liability and the forfeiture provisions of this Agreement. If the Grantee dies before the Company has distributed any portion of the vested Performance Shares, the Company will transfer any Shares with respect to the vested Performance Shares in accordance with the Grantee’s written beneficiary designation or to the Grantee’s estate if no written beneficiary designation is provided.

Section 6.  Withholding of Taxes . The Company shall have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require the Grantee to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, and



Exhibit 10.3

local taxes, domestic or foreign, required by law or regulation to be withheld with respect to any taxable event arising as a result of this Agreement.

Section 7. Securities Law Compliance . The delivery of all or any Shares that relate to the Performance Shares shall only be effective at such time that the issuance of such Shares will not violate any state or federal securities or other laws. The Company is under no obligation to effect any registration of Shares under the Securities Act of 1933 or to effect any state registration or qualification of the Shares that may be issued under this Agreement. The Company may, in its sole discretion, delay the delivery of Shares or place restrictive legends on Shares in order to ensure that the issuance of any Shares will be in compliance with federal or state securities laws and the rules of any exchange upon which the Company’s Shares are traded. If the Company delays the delivery of Shares in order to ensure compliance with any state or federal securities or other laws, the Company shall deliver the Shares at the earliest date at which the Company reasonably believes that such delivery will not cause such violation, or at such later date that may be permitted under Code Section 409A.

Section 8. Restriction on Transferability . Except as otherwise provided under the Plan, until the Performance Shares have vested under this Agreement, the Performance Shares granted herein and the rights and privileges conferred hereby may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated (by operation of law or otherwise), other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Any attempted transfer in violation of the provisions of this paragraph shall be void, and the purported transferee shall obtain no rights with respect to such Performance Shares.

Section 9. Grantee’s Rights Unsecured . The right of the Grantee or his or her beneficiary to receive a distribution hereunder shall be an unsecured claim against the general assets of the Company, and neither the Grantee nor his or her beneficiary shall have any rights in or against any amounts credited to the Grantee’s Performance Share Account or any other specific assets of the Company. All amounts credited to the Grantee’s Performance Share Account shall constitute general assets of the Company and may be disposed of by the Company at such time and for such purposes, as it may deem appropriate.
    
Section 10.  No Rights as Stockholder or Employee .

(a)
The Grantee shall not have any privileges of a stockholder of the Company with respect to any Performance Shares subject to this Agreement, nor shall the Company have any obligation to issue any dividends or otherwise afford any rights to which Shares are entitled with respect to any such Performance Shares.

(b)
Nothing in this Agreement or the Award shall confer upon the Grantee any right to continue as an Employee of the Company or any Affiliate or to interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any Affiliate to terminate the Grantee’s Service at any time.

Section 11.  Adjustments . If at any time while the Award is outstanding, the number of outstanding Performance Shares is changed by reason of a reorganization, recapitalization, stock split or any of the other events described in the Plan, the number and kind of Performance Shares shall be adjusted in accordance with the provisions of the Plan. In the event of certain corporate events specified in Article XVI of the Plan, any unvested Performance Shares may be replaced by substituted Awards or forfeited in exchange for payment of cash in accordance with the procedures and provisions of Article XVI of the Plan.

Section 12.  Notices . Any notice hereunder by the Grantee shall be given to the Company in writing and such notice shall be deemed duly given only upon receipt thereof at the following address: Corporate



Exhibit 10.3

Secretary, NiSource Inc., 801 East 86 th Avenue, Merrillville, IN 46410-6271, or at such other address as the Company may designate by notice to the Grantee.

Any notice hereunder by the Company shall be given to the Grantee in writing and such notice shall be deemed duly given only upon receipt thereof at such address as the Grantee may have on file with the Company.

Section 13.  Administration . The administration of this Agreement, including the interpretation and amendment or termination of this Agreement, will be performed in accordance with the Plan. All determinations and decisions made by the Committee, the Board, or any delegate of the Committee as to the provisions of this Agreement shall be conclusive, final, and binding on all persons. This Agreement at all times shall be governed by the Plan and in no way alter or modify the Plan. To the extent a conflict exists between this Agreement and the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall govern. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if subsequent guidance is issued under Code Section 409A that would impose additional taxes, penalties, or interest to either the Company or the grantee, the Company may administer this Agreement in accordance with such guidance and amend this Agreement without the Consent of the Grantee to the extent such actions, in the reasonable judgment of the Company, are considered necessary to avoid the imposition of such additional taxes, penalties, or interest.

Section 14. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Indiana, without giving effect to the choice of law principles thereof.

Section 15. Government Regulations . Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Company’s obligation to issue or deliver certificates evidencing the Performance Shares shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required.

Section 16. Entire Agreement; Code Section 409A Compliance . This Agreement and the Plan contain the terms and conditions with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede any previous agreements, written or oral, relating to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement is pursuant to the terms of the Company’s 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The applicable terms of the Plan are incorporated herein by reference, including the definition of capitalized terms contained in the Plan, and including the Code Section 409A provisions of Section XIX of the Plan. This Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with Code Section 409A including the rules related to payment timing for specified employees. This Agreement shall be deemed to be modified to the maximum extent necessary to be in compliance with Code Section 409A’s rules. If the Grantee is unexpectedly required to include in the Grantee’s current year’s income any amount of compensation relating to the Performance Shares because of a failure to meet the requirements of Code Section 409A, then to the extent permitted by Code Section 409A, the Grantee may receive a distribution of Shares in an amount not to exceed the amount required to be included in income as a result of the failure to comply with Code Section 409A.







    






Exhibit 10.3




IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Award to be granted, and the Grantee has accepted this Award, as of the date first above written.

NISOURCE INC.                          GRANTEE



By: ______________________                  By:   _____________________


Its: ______________________





Exhibit 31.1
Certification Pursuant to
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
I, Joseph Hamrock, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this Quarterly Report of NiSource Inc. on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 ;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a.
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b.
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c.
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d.
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a.
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b.
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:
May 3, 2016
By:
 
/s/ Joseph Hamrock            
 
 
 
 
 
Joseph Hamrock
 
 
 
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 





Exhibit 31.2
Certification Pursuant to
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
I, Donald E. Brown, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this Quarterly Report of NiSource Inc. on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 ;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a.
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b.
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c.
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d.
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a.
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b.
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.


Date:
May 3, 2016
By:
 
/s/ Donald E. Brown      
 
 
 
 
 
Donald E. Brown
 
 
 
 
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 






Exhibit 32.1
Certification Pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
In connection with the Quarterly Report of NiSource Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending March 31, 2016 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Joseph Hamrock, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
 
(1)
The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company.


 
 
 
/s/ Joseph Hamrock            
 
 
 
 
Joseph Hamrock
 
 
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
 
May 3, 2016
 






Exhibit 32.2
Certification Pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
In connection with the Quarterly Report of NiSource Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending March 31, 2016 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Donald E. Brown, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
 
(1)
The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company.


 
 
 
/s/ Donald E. Brown      
 
 
 
 
Donald E. Brown
 
 
 
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
 
May 3, 2016