Exhibit 4.2

THE LACLEDE GROUP, INC.

AND

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

TRUSTEE

FORM OF JUNIOR SUBORDINATED INDENTURE

DATED AS OF                     

JUNIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES

Reconciliation and tie between

Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the Trust Indenture Act)

and Indenture

Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of the Indenture

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THIS JUNIOR SUBORDINATED INDENTURE (the “ Indenture ”), dated as of the      day of      between THE LACLEDE GROUP, INC., a Missouri corporation (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the “ Company ”), party of the first part, and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the “ Trustee ”), party of the second part.

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, for its lawful corporate purposes, the Company has duly authorized the issuance from time to time of its unsecured junior subordinated notes or other evidences of indebtedness (hereinafter referred to as the “ Securities ”), without limit as to principal amount, issuable in one or more series, the amount and terms of each such series to be determined as hereinafter provided, including, without limitation, Securities issued to evidence loans made to the Company of the proceeds from the issuance from time to time by one or more statutory trusts (each a “ Laclede Trust, ” and collectively, the “ Laclede Trusts ”) of preferred interests in such Trusts, having the rights provided for in such Trusts (the “ Preferred Securities ” which may also be referred to, without limitation, as the “ Capital Securities ”) and common interests in such Trusts, having the rights provided for in such Trusts (the “ Common Securities, ” and collectively with the Preferred Securities, the “ Trust Securities ”); to be authenticated by the Trustee; and, to provide the terms and conditions upon which the Securities are to be authenticated, issued and delivered, the Company has duly authorized the execution of this Indenture; and

WHEREAS, all acts and things necessary to make the Securities when executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee as in this Indenture provided, the valid, binding and legal obligations of the Company, and to constitute these presents a valid indenture and agreement according to its terms, have been done and performed and the execution of this Indenture and the issue hereunder of the Securities have in all respects been duly authorized, and the Company, in the exercise of the legal rights and power vested in it, executes this Indenture and proposes to make, execute, issue and deliver the Securities;

NOW, THEREFORE, in order to declare the terms and conditions upon which the Securities are authenticated, issued and delivered, and in consideration of the premises and of the purchase and acceptance of the Securities by the holders thereof, the Company covenants and agrees with the Trustee, for the benefit of each other and for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective holders from time to time of the Securities or of series thereof, and of the holders of Priority Indebtedness, as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

1.1 Certain Terms Defined . For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

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

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(b) All other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, whether directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein (except as otherwise expressly provided);

(c) All accounting terms used herein and not expressly defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, and, except as otherwise herein expressly provided, the term “generally accepted accounting principles” with respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder shall mean such accounting principles as are generally accepted in the United States of America at the date of such computation; provided , that when two or more principles are so generally accepted, it shall mean that set of principles consistent with those in use by the Company; and

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

Additional Interest:

The term “Additional Interest” means the interest, if any, that shall accrue on any interest on the Securities of any series the payment of which has not been made on the applicable interest payment date and which shall accrue at the rate per annum specified or determined as specified in such Security.

Additional Tax Sums:

The term “Additional Tax Sums” has the meaning specified in Section 4.8 .

Administrative Trustee:

The term “Administrative Trustee” means, in respect of any Laclede Trust, each Person identified as an “Administrative Trustee” in the related Trust Agreement, solely in such Person’s capacity as Administrative Trustee of such Laclede Trust under such Trust Agreement and not in such Person’s individual capacity, or any successor administrative trustee appointed as therein provided.

Agent:

The term “Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent, or Depositary Custodian.

Applicable Procedures:

The term “Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any payment, tender, redemption, transfer or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any global Security held by the Depositary, the rules and procedures of the Depositary that apply to such payment, tender, redemption, transfer or exchange.

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Authenticating Agent:

The term “Authenticating Agent” means any Authenticating Agent appointed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 2.9 .

Authorized Newspaper:

The term “Authorized Newspaper” means a newspaper in an official language of the place of publication, customarily published at least once a day for at least five days in each calendar week and of general circulation in each place in connection with which the term is used or in the financial community of each such place. Whenever successive publications are required to be made in an Authorized Newspaper, the successive publications may be made in the same or in a different newspaper meeting the foregoing requirements and in each case on any day of the week. If it is impossible or, in the opinion of the Trustee, impracticable to publish any notice in the manner herein provided, then such publication in lieu thereof as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient publication of such notice.

Board of Directors:

The term “Board of Directors,” when used with reference to the Company, means the Board of Directors of the Company or any committee of or created by the Board of Directors of the Company duly authorized to act hereunder.

Business Day:

The term “Business Day” means any day which is not a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or required by law or executive order to close or a day on which the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or the Property Trustee is closed for business.

Capital Securities:

The term “Capital Securities” has the meaning specified in the recitals to this Indenture.

Capital Stock:

The term “Capital Stock” means shares of capital stock of any class of any corporation whether now or hereafter authorized regardless of whether such capital stock shall be limited to a fixed sum or percentage in respect of the rights of the holders thereof to participate in dividends and in the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

Commission:

The term “Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties on such date.

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Common Securities:

The term “Common Securities” has the meaning specified in the recitals to this Indenture.

Common Stock:

The term “Common Stock” means the common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the Company.

Company:

The term “Company” means The Laclede Group, Inc., a Missouri corporation and, subject to the provisions of Article Eleven, shall also include its successors and assigns.

Corporate Trust Office

The term “Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business in respect of this Indenture shall be principally administered, which office, on the date of original execution of this Indenture, is located at 190 South LaSalle Street, 10th Floor, MK-IL-SLTR, Chicago, IL 60603, Attention: Corporate Trust Services, and for purposes of Agent services and Section 4.2 such office shall also include the office or agency of the Trustee located at 60 Livingston Avenue, 1st Floor – Bond Drop Window, St. Paul, MN 55107, Attn: Corporate Trust Services, or at any other time at such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice in writing to the parties hereto, or at the principal corporate trust office of any successor trustee as to which such successor trustee may notify the parties hereto in writing.

covenant defeasance:

The term “covenant defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 12.5(c) .

Declaration:

The term “Declaration” means, in respect of a Laclede Trust, the amended and restated declaration of trust of such Laclede Trust or any other governing instrument of such Trust.

defeasance:

The term “defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 12.5(b) .

Depositary:

The term “Depositary” means, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global Securities, the person designated as Depositary by the Company pursuant to Section 2.1 until a successor Depositary shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter the term “Depositary” shall mean or include each person who is then a Depositary hereunder and if at any time there is more than one such person, the term “Depositary” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Depositary with respect to the Securities of such series.

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Depositary Custodian:

The term “Depositary Custodian” means the Trustee as custodian with respect to the global Securities held by the Depositary or any successor entity thereto.

Distributions:

The term “Distributions,” with respect to the Trust Securities issued by a Laclede Trust, means amounts payable in respect of such Trust Securities as provided in the related Trust Agreement and referred to therein as “Distributions.”

Dollar:

The term “Dollars” or “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit of legal tender for payment of public or private debts in the United States of America.

Event of Default:

The term “Event of Default” with respect to Securities of any series shall mean any event specified as such in Section 6.1 and any other event as may be established with respect to the Securities of such series as contemplated by Section 2.1 .

Exchange Act:

The term “Exchange Act” has the meaning specified in Section 2.2 .

Extension Period:

The term “Extension Period” has the meaning specified in Section 2.10 .

Government Obligation:

The term “Government Obligations” means securities which are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America where the payment or payments thereunder are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States of America or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America where the timely payment or payments thereunder are unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, and which, in the case of (i) or (ii), are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer or issuers thereof.

Indenture:

The term “Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed, or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, then as so amended or supplemented, and shall include the form and terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Sections 2.1 and 2.2 .

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Investment Company Event:

The term “Investment Company Event” means in respect of a Laclede Trust, the receipt by the Company and a Laclede Trust of an Investment Company Event Opinion (as defined in the relevant Trust Agreement) to the effect that, as a result of the occurrence of a change in law or regulation or a change in interpretation or application of law or regulation by any legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory authority (a “ Change in 1940 Act Law ”), such Laclede Trust is or will be considered an investment company that is required to be registered under the 1940 Act, which Change in 1940 Act Law becomes effective on or after the date of original issuance of the Preferred Securities of such Laclede Trust.

Laclede Guarantee:

The term “Laclede Guarantee” means the guarantee by the Company of distributions on the Preferred Securities of a Laclede Trust to the extent provided in the Guarantee Agreement (as defined in the related Trust Agreement).

Laclede Trust:

The terms “Laclede Trust” and “Laclede Trusts” each have the meaning specified in the recitals to this Indenture.

Maturity:

The term “Maturity” when used with respect to any Security means the date on which the principal of such Security becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption, tender for purchase, or otherwise.

1940 Act:

The term “1940 Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

Officer:

The term “Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, any Vice Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President (whether or not designated by a number or word added before or after the title vice president), the Treasurer, the Corporate Secretary or the Controller of the Company.

Officers’ Certificate:

The term “Officers’ Certificate” shall mean a certificate signed by two Officers or by any Officer and either an Assistant Treasurer or an Assistant Corporate Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee. Each such certificate shall include the statements provided for in Section 15.4 , if and to the extent required by the provisions thereof and will comply with Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act.

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Opinion of Counsel:

The term “Opinion of Counsel” shall mean a written opinion of counsel, who may be an employee of, or counsel to, the Company, or other counsel who shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, and delivered to the Trustee. Each such opinion shall include the statements provided for in Section 15.4 , if and to the extent required by the provisions thereof and will comply with Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act.

Original Issue Date:

The term “Original Issue Date” means the first date of issuance of each Security.

Original Issue Discount Security:

The term “Original Issue Discount Security” shall mean any Security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon declaration pursuant to Section 6.1 .

Paying Agent:

The term “Paying Agent” means the Trustee or any Person or Persons authorized by the Company to pay the principal or interest on any Securities on behalf of the Company.

Person:

The term “Person” or “person” means any individual, corporation, estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated association or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity of whatever nature.

Preferred Securities:

The term “Preferred Securities” has the meaning specified in the recitals to this Indenture.

Principal:

The term “principal,” whenever used with reference to the Securities or any Security or any portion thereof, shall be deemed to include “and premium, if any.”

Priority Indebtedness of the Company:

The term “Priority Indebtedness of the Company” means (i) any current or future indebtedness of the Company for borrowed or purchased money, whether or not evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar written instruments, (ii) obligations of the Company under synthetic leases, finance leases and capitalized leases, (iii) obligations of the Company for reimbursement under letters of credit, surety bonds, banker’s acceptances, security purchase facilities or similar facilities issued for the account of the Company, (iv) any indebtedness or other obligations of the Company with respect to derivative contracts, including but not limited to commodity contracts, interest rate, commodity and currency swap agreements, forward contracts, and other similar agreements or arrangements designed to protect against fluctuations

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in commodity prices, currency exchange or interest rates, and (v) any guarantees, endorsements, assumptions (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business) or other similar contingent obligations in respect of obligations of others of a type described in (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above, whether or not such obligation is classified as a liability on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, in each case listed in (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) above whether outstanding on the date of execution of this Indenture or thereafter incurred, other than obligations ranking on a parity with the Securities or ranking junior to the Securities; provided , however , that “Priority Indebtedness of the Company” does not include (a) trade accounts payable, (b) accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business or (c) any indebtedness of the Company to any of its Subsidiaries.

Property Trustee:

The term “Property Trustee” means, in respect of any Laclede Trust, the commercial bank or trust company identified as the “Property Trustee” in the related Trust Agreement, solely in its capacity as Property Trustee of such Laclede Trust under such Trust Agreement and not in its individual capacity, or its successor in interest in such capacity, or any successor property trustee appointed as therein provided.

Ranking Junior to the Securities:

The term “ranking junior to the Securities” when used with respect to any obligation of the Company means any other obligation of the Company which (a) ranks junior to and not equally with or prior to the Securities (or any other obligations of the Company ranking on a parity with the Securities) in right of payment upon the happening of any event of the kind specified in the first sentence of the second paragraph of Section 14.1 , or (b) is specifically designated as ranking junior to the Securities by express provision in the instrument creating or evidencing such obligation.

The securing of any obligations of the Company, otherwise ranking junior to the Securities, shall be deemed to prevent such obligations from constituting obligations ranking junior to the Securities.

ranking on a parity with the Securities:

The term “ranking on a parity with the Securities” when used with respect to any obligation of the Company means (a) any obligation of the Company which ranks equally with and not prior to the Securities in right of payment upon the happening of any event of the kind specified in the first sentence of the second paragraph of Section 14.1 , (b) any Laclede Guarantee of Preferred Securities of any Laclede Trust or other entity affiliated with the Company that is a financing entity of the Company and holds Securities issued under this Indenture, or (c) any obligation of the Company which is specifically designated as ranking on a parity with the Securities by express provision in the instrument creating or evidencing such obligation.

The securing of any obligations of the Company, otherwise ranking on a parity with the Securities, shall not be deemed to prevent such obligations from constituting obligations ranking on a parity with the Securities.

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record date:

The term “record date” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3 .

redemption; redeem; redeemable; etc.:

The terms “redemption,” “redeem” and “redeemable” when used with respect to any Security, shall include, without limitation, any prepayment or repayment provisions applicable to such Security.

Register:

The term “Register” has the meaning specified in Section 2.5 .

Resolution of the Company:

The term “Resolution of the Company” means a resolution of the Company, in the form of a resolution of the Board of Directors, in the form of a resolution of a duly constituted committee of the Board of Directors, or in the form of a resolution of two or more senior officers of the Company, authorizing, ratifying, setting forth or otherwise validating agreements, execution and delivery of documents, the issuance, form and terms of Securities, or any other actions or proceedings pursuant or with respect to this Indenture.

Responsible Officer:

The term “Responsible Officer”, when used with respect to the Trustee, means an officer of the Trustee in its Corporate Trust Office having direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture, and also, with respect to a particular matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of such officer’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

Rights Plan:

The term “Rights Plan” means a plan of the Company providing for the issuance by the Company to all holders of its Common Stock of rights entitling the holders thereof to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock or any class or series of preferred stock, which rights (i) are deemed to be transferred with such shares of Common Stock, (ii) are not exercisable and (iii) are also issued in respect of future issuances of Common Stock, in each case until the occurrence of a specified event or events.

Security or Securities; outstanding:

The term “Security” or “Securities” means any security or securities of the Company, as the case may be, without regard to series, authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

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The term “outstanding,” when used with reference to Securities and subject to the provisions of Section 8.4 , means as of any particular time, all Securities authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under this Indenture, except

(a) Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

(b) Securities, or portions thereof, for the payment or redemption of which moneys in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any Paying Agent (other than the Company) or shall have been set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent), provided that such Securities shall have reached their Stated Maturity or, if such Securities are to be redeemed prior to the Stated Maturity thereof, notice of such redemption shall have been given as in Article Three provided, or provision satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made for giving such notice;

(c) Securities in lieu of or in substitution for which other Securities shall have been authenticated and delivered or which have been paid pursuant to the terms of Section 2.7 unless proof satisfactory to the Trustee is presented that any such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands any of such Securities is a valid, binding and legal obligation of the Company; and

(d) Any such Security with respect to which the Company has effected defeasance or covenant defeasance pursuant to Section 12.5 , except to the extent provided in Section 12.5 .

In determining whether the holders of the requisite principal amount of outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to be outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.1 .

Securityholder; registered holder:

The terms “Securityholder,” “holder of Securities,” “registered holder” or other similar term, mean any person who shall at the time be the registered holder of any Security or Securities on the Register kept for that purpose in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

Stated Maturity:

The term “Stated Maturity” when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon means the date specified pursuant to the terms of such Security as the date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of interest is due and payable in the case of such principal, as such date may be shortened or extended as provided pursuant to the terms of such Security and this Indenture.

Subsidiary:

The term “Subsidiary” means any corporation (or the equivalent type of entity in other jurisdictions) more than 50% of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or

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more other Subsidiaries, or by the Company and one or more other Subsidiaries. For the purposes of this definition, “voting stock” means stock which ordinarily has voting power for the election of directors, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has such voting power by reason of any contingency.

Tax Event:

The term “Tax Event” means the receipt by the Company and/or a Laclede Trust of a Tax Event Opinion (as defined in the relevant Trust Agreement, applicable Resolution of the Company, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture hereto) to the effect that, as a result of any amendment to, or change (including any announced prospective change) in, the laws (or any regulations thereunder) of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, or as a result of any official administrative written decision or pronouncement or judicial decision interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or change is effective or which pronouncement or decision is announced on or after the date of issuance of the Securities or Preferred Securities of such Laclede Trust, there is more than an insubstantial risk that (i) the Laclede Trust is, or will be within 90 days after the date of such Tax Event Opinion, subject to United States federal income tax with respect to income received or accrued on the corresponding series of Securities issued by the Company to such Laclede Trust, (ii) interest payable by the Company on such corresponding series of Securities is not, or within 90 days of the date of such Tax Event Opinion, will not be, deductible by the Company, in whole or in part, for United States federal income tax purposes, or (iii) the Laclede Trust is, or will be within 90 days after the date of such Tax Event Opinion, subject to more than a de minimis amount of other taxes, duties or other governmental charges.

Trust Agreement:

The term “Trust Agreement” means the Trust Agreement governing any Laclede Trust, whether now existing or created in the future, which purchased the Securities of any series in each case.

Trustee:

The term “Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.

Trust Indenture Act:

Except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context requires otherwise, the term “Trust Indenture Act” shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended by the Trust Indenture Reform Act of 1990, as in force at the date as of which this Indenture was originally executed; provided , however , that, in the event that the Trust Indenture Act is amended after such date, then “Trust Indenture Act” means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.

Trust Securities:

The term “Trust Securities” has the meaning specified in the recitals to this Indenture.

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ARTICLE II

ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, EXECUTION, REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER

AND EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES

2.1 Amount, Series and Delivery of Securities . The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

The Securities may be issued in one or more series. The terms of each series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture), shall either be established in or pursuant to a Resolution of the Company and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, or set forth in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series and shall specify:

(a) The designation of the Securities of such series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from all other Securities and which shall include the word “subordinated” or a word of like meaning);

(b) Any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series which may be executed, authenticated and delivered under this Indenture; provided , however , that nothing contained in this Section or elsewhere in this Indenture or in such Securities or in a Resolution of the Company or Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture is intended to or shall limit execution by the Company or authentication and delivery by the Trustee of Securities under the circumstances contemplated by Sections 2.5 , 2.6 , 2.7 , 3.2 , 3.3 and 10.4 ;

(c) The date or dates (if any) on which the principal of the Securities of such series is payable or the method or methods, if any, by which such date or dates shall be determined and the circumstances, if any, under which such date or dates may be shortened or extended, either automatically or at the election of the Company;

(d) The rate or rates at which the Securities of such series shall bear interest, if any, the rate or rates and extent to which Additional Interest or other interest, if any, shall be payable, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the dates on which such interest shall be payable, the record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date and the right of the Company to defer or extend an interest payment date;

(e) The place or places where Securities of such series may be presented for payment and for the other purposes provided in Section 4.2 ;

(f) Any price or prices at which, any period or periods within which, and any terms and conditions upon which Securities of such series may be redeemed or prepaid, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;

(g) The type or types (if any) of Capital Stock of the Company into which, any period or periods within which, and any terms and conditions upon which Securities of such series may be made payable, converted, exchanged in whole or in part, at the option of the holder or of the Company;

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(h) If other than denominations of $1,000 and any whole multiple thereof, the denominations in which Securities of such series shall be issuable;

(i) If other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of such series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.1 ;

(j) If other than such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public or private debts, the coin or currency (which may be a composite currency) in which payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of such series shall be payable;

(k) If the principal of or interest, if any, on the Securities of such series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a holder thereof, in a coin or currency (including composite currency) other than that in which the Securities of such series are stated to be payable, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made;

(l) If the amounts of payments of principal of or interest, if any, on the Securities of such series may be determined with reference to an index based on a coin or currency (including composite currency) other than that in which the Securities of such series are stated to be payable, or any other index (including commodity or equity indices), the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

(m) If the Securities of such series are payable at Maturity or upon earlier redemption in Capital Stock, the terms and conditions upon which such payment shall be made;

(n) The person or persons who shall be registrar for the Securities of such series, and the place or places where the Register of Securities of the series shall be kept;

(o) Any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or covenants of the Company with respect to any of such Securities, whether or not such Events of Default or covenants are consistent with the Events of Default or covenants set forth herein;

(p) Whether any Securities of such series are to be issuable in global form with or without coupons, and, if so, the Depositary for such global Securities and whether beneficial owners of interests in any such global Security may exchange such interests for definitive Securities of such series and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination and the circumstances under which, and the place or places where, any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner provided in Section 2.5 ;

(q) The form of the related Trust Agreement and Laclede Guarantee, if applicable;

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(r) Whether any Securities of such series are subject to any securities law or other restrictions on transfer; and any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture);

(s) If the principal of or interest, if any, on the Securities of such series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a holder thereof or otherwise, in Capital Stock, with the proceeds of Capital Stock or from any other specific source of funds, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such elections and/or payments shall be made;

(t) If either or both of Section 12.5(b) relating to defeasance or Section 12.5(c) relating to covenant defeasance shall not be applicable to the Securities of such series, or any covenants relating to the Securities of such series which shall be subject to covenant defeasance, and any deletions from, modifications or additions to, the provisions of Article Twelve in respect of the Securities of such series;

(u) If the provisions of Section 4.9 prohibiting the declaration or payment of dividends or distributions on, or redemptions, purchases, acquisitions or liquidation payments with respect to, shares of the Company’s Capital Stock shall not be applicable;

(v) if the Company is obligated to redeem or purchase any of such Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of any holder thereof and, if so, the date or dates on which, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the other terms and conditions upon which such Securities shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation, and any provisions for the remarketing of such Securities so redeemed or purchased;

or in any case, the method for determining such terms, the persons authorized to determine such terms and the limits, if any, within which any such determination of such terms is to be made.

The Securities of all series shall be subordinate to Priority Indebtedness of the Company as provided in Article Fourteen. The applicable Resolution of the Company, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture may provide that Securities of any particular series may be issued at various times, with different dates on which the principal or any installment of principal is payable, with different rates of interest, if any, or different methods by which interest may be determined, with different dates from which such interest shall accrue, with different dates on which such interest may be payable or with any different terms other than Events of Default but all such Securities of a particular series shall for all purposes under this Indenture including, but not limited to, voting and Events of Default, be treated as Securities of a single series.

Notwithstanding Section 2.1(b) and unless otherwise expressly provided with respect to a series of Securities, the aggregate principal amount of a series of Securities may be increased and additional Securities of such series may be issued up to the maximum aggregate principal amount authorized with respect to such series as increased.

If any of the terms of any series of Securities are established by action taken pursuant to a Resolution of the Company, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Corporate Secretary or an Assistant Corporate Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture setting forth the terms of the series.

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At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication by it, and the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver such Securities to or upon the written order of the Company, signed by any two Officers, without any further corporate action by the Company. If the form or terms of the Securities of the series have been established in or pursuant to a Resolution of the Company and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, or set forth in one or more supplemental indentures hereto, as permitted by this Section and Section 2.2 , in authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 7.1 ) shall be fully protected in relying upon:

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

(i) the form or forms and terms, or if all Securities of such series are not to be issued at one time, the manner of determining the terms of such Securities, have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(ii) all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of such Securities have been complied with and that such Securities when completed by appropriate insertions, executed by the Company, delivered by duly authorized officers of the Company to the Trustee for authentication pursuant to this Indenture, and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, and this Indenture will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as enforcement thereof may be subject to or limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, arrangement, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, and subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law); and

(iii) if the Securities of such series have been registered under the Securities Act, that this Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act;

and

(x) an Officers’ Certificate complying with Section 15.4 and stating that, to the best knowledge of the Persons executing such certificate, no event which is, or after notice or lapse of time would become, an Event of Default with respect to any of the Securities shall have occurred and be continuing.

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The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

If all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver either an Opinion of Counsel or an Officers’ Certificate at the time of issuance of each Security, provided that such Opinion of Counsel and Officers’ Certificate, with appropriate modifications, are instead delivered at or prior to the time of issuance of the first Security of such series.

Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

2.2 Form of Securities and Trustee’s Certificate . The Securities of each series shall be substantially of the tenor and terms as shall be authorized in or pursuant to a Resolution of the Company and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, or set forth in an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which the Securities may be listed, or to conform to usage. If the form of Securities of any series is authorized by action taken pursuant to a Resolution of the Company, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Corporate Secretary or an Assistant Corporate Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate contemplated by Section 2.1 setting forth the terms of the series.

The Securities may be printed, lithographed or fully or partly engraved.

The Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

“This is one of the Securities, of the series designated herein, referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

If Securities of a series are issuable in global form, as specified pursuant to Section 2.1 , then, notwithstanding clause (h) of Section 2.1 and the provisions of Section 2.3 , such Security shall represent such amount of the outstanding Securities of such series as shall be specified therein and may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of outstanding Securities of such series from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of outstanding Securities of such series represented thereby may from time to time be increased or reduced to

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reflect exchanges or transfers (in any event, not to exceed the aggregate principal amount authorized from time to time pursuant to Section 2.1 ). Any endorsement of a Security in global form to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, of outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee in such manner and upon instructions given by such person or persons as shall be specified in such Security or by the Company. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.4 and, if applicable, Section 2.6 , the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Security in global form in the manner and upon written instructions given by the person or persons specified in such Security or by the Company. Any instructions by the Company with respect to endorsement or delivery or redelivery of a Security in global form after the original issuance of the Securities of such series shall be in writing, and shall not be objected to in writing by the Depositary, but need not comply with Section 15.4 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.

Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.1 , payment of principal of and any premium and any interest on any Security in global form shall be made to the person or persons specified therein.

The owners of beneficial interests in any global Security shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any global Security held on their behalf by a Depositary, and such Depositary may be treated by the Company, the Trustee, and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the sole holder and owner of such global Security for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by a Depositary, or impair, as between a Depositary and its participants in any global Security, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of a Security of any series, including, without limitation, the granting of proxies or other authorization of participants to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action that a holder is entitled to give or take under this Indenture.

Neither the Company, the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent will have any responsibility or liability for any act or omission of the Depositary or any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests. The Company has entered into a letter of representations with the Depositary in the form provided by the Depositary and the Trustee and each Agent are hereby authorized to act in accordance with such letter and Applicable Procedures.

Each Depositary designated pursuant to Section 2.1 for a global Security must, at the time of its designation and at all times while it serves as Depositary, be a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”), and any other applicable statute or regulation.

The Company shall be responsible for making calculations called for under the Securities, including but not limited to determination of redemption price, premium, if any, and any additional amounts or other amounts payable on the Securities. The Company will make the calculations in good faith and, absent manifest error, its calculations will be final and binding on

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the Holders. The Company will provide a schedule of its calculations to the Trustee when requested by the Trustee, and the Trustee is entitled to rely conclusively on the accuracy of the Company’s calculations without independent verification. The Trustee shall forward the Company’s calculations to any Holder of the Securities upon the written request of such Holder.

2.3 Denominations of and Payment of Interest on Securities . The Securities of each series shall be issuable as fully registered Securities without coupons in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 2.1 (except as provided in Section 2.2 and Section 2.6 ). In the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series shall be issuable in minimum denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

If the Securities of any series shall bear interest, each Security of such series shall bear interest from the applicable date at the rate or rates per annum, and such interest shall be payable on the dates, specified on, or determined in the manner provided in, the Security. The person in whose name any Security is registered at the close of business on any record date (as defined below) for the Security with respect to any interest payment date for such Security shall be entitled to receive the interest payable thereon on such interest payment date notwithstanding the cancellation of such Security upon any registration of transfer, exchange or conversion thereof subsequent to such record date and prior to such interest payment date, unless such Security shall have been called for redemption on a date fixed for redemption subsequent to such record date and prior to such interest payment date or unless the Company shall default in the payment of interest due on such interest payment date on such Security, in which case such defaulted interest shall be paid to the person in whose name such Security (or any Security or Securities issued upon registration of transfer or exchange thereof) is registered at the close of business on the record date for the payment of such defaulted interest, or except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.1 . The term “record date” as used in this Section with respect to any regular interest payment date for any Security shall mean such day or days as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 2.1 ; provided , however , that in the absence of any such provisions with respect to any Security, such term shall mean: (1) if such interest payment date is the first day of a calendar month, the fifteenth day of the calendar month next preceding such interest payment date; or (2) if such interest payment date is the fifteenth day of a calendar month, the first day of such calendar month; in each case whether or not a Business Day. Such term, as used in this Section, with respect to the payment of any defaulted interest on any Security shall mean (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.1 ) the fifth day next preceding the date fixed by the Company for the payment of defaulted interest, established by notice given by first class mail by or on behalf of the Company to the holder of such Security not less than 10 days preceding such record date, or, if such fifth day is not a Business Day, the Business Day next preceding such fifth day.

2.4 Execution of Securities . The Securities shall be signed on behalf of the Company, manually or in facsimile, by any Officer or one of its Assistant Corporate Secretaries. Only such Securities as shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form recited herein, executed by or on behalf of the Trustee manually by an authorized officer, shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. Such certificate of authentication by the Trustee upon any Security executed by the Company shall be conclusive evidence that the Security so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered

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hereunder and that the holder is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture. Typographical or other errors or defects in the seal or facsimile signature on any Security or in the text thereof shall not affect the validity or enforceability of such Security if it has been duly authenticated and delivered by the Trustee.

In case any officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the Securities, manually or in facsimile, shall cease to be such officer before the Securities so signed shall have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, or disposed of by the Company, such Securities nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the person who signed such Securities had not ceased to be such officer of the Company; and any Security may be signed on behalf of the Company, manually or in facsimile, by such persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Security, shall be the proper officers of the Company, although at the date of the execution of this Indenture any such person was not such officer.

2.5 Registration, Transfer and Exchange of Securities . Securities of any series (other than a global Security, except as set forth below) may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of the same series of the same tenor and terms of other authorized denominations. Securities to be exchanged shall be surrendered at the offices or agencies to be maintained by the Company in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.2 and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, or cause to be authenticated and delivered, in exchange therefor the Security or Securities which the Securityholder making the exchange shall be entitled to receive.

The Company shall keep, at one of the offices or agencies to be maintained by the Company in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.2 with respect to the Securities of each series, a Register (the “ Register ”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall register the Securities of such series and the transfer of Securities of such series as in this Article provided. Such Register shall be in written form or in any other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time. At all reasonable times the Register shall be open for inspection by the Trustee and any registrar of the Securities of such series other than the Trustee. Upon due presentment for registration of transfer of any Security of any series at the offices or agencies of the Company to be maintained by the Company in accordance with Section 4.2 with respect to the Securities of such series, the Company shall execute and register and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in the name of the transferee or transferees a new Security or Securities of the same series of like tenor and terms for a like aggregate principal amount of authorized denominations.

Every Security issued upon registration of transfer or exchange of Securities pursuant to this Section shall be the valid obligation of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Security or Securities surrendered upon registration of such transfer or exchange.

All Securities of any series presented or surrendered for exchange, registration of transfer, redemption, conversion or payment shall, if so required by the Company or any registrar of the Securities of such series, be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Company and such registrar, duly executed by the registered holder or by his attorney duly authorized in writing.

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No service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto.

The Company shall not be required to exchange or register the transfer of (a) any Securities of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business fifteen days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of outstanding Securities of such series and ending at the close of business on the relevant redemption date, or (b) any Securities or portions thereof called or selected for redemption, except, in the case of Securities called for redemption in part, the portion thereof not so called for redemption.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Securities in definitive form, a global Security representing all or a portion of the Securities of a series may not be transferred, except as a whole by the Depositary for such series to a nominee of such Depositary or by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by such Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary for such series or a nominee of such successor Depositary.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.1 , any global Security shall be exchangeable pursuant to this Section only as provided in this paragraph. If at any time the Depositary for the Securities of a series notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Securities of such series, or if at any time the Depositary for the Securities of such series shall cease to be a “clearing agency” registered under the Exchange Act, the Company shall appoint a successor Depositary with respect to the Securities of such series. If (a) a successor Depositary for the Securities of such series is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility (thereby automatically making the Company’s election pursuant to Section 2.1 no longer effective with respect to the Securities of such series), (b) the beneficial owners of interests in a global Security are entitled to exchange such interests for definitive Securities of such series and of the same tenor and terms, as specified pursuant to Section 2.1 , (c) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series, or (d) the Company in its sole discretion and subject to the procedures of the Depositary determines that the Securities of any series issued in the form of one or more global Securities shall no longer be represented by such global Security or Securities, then without unnecessary delay, but, if appropriate, in any event not later than the earliest date on which such interest may be so exchanged, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee definitive Securities in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such global Security, executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee. On or after the earliest date on which such interests are or may be so exchanged, such global Security shall be surrendered by the Depositary to the Trustee, as the Company’s agent for such purpose, to be exchanged, in whole or from time to time in part, for definitive Securities upon payment by the beneficial owners of such interest, at the option of the Company, of a service charge for such exchange and of a proportionate share of the cost of printing such definitive Securities, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, (a) to each person specified by the Depositary in exchange for each portion of such global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of the same tenor and terms as the portion of such global Security to be exchanged, and (b) to such Depositary a global Security in a

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denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered global security and the aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities delivered to holders thereof; provided , however , that no such exchanges may occur during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of Securities of that series to be redeemed and ending on the relevant redemption date. If a Security is issued in exchange for any portion of a global Security after the close of business at the office or agency where such exchange occurs on (i) any record date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the relevant interest payment date, or (ii) any record date for the payment of defaulted interest and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed date for payment of defaulted interest, then interest or default interest, as the case may be, will not be payable on such interest payment date or proposed date for payment of defaulted interest, as the case may be, in respect of such Security, but will be payable on such interest payment date or proposed date for payment of defaulted interest, as the case may be, only to the person to whom interest in respect of such portion of such global Security is payable in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and such global Security.

2.6 Temporary Securities . Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute and the Trustee shall, upon the written order of the Company, authenticate and deliver temporary Securities of such series (printed or lithographed) of any denomination and substantially in the form of the definitive Securities of such series, but with or without a recital of specific redemption prices or conversion provisions and with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Securities, all as may be determined by the Company. Temporary Securities may contain such reference to any provisions of this Indenture as may be appropriate. Every such temporary Security shall be authenticated by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with the same effect, as the definitive Securities. Without unreasonable delay the Company will execute and deliver to the Trustee definitive Securities of such series and thereupon any or all temporary Securities of such series may be surrendered in exchange therefor, at the offices or agencies to be maintained by the Company as provided in Section 4.2 with respect to the Securities of such series, and the Trustee shall, upon the written order of the Company, authenticate and deliver in exchange for such temporary Securities an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of such series. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series authenticated and delivered hereunder.

2.7 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Securities . In case any temporary or definitive Security shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company, in the case of any mutilated Security shall, and in the case of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security in its discretion may, execute, and upon its request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, or cause to be authenticated and delivered, a new Security of the same series of like tenor and terms in exchange and substitution for the mutilated Security, or in lieu of and in substitution for the Security so destroyed, lost or stolen. In case any such Security shall have matured or shall be about to mature, instead of issuing a substituted Security, the Company may pay or authorize payment of the same (without surrender thereof, except in the case of a mutilated Security). In every case the applicant for a substituted Security or for such payment shall furnish to

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the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Company and to the Trustee evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security and of the ownership thereof. The Trustee may authenticate any such substituted Security and deliver the same, or the Trustee or any Paying Agent of the Company may make any such payment, upon the written request or authorization of any officer of the Company. Upon the issue of any substituted Security, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other reasonable expenses connected therewith (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee).

To the extent permitted by mandatory provisions of law, every substituted Security issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section in substitution for any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be found at any time, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of the same series duly issued hereunder.

To the full extent legally enforceable, all Securities shall be held and owned upon the express condition that the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities and shall preclude any and all other rights or remedies notwithstanding any law or statute now existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.

2.8 Cancellation and Disposition of Surrendered Securities . All Securities surrendered for the purpose of payment, redemption, exchange, substitution or registration of transfer, shall, if surrendered to the Company or any agent of the Company or of the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee, and the same, together with Securities surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, shall be canceled by it, and no Securities shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. The Trustee shall dispose of canceled Securities in accordance with its customary procedures and deliver a certificate of cancellation thereof to the Company upon request. If the Company shall purchase or otherwise acquire any of the Securities, however, such purchase or acquisition shall not operate as a payment, redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the Company, at its option, shall deliver or surrender the same to the Trustee for cancellation.

2.9 Authenticating Agents . The Trustee may from time to time appoint one or more Authenticating Agents with respect to one or more series of Securities, which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee and subject to its direction in authenticating and delivering Securities of such series pursuant hereto in connection with exchanges, registrations of transfer, redemptions or conversions, as fully to all intents and purposes as though any such Authenticating Agent had been expressly authorized to authenticate and deliver Securities of such series, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as though authenticated by the Trustee. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication or delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication or delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of

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authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall at all times be a corporation (including a banking association) organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or any State or territory thereof or of the District of Columbia, having a combined capital and surplus of at least five million dollars ($5,000,000) authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers and subject to supervision or examination by federal, state, territorial, or District of Columbia authorities. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect herein specified in this Section.

Any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency business of an Authenticating Agent shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, if such successor corporation is otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent or such successor corporation.

Any Authenticating Agent may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice of termination to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent herein. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.

The Company agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section.

Any Authenticating Agent by the acceptance of its appointment shall be deemed to have agreed with the Trustee that: it will perform and carry out the duties of an Authenticating Agent as herein set forth, including among other things the duties to authenticate and deliver Securities of any series for which it has been appointed an Authenticating Agent when presented to it in connection with exchanges, registrations of transfer or any redemptions or conversions thereof; it will furnish from time to time as requested by the Trustee appropriate records of all transactions carried out by it as Authenticating Agent and will furnish the Trustee such other information and reports as the Trustee may reasonably require; it is eligible for appointment as Authenticating Agent under this Section and will notify the Trustee promptly if it shall cease to be so qualified; and it will indemnify the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense incurred by the Trustee and will defend any claim asserted against the Trustee by reason of any acts or failures to act of the Authenticating Agent but it shall have no liability for any action taken by it at the specific written direction of the Trustee.

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2.10 Deferrals of Interest Payment Dates . If specified as contemplated by Section 2.1 or Section 2.2 with respect to the Securities of a particular series, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Company shall have the right, at any time during the term of such series, from time to time to defer the payment of interest on such Securities for such period or periods as may be specified as contemplated by Section 2.1 (each, an “ Extension Period ”). No Extension Period shall end on a date other than an interest payment date or extend beyond the Stated Maturity. Except as otherwise contemplated in Section 2.1 or Section 2.2 , at the end of any such Extension Period the Company shall pay all interest then accrued and unpaid on the Securities (together with Additional Interest or other interest thereon, if any, at the rate specified for the Securities of such series to the extent permitted by applicable law).

2.11 Right of Set-Off . With respect to the Securities of a series issued to a Laclede Trust, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture (but subject to the last paragraph of Section 6.5 ), the Company shall have the right to set off any payment it is otherwise required to make thereunder in respect of any such Security to the extent the Company has theretofore made, or is concurrently on the date of such payment making, such payment under the Laclede Guarantee relating to such Security or under Section 6.5 of this Indenture.

2.12 Shortening or Extension of Stated Maturity . If specified as contemplated by Section 2.1 or Section 2.2 with respect to the Securities of a particular series, the Company shall have the right to (i) shorten the Stated Maturity of the principal of the Securities of such series at any time to any date and (ii) extend the Stated Maturity of the principal of the Securities of such series at any time at its election for one or more periods; provided that , if the Company elects to exercise its right to shorten or extend the Stated Maturity of the principal of the Securities of such series pursuant to this section, at the time such election is made and at the time of such shortening or extension, such conditions as may be specified in such Securities shall have been satisfied.

2.13 Agreed Tax Treatment . Each Security issued hereunder shall provide that the Company and, by its acceptance of a Security or a beneficial interest therein, the holder of, and any Person that acquires a beneficial interest in, such Security agree that for United States federal, state and local tax purposes it is intended that such Security constitute indebtedness.

2.14 CUSIP and Other Numbers . The Company in issuing the Securities may use “ CUSIP ” numbers, ISIN numbers or other similar identifiers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee may use such numbers in notices as a convenience to holders of Securities; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such notice shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any change in CUSIP, ISIN or other numbers assigned to the Securities.

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ARTICLE III

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

3.1 Applicability of Article . Securities of any series which are redeemable prior to Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.1 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article.

3.2 Mailing of Notice of Redemption . In case the Company shall desire to exercise any right to redeem all or, as the case may be, any part of the Securities of any series pursuant to this Indenture, it shall give notice of such redemption to holders of the Securities to be redeemed as hereinafter in this Section provided.

The Company covenants that it will pay to the Trustee or one or more Paying Agents, by 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date of such redemption, a sum in cash sufficient to redeem on the redemption date all the Securities so called for redemption at the applicable redemption price, together with any accrued interest on the Securities to be redeemed to but excluding the date fixed for redemption.

Notice of redemption shall be given to the holders of Securities to be redeemed as a whole or in part, in the case of global Securities, by sending or causing such notice to be sent in accordance with Applicable Procedures, or in the case of Securities that are not global Securities, by mailing by first class mail, postage prepaid, a notice of such redemption not less than 20 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to their last addresses as they shall appear upon the Register, but failure to give such notice by mailing in the manner herein provided to the holder of any Security designated for redemption as a whole or in part, or any defect therein, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Security.

Notice of any redemption, may, at the Company’s discretion, be given subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, without limitation, upon the receipt by the Paying Agent or Agents for the Securities, on or prior to the date fixed for such redemption, of money sufficient to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on such Securities. If any such condition precedent has not been satisfied, the Company will provide notice to the Trustee not less than two Business Days prior to the redemption date that such condition precedent has not been satisfied, the notice of redemption is rescinded and the redemption subject to the satisfaction of such condition precedent shall not occur. The Trustee shall promptly send a copy of such notice to the Holders of the Notes.

Any notice which is sent in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the holder receives the notice.

Each such notice of redemption shall identify the Securities to be redeemed (including CUSIP numbers provided that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Securities), the paragraph of the Securities and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Securities called for redemption are being redeemed, any conditions precedent to such redemption described in reasonable detail, and specify the date fixed for redemption and the redemption price at which Securities are to be redeemed (or if the redemption price cannot be calculated prior to the time the notice is required to be given, the manner of calculation thereof), and shall state that payment of the redemption

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price of the Securities or portions thereof to be redeemed will be made at any of the offices or agencies to be maintained by the Company in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.2 with respect to the Securities to be redeemed, upon presentation and surrender of such Securities or portions thereof, and that, if applicable, interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in said notice and, unless the Company defaults in the payment of such Securities at the applicable redemption price, on and after said date interest thereon will cease to accrue and shall also specify, if applicable, the conversion price and the date on which the right to convert the Securities will expire and that holders must comply with the terms of the Securities in order to convert their Securities. If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the notice of redemption to each holder shall specify such holder’s Securities of such series to be redeemed as a whole or in part. In case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice which relates to such Security shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed (which shall be equal to an authorized denomination for Securities of such series), and shall state that on and after the redemption date, upon surrender of such Security, the holder will receive the redemption price in respect to the principal amount thereof called for redemption and, without charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series of authorized denominations for the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed.

In the case of any redemption at the election of the Company, the Company shall, at least 45 days prior to the date fixed for redemption (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such redemption date, the basis for such redemption and of the principal amount of Securities of the applicable series to be redeemed. At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense; provided , however , that the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least 45 days prior to the redemption date (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice together with the notice to be given setting forth the information to be stated therein as provided in the preceding paragraph. In the case of any redemption of Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or that is subject to compliance with conditions provided in the terms of such Securities, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers’ Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction or conditions. If less than all the Securities of such series are to be redeemed, and the Securities are global Securities, they will be selected for redemption in accordance with Applicable Procedures. If the Securities are not global Securities, thereupon the Trustee shall select, by lot, or in any manner it shall deem fair, the Securities of such series to be redeemed as a whole or in part and shall thereafter promptly notify the Company in writing of the particular Securities of such series or portions thereof to be redeemed. If the Securities of any series to be redeemed consist of Securities having different dates on which the principal or any installment of principal is payable or different rates of interest, if any, or different methods by which interest may be determined or have any other different tenor or terms, then the Company may, by written notice to the Trustee, direct that Securities of such series to be redeemed shall be selected from among groups of such Securities having specified tenor or terms and the Trustee shall thereafter select the particular Securities to be redeemed in the manner set forth in the preceding sentence from among the group of such Securities so specified.

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3.3 When Securities Called for Redemption Become Due and Payable . If the giving of notice of redemption shall have been completed as above provided, the Securities or portions of Securities specified in such notice shall become due and payable on the date and at the place or places stated in such notice at the applicable redemption price, together, if applicable, with any interest accrued (including any Additional Interest or other interest) to but excluding the date fixed for redemption, and on and after such date fixed for redemption (unless the Company shall default in the payment of such Securities at the applicable redemption price, together with any interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption) any interest on the Securities or portions of Securities so called for redemption shall cease to accrue, and, except as provided in Sections 7.5 and 12.4 , such Securities shall cease from and after the date fixed for redemption to be entitled to any benefit or security under this Indenture, and the holders thereof shall have no right in respect of such Securities except the right to receive the redemption price thereof and any unpaid interest accrued to but excluding the date fixed for redemption. On presentation and surrender of such Securities at said place of payment in said notice specified, such Securities or portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Company at the applicable redemption price, together with any interest accrued to but excluding the date fixed for redemption; provided , however , that, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.1 , any regular payment of interest becoming due on the date fixed for redemption shall be payable to the holders of the Securities registered as such on the relevant record date as provided in Article Two hereof. Upon surrender of any Security which is redeemed in part only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver at the expense of the Company a new Security of the same series of like tenor and terms of authorized denomination in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Security so surrendered; except that if a global Security is so surrendered, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Depositary for such global Security, without service charge, a global Security in a denomination equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the global Security so surrendered.

If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal shall, until paid, bear interest from the date fixed for redemption at the rate borne by or prescribed therefor in the Security, or, in the case of a Security which does not bear interest, at the rate of interest set forth therefor in the Security to the extent permitted by law.

3.4 Exclusion of Certain Securities from Eligibility for Selection for Redemption . Securities shall be excluded from eligibility for selection for redemption if they are identified by registration and certificate number in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee at least 60 days prior to the last date on which notice of redemption may be given as being owned of record and beneficially by, and not pledged or hypothecated by either (a) the Company or (b) an entity specifically identified in such Officers’ Certificate as an affiliate of the Company.

ARTICLE IV

PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

The Company covenants as follows:

4.1 Payment of Principal of and Interest on Securities . The Company will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of and interest (including any Additional Interest and/or Additional Tax Sums due thereon), if any, on each of the Securities at the time and places

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and in the manner provided herein and in the Securities. Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.1 , if the Securities of any series bear interest, each installment of interest on the Securities of such series may at the option of the Company be paid (i) by mailing a check or checks for such interest payable to the Person entitled thereto pursuant to Section 2.3 to the address of such person as it appears on the Register of Securities of such series or (ii) by transfer to an account maintained by the Person entitled thereto as specified in the Register of Securities, provided that proper transfer instructions have been received by the record date.

Additional Interest and Additional Tax Sums will be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date following accrual in the same manner as regular interest on the Securities. If Additional Interest or Additional Tax Sums is payable on the Securities, the Issuer shall provide an Officers’ Certificate to the Trustee on or before the record date for each Interest Payment Date such Additional Interest or Additional Tax Sums is payable setting forth the accrual period and the amount of such Additional Interest or Additional Tax Sums in reasonable detail. The Trustee may provide a copy of such Officers’ Certificate or other notice received from the Issuer relating to Additional Interest or Additional Tax Sums to any Holder upon request. Unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee receives at the Corporate Trust Office such a certificate, the Trustee may assume without inquiry that no such Additional Interest or Additional Tax Sums is payable. If the Company has paid Additional Interest or Additional Tax Sums directly to the Persons entitled to it, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the particulars of such payment.

4.2 Maintenance of Offices or Agencies for Registration of Transfer, Exchange and Payment of Securities . So long as any of the Securities shall remain outstanding, the Company will maintain an office or agency in the continental United States where the Securities may be presented for registration, conversion, exchange and registration of transfer as in this Indenture provided, and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities or of this Indenture may be served, and where the Securities may be presented for payment. In case the Company shall designate and maintain some office or agency other than the previously designated office or agency, it shall give the Trustee prompt written notice thereof. In case the Company shall fail to maintain any such office or agency or shall fail to give such notice of the location or of any change in the location thereof to the Trustee, presentations and demands may be made and notices may be served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

In addition to such office or agency, the Company may from time to time constitute and appoint one or more other offices or agencies for such purposes with respect to Securities of any series, and one or more paying agents for the payment of Securities of any series, in such cities or in one or more other cities, and may from time to time rescind such appointments, as the Company may deem desirable or expedient, and as to which the Company has notified the Trustee.

4.3 Appointment to Fill a Vacancy in the Office of Trustee . The Company, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 7.10 , a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee with respect to each series of Securities hereunder.

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4.4 Duties of Paying Agent

(a) If the Company shall appoint a Paying Agent other than the Trustee with respect to Securities of any series, it will cause such Paying Agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section and Section 12.3 ,

(i) that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Securities of such series (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Company or by any other obligor on the Securities of such series) in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Securities of such series entitled to such principal or interest and will notify the Trustee of the receipt of sums to be so held,

(ii) that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Company (or by any other obligor on the Securities of such series) to make any payment of the principal of or interest on the Securities of such series when the same shall be due and payable, and

(iii) that it will at any time during the continuance of any Event of Default, upon the written request of the Trustee, deliver to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by it.

(b) Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents with respect to the Securities of any series, it will, on or prior to each due date of the principal of or any interest on a Security of such series, deposit with a Paying Agent of such series a sum sufficient to pay the principal or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the holders of Securities of such series entitled to such principal or interest, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

(c) If the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent with respect to the Securities of any series, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of or any interest on a Security of such series, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the holder of such Security, a sum sufficient to pay such principal or interest so becoming due and will notify the Trustee of such action, or any failure by it or any other obligor on the Securities of such series to take such action and will at any time during the continuance of any Event of Default, upon the written request of the Trustee, deliver to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by it.

(d) Anything in this Section to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to one or more or all series of Securities hereunder, or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust for such series by it, or any Paying Agent hereunder, as required by this Section, such sums are to be held by the Trustee upon the trust herein contained.

(e) Anything in this Section to the contrary notwithstanding, the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section is subject to the provisions of Sections 12.3 and 12.4 .

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4.5 Further Assurances . From time to time whenever reasonably demanded by the Trustee, the Company will make, execute and deliver or cause to be made, executed and delivered any and all such further and other instruments and assurances and take all such further action as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out the intention of or to facilitate the performance of the terms of this Indenture or to secure the rights and remedies hereunder of the holders of the Securities of any series.

4.6 Officers’ Certificate as to Defaults; Notices of Certain Defaults . The Company will, so long as any of the Securities are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee no later than 120 days after the end of each calendar year, beginning with the year             , a certificate that need not comply with Section 15.4 signed by the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer stating that a review has been made under his or her supervision of the activities of the Company during such year and of the performance under this Indenture and, to the best of his or her knowledge, the Company has complied with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture throughout such calendar year, or if there has been a default in the fulfillment of any such obligation, specifying each such default known and the nature and status thereof. For purposes of this Section, such compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided under this Indenture. In addition, the Company shall give the notice to the Trustee as and when required by the fourth paragraph of Section 14.1 .

4.7 Waiver of Covenants . The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any covenant or condition specifically contained in this Indenture for the benefit of one or more series of Securities, if before the time for such compliance the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of all series affected (all series voting as one class) at the time outstanding (determined as provided in Section 8.4 ) shall waive such compliance in such instance, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such covenant or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such covenant or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

4.8 Additional Tax Sums . In the case of the Securities of a series issued to a Laclede Trust, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.1 or Section 2.2 , in the event that (i) a Laclede Trust is the holder of all of the Outstanding Securities of such series, (ii) a Tax Event in respect of such Laclede Trust shall have occurred and be continuing and (iii) the Company shall not have (a) redeemed the Securities of such series or (b) terminated such Laclede Trust pursuant to the termination provisions of the related Trust Agreement, the Company shall pay to such Laclede Trust (and any permitted successor or assign under the related Trust Agreement) for so long as such Laclede Trust (or its permitted successor or assignee) is the registered holder of any Securities of such series, such additional amounts as may be necessary in order that the amount of Distributions then due and payable by such Laclede Trust on the related Preferred Securities and Common Securities that at any time remain outstanding in accordance with the terms thereof shall not be reduced as a result of any additional taxes, duties and other governmental charges to which such Laclede Trust has become subject as a result of such Tax Event (but not including withholding taxes imposed on holders of such Preferred Securities and Common Securities) (the “ Additional Tax Sums ”). Whenever in this Indenture or the Securities there is a reference in any

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context to the payment of principal of or interest on the Securities, such reference shall be deemed to include payment of the Additional Tax Sums provided for in this paragraph to the extent that, in such context, Additional Tax Sums are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to the provisions of this Section and express reference to the payment of Additional Tax Sums (if applicable) in any provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Tax Sums in those provisions hereof where such express reference is not made; provided , however , that the deferral of the payment of interest pursuant to Section 2.10 or the Securities shall not defer the payment of any Additional Tax Sums that may be then due and payable.

4.9 Additional Covenants . The Company covenants and agrees with each holder of Securities of a series issued to a Laclede Trust and, to the extent not excluded from the terms of other series of Securities pursuant to Section 2.1(u) hereof, with each holder of the Securities of other series issued hereunder, that it shall not (i) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any shares of the Company’s Capital Stock (which includes Common Stock and preferred stock), or (ii) make any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Company that rank on a parity with or junior to the Securities of such series or make any guarantee payments with respect to any Laclede Guarantee or other guarantee by the Company of debt securities of any Subsidiary that by its terms ranks on a parity with or junior to the Securities of such series (other than (a) dividends or distributions in Common Stock; (b) any declaration of a dividend in connection with the implementation of a Rights Plan, the issuance of any Capital Stock of any class or series of preferred stock of the Company under any Rights Plan or the redemption or repurchase of any rights distributed pursuant to a Rights Plan; (c) if applicable, payments under any Laclede Guarantee relating to the Preferred Securities issued by the Laclede Trust holding the Securities of such series; and (d) purchases of Common Stock related to the issuance of Common Stock or rights under any of the Company’s benefit plans for its directors, officers, employees, consultants or advisors) if at such time (i) there shall have occurred any event of which the Company has actual knowledge that (a) with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default hereunder and (b) in respect of which the Company shall not have taken reasonable steps to cure, (ii) the Company shall be in default with respect to its payment of any obligations under a related Laclede Guarantee or (iii) the Company shall have given notice of its election to begin an Extension Period as provided in Section 2.10 and shall not have rescinded such notice, or such Extension Period, or any extension thereof, shall be continuing.

The Company also covenants with each holder of Securities of a series issued to a Laclede Trust (i) to maintain directly or indirectly 100% ownership of the Common Securities of such Laclede Trust; provided , however , that any permitted successor or assignee of the Company hereunder may succeed to the Company’s ownership of such Common Securities, (ii) not to voluntarily terminate, wind up or liquidate such Laclede Trust, except (a) in connection with a prepayment in full of the Securities or a distribution of the Securities of such series to the holders of Preferred Securities in liquidation of such Laclede Trust or (b) in connection with certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations permitted by the relevant Trust Agreement and (iii) to use its reasonable efforts, consistent with the terms and provisions of such Trust Agreement, to cause such Laclede Trust to remain classified as a grantor trust and not an association taxable as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes.

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4.10 Calculation of Original Issue Discount . The Company shall file with the Trustee promptly at the end of each calendar year (i) a written notice specifying the amount of original issue discount (including daily rates and accrual periods) accrued on outstanding Securities as of the end of such year and (ii) such other specific information relating to such original issue discount as may then be relevant under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

ARTICLE V

SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE COMPANY

AND THE TRUSTEE

5.1 Company to Furnish Trustee Information as to the Names and Addresses of Securityholders . The Company covenants and agrees that it will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee, semiannually not more than 15 days after each record date for payment of interest, and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing within 30 days after receipt by the Company of any such request, a list in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require containing all information in the possession or control of the Company, or any Paying Agent or any registrar of the Securities of each series, other than the Trustee, as to the names and addresses of the holders of Securities of such series obtained (in the case of each list other than the first list) since the date as of which the next previous list was furnished; provided , however , that if the Trustee shall be the registrar of the Securities of such series, no such list need be furnished; and provided further that the Company shall not be obligated to provide such a list of Securityholders at any time the list of Securityholders does not differ from the most recent list of Securityholders given to the Trustee by the Company. Any such list may be dated as of a date not more than fifteen days prior to the time such information is furnished or caused to be furnished, and need not include information received after such date.

5.2 Trustee to Preserve Information as to the Names and Addresses of Securityholders Received by It.

The Trustee shall comply with the obligations imposed upon it pursuant to Section 312 of the Trust Indenture Act.

Each and every holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Paying Agent nor any registrar shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any information as to the names and addresses of the holders of Securities in accordance with Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

5.3 Annual and Other Reports to be Filed by Company with Trustee.

(a) The Company covenants and agrees to file with the Trustee within fifteen days after the Company is required to file the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe)

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which the Company may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of such Sections, then it will file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations.

(b) The Company covenants and agrees to file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such additional information, documents, and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants provided for in this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations.

(c) The Company covenants and agrees to transmit to the holders of Securities within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, in the manner and to the extent provided in subsection (c) of Section 5.4 with respect to reports pursuant to subsection (a) of said Section 5.4 , such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this Section as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission.

(d) Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates and certificates delivered pursuant to Section 4.6).

5.4 Trustee to Transmit Annual Report to Securityholders.

(a) On or before             , and on or before              in every year thereafter, if and so long as any Securities are outstanding hereunder, the Trustee shall transmit to the Securityholders as hereinafter in this Section provided, a brief report dated as of the preceding March 15 with respect to any of the following events which may have occurred within the previous twelve (12) months (but if no such event has occurred within such period no report need be transmitted):

(i) Any change to its eligibility under Section 7.9 , and its qualifications under Section 7.8 ;

(ii) The creation of or any material change to a relationship which would create a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act;

(iii) The character and amount of any advances (and if the Trustee elects so to state, the circumstances surrounding the making thereof) made by the Trustee (as such) which remain unpaid on the date of such report, and for the reimbursement of which it claims or may claim a lien or charge prior to that of the Securities of any series

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on any property or funds held or collected by it as Trustee, except that the Trustee shall not be required (but may elect) to report such advances if such advances so remaining unpaid aggregate not more than one-half of one percent of the principal amount of the Securities of all series outstanding as of the date of such report;

(iv) Any change to the amount, interest rate, and maturity date of all other indebtedness owing by the Company (or by any other obligor on the Securities) to the Trustee in its individual capacity, on the date of such report, with a brief description of any property held as collateral security therefor, except indebtedness based upon a creditor relationship arising in any manner described in paragraph (2), (3), (4), or (6) of subsection (b) of Section 311 of the Trust Indenture Act;

(v) Any change to the property and funds, if any, physically in the possession of the Trustee (as such) on the date of such report;

(vi) Any additional issue of Securities which the Trustee has not previously reported to Securityholders; and

(vii) Any action taken by the Trustee in the performance of its duties under this Indenture which it has not previously reported to Securityholders and which in its opinion materially affects the Securities of any series, except action in respect of a default, notice of which has been or is to be withheld by it in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.7 .

(b) The Trustee shall transmit to the Securityholders, as hereinafter provided, a brief report with respect to the character and amount of any advances (and if the Trustee elects so to state, the circumstances surrounding the making thereof) made by the Trustee (as such) since the date of the last report transmitted pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section (or if such report has not yet been so transmitted, since the date of execution of this Indenture), for the reimbursement of which it claims or may claim a lien or charge prior to that of the Securities of any series on property or funds held or collected by it as Trustee, and which it has not previously reported pursuant to this subsection, except that the Trustee shall not be required (but may elect) to report such advances if such advances so remaining unpaid aggregate not more than 10 percent of the principal amount of Securities of all series outstanding as of the date of such report, such report to be transmitted within 90 days after such time.

(c) Reports pursuant to this Section shall be transmitted by mail to all holders of Securities of any series, as the names and addresses of such holders shall appear upon the Register of the Securities of such series.

(d) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Securityholders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which the Securities of any series are listed and also with the Commission. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee when and as the Securities of any series become listed on any stock exchange.

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ARTICLE VI

REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS ON

EVENT OF DEFAULT

6.1 Events of Default Defined . The term “ Event of Default ” whenever used herein with respect to Securities of any series shall mean any one of the following events:

(a) default in the payment of any installment of interest upon any of the Securities of such series as and when the same shall become due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days (subject to the deferral of any due date in the case of an Extension Period); or

(b) default in the payment of all or any part of the principal of any of the Securities of such series as and when the same shall become due and payable whether upon Maturity, upon any redemption, by declaration or otherwise; or

(c) failure on the part of the Company duly to observe or perform in any material respect any covenants or agreements (other than covenants to pay interest, principal and premium, which are subject to subsections (a) and (b) above of this Section) on the part of the Company in the Securities or in this Indenture (including any supplemental indenture or pursuant to any Officers’ Certificate as contemplated by Section 2.1 ) which are for the benefit of the Securities of such series, for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the Company by the Trustee, or to the Company and the Trustee by the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Securities of such series and all other series so benefited (all series voting as one class) at the time outstanding under this Indenture a written notice specifying such failure and stating that such notice is a “ Notice of Default ” hereunder, unless the Trustee, or the Trustee and the Holders of a principal amount of Securities of such series not less than the principal amount of Securities the Holders of which gave such notice, as the case may be, shall agree in writing to an extension of such period prior to its expiration; provided , however , that it shall not constitute an Event of Default if corrective action is initiated by the Company within such period and is being diligently pursued; or

(d) the commencement by the Company of a voluntary case under Chapter 7 or Chapter 11 of the federal Bankruptcy Code or any other similar state or federal law now or hereafter in effect, or the consent by the Company to the entry of a decree or order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or the consent by the Company to the appointment of or the taking possession by a liquidating agent or committee, conservator or receiver for the Company or any substantial part of its property, or the general assignment by the Company for the benefit of its creditors, or the admission by the Company in writing of its inability to pay its debts as they become due; or

(e) the entry of a decree or order for relief by a court having jurisdiction in the premises in respect of the Company in an involuntary case under Chapter 7 or Chapter 11 of the federal Bankruptcy Code or any other similar state or federal law now or hereafter in effect, and the continuance of any such decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 days, or the appointment of or the taking possession by a liquidating agent or committee, conservator or receiver for the Company or any substantial part of its property, and the continuance of any such appointment unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 days.

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If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, unless the principal of all the Securities shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or (i) the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of all the then outstanding Securities of the series as to which such Event of Default under clauses 6.1(a), 6.1(b) or 6.1(c) has occurred (each such series voting as a separate class in the case of an Event of Default under clauses 6.1(a) or 6.1(b), and all such series voting as one class in the case of an Event of Default under clause 6.1(c)), or (ii) the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of all of the outstanding Securities in the case of an Event of Default under clauses 6.1(d) or 6.1(e), by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Securityholders) may declare the principal amount (or if Securities of any series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) of all the Securities of such series in the case of an Event of Default under clauses 6.1(a), 6.1(b) or 6.1(c) or of all the outstanding Securities in the case of an Event of Default under clauses 6.1(d) or 6.1(e), in each case together with any accrued interest, to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become and shall be immediately due and payable; provided , however , that in the case of the Securities of a series issued to a Laclede Trust, if upon an Event of Default, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such series fail to declare the principal of all the Securities of that series to be immediately due and payable, the holders of at least 25% in aggregate liquidation amount of the corresponding series of Preferred Securities then outstanding shall have such right by a notice in writing to the Company and the Trustee.

The foregoing provisions, however, are subject to the condition that if, at any time after the principal amount (or specified portion thereof) of the Securities of any one or more series (or of all the Securities, as the case may be) shall have been so declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of moneys due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, the Company shall pay or shall deposit with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest upon all the Securities of such series (or upon all the Securities, as the case may be) and the principal of any and all Securities of such series (or of any and all the Securities, as the case may be) which shall have become due otherwise than by declaration (with interest on overdue installments of interest to the extent permitted by law and on such principal at the rate or rates of interest borne by, or prescribed therefor in, the Securities of each such series to the date of such payment or deposit) and the amounts payable to the Trustee under Section 7.6 , and any and all defaults under the Indenture with respect to Securities of such series (or all Securities, as the case may be), other than the nonpayment of principal of and any accrued interest on Securities of such series (or any Securities, as the case may be) which shall have become due by declaration, shall have been cured, remedied or waived as provided in Section 6.6 , then and in every such case the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of such series (or of all the Securities, as the case may be) then outstanding and as to which such Event of Default has occurred (such series or all series voting as one class, if more than one series are so entitled) by written notice to the Company and to the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences. In the case of Securities issued to a Laclede Trust, should the holders of such Securities fail to annul such declaration and waive such default, the holders of a majority in aggregate liquidation preference of related Preferred Securities shall have such right; but no such rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent default, or shall impair any right consequent thereon.

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In case the Trustee, any holder of Securities or any holder of Preferred Securities shall have proceeded to enforce any right under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned because of such rescission or annulment or for any other reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, such holder of Securities or such holder of Preferred Securities then and in every such case the Company, the Trustee, the holders of the Securities of such series (or of all the Securities, as the case may be) and the holders of Preferred Securities shall be restored respectively to their former positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Company and the Trustee, the holders of the Securities of such series (or of all the Securities, as the case may be) and the holders of Preferred Securities shall continue as though no such proceedings had been taken.

6.2 Covenant of Company to Pay to Trustee Whole Amount Due on Securities on Default in Payment of Interest or Principal . The Company covenants that (1) in case default shall be made in the payment of any installment of interest on any of the Securities of any series as and when the same shall become due and payable, and such default shall have continued for a period of 30 days (subject to the deferral of any due date in the case of an Extension Period), or (2) in case default shall be made in the payment of all or any part of the principal of any of the Securities of any series as and when the same shall become due and payable, whether upon Maturity, upon any redemption, by declaration or otherwise, then, upon demand of the Trustee, the Company will pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the holders of the Securities of such series, the whole amount that then shall have become due and payable on all such Securities of such series for principal or interest, or both, as the case may be, with interest upon the overdue principal and installments of interest (to the extent permitted by law) at the rate or rates of interest borne by or prescribed therefor in the Securities of such series; and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any expenses or disbursements reasonably incurred, and all reasonable advances made hereunder by the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, except as a result of its negligence or willful misconduct.

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

The Trustee shall be entitled and empowered, either in its own name or as trustee of an express trust, or as attorney-in-fact for the holders of the Securities of any series, or in any one or more of such capacities (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities of such series shall then be due and payable, whether upon Maturity, upon any redemption, by declaration or otherwise, and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand pursuant to the provisions of this Section) to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal (or, if the Securities of such series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities of such series and to file such other documents as may be necessary

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or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for reasonable compensation of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and for reimbursement of all expenses and disbursements reasonably incurred, and all reasonable advances made hereunder by the Trustee, its agents and counsel, except as a result of its negligence or willful misconduct) and of the holders of the Securities of such series allowed in any equity receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation, arrangement, readjustment, reorganization or any other judicial proceedings relative to the Company or any other obligor on the Securities of such series or their creditors, or their property. The Trustee is hereby irrevocably appointed (and the successive respective holders of the Securities of each series by taking and holding the same shall be conclusively deemed to have so appointed the Trustee) the true and lawful attorney-in-fact of the respective holders of the Securities of such series, with authority to make and file in the respective names of the holders of the Securities of such series, or on behalf of the holders of the Securities of such series as a class, any proof of debt, amendment of proof of debt, claim, petition or other document in any such proceeding and to receive payment of any sums becoming distributable on account thereof, and to execute any such other papers and documents and to do and perform any and all such acts and things for and on behalf of such holders of the Securities of such series, as may be necessary or advisable in the opinion of the Trustee in order to have the respective claims of the Trustee and of the holders of the Securities of such series allowed in any such proceeding, and to receive payment of or on account of such claims and to distribute the same, and any receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it under Section 7.6 ; and to the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.6 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be unpaid for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise; provided , however , that nothing herein shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or vote for or accept or adopt on behalf of any Securityholder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities of such series or the rights of any holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any holder of Securities of such series in any such proceeding.

All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the Securities of any series, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities of such series, or the production thereof on any trial or other proceeding relative thereto, and any such suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee, shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall be, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of such Trustee, its agents and counsel, for the ratable benefit of the holders of the Securities of such series.

6.3 Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee . Any moneys or properties collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article VI, and after an Event of Default any money or other property distributable in respect of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture, shall be applied in the order following, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of

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such moneys, upon presentation of the several Securities in respect of which moneys have been collected, and stamping thereon the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

First: To the payment of reasonable costs and expenses of collection, and of all amounts payable to the Trustee (including any predecessor Trustee) under Section 7.6 ;

Second: Subject to Article XIV, in case the principal of the outstanding Securities in respect of which moneys have been collected shall not have become due and be unpaid, to the payment of any unpaid interest on such Securities, in the order of the maturity of the installments of such interest, with interest upon the overdue installments of interest (so far as permitted by law and to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) at the rate or rates of interest borne by, or prescribed therefor in, such Securities, such payments to be made ratably to the persons entitled thereto, without discrimination or preference;

Third: Subject to Article XIV, in case the principal of the outstanding Securities in respect of which such moneys have been collected shall have become due and be unpaid, whether upon Maturity, upon any redemption, by declaration or otherwise, to the payment of the whole amount then owing and unpaid upon such Securities for principal and interest, if any, with interest on the overdue principal and any installments of interest (so far as permitted by law and to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) at the rate or rates of interest borne by, or prescribed therefor in, such Securities; and in case such moneys shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amount so due and unpaid upon such Securities, then to the payment of such principal and interest, without preference or priority of principal over interest, or of interest over principal, or of any installment of interest over any other installment of interest, or of any Security over any other Security, ratably to the aggregate of such unpaid principal and interest; and

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

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment or distribution to Holders of Securities pursuant to this Section 6.3.

6.4 Limitation on Suits by Holders of Securities . No holder of any Security of any series shall have any right by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to institute any suit, action or proceeding in equity or at law upon or under or with respect to this Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless such holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default and of the continuance thereof, as hereinbefore provided, and unless also the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of all the Securities at the time outstanding (considered as one class) shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action, suit or proceeding in its own name as Trustee hereunder and shall have offered to the Trustee such reasonable security or indemnity as it may require against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby, and the Trustee, for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request

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and offer of indemnity, shall have declined to institute any such action, suit or proceeding and no direction inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.6 ; it being understood and intended, and being expressly covenanted by the taker and holder of every Security with every other taker and holder and the Trustee, that no one or more holders of Securities shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of the holders of any other of such Securities, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all holders of Securities. For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of this Section, each and every Securityholder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.

Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Indenture, the right of any holder of any Security to receive payment of the principal of and interest on such Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption on or after the date fixed for redemption), or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder.

6.5 On Default Trustee May Take Appropriate Action; Direct Action . In case of an Event of Default hereunder the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any of such rights, either by suit in equity or by action at law or by proceeding in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law. Except as provided in the last paragraph of Section 2.7 , all powers and remedies given by this Article to the Trustee or to the Securityholders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any thereof or of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the holders of the Securities, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture, and no delay or omission of the Trustee, of any holder of any of the Securities or any holder of Preferred Securities to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Event of Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall impair any such right or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such default or an acquiescence therein; and, subject to the provisions of Section 8.4 , every power and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee, to the Securityholders or the holders of Preferred Securities may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee, by the Securityholders or by the holders of Preferred Securities, as the case may be.

In the case of Securities of a series issued to a Laclede Trust, any holder of the corresponding series of Preferred Securities issued by such Laclede Trust shall have the right, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default described in Section 6.1(a) or (b) above, to institute a suit directly against the Company (a “ Direct Action ”) for enforcement of payment to such holder of principal of (including premium, if any) and interest (including any Additional Interest) on the Securities having a principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of such Preferred Securities of the corresponding series held by such holder. Notwithstanding any payments made to a holder of such Preferred Securities by the Company pursuant to a Direct Action initiated by

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such holder, the Company shall remain obligated to pay the principal of or interest due on the Securities, and the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the holder of such Preferred Securities with respect to payments on the Preferred Securities to the extent of any payments made by the Company to such holder in any Direct Action.

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

6.6 Rights of Holders of Majority in Principal Amount of Securities to Direct Trustee and to Waive Default . The holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any one or more series or of all the Securities, as the case may be (voting as one class), at the time outstanding (determined as provided in Section 8.4 ) shall have the right to direct the time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee under this Indenture with respect to such one or more series; provided , however , that subject to Section 7.1 , the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee being advised by counsel determines that the action so directed may not lawfully be taken, or if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer or Officers of the Trustee, determine that the proceedings so directed would be illegal or would conflict with this Indenture, or involve it in personal liability or be unduly prejudicial to the rights of Securityholders of such one or more series not parties to such direction (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not any such directions are unduly prejudicial to such Holders), and provided further that nothing in this Indenture shall impair the right of the Trustee to take any action deemed proper by the Trustee and which is not inconsistent with such direction by such Securityholders of such one or more series. The holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Securities of all series as to which a default or an Event of Default hereunder has occurred (all series voting as one class) at the time outstanding (determined as provided in Section 8.4 ) and, in the case of any Preferred Securities of a series issued to a Laclede Trust, the holders of at least a majority in aggregate liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities issued by such Laclede Trust, may waive any past default or Event of Default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of or interest on any of such Securities or Preferred Securities or in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article Ten cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each Security so affected. Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon. Any such waiver shall be deemed to be on behalf of the holders of all the Securities of such series or, in the case of a waiver by holders of Preferred Securities issued by such Laclede Trust, on behalf of all holders of Preferred Securities issued by such Laclede Trust.

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6.7 Trustee to Give Notice of Defaults Known to It, but May Withhold in Certain Circumstances . The Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of any default or Event of Default known to a Responsible Officer hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series, give to the holders of the Securities of such series in the manner and to the extent provided in subsection (c) of Section 5.4 with respect to reports pursuant to subsection (a) of said Section 5.4 , notice of such default actually known to the Trustee unless such default shall have been cured, remedied or waived before the giving of such notice (the term “default” for the purposes of this Section being hereby defined to be the events specified in clauses (c), (d) and (e) of Section 6.1 and default in the payment of the principal of or interest on Securities of any series, not including any periods of grace provided for therein, and irrespective of the giving of written notice specified therein); provided , however , that, except in the case of default in the payment of the principal of or interest on any of the Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, or a Trust Committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the holders of the Securities of such series.

6.8 Requirement of an Undertaking to Pay Costs in Certain Suits Under the Indenture or Against the Trustee . All parties to this Indenture agree, and each holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any holder of Securities of any series, or group of such Securityholders, holding in the aggregate more than 10 percent in principal amount of all the Securities (all series considered as one class) outstanding, or to any suit instituted by any Securityholder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security, on or after the due date expressed in such Security (or in the case of any redemption, on or after the date fixed for redemption).

ARTICLE VII

CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

7.1 Upon Event of Default Occurring and Continuing, Trustee Shall Exercise Powers Vested in It, and Use Same Degree of Care and Skill in Their Exercise, as a Prudent Man Would Use . The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing, remedying or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture. In case an Event of Default has occurred (which has not been cured, remedied or waived) of which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual notice, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

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No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct; provided , however , that

(a) Prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing, remedying or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred:

(i) the duties and obligations of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(ii) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of any mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein);

(b) The Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts upon which such judgment was made;

(c) The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the holders of Securities pursuant to Section 6.6 relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture;

(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 7.1 ; and

(e) None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if there is reasonable ground for believing that the repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it. The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers or duties hereunder.

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7.2 Reliance on Documents, Opinions, Etc . Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.1 :

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

(b) Any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed); and any Resolution of the Company may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the Corporate Secretary or an Assistant Corporate Secretary of the Company;

(c) The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel with respect to legal matters shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel;

(d) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Securityholders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Securityholders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonably satisfactory security or indemnity against the costs, expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) and liabilities that might be incurred by it in complying with such request or direction;

(e) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;

(f) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, or inquire as to the performance by the Company or the Guarantors of any of their covenants in this Indenture, unless requested in writing to do so by the holders of Securities pursuant to Section 6.6 , but the Trustee may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit; provided , however , that if the payment within a reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the opinion of the Trustee, not reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require adequate indemnity against such costs, expenses or liabilities as a condition to so proceeding; and provided further , that nothing in this subsection (f) shall require the Trustee to give the Securityholders any notice other than that required by Section 6.7 . The reasonable expense of every such examination shall be paid by the Company or, if paid by the Trustee, shall be repaid by the Company upon demand;

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(g) The Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed by it hereunder; provided , however , that the Trustee shall be responsible for its own negligence or willful misconduct with respect to the selection of any such agent or attorney;

(h) The Trustee shall be under no responsibility for the approval by it in good faith of any expert for any of the purposes expressed in this Indenture;

(i) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee in its Corporate Trust Office has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default or Event of Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee from the Company or Security holders of 25% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture;